Chapter 247 - 245: Tenderness

Chapter 247: Chapter 245: Tenderness

In fact, Cui Jiaying wasn’t the only one who felt tired. After the initial phase of excitement wore off, many of the girls gradually started to feel their stamina failing.

Fortunately, a medical team and a logistics group followed the long column, so there was no fear of anyone falling behind.

At times like this, many of the boys would brazenly step forward and offer to carry the girls’ backpacks. After all, this was an opportunity created by the school to get closer to the girls. If they performed well, they might even find themselves in an enviable relationship.

"Keep it up, everyone! Hold on, we’re almost at our destination," a drill instructor by the side encouraged them. He even started leading a rousing military song.

Soon, the clear, passionate singing spread throughout the ranks. Under the influence of dopamine and adrenaline, many people temporarily forgot their fatigue.

"Are you okay?" Jiang Xia could clearly see the exhaustion on Lin Yanwan’s face. It seemed like she had never walked such a long distance before; her steps were much less steady than earlier.

Lin Yanwan raised a hand to wipe the sweat from her face and nodded slightly. "My feet just hurt a little, but I can still hold on."

The high-intensity military training over this period had actually improved her physical fitness quite a bit. Finishing this march in one go wasn’t a problem.

"You’ve got this, we’ll be there in a bit." Jiang Xia held his wife’s hand, giving her a forward pull as much as he could.

He glanced at the time. It was almost 2:00 AM. At the column’s current pace, they should reach the end of the first leg soon.

「2:00 AM」

The marching column arrived at the Qinghe rest area. Guided by the staff, the freshmen all took off their packs and sat down on the ground.

"Everyone, remember to drink plenty of water. If you brought any dry rations, you can eat some to replenish your energy."

"The night wind is cold. Make sure to wipe off your sweat so you don’t catch a cold."

"Has anyone gotten blisters on their feet? If so, tell a teacher right away."

The counselors for each class moved among the students, asking questions patiently.

Jiang Xia ate a piece of chocolate, then skillfully pulled Lin Yanwan’s leg over. In front of everyone, he began massaging the muscles in her calf. If he weren’t worried about making a bad impression, he would have even wanted to hold her fair, tender little foot in his palm and squeeze her toes to help her relax.

Seeing this, many of the boys were dying of jealousy. ’Is this the difference between people? Why does that guy get to touch a pretty girl’s leg during a break?’

’This isn’t a march, it’s a reward!’

Nearby, Cui Jiaying sighed as she rubbed her own calves. Jiang Xia doted on Lin Yanwan, practically holding her in the palm of his hand, while she could only pat her own legs. If it hadn’t been for the half-bottle of water from Qiuting, she felt she might have collapsed on the road.

Si Si suddenly stuck a leg out. "Don’t be envious," she said. "I’ll massage yours, you massage mine. That way, we can feel what it’s like to be cared for by someone else."

Hearing this, Cui Jiaying nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. ’How is that any different from massaging my own leg?!’

"No way!" Cui Jiaying pushed her leg away in disgust. "My sexual orientation is normal! Unless you’re a handsome guy."

Si Si pouted. ’The way she said that made it sound like I’m the one who’s not normal.’

"Come on, Qiuting, ignore her. Let’s get close."

"Oh. Si Si, I’m not very tired. I can massage them for you," Qiuting said.

"Nope, I can’t take advantage of you." Si Si’s hands stealthily crept toward Qiuting’s calves.

"Hey!"

Cui Jiaying couldn’t help but shoot them a disgusted look. She strongly suspected Si Si might be a lesbian. Otherwise, how could she be so uninterested in boys?

She turned her head and looked around, noticing Su Qing sitting not far away. But he was holding the troop banner, and she hesitated, wondering if she should go over and chat with him. On second thought, better not.

She was just envious of seeing other people in loving relationships; it wasn’t like she absolutely had to have a boyfriend.

After resting in place for over half an hour, the column set off again, heading back the way they came. Maybe it was psychological, but the return trip along the same path always felt a little faster.

「3:00 AM」

The streets of the Imperial Capital were now mostly empty. The long, marching column, however, had become a rare sight.

The last few kilometers were also the most exhausting part of the entire march. Many people hadn’t slept in the afternoon, and now they were tired, hungry, and sleepy.

To avoid disturbing the sleep of the residents along the route, the instructors forbade the students from singing military songs to stay awake.

At this point, Jiang Xia also took Lin Yanwan’s backpack. As a guy, his stamina was naturally a bit better.

"Didn’t you skip your nap this afternoon? How do you still have so much energy?" Lin Yanwan asked, letting out a yawn.

Jiang Xia smiled faintly. ’With my wife by my side, I have to force myself to stay alert no matter how tired I am, just in case anything unexpected happens.’

He glanced up at Nanny Su at the very front. He was holding the banner and showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever. His pace remained steady. The difference in physical conditioning between someone who regularly worked out and an ordinary person was obvious.

He secretly resolved to start working out with Nanny Su, even after the military training was over.

Finally, around 4:00 AM, the marching column returned victorious. The moment they stepped through the gates of Tsinghua, many of the exhausted students were instantly re-energized.

It was as if they had won a battle, and their morale was high.

Following the crowd all the way back to Bauhinia Apartment, the three thousand-plus students quickly dispersed to the various cafeterias, where a sumptuous breakfast, long since prepared, awaited them.

Lin Yanwan found a spot to sit down and rest while Jiang Xia went to get in line for food. After walking for so long, his stomach was growling.

Steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, spring rolls, shumai, egg crepes—he got one of everything.

But then he discovered that Su Qing had gotten even more food than him—almost enough for three people. He had two eggs alone.

"Can you even finish all that?" he asked in shock.

"I’m hungry. You have to replenish your protein after long periods of cardio, or you’ll lose muscle mass."

Su Qing said calmly, then proceeded to demonstrate for Jiang Xia what it meant to swallow a hard-boiled egg in one bite.

"...You’re something else." He really wanted to ask, ’Aren’t you going to choke eating an egg like that?’

The two of them returned to their table with their trays. When the girls saw the amount of food on Su Qing’s plate, they were all stunned.

"Are you guys on a diet?" Su Qing couldn’t help but ask.

"Handsome Su, is it possible that you’re the one who’s eating too much?" Cui Jiaying was a bit speechless. ’He eats so much. Who could possibly afford to support him in the future?’

"..."

After breakfast, the sky was already starting to brighten.

They all went back to their respective dorms, and after a quick rinse in the bathroom, they climbed into bed and passed out.

Exhausted from being up all night and now with full stomachs, there was no better sleeping aid.

Besides, there was no military training during the day, so they could sleep until they woke up naturally.

In the dorm room.

Two streams of snores rose and fell in a steady rhythm.