Ke Bu boarded the school bus and scanned the empty seats. It seemed that many people were eyeing the seat next to Zhi Li, yet hesitated to approach. Without thinking, Ke Bu walked over to Zhi Li’s seat—but didn’t sit down, simply staring at him.
“Don’t think something will happen just because you stare at me,” Zhi Li said slowly without even lifting his head.
“Sorry to trouble you.”
Zhi Li stood up and moved from the window seat to the aisle side. Ke Bu sat down by the window. He yawned, and Zhi Li glanced at him. Ke Bu pulled his hoodie over his head. “I stayed up all night playing games.”
“Do you want me to praise you?”
“Don’t mock me so calmly. I get it—I’ll be more careful next time.”
Ke Bu closed his eyes and fell asleep beside Zhi Li. Gong Zhu, sitting in the back row, felt a bit uneasy. What is this kind of everyday conversation between them that leaves no room for others to join? Didn’t Ke Bu say they weren’t close at all? It doesn’t look that way.
The bus stopped at its destination. Ke Bu woke groggily and realized he had leaned against Zhi Li’s shoulder. His face grew warm as he quickly straightened up, pressing his back against the window.
“Don’t think that in a swaying bus, with my heart pounding and romantic music playing, I deliberately leaned on your shoulder. That was just my body swaying unconsciously while asleep.”
“I didn’t care,” Zhi Li said with a shrug.
“Why didn’t you push me away?!”
“A shoulder left empty is still empty.”
“Don’t say things so casually! Can you at least have some basic common sense?!”
Zhi Li stared at him. “You’re blushing.”
“I am not! Don’t make baseless assumptions. Falling asleep on your shoulder is already embarrassing enough, and I don’t want to accept your kindness for no reason.”
Watching Ke Bu ramble, Zhi Li stood up. “Got it. You leaned on my shoulder once—next time, I’ll lean on you once.”
“That sentence sounds completely wrong! Why didn’t you specify ‘shoulder’ in the second half?!”
Zhi Li shrugged and got off the bus. Ke Bu gritted his teeth and pounded the window. I clearly know what kind of person he is—his words carry no real meaning—yet I can’t help but take them seriously.
The students gathered in an open area, carrying large and small bags. The instructor, dressed in camouflage, stood before them and announced important matters: “The area where you are allowed to move has been marked with a warning line. Do not cross it under any circumstances. Most importantly, ensure your safety. If anything happens, report to the assigned instructor. Each day, there will be inspections of your bedding and arrangement of daily necessities. This afternoon, each group will find a location to set up tents. Training officially begins tomorrow. Lastly, follow instructions and strictly observe discipline.”
Chu Hao Yu, Ying Xiu Jie, and Gong Zhu chose a spot and began setting up tents. Zhou Xin He arranged everyone’s belongings neatly. Su You Yan sat on a rock reading, occasionally adjusting her glasses. Zhi Li stood by the stream, holding a sketchbook and drawing.
Once everything was set up, everyone was exhausted. There was still time left, so Chu Hao Yu suggested playing a gambling game.
Chu Hao Yu took out 100 yuan and tossed it onto a rock. “Let’s bet on who can kiss the two girls in our group first.”
As soon as he said this, Zhou Xin He’s face turned bright red, and she quickly waved her hands. “Please don’t use me as a bet. That’s not appropriate.”
Su You Yan said nothing, but she took out a compass from her bag and placed it beside her.
“Yu Tai, what exactly do you think your teammates are?”
“You guys are no fun at all. Youth is the perfect time to do shameless things. Without a sense of adventure, when you grow old and look back on your student life, you won’t have a single memory worth bragging about.”
“Please don’t say such filthy things in such a serious tone.” Ke Bu corrected him again. Besides, risking one’s life for 100 yuan was far too short-sighted. Ke Bu wasn’t the kind of person who would risk his life for such a small profit.
“I say we might as well smash all the other groups’ stuff, unify the whole place, and leave those beasts with nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep,” Ying Xiu Jie suggested.
“I think it’d be better to write our wishes on slips of paper, put them into bottles, and toss them into the stream,” Gong Zhu also proposed.
Ke Bu finally regretted joining this group. What is wrong with these people? This isn’t the strongest group at all—it’s the most deranged group.
Chu Hao Yu scratched his head. “No choice then. To make military training more interesting, we’ll have to raise the stakes. Whoever manages to kiss Zhi Li—any part counts, hand or face—wins. Not only do they take the money, they also become the group leader. How about that?”
All five of them simultaneously looked toward Zhi Li in the distance, their hair standing on end. This was no longer just a high-difficulty gamble—it was a gamble with their lives.
“Kissing a man—what kind of nonsense is that?!” Ying Xiu Jie refused.
“That’s why it’s called a bet. Do you think money is something you can just get easily in this world? What, scared? And you call yourself a man.” Chu Hao Yu’s provocation hit its mark. Upon hearing this, Ying Xiu Jie’s fighting spirit ignited. He pulled out 100 yuan from his bag. “I’m in.”
Gong Zhu was even quicker, taking out his money without hesitation. Even Su You Yan closed her book and casually tossed 100 yuan over, the corner of her lips lifting slightly. It’s like she’s saying—let me see how you all die.
Seeing everyone else put in money, Zhou Xin He hurriedly followed suit. She probably didn’t even understand what was going on, simply wanting to fit in.
Ke Bu folded his arms, watching the pile of bills on the rock grow larger. He sniffed. I’m definitely not taking part in such a boring bet. I already said I wouldn’t risk my life for such a small profit. Whoever wants to kiss Zhi Li can go ahead—I don’t care. Whoever wants to kiss Zhi Li can go ahead… whoever wants to kiss Zhi Li can go ahead…
Suddenly, Ke Bu straightened up and stood, throwing his own 100 yuan into the pile. “I’m definitely winning this bet!”
“Well, well, how rare—the lazy boy has turned passionate.”
“For money and the position of group leader, I’ll do anything. Even kissing a man—what’s dignity? Garbage!” Ke Bu gauged the weather. Today was pleasantly cool. Looks like my luck isn’t too bad.
But Chu Hao Yu’s next sentence shattered his illusion. “Alright, it’s decided. This bet starts tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?!”
“Because I heard it’s going to be very hot tomorrow. Hahaha… I wonder what will be waiting for you all.” Chu Hao Yu winked his right eye.
The five of them once again turned to look at Zhi Li. Ke Bu swallowed hard and stroked his chin, beginning to analyze. Someone as easygoing as Zhi Li might actually be easy to approach… this situation doesn’t look promising. Maybe bending the rules a little won’t hurt.
After they finished discussing, everyone went off to do their own thing. Ke Bu walked behind Zhi Li, bent down slightly, and called his name softly. “Zhi Li.”
“What?”
“Can you agree to a small request?”
“How small?”
“Very, very small. Tomorrow, can you not let anyone touch you?” I’m only doing this to win the bet—there’s absolutely no other meaning behind it. Besides, Zhi Li wouldn’t misunderstand anyway.
“State your terms.”
So he’s not as simple-minded as I thought—more like a cunning businessman. “What do you want, then?”
Zhi Li thought for a moment. “I’ll collect it later.”
“Deal. Pleasure doing business, Zhi Li.”
After saying that, Ke Bu turned and walked back. Ke Bu was definitely not someone who would risk his life for a small profit—he just happened to be skipping along as he walked.
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Futile Devices Scans 
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