It was precisely because of such an incorrect mindset that these freshmen who had worked hard and finally entered college overindulged, making all sorts of mistakes and bad habits. The school hoped to cure and change these freshmen’s poor habits and thinking through the military training given by the instructors.

  As such, after the military training ended yesterday, the school did not impose strict disciplinary rules or restrictions on the freshmen. They were free to do whatever they wanted after the training.

  There were many like the Tang Jiayun trio who dolled themselves up and went out to have fun after the military training.

  The school only issued each person one set of camouflage uniform that was required to be worn during the military training. The training was conducted during the daytime. Given the current weather and temperature, students could immediately wash their clothing on the same day after the military training ended. As long as they did that, the next day, regardless of whether the instructor brought forward the gathering time, the uniform would definitely be clean and ready to be worn.

  The camouflage uniform had been drenched in sweat for the entire day, but people such as Tang Jiayun did not wash it yesterday.

  During military training, it was compulsory to wear this set of uniform. Hence, regardless of how much they shunned the smell of it or how particular they were about cleanliness, Tang Jiayun and people like her had no choice but to pinch their nose and wear their uniform.

  The rules set by the instructor were also very simple and concise. It could also be said that they were obvious at one sight. They were instructors and they were tasked to conduct physical training for and instill discipline in these students. They were not teachers and giving guidance systematically and patiently was not their job. As such, the instructors certainly would not teach patiently, persuade relentlessly, emphasize the need to maintain self-discipline, or even give any pointers during the military training period.

  When they reported to the school, each freshman had been issued with the information on the military training. As top students studying at Peking University, they would not have any problem reading the information.

  The instructors’ style was simply open, honest, and direct. Those who adhered to the rules would proceed with the normal training routine. There was only one word for those who ignored the rules: punishment!

  Even if it was a stubborn mule, the instructors would also take them in hand!

  Under the extremely hot weather in summer, just on the second day, the instructors had already let the freshmen experience and understand what was the so-called winter-like cold and strict attitude and iron-like hard and stiff discipline.

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  Words of persuasion like those from a mother would definitely not come from the instructors. The freshmen were not even qualified to choose not to listen.

  This sweeping style adopted by the instructors made many students grieve loudly in pain.

  “Those who have been punished to run, step out. Ready, get set, go!” The instructors ignored the wailing of the freshmen.

  This was not the first time that such a situation occurred and it would not be the last time. These few soldiers had been to Peking University more than once as instructors and they were already used to such situations. Everyone was a ‘veteran’. No matter how miserable the freshmen seemed to be, these instructors were as calm and steady as the mountains. They were extremely firm and determined.

  Amongst the people who were wailing, most were ladies, especially Tang Jiayun. The moment she heard that she had to run ten rounds, she wished so much that she would faint on the spot and remain unconscious for the entire day.

  Tang Jiayun had wanted to plead with the instructor and request for a lighter punishment.

  However, when she saw how black the instructor’s face was, she shrank her neck and did not commit the mistake that Xu Tingting did in the past. She very abidingly stepped out and ran. It was just that when she stepped out, she glared at Qiao Nan unhappily and even resentfully. It was obvious from her eyes that she was blaming Qiao Nan for this.

  It was not just Tang Jiayun. Even Yu Xiaoxiao and Lü Yan cast similar looks at Qiao Nan. They were also experiencing some internal conflicts. There was a continuous battle between logic and feelings in their minds.

  Having been ‘baptized’ with such glances from all three of her dormitory mates, Qiao Nan first felt sullen. Why did the three of them look at her like that? She then gently sighed. In the coming four years of college, she could no longer wish for a good atmosphere among dormitory mates that was similar to that of her three years of life in senior high school.

  Her only wish now was that the Tang Jiayun trio would not go overboard in ostracizing her. She could accept that. If there were bigger issues, she could only find ways to move out of the dormitory.

  Staying in school was the most economical. In the capital where every inch of land was equivalent to gold, one could not move out of the dormitory and find another place to live so easily. It was a task as arduous as going to heaven.

  The school term had just begun and such a conflict had occurred. All of a sudden, a layer of gloom shrouded Qiao Nan’s good mood of finally being able to study in college.

  On the second day, due to disciplinary issues, many freshmen from all the classes had been punished to do the runs.

  As such, odd phenomena occurred. The number of students who were participating in formal military training was lesser than the number of students who were running around the fields.

  The instructors walked the talk. Anyone who dared to cheat or smoke their way through under their noses would receive additional punishment after the initial ten rounds according to the rules that they had openly established earlier. The students were all feeling depressed. So many ‘black sheep’ were running at the same time. How could the instructors remember so clearly the number of rounds made or missed by each of them?

  Those students who had abidingly completed their ten rounds of run quickly returned to the group and fought for the time to catch up with the rest of the students who were undergoing the training.

  Of course, those who finished off the runs earlier had delayed their lunchtime by at most one to two hours, while those who were slower or given additional punishment simply fell behind by half a day.

  Similar to yesterday, Qiao Nan had washed the camouflage uniform that reeked of sweat and left it to dry outside. She had also freshened herself up and was ready to lie on the bed to rest. It was then that the Tang Jiayun trio came back, holding on to one another. They were drenched in sweat and smelled like beggars who had squatted overnight beside rubbish bins.

  Tang Jiayun could not stand that disheveled look of herself. At the sight of Qiao Nan resting comfortably, she exploded immediately. “Qiao Nan, do you still have any love for your classmates? Don’t you think your expression was too stoic today? I really didn’t expect that you’re this kind of person. The three of us were really mistaken about you!”

  “Tang Jiayun, forget it.” Yu Xiaoxiao held on to Tang Jiayun. “Actually, this matter does not have anything to do with Qiao Nan.”

  “Agree,” Lü Yan said with conscience although she, too, felt unhappy.

  Having been a top-performing student all this while, Lü Yan had always been the teacher’s pet and the most trusted student. She had happily become a student of Peking University. Who would have known that she would embarrass herself twice just after entering Peking University for two days? First, she had been punished by the counselor to write a self-reflection letter. Today, she was punished by the instructors to run.

  All the punishment and scolding that she had experienced from the day she became a student-two years in kindergarten, six years in primary school, three years in junior high school and senior high school respectively-a total of 14 years—were not more than those that she had experienced during the past two days!

  How could a typical person accept such a difference?

  “Why doesn’t it have anything to do with her?!” Tang Jiayun was not pleased. “If not for her, would we be punished to run today?!”

  Fortunately, many people had been punished to run today. If she was only one of those few who were being punished, Tang Jiayun, who was particular about her pride, might lose her confidence to study at Peking University afterward.