Chapter 13: Liu Hanyue, Out of Her Mind

In the afternoon, training began right on schedule. The sun was merciless, but since they could study the Happy Planet, Cheng Yao and the others had no complaints. The afternoon was filled with drills and singing practice. By the end of the day, Cheng Yao was thoroughly exhausted. He just wanted to take a shower and collapse into bed, but unfortunately, there was a mind-numbing lecture in the evening that dragged on until nine o’clock.

There was nothing fun about military training—it was mind-numbingly dull. This was, without a doubt, the most exhausting day any of them had ever experienced, sheer hell. The girls were terrified by the training and, once dismissed, immediately began to vent their frustrations.

Back in the dormitory, Cheng Yao took a shower at the first opportunity. He was so tired, he didn’t even feel like playing games. He could have fallen asleep just by lying down on the bed.

At that moment, his phone rang. Cheng Yao answered, “Hello? Are you home yet?”

“Yeah. Brother, are you guys done?”

“All finished. My phone was on airplane mode earlier. I’ll head back now that training’s over, and I’ll take you out to pick up a few things.”

“Okay, then I’ll hang up.”

After ending the call, Cheng Yao wasn’t worried about his little sister. After all, they were renting an apartment in the school district, close to campus.

After his shower, Cheng Yao stretched and said, “Feels like I need to train more regularly. When I get time, I’ll hit the gym.”

“The gym? Military training almost killed me,” someone complained.

“Exactly. Who in their right mind pays to torture themselves at a gym? Isn’t the company at a KTV or a club more enjoyable?” another chimed in.

Cheng Yao teased, “If you’re this weak, you won’t last long at anything else either.”

Wang Wenbo just sighed in response.

The truth was, Cheng Yao didn’t actually need to go to the gym, but he wasn’t sure if, at the start of next month, the Love Assistance Mall would have any potions to enhance physical strength. So, better to get some exercise in, especially since those potions were best absorbed with training.

After scrolling through his phone for a while, Cheng Yao didn’t play any games. He chatted with Zhang Ya, then checked Liu Hanyue’s social media, only to find it was restricted.

So, the little miss was still playing mysterious.

Lu Mengyao hadn’t messaged him, and Cheng Yao didn’t bother to reach out either. He couldn’t even be bothered to pretend.

The second day of military training arrived. After gathering and having breakfast, it was back to training.

After a few laps, Cheng Yao frowned and said, “The sun is even fiercer today than yesterday.”

“The field’s about to burst into flames, damn!” someone grumbled.

“Don’t talk, the instructor is watching. Careful he doesn’t make you lie on the grass later,” another warned.

Running and standing at attention—tedious, monotonous, nothing new.

In the blink of an eye, an hour had passed. Everyone was so tired their vision blurred, sweat dripping steadily.

Suddenly, a scream erupted from behind. When Cheng Yao turned around, he saw Liu Hanyue lying on the ground, her delicate brows furrowed in pain.

Fortunately, she hadn’t completely passed out, but her eyes were glazed, and she looked miserable.

Wang Churuo was frightened and rushed over to shield her. “Hanyue, Hanyue…”

“My head… I’m dizzy…” Liu Hanyue mumbled weakly.

The instructor frowned. “She’s definitely got heatstroke. Take her to the infirmary.”

Wang Churuo was on the verge of tears, finally looking over at Cheng Yao and Wang Wenbo.

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” Wang Wenbo volunteered eagerly.

But as soon as he rushed over, the instructor pushed him aside and looked to Cheng Yao instead. “You do it.”

“Instructor, I can handle it, really!” Wang Wenbo pleaded.

“Get lost! I can tell you’re up to no good.” The instructor turned to Cheng Yao. “You can carry her, right?”

“No problem.”

Cheng Yao nodded to Wang Churuo. “Help me steady her, please.”

Wang Wenbo donned a mask of despair. “Why am I the bad guy here? I just wanted to help.”

