He was naturally not cut out for acting. A grown man who wouldn't utter a sound even if he broke his bones usually, he had merely tumbled from a height of over two meters. No matter how serious the injury, he couldn't possibly act like he had broken an arm or a leg.
Wu Zheng could see through his pretense, let alone someone as sharp as Gu Xingdong, who immediately discerned Wang Dazhu's impure motives.
"You look quite injured. How about I give you a ride?"
Upon hearing Gu Xingdong wanted to accompany him, Wang Dazhu, terrified, waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no need, Battalion Commander. I can walk over slowly myself."
Gu Xingdong said with an affectionate smile, "You seem to have fallen quite badly. I'd better take you."
Wang Dazhu was instantly touched to his core. Who said their battalion commander was cold and heartless? He was clearly showing him great care! It was reassuring that his commander was so concerned over such a minor injury, making him resolve to defend his commander against any future gossip.
While touched, a trace of guilt also arose within him. He had caused the battalion commander worry over nothing.
Thus, Wang Dazhu said with utmost sincerity, "Battalion Commander, really, you don't have to. My leg is fine... I can walk over and let the doctor prescribe some medicine."
Gu Xingdong pursed his lips, "Are you sure you don't need it?"
Even someone as slow-witted as Wang Dazhu shivered down his spine upon hearing that faint voice. Despite the bright sun overhead, he couldn't help but tremble.
Wang Dazhu made a gulping motion, "Uh, hehe, it only hurt when I fell just now. I feel much better now, so, uh, it's okay if I don't go."
Seeing his pathetic state, Wu Zheng struggled to stifle a laugh.
Feeling embarrassed, Wang Dazhu’s shame deepened when Wu Zheng smiled. "Deputy Battalion Commander, what are you laughing at?"
Wu Zheng immediately coughed lightly, put on a stern face, and denied, "I wasn't laughing."
Wang Dazhu: "Then why are you shivering?"
"I'm cold," Wu Zheng said, looking up at the glaring sun, then glanced at Wang Dazhu, stating with mock seriousness, "My heart is cold."
Wang Dazhu: "..."
"Old Wu, tally up the number of people who took leave today. Everyone stands on their heads in the drill ground for five laps. No meals until it's done."
Gu Xingdong said this while looking at Wang Dazhu, who was still standing stiffly like a wooden post, "Still not returning to your formation? Want extra training?"
Wang Dazhu's rugged face immediately contorted into a bitter gourd expression. "Battalion Commander, five laps is too much. Could it be..."
Gu Xingdong didn't even lift his eyelids. "If you dally any longer, it'll be ten laps."
...
Sun Ling walked out of the teaching building, her heart in turmoil. Looking at the students coming and going, she couldn't quite articulate her feelings.
When she was able to attend school, she hadn't felt this way. Now, looking at them, she was no longer one of them. She even felt that the gazes of others carried a subtle meaning, as if they were mocking her like a clown who shouldn't be there.
Sun Ling dared not meet the peculiar glances of those around her, wishing only to escape as quickly as possible. With her head slightly lowered, she hurried towards the school gate. In her haste, she accidentally bumped into someone approaching her.
Sun Ling was not in the mood to apologize, nor did she even spare a glance. She turned to leave, but the other person joyfully grabbed her arm, "Sun Ling?"
Sun Ling looked up and only then realized that the person she had bumped into was Zhu Zhi.
Zhu Zhi, like her, was in the student union and had previously liked Sun Ling. However, Sun Ling had always been haughty and never paid him any mind.
"It's you." Facing the short and stout Zhu Zhi, Sun Ling flung his hand away, instinctively puffed out her chest, straightened her back, her demeanor instantly reverting to its former arrogance.
Meeting Sun Ling's gaze, Zhu Zhi seemed a bit flustered. He rubbed his hands and hesitantly said, "I heard about what happened to you."
Sun Ling let out a scoff from her nose, a sarcastic sound. "Are you here to laugh at me too?"
"No." Zhu Zhi shook his head rapidly. "I just care about you. You know my feelings for you."
"You?" Sun Ling acted as if she had heard something incredibly funny. "You think you're worthy? Let me tell you, even if I can't go to college, I would never fall for a guy like you, who has neither looks nor a good family background. A toad wanting to eat swan meat, I advise you to give up this foolish dream."
Sun Ling finally found a sense of superiority in Zhu Zhi, her words filled with extreme insults. After speaking, she walked towards the school gate with her chin slightly raised, leaving behind a red-faced Zhu Zhi, who was being pointed at by everyone.
...
Er Biao had been idle all his life. One day, he heard that the girls at the Normal College were quite pretty, so he brought a few friends to stake out the school gate. Due to the presence of guards, outsiders were not allowed in. The group had to stand a short distance away, occasionally commenting on the girls entering and exiting, just to feast their eyes.
"Brother Biao, this girl coming out now is quite attractive. She's wearing a skirt, and her skin is so fair." A young man's eyes lit up when he saw Sun Ling emerge. He immediately nudged Er Biao to get his attention.
Er Biao turned his head and felt that this girl was indeed attractive. He threw away his cigarette, casually crushed it with his foot, and then walked towards her.
Sun Ling's mood had plummeted to the depths. She felt she was the joke of the entire campus. Even a guy like Zhu Zhi dared to boldly confess to her! Hating everyone in her heart, she looked up and suddenly saw three or four men in their twenties standing in front of her. Judging by their attire, they didn't look like students, and she immediately became wary.
"Don't be afraid, little sister. My name is Wang Er Biao, and these are my buddies. We just want to get to know you, be friends."
"You're crazy!" Sun Ling said impolitely, then turned to walk towards the bus stop.
Er Biao stepped sideways to block her. "We have no ill intentions. We just saw you were in a bad mood and wanted to invite you rollerblading to cheer you up?"
Sun Ling's expression shifted slightly when she heard the words "rollerblading." Rollerblading was her favorite sport since childhood. She would always go for a skate whether she was happy or sad.
Seeing her expression, Er Biao knew she was very interested in the suggestion. He turned to give his companions a triumphant look, then said, "How about I treat?"
"Okay." Feeling down and having someone to accompany her, Sun Ling readily agreed. "Let's get this straight, if your skills are too bad, don't get on the rink with me."
...
Meanwhile, Jiang Weiguo, after a day on the train, didn't bother with his fatigue and went directly to Liu Xiaoting's newly opened store.
Times had changed. Previously, he could go wherever he pleased without needing permission, and no one would ask if he didn't show up for work for ten days or half a month. Now, this three-day leave was obtained by him pulling strings, yet the other party maintained a professional attitude and insisted on deducting his salary.
Despite his anger, he was like a fallen tiger being bullied by dogs, so Jiang Weiguo could only endure it.
"I didn't expect you to keep up with the times so well."
Jiang Weiguo surveyed the store. Although the shop wasn't large, it had been whitewashed, and there were fluorescent lights on the ceiling, making the entire place bright. Clothes were neatly hung on shelves, the floor was tiled, and there were fitting rooms and wardrobes. The decoration style was very similar to what he had seen in the 'Shu Se' boutique.
Liu Xiaoting invited him to sit down and said with a smile, "What can I do? Unlike you, I don't have a job to lose or a man to support me. I have to find my own way."
Jiang Weiguo just listened to her words. He picked up his leather briefcase and took out a pair of bell-bottom trousers and a floral shirt, handing them to Liu Xiaoting.