"Since your second uncle is the principal of your school, you should be even more low-key. Don’t give others a reason to find fault with your second uncle because of you," Yi Roujing said seriously.

"Roujing, you sound just like my dad," Yuan Xiangyu said with a smile, "I got it. Since I promised you, I’ll really leave it alone. You should go back quickly, so the instructor won’t punish you."

"Take care of yourself at school, don’t let anyone take advantage or deceive you. Don’t easily trust what others say," Yi Roujing advised as she turned back to look at Yuan Xiangyu.

"I know, I know, don’t worry." Yuan Xiangyu nudged Yi Roujing to get going. "Once school starts, I’ll be going home every day. My second uncle is the principal, after all, so I’ll stay vigilant. Don’t be fooled by my looks; I don’t overlook important stuff."

Yi Roujing nodded with a smile and quickly ran off.

Because she eavesdropped a little, Yi Roujing was a few seconds late. She was slightly out of breath when she reached her class’s lineup and loudly announced, "Report."

Instructor Wei saw Yi Roujing’s flustered look and knew she had rushed over, so he didn’t say much and let her join the lineup, only reiterating the rules.

The result of the military training would be assessed by having different classes perform various standardized moves under the unified commands of instructors. Once the assessment was over, it was time for relaxation. Since it was rare for all the classes from different majors to be together, students were given a chance to showcase their talents—singing military songs, doing aerobics... Several enthusiastic students stepped forward to perform.

Yi Roujing was trying to keep a low profile now, but there were always people who remembered her. However, people had gotten smarter—they weren’t mockingly taunting her but instead inviting her to perform, claiming they heard she was talented and should showcase her skill to boost everyone’s morale.

Since the challenge was issued, Yi Roujing wasn’t afraid. She stood up on stage with a smile, "I’m not exactly multi-talented, I just have a fondness for our country’s unique martial arts. Our class, under Instructor Wei’s guidance during this military training, learned military boxing. So today, I’ll perform a set for everyone."

"Great!" Many voices agreed from below.

Yi Roujing’s posture was upright, her appearance outstanding, and just standing there was enough to draw attention. At this moment, her eyes concentrated, her expression solemn, giving a valiant and spirited feeling. With her seamless punches, kicks, retreats, and jumps, there was not a superfluous movement, combining softness with strength, her moves sharp. The audience below was mesmerized.

Hua Yiran’s eyes brightened more and more the longer he watched. As a fellow practitioner, he could see the lethal force and vigor unseen by others. He never expected Yi Roujing, who appeared so gentle and frail, to be so formidable. He wondered how she would fare against him and longed for a bout.

Instructor Wei watched with pride. This was a student he trained, one with outstanding talent. This was also why, even though Yi Roujing was a few seconds late earlier, he let it go lightly. He cherished talent; after these few days of training, Yi Roujing, although a female student, was the class’s most outstanding performer.

After completing a whole set of fluid military boxing, Yi Roujing finished with a concluding move and then bowed to the instructors and classmates below.

"Clap, clap, clap—" Loud applause filled the camp, and even the instructors joined in.

"That girl did the military boxing so beautifully. Even from far away, I was a bit nervous, thinking she might hit me."

"Indeed, I didn’t expect her to be so amazing. And she’s so beautiful, too. By the way, who is she?"

"That’s the one who was the subject of rumors before, named Yi Roujing from the medical department."

"Someone like her couldn’t possibly resort to petty schemes. And they said she lived a capitalist childhood. While the instructor did help, she clearly has a strong foundation; she definitely didn’t waste time slacking off. How can someone who exercises diligently be a pampered girl? Maybe those rumors were born out of jealousy of her looks."

"True, true, you’ve got a point."

...

Yi Roujing also didn’t expect that by performing this round of military boxing, she would transform her image in the minds of her teachers and fellow students.

As the sun set, teachers and students enthusiastically said farewell to the instructors. Yi Roujing and her peers finally concluded their twelve-day military training and could go home.

Because the military training ended, new students got two days off, along with the weekend, totaling four days, and would officially start classes on March 27th.

Yi Roujing left the camp and headed to the bus stop, where a sea of people formed. She felt it might be impossible to squeeze onto a bus.

"Jing (Mom)—" Yi Roujing heard a voice, turned, and spotted Xu Ancheng standing out amongst the bustling crowd, holding a mini version of himself, with laughing crescent-moon eyes like peach blossoms.

"Xu Ancheng, Baozi—" Yi Roujing delightedly hurried over, her face adorned with a picturesque smile. Despite the noisy crowd, at that moment, it seemed to be just the three of them, a family.

Seeing the family she missed right upon coming out was indeed a wonderful, heartwarming, and joy-bringing feeling.

Baozi, having not seen Yi Roujing for more than ten days, missed her. Despite being smart and precocious, he was still just a child. As soon as Yi Roujing came near, he stretched his arms towards her, almost leaning out of Xu Ancheng’s arms entirely.

Yi Roujing hurriedly took him and was greeted with Baozi’s fragrant scent, kissed his left cheek, "Mom, I missed you."

Yi Roujing suddenly felt a bit teary, "Mom missed Baozi, too."

Across from them, Xu Ancheng raised an eyebrow, and Yi Roujing responded with amusement, "Missed your dad too."

"And your grandpa, grandma, second uncle, aunt..." Yi Roujing listed everyone one by one.

Since Yi Roujing was the standout performer, Jing University students recognized her immediately, and upon seeing the equally striking man and child beside her, it wasn’t hard to deduce that they must be Yi Roujing’s husband and son.

Right after military training ended, the family rushed over eagerly to pick her up. Whatever was said about their marital dynamics and Yi Roujing’s supposed insistence was clearly disproven here.

But no wonder he’s their son—such looks, fair and chubby cheeks paired with a cute face, eyes large as grapes, an already prominent little nose, and those little red lips moving charmingly. In his festive red cotton outfit, he looks exactly like a painted lucky doll.

"Wow, Roujing, is this your son?" Ren Xuejuan, Gong Jue’e, and a few others were already familiar with Yi Roujing and had met Xu Ancheng. Upon seeing them, they ran over and, seeing how adorable and handsome Yi Roujing’s son was, all felt their maternal instincts surge, wanting to hold him.

"He’s so cute! Who knows how handsome he’ll be when he grows up," Gong Jue’e said, delighted, as she held Baozi. Ren Xuejuan had already started reaching into her pocket and pulled out a few candies.

Zhang Yaen and the others also took snacks out, stuffing them into Baozi’s arms altogether.

"Little one, how old are you? What’s your name?"

Baozi replied in his childish voice, "My name is Xu Muyi, but everyone calls me Baozi, and in a few days, I’ll be two years old." Baozi held up two fingers, looking so adorably innocent.