After Huang Yiyi snapped at them, the Girls didn't dare talk back outwardly, but they were still annoyed inside. They could only exchange glances and roll their eyes at her when she wasn't looking.
After all, when it came to looks, they really couldn't compete with Huang Yiyi. But thanks to all the pinned and featured posts on the school forum, Jiang Cheng had already become the secret comfort of many Girls at night.
Ahem—someone to secretly crush on.
Soon their Instructor walked over.
After assembly, today's Military Training began with a round of marching drills.
In the height of summer, even at eight or nine in the morning the sun was still brutal.
After marching practice came a slow jog around the field to warm up.
Under the blazing sun, everyone was stuck in long-sleeved, long-pants army fatigues.
One lap later, the boys were mostly fine, but plenty of Girls were already red-faced, drenched in sweat, and gasping for air.
Some of the frailer Girls were breathing so hard they turned pale and started whimpering softly.
A few closet Otaku cast the Girls sympathetic looks.
They'd all come from high schools where academic pressure was crushing; suddenly facing intense physical training was hard to take.
Jiang Cheng glanced at Huang Yiyi. Compared with the other Girls' delicate state, her stamina seemed surprisingly good.
She even took the initiative to hand out tissues and then helped the others finish the lap.
That made Jiang Cheng view her in a new light.
He hadn't expected Huang Yiyi to have such staying power.
Compared with some of the harsh Instructors in other Platoons, theirs was fairly humane.
He didn't start by trying to intimidate them or make them run ten laps to assert dominance.
Seeing some students struggling, he let them rest in place for ten minutes.
Thanks to system enhancements, Jiang Cheng's physique had improved; he only felt the heat—no panting at all.
Everyone sat on the shady edge of the field, some drinking water, some chatting.
After a short rest Huang Yiyi ran straight to Jiang Cheng, cracked open a bottle of mineral water, and cheerfully handed it over.
"Jiang Cheng, have a drink."
Looking at her genuine, unaffected smile, Jiang Cheng couldn't refuse. He took the bottle and gulped it down.
"Thanks."
"Hehe, I'd better go or my roommate will tease me again." With that she bounced back to her spot.
Seeing Huang Yiyi bring Jiang Cheng water first, some Girls who hadn't had the chance started whispering again.
Wang Jian at that moment pulled out a bottle of Sunscreen and began applying it.
His technique was professional, pinky raised like a delicate orchid, making Jiang Cheng shake his head.
Lu Chuan couldn't help snarking, "Bro Jian, you're a Second-generation rich kid—why so many skincare products? Forget the bottles in your dorm; you already put on Sunscreen this morning. Why again?"
"Tch, what do you know? I rely on this face for a living. If I get sunburned how will I pick up Girls?"
"Aren't you already tanned?" Wu Kun leaned over to look.
"Tanned? Then I'll add another layer." Wang Jian pointed toward the next Platoon. "See Shen Mengjia over there? The so-called most beautiful Military Training goddess on the forum—she really is pretty."
After Wang Jian said that, Lu Chuan squinted. "The one with bangs?"
"Yeah, I see her. Damn, no wonder so many guys bring her water," Wu Kun said with a drooling grin.
Jiang Cheng stayed on his phone, not joining in. Wang Jian scooted over. "Bro Cheng, you're ignoring beauties? What are you looking at?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head. "Chatting with some other Girls."
"Check this out—Shen Mengjia, the prettiest Military Training goddess. If you're not interested I'm making my move; I don't want to clash with you later." He shoved the forum photos under Jiang Cheng's nose.
Jiang Cheng glanced; the shots were nice enough, but clearly filtered selfies with heavy, deliberate makeup. In this sweltering heat, in army uniform, that much makeup looked uncomfortable.
Without those effects, Shen Mengjia's looks would score maybe seventy, eighty at most.
In Jiang Cheng's view, the title of "most beautiful Military Training goddess" was probably gained through posed photos or hype.
He shook his head and looked at Huang Yiyi, who was casually wiping her face with a tissue.
She was much better—fresh and natural right in front of him.
"Not my type."
Wang Jian thought Jiang Cheng's taste was weird, but since he had one less rival, he was delighted.
"Yes! Bro Cheng's not interested, so I'm going for Shen Mengjia. Don't compete, you two." He turned to Lu Chuan and Wu Kun.
They were used to Wang Jian's fickle ways. He'd introduced his girlfriend on day one, yet after a few days they realized—like most Second-generation rich kids—he had no steady partner.
Wu Kun waved it off; a goddess like that wasn't on his radar.
His targets had always been average-looking Girls.
Mid-level looks were acceptable and manageable; both sides were on equal footing, so big conflicts were unlikely.
And they wouldn't nitpick or look down on him.
To a regular guy like him, as long as a Girl wasn't dreadful, once the lights were out they were all the same.
Lu Chuan opted out too. "Count me out—I've got plenty of Foreign Language 'girlfriends' waiting on my computer."