Chapter Thirty-Four: Returning to School After Military Training

In the following days, Liu Fan visited the training grounds daily to supervise the special forces’ exercises. Whenever boredom struck, he would orchestrate a massive melee involving a thousand soldiers, mercilessly pushing them to their limits under the pretense of enhancing their combat skills. These tough soldiers, both awed and terrified by him, couldn’t help but respect his prowess. Occasionally, he sparred with Sun Jianguo, practiced at the shooting range, and got acquainted with many new weapons and equipment. None of these posed a challenge for him. His days passed in leisure and comfort; to others, he seemed less like a participant in military training and more like a tourist on holiday, making his classmates green with envy.

His roommates, in particular, complained that he was off enjoying himself without a thought for their camaraderie, accusing him of being unkind. Most of it was in jest, though, and Liu Fan enjoyed having his friends tease and joke with him every day.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the fifteen days of military training came to an end. According to tradition, the final evening was dedicated to a farewell party. In half a month, the students had grown attached to the camp, and the once tender, frail, and pampered newcomers had become bronzed, robust, and spirited young men and women.

The party was a resounding success, strengthening the bonds between students and soldiers. Dancing and singing helped soften the sorrow of impending separation; many girls spent the night with reddened eyes, saying tearful goodbyes to their instructors.

Yet there was one group for whom the end of training was a cause for celebration—the cubs of the Night Wolf Special Forces, whom Liu Fan had coached. For days, Liu Fan had relentlessly pushed them, but their progress was remarkable; many reached the middle ranks of the Human Stage, some even the upper ranks, officially entering the path of martial arts. Though it was only the Human Stage, countless others had trained for years without even sensing a trace of energy, which explained the decline of traditional Chinese martial arts.

When Liu Fan mentioned he might return to visit, their faces fell—not because they didn’t welcome him, but because his training methods had terrified them. The parting sadness was quickly replaced by relief.

Early the next morning, the students from Fudan University boarded their bus, returning to campus in high spirits, ready to embark on their university lives.

As soon as Liu Fan stepped into his dormitory, he heard his three roommates animatedly discussing their experiences from the training. Zhang Yi, the second eldest, was especially fervent, describing in great detail the curves of a certain beautiful girl, his words flowing like a river, while the other two listened, practically drooling.

When Liu Fan entered, all three turned to the door, rushed over, and hugged him, exclaiming happily, “Ah, you’re finally back, Third Brother, we missed you!”

“That’s right, Third Brother! Rumor has it you were a big deal in the military camp, even charming the instructors. You’ve made us proud!”

“Yes, yes, you’re famous now! Girls from our class have been asking me about you.”

“Same here! Thanks to you, our days have been wonderful lately—girls everywhere, quite the experience, heh heh.”

Liu Fan could only laugh at their relentless flattery.

“Hey, Third Brother, did you go for military training or a holiday? Look at us—each one darker than the next, but your skin is still so fair and smooth. What’s your secret? Teach me, will you?” Zhang Yi, ever the self-proclaimed handsome one, couldn’t help but pinch Liu Fan’s cheek as he asked.

Embarrassed, Liu Fan replied, “Heh, it’s just natural. I even tried sunbathing this summer, spent hours in the sun, but nothing changed.”

“Third Brother, you don’t know how lucky you are! I’d give anything to be a bit fairer—it’d be easier to attract girls. I’m honestly jealous of you,” Chen Gang, the eldest, said, feigning distress and pounding his chest for effect.

“If you keep pounding, you’ll turn into a gorilla,” Zhang Yi teased, eyeing Chen Gang’s tall, muscular, and deeply tanned frame, which, combined with his chest-thumping, made him resemble a gorilla.

“Oh, you dead cockroach! Just wait till I squash you!” Chen Gang chased Zhang Yi around the room. Zhang Yi’s surname, Zhang, and his Shanghai roots meant the others jokingly called him “Zhang Lang”—“cockroach.” Thus, the nickname stuck. Liu Fan’s fair skin earned him the moniker “Little White Dragon,” and Wang Shiren, always wearing glasses, was dubbed “Dead Eyes.” Though not the most flattering, these nicknames were spoken with affection and familiarity.

Suddenly, Wang Shiren, who had been at the computer, shouted, “Wow! Explosive news! Look, there’s a post about the goddess Zhao Wanyi on the school forum. In just ten days, it’s gotten over half a million views, and the number’s still rising!”

Hearing it was about the goddess, Chen Gang and Zhang Yi immediately stopped their antics and crowded around the computer to read.

“Is this real? When did the Ice Goddess ever show such a tender side?” Zhang Yi, the gentleman among wolves and well-versed in campus beauties, was skeptical.

“It’s true! The post has both pictures and text. Look, here are a few photos—one guy is wiping tears from Zhao Wanyi’s eyes. Unfortunately, you can only see his back, but the photos don’t look fake,” Wang Shiren replied earnestly.

“Heavens, why must I be punished like this? I finally found a goddess, and she already has someone special. What a tragedy!” Zhang Yi, convinced of the truth, pulled a melodramatic face, which only earned him scorn from Chen Gang and Wang Shiren.

“Come on, Second Brother, you’re always like this around pretty girls,” Chen Gang scoffed, not missing a chance to tease him.

“That’s right, Second Brother! I curse you to stay single all four years!” Wang Shiren chimed in.

“You’re just jealous because I’m better looking than you,” Zhang Yi retorted, full of self-admiration, making the others pretend to gag.

“At least Third Brother’s loyal—not like you two. If I find a girlfriend, I won’t introduce her to you. You’ll stay single, too!” Zhang Yi shot back, glancing at Liu Fan.

“Alright, enough! You three really know how to make a scene. Let’s see what the post actually says,” Liu Fan interjected, eager to change the subject.

“Wait, the backgrounds in these photos look really familiar,” Chen Gang remarked, now focused on the post.

“Yes, I recognize it too—this is the entrance to our dormitory building,” Wang Shiren added, suddenly realizing.

“Exactly! It’s right downstairs. And the guy’s back in the photo looks familiar, doesn’t it?” Zhang Yi stroked his chin, deep in thought.

“White tracksuit and sneakers, short hair, tall build… Why does it all look so familiar?” With Chen Gang’s observation, Zhang Yi and Wang Shiren started to connect the dots. The three exchanged glances and turned, in unison, to look at Liu Fan.

Liu Fan had recognized the photos immediately—it was the scene when Zhao Wanyi escorted him to the dormitory on his first day. Seeing his roommates’ scrutiny, he grew nervous, waving his hands and protesting, “It’s not me, it’s not me!”

“Not you? We haven’t said anything yet, and you’re already nervous. Looks like there’s definitely something going on here, heh heh,” Zhang Yi grinned mischievously.

“Third Brother, just admit it. So you’re the one Zhao Wanyi took by the hand that day, huh?” Chen Gang recalled the incident and brought it up.