Military training officially began. Fang Chi stood in formation, listening to speech after speech, not even sure who was who, just thinking about the phone vibrating in his pocket.
Probably Sun Wenqu, but everyone was standing straight, eyes forward. Taking out his phone now would draw too much attention.
It probably wasn’t anything important anyway, just a “wake up,” or something about Chief Huang. Still, not checking made him restless.
Finally, when the speeches ended and they were organizing into groups, Fang Chi took out his phone.
-Your Uncle Liangzi cracked four of my bottles! I don’t want to live anymore.
Fang Chi grinned at the screen for a long time.
-Beat him up!
-Don’t feel like moving. Started training?
-About to.
-Then go. Talk after.
The first day of training wasn’t anything new. Their instructor, surnamed Zhang, was dark, sturdy, and serious. After introductions, he waved his hand. “Run two kilometers! Warm up!”
“Two kilometers? Warm up?” someone exclaimed.
“Not enough?” Instructor Zhang heard. “If not, run five!”
Everyone fell silent and started running.
Fang Chi felt nothing, even ten kilometers wouldn’t bother him. But many in his major weren’t as fit, after two kilometers, quite a few were gasping.
They got two minutes’ rest before starting formation drills.
Fang Chi wasn’t tired at all, just bored.
Attention! At ease! Dress right!
Same as middle and high school. The only fun came from people who couldn’t tell left from right.
Every turn, someone would face another person. They’d stare each other down, both convinced the other was wrong, until one gave in and turned the other way, sometimes facing yet another person, triggering uncontrollable laughter.
After countless turns, the laughter finally stopped.
“Five-minute break!” the instructor said.
No one went far, just sat nearby, chatting, starting to get familiar.
Fang Chi was good with faces, he often led groups outdoors and needed to recognize people quickly.
But now everyone wore the same clothes, and the guys had all cut their hair, aside from a few distinctive faces, everyone looked the same.
Speaking of hair, Fang Chi was glad his was already short. Those with longer hair all had to go to the barbers near the school gate. No need to explain, just say “military cut,” and it was done. If everyone didn’t end up looking the same, they’d cry on the spot.
Of course, it depended on the face, if it were Sun Wenqu… still would look good.
September was dry. Even though the campus field was clean and green, after a full day of drills, Fang Chi felt like his nose was full of dust.
He missed the clear air of home.
As soon as training ended, he called Uncle Zhang and asked to speak to his grandfather.
His grandfather chatted for a while, saying Xiaozi had scratched its paw in the mountains, not serious, but it had been pretending to be delicate for two days.
“I bandaged it, it’s already scabbed, but it’s still limping,” his grandfather laughed. “Even picky, won’t eat noodles without meat.”
“All its brains go into that,” Fang Chi laughed.
“You doing alright at school?” his grandfather asked. “Getting used to it? Food okay?”
“Yeah, it’s good. Don’t worry. Food’s similar to home,” Fang Chi said. “Haven’t tried the cafeteria yet, going later.”
“If you want anything, tell me, I’ll have Uncle Zhang send it,” his grandfather said.
“It’s fine. Holiday’s in half a month, I’ll come back,” Fang Chi said, already energized by the thought of National Day.
That energy made him rush into the dorm and beat Li Zheng to the shower.
“Fang Chi!” Li Zheng banged on the door. “This behavior deserves condemnation! I already took my pants off!”
“I’ve taken mine off too,” Fang Chi laughed from inside.
“I’m going to strip completely and greet you at the door,” Li Zheng said.
“Wait,” Zhang Junyi said outside, “let me get a notebook, charging admission… though with your skinny body, not sure anyone will pay…”
“Junjun!” Li Zheng shouted. “Your mom was right, you’re getting beaten out of school today!”
The dorm burst into chaos. Fang Chi laughed and turned on the water.
As it hit him, he finally felt the dust wash away.
Another half month of this dull, dusty routine, just thinking about it felt tiring.
If only Sun Wenqu were here.
If they shared a dorm, he’d come back to see him leaning in a chair, head tilted back, legs on the desk.
Fang Chi grinned at the wall.
“Not going,” Sun Wenqu leaned in his chair, legs on the workbench. “If Sun Yao invites me to eat, it’s never for anything good.”
“Hey, she didn’t say she’s treating you,” Sun Jiayue said. “She said she’s treating me, and told me to bring you, without telling you she’ll be there.”
