First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 202
Chapter 202: Escape
Not to mention far away, but near Gelen University of Finance and Economics, Cornell was already quite famous.
More people were curious, wanting to know what the legendary Edwin actually looked like? How similar could the two be? What would it feel like to see that legendary figure standing before them with their own eyes?
Since it's so close anyway, why not go take a look?
Thus, many people waited near the rental building and around the school, hoping to broaden their horizons.
As it turned out, Cornell only went out once during this period. The group of exchange students stayed in their rental without anyone knowing what they were doing. Since they had just arrived at the port and were still in the course selection period, they didn't need to attend university classes yet, leaving them even more aimless.
Despite waiting eagerly without seeing any trace of him, strangely, the hype didn't diminish but instead rose.
At noon, the group gathered in Lian Sheng's room to quietly discuss their next steps.
Zhou Shirui shared a spreadsheet from his optical computer: "This is the class schedule. Here are the club introductions and faculty advisors."
Everyone opened it to look, searching for names that matched those in Hundred Meter Flying Dagger's intel.
Zhou Shirui said, "Lian Sheng, I've already applied for you to join the chess club. You'll need to play a few matches there. If you pass the club president's evaluation, you can officially join."
Lian Sheng nodded.
"This professor is very strict and doesn't interact much with students after class. But he loves chess," Zhou Shirui said. "If you can catch his attention, you'll get to chat with him privately and build rapport. He likes smart students."
Zhou Shirui continued, "Physics and Human Development... Ji Ban should attend that. As for Financial Management..."
Ji Ban said, "I'll go."
His family ran a production-based enterprise, the most complex type for accounting, so he had some experience.
Lian Sheng patted his head: "Ji Ban, well done."
Fang Jianchen flipped through a couple of pages, his eagerness to contribute barely contained as he asked, "What about us?"
Zhou Shirui looked up and said, "There's nothing for you to do."
The old professors who ran these side businesses had no interest in offering physical education classes.
Lian Sheng: "You can pray."
Cheng Ze: "Theology school?"
Lian Sheng: "..."
Lian Sheng: "..."
They were only halfway through finalizing the schedule when a knock came at the door.
The group exchanged glances.
Though they knew many people were watching them, no one had actively knocked before.
Lian Sheng put down her optical computer and went to open the door. Standing outside was a familiar face.
"I'm the agent who gave you my card earlier. I heard you were staying here, so I came to check. No ulterior motives, just asking." His eyes wandered through the crowd, searching for Cornell while distractedly adding, "Have you looked up my company yet? You can verify the numbers listed. It's legit."
Lian Sheng snapped her fingers to pull his attention back and asked, "You're looking for actors? What about me?"
"You..." The agent initially wanted to refuse but reconsidered. "Sure, sure. Can you get Cornell to come out for a chat? Let's talk properly."
Lian Sheng laughed. "Haha, but I don't want to. I'm not short on money."
Agent: "..."
Who the hell cares if you go or not? He didn't want you either!
Lian Sheng blocked the door and called inside, "Cornell!"
Cornell finally sauntered out leisurely.
The agent's eyes lit up, immediately launching into a rapid-fire pitch: "Our company offers excellent compensation! Believe me, dear, Gelen is a democratic nation that respects individual freedom—no one can force you to do anything! Here, you'll receive the fairest treatment, and everyone welcomes you! Your efforts will be duly rewarded!"
Cornell replied flatly, "Oh."
The agent's momentum instantly deflated. What did "oh" mean?
The agent stiffened, then solemnly added, "Has someone threatened you? Please don't be afraid! We'll handle everything for you. In Gelen, no one can bully you!"
"You're overthinking it. 'Oh' just means not interested," Lian Sheng said. "He's already signed an employment contract with me. As a former soldier, I believe the most basic professional ethics should be upheld. Right?"
Cornell nodded.
Cornell nodded.
The agent, moved, exclaimed, "How wonderful! Such a good kid!"
Lian Sheng moved to close the door. "Now that you've got your answer, would you mind leaving?"
The agent swiftly blocked the door with his foot. "How long is your contract?"
"Well, the pay isn't great, but he seems pretty capable. Since I'll be studying here for at least a year, I signed him for two years as backup," Lian Sheng said with a smile. "Looks like I can even recoup my tuition through him! Cornell, you're so reliable!"
The agent found this distasteful, glaring at Lian Sheng with undisguised hostility. "This is exploitation!"
"Save your sympathy for the struggling actors in your company crying themselves to sleep every night. Or is your agency so desperate you're recruiting randos off the street?" Lian Sheng patted Cornell's shoulder. "They're all like this—acting like they value you at first. Once you sign the contract, their attitude changes, and you lose all freedom. Look at how many contract disputes happen every year. With me, at least you can study and have absolute freedom. Right?"
The agent shouted, "Don't listen to her! She's brainwashing you! You're not some random street recruit! And our company has no history of labor contract lawsuits!"
