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In the kitchen, Hu Yidao’s voice could be heard: “Three dishes and one soup, is that enough?”

“Enough!”

“Wild rabbit meat, I hunted it myself.

It’s not part of military expenses!

…”

Half an hour later, in the big dining hall.

Ning Jiu and Wu Yi were still there, obviously waiting to see Gu Xiaoxi being kicked out.

But this wait turned out to be half an hour.

When she came out, she was holding a plate of fragrant stir-fried meat, followed by two or three cooks, each carrying dishes.

After setting three dishes and one soup on the table, Wu Yi and Ning Jiu walked over looking dumbfounded, then turned to Hu Yidao who followed behind, “Old Hu, that’s not fair.

For me, you just give a few buns, what on earth did this girl give you as a favor?

You can’t accept private bribes, you know!”

Hu Yidao put a pot of fragrant steamed rice in front of Gu Xiaoxi with a sideways glance at Wu Yi, “I like the look of this girl, how about you do something to make me happy.

I might also make you three dishes and one soup.”

Pfft!

Wu Yi suddenly felt the urge to vomit blood!

Doubtfully staring at Gu Xiaoxi, what on earth had she done to make Old Hu look at her differently, and it was clear that the other cooks had a very good attitude towards Gu Xiaoxi as well.

Ning Jiu coughed.

Standing in front of the dining table, Gu Xiaoxi gave him a military salute, “Company commander, there’s quite a lot of food.

I didn’t expect our new recruit meals to be this good.

Would you like to sit down and eat some?

This wild rabbit meat was personally hunted by Squad Leader Hu and fried by his own hands, it smells amazing!”

She emphasized the words ‘by his own hands’ with a particularly heavy intonation.

Ning Jiu showed admiration with a thumbs up towards Gu Xiaoxi, disbelief in his eyes, “Not bad, you missed the mealtime but still managed to get three dishes and a soup.

Even I, your platoon leader, am convinced.

Remember to go back early after eating and tidy up your barracks.”

“Reporting to the platoon leader, my barracks are already perfect.

If you don’t believe me, you can inspect it yourself,” Gu Xiaoxi chuckled, her black hair draping behind her ears, making her face appear especially fair.

Ning Jiu patted Wu Yi’s shoulder, “Let’s go!

To inspect the barracks!”

Wu Yi glared at Gu Xiaoxi, feeling one hundred and twenty percent unconvinced, every time he thought about their first meeting and that bucket of cold water, the anger inside him blazed furiously.

Gu Xiaoxi, watching their retreating figures, turned her head and gave Hu Yidao a shallow smile, “Thank you, Squad Leader, I’ll start eating now.”

Hu Yidao took out a lighter and ignited the precious cigarette in his hand, nodding towards Gu Xiaoxi with appreciation in his gaze, “Go ahead!

Eat and sleep early.

Today’s been the most comfortable day for the new recruits.

Tomorrow, the good days are coming.”

Gu Xiaoxi ladled rice into her bowl, her eyes brimming with joyous laughter, “But for me, today, after being hungry all day, is my hard day.”

“Hahaha!

You really are a special girl, even your way of thinking is different,” Hu Yidao said through puffs of smoke, enjoying himself.

After Gu Xiaoxi finished eating, Hu Yidao placed a wad of banknotes in front of her, “Here, take it.

If you don’t, I’ll be breaking military rules.”

Gu Xiaoxi chuckled and put the money back in Hu Yidao’s hands, “If you really want to give it, I can’t refuse.

You should keep it, and use it to treat everyone to a dish of braised pork one night after a week.

That sounds good, right?”

Her original intent had been simply to get a meal, and as for the cigarettes, they were worthless to her.

Since he had a reason to give her money, she didn’t want to refuse.

Contributing the money to a special meal for everyone was the least she could do!

Hu Yidao, holding the banknotes, reached out and ruffled Gu Xiaoxi’s black hair.

It was impossible not to like this girl.

With delicate features, bright eyes, white teeth, clean and pure looking, not greedy, not arrogant or impatient, she had an air of pride in her bones, was articulate, good at dealing with people, smooth yet not excessive, and knew just how to strike the right balance.

