SCOM - Chapter 25
Chapter 25
The phrase ‘a great battle’ could be quite ambiguous in certain situations.
Ji Yuezhi’s expression was indifferent. His long, narrow, jet-black eyes glanced at Guan Xue. “What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you two make a huge commotion last night?” Guan Xue pointed a finger upwards, then asked with some curiosity, “How did you two end up together? I doubt anyone expected you and Zuo Luohuan to cooperate.”
“Coincidence.” Ji Yuezhi looked down to straighten his messy sleeve, his movements holding a subtle carefulness and cherish that others wouldn't easily notice.
“If those people last night had known you two had joined forces, they probably wouldn’t have come,” Guan Xue said with a hint of schadenfreude. Ji Yuezhi alone was one thing, but adding Zuo Luohuan to the mix? Anyone who wanted to remain in the trial wouldn't have taken such a risk.
Ji Yuezhi didn’t reply to Guan Xue. From the very beginning, he hadn't expected Zuo Luohuan to cooperate with him. No one knew how happy he had been when she left after saying “do as you please,” only to return.
“Another one eliminated.” Guan Xue heard the broadcast announcement as one of the red dots on her optical computer disappeared. Another red dot was rapidly moving toward them.
It was the red dot representing Zuo Luohuan.
At the same time, everyone else in the trial grounds also saw the direction this red dot was moving.
“First, she eliminates someone, then inexplicably stops in an empty area, and now she’s returning…” Jiang Hong stood under a tree, his finger tapping on a spot where three dots converged. “Companions?”
He was wondering who these four people were. Last night, nine people were eliminated at once. Adding the three from earlier, that made twelve, almost a third of the preliminary list. Among the twelve eliminated were skilled fighters like Fu Wenyue and Chen Ce, as well as people from the weapons development department. The fact that they were all eliminated at the same time suggested they had gone as a team. These four must be incredibly strong, and they might have something good in their random backpacks.
Or perhaps there was a master among the four, especially this one… Jiang Hong looked at the red dot that was already returning to the point of convergence. For some reason, he just felt that the person represented by this red dot was a bit arrogant.
When the map of red dots appeared on his optical computer, Jiang Hong had immediately noticed the four dots clustered together. Soon after, he saw one of them leave and head towards the nearest red dot. Less than ten minutes later, the elimination announcement sounded from that direction. Then, this red dot turned and ran to another empty area, doing who knows what.
Casual, nonchalant—that’s what Jiang Hong inferred from the red dot’s route. He couldn't help but think of one person.
Zuo Luohuan.
If the person from yesterday was her, then no matter what was in the random packs, it was normal for those twelve people to be eliminated. The only thing Jiang Hong couldn't figure out was, if this red dot represented Zuo Luohuan, who were the other three?
Did Zuo Luohuan need to cooperate?
She probably just wanted to get out of here sooner.
After reaching this conclusion, Jiang Hong decided to head over there as well. He wanted to join the fun and see who the other three were.
Meanwhile, Zuo Luohuan returned to the factory with a backpack full of water. She made a simple filter and then boiled the water.
“Clean yourselves up first,” Zuo Luohuan said, handing a water-filled condom to Guan Xue while she watched the fire herself.
It was just as Jiang Hong had thought. Who would have the mind to do such things at a time like this? Only Zuo Luohuan would.
Guan Xue helped wipe Qian Mao’s body. He was covered in blood and was already running a high fever. He needed to get out of here as soon as possible.
“We still need to eliminate five more people.” Ji Yuezhi suddenly turned to look at Zuo Luohuan. “It’s best if Qian Mao gets out within the hour.”
Zuo Luohuan had just taken the pot off the fire and was waiting for the water to cool. Hearing his words, she looked up at him.
“In the entire trial grounds, there are two people who have been together the whole time, likely cooperating, and they’re the farthest from us. The others are scattered in various directions, with only one person heading our way.” Ji Yuezhi’s fingertips gently hooked his sleeve as he spoke slowly, “Among those still in the field, only Jiang Hong would do this. He’s probably coming to confirm if you’re here. Once he knows Guan Xue and Qian Mao are with us, he won’t make a move. We can split up to eliminate the other five.”
After a long moment, Zuo Luohuan let out a low laugh. “You seem to know him well.”
Ji Yuezhi froze. He couldn’t discern any particular meaning from her words.
“Let’s do that.” Zuo Luohuan stood up and said to Guan Xue, “The water’s here. You can drink it when it cools. We’re going to finish eliminating the others.”
Ji Yuezhi silently walked out the door with her. After confirming their respective directions, they split up.
Guan Xue rested her chin on her hand, watching the two of them leave. She couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere had suddenly become a little strange.
...
The following hours became Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi's show. They split up, hunted down the red dots, and eliminated people with maximum speed.
By the time Jiang Hong arrived at the factory, three more people had been eliminated. He looked at the two moving red dots, then at Guan Xue and the prone Qian Mao, and asked hesitantly, “Excuse me, who were the two people with you earlier?” Seeing the constantly moving dots, he had already guessed a certain possibility but found it hard to believe.
“Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi,” Guan Xue said casually as she wiped the sweat from Qian Mao’s forehead and tested his temperature with the back of her hand.
“…” Jiang Hong’s mouth twitched. He muttered, “Those two actually teamed up.”
Before this selection trial, he had thought Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan might end up fighting in the trial grounds.
In the monitoring room, Kang Guang was half-lying in his chair, saying with boredom, “There’s no good show to watch anymore. Last year’s was more fun.”
Bai Feng shook his head. “This is good.”
In last year’s selection trial, the two most promising candidates, due to a grudge, had created a mess in the trial grounds and nearly got everyone eliminated. It was a good thing that this year, Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi still had some sense.
...
