The Moon Upon My Heart - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Concern

She couldn’t help but feel her face flush.

At six o’clock on a midsummer morning, the light was still hazy when a bugle call suddenly rang out. The long, trailing note echoed through the campus, announcing the official start of the seven-day military training for the freshmen of Sheng High.

Shen Wangshu was startled awake from her dreams. She moved slightly; Ji Fengyue, beside her, seemed to have woken even earlier but was simply lying there quietly watching her, making no sound.

“Fengyue, you’re awake? Why didn’t you wake me?” Shen Wangshu whispered. Ji Fengyue didn’t respond immediately, but instead tightened her arms and gently nuzzled against her ear.

Her voice carried the rasp of an early morning: “Good morning, Xiaoyue. Want to lie here with me for a bit longer? It’s still early.”

“Aren’t we getting up? It’s the first day of training; there’s probably a lot to prepare.”

Ji Fengyue whimpered and clung to Shen Wangshu, acting spoiled for a moment before pulling her up. “You go wash up first. I’ll head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Military training is exhausting; you have to get enough nutrition.”

“Your period just ended; we can’t be careless.”

“Okay.”

“Also, it’s sunny today. Remember to apply plenty of sunscreen. If you sweat it off during training, find me to reapply. Your skin is delicate; if you get a sunburn, it’ll definitely peel.”

“Mm, you too.”

“If you feel unwell during training, you must report it immediately and rest. Don’t force yourself to endure it.”

Shen Wangshu’s eyes crinkled. “I know. Don’t worry.”

Seeing her answer seriously, Ji Fengyue was finally satisfied and went to the kitchen. Today’s breakfast consisted of hot milk, boiled eggs, steamed shaomai, and corn fully meeting all nutritional requirements.

Shen Wangshu wasn’t picky about food and didn’t usually care about nutritional balance, but Ji Fengyue was determined to take good care of her beloved. If it weren’t for their studies, Shen Wangshu was certain that despite the exhaustion, Ji Fengyue would insist on preparing lunch and dinner at home herself.

How could cooking for the girl she loved be tiring? She wished she could cook for Shen Wangshu for a lifetime!

After breakfast, they changed into their camouflage uniforms, grabbed their cross-body bags, and headed to the flag-raising square for assembly. There weren’t many people yet. The Class 6 homeroom teacher stood by the podium next to a sturdy boy holding the class sign facing the field. Seeing Shen Wangshu and Ji Fengyue from a distance, the boy raised his hand in greeting.

His name was Xu Da. In her previous life, Shen Wangshu had been on good terms with him; he was her very first desk-mate. In this life, Ji Fengyue had snatched that spot, so he now sat across the aisle from Shen Wangshu.

It was no wonder Xu Da was so enthusiastic. The homeroom teacher’s presence was too imposing; the students lining up in front of him were looking everywhere but at him, terrified of meeting Old Liu’s gaze. Shen Wangshu and Ji Fengyue were different; they were never afraid of teachers. He was hoping they could help divert the teacher’s attention.

Xu Da was also a naturally familiar guy who frequently asked to borrow Shen Wangshu’s notes. Although he had a decent personality, Ji Fengyue simply found him annoying. She remembered clearly that in their senior year in the previous life, this guy loved hovering around Shen Wangshu to ask about problems.

Heh. With that study attitude, his ulterior motives were transparent. In this life, Ji Fengyue would never give him the chance to get close to Shen Wangshu.

As the two reached the class line, Old Liu spotted them and called out, “Shen Wangshu, come to the very front. Help organize the line; have them stand in order of height.”

Ji Fengyue was quite unwilling. With their current height difference, it was certain: one would be at the head of the girls’ line, and the other would inevitably be at the tail. When the instructors gave their long-winded speeches on stage later, she would only be able to see her beloved’s back from afar.