“If you’re hungry again, come find me.

Off you go!”

However, Gu Xiaoxi put her hands in her pockets and gave him a cheeky grin, “Don’t worry, next time I definitely won’t miss mealtime.”

Gu Xiaoxi strode towards the exit of the dining room.

Zhang Yi followed her with a bottle of gum, “Hold on, take this!

Chew it after meals, it’s good for your teeth!”

Gu Xiaoxi accepted the item, gave everyone a salute, and then left satisfied with a full belly.

Today was the day she made connections with the cooking squad.

With Old Hu around, there’s no fear of going hungry anymore.

On the large training field, each row and squad had already started assembling one after another, and the new recruits were gathering under the moonlight, with some squads already starting to teach military songs.

Everyone was filled with curious anticipation for this new environment.

The military, from ancient times to the present, has always been a place for men to build and accomplish great deeds.

If you’re a dragon, sooner or later you will soar to the heavens.

And as for women—well!

Now that there is gender equality, as long as you have the strength, one day you will stand proud among men.

Gu Xiaoxi tossed two pieces of chewing gum into the air and deftly caught them in her mouth, her movements suave and brimming with rascally charm, drawing looks from the men nearby.

Walking on the military training ground, she felt a surge of passion welling up from within.

Here, she would rise and gain the strength that would compel that man to look at her squarely.

—Her father.

She would make him regret throwing her away.

Gu Xiaoxi took out her smartphone and flipped through the photos.

One was snapped from a financial weekly magazine.

It featured a distinguished middle-aged man.

There were a few similarities between his appearance and Gu Xiaoxi’s, especially the look in his eyes.

They both had a pair of eyes as vast as the starry sky, carrying a depth and contempt unique to those in high positions.

Gu Xiaoxi pursed her lips and exited the photo gallery on her phone.

She flipped to the messages and discovered a friend request concerning ‘soaring to the sky’.

She was silent for a moment before clicking to accept the friend.

Almost instantly, a response came from the other side.

“Xiao Xi, you finally remembered me!”

Gu Xiaoxi raised an eyebrow and replied, “?

“I am Yi Chentian.

I thought you had forgotten me,” Yi Chentian, clutching his phone, was so excited he felt like taking flight.

Ever since Gu Xiaoxi left, he had been waiting for a reply to his friend request.

After finishing his daily training, he would always hold his phone, constantly waiting for her response.

“Do you need something from me?” Gu Xiaoxi couldn’t understand why someone she’d only met once was so enthusiastic.

“Where are you?

I have time tomorrow; I’ll come and see you!”

“Don’t bother, I just arrived at the military base today.

Training starts tomorrow.

We’re not even close!”

“…” Yi Chentian’s heart shattered in an instant.

From her words, he sensitively caught one word, rookie!

Gu Xiaoxi closed the messaging app.

She opened her contacts, found Quan Shaoqing’s name, stared at it for a long while, and eventually slid the smartphone back into her pocket.

He had been tricking her all the way here; she should be angry and ignore him for a week.

Just as she put her phone back, a message alert sounded; it was really from Quan Shaoqing.

“How’s your first day reporting in?

Are you getting on okay?” Quan Shaoqing sent the message and waited for a reply.

However, after ten minutes, there was no sound from the other side.

“Xiao Xi, get along well with your comrades!”

Gu Xiaoxi looked at the message and decisively blacked out her screen again.

This guy was even more nagging than her mom, starting his chatter with her right away.

“Listen to the instructor obediently!”

When the third message from Quan Shaoqing came through, Gu Xiaoxi couldn’t stand it any longer.

She was just about to reply with “annoying” when someone suddenly stood in front of her, and before she had time to put her phone away, it was snatched away from her.

“Gu Xiaoxi, from now on, all smartphones will be confiscated.

New recruits can get them back after three months,” Yuan Shang stood before her, his tone serious.

Gu Xiaoxi looked on forlornly as another message pinged on her phone.

“Can I take one last look at the message?”

“No!” Yuan Shang’s tone was authoritative, “Now go to the training field and assemble.”