The afterglow of the setting sun cast itself upon the training ground.
Twelve freshman classes had completed their assessments, and all had passed.
The company commander, political instructor, and teachers from Jing University stood in a line, their gazes fixed on the twelve classes.
At a glance, each freshman was a completely different person from when they first entered the military three months ago.
Upon entering military training, the freshmen had appeared weak and fragile, their eyes evasive and fearful, with many students hunched over.
But now, tanned to a wheat color, each freshman stood with a straight posture and standard stance, their resolute eyes radiating confidence.
Everyone seemed to have undergone a rebirth, their sickly demeanor gone, having completely transformed.
Looking at the drastically changed freshmen before them, the teachers from Jing University were very satisfied.
Henceforth, the three months of military training for new students would become a tradition at Kyoto University.
After the Jing University teachers and Company Commander Wu Chenghu finished their words of encouragement and celebration, the political instructor stepped forward with the microphone to arrange the evening party tasks one by one.
"Classes one to five, move tables and chairs. Classes six to eight, help in the mess hall. Classes nine to twelve, responsible for moving the evening party equipment!"
"Yes!"
The students of each class sprang into action, led by their class leaders, to set up the venue for the evening party.
Eight o'clock in the evening.
The bonfire party was ready.
Just as the party was about to begin, the Jing University female students, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, suddenly arrived.
Upon seeing the girls, the boys, who hadn't seen girls for over three months, stared wide-eyed, making the more than a hundred girls feel uneasy.
"Hey, hey, you kids, watch your image!"
The political instructor loudly reminded them with the microphone.
Each boy retracted his gaze, feeling very embarrassed about his earlier behavior.
As for some of the boys with exceptional social skills, they stepped forward to enthusiastically invite the girls to be seated, explaining the evening party's itinerary.
Once all the students were seated, the party commenced.
The bonfire party featured a barbecue buffet, as well as various delicacies prepared by the mess hall.
Students enjoyed the buffet while watching the performances by representatives from each class.
The atmosphere was incredibly lively.
In the area of Class Five.
"Damn, Shui Shui, aren't you afraid of eating yourself to death!"
Zhang Cheng looked at Li Shuishui's plate, piled high with food, with utter horror.
Steak, dumplings, barbecue, cake – all sorts of delicacies were stacked like a small mountain.
"Don't mention it. For three whole months, my mouth has been as bland as eating vegetarian. Now that I finally have a chance to feast, I have to let loose!"
Li Shuishui ate steak and drank beverages with great relish.
Class leader Li Dong, looking at him like a starving ghost, said with a forced smile, "I'm telling you, you can't waste any food at the buffet. If you can't finish it, you'll be doing three kilometers as punishment!"
But the unrestrained Li Shuishui paid no mind, nodding vaguely and continuing to eat heartily.
Just as everyone was marveling at Li Shuishui's astonishing appetite, it was Class Five's turn to perform.
Seeing the mountain-like pile of food on Li Shuishui's plate and his vigorous eating, he instantly became the center of attention.
Class leader Li Dong awkwardly turned his head and said to the Class Three leader, who was hosting the event, "Gao Fei has something to attend to and will be back later. Let's have his performance last!"
The Class Three leader nodded and began to call for the representative from Class Six to come on stage.
On the opposite side, in the female student section, upon hearing that Gao Fei was not present, half the girls lost interest.
They had primarily come to the bonfire party to see Gao Fei.
The thought of him in his formal attire in front of the interview cameras made each young girl experiencing their first crushes blush.
Now that he was absent, the girls were uninterested and whispered amongst themselves.
However, with a stern glance from the female political instructor, everyone immediately fell silent and watched the performance obediently.
The boys also wondered where Gao Fei, the focus of the party, had gone.
In the office of Company Five.
Company Commander Wu was fiddling with the tea set on his desk, having brewed a pot of hot tea.
Yao Qiang was on the phone nearby, nodding occasionally.
After he hung up, Company Commander Wu said, "Aren't you afraid of being discovered poaching people behind our backs!"
"What do you mean poaching behind our backs? Gao Fei is just here to have tea in your office!"
"You're truly shameless!"
Yao Qiang picked up his teacup, blew away the steam, and smiled, "That kid is a shrewd one. As long as you don't mention poaching him in public, he'll definitely keep your secret.
Don't worry, we're just having a simple cup of tea."
As they spoke, a knock came from the door.
"Come in, the door isn't locked!"
Gao Fei, dressed in training fatigues, poked his head through the door and saw the two leaders smiling. He already guessed what they were up to.
"Little Gao ah..."
"Company Commander, after I graduate from college, I will definitely join the army!"
Company Commander Wu, who was about to speak, widened his mouth, speechless.
Yao Qiang, who was assisting, coughed heavily, almost choking on his tea.
Gao Fei had anticipated their anticipation!
"Uh, Little Fei, please have a seat. We didn't ask you here today to talk about joining the army!"
Yao Qiang quickly recovered and bypassed the awkwardness.
If it wasn't about joining the army, then why was he called here... Gao Fei sat down, confused.
Major Yao continued, "Because you were busy with the military exercise, promotional film, and training assessment, I didn't mention something to you earlier.
Your Yuanfei Catering company, which you founded in Fengyun City, was recently accused by some franchisees through media propaganda of being a scam."
"Just this matter? Anything else?"
Seeing Gao Fei's calm demeanor left Yao Qiang momentarily speechless.
The private conversation tonight was primarily about poaching him to join the army; the news of his company's problems and accusations of fraud was merely a bonus.
But now, seeing that Gao Fei wasn't shocked or surprised upon hearing the news, Major Yao fell into deep self-doubt.
"Boss Gao, your company is being accused of fraud, why are you so calm?"
"Aren't they just some clowns causing trouble? I expected this before I came to study. Someone in the city is handling it, so why should I worry!
They are all leeks waiting to be harvested, and they'll be crying their eyes out soon enough."
"Alright, you win!"
Seeing his confident composure, Yao Qiang admitted defeat.
Noticing Company Commander Wu and Major Yao sitting awkwardly on the sofa without saying anything further.
Gao Fei immediately changed the subject and asked, "Company Commander, can I use the office landline to make a call outside?"
"Of course, of course! Go ahead and make your call!"
After he stood up and went to the desk, the two leaders who had been trying to poach him finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Both matters had been foreseen by this kid; as leaders, they felt extremely awkward!
Gao Fei dialed his mother's number, and it was quickly connected after dialing.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Mom, it's me, Xiao Fei!"
"Ah? Xiao Fei?
Son, why are you calling me so late? Did you sneak out from the military?"
"How could that be? I'm calling from the company commander's office landline!"
Hearing his mother's intermittent voice and the surrounding noise, Gao Fei asked suspiciously, "Mom, where are you? Why does it sound so chaotic?"
"I'm in Kuncheng, visiting a night market with a tour group. There are quite a lot of people!"
Hearing that his mother was out traveling, Gao Fei couldn't help but frown. He quickly asked, "Tour group? Mom, what exactly happened in the city?"