“You already told me,” Sun Wenqu tilted his head, looking at the bottles hanging from the ceiling.
“I’m telling you,” Sun Jiayue raised her voice, “I don’t want to get involved in your mess. Big sis asked me several times, I had no choice. Telling you in advance is me being loyal…”
“Alright, alright, you’re very loyal,” Sun Wenqu smiled. “I’ll go. But tell me more, why does she want me there?”
“Who knows? She didn’t say,” Sun Jiayue said. “You know her, like dad, won’t say a word until the critical moment.”
“Then you can’t leave early,” Sun Wenqu sighed. “I don’t want to eat alone with her.”
“My place needs a big bottle,” Sun Jiayue said. “I want to stick some reed grass or something in it, probably over a meter tall.”
Sun Wenqu laughed. “Come get one from Liangzi’s place. If you come, he’ll kneel on the ground and hand it to you.”
“Help me pick one and bring it over,” Sun Jiayue said. “I’m telling you…”
Ma Liang walked in from outside, holding a lump of clay. Sun Wenqu switched the phone to speaker and held it up in front of him. Sun Jiayue’s voice came through: “Liangzi is impossible to deal with face to face. He must’ve been too sharp-tongued in his last life, so heaven nerfed him this life, every time he opens his mouth I want to hit someone.”
“Second sis,” Ma Liang leaned toward the phone with a grin, “go– good evening.”
“Oh my god! Sun Wenqu, you b*stard!” Sun Jiayue shouted and hung up.
Ma Liang laughed for a long time before looking at Sun Wenqu. “Wha— what’s going on?”
“Sun Yao asked her to call me to dinner,” Sun Wenqu tossed the phone onto the table and leaned his head back again. “No idea what it’s about.”
“The old man still… still isn’t at ease,” Ma Liang said. “Plus my big… big nephew, Sun Yao asking you over isn’t strange.”
“When I dated before, no one ever fussed this much,” Sun Wenqu clicked his tongue, frowning.
“Before, no one… no one went and beat up Li… Li Bowen right off the bat,” Ma Liang said.
At that, Sun Wenqu closed his eyes and started laughing. “I should go visit Uncle Li one day, put on a show of brotherly loyalty.”
“Childish,” Ma Liang said. “Come look at the clay.”
“Mm.” Sun Wenqu pulled his legs down, stood up, took the clay from him, squeezed it, and walked with him toward the backyard.
The first batch had already taken shape, no problems. The second batch wasn’t bottles, so the clay needed to be reworked.
Sun Wenqu felt it was actually good that Fang Chi had gone to school. With how busy and irritable he was lately, ready to curse the moment he closed his eyes, if Fang Chi were here, he might not even have the energy to consider his feelings.
His phone buzzed. He took it out, it was a photo from Fang Chi: bare-chested, wearing only big shorts, striking a Hercules pose.
-Our dorm is judging a best muscles award.
-You won?
-Yep. First prize. Second and third are vacant, I’m the only one with muscles in the whole dorm.
Sun Wenqu laughed and sent a voice message: “Stop showing off your muscles all the time. What if you attract attention?”
Fang Chi didn’t think it was that easy to attract attention. In all his life, only Xiao Yiming had ever really paid special attention to him, and even that might just have been the feeling of meeting someone similar.
He rarely fixated on anyone. Anyone around him, compare them to Sun Wenqu, and the thought disappeared immediately.
Even with Sun Wenqu, he hadn’t fixated at first, he’d been too annoyed…
But after two dull days of military training, when Fang Chi saw Cheng Mo straddling a bicycle by the field, watching them train, he suddenly felt uneasy.
He wouldn’t be getting targeted by that lunatic Cheng Mo, right?
He still didn’t understand what that earlier comment meant. After ignoring the message, Cheng Mo hadn’t contacted him again.
But now Cheng Mo stood not far away, staring at him, it made Fang Chi’s skin crawl.
“See that?” Zhang Junyi said while drinking water. “Next year I’m going to stand by the field and watch girls one by one.”
“He’s looking at Fang Chi,” Li Zheng had sharp eyes. “Hey, is he here for you?”
“No idea,” Fang Chi took a sip of water. “What could he want with me?”
“Maybe recruiting you into some club?” Li Zheng said. “Yesterday the debate team came looking for me, my brother told them I could talk about five thousand years of history the moment I open my mouth. So embarrassing.”
Everyone laughed. Fang Chi grinned. “You should try it.”
