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She seemingly had only been in the army for three days, yet how had she managed to offend so many people?

Wu Yi, hands on hips, glanced sideways at Shao Changfeng, “What’s the matter?

Trying to steal my recruit?”

Shao Changfeng’s brows were furrowed, his demeanor as imposing as ever, “This is also someone I had my eye on!”

Though his words were directed at Wu Yi, his gaze landed on Gu Xiaoxi, sharp as a pointed knife, as if wanting to poke a hole right through her.

Wu Yi and Shao Changfeng glared at each other viciously, their gazes clashing in mid-air like lightning, instantly sparking countless fiery sparks.

“She’s already my person,” Wu Yi declared, clenching his fists as he warned Shao Changfeng.

Shao Changfeng scoffed, “She’s someone I set my sights on long ago.”

The two looked at each other in silence, their faces red with anger.

Those who didn’t know better might think they were quite fond of Gu Xiaoxi.

Only Gu Xiaoxi herself knew that these two were definitely not easy to deal with.

Falling into their hands, one wouldn’t die but would certainly be skinned alive.

Gu Xiaoxi stood up straight, casting a pleading look at the company commander.

Her large watery eyes, misty with a thin veil, were as expressive as if they could speak, full of grievance and fear, breaking the heart of anyone who saw them.

Li Shaoyun’s heart softened, unable to bear watching any longer.

Such a bright-eyed girl, if she fell into the hands of two cold-hearted, malicious Yama Kings, who knows what might happen.

“Wu Yi, Shao Changfeng, fall in!” Li Shaoyun’s resonant voice rang out.

Wu Yi and Shao Changfeng immediately saluted and stood at attention, returning to their original places.

However, their positions were right next to Gu Xiaoxi.

She could feel two cold gazes landing on her, making her arms break out in goosebumps.

“Gu Xiaoxi!” Li Shaoyun held the roll call register, his tone serious.

“Present!”

“Third platoon, ninth squad, squad leader Ning Jiu to receive the recruit.”

Whoosh!…

Shao Changfeng and Wu Yi suddenly stiffened.

Gu Xiaoxi’s lips curled up, her eyes crescent-moon shaped, her large eyes glinting with a mischievous light.

She strode toward another squad leader, Ning Jiu.

He was a man with a baby face, stout and robust, with a tigerish vibe, and a radiant smile.

At first glance, he seemed extremely affable.

“Hello, squad leader!” Gu Xiaoxi saluted respectfully.

Ning Jiu chuckled, “Not bad!

Since the company commander has appointed you, come with me!”

So, under the furious gazes of Wu Yi and Shao Changfeng, Gu Xiaoxi turned back to toss them a triumphant seductive look, then confidently and spiritedly followed her new squad leader.

The two men were left fuming, flames practically shooting from their eyes!

The instructor standing behind the company commander touched his nose, speechless.

What a cunning girl she was; by acting cute in front of the company commander, she had directly escaped the devil’s clutches.

Still, he shed a sympathetic tear for Gu Xiaoxi.

Although she had escaped the tiger’s den, she had fallen into a wolf’s lair.

If you thought Ning Jiu was the kind of frank and honest, gentle and endearing person, then you would be sorely mistaken.

A typical new recruit’s smiling tiger, a crafty Black Fox, second to none in schemes of mischief, no one dare claim the first spot.

The instructor looked up and saw the company commander with a cunning smile on his lips, shedding another two sympathetic tears for Gu Xiaoxi.

They were all a bunch of heartless characters!

“Gu Xiaoxi, tell me about your specialties!” Ning Jiu led Gu Xiaoxi toward the ninth squad’s training field.

Gu Xiaoxi narrowed her eyes, her smile as pure as a blank sheet of paper, “Running!”

“How many kilometers can you run in half an hour?

Don’t be nervous, since you’re my soldier, I need to get to know you better.

Don’t feel constrained,” Ning Jiu said cheerfully.

