"What are you laughing at?!" Zhang Wei's face flushed red as he asked, fuming.
Jiang Cheng glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist and rubbed his stiffly smiling mouth.
"It's almost time. I'm done playing house with you; find someone else to take over."
With that, he yawned, stood up, and headed for the lounge door.
But Zhang Wei refused to quit; being mocked only stoked his fragile pride.
He blocked Jiang Cheng's path, sneering, "You're not leaving until this is clear. I've seen plenty of slackers like you who skip Military Training. I'll report you—"
Jiang Cheng hadn't planned to bother with him.
To him, Zhang Wei was an ant beneath his shoe.
Do you crush every tiny creature you meet?
No—you simply ignore it and keep walking.
Compared with the past, Jiang Cheng was now relaxed yet formidable;
the gap between their strengths was simply too wide.
Zhang Wei's words didn't stir even a ripple in his eyes.
But repeated provocation? Might as well be asking for a slap.
Before Zhang Wei could finish, a crisp "smack" rang out.
Jiang Cheng had delivered a forceful slap across his face.
"Head clear now? Get lost."
He spoke calmly, without raising his voice, simply looking at Zhang Wei.
Yet Zhang Wei didn't dare retaliate.
He merely lowered his head, covered his cheek, and shuffled aside.
That slap had sobered him up for real.
As long as fists weren't thrown, Zhang Wei could still mouth off.
But if it came to blows, Jiang Cheng could afford the consequences—he couldn't.
So Zhang Wei cowered.
The other two present didn't dare meet Jiang Cheng's gaze either.
Only after he left the lounge did they speak up.
"Senior Zhang Wei, are you okay?"
Humiliated by Jiang Cheng, Zhang Wei's fury had nowhere to vent.
Why? Jiang Cheng looked down on him so utterly.
He wouldn't even spare an angry glare, making Zhang Wei feel like a clown.
His chest tight with rage and no outlet, he yelled at the two freshmen, "What're you staring at? Scram!"
The two new students, yelled at for no reason, flung their water bottles at his feet in anger.
"Why take it out on us? Big deal you're a senior."
"So capable? Then why call us? Move it yourself."
"Attitude like yours? Dream of joining the Student Union!"
They brushed off his threat entirely.
Once, like other freshmen, they'd idolized the Student Union.
But after witnessing the "battle" between Zhang Wei and Jiang Cheng—Jiang Cheng's contempt and Zhang Wei's bluster—their rose-tinted glasses shattered.
If the Student Union was full of Zhang Weis, what was the point?
"Thanks, but we really don't want to join."
"Hilarious—not even an official, yet throwing airs."
They walked off, grumbling, leaving Zhang Wei livid.
After a whole year of being a junior, he'd thought he could finally lord it over new students.
Yet on only day two he met his Waterloo, face twisted with anger.
He inwardly added another mark to Jiang Cheng's tab.
"Just you wait—next time I catch you, I'll report you for sure."
In his eyes Jiang Cheng was simply using money and connections to skip Military Training.
Otherwise how could he be napping here at this hour? Jiang Cheng checked the time—nearly 11:30, probably almost dismissed.
Could his instructor have forgotten him?
Puzzled, he walked toward his platoon; everyone was still practicing military boxing under the sun.
Seeing him, the male instructor instinctively walked over—and even saluted him.
Jiang Cheng's mind filled with question marks.
?????
The other students stared wide-eyed as well.
After a pause Jiang Cheng returned the salute. "Instructor Ren, sir."
The instructor grinned. "No need to rejoin the squad. Wait under that tree; I'll dismiss everyone once I finish."
Jiang Cheng didn't refuse; he strolled to the shade and waited.
Why roast in the sun when you could cool off under a tree?
He really didn't see the point of summer Military Training.
Watching his red-faced classmates under the blazing sun,
he summed it up: listless, sweaty, and seething.
Once dismissed, Wang Jian and the others trudged over in disarray.
Seeing Jiang Cheng relaxed and spotless, they asked enviously, "Old Jiang, what did the instructor want?"
"Yeah, why'd it take so long?"
"You don't even look like you've exercised."
Jiang Cheng gave a vague answer. "I was helping boil water, but I think he forgot me."
"Boil water?? What kind of chore is that?"
"Aren't kettles smart enough these days to need a babysitter?"
"Our instructor's got quite the ego, but you lucked out—while we roasted all morning…"
"…"