Chapter 574: 575, it’s an obligation, it’s also a responsibility (first update)

I have to say, Qiao Muyan is quite imaginative.

Chu Jin smiled helplessly.

She really didn’t know where Qiao Muyan got the idea that she liked Song Shiqin!

So the reason she had been targeting her all along was because she thought she was going to compete with her for Song Shiqin.

This kid really had a wild imagination.

"Can you stop laughing already!" Qiao Muyan frowned, she was frantic with anxiety, and Chu Jin just laughed out loud, that’s really heartless! Could it be that she really wanted to compete with her for Song Shiqin?

At this thought, Qiao Muyan’s brow twitched!

No other reason.

Simply because Chu Jin was too formidable an opponent.

If the two of them pursued Song Shiqin together, he would definitely choose Chu Jin.

Then she wouldn’t have a chance at all!

Chu Jin didn’t rush to speak, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"You really should say something!" Qiao Muyan stomped her foot in agitation, "Are you trying to compete with me for Song Shiqin? How can you be like this? You already have a boyfriend but you’re still eyeing what’s in your bowl while coveting what’s in the pot!"

Chu Jin stopped laughing and looked up at Qiao Muyan, counter-asking, "Where did you get the idea that I like Song Shiqin? And who told you I have a boyfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Muyan was taken aback, "Ah?! You don’t like Song Shiqin?" Then she said warily, "Did you break up with your boyfriend?" Qiao Muyan felt somewhat dazed; the overload of information was too much to process.

Chu Jin slightly raised her eyebrows and continued, "Don’t worry, no one is competing with you for Song Shiqin. I don’t like Song Shiqin, and the man you saw last time, he’s my fiancé."

Chu Jin spoke casually and indifferently, but Qiao Muyan was shocked. She hadn’t expected Chu Jin to move so fast, already having a fiancé!

She couldn’t be lying to her, could she?

Qiao Muyan looked incredulous, "You’re really engaged?"

The guy who drove a Volkswagen last time is Chu Jin’s fiancé?

Chu Jin’s standards are really low, aren’t they? What kind of future could a guy driving a Volkswagen possibly offer her? And who was that man at the dormitory building last time? Chu Jin’s sugar daddy? Was she relying on that man’s money to support another man?

Qiao Muyan couldn’t see clearly or understand Chu Jin, who was right in front of her, this person had too many secrets.

Moreover, she didn’t seem like a freshman who had just started university.

Was she really being kept by a sugar daddy?

If that was the case, she must have her own compelling reasons, right?

Chu Jin nodded slightly, "It’s true, my fiancé and I are very much in love. I’m not interested in your Instructor Song, so you don’t have to worry." After speaking, she patted Qiao Muyan on the shoulder, "Good luck."

Then she turned and walked toward the direction of the tent.

"Hey!" Qiao Muyan called out to her retreating figure, "Chu Jin."

"What is it?" Chu Jin turned around, her smile charming and sweet.

Qiao Muyan swallowed and then asked, "Do you really not like Song Shiqin?" It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in herself, but that Chu Jin was too outstanding.

"Really." Chu Jin smiled faintly, then said, "My fiancé is more than ten times better than him, why would I like him?"

Qiao Muyan stood in place, watching her walk away, a flicker of hope ignited in her eyes.

Qiao Muyan didn’t take to heart Chu Jin’s comment that her fiancé was ten times better than Song Shiqin. After all, how impressive could someone driving a Volkswagen be?

However, Qiao Muyan was quite curious about that sugar daddy, who seemed distinguished and clearly not an ordinary person, someone who could compare with Song Shiqin.

Actually, Qiao Muyan really wanted to ask Chu Jin about the sugar daddy, but considering their relationship had just improved, and it was someone’s private matter, she refrained from asking more.

The last night in the wilderness.

Instead of rushing into the tents to sleep, the six of them gathered together to watch the stars and chat about everything and anything.

Talking about future dreams.

Talking about current goals.

They discussed everything under the stars, the laughter and joy even made the instructors watching through the screens unable to help but curl their lips. This scene was so infectious that it brought back memories of their own brazen youth.

The group of instructors in front of the screen had witnessed the growth of this team of six.

They watched them transform from college students who were clueless about everything into mini-experts capable both in the hall and the kitchen.

The ones who changed the most were Qiao Muyan and the male student C, that is, Li Yuanbo.

They were two very different girls: one a prideful and self-assured heiress from an influential family,

the other, a scholarly ace pampered by her family to the point of having no practical skills.

But now, they had transformed, as if they were entirely different people. Where was even a trace of their former selves?

Of course, all this could be attributed to Chu Jin.

Her organization skills were strong, as were her hands-on abilities; she was decisive and convincing.

The next day.

the group of six woke up early.

By June, the days start earlier, with the golden sunlight reflecting on the river’s surface, a dazzling stretch that resembled shimmering Dragon Scales, quite a spectacle.

