"Wow, this instructor is really strict," Luo Kun whispered.
"Drill instructors are always like this. Besides, this is the Military Medical Academy. We can understand," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile to Luo Kun.
"But I’m worried about Zheng Fei," Luo Kun added. "If she doesn’t run faster, our whole class might get in trouble during training."
Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. She had noticed this too. Instructor Pan’s method was very effective. On the first day, everyone felt the pressure. If Zheng Fei didn’t improve, she might be left out by others at the end of training. Even if they helped, it might not be enough.
"Tonight, before bed, we’ll run five laps with her. Tomorrow morning, we’ll run with her during early exercise too. I don’t believe running is so hard that it can kill someone," Zhu Yanyi said firmly.
Luo Kun nodded. "You’re right. We’ll run with her and watch her."
"Why are you whispering? You’re not running seriously. On the battlefield, soldiers like you would already be dead. Five more laps as punishment!" Instructor Pan shouted from a distance. Although he couldn’t hear their words, he could see their mouths moving.
Zhu Yanyi and Luo Kun looked at each other. They both felt a bit angry. Now they realized that Instructor Pan was deliberately trying to make things difficult for them. But neither of them knew her personally. So, it was clear: she was picking on them.
"Damn it. Watch me teach him a lesson later," Luo Kun said, then started running faster.
Zhu Yanyi smiled and followed. "Okay, go ahead and teach her. I support you." They couldn’t just take this silently. They had to stand up for themselves. If they didn’t show strength, people would treat them like weaklings. Even if Luo Kun didn’t act, Zhu Yanyi felt she should. It wasn’t easy to be the one who speaks up, but when someone bullied them, she wouldn’t stay quiet.
After finishing the laps, both girls returned to the training ground with good spirits.
"Fall in," Instructor Pan said, looking at them. He was a bit surprised. They had run twenty laps, which was ten kilometers, yet they still looked relaxed. This showed they had some real skill. Even new recruits in the basic training camp would struggle to run ten kilometers on their first day.
"Report!" Luo Kun said, her eyes shining with determination.
"Speak," Instructor Pan replied, unsure of what she wanted.
"I challenge you," Luo Kun said clearly and loudly. Her voice echoed across the playground. All the other classes stopped and stared at Luo Kun and Instructor Pan. Since the academy was founded, no one had ever challenged an instructor like this. But now, someone was breaking new ground.
"You want to challenge me?" Instructor Pan looked at Luo Kun, surprised. It was the funniest joke he had heard this year.
"Yes, Instructor. I challenge you," Luo Kun said calmly. She showed no fear. She stood straight, looking directly at Instructor Pan without avoiding her gaze. "If I win, you cannot punish us for any reason in the future. If I lose, you can punish me however you want, and I will have no complaints."