“We don’t need your interference,” the instructor snapped.

With so many eyes watching, Cheng Yao was embarrassed to touch Liu Hanyue’s behind, so with Wang Churuo’s help, he lifted her onto his back and headed for the infirmary.

“Wait, where do you think you’re going?” the instructor called out.

“Uh, I… I’ll help carry her… I mean, accompany her…” Wang Churuo stammered.

The instructor frowned. “Does the school nurse need you to help change clothes? Stay here and keep training. Don’t think you can slack off—some of you are too clever for your own good.”

“Aw!” Wang Churuo rejoined the group, crestfallen.

Damn it!

Wang Wenbo was so jealous his face turned purple, shooting the instructor a resentful glare.

It’s over—never mess with a brother’s girl.

Wang Wenbo watched Cheng Yao’s retreating figure with envy and bitterness.

Cheng Yao carried Liu Hanyue on his back, but his mind was clear—what kind of heart would it take to have any improper thoughts about a sick person?

Still, she was so light.

Was she even eighty pounds? He guessed it was about that.

Liu Hanyue, slumped on his back, could feel the sweat and heat… But somehow, the gentle jostling as he walked made her stomach feel a little better.

The school infirmary wasn’t far. As soon as they reached the entrance, a wave of cool air greeted them. Cheng Yao hurried in, calling, “Doctor, a student has heatstroke!”

“Heatstroke? Bring her in here!” the doctor replied.

“Alright.”

Following the doctor’s instructions, Cheng Yao set Liu Hanyue down on the bed.

Luckily, the doctor was a woman. She quickly felt Liu Hanyue’s forehead, then undid the top two buttons of her shirt, revealing her fair collarbones. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No, just a classmate… we only just met…”

“I see.” The doctor said seriously, “It’s nothing serious, but her temperature is high—she needs to rest. She’s drenched in sweat though, so she needs to change into fresh clothes…”

“No…” Liu Hanyue protested, her face flushed.

The doctor frowned. “You have to get out of those sweaty clothes to cool down faster.”

“I mean, him…” Liu Hanyue stared at Cheng Yao.

The doctor huffed, “Has the heat fried your brain? Why would I let him help you change? Just lie still.”

“Okay…”

Liu Hanyue closed her eyes, mortified, wishing she could disappear.

Of course, how could he be the one to help me change?

The doctor turned to Cheng Yao. “Go buy a bottle of mung bean soup from the supermarket, and ask a female classmate to fetch a change of clothes from her dorm.”

“Alright.”

Without another thought, Cheng Yao left. He found Wang Churuo on the field.

With the instructor’s permission, Wang Churuo ran off to retrieve clothes.

Ten minutes later, at the entrance to the teaching building, Wang Churuo handed the clothes to Cheng Yao and asked, “Is she alright?”

“She’s fine. Go back to training.”

With that, Cheng Yao headed back to the infirmary.

At the door, the doctor said, “You can return to training now. Give me the things.”

“Okay.”

Cheng Yao handed over the items and left the infirmary.

Back on the field, Cheng Yao called out, “Reporting in!”

“She’s alright?”

“No problems now.”

“Rejoin the group.”

“Yes, sir!”

The morning continued with more drills, and finally, lunchtime arrived.

Wang Churuo said, “I’m going to the infirmary to get something for Hanyue. She messaged me and said she wants porridge. Are you guys coming?”

“We’ll pass,” Cheng Yao replied.

“Alright, see you.”

Once she was gone, Wang Wenbo sidled up to Cheng Yao and asked in a low voice, “You didn’t take advantage of her, did you?”

“She was conscious. Even if she’d fainted, I wouldn’t do that,” Cheng Yao said with a laugh, exasperated. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I can’t take this. Do you know how all the girls looked at me this afternoon? I’ve lost my chance at being anyone’s first pick in college!”

“But you’re rich.”

Wang Wenbo suddenly brightened. “That’s right, I’m rich! Hahaha…”

…