“I believe everyone has already heard that this school is somewhat different from others. We place great importance on developing students in all aspects. To put it bluntly, this is also for the school’s advancement and employment rates. In order to cultivate your ability to live independently, the originally scheduled on-campus military training will, three days from now, be changed to a wilderness camping program in the nearby mountains. The school will ensure everyone’s safety, so please rest assured. You will form groups of seven, regardless of gender. Group members may be chosen freely from among the first-year students. This is to help you develop better social skills and teamwork for your future in society. Alright, that concludes today’s class meeting. Use the remaining time to form your groups.”
After saying this, the homeroom teacher left the classroom. The room immediately erupted into noise as everyone began gathering teammates.
So was it camping or military training? And no one found the phrase “camping military training” strange? Still, the novelty seemed to make everyone even more enthusiastic than usual.
Gong Zhu walked over to Ke Bu with a grin. “Ke Bu, let’s be in the same group?”
Ke Bu gave him a look of disdain. “Why should I team up with you?”
“You don’t want to end up being left out, do you?”
That was a fair point. Ke Bu fell silent. It would be difficult for him to actively seek out group members, and he wasn’t nearly as socially adept as Gong Zhu. He might as well let Gong Zhu handle the troublesome part. After some consideration, Ke Bu agreed.
“Then could you help invite Chu Hao Yu and Lord Zhi Li? We need seven people, and it’s better to work with people we know.”
So that was his real intention. For the sake of convenience, he’d dragged Ke Bu into it too. Still, being with familiar people was better than strangers. Ke Bu curled his lip and called out, “Hey, Yu Tai.”
Elio’s Notes: Yu Tai” is a mocking nickname derived from Chu Hao Yu’s name. The character “Yu” (宇) is deliberately replaced with “Tai” (態), taken from the word “biàn tài” (變態), meaning “pervert.” This creates a similar-sounding name while turning it into an insult, reflecting the sarcastic humor often used in Chinese dialogue.
Chu Hao Yu looked over with disdain. “Who are you calling that?”
“Chu Hao Yu, you pervert—shortened to Yu Tai. I’m asking if you and Zhi Li want to join our group.”
“If you want to invite me, line up. I’ve already decided to join the ‘Boob Group.’ Right, Zhi Li?”
Zhi Li lifted his head and stared straight at Ke Bu. The look made him uneasy.
“We’ll see.”
“Come on, Zhi Li. Look at Ke Bu’s flat chest. Forget training—I wouldn’t even be able to eat.”
“If I really had a huge chest, nobody would be able to eat!!” Ke Bu snapped. Why did he even have to do this? Forcing a smile, he added in a falsely cheerful tone, “Lord Zhi Li, please join our group. We offer warm, attentive, and considerate service.”
Zhi Li didn’t respond. He simply picked up a pen and tossed it aside, making a sound as if calling an animal. “Go on.”
“You think I’m a dog?!!”
And just like that, Zhi Li was inexplicably dragged into the group by Ke Bu. Then again, Zhi Li himself was an inexplicable person. Naturally, Chu Hao Yu joined as well. The four of them sat together to discuss the remaining members. Having completed his “mission,” Ke Bu sat off to the side playing a mobile game, while Zhi Li continued reading the freshman handbook as if no one else existed.
From time to time, Gong Zhu would sneak glances at Zhi Li with clear enthusiasm. Chu Hao Yu spoke first. “Since it’s camping, our group members need to be useful. I’ll be responsible for providing adult magazines to keep everyone entertained in the boring wilderness.”
“That’s really a big help,” Ke Bu said dryly.
Ignoring him, Chu Hao Yu looked at Gong Zhu. Gong Zhu returned his gaze innocently.
“As for you, when necessary, use your looks to get food and drinks from other groups—and maybe bring a few girls back too. As for Ke Bu… well, every group has someone who drags the team down, so we’ll just have to tolerate it. Next, we need someone in charge of logistics who can cook well. We also need someone good at fighting—if a black bear shows up, they can hold it off. If they can’t and get eaten, that’s fine. At least we’ll have time to run. We should also find someone with power and influence to give us support in various situations.”
It seemed Chu Hao Yu had a very thorough understanding of survival.
Gong Zhu continued, “I do know a girl in the neighboring class who’s really good at cooking. She rarely eats outside food and always brings meals from home. As for someone good at fighting, there’s apparently a delinquent who’s been giving teachers headaches—he’s already picked fights with upperclassmen, and I heard his father is a boxer. As for someone powerful… that’s harder. The most powerful person in this school is probably the principal. Freshmen haven’t joined the student council yet. The principal does have a daughter who just enrolled, but that would be too difficult.”
“Are you forming a team for the Olympics or something?” Ke Bu cut in. “Why do you need so many ‘top-tier’ people? Do you really think that if you shamelessly invite them, they’ll happily accept? Stop dreaming. If it were that easy, would it even be your turn?”
Chu Hao Yu shrugged and laughed. “Leave the matter of women to me. Since we’re forming a team, we might as well make it the best. Otherwise, such a dull school life would be meaningless.” Gong Zhu seemed moved by his words and nodded vigorously. “Then for the next three days, let’s all work hard together.” Ke Bu shifted his gaze to Zhi Li, who still hadn’t spoken. That guy was still reading the freshman handbook. Just how boring can you be… Noticing Ke Bu’s gaze, Zhi Li turned his head slightly, picked up the pen in his hand, and tossed it forward. “Go~”
“I already said I’m not a dog!!” Ke Bu shouted angrily.
Walking out of the restroom, Ke Bu shook the water droplets from his hands. He noticed a small group from the neighboring class gathered nearby, watching something. Then he heard Chu Hao Yu’s voice: “Come on, little girl, don’t be afraid. Come over to uncle.”
Anyone would be frightened hearing something like that. Ke Bu walked to the window. A girl stood curled up in the corner, her face flushed red, her eyes filled with fear.
“Uncle isn’t a bad person. Come join our group. Uncle will take you to a paradise you’ve never experienced before. Come on, don’t be shy. Uncle’s embrace is your warmest harbor.”
Ke Bu abandoned the horrifying scene and quickly walked away. I really don’t want anyone knowing I’m acquainted with Chu Hao Yu.
In the afternoon, that lunatic Chu Hao Yu actually managed to recruit a girl from the neighboring class, Zhou Xin He. Zhou Xin He was extremely shy, her gaze constantly darting around, her stance uneasy. Ke Bu looked her up and down. She was petite, with a cute round face—most likely, her timid personality meant she had no friends and couldn’t find a group, so she agreed to join Chu Hao Yu.
Chu Hao Yu stroked his chin. “Next is that problem student. That might be a bit difficult. Ke Bu, you go pick a fight with him.”
“Why should I do something so dangerous? Do you think this will turn into one of those scenes where the two of us exchange punches under the sunset, sweating, throwing fists at each other, and in the end collapse on the ground, panting, then smile at the brilliant sky and say, ‘Didn’t expect you to be this strong,’ and from then on form a deep friendship? Stop dreaming.”
“I also think fighting isn’t a good idea. We just entered the school—if we get caught, we’ll be punished,” Gong Zhu said softly. Zhou Xin He only looked increasingly restless, as if she wanted to say something, but stammered and failed to get any words out.
“Um… what about Lord Zhi Li?” Gong Zhu asked.
“It’s better if he doesn’t show up,” Chu Hao Yu replied. Ke Bu raised his head and glanced at the blazing sun hanging in the sky and nodded in agreement. “Yeah.”
Gong Zhu looked confused by their response.
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