However, noticing Xu Da’s stiff expression, she narrowed her eyes, walked to the front with Shen Wangshu, and took the initiative: “Teacher, let me hold the class sign. Let Xu Da go to the back to organize the boys’ line; it’s more convenient than me doing it.”

“That works. Xu Da, go ahead,” Teacher Liu said with a grin, patting Xu Da on the shoulder. “You’re such a big, tall lad; it’s better to have a bit more courage.”

“Ha… haha, y-yes, sir…” Xu Da scratched the back of his head, awkwardly handing the sign to Ji Fengyue while shooting her a “thanks” look. Then he strode toward the back his departure could only be described as urgent.

Ji Fengyue held the sign, taking Xu Da’s place. She was tall, nearly matching Xu Da, and even a bit taller than Teacher Liu.

“Ji Fengyue, when I’m not around, look after the class order. If any girl feels unwell, remind her to rest immediately; just report to the instructor to ask for leave. If any boys disrupt the order or won’t listen to the instructor, remember their names and tell me before evening self-study.”

“Will do.”

After Shen Wangshu put her bag down and walked over, Liu Xuezhu gave her similar instructions. Since class officers hadn’t been elected yet, he simply picked students at random for tasks though, seven out of ten times, he called on the two of them.

They were both assertive, unafraid of teachers, capable, and had top grades perfect candidates for class leadership. The only pity was that Ji Fengyue was a bit of a loner; he feared she might not be suited for Class Monitor.

Liu Xuezhu stood nearby with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Xu Da in the line. The boys were slumping against each other’s shoulders, and one was even holding a bag of steamed buns, chatting while eating completely lacking decorum. He shook his head inwardly.

This batch of students is ‘strong women, weak men’ again. Tsk tsk, these young boys nowadays… truly clueless.

…

The opening ceremony was long and tedious. School and military leaders took turns giving speeches on the podium, and the sun overhead gradually shifted from gentle to fierce.

Ji Fengyue stood at the very front of the line holding the class sign, but her gaze constantly drifted past the instructor’s shoulder toward Shen Wangshu, who stood first in the girls’ line.

Shen Wangshu stood perfectly straight, her spine like a little white poplar tree. Her hat was neatly adjusted, but her complexion looked excessively pale under the sun. Ji Fengyue frowned slightly; that pallor was like a needle pricking her relaxed morning mood. She had to try very hard to force her attention back to the podium.

Finally, the speeches ended, and the classes were led by instructors to designated training areas. Classes 1 through 6 moved to the plastic track on the other side of the teaching building.

The Class 6 instructor was named Wang. He was dark-skinned and fit. His sharp gaze swept the line as he barked, “Everyone! By height, four-row horizontal formation, assemble!”

There was a small commotion. After the reshuffle, Shen Wangshu naturally stood on the far left of the first row of girls, while Ji Fengyue was placed in the middle-left of the last row.

Instructor Wang was satisfied with the adjusted formation and issued the first command: “Military posture! Thirty minutes!”

The moment the command was given, the previously loose line went dead silent. The early September sun had lost the frantic rage of peak summer, but prolonged exposure was still potent. One could almost see heat waves shimmering off the plastic track, wrapping around every poor freshman in camouflage.

To these freshmen, the first day’s sun seemed more vicious than any other time in summer, especially since the morning training content was excruciatingly dull.

Shen Wangshu wore a slightly oversized camouflage uniform. The stifling fabric clung to her skin, and the collar made her neck itch. Sweat had already soaked her undershirt; the sticky feeling was uncomfortable, and even her hair, tied in a small ponytail, felt drenched.

Time ticked by. Shen Wangshu felt beads of sweat merge into streams, sliding down her cheeks and soaking her collar. The sunscreen she applied that morning ran with the sweat, forming white marks where her neck met the fabric. Her breathing grew shallow, and her vision began to blur in patches.

She knew this was a physical weakness. Her period had just ended, her body hadn’t fully recovered, and more importantly, at fifteen, she lacked exercise. Staying indoors all the time meant her stamina was severely lacking. Standing in full gear under the scorching sun made it natural for her body to protest.

