Chapter Eight: Assembling at the Training Grounds, Ready to Set Out

“Actually, you don’t need to be afraid. Just try to stick to the main roads when you’re out. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, which is a huge deterrent to anyone with bad intentions.”

“Mm.”

Luo Si gave a noncommittal nod.

“How about this—you take down my phone number? If you ever need anything, just call me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Luo Si stopped in her tracks and turned to look at me seriously.

“What is it? Did I not wipe my mouth after dinner?” I touched my lips, but couldn’t feel anything left there.

“Do you dislike me?” Luo Si asked abruptly, without any preamble.

Surprised, I looked at her. “Of course not. If I disliked you, I wouldn’t have brought you to my house.”

She nodded, then asked for my phone and dialed her own number.

“That’s my number. Make sure you save it.”

“Don’t worry.”

Mingyue Estate was only fifteen minutes from Shaolai Residence. We chatted idly on the way, and soon we arrived.

“We’re at your place. Hurry home, and don’t wander out alone at night.”

Luo Si nodded vigorously.

“My apartment is in that building over there, eighth floor, the room on the left.” She pointed to the second building on the left, then ran off.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, she suddenly stopped and looked back. “Yan Ruyu, be careful on your way.”

I raised my hand in farewell, smiling.

Walking alone was much quicker, and ten minutes later I was home.

My sister opened the door. I was about to greet her, but she snorted and turned away.

“What’s got into you?” I called after Yan Yan, half teasing.

“You’re the one acting weird,” she retorted, sitting on the sofa and turning away with a sulky face.

“Oh? Who made our little princess so angry? Tell your brother, I’ll go beat them up for you.” I playfully raised my fist to show my willingness.

“It’s you! Now that you have a girlfriend, you don’t care about your sister anymore.” Yan Yan’s face was filled with anger and grievance.

“What? Since when do I have a girlfriend? This is news to me.” I was genuinely confused. If I had a girlfriend, wouldn’t I know?

“Hmph, it’s that Luo Si.”

“Hey, Yan Yan, first of all, she’s not my girlfriend—we only met yesterday. And you should call her Sister Luo Si or Sister Sisi. It’s rude to use her name like that.” I tried to reason with her.

“And you say there’s nothing going on! You scold me for calling her by name, and today you even brought her home to meet the family.”

“This makes no sense.” My head was pounding.

“Besides, Mom said she wants Luo Si to be your girlfriend,” Yan Yan muttered, clearly displeased.

I rubbed my head helplessly. So that’s where this all started—my mom.

“Don’t worry. Luo Si isn’t my girlfriend. And even if I do have one in the future, I’d never stop loving my adorable little sister.” I gave Yan Yan’s nose a playful flick.

With my reassurance, Yan Yan grudgingly stepped aside and let me in.

“Son, did you see Sisi home?” My mother put down her teddy bear and stood up when she saw me.

I nodded and walked over to her.

“What do you think of that girl?” My mom raised her eyebrows and winked at me.

Yan Yan sat closer on the sofa, pretending to watch TV, but it was obvious she was listening.

“She’s nice, I suppose,” I replied simply.

“What do you mean, ‘nice’? You’re already sixteen. Don’t you want to find a girlfriend?”

“Come on, Mom, most parents are afraid their kids will date too early. Why are you the opposite?” I was exasperated.

“I used to be worried too, but after meeting Sisi today, I changed my mind. Such a beautiful and kind girl—you should grab the chance while you can. Once she’s gone, you might not get another.”

“Mom, I forgot to tell you something important—you might not see me for the next month.” I seized the opportunity to change the subject, finally diverting her attention from matchmaking. Even Yan Yan, who had been pretending to watch TV, turned to listen.

“What’s this about not seeing you for a month?”

Glad for the change of topic, I took a deep breath and explained, “School’s starting, and this year’s military training is at an actual camp for a whole month. We each need to pay a hundred for meals, that’s all.”

I kept it brief and clear.

“Can you handle a month of training?” My mom frowned.

“Don’t worry, Mom. This is a great chance to get fit and healthy, which means I’ll fall sick less. Besides, I’m grown now—it’ll be fine.”

After repeated assurances, my mom finally relaxed.

I quickly packed my toiletries, tossed my bag aside, took a shower, and played a few games.

Later, as I was heading back to my room after using the bathroom, I saw my mom stuffing things into my backpack. What had been an almost empty bag was now full to bursting, with plenty more items that wouldn’t fit.

“Mom, what are you doing? I only need toiletries and two changes of clothes.”

She shook her head. “You’ll be out in the sun a lot during training, so you’ll need a water bottle, sunscreen, sanitary pads for shoe inserts, slippers, mosquito coils, an alarm clock, pen and paper, and some snacks—so you won’t go hungry.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

“Ugh!” Yan Yan expressed her disgust with a dramatic gesture.

The next morning, I got up at dawn, washed up, had breakfast, and headed to school.

As luck would have it, I ran into Liu Xiaojie at the school gate, so we walked to the teaching building together.

“Go check the classroom. Once everyone’s here, lead them to the sports field,” Liu Xiaojie said before heading to her office.

I glanced at her a few times, then went to my own class.

“Kang Qiaoyue, Ms. Liu wants you to lead everyone to the field once the class is assembled.” I conveyed the instructions to the class sports rep and took my heavy backpack to my desk.

“Ruyu, I saw you leave school yesterday with a pretty girl. Your girlfriend?” Ma Liang leaned over just as I was thinking about playing on my phone.

“From now on, say my name all together or call me ‘brother’—otherwise it sounds weird. And that girl? Just met her, not my girlfriend.” I actually bothered to explain.

“Okay, Brother Yu. I’m still single—can you introduce me to a girlfriend?” Ma Liang nudged me with his shoulder.

“You’re thinking about dating instead of studying? Is that right? Besides, I’m single too.” I shot him a look.

“Then can you introduce me to that girl from yesterday?” he pressed on.

“If you want to pursue her, do it yourself. I just met her,” I said, having no intention of playing matchmaker. If he could win Luo Si over, that would be his business.

“All right, everyone, tidy up and form two lines. We’re heading to the field,” Kang Qiaoyue organized the group efficiently, and soon we were moving in an orderly fashion.

Once on the field, we lined up in front of Liu Xiaojie, and Kang Qiaoyue had everyone adjust their positions by height. After that, the group looked quite neat.