“Try what? I just talk a lot, mostly nonsense,” Li Zheng laughed. “On stage: ‘Good evening, opponent, want to chat for fifty cents?’ then ramble for five yuan…”
Fang Chi was laughing when Cheng Mo’s voice came from behind: “Fang Chi!”
He turned around. Cheng Mo waved at him. Very unwillingly, he asked, “What?”
“Come here,” Cheng Mo said. “Got something.”
Fang Chi hesitated a few seconds, then slowly walked over. “What is it?”
“This is my roommate,” Cheng Mo pointed to the person beside him. “Captain of the school climbing team, He Baobao.”
“Wha… what?” Fang Chi froze. Baobao?
The guy was tall, dark, and skinny, called Baobao?
“My name is He Dongbao,” the “Baobao” smiled and extended his hand. “Don’t listen to him.”
“Hello,” Fang Chi shook his hand. “I don’t have time to join the climbing team.”
That blunt answer, cutting off even small talk, stunned He Dongbao. Cheng Mo burst out laughing. “Told you.”
“That’s too direct,” He Dongbao hadn’t recovered.
“Saves time,” Fang Chi said.
“Not that,” He Dongbao thought for a moment. “It’s fine if you don’t join. But if you have time each week, could you come watch our training and point out problems?”
Fang Chi didn’t speak.
“To be honest, we just formed the team, our level isn’t high,” He Dongbao smiled. “I’ve watched your competition videos. With your level, training with us wouldn’t make sense, you’re not on the same tier…”
Fang Chi responded better to softness than pressure. He Dongbao’s sincerity made him feel embarrassed. “It’s not that exaggerated… maybe…”
He scratched his head, thought for a long time. “If I have time, I’ll go take a look. But I can’t promise a fixed schedule, I work part-time… my time’s uncertain.”
“Alright,” He Dongbao happily patted his shoulder. “That works.”
“Then that’s it. Go back to training,” Cheng Mo said. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”
Fang Chi had just turned to leave but immediately turned back. “No need.”
“It’s only right to have a meal,” He Dongbao said. “Chat, make friends.”
“I don’t have time these two days,” Fang Chi said.
“Then the day after. I’ll call you,” Cheng Mo said. “Let’s go.”
He Dongbao wanted to say more, but Cheng Mo had already pedaled off. He had to smile and jump onto the back seat.
So he can ride a bike… is this guy crazy?
Actually, Fang Chi wasn’t busy at night. Aside from training, evenings were free, wandering campus or exploring nearby.
But he still didn’t want to go. He didn’t like eating with strangers. He Dongbao was fine, but Cheng Mo felt strange, being around him made Fang Chi uncomfortable.
He thought Cheng Mo might forget, but he didn’t. Right after training ended, Cheng Mo called.
“Baobao and I are at the barbecue place by the intersection,” Cheng Mo said. “You know it?”
“…Yeah,” Fang Chi replied.
“Then go shower first. No rush,” Cheng Mo hung up.
Fang Chi showered, changed, and reluctantly dragged himself out, slowly heading outside campus.
He had called Sun Wenqu earlier, no answer. Now he dialed again.
“Hello.” This time Sun Wenqu picked up quickly.
“Busy earlier? You didn’t answer,” Fang Chi felt better instantly just hearing his voice.
“Showering,” Sun Wenqu said. “Going to my big sister’s ‘Hongmen Banquet’ later. You going to eat too?”
“Yeah. Eating with someone, so annoying,” Fang Chi frowned.
“Annoying?” Sun Wenqu laughed. “Who?”
“Cheng Mo, just…” Fang Chi suddenly stopped.
“Cheng Mo? Which Cheng Mo?” Sun Wenqu paused, then realized. “The one from registration day?”
“…Mm.” Fang Chi really didn’t want Sun Wenqu to know about this, especially since Sun Wenqu had once been half-seriously, half-jokingly jealous over this person. But maybe because Sun Wenqu’s voice sounded too cheerful, Fang Chi let it slip without thinking, and immediately felt a bit nervous.
“He invited you to eat?” Sun Wenqu asked.
“It was his roommate,” Fang Chi quickly explained. “Well, his roommate is the captain of the school’s rock climbing team and wanted me to be a consultant or something. He made the introduction, so we’ll have a meal together.”
“Oh, he made the introduction,” Sun Wenqu said. “Are you very familiar with him?”
“Not at all!” Fang Chi got nervous. “Not familiar! Just a passerby.”
