Military training has always been one of the hottest topics among students. College boot camp especially—strangers from all corners of the country thrown together, sweating across campus while resisting the instructors’ “tyranny,” laughing through the exhaustion. Only by living it do you truly feel that bittersweet blend of pain and joy.
It’s also one of the rare times the whole class gathers. For many freshmen, it’s their first chance to make university friends. Nanhu College’s freshman training lasted twenty-one days. Nearly everyone came out noticeably tanned—but compared to the joy of new friendships, that small price felt utterly negligible.
Except for Shu Yuxin.
She felt this training wasn’t quite what she’d imagined.
As mentioned earlier, Shu Yuxin majored in Software Engineering—basically, a coder. Anyone in the field knows it’s a grueling path. Beyond sky-high demands, it’s nicknamed a “hair-killer.” Guys in their twenties looking like grandpas? A dime a dozen. So girls in this major were extremely rare. Among Nanhu’s hundred-plus Software Engineering freshmen split into three classes, Class One had thirty-seven students—including Shu Yuxin, only four girls. The four roommates.
Looking back, she’d actually done the class a favor: swapped one wolf for a piece of meat. Whether that “meat” was appetizing? Debatable. At least it wouldn’t compete with wolves for other meat. Shu Yuxin was traditional. She didn’t oppose homosexuality—but she’d never be one herself. Physically speaking? Yuri wasn’t her path.
Ahem, enough digression. Why did she feel this training was different? Simple: the school, noting the severe shortage of girls in Software Engineering, deemed mixed training inappropriate. With a wave of the hand, they regrouped all female students from Software Engineering and several other majors into one platoon—even the instructor was female. Officially dubbed the “All-Girls Squad.”
Trapped in that environment, our heroine maintained a near-expressionless face for over twenty days. She had zero clue how to talk to the sea of girls around her. Topics “normal” girls loved? Foreign territory. Her own interests? Best left unsaid. Her forced aloofness nearly convinced the instructor she was being isolated—so much so the instructor mentioned it during an evening event. Cue Shu Yuxin’s deep, burning embarrassment.
She genuinely didn’t know how to chat with girls.
Thankfully, while broad friendship efforts failed, she did get to know her three roommates.
The bed at the foot of hers belonged to Peng Xiaoxiao. True to first impressions, Peng was a full-on otaku—deep into gaming, anime, and cola. Yet her looks and figure sat comfortably between solid and stunning. A few freckles dusted her cheeks, but they only added charm. Framed by oversized glasses, she carried a quiet literary grace. Like Shu Yuxin, she cared little for “typical girl” topics. They actually shared interests. Peng’s initial “cold goddess” impression of Shu Yuxin slowly melted away.
Opposite Shu Yuxin slept Su Ya. By Shu Yuxin’s standards, decently pretty, with a gentle, soft-spoken vibe—a textbook “soft girl.” Her passion? Physical books. Classics, Chinese and foreign. A rare breed nowadays. Interactions were few, but Shu Yuxin liked her well enough.
Diagonally across was Cheng Xiaonan—the dorm’s most “normal” girl. A true normie. Her desk overflowed with cosmetics; makeup alone took half an hour morning and night. Rarely in the dorm except to sleep. Rumor said she’d already snagged a guy during training. She barely spoke to the others, radiating quiet disdain—especially toward Shu Yuxin, leaving her utterly bewildered.
Peng Xiaoxiao held zero patience for that attitude. Offhand, when Shu Yuxin once asked: “Ugly’s still ugly no matter the makeup. Jealous of pretty girls? Think that’ll fix you? Bitch.”
(Never said to Cheng’s face. Peng wasn’t naive—freshman year, no need to burn bridges.)
Nanhu College’s training wrapped up that afternoon. A light rain fell during the final drill, mingling with tears—the students’ last farewell to their instructors.
Minghai University’s training ended the same day. As dusk settled, Shu Yuxin met Jiang Zixuan for dinner.
Nanhu had three cafeterias: West, Central, South. Only Central was decent. Their picky heroine found barely anything she liked. After sampling all options, she bolted to Minghai University’s cafeteria. The gap in standards was clear—though both were outsourced, Minghai’s offerings were leagues ahead. She finally found dishes she enjoyed. But commuting daily? Too much hassle. So Shu Yuxin shamelessly roped in her best friend. For weeks after, Jiang Zixuan packed her favorites, then joined her at the lakeside pavilion near Lianhua Lake.
Lianhua Lake was small, artificial, but beautifully kept. Nestled exactly between Nanhu College and Minghai University, it technically belonged to Minghai—but students from both schools tacitly split it down the middle.
Naturally, it became a prime couples’ spot. Every evening, pairs strolled the shore, canoodling shamelessly, showering bystanders with “dog food.”
Today was no exception.
Sitting in the pavilion with a bowl of grilled meat rice, Shu Yuxin crinkled her little nose slightly and muttered, “The sour stench of love.”
“Haha, yeah, yeah—the sour stench of love…” Jiang Zixuan burst into laughter, watching her expression.
