"The newspaper is coming to the school for an interview next week, and the director said I should be the one to cooperate."
Zhang Xue asked curiously, "Will you be in the newspaper?"
"Probably," Chen Lishu replied, feeling a bit uncertain, but she assumed being interviewed meant being in the paper.
"You're going to be in the paper..." Zhang Xue exclaimed, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing her reaction was too strong.
It wasn't entirely Zhang Xue's fault for being so surprised. At this time, even televisions were rare, and newspapers were almost the only way to get information. Being in the newspaper then was akin to being on television later, perhaps even more astonishing.
"Yu Wei, did you hear what they were saying? Chen is actually going to be in the newspaper!"
Ever since Chen Lishu was called out, Sun Ling had been paying attention to the movement behind her. When she overheard their conversation, jealousy instantly flooded her.
Why did all the good things happen to Chen Lishu? She was just a country bumpkin, and in terms of family background and appearance, how was she inferior to Chen?
Jiang Yu Wei's usual proud demeanor also showed cracks for the first time.
Since childhood, everyone had always noticed her first. She had won numerous awards in district and city competitions. Even now, she believed her academic performance in their major far surpassed Chen Lishu's.
However, Li Zhiwei, who had always pursued her, had changed. People were starting to compare her with Chen Lishu, and even for something as high-profile as bringing honor to the school, the director thought of Chen Lishu first.
"Look at her smug expression." Sun Ling couldn't help but glance back and saw Chen Lishu chatting and laughing with Zhang Xue. She glared at them fiercely and said to Jiang Yu Wei, "No, I have to curb her arrogance. Otherwise, I won't be able to quell my anger."
...
In a mountain forest, Wu Zheng looked up at the dim, overcast sky and irritably ran a hand over his face, "What is this? Several of you were keeping an eye on one person, and in the end, not only did they get away, but you also fell into their trap. Are you guys even capable?"
If this had happened a couple of years ago, he would have kicked each of them without a second thought.
The soldiers also felt somewhat wronged. To avoid alerting the enemy, they could only follow from a distance. It was fine at first, but then, for some unknown reason, the target disappeared in the blink of an eye.
By the time they reacted and moved closer to investigate, they had fallen directly into an ambush. If the battalion commander and deputy commander hadn't rushed over with their men, they would have likely been wiped out.
"You can't even see something so obvious. I don't know if those eyes of yours are for breathing or for eating."
Gu Xing Dong felt a sense of disappointment, as if the iron had failed to become steel. After a pause, he continued, "Go and call back the other two teams who were sent out to track. Since we've been discovered, it's better to avoid falling into a trap like you did."
Two young soldiers responded and quickly ran off in different directions.
"Old Gu, what do we do next?" Wu Zheng turned his head to look at Gu Xing Dong, whose eyes were slightly red.
Both sides had been fighting for three days, and everyone had been on high alert, not getting any proper rest.
They had been in a seemingly winning situation, thinking they could go home to their sons after the training ended. Who knew the other side would pull such a trick?
"It's time to end this." Gu Xing Dong glanced at a location he was almost certain of and said unhurriedly.
If this was over tonight, he would be able to pick up "someone" from school the day after tomorrow.
"Old Gu, what are you thinking?" Wu Zheng couldn't help but ask curiously when he heard his words.
"Lure the snake out of its hole."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zheng felt a sudden bad premonition. "You're not planning to send me, are you?"
Gu Xing Dong looked at him with a half-smile, "Or should I go?"
He still had to stay and command, so he naturally couldn't go.
Wu Zheng wished he could smash his head against the tree in front of him and knock himself unconscious.
Daring to infiltrate the 'enemy camp' was a significant test for anyone going, requiring excellent skills and adaptability.
Wu Zheng had no choice but to accept his fate.
As Wu Zheng was about to walk forward, Gu Xing Dong suddenly reached out and patted his shoulder.
Wu Zheng abruptly turned his head, looking at Gu Xing Dong with pleasant surprise, "Old Gu, you can't bear to send me, can you?"
Gu Xing Dong frowned and instructed, "Go early and come back early."
Wu Zheng: "..."
The campus was holding its first sports meet since the resumption of the college entrance examination.
Zhang Xue stood at the starting line, performing some warm-up exercises. After the referee called "Ready," she confidently waved at Chen Lishu.
Seeing everyone in their starting positions, Chen Lishu also began to feel a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Zhang Xue's first event was the 800-meter run. Sun Ling was in the lane next to her. When the referee shouted "Go," Sun Ling sprinted out with all her might. Although she took the lead initially, she quickly fell behind Zhang Xue due to a lack of stamina.
Listening to the loud cheers from her classmates for Zhang Xue, Sun Ling stared at the receding figure ahead, a trace of malice flashing in her eyes.
Gritting her teeth, she sprinted with all her might. When the distance between them narrowed to a point where she could push Zhang Xue down with just one reach, a cold smile appeared on Sun Ling's lips.
Zhang Xue was completely unaware of the situation behind her. Seeing that there was only one lap left before reaching the finish line, and no one else in the adjacent lanes, a victory seemed assured, and a smile appeared on her face.
Just as she was about to accelerate, she was heavily bumped from behind. Unable to regain her balance, she tumbled forward onto the ground.
It was June, and the weather was quite hot. Everyone was wearing tank tops and shorts for the race. Coupled with the cement ground of the track, Zhang Xue felt a searing pain in her hands, arms, and legs as soon as she fell. Warm liquid flowed from her knees.
"Xue'er, are you okay?" Chen Lishu rushed over, ignoring everything else. Li Zhiwei and Feng Pangzi were also concerned.
"I'm fine," Zhang Xue shook her head and managed to get up from the ground. At this point, everyone noticed that her elbow and knees were badly scraped, with blood showing, causing everyone present to gasp.
Chen Lishu's face instantly darkened, "Quick, take her to the infirmary."
After a moment of panic, the competition on the field continued, and both Zhang Xue and Sun Ling were sent to the infirmary.
"Doctor, will this leave a scar?" Sun Ling looked at the wound on her knee, which was not much smaller than Zhang Xue's. She was in pain and fear, and a few tears welled up.
Her original plan was perfect: after knocking Zhang Xue down, she would have Zhang Xue as a shield, and she herself would be unharmed. Who knew plans couldn't keep up with changes? As Zhang Xue fell, her own knees also hit the ground.
"The wound isn't deep. You're both young, and it should be barely noticeable in a couple of years."
"Slap!" Hearing the doctor's words, Sun Ling was secretly relieved when suddenly her face stung. Covering her slapped cheek, Sun Ling looked up at Chen Lishu in shock. Realizing it was her, she instantly became furious, "Why did you hit me?!"