Cornell: "I'll consider it after my contract ends."
Then the two mercilessly shut the door.
Lian Sheng leaned against the wall to listen for a moment, confirming the man had left before shrugging and walking back in, exasperated.
After efficiently finalizing all their courses, the group settled onto the sofa, each playing with their optical computers.
Being at the port really felt like returning to university—unfamiliar yet nostalgic, leaving them all relaxed.
Zhao Zhuoluo pointed at Lian Sheng. "Shouldn't you get your hair trimmed?"
Lian Sheng checked herself in the mirror—it had indeed grown quite long. Without bothering to find a barber, she'd just been tucking it behind her ears.
Fang Jianchen agreed. "This hairstyle... really doesn't suit your image."
"Cornell, let's go." Lian Sheng stood decisively. "Time to show you off so more people can see you."
Cornell: "..."
Cornell: "..."
Cornell: "..."
The agent and his assistant were still downstairs. When they saw Lian Sheng and Cornell emerge, they quickly ducked behind a wall, then inexplicably started tailing them.
"They must be doing this on purpose, taking advantage of Cornell's lack of education and exposure in Kafa—"
"That's why I said we should do it, Tom. I'll get some people to harass them. Find a quiet spot and target that woman. Cornell's still too young and alone. If he fails to protect her, she'll get mad and fire him!"
"Then the poor, income-less Cornell will be left homeless..."
"And then we'll take him in, shower him with love and care, let him experience Gelen's warmth, make him understand our sincerity..."
The two bounced ideas off each other, growing increasingly convinced of their plan.
The agent: "Make the call, pick some smart ones! Don't go too hard—just scare them."
Lian Sheng and Cornell picked a reasonably normal-looking barbershop nearby, empty at this hour, and walked straight in.
A stylist inside was scrolling through his optical computer when the door opened. He looked up and froze, as if seeing a ghost.
"Oh my god!" He shot to his feet. "It's you!"
Lian Sheng said flatly, "Haircut."
The stylist bypassed Lian Sheng entirely, ushering Cornell to a chair. "Sit, sit! Tony will take care of you."
Lian Sheng: "...Hello? I'm the one getting a haircut!"
Tony waved her off. "Find someone else."
Tony pressed a fidgeting Cornell into the seat. "Stay right here—this spot has the best view. How about a free haircut? Your bangs need trimming. Trust me, scissors matter—DIY jobs never turn out right."
The neglected Lian Sheng asked, "What about me?"
Tony: "Two hundred."
Lian Sheng touched her short hair. "Wow, so I'm paying for his free cut?"
"Don't spout nonsense—our membership discount is 70% off, and it's still this price," Tony said. "I'm waiving the membership fee for his sake. A card costs three thousand."
Lian Sheng gasped dramatically. "Wow—! Cornell, you're saving me money again!"
Tony circled Cornell's head, pondering the perfect style, when the annoying voice piped up again: "Tony, cut mine."
Tony bristled. "Why should I?!"
"Because if my haircut turns out bad," Lian Sheng mimed grabbing Cornell's head, "I'll shave his head bald to match!"
"You—!" Tony's eyes bulged as he glared at Lian Sheng.
Just as the rumors said—an insufferable, petty, self-important, spoiled rich kid!
Tony patted Cornell's shoulder. "Wait here. I'll be right back. Watch TV, listen to music, make yourself at home."
Just then, a man rushed out from the back, rolling up his sleeves. "I'll do it!"
"Halt—!" Tony barked. "I'll handle this!"
The man froze, hurt, then went to turn on the projection TV for Cornell.
Lian Sheng asked, "Is Tony your real name?"
Tony examined her hair. "Of course not. Only the best stylist gets to be Tony."
Lian Sheng said admiringly, "A prestigious legacy title?"
Tony snorted proudly.
Tony spent fifteen minutes on Lian Sheng's wash-cut-dry and forty-five on Cornell's trim. During this time, they were introduced to Gelen's lineup of young celebrities famed for resembling Edwin. Through makeup and surgery, these imitators achieved maybe 20-50% similarity. Cornell's natural looks made him a cut above the rest.
"It's the aura! Mostly the aura!" Tony said. "Look how handsome! Your eyes and expression—identical! No one can mimic that!"
Lian Sheng thought, Have you looked away even once? If stares could imprint souls, his would be branded by now.
Tony gave Cornell's biceps a quick squeeze, then cried out in exhilaration, "Ah—! Just—just like that!"
Lian Sheng nearly collapsed laughing.
This fanboy had truly mastered the art of idol worship.
Cornell left the barbershop with a disturbed expression, his entire body tense.
Tony waved from the doorway. "Come back anytime~ Next time, all your friends get free cuts! Enjoy Gelen—come find me if you need help!"
They took a quieter route back to avoid further encounters.
