The bond between the five girls seemed to deepen further. Zheng Fei looked at Zhu Yanyi and said, "Yanyi, I’m counting on you for my classes." She clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
"Right, and us too," Ma Yaya added. "If our grades don’t improve, it would be a waste of your title as the Academic Goddess."
"How does that become my fault?" Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly, looking helpless. "Alright, we’ll study together then."
"Great!" The others were happy. After chatting, they arrived at the playground. Although it was late August or early September, the lunar calendar was still in mid-July, so the weather remained hot.
But military training was military training; they had to continue despite the heat.
The afternoon session involved standing in formation or practicing goose-stepping. As they practiced, Yan Hongyi arrived. As the overall commander of the training, she occasionally came out to inspect. In Zhu Yanyi’s memory, Yan Hongyi had stayed in her practice chamber for the past few days. She hadn’t expected her to come out today, but she did.
After receiving a warning from Yan Aohan, Yan Hongyi had rested in his practice chamber for a few days. However, as the commander, some duties were unavoidable. Inspections were necessary; he couldn’t stay hidden from start to finish. So he came, though he remained cautious.
There were only four classes in the first year of high school, and the training took place on the affiliated school’s playground. The situation of these four classes was clear at a glance.
"Sir, looking at this, these children are doing quite well," said Staff Officer Yang, who was following Yan Hongyi, with a relieved expression.
Yan Hongyi nodded, satisfaction on his face. "Indeed, they are good. These children are the future hope of our Huaxia."
"Isn’t that right?" Staff Officer Yang then thought of something and asked, "By the way, Sir, where is Pan Hua? I remember he returned to his company, but he left after just three days. Did he go on a new mission?"
"Yes, a new mission. It will take a long time," Yan Hongyi said calmly. "There’s not much to say about the details. You understand, Staff Officer Yang. Some things cannot be explained fully, especially regarding such missions."
"Of course, of course." Staff Officer Yang smiled, appearing very good-tempered. "I was just worried he might have a knot in his heart. Tell me, how did two such prodigies appear among the first-year high school students?"
Yan Hongyi smiled. "This shows that the successors of Huaxia are quite good. With such talents, we should cherish them even more. With new blood injected into our country, it will become stronger and stronger." He added a warning, "These children are just sprouting seedlings. Don’t have any messy ideas, or you might pull the shoots to help them grow, turning them into Zhong Yong of the story 'Hurt Zhong Yong.' That would not be good."
"Of course." Staff Officer Yang hurriedly assured him seriously, "I am not that kind of person."
"Let’s go look over there." Yan Hongyi pointed to the area of Class 4, Grade 1, the outermost group. He walked over first. Staff Officer Yang seemed to think of something, paused for a moment, and then followed.
The students of Class 4, Grade 1 were also practicing goose-stepping, following their instructor, learning with great care.