Tagar Military Academy Student Forum.
[I think I saw Chloe and her group at the music festival last night?]
[What's so special about that? Weren't they already here for the arena event?]
[This is my first time seeing military celebrities. I have to say, those guys from The No.1 Military Academy, both men and women, are all so good-looking.]
[Do you think Chloe would agree if I pursued her?]
[I'd advise you to think twice. Rumor has it that Chloe once crippled fifty of her suitors, leaving them unable to walk for life!]
[Damn, is that true?]
[Why would I lie? I have a relative studying at The No.1 Military Academy. He says he once saw Chloe punch a suitor clear across the ring with one hit.]
[That's terrifying!!!]
[...Don't spread rumors. The fighting with suitors is true, but crippling them is pure nonsense. Our Chloe is a quiet and elegant lady. Even if she occasionally gets a bit rough, she'd never beat someone that severely.]
[? Are you serious, upstairs? Quiet and elegant lady?]
[Either this is Anderson or Catherine in disguise, or it's Chloe herself using a fake account to defend her honor.]
[I second that.]
[I third that.]
In the VIP quarters, Chloe angrily tossed her terminal onto the bed.
"They're spreading lies!" she fumed.
Qin Huaibei, who was enjoying his morning tea, turned to look at her and calmly said, "It's not the first time we've been slandered. What are you afraid of?"
The five of them had gained fame at a young age, and every public appearance led to various media outlets concocting baseless rumors from dubious photos.
These included but were not limited to:
[Former star military academy team now reduced to fighting in underground boxing rings!]
[Rumor has it that the former champion of the Joint Military Academy Competition is now involved in criminal activities! Click to see star police arresting The No.1 Military Academy's main team in a drug den!]
[The No.1 Military Academy's main team member Daniel spotted at a brothel late at night, allegedly spending the night with five women and two men.]
Each story was more sensational than the last, and none bore any resemblance to the truth.
At first, they tried to refute these rumors, but as time went on and the lies changed daily, they grew tired of wasting energy on it.
Instead of exhausting themselves trying to clear their names, they decided to use that time to train more, lest Ren Yunying scold them again for not focusing on what really mattered and wasting time on frivolous pursuits.
"But it still makes me so angry," Chloe leaned back on the bed, her long legs bent casually. Her tone was indignant, "Look, now they're saying I actually like women, and they've even posted a photo of me with that cute little girl from yesterday."
"They're saying my 'ship' with Anderson has 'sunk'... Bullshit! How could it possibly sink!"
At these words, Qin Huaibei nearly choked on his croissant.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!" Qin Huaibei's eyes watered. "Do you even know what you're saying?"
Chloe looked at him, perplexed. "What's wrong?"
Qin Huaibei stared at her, wanting to say something but holding back. In the end, he just mumbled, "Nothing, as long as you're happy."
Internally, he lit a candle for Anderson.
How pitiful, to fall for such a dense person. There couldn't be anything worse than that.
Chloe browsed the forum once more before angrily closing it. She put the terminal on her wrist and got out of bed to join Qin Huaibei for morning tea.
Just as she stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth, Ren Yunying's whistle sounded from downstairs.
Chloe paused, then expertly grabbed a tissue from the table, rolled it up, and stuffed it into her ears, pretending not to hear.
No sooner had she finished than Ren Yunying's voice rang out from below:
"Chloe! Don't pretend you can't hear me! Come downstairs!"
Chloe: "..."
Reluctantly, she took out the tissue, grabbed a bag of milk, and headed downstairs with the bread still in her mouth.
When she reached the ground floor, Chloe saw that the students from the neighboring Tagar Military Academy were already lined up neatly.
They were disciplined, spirited, and respectful to their instructor.
In contrast, The No.1 Military Academy...
Chloe lowered her gaze to the bag of milk in her hand, took another bite of the bread in her mouth, then gave Ren Yunying a sheepish smile.
Ren Yunying was about to explode with anger. "Hurry up and get in line!"
Not daring to disobey, Chloe quickly walked behind Ren Yunying, managing to exchange a glance with Qu Yan beside her.
To Chloe's surprise, she was actually the first one out this time.
By the time she was in position and had almost finished her bread, Anderson and the others finally came down from upstairs.
Ren Yunying then punished them with one hundred push-ups each.
Chloe watched her teammates gleefully, squatting in front of them and drinking her milk.
The Tagar Military Academy students nearby: "..."
Daniel finished first, stumbling dizzily into line, then reached into Chloe's pocket trying to find something to eat.
Chloe swatted his hand away, snapping, "That's what you get for waking up so late. Serves you right to go hungry."
After everyone had fallen into line, Ren Yunying said sternly, "Follow me."
They followed Ren Yunying out of Tagar Military Academy, boarded a special vehicle, and arrived at the outskirts of the city.
This area was considered the suburbs, usually deserted with few visitors. Weeds grew in abundance, and occasionally the lonely cry of a crow could be heard.
The Tagar students followed orders silently the entire time, going wherever they were told without a word.
Chloe suspected that even if Ren Yunying tried to sell them, they wouldn't show the slightest doubt.
Such touching trust!
Chloe looked up and asked, "Dear Instructor Ren, if you keep silent like this, I'm going to think you've brought us here to kill and bury us."
Ren Yunying: "..."
She shot Chloe a fierce glare and said, "Just wait, you'll be the first one I kill."
Chloe immediately covered her mouth in mock shock and fear.
Behind her, Qin Huaibei quietly patted Chloe's arm:
"Stop joking around and focus on the task at hand. Keep this up, and Instructor Ren really will kill you."
Only then did Chloe obediently shut her mouth.
They continued walking until they came upon a campsite. It was only then that Ren Yunying told them to stop.
She looked back at the students behind her:
"The human government recently found evidence of Viper Group activity on the outskirts of the capital. After extensive investigation, they decided to strike first and launch an operation to eliminate the Viper Group."
"As for you," Ren Yunying looked at the group of young-faced students behind her, "as military academy cadets, it is your duty to accompany the official military forces in the crackdown on criminal organizations like the Viper Group that severely endanger civilian lives."
This would also serve as training for them.
Upon hearing this, the students from Tagar Military Academy all displayed proud and honored expressions.
However, on The No.1 Military Academy's side—
Chloe let out an "Oh," then bit off the lollipop in her mouth before sincerely asking:
"Will there be a reward for capturing members of the Viper Group?"
Ren Yunying: "..."