Cornell remained shell-shocked the entire way.
Lian Sheng clapped him on the back. "Stop looking like you were violated. He was just enthusiastic!"
Cornell frowned. "You seemed happy about it."
Lian Sheng laughed. "I was! The whole world wants to take you from me, but you can't leave. Isn't that delightful?"
Cornell asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
Lian Sheng: "Of what?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll stay here and defect?" Cornell said. "I am Edwin, after all."
Lian Sheng studied him intently. "You don't have that option."
"Besides," she added with a smile, "I never knew Edwin. But Cornell, didn't we agree we're friends?"
As a clone, Cornell couldn't plan too far ahead for himself.
The Alliance had given him ample freedom. If he'd wanted to betray Gelen, he wouldn't have fought so hard in Kafa.
A man whose sole wish was to die a hero's death no longer cared about his own life.
Lian Sheng exhaled deeply, gazing at the sky. "Having fun here? Do you like it?"
Cornell said quietly, "I don't know. But they're not bad people."
Lian Sheng chuckled. "Of course. The ones who want war aren't them. No one hates strangers without reason."
She mused, "Peace is wonderful. If the Alliance and Gelen had no conflicts, and you were just visiting, you could openly accept their kindness. I know being liked and needed is inherently joyful. They're right—if you'd been born in Gelen..."
"I was born in Gelen. Clone experiments have low success rates. Even when they succeed, genetic issues arise—not smart enough, not healthy enough, or like me, not long-lived. I'm just one of their luckier test subjects. Even if I'd grown up, I'd have lived under political control with no freedom." Cornell said. "It was Kafa's people who smuggled me out and destroyed all samples and data in the lab. Two entire teams risked their lives just for me—though I don't know why. They knew my existence was a mistake but couldn't bring themselves to kill me. They feared I'd defect if I learned the truth yet gave me enough freedom to serve in the military. I felt their conflict, so I forgave everything they did."
"I don't think my life in the Alliance was bad. They tried their hardest to protect me, despite who I am. They were kind enough." Cornell said. "Really, they shouldn't have saved me. Maybe it would've been better."
The wind was strong. Lian Sheng could smell the shampoo in her hair.
They spoke softly. Even this close, Lian Sheng caught only fragments of his words.
"Then I'm glad they saved you. Harry must think so too." Lian Sheng pocketed her hands. "People willing to die for you did so because they believed you deserved to live. Isn't surviving because you're loved reason enough? It doesn't matter who you are—they refused to abandon you."
"Since we're here, relax. Stop being so hard on yourself." Lian Sheng patted his back. "Accepting kindness isn't bad. They like you for simple reasons."
Cornell: "They're Gelen's people."
"Our goal isn't to fight all of Gelen—it's to end hostilities and become friends again. If being here makes you happy, then be happy." Lian Sheng said. "Besides, the Alliance doesn't need you to hate them. They might not like me much, but I like them."
She paused mid-sentence as a group of men turned the corner, brandishing metal pipes and wooden bats as they approached.
"Uh..." Lian Sheng tilted her head. "I take that back."
The men wore revealing clothes that showed off intricate tattoos but few scars—all bark, no bite.
Lian Sheng immediately clutched her head and screamed, "Ah! Cornell, save me!" before ducking behind him.
The leader swung his bat. "Back off! Hand over the girl, and we won't hurt you. Nine against one—think carefully..."
Before he finished, Cornell kicked him square in the gut, then swept his legs out. He snatched the fallen bat—
"Fuck!" the men yelled.
This wasn't part of the script!
"So cool—so cool! A true military man! A lieutenant colonel at his age! In a hellhole like Kafa! He must be Edwin reborn! What talent!"
The agent was beside himself, pulling out his optical computer to snap photos.
"Careful, careful!" He smacked his assistant. "What are they doing? Don't just stand there!"
The assistant whined, "...Who's getting beaten up here?"
Agent: "Don't fight back!"
Assistant: "Weren't we here to pick a fight?"
The agent froze mid-shot. "Who are those people behind them? Did you hire them too?"
"No, just the ones up front." The assistant zoomed in. "No license plates—that's not normal, Tom!"
The agent sobered. "Call them off. Tell Cornell to run! This area's unsafe—they shouldn't wander here again!"
Assistant: "Got it!"
Tom snapped a few more shots of the scene for evidence.
The skirmish took a bizarre turn.
As Cornell hesitated between finishing them or fleeing, one "fallen" thug lifted his head and shouted, "Run! Someone's coming for you! Don't walk this way next time!"
Lian Sheng: "Who's more suspicious than you?"
The thug yelled, "We're the good guys!"
He stood, shielding them. "Go, go!"
Seeing the situation was indeed off—no one had entered the alley despite it being relatively quiet—they bolted.
Lian Sheng grabbed Cornell. "You climb the wall; I'll take the front. Have Harry pick me up in case of trouble."
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