Chapter 56: Even the Iron Man Has a Tender Heart

Chapter Fifty-Six: Even Iron Men Have Tenderness

Four boys, similar in height and build, stood at the front of the formation, bearing the responsibility of carrying the flag. Tang Zhong, wearing large black-rimmed glasses, was not chosen. Hua Ming was too tall, Liang Tao too short, Li Yu—short, thin, and bespectacled. Thus, Room 307 was completely eliminated.

As Class One marched past the reviewing stand in formation, the temporary class leader, Lu Yifei, shouted, "Salute!" The whole class raised their right hands to their brows in unison, turning their heads sharply toward the reviewing platform.

"You’ve all worked hard," called a military leader from the high reviewing stand, returning the salute and raising his voice.

"Serve the people!" everyone shouted back, their voices hoarse with enthusiasm, their momentum surging like a rainbow.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the reviewing stand and the audience seats.

Once all the freshman formations had concluded their review, the school leaders gave speeches and presented awards. When Vice Principal Wang Hongsheng loudly announced that the first place team award went to Class One of the Psychology Department, the boys of Class One jumped and hugged each other in wild excitement.

Li Tieshu, watching the soldiers he had trained, broke into a wide, 'cute' grin once again. Unfortunately, they were still destined to part ways.

Li Tieshu had promised the students of Class One to celebrate with drinks at noon, but before lunchtime, Tang Zhong and his friends received word that the military vehicles had arrived at the school and all instructors were to leave ahead of schedule.

Tang Zhong and his friends rushed toward the instructors’ camp, joined by countless new students in camouflage racing in the same direction. Clearly, they too were hoping to see their instructors one last time.

They all knew: though it wasn’t a matter of life and death, this farewell might well be forever. After graduation, they would enter the workforce; some instructors would remain in the military for life, others would retire and return home. When would they ever meet again?

Indeed, Tang Zhong and his friends saw the military trucks waiting to pick up the instructors. The instructors stood in formation, listening to their commanding officer’s address. Whatever was said, the instructors responded loudly, then lined up and walked toward the trucks.

"Coach Fu Qiang, don’t go—please don’t leave!"

"Coach Li Tieshu, you promised to drink with us at noon—"

"Coach Yang Jun, don’t worry, Lady Shi will make noodle soup for you—"

The freshmen gathered on both sides of the trucks, calling out their instructors’ names, begging them to stay.

The girls were particularly heartbroken, tears streaming like rain, crying as if breaking up with a boyfriend.

But nothing could change the reality unfolding before them.

The military trucks slowly started up, moving through the throng of students toward the campus gates.

The instructors stood in two rows inside the trucks, holding their military caps in their left hands, their faces solemn as they saluted the students who had come to send them off.

Suddenly, someone began singing "The Green Flower in the Army":

Cold wind, drifting leaves,
The army is a green flower,
Dear comrades, don’t long for home,
Don’t think of your mother—
——

A few sang at first, but soon the entire freshman class joined in a chorus.

Men in the military also have feelings,
And are willing to accompany you to the ends of the earth,
But with heavy responsibilities on their shoulders,
They must set aside their love for now.
——

At first, the instructors forced themselves to endure. But soon, they could no longer hold back.

Some had reddened eyes, some pretended to adjust their caps as they wiped away tears, others covered their faces and cried like children—

Even iron men have tenderness.

Farewell, instructors!

Farewell, perhaps never to meet again!

——

——

Bai Su finally called again.

Or rather, Tang Zhong was compelled to face his other identity once more.

Bai Su said on the phone that Tang Zhong should come to the Ziyuan Villa that evening, as there was a notice he needed to attend.

Tang Zhong was reluctant, but having promised, he intended to do his best. At the very least, he would persist until Tang Xin returned.

After dinner, Tang Zhong greeted Hua Ming, Liang Tao, and Li Yu, then left the campus, taking a taxi to the Ziyuan residential area.

For safety’s sake, he didn’t have the taxi drive directly into the complex, but stopped a street away and walked the rest of the way.

Standing at the villa door, Tang Zhong pressed the doorbell. With a click, someone inside unlocked the door. Tang Zhong pushed open the electronic gate and stepped inside.

Lin Huiyin glanced away from the television as Tang Zhong entered, giving him a brief look of acknowledgment.

Zhang Hepburn snorted, evidently still holding a grudge over Tang Zhong’s remark that no one wanted her.

Just as Ah Ken descended the stairs, he saw Tang Zhong and let out a shrill cry as if he’d been violated.