His baby face seemed especially innocuous.

“Ten kilometers!” Gu Xiaoxi pondered for a moment, as if mustering all her courage to spit out the number.

Her expression seemed a bit reluctant.

However, Ning Jiu failed to notice the cunning flash that passed through her eyes.

Upon hearing this, a glint of realization shot through Ning Jiu’s dark eyes.

“How many push-ups can you do in a minute?”

“Platoon leader, not many!

Twenty!”

“Do you know how to handle a gun?”

Gu Xiaoxi giggled, flashing her bright white teeth, sweet and endearing, “Platoon leader, I’ve never played with one.”

Ning Jiu became curious.

Her physical fitness was only so-so, not having played with guns meant she was no Sharpshooter.

So what were Wu Yi and Shao Changfeng fussing over?

After all the trouble, he was dealing with an exceptionally pretty girl, the kind he could easily grab a handful of in his ranks.

He had already sized up Gu Xiaoxi’s level in his mind.

So, he watched her with a beaming smile, pointing to the training ground not far away, “Put on your pack and stand in the military posture over there for me.

Don’t move until I say stop.”

Gu Xiaoxi smiled faintly, saluted him, then obediently walked toward the training ground with her pack on her back.

Ning Jiu followed up to make some adjustments to Gu Xiaoxi’s stance, then went to watch the other recruits train, seemingly completely forgetting about her.

And Gu Xiaoxi stood from early morning when the recruits were enlisted until the sun went down.

Like a stake, she stood there unmoving, her clothes soaked through with sweat long ago.

The entire eight hours took Ning Jiu by surprise.

A recruit standing in military posture would last no more than four hours at most; if caught under the scorching sun, they would either suffer heatstroke and pass out or start to complain of exhaustion and collapse.

However, Gu Xiaoxi stood there without a single movement from beginning to end.

Her figure was slender, yet it exuded an unyielding pride.

Despite her pale lips and sweat-drenched face, she clenched her teeth and remained silent.

“Gu Xiaoxi!” Ning Jiu stood in front of her, his gaze focused.

“Present!”

“At ease!”

Gu Xiaoxi felt her entire legs go numb; for a moment, she was tempted to sit on the ground and stretch her limbs properly.

She came to be a soldier, so she did not fear any test or punishment.

Not only was she unafraid, but she also became stronger through these hardships.

Even though her skills were decent, she had yet to reach the peak, so she could endure any pain and was ready to surpass herself.

Ning Jiu stood in front of Gu Xiaoxi, his big eyes twinkling playfully, “Tell me about your feelings!”

He had already guessed what Gu Xiaoxi would say — either protesting his unfair treatment, accusing him of bullying, or complaining of tiredness and hunger.

Yet unexpectedly, Gu Xiaoxi wiped the sweat from her forehead, looked at him with her pale lips slightly moving, and coolly said, “Report!

Next time when standing in military posture, could you let me use the restroom?”

“…” Ning Jiu.

He scrutinized Gu Xiaoxi, sternly fixing his gaze on her, trying to see complaints and anger in her eyes, even just a hint would do.

But there was none.

Her eyes were like the vast night sky, as if twinkling stars were glimmering within them, irresistibly drawing people deep into their allure.

They were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, as if they were hiding a secret treasure.

Ning Jiu gave a slight smile.

He had a preliminary understanding of Gu Xiaoxi.

Unyielding willpower, tough as bones, the first attempt to intimidate her went straight to the dogs, not the slightest bit shaken by him.

“Your dorm is in building six, room 609!

Go put your things away.

The squad leader will teach you how to tidy up.

Inspection at seven o’clock tomorrow morning.

Anything unrelated should be stowed away.”

Gu Xiaoxi turned, looking up at the dormitory building not far away.

It was already crowded with onlookers, not only girls but also boys.

Even from the office windows of the rear service unit, people crammed to watch.