At 3:20 in the afternoon, with seven people remaining in the trial grounds, the spots for the military academy’s joint exercise were successfully filled. The seriously injured cadets were sent for treatment first.
On the way back, Zuo Luohuan was nearly stared through by people. It wasn't just her; the two other freshmen who were selected were also nearly wounded by the sharp glares.
“Only two freshmen left. You’ve really outdone yourself, Zuo Luohuan.” Fu Wenyue sat directly across from Zuo Luohuan, staring at her. “Let’s see how you win against the other three military academies after forming a team.”
The two freshmen were Yan Yan and Ding Wuming. They had been the farthest away, so after Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi eliminated five people, they automatically advanced.
The other sophomores who had fought tooth and nail only to be eliminated found the final result ridiculous! It wasn't that these two freshmen weren't strong—they had fought their way through, after all—but that final round, no matter how they thought about it, felt unfair!
Zuo Luohuan said lazily, “I don’t know how we’ll win against the other military academies, but I do know I beat you.”
Fu Wenyue: “…” Fine, being a good fighter is what matters!
The instructors escorted them back to the academy and dismissed them. Zuo Luohuan wasn't seriously injured and was about to head straight for her dorm when Ji Yuezhi called out to her before she got far.
“Your jacket.” Ji Yuezhi was still wearing Zuo Luohuan’s jacket. He was about to take it off to return it to her.
Zuo Luohuan said casually, “The jacket’s torn. I don’t need it anymore.”
Ji Yuezhi looked up slightly, his pair of jet-black eyes quietly watching her.
Zuo Luohuan’s gaze inadvertently fell on his long, fair neck. She quickly looked away and rubbed her brow. Seeing that he was still taking off the jacket, she could only walk over quickly to stop him, pulling the half-removed jacket back up. She sighed, “Isn’t the shirt underneath torn? If you want to return my jacket, there’s no rush.”
Ji Yuezhi pressed his lips together, his lowered eyes concealing a fleeting emotion. “I’ll buy you a new jacket.”
Due to the heavy training load, military uniforms wore out quickly. Coupled with the fact that the first year was a peak growth spurt period for cadets, the First Military Academy had a dedicated clothing department for students to purchase uniforms.
“Alright,” Zuo Luohuan agreed. “I’ll wait for you to buy me a new one.”
Wearing her jacket, Ji Yuezhi returned to his dorm. He didn’t immediately tend to the wound on his arm. Instead, he took off the jacket, placed it carefully to the side, and stroked the collar. It was as if he had touched that person, and his fingertips burned fiercely.
If he bought her a new jacket, then he wouldn’t have to return this one.
Ji Yuezhi lowered his head and raised his long, beautiful fingers, bringing them to his nose to sniff gently. Because he had just touched the jacket, the faint scent of Alpha pheromones lingered on them. It wasn't strong, but its presence was extremely potent, just like that person.
...
Upon returning, Zuo Luohuan washed up and lay down on her bed. Although she hadn't had a headache for the past two days, perhaps because she had endured it for so long before, she wasn't feeling great. The moment she closed her eyes, fatigue washed over her like a tidal wave.
It wasn't until nine in the evening that her optical computer’s communication woke her up.
“…Ji Yuezhi? What’s wrong?” Zuo Luohuan sat up and answered the voice call. Her voice was a bit hoarse. Having just opened her eyes, she wasn't fully awake, and her usual provocative, casual tone was gone, replaced by an almost imperceptible gentleness.
When Ji Yuezhi on the other end of the optical computer heard it, for a moment he had the illusion that the two of them were embracing and whispering to each other. He remained silent for a long time, only speaking after Zuo Luohuan had fully woken up. “The jacket. I’ve bought it.”
Zuo Luohuan’s ears were sharp. She heard the noisy background sounds from his optical computer, which overlapped with the sounds from downstairs. She couldn't help but ask, “Are you downstairs?”
“…Yes.”
Zuo Luohuan immediately got out of bed and walked to the window. Sure enough, she saw Ji Yuezhi standing downstairs near a group of noisy Alphas, a bag in his hand.
“I’m coming down now. Wait a moment.” Zuo Luohuan hung up the optical computer. She threw on some clothes and, instead of taking the stairs, vaulted down from the tenth floor.
“Hey, what the fuck! Which bastard stepped on my window?!”
“Who’s climbing down buildings at night! You scared me to death! Are the stairs not good enough for you or something?”
“Must be in a hurry to see their lover!”
Her descent caused a string of curses.
Zuo Luohuan paid them no mind, landing in less than a minute. She walked straight toward Ji Yuezhi, a hint of a smile in her eyes. “Coming over at night, is Classmate Ji afraid I’ll get demerits for my uniform in class tomorrow?”
Ji Yuezhi turned and handed her the bag, not answering her question. “The size is the same as your old jacket. You can try it on.”
After taking it, Zuo Luohuan didn’t look inside. Just as she was about to speak, her eyes narrowed. She suddenly pulled him over as a group of fighting Alphas stumbled toward them. “Fighting at night, right in front of the Head of the Disciplinary Committee?”
The group of Alphas: “!!!”
They scattered instantly.
This building was full of Alphas, all with hot tempers. They often fought under the cover of darkness. Who would have known Ji Yuezhi was nearby?
Ji Yuezhi’s wrist was held tightly by cool fingers, his whole body pressed against Zuo Luohuan. For a moment, it seemed the earlier illusion of them embracing had come true. But the people around them brought him back to his senses. He gently pulled free. “It’s the weekend.” As long as it wasn't excessive, the Disciplinary Committee didn't really manage things on weekends.
Zuo Luohuan followed his lead and let go. As if hearing the second half of his thought, she chuckled lightly. “I just wanted to borrow the tiger’s might.”
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