Take a photo for me

As the military trucks slowly rolled in, University T welcomed its two-week military training period.

Honestly, the weather in Capital City was even hotter than in Haiwan City. Just standing there made sweat pour out relentlessly, and this was before the actual drills even began.

At that moment, all anyone wanted was to chug an ice-cold drink to cool themselves down.

The first day of military training was always the most exhausting, the one that truly tested one’s endurance.

Just then, the instructor walked over, holding a watermelon in each hand.

Looking at the listless, sweat-drenched students, he grinned and asked, "Who wants some watermelon?"

A question like that was obviously a trap, and Long Aotian wasn’t about to fall for it so easily.

"Reporting, Instructor! Me, I want some." Long Aotian’s lips twitched as he glanced at Huang Fei beside him. "Aren’t you supposed to be lightning-fast? Can’t even handle a little thirst? Do you run with your mouth or something?"

"I’m a sprinter! It’s all about explosive power!" Huang Fei retorted, sticking out his tongue in a weak defense.

The instructor watched Long Aotian and Huang Fei whispering to each other and nodded with a smile. "Alright, you two. Anyone else?"

Seeing their dormmates step forward, Li Longlong and Xu Shuai couldn’t resist raising their hands either.

Like a chain reaction, a few more hands shot up.

The instructor began calling names—but this time, only girls were selected.

Every girl picked was visibly exhausted, their faces flushed red from the heat.

The chosen girls lined up in a row, facing the boys who had volunteered.

Under the instructor’s command, both groups sat cross-legged on the ground, with a slice of watermelon placed in the space between each pair.

"When the countdown ends, whoever grabs the watermelon gets to keep it," the instructor announced before starting the count.

Most of the girls had been handpicked by the instructor, while the boys had volunteered purely out of thirst.

So when the countdown began, the boys were laser-focused.

Under the scorching sun, their bodies dehydrated, no one could resist the temptation of that juicy, ice-cold watermelon.

"Three, two, one—go!"

The moment the instructor finished speaking, the watermelon slices were practically snatched up by the boys.

The cool touch against their dry throats made them dig in without hesitation.

Seeing the girls who hadn’t gotten any swallow hard, Long Aotian split his watermelon in half. "Here, have some."

"Th-thank you." Han Xiaojing looked up, her dry lips curling into a small smile as she accepted. She really was unbearably hot and thirsty.

Nearby, Li Longlong paused mid-bite, staring blankly at the mangled remains of his own watermelon.

At that moment, he felt his chances at romance shatter into pieces.

And he wasn’t the only one—every boy holding watermelon who witnessed the scene felt like some golden opportunity had slipped right through their fingers...

Long Aotian devoured his half of the watermelon in one go, the icy juice bursting in his mouth. The sensation made him tilt his head back with a satisfied sigh.

Han Xiaojing nibbled at her share, watching as sweat trickled down Long Aotian’s neck, glistening under the sunlight.

What should have looked greasy and unappealing struck her as oddly... sexy.

"Game over! You few, step out and run a lap around the field. The rest of you, dismissed for a break."

"Hahahaha—" Long Aotian laughed until his stomach hurt under the resentful glares of his three "disloyal sons."

Since when did free lunches exist? Did they really think the instructor would be so kind on the very first day of training?

Lounging in the shade, Long Aotian sat fanning himself with his cap.

"Long Aotian, here... this is for you."

Han Xiaojing handed him an ice-cold drink.

"Thanks."

As Long Aotian tilted his head back to drink, Han Xiaojing stole a few extra glances, smiling to herself.

With the chilled beverage down his throat, Long Aotian felt completely revived.

He stood up and nodded at Han Xiaojing. "Get some rest." Then he started walking away.

"Aren’t you going to rest too?" Han Xiaojing asked softly.

Long Aotian grinned and pointed at the trio finishing their lap. "Gotta get water for my three adopted sons."

Han Xiaojing stifled a laugh. Adopted sons?

After Long Aotian left, she rejoined her group of friends.

"What did he say? Why’d he leave?"

"He said he’s getting water for his three adopted sons," Han Xiaojing explained.

"Adopted sons?" Shen Mengjie chuckled, her gaze drifting toward Long Aotian’s retreating figure. "Xiaojing, don’t tell me you’re getting swayed by half a watermelon?" The others joined in teasing her.

Sometimes, girls could be even bolder with their jokes than guys.

"N-no! Stop making things up!"

"If you’re not interested in Long Aotian, we won’t hold back, you know," Shen Mengjie teased.

"Go ahead, then."

Han Xiaojing’s flustered reaction only made her friends laugh harder.

"What’s so funny?"

Their chatter was interrupted by commotion from the field.

"Long Aotian, you absolute beast!"

Li Longlong lunged onto Long Aotian’s back while the other two pinned him down from either side.

Their carefree roughhousing radiated pure, unfiltered joy.

"At least you’ve got some conscience left."

The three chugged their ice-cold drinks before letting out a collective, refreshed "Ahhh!"

Retrieving his phone, Long Aotian checked his notifications and opened QQ.

Seeing the photo Hu Yuying had sent—her in full military training gear—he smiled.

"Huang Fei, take a pic of me."

"How many times do I have to say it? Don’t call me Huang Fei, call me A-Fei!" Huang Fei grumbled. The nickname "Huang Fei" just never sat right with him.

He took Long Aotian’s phone and started framing the shot.

"Dude, you’re way too stiff."

In the camera preview, Long Aotian stood ramrod straight, cap perfectly adjusted, collar neatly buttoned.

"Then how should I pose?"

"Relax. Don’t act like you’re taking a photo—just be yourself. It’ll look more natural."

After a moment’s thought, Long Aotian took off his cap and ruffled his sweat-dampened hair. He undid the top two buttons of his collar.

Under the sunlight, his lazy, effortless demeanor was downright striking.

The slightly parted collar, the sharp line of his Adam’s apple—everything about him oozed raw charisma.

"Damn, looking this good is a crime. You’ll end up friendless!" Even Huang Fei had to admit it. Long Aotian’s careless, devil-may-care attitude was undeniably magnetic.

And he was a guy. If he found Long Aotian’s roguish charm attractive, what hope did anyone else have?

Long Aotian handed over his phone and sent his own photo to Hu Yuying as well.

Then he clicked to enlarge Hu Yuying's military training photo—likely taken by someone else—where the young girl seemed slightly shy, her small hands clutching tightly at the oversized training uniform.

Her faintly flushed cheeks and a gentle, bashful smile exuded an innocent charm, yet still carried a hint of captivating sweetness.

After a brief glance, he saved the photo in his phone.