The person who entered turned out to be a military training instructor, but it wasn’t Liu Dong.
Lu Sen hurriedly sat on the deck of cards, grinning as he said, “We weren’t doing anything! Really, nothing at all!”
“Teacher, we were just chatting!” I chimed in, attempting to smooth things over.
However, the instructor ignored me entirely and pointed at Lu Sen. “What are you hiding under your butt? Stand up!”
Lu Sen forced a smile. “Really, it’s nothing, Coach…”
“Are you getting up or not?” The military training instructor seemed irritated and walked straight toward Lu Sen.
Before Lu Sen could explain further, the instructor kicked him aside.
“Well, well! Playing cards, huh? Everyone, get out of here!” the instructor commanded, turning to leave the tent.
I let out a cold snort and confronted him. “We were wrong to play cards, but does that really warrant physical violence?”
“What did you just say?” The instructor spun around, glaring at me furiously.
Beside me, Hao Shuai patted my shoulder. “Boss, let’s just endure it for now. Making a scene won’t do us any good.”
I gritted my teeth but said nothing. Following Hao Shuai’s advice, we all stood up silently and trailed behind the instructor.
The instructor smirked smugly at my compliance and exited the tent.
“Well, isn’t this Xia Yao’s savior? Why the long face?” As soon as we stepped outside, Zhao Gao and Zhou Hua appeared, flanked by a group of sneering individuals.
I looked at Zhao Gao and chuckled. “It seems Second Young Master Zhao is really asking for trouble.”
Zhao Gao’s smirk froze, and he quickly turned to the instructor. “Coach, did you hear that? He’s threatening me!”
The instructor glared at me and barked coldly, “Behave yourself!”
I clenched my teeth but remained silent.
Lu Sen had just returned after buying the playing cards when the instructor barged in. Clearly, this wasn’t a coincidence. Moreover, Zhao Gao had been lurking outside our tent, so it was obvious he was involved.
“Boss, it was him who sold me the cards!” Lu Sen suddenly pointed at a short guy behind Zhao Gao.
The short guy panicked and retorted, “Don’t spout nonsense! I’ve been in my tent the whole time. How could I sell you cards?”
Lu Sen was about to argue further, but I stopped him. “Let it go.”
“Boss, I’m sorry!” Lu Sen apologized, guilt written all over his face. He clearly realized Zhao Gao was behind the setup.
“What are you standing around for?” The instructor shouted angrily at us.
I glared at Zhao Gao and said coldly, “This isn’t over.” Then, I turned and left with Lu Sen and the others.
Zhao Gao froze momentarily before bursting into laughter. “I’ll be waiting!”
*****
Inside the tent, the instructor retrieved a short stick and walked toward me.
“A moment ago, you were bold enough to speak up. Let’s see how tough you are now!” He swung the stick at my face.
I hadn’t expected the instructor to resort to violence right away, aiming to seriously hurt me. It seemed he had mistaken me for an easy target.
“Hmph!” I snorted coldly, grabbed the stick mid-swing, and twisted my wrist. The instructor released his grip immediately.
My display of skill made him falter briefly, but he quickly recovered. “How dare you fight back?”
“Of course not!” I replied sarcastically while snapping the stick in half with my hands.
“You—!” The instructor was too furious to speak. After a moment, he sneered, “Don’t think that a bit of strength makes you untouchable!” He raised his fist to strike me.
“Quite lively in here,” a voice suddenly interrupted.
The instructor froze and turned to the newcomer, smiling obsequiously. “Liu-ge, you’re here!”
I turned around to see that it was Liu Dong.
Liu Dong smiled at me, then asked the instructor, “What’s going on here?”
“These brats were playing cards during their break. I caught them red-handed, and this tall one even tried to resist. I was about to teach him a lesson!” the instructor explained, glaring at me.
Liu Dong glanced at us and said calmly, “Aren’t they in my group?”
The instructor hesitated. “Yes… they are.”
“Then leave this matter to me.” Liu Dong smiled but didn’t wait for a reply. He turned to us and ordered, “All of you, get out and run ten laps around the base!”
“Liu-ge, they’re Zhao’s—” The instructor tried to protest, but Liu Dong’s expression darkened. “Didn’t I say I’ll handle this?”
Seizing the moment, I whispered to Hao Shuai and the others, “Let’s go.”
The three of them nodded and followed me out.
*****
“This Liu Dong is ruthless! Ten laps around the base? That’s brutal!” Lu Sen complained as we exited.
I glanced back at the tent and replied, “If Liu Dong hadn’t intervened, the instructor would’ve done something far worse.”
“Boss, this is clearly Zhao Gao’s doing. He’s not going to let this go,” Hao Shuai said worriedly.
Lu Sen lowered his head in guilt. “I’m sorry, Boss. This is all my fault.”
“You finally realize you’re a troublemaker?” I scolded him lightly. Seeing his crestfallen expression, I added with a smile, “Don’t dwell on it. Just be more careful in the future and don’t give Zhao Gao any leverage.”
“Boss, why is Zhao Gao involved? I don’t get it,” Diao Sinan asked, looking confused.
This guy’s slow-wittedness made me chuckle. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Boss, are we really running ten laps?” Lu Sen asked hesitantly.
I glanced at Liu Dong’s tent. “Of course.”
“Seriously? Ten whole laps?” Lu Sen’s bruised face made his complaint all the more comical.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re usually smart. Why so clueless now?”
“What do you mean?” Lu Sen was still puzzled.
Hao Shuai couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Can’t you tell? Liu Dong is helping us. Just run a few laps as a gesture.”
“Boss, I never understand what you guys are talking about,” Diao Sinan muttered, thoroughly confused.
Lu Sen laughed. “If you could keep up, you’d be the boss!” We exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
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