“A passerby introducing you to someone?” Sun Wenqu laughed.
“…He sort of knows me, I guess,” Fang Chi scratched his head. “Hey, don’t overthink it.”
“What could I overthink,” Sun Wenqu said. “Alright, go eat. I have to head out too, if I’m late, my older sister will nag me again.”
“Oh,” Fang Chi responded, “call me after you’re done eating.”
“Mm,” Sun Wenqu said. “Don’t drink.”
“I won’t,” Fang Chi said immediately.
When he got to the barbecue place, Cheng Mo and He Dongbao were already sitting at a table by the entrance. Seeing him come over, He Dongbao waved. “Little Fang, over here.”
“Mm.” Fang Chi went over and sat down, not greeting Cheng Mo at all, just seeing him made him feel annoyed.
“We already ordered some stuff, worried it might get crowded later,” He Dongbao said. “Take a look and order anything else you want.”
“No need,” Fang Chi said. “I’m fine with anything.”
“Alright, let’s start eating then,” He Dongbao waved to the server, who quickly jogged over with a few bottles of beer. He Dongbao set two bottles in front of him. “Have a drink.”
“I don’t drink,” Fang Chi said.
“Huh?” He Dongbao froze. “You don’t drink? Not even beer?”
Cheng Mo also looked up at him.
“Mm.” Fang Chi nodded.
“Is it that you can’t drink, or…” He Dongbao looked at him in disbelief.
“Just not drinking today,” Fang Chi said. He had wanted to say he wouldn’t drink at the same table as Cheng Mo, but felt that would sound too provocative.
“Allergic?” Cheng Mo stared at his face.
“Not allergic, just not drinking today,” Fang Chi looked at him.
Cheng Mo held his gaze for a moment, then smiled. “Then have a soft drink.”
Fang Chi was actually a bit surprised that Cheng Mo didn’t force him to drink, he had already been prepared to just get up and leave if things went south.
“Coconut juice then,” He Dongbao said. “I think that’s all they have here.”
“Okay.” Fang Chi nodded.
He Dongbao was different from Cheng Mo, honest and straightforward, speaking plainly. After chatting for a while, Fang Chi learned that his hometown was also in the countryside, which immediately made him feel much more at ease.
“I’m technically a local, but I grew up in the mountains,” He Dongbao said. “When I was a kid, I loved climbing mountains.”
“I am too,” Fang Chi said with a smile. “From my house, it’s a 20-minute walk out the door and you’re in the mountains. When I’m not in school, I spend all my time there.”
“Well, that really is…” He Dongbao laughed, picked up his beer bottle and clinked it with his, then took a sip.
It was only when Fang Chi was drinking coconut juice that he noticed Cheng Mo’s bottle had also been extended toward him, it looked like he wanted to clink, but didn’t manage to.
Cheng Mo hadn’t said anything the whole time, just listening to him chat with He Dongbao. Fang Chi had almost ignored his existence. If he didn’t respond to the toast now, it would feel a bit too much, so after hesitating for a moment, he extended his coconut juice bottle again and lightly tapped it against Cheng Mo’s beer bottle.
Cheng Mo clicked his tongue with a smile.
“I’m gonna hit the bathroom,” He Dongbao set his bottle down and stood up. “It’s kicking in.”
That left just Fang Chi and Cheng Mo at the table, and suddenly it went quiet. Fang Chi lowered his head and ate the plate of fried noodles that had just been brought over.
“Hey,” Cheng Mo lit a cigarette across from him and handed over the pack. “Want one?”
“Quitting,” Fang Chi said.
“D*mn,” Cheng Mo put the pack away. “Not drinking today, and not smoking today either?”
“No,” Fang Chi said. “I’m really quitting.”
Even though he’d been quitting for almost two years, he still had cigarettes on him…
“Do you have some kind of problem with me?” Cheng Mo asked while gnawing on a chicken wing.
“No.” Fang Chi answered briefly.
“Is it because of what I said?” Cheng Mo asked again.
Fang Chi paused, looked up at him. “What did you say?”
“Pretty good at pretending, huh,” Cheng Mo smiled.
“Then can you explain what you meant by that?” Fang Chi said.
“Sure,” Cheng Mo said. “But can I ask a question first?”
“What?” Fang Chi lowered his head and took a bite of noodles.
“Is your older brother really your older brother?” Cheng Mo asked.
Fang Chi’s chopsticks froze midair.
