Chapter 52

Chapter 52 - Becoming a Model Soldier

Xiao Laoshi was taken aback.

He had never anticipated this outcome.

“Is there a problem?” Ho Jing inquired, looking at Xiao Laoshi.

“No problem,” Xiao Laoshi replied, his expression tinged with bitterness. Then he jogged over to Ye Hao and nudged him with his elbow, saying, “Joining me?”

Ye Hao's expression turned grim.

“You're also running five laps,” Ho Jing pointed at Ye Hao and declared.

Frowning, Ye Hao asked, “Why?”

“Are you not roommates with those three?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Then why are you standing apart from your squad?”

“So, by your logic, if they die, I should die with them?” Ye Hao retorted, rolling his eyes at Ho Jing's reasoning.

The class burst into laughter.

“Silence!” Ho Jing bellowed, and the laughter ceased abruptly.

Ho Jing, pointing at Ye Hao, commanded, “You're running ten laps.”

To everyone's surprise, Ye Hao quipped, “Ten laps? That's hardly a challenge.”

“In that case, make it twenty laps,” Ho Jing shot back, not expecting Ye Hao's cheeky response.

Ye Hao chuckled, clapped Xiao Laoshi on the shoulder, and suggested, “How about you join me for twenty laps?”

“I can't run that many,” Xiao Laoshi blurted out, startled.

“Then why drag me into this mess?” Ye Hao complained.

Before Xiao Laoshi could respond, Ye Hao took off running.

Knowing he was at fault, Xiao Laoshi hurried after Ye Hao, though catching him was out of the question.

Ye Hao maintained a swift pace, quickly outpacing Zheng Xiaolong and the others.

“Ye Hao, why are you being punished too?”

“Ye Hao, slow down!”

Ignoring their calls, Ye Hao breezed past them. As he passed the squad, he called out, “Lap one!”

Ho Jing watched Ye Hao, challenging him, “Let's see if you can keep that pace.”

“Your wish is my command,” Ye Hao replied coolly.

Ho Jing, irked by Ye Hao's audacity, declared, “If you can keep this up for ten laps, I'll make you the model soldier.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Hao came to an immediate halt.

As a result, most of the students were soaked with sweat.

Ye Hao, not wanting to stand out, ended up sweating profusely as well.

“The instructor is merciless,” Yuan Gaoxing commented with a wry smile.

“He had us training non-stop for a full hour right off the bat,” Xiao Laoshi agreed with a nod.

“I'm going to grab some water,” announced Zheng Xiaolong, getting to his feet and heading toward the concession stand.

Several other students followed suit, making their way to the stand to purchase drinks.

After a bit, Zheng Xiaolong returned, clutching a bottle of iced tea.

“Why did you only get one drink?” Xiao Laoshi asked, surprised.

“You didn't ask me to get you one,” replied Zheng Xiaolong, equally surprised.

“So, if I don't ask, you won't help?” Xiao Laoshi said, a touch of exasperation in his voice.

“Well, if I bought it and you didn't drink it, that would be a waste, wouldn't it?” retorted Zheng Xiaolong, taking a hearty swig of his beverage.

Xiao Laoshi was about to respond but then thought better of it and remained silent.

Just then, Zhang Lan approached Ye Hao and handed him a bottle of water, saying simply, “For you.”

Her gesture took the entire class by surprise, and they couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy toward Ye Hao.

It was clear that Zhang Lan had taken a liking to him.

“Thank you,” Ye Hao responded, accepting the water.

“Don't just thank me with words. You could do something practical in return,” Zhang Lan suggested with a smile.

Ye Hao paused, then asked, “Like what?”

“I need to pick up some personal items at lunch, and I can't carry everything by myself,” she explained softly.

“Sure. We'll head to the campus store after we wrap up with the training.”

“Actually, let's go to Carrefour. They have a wider selection,” she proposed.

“Sounds good.”

Once Zhang Lan had left, Yuan Gaoxing couldn't help but express his admiration: “Ye Hao, you've managed to charm the prettiest girl in our class so quickly.”

“Don't talk nonsense,” Ye Hao said, shaking his head. “We're just classmates.”

“If we're classmates, why didn't Zhang Lan invite me?” Yuan Gaoxing wasn't convinced by Ye Hao's explanation.

“Maybe it's because I'm better looking,” Ye Hao quipped. Yuan Gaoxing and his two friends grumbled in response. But their expressions shifted dramatically when they saw the approaching figure.

It was Bai Hehua.

Dressed in a snug military uniform, Bai Hehua's figure was accentuated, particularly her chest, and her cuteness added a significant visual punch.

“Ye Hao, I bought this especially for you,” Bai Hehua said before darting away.

Unbeknownst to Ye Hao, Bai Hehua had a triumphant smirk on her face as she turned to leave.