Chapter 15: The Challenge

Instructor Wang was a man of action. Li Hang had barely sat down and caught his breath when Wang leaned over with a sly smile. “How about representing the exemption group this time?”

Before Li Hang could answer, Qin Fang spoke up. “Sure! Li Hang’s our man!”

Others joined in. “Yes, send him out to beat the trainees!”

The same students who had looked like frostbitten eggplants minutes ago were now bursting with excitement. Li Hang braced his hands on his knees and stood, amused. He cupped his hands in a mock martial-arts salute. “Since you brothers think so highly of me, I’ll accept and march into battle.”

Wang nodded, satisfied, and addressed the others. “Don’t just watch. Tomorrow it might be your turn, so prepare something.”

“Sure, no problem!” they chorused, all pointing at Li Hang. “But he has to go today! Li Hang first!”

“The challenge! The challenge!”

Wang held up his hands for quiet. “You’re in Computer Science Class One, right? We’ll challenge Sixth Battalion, First Class first—your own people. Let’s go!”

At his wave, forty-odd exempt students rose and followed him toward the center of the field. Li Hang led the group, his enormous body casting an absurdly broad shadow beneath the lights. Behind him came people of every height and shape, a band of walking wounded that looked like a motley army marching out, though their spirits were high.

Sixth Battalion’s First Class was resting. Students sat scattered on the ground, drinking water, rubbing their legs, or lying flat. Instructor Wu was chatting with another instructor. When he saw Wang approach with his group, he looked startled, then seemed to understand.

He met them with his hands on his hips. “Wang, what are you doing?”

Wang grinned, showing two rows of white teeth. “We’ve come to challenge you. Dare accept?”

“A challenge?” Wu raised an eyebrow and surveyed the group, his gaze resting on Li Hang for two seconds. The corner of his mouth twitched. “All right. How?”

“Simple. Each side puts on a talent. Whoever gets the louder applause wins.”

Wu considered and looked at his class. The advantage was his, surely. “Deal. Who’s performing for you?”

Wang stepped aside, revealing Li Hang’s 300-plus-jin frame to the entire class. They fell silent for a beat, then whispered.

“Isn’t that the fat guy in our class? No, the really fat guy.”

“Yes, Li Hang. On registration day he even…”

“What talent could he have? Surely he’s not going to eat ten burgers in one go?”

“Don’t say that. Maybe he’s actually good.”

Shi Xiao was drinking water among the students. At the sight of Li Hang he nearly spat it out. “Hang? You? You have a talent?” Qiao Chuan and Xu Haodong looked over too, exchanging surprised glances. In the dorm, they’d only seen Li Hang eat, use his phone, shower, sleep, and exercise. What talent did he have?

Wu turned to his class. “They’ve come to our door, students. We can’t back down. Any volunteers? Dance, singing, jokes—anything. Who’s up?”

A hand rose immediately. “Instructor, I’ll do it.”

Zhou Wanxing stood, dusted off her trousers, and strode into the circle. Her hair was in a ponytail, and even in her training uniform she looked slender and energetic, a confident smile on her face.

“All right, Zhou Wanxing,” Wu said.

She glanced back at Jiang Yingxue and winked. Jiang’s mouth curved slightly, though she said nothing.

Zhou began a Latin-style dance. With the music, her sense of rhythm seemed innate. Her hips turned with samba heat, her arms stretched, her waist swayed, and her footwork was quick and crisp. Kicks, spins, and poses were clean and decisive.

Her class erupted. “Zhou Wanxing can dance?” “She’s amazing!” “Who knew she was hiding that?”

Students resting in other departments and battalions turned to watch. Whistles, applause, and cheers filled the area as if it were a festival.

“Who’s that girl? She’s a great dancer!”

“Computer Science Class One. Zhou Wanxing, Jiang Yingxue’s best friend.”

“Pretty and a dancer? Her WeChat must be getting flooded with requests.”

Zhou finished, drew in her hands, and bowed around the circle, slightly breathless. The applause grew louder. Wu beamed and shouted, “Was our classmate’s dance good?”

“Yes!” the class roared, loud enough to reach the other side of the field.

Zhou bounced back and sat beside Jiang, cheeks flushed and eyes bright. “Well? I didn’t embarrass you, did I?” she whispered.

Jiang tucked a stray lock of hair behind her friend’s ear. Her voice was mild, but she was smiling. “You danced well.”

Zhou grinned, leaned on her shoulder, and murmured, “I still like having everyone watch me.”

Jiang didn’t reply. Her gaze passed over Zhou’s head toward the exemption group. The fat man’s figure stood out too much to miss. She looked away and opened the handbook in her lap.