Chapter 45: He Has Changed
The night stretched like thick ink across a scroll, stars scattered generously within it, lending even the wind a poetic air.
A handsome man with striking brows and eyes gazed down at the awkward youth before him. The scene alone was picturesque.
He Yan remained silent.
Xiao Jue spoke, his voice indifferent. "You're He Yan?"
He Yan was startled and blurted out, "Am I that famous already?"
In the military camp, she didn’t think she had performed well enough to catch the attention of the commander. How did even Xiao Jue know about her now?
Xiao Jue let out a cold laugh. "Last place in every weighted run, unable to draw a crossbow," he said, looking down at the top of He Yan’s head with detached amusement, "and so short. In this camp, I can’t think of anyone else."
He Yan: "..."
So... short...
For a moment, it felt as if she had been transported back to their first meeting at Xianchang Academy, when Xiao Jue had summed her up in four words: dumb and short.
Who would have thought that even in a different body, Xiao Jue’s assessment of her remained unchanged? He was as arrogant and unapproachable as ever. Yet, seen this way, the coldness that came with his maturity faded slightly, leaving behind the same youth who had been brilliant to the point of harshness.
He Yan couldn’t help but feel wronged. Truthfully, her height couldn’t be called "short" among women. But in a camp full of burly men, she stood out like a scrawny chick. Still, it wasn’t her fault—back when she was He Yan, she had been slightly taller. And later, after He Rufei took her place, no one would have dared call the Flying Goose General short. Now, though, she couldn’t exactly stuff her shoes with padding to appear taller.
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Xiao Jue stepping closer, until the distance between them became uncomfortably small.
He Yan froze.
His eyes were exquisitely shaped, clear and gentle. When he looked down at her like this, it created the illusion that he was gazing at a lover. His skin was pale, even more translucent than that of the noble young ladies, accentuating his refined features. His dark hair, tied up and cascading over his shoulders, seemed cool to the touch, carrying a faint trace of moonlit fragrance that made one want to reach out and feel it.
He Yan thought to herself, even the celestial maiden who rode a deer would likely turn away in shame at the sight of him. No wonder so many young women in the capital dreamed of him in their springtime reveries—with a face like that, one could never grow tired of looking.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his tone indifferent.
"Wondering what I should eat to become as good-looking as you," He Yan replied.
He stiffened slightly, no longer leaning in as if he had confirmed something. Turning his gaze away, he muttered, "How pointless."
He didn’t scold her? He Yan was surprised. She had expected Xiao Jue to reprimand her with military discipline. But then it occurred to her—he hadn’t revealed his identity yet. Logically, she shouldn’t "know" who he was, so to her, he was just a stranger who happened upon her practicing with the crossbow.
"What’s so pointless about it?" He Yan blew a strand of hair from her forehead and grinned lazily. "Everyone appreciates beauty, don’t they?"Xiao Jue paused, staring at him intently with a gaze that seemed to look at a dead man. He Yan met his eyes fearlessly. Perhaps he had never seen someone so reckless before, because Xiao Jue was momentarily stunned. Then, as if letting out a cold laugh, he turned and strode away, leaving He Yan alone on the Martial Arts Field.
He Yan realized something.
Xiao Jue’s temper was colder than before—but also better. In the past, provoking him like this would have earned her ten or eight sharp retorts without repetition. Now, he merely glanced at her, unwilling to engage further. Back then, she hadn’t dared to provoke Xiao Jue, but now this noble second son of the Xiao family disdained the petty confrontations of his youth. Didn’t that mean she could freely infuriate him to avenge the psychological wounds he had once inflicted on her?
The heavens were fair, she thought. Here was the perfect case of "the wheel of fortune turns, and today it’s my turn."
Excellent.
...
After Xiao Jue left, He Yan practiced with the crossbow for another half-hour, only stopping when her hands ached unbearably before going to sleep. The next morning, she woke slightly late, and Xiao Mai pushed her, saying, "Brother He, time to get up."
He Yan finally opened her eyes.
Truly, people’s bodies were different. In her youth, no matter how late she secretly practiced swordplay at night, she could still listen to lectures with energy the next day. Now, even after just one late night, she felt sluggish all over.
Was she really destined for hardship in this life? He Yan reflected on herself.
Reflection aside, there were still things to be done. Today, they began by running with sandbags strapped to their backs. After the run, the recruits instinctively followed their squad to the back of the Martial Arts Field—the same place where they had practiced archery the day before.
The crossbows had already been set up. Unlike the coolness of the night, the daylight was glaringly bright. Instructor Liang stood beside the crossbows as the recruits took turns testing their bows. Compared to yesterday, they were less excitable and steadier in their movements. Fewer arrows went wildly off course, with most now aimed at the targets.
Hong Shan also took his turn, shooting slightly better than the day before. Shitou once again earned Instructor Liang’s praise. Though Xiao Mai’s arm strength was weak, his performance wasn’t terrible, and with Shitou’s guidance, he showed clear improvement.
He Yan spotted Wang Ba again.
Wang Ba walked forward unhurriedly. Before drawing his bow, he deliberately shot He Yan a contemptuous glance. She responded with a smile, which seemed to anger him. His face darkened immediately, and without hesitation, he drew and released his arrow.
With a "whoosh," the fletched arrow cut through the air, piercing straight through the straw target—almost an exact repeat of yesterday’s scene. The target toppled forward and fell.
The surrounding recruits immediately erupted in cheers and applause. Here, strength was always admired.
Wang Ba set down his bow and strode up to He Yan, looming over her as he declared, "Your turn." He deliberately raised his voice so everyone could hear: "Yesterday, you couldn’t draw the bow, yet you boldly claimed in front of everyone that today you could. Well, Brother He Yan, let’s see how you manage to draw it now, shall we?"
In an instant, all eyes turned to He Yan.The incident with the bow yesterday had already spread He Yan's name throughout the entire military camp. Everyone knew there was a new recruit under Instructor Liang who couldn't even draw a bow yet dared to boast shamelessly. Now seeing her in person, they all sized up He Yan, waiting for the show to begin.
"Brother He..." Xiao Mai timidly tugged at her sleeve.
He Yan smiled at him and slowly stepped forward. Facing Wang Ba's malicious grin, her expression remained composed and her tone humble. "I'm flattered you remember my words so clearly."
"Since you're so eager to see, I'll show you." She said lightly.
The fan appreciation event ends today. I'm truly drained dry.
(End of chapter)
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