"Ah—Xin Xin, you’re back?" He twisted his slim waist, his face radiant as he ran toward Tang Zhong, arms open wide.

Tang Zhong stepped left, letting Ah Ken’s embrace miss him.

Ah Ken was unfazed, smiling sweetly, clasping his hands together. "Xin Xin, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you to death—every time I called and asked you to come back, you wouldn’t listen. Always busy, always hanging up in a rush. I thought about visiting you, but you never told me which department you’re in—oh my, you’ve nearly driven me crazy with worry."

He circled Tang Zhong, grinning as he said, "Not bad. Not bad. You haven’t lost weight. Haven’t gained weight. Just right. No one recognized you at school, did they? Oh, surely not. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to stay at school—Tang Xin, the big star. They’d all be after your autograph."

He looked around the room, not seeing Bai Su, stamped his foot, and asked angrily, "Where’s Su Su? Where’s Su Su? Honestly, Su Su called Xin Xin all the way back, but won’t even show up to talk? What kind of business is this?"

"Ah Ken, why are you so worked up?" Bai Su yawned as she descended the stairs, wearing a thick purple silk nightgown. The fabric was substantial, hiding any glimpse of skin, but its snug fit perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

"Xin Xin rarely comes home, so what’s wrong with me being excited?" Ah Ken protested. "I’m sick of seeing the same faces every day."

Heavens, earth, Goddess of Mercy, Jade Emperor—

If any other man heard Ah Ken’s words, he’d cough up blood on the spot.

Never mind that Zhang Hepburn and Lin Huiyin were both stunning beauties—even Bai Su was an absolute enchantress. Yet Ah Ken, a man, complained about being bored with seeing the same faces every day—

Is there any justice at all?

Not only men, but even women were upset.

Zhang Hepburn pouted, snorted coldly again, and said, "We understand. Your boyfriend’s back, it’s only natural to be happy."

"Whose boyfriend? Whose boyfriend?" Ah Ken’s 'pretty' face flushed purple with anger. "I, Ah Ken, am a proper man—who has a boyfriend? Ridiculous!"

——This time, even Tang Zhong began to doubt Ah Ken’s intentions toward him.

If you like women, why are you so nice to me?

Bai Su wanted to tease Ah Ken as well, but worried the topic might provoke Tang Zhong.

She knew very well just how tough this young man was.

If not for the bearded man’s intervention, she might never have been able to convince this 'deity' to help.

"Alright, alright," Bai Su smoothed things over. "Tang Zhong, come sit. I have something to discuss with you."

Tang Zhong nodded, following Bai Su to the sofa.

She originally wanted to rest her legs on the coffee table, but seeing Tang Zhong sitting opposite, she realized it would expose herself too much—almost as if she were seducing him.

So she chose to cross her legs.

"Have things been good at school recently?" Bai Su asked, looking at Tang Zhong. Seeing him still in his 'ugly man' disguise, she felt grateful. Tang Zhong was quite handsome, and had he shown his real face at university, he would surely have attracted many girls.

But because he’d promised her, he never changed his appearance. In fact, he made himself look even more 'unattractive' than Ah Ken’s designs.

This young man had none of the vanity or need for attention common among his peers. He seemed like an old man who’d lived decades in society yet retained his youth.

"I was very well—until I received your call," Tang Zhong replied with a smile.

"How hateful," Bai Su pouted flirtatiously. "You come back only to hit me with such a blow. Do you resent me that much?"

She completely mimicked Ah Ken’s expression and tone—not comical, not exaggerated, but with an indefinable charm.

"This is a woman with a story," Tang Zhong suddenly thought.

Seeing Tang Zhong momentarily lost in thought, Bai Su giggled and said, "I called you back to discuss something."

"Go ahead," said Tang Zhong.

"There’s a notice in the next couple of days," Bai Su explained, "an advertisement shoot."

"An advertisement?" Tang Zhong frowned. "Can’t I skip it?"

"If I could, I wouldn’t have called you," Bai Su said, troubled. "When we signed the contract, it was for all three members of the Butterfly Group. The summer campaign is already out and received well. Now they want to shoot the autumn and winter ads—all three must participate. Otherwise, we breach the contract, and the earnings might not cover the penalty."

"What’s the ad for?"

"Ice cream," Bai Su replied.

"People eat ice cream in winter?"

Seeing Bai Su look at him as if he were an idiot, Tang Zhong realized how silly his question was.

"Is there a risk of exposing my identity?" Tang Zhong asked.