They were students prioritized for training by The No.1 Military Academy, likely to be sent on many external missions in the future, unable to stay at the academy for long.
So Ren Yunying told them:
"Cherish the opportunity to be at the academy, as you may not be able to come back often later."
To this, Chloe maintained a doubtful attitude:
"Why should I miss the academy? The academy has cast a lifelong shadow over me. I'd rather wander outside than continue at the academy."
Qin Huaibei and Daniel nodded silently.
Ren Yunying was almost breathless. She took a few deep breaths and looked towards Katherine, hoping to hear a different response from this relatively more obedient student.
However, Katherine lowered her head, her exquisite face obscuring her expression, clearly evading and tacitly agreeing with the others.
Ren Yunying then looked at Anderson.
This boy was dutifully peeling shrimp for Chloe, obviously agreeing with her as well.
Ren Yunying was almost enraged.
Just as she was about to explode, Chloe obediently pushed a bowl of shrimp towards Ren Yunying:
"Instructor, calm down. I was just joking. This is for you."
The bowl of shrimp was topped with sauce, the shells neatly removed, looking quite appetizing.
Ren Yunying's anger subsided considerably as she accepted the bowl.
Well, it's just a joke. After all, in an environment like The No.1 Military Academy, it's rare to find sincere youngsters like Chloe and the others.
Moreover... the taste of the shrimp was indeed quite good.
...
The centennial celebration was highly regarded by The No.1 Military Academy.
On top of that, they had just won the championship of the Joint Military Academy Competition, drawing unprecedented attention from various media outlets.
Even before the official start of the celebration, the media granted permission to film on the campus had already occupied nearly half of the grounds.
Early in the morning, Chloe was awakened by Ren Yunying's relentless calls, only to be informed that she had to act as a gatekeeper at the school entrance.
Ren Yunying: "What gatekeeper? I'm warning you, take this seriously! You're representing the face of The No.1 Military Academy at the school entrance, so get your act together!"
"Did you hear me?!"
The voice was deafeningly loud. Chloe nonchalantly moved the terminal away from her ear and said sweetly:
"Don't worry, Instructor. I'll dress up properly to be the gate... keeper."
"I'm brushing my teeth right now."
Chloe lied smoothly as she lazily put on her jacket.
Ren Yunying believed her and, after a few more reminders, hung up.
Chloe put away her terminal and only then began brushing her teeth after getting dressed.
As she left, she saw a figure huddled on the ground at the villa's entrance.
It was Anderson.
He was squatting on the ground, holding a lunchbox. His golden hair glistened in the morning sunlight. Upon hearing the noise, he immediately looked up.
Seeing it was Chloe, Anderson stood up and handed her the lunchbox:
"Here, breakfast."
Chloe accepted it and peeked inside, finding a thick, fragrant porridge.
Her throat moved as she asked, "Thank you. Have you eaten?"
Anderson nodded, "Yeah."
He was carrying something else in his other hand.
As Chloe walked and ate her breakfast, her gaze fell on the other item Anderson was holding, and she couldn't help but ask:
"What's that in your hand?"
Anderson blinked and held up a long, red cloth with a gold border:
"It's a sash to be worn."
He unfolded the sash, fully displaying the gold-embroidered words "Welcome to The No.1 Military Academy."
Ugly and tacky, the epitome of an elderly person's aesthetics.
Even a man of Xavier's age wouldn't use this!
How old were the leaders of The No.1 Military Academy?
Chloe: "..."
She said slowly, "You mean I have to wear this while standing at the entrance of The No.1 Military Academy?"
Anderson: "Yeah."
Chloe: "And be seen by everyone?"
Anderson: "Yeah."
He thought for a moment and added, "And be photographed and broadcast on the Star Network."
Like being struck by lightning.
Chloe suddenly found the porridge in her hand less appealing. She suggested:
"Maybe I should just go back and sleep some more."
She thought again and made another proposal: "Or perhaps we could put Daniel in makeup to look like me and have him stand at the entrance, and even put him in a dress to encourage him?"
Anderson seriously considered the feasibility of this plan but shook his head regretfully:
"Little Miss, Daniel might not be as good-looking as you."
Upon hearing this response, Chloe was both pleased and saddened.
Anderson knew his young mistress's temperament well.
A severe germaphobe and top-tier beauty snob.
He comforted her, "Don't worry, Little Miss. Instructor Ren also assigned me to be a gatekeeper. We can stand there together."
"I'll stand a little ahead to block you, so they can't capture you fully."
Chloe considered it for a moment and thought it was a good idea.
"Let's do that, then."
Half an hour later, the two youngsters, dressed in proper The No.1 Military Academy uniforms, stood properly at the school entrance.
They stood extremely close together. Upon closer inspection, one could see the boy in front standing tall and upright, quite conspicuous, shielding nearly half of the girl behind him.
The sash was indeed very long, worn by the youngsters and trailing on the ground for a length, looking quite cumbersome and uncoordinated.
Not a good look, in any case.
A few media photographers noticed them and found the best angle to shoot, only to see the young boy suddenly move his body, shielding the girl in a very assertive manner.
A pair of emerald green eyes stared unflinchingly at the camera, devoid of any emotion.
The photographer: "..."
Where did this arrogant kid come from, so eager to hog the spotlight?
He waved his hand, gesturing for the young boy to move aside.
The boy, Anderson, remained unmoved.
Chloe was very satisfied with his behavior, contentedly hiding behind him, doing nothing.
The photographer tried to shoo him away several times, but Anderson refused to budge, becoming increasingly irritated. He eventually gave up on taking photos and turned to chat with another reporter preparing for a live broadcast:
"It seems not all students at The No.1 Military Academy are exceptional. Look at that boy over there, constantly blocking the girl and not letting her shine."
"Who does that?"
That reporter looked and vaguely felt that the little boy seemed familiar.
The live stream camera wasn't turned on yet, but the microphone was already on.
The swarm of viewers who rushed in heard this and were instantly outraged.
[Who is that? What kid loves to hog the spotlight like that?]
[Yeah, can't they give the girls some room?]
The comments were flooded with arguments.
At that moment, the camera cover was removed, pointing towards the direction the previous photographer was indicating.
Wearing a ridiculous ribbon, Anderson appeared before the viewers, while Chloe was completely hidden behind him, her figure shadowy and face obscured.
The viewers who had been following all the live streams of the Joint Military Academy Competition: "..."
[Hah, is Chloe bullying her teammate again? Strongly condemn!]
[Chloe, what's going on? You can't just make Anderson take all the heat just because you love looking pretty!]