I must strengthen my exercise routine later, Shen Wangshu thought with some regret, but for now, she could only grit her teeth and persevere, forcing her focus onto the instructor’s commands.

However, her legs felt like lead, and the muscles behind her knees began to tremble uncontrollably. Ji Fengyue, who was constantly watching her beloved, saw Shen Wangshu’s body sway slightly. Her heart immediately tightened.

“Report, Instructor!” A clear voice broke the silence.

Instructor Wang’s sharp eyes swept over: “Speak!”

“Student Shen Wangshu is pale and swaying. She might be about to get heatstroke. I request permission to take her to the side to rest.” Ji Fengyue’s voice wasn’t loud, but her enunciation was clear and her tone steady, carrying a force that brooked no refusal.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Shen Wangshu. She was in the front row, a small figure whose hair was visibly soaked with sweat; she indeed looked like a young girl with poor physical constitution.

Shen Wangshu froze upon being named. A complex emotion surged within her as she looked back at Ji Fengyue with a touch of helplessness.

Instructor Wang strode over. Seeing her poor complexion and bloodless lips, he waved a hand: “Approved! Go rest under the shade over there. If you feel worse, go to the infirmary.”

“Yes, sir!” Ji Fengyue responded, quickly stepping to Shen Wangshu’s side. Without a word, she supported her arm, half-leading and half-carrying her toward the nearby shade.

“I’m fine, you don’t need to be this tense,” Shen Wangshu said quietly, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

“No, Old Liu gave instructions, and you heard them this morning too,” Ji Fengyue’s voice was firm. The second half of her sentence was whispered very softly: “Besides… Your health is most important. Don’t force it. Be good.”

Shen Wangshu started slightly. Thinking of Ji Fengyue’s excessive concern for her, she didn’t refuse again.

Ji Fengyue helped her sit on the edge of a flower bed, then found her bag, unscrewed a water bottle, and handed it over. “Drink some light salt water. I added lemon juice; the taste should be okay.”

Shen Wangshu took the bottle and sipped. She looked up and scanned the class line; dozens of pairs of eyes were staring their way. Ji Fengyue, as if no one else were there, pulled a pack of wet wipes from her bag and made a move to wipe her sweat.

At this, Shen Wangshu’s ears turned completely red. She hurriedly held her hand down and whispered, “I can do it myself. Cough, everyone is watching, it’s not good.”

Ji Fengyue paused, taking the chance to squeeze her hand. Her expression was clearly unhappy, and her voice sounded a bit aggrieved: “Alright then, Xiaoyue. You rest here. I’ll go back to the line. There’s a small fan in the bag; you can use it after wiping the sweat. Don’t let yourself overheat.”

“Mm… okay…” Shen Wangshu felt a bit guilty, as if she were some kind of heartbreaker. She could only keep her head down, wiping her sweat with one hand while continuing to sip water with the other.

Ji Fengyue walked back to the line, called out a report, and the stern expression on Instructor Wang’s face softened: “Not bad, looking out for your classmate. Get back in line.”

Ji Fengyue passed Liu Shang and met her gaze. Liu Shang’s expression was one of pure “admiration,” mixed with gossipy curiosity. It was clear she had witnessed their entire interaction.

As expected of a gossip expert with drama to watch, Liu Shang stood even straighter.

Hearing Instructor Wang begin his commands again, Shen Wangshu finally dared to look up. Her gaze scanned through the rows of classmates and easily found Ji Fengyue. She stood exceptionally straight; every movement captured Shen Wangshu’s attention.

Withdrawing her gaze, Shen Wangshu looked at the water bottle in her hand and sighed softly. While being cared for by her beloved was a good thing, having her sweat wiped in public… she touched her burning ears. She couldn’t help but feel her face flush. There definitely shouldn’t be a next time.

Once military training ended, she would find a way to exercise and strengthen her constitution.