The six of them packed their bags and were ready to embark.

"I wonder if we’ll ever get the chance to come back," said Girl A with a sense of reluctance as she gazed at their surroundings.

Li Yuanbo added, "Actually, I quite like it here." He would never forget these past ten days.

"Don’t make it sound like a matter of life and death," Boy B said, slinging his arms over Li Yuanbo and Girl A’s shoulders, "We’ll have plenty of chances to come back in the future."

Despite his words, there was an undertone of melancholy in his voice.

Qiao Muyan also looked back, the corners of her mouth lifting into a faint smile. It was here that she had learned to grow.

Chu Jin also liked it here; far from the busy city and the scheming of hearts, it was like a tranquil haven that beckoned one to stay.

When things settled down, she would find a secluded spot with Mr. Mo and retire from the world.

A big dog would be their companion.

They would build a thatched cottage, plant a plum tree, and brew cups of clear tea.

In busy times, they would labor.

In leisure, enjoy the blooms.

Watch the clouds roll and unfold in the sky, living a life of simple toil and peace.

For this life,

It would be enough.

And she hoped that day wasn’t too far off.

Two hours later, the group reached the foot of the mountain smoothly and assembled.

It was only then that they realized they were the first one to descend.

In an unusual fashion, the stoic instructor Song Shiqin approached them and said in a deep voice, "Well done."

While Chu Jin remained composed, the other five felt a surreal sense of honor and surprise, wondering to themselves if the sun had risen from the west or if their instructor had been possessed.

"It wasn’t hard at all," Qiao Muyan said softly. She couldn’t miss any opportunity to interact with Song Shiqin.

As long as she was certain that Chu Jin held no other feelings for Song Shiqin, her own chances would increase.

After not seeing him for several days, Qiao Muyan noticed that Song Shiqin’s complexion seemed abnormally pale.

Song Shiqin glanced at her, his expression unchanged, and then turned and walked towards the military tent, leaving behind the words, "Everyone else is free to do as they please, but don’t wander too far. Squad leader, come with me."

Chu Jin looked around; Jiang Yifeng hadn’t returned yet, so the ’squad leader’ Song Shiqin referred to must be her.

With no choice, she followed in Song Shiqin’s footsteps.

Together, they headed inside the tent.

Watching their retreating figures, Qiao Muyan sighed deeply, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly.

Even though Song Shiqin’s eyes didn’t show much emotion when he looked at Chu Jin, Qiao Muyan could tell that his attitude towards Chu Jin was different.

Song Shiqin’s unexpected arrival at the camp, was it for the sake of Chu Jin?

This thought startled Qiao Muyan.

If it were true, would she then have no hope at all?

Meanwhile, Chu Jin followed Song Shiqin into the tent.

The tent wasn’t large.

But it was tidy.

A single bed, a simple desk.

The blanket on the bed had been folded into a tofu cube shape.

Simple, neat.

A faint medicinal scent could be faintly smelled in the air.

If one sniffed carefully, a faint bloody scent could also be detected.

Chu Jin frowned slightly. Why would there be a smell of blood all of a sudden? Was it an illusion?

On the desk sat a small army-green lamp with a thick book underneath, a very ancient book, its pages already slightly yellowed, and most notably, the text on the pages was written in large seal script!

The pages were densely filled with seal script characters, not a single simplified Chinese character in sight.

Who would have thought Song Shiqin, a military man, would have such a profound literary foundation to be able to read the seal script.

The large seal script was extremely difficult to understand, and even Chu Jin could not recognize many of the characters.

Chu Jin wandered inside absentmindedly.

Just then, a dark shadow suddenly shot out from inside the room, charging towards Chu Jin with a violent surge of murderous aura, catching her off guard.

It was like an evil spirit that had crawled out from the depths of hell, capable of putting one to death at any moment.

Chu Jin was stunned.

The shadow gave her a sense of déjà vu. It was clearly imbued with the intent to kill, yet she couldn’t bring herself to attack it.

The shadow seemed formless and chaotic, but Chu Jin could see a pair of eyes on it.

Eyes like bottomless pits.

As if they could imprison someone.

Rendering one unable to move.

The black shadow was about to collide with Chu Jin.

It all happened so fast.

Song Shiqin leapt into action, wrapping his arm around Chu Jin’s waist, pulling her into his embrace as he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the black shadow’s attack.

His gaunt chin rested on top of her hair, a ripple flickering through his eyes.

Faintly, Chu Jin thought she heard a muffled groan of restraint coming from above her head.

"Whoosh"—the shadow vanished within the tent.

Song Shiqin watched the direction in which it disappeared, a deep, brooding darkness flashing in his eyes.

As the shadow faded away, Chu Jin’s consciousness returned to normal. She gently pushed Song Shiqin away, but his arm was tightly coiled, his chest like a wall of bronze and iron, his heart pounding fiercely.

