The senior cadets of the NDA Academy had finally wrapped up their long and exhausting day of classes.It had always been a grueling routine for them, with early morning drills and intense physical training followed by hours of academic classes. After a brief break in the afternoon, they would dive back into more classes, only to be met again with more drills and physical conditioning in the evening.The evening would offer them a small respite, a window for extracurricular activities that ranged from dance, tennis, and badminton to chess, art, and various other pursuits. But the real break came after dinner, when the cadets were given a few hours of free time.This "free time," however, wasn't really about relaxation. It was time for them to study, to catch up on the vast amount of information they had to absorb as part of their training. By the time they finally crawled into bed, the cadets had spent their entire day working relentlessly, leaving little room for anything else.Lian Feng, along with Chen Dong and Ye Zhichen, had entered their final year at the academy, and they were now in their pay phase, earning a modest sum of 400 dollars a month.While it wasn't much, to them it was a symbol of their hard work and a step towards a prosperous future.But it was this very grind—the daily routine of intense physical training and academic rigor—that had kept Lian Feng from writing to Shen Jiu for so long. He knew that even if he somehow found a way to express his feelings for her, he wouldn't have been able to give her the time she deserved.Time was precious to him, and he valued it more than anything. His busy schedule made it clear that if he were to pursue a relationship, he needed to be able to devote time and attention to it.But with everything else on his plate, he had put his feelings on hold, knowing that he couldn't offer her the kind of attention she deserved in the moment.As the trio moved through their daily routine, Lian Feng couldn't help but wonder if things could have been different.As Lian Feng walked through the Media Academy with his friends, they quickly became the center of attention. His presence was magnetic, and it wasn't just because of his sharp military uniform. His strikingly handsome face, the chiseled jawline, the short military haircut, and the stoic, indifferent expression on his face made him the subject of admiration.To the ladies from other academies, Lian Feng was a walking enigma. His cold exterior only seemed to increase his allure, and the fact that he was the top cadet in his year in the NDA Academy made him even more fascinating.The trio drew eyes wherever they went. Ye Zichen and Chen dong, though equally handsome, often took a backseat to Lian Feng's commanding presence. As they walked through the campus, Lian Feng remained unfazed by the whispers and stares of admiration from the students, while his friends couldn't help but tease him."Brother Feng!""My gosh, he's so handsome!" "So, so, so handsome!" the students whispered excitedly as they passed.Ye Zichen, amused by the attention, nudged Lian Feng in a playful manner. But Lian Feng stayed indifferent, as always. It was clear that these compliments didn't affect him.Chen Dong, ever the protective friend, would quickly step in, making light of the situation. "Oh, they're just here with me to meet my girlfriend," he'd joke, referring to his girlfriend, Park Yao, who was in the Arts Academy. Yao was often involved in debates and speeches, and she had a friendly, approachable personality that contrasted sharply with Lian Feng's cool demeanor.When Park Yao greeted the trio, giving Chen Dong a hug and waving to Ye Zichen and Lian Feng, Ye Zichen shyly waved back while Lian Feng only nodded curtly, maintaining his cool and aloof persona. "Still here for his little crush?" Yao teased, referring toJiu, the girl who had unknowingly captivated Feng's heart.
Chen Dong just laughed, agreeing with the playful jab.
After Park Yao left, the trio continued their walk around the academy, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiu. But despite their efforts, there was no sign of her. Lian Feng, feeling a hint of disappointment, excused himself to grab a drink from the water dispenser.As he was heading toward the dispenser, he suddenly collided with someone rushing in the opposite direction. The impact sent him stumbling backward, and to his surprise, the body that collided with him was soft and frail, a stark contrast to his own strong, rigid form. Instinctively, Feng reached out, steadying the other person, his hand gripping the back of her head to protect her from injury.For a brief moment, the two of them were tangled in the fall—Lian Feng on the ground with the woman in his arms. His eyes widened as he recognized her.Jiu?Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, a mix of surprise and awkwardness in the air. Lian Feng couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by the soft, delicate figure that was now lying on top of him. His heart raced, but he quickly snapped back to reality as Jiu groaned in pain."Ah!" she winced, trying to move but still caught in his embrace.Feng, still a bit dazed, was slow to react until Jiu quickly spoke up, her voice slightly panicked, "Ah... Mr., you're still holding me!"Flustered, Feng quickly released his hold, gently pulling himself back up. "Sorry," he muttered, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his usually calm demeanor.The situation had caught him completely off guard, but the fact that it was Jiu—the Shen Jiu—made his heart skip a beat.