Chu Jin looked up to see, from her angle, the distinct features of Song Shiqin—his gaze intensely fixed on where the shadow had disappeared, his brows furrowed tightly, knotted into a frown.

His complexion was abnormally pale, with beads of cold sweat at his temples.

Amidst the familiar scent of medicine, there was a faint trace of blood.

The hand that held her waist was domineering and strong, its searing temperature palpable even through a layer of clothing.

The atmosphere was decidedly delicate.

Chu Jin’s brow furrowed slightly. She wasn’t prudish, but it was improper for a man and a woman alone to have such intimate contact. Increasing the strength of her struggle, she reminded him, "Instructor Song?"

Instructor Song.

A trace of bitterness flickered imperceptibly in the depths of Song Shiqin’s eyes.

What an ironically extreme nickname.

Song Shiqin quickly composed himself and released Chu Jin nonchalantly, nodding apologetically, "I’m sorry, that was out of line."

Chu Jin quickly stepped back, keeping a safe distance, and lightly looked up, "I should be thanking Instructor Song for saving me once again." Chu Jin’s mind was puzzling over what that shadow could have been.

Why did it feel so eerily familiar to her?

"Since it happened on my turf, it’s my duty to ensure your safety," he said, adding after a pause, "It’s also my responsibility."

Chu Jin pursed her lips, not continuing the conversation.

The meaning behind Song Shiqin’s words was too deep for a simple reply.

"Take a seat." Song Shiqin pulled out a chair, gestured for Chu Jin to sit, and then brewed her a cup of tea.

The tea smoke curled up, diluting the features of the two people and blurring the environment in the room.

The two sat opposite each other.

"Thank you," Chu Jin took the cup and expressed her gratitude. She looked at Song Shiqin and continued, "May I ask why Instructor Song has summoned me?"

Just then, a deep voice saying "Report" came from outside the tent.

Song Shiqin glanced in that direction and then spoke in a deep voice, "Come in."

A tall figure walked in from outside the tent.

Holding a medicine box in hand.

First, he stood straight and saluted Song Shiqin. Only after did he say, "Reporting, Commander, I’ve brought you the item you requested."

Song Shiqin emotionlessly instructed, "Put it there."

"Yes." He carefully placed the medicine box on the table in front of Chu Jin. Facing Chu Jin, there wasn’t a hint of curiosity in his eyes, his expression solemn, eyes straight ahead, his demeanor as disciplined as Song Shiqin’s.

"Commander, if you have no other instructions, I will take my leave," he stated.

"Go ahead," Song Shiqin lightly lifted his right hand and added, "Arrange for two people to stand guard outside the tent. Without my order, no one is permitted to enter."

"Yes!" After another military salute, the man turned and left.

In the blink of an eye, only Song Shiqin and Chu Jin were left in the tent.

The atmosphere was a bit oppressive and somewhat stifling.

Chu Jin picked up the cup and took a light sip of the tea. The flavor unexpectedly raised her eyebrows; it was sweet and the soup was green and clear, fragrant in its simplicity — truly a fine tea. It seemed the position of General Commander did not come unwarranted for Song Shiqin; everything he casually took out was of no ordinary quality.

She loved tea and understood it well.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Song Shiqin suddenly spoke up, looking at Chu Jin with a heavy gaze, the meaning behind it unfathomable.

Chu Jin did not avoid his gaze. She slightly lifted her eyes to meet his, put down the cup, and spoke in a light tone, "Go on."

Song Shiqin stayed silent but turned around, unbuttoning the buttons on his army green shirt one by one.

Chu Jin frowned slightly, somewhat unsure of his intentions.

She always felt that Song Shiqin had become different from before.

Indeed, he was still the same person.

But ever since Song Shiqin became their instructor, he gave her an oddly unfamiliar sense of familiarity, as if they had known each other across a thousand years.

Was it an illusion?

It seemed that the longer she was in contact with Song Shiqin, the less she understood this man.

At first, he suspected that she was a spy from another country.

After that, he regarded her as a lifesaver.

And now? She could no longer understand.

Chu Jin suddenly remembered the incident of signing a contract with Song Shiqin at the Zen Palace.

She had passed out without any forewarning.

When she woke up, it was already evening.

Song Shiqin’s figure was long gone by her side.

Thinking about it now, there were indeed many suspicious points.

For no apparent reason, why would she have passed out?

What happened during the time she was unconscious?

And that shadow just now, what was its relation to Song Shiqin?

The previous Song Shiqin never believed in ghosts or spirits.

It seemed like things were getting increasingly complicated.

Mystifying and incomprehensible.

Lost in thought, Song Shiqin took off his army green shirt, revealing a strong back, bronze-colored skin with no extra flesh around the waist and muscle lines that were extremely well-defined.

The only detraction was the intersecting scars on his back, as if cut by some sharp blade, with skin turned outward and white bones eerily visible, continuously oozing blood. As the blood flowed, black qi also emanated from the wounds — the injury was very severe. Just looking at it was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read