Chapter Eight: The Exquisite Physician (Part One)

Sweat trickled down from his temples, slowly making its way along his face before gathering at his chin. There, it collected into a large bead, and when surface tension could no longer hold it, the drop slipped and fell onto the front of his uniform. Yet the chest of his military shirt was already soaked through, so this droplet merely added to the dampness, leaving no further trace.

A pair of heavy boots appeared before Zhao Li. The instructor, burly and imposing even compared to the gorilla-like coach at school, fixed his eyes—round and fierce as bronze bells—on the young man before him, whose physique was anything but robust.

When it came to size, Zhao Li still lagged behind those students who, after a year of practicing the Basic Strength Technique, had grown noticeably more muscular. For boys his age, a year was enough to transform their bodies. Having kept to an average build, Zhao Li now appeared especially frail among his peers.

“Soldier, step forward!” The instructor’s booming voice exploded in Zhao Li’s ear.

“Yes, sir!” Zhao Li shouted back with all the strength he could muster, taking a sharp step forward and standing rigidly at the front of the formation. Sometimes, Zhao Li wondered why the army insisted on such volume—everyone’s hearing was keen enough that even whispers would be caught at this distance.

“To the infirmary ahead—double time, go!” With this sudden, inexplicable order, Zhao Li didn’t dare hesitate. He lifted his legs and ran.

The unit had just finished drill commands and was standing at attention; this abrupt command baffled not only Zhao Li but also those watching him jog off. None could fathom the reason.

“Reporting!” Zhao Li announced loudly at the infirmary door.

“Come in!” A clear, gentle voice called from inside, soft yet distinct.

Inside, the infirmary felt empty. There were several beds, but since the recruits had only just begun formation drills, no one had been injured. For high school graduates who had already laid their foundations and spent at least a year practicing first-level techniques, this little exertion was nothing—certainly not for the older recruits.

Only one medical officer was present, gazing at something on her screen. Hearing Zhao Li’s entrance, she turned her head.

Golden hair, smooth as silk, cascaded over her shoulders. The green beret with a red cross set off her features, making her look both heroic and beautiful. She appeared young, yet there was a mature air about her. Her uniform fit perfectly, accentuating her shapely figure. Though Zhao Li couldn’t see her legs from where he stood, even this much nearly made him lose his composure.

She, too, seemed surprised to see Zhao Li. He looked perfectly healthy—what reason could he have to be here? Yet the look in his eyes clearly pleased her; she smiled at him, and in that moment, it was as if a radiant rose had bloomed before his eyes.

“Soldier, why are you here?” her voice was even gentler now, laced with a charm that made it impossible for Zhao Li not to be drawn in. Her red lips moved like the sweetest strawberries in the world.

Zhao Li didn’t even hear what she said, standing there dumbstruck. Seeing his reaction, the medical officer was briefly taken aback, then laughed brightly. Her smile was even more dazzling. Zhao Li, whose life so far had been confined to school, had never before encountered such a captivating woman in the flesh. He found himself rooted to the spot, unwilling to move.

“Christine, don’t tease the new recruits!” The instructor’s gruff voice boomed from outside. At the sound, Zhao Li snapped to attention as if an alarm had gone off, straightening his posture into a perfect military stance.

The instructor strode in, fuming, and, unable to contain himself, kicked Zhao Li, grumbling, “You’re an embarrassment!”

Zhao Li dared not dodge. He took the kick, stumbling far enough to nearly fall, but made no sound and quickly returned to attention. Everyone had already experienced the instructor’s toughness; those who boasted of their street-smarts were swiftly subdued on the first day, after which no one dared challenge the instructor again.

“What are you doing?” The medical officer was clearly displeased by the instructor’s behavior. “Arnold, you’re one to talk. As if your own first visit here was any better…” She was cut off mid-sentence by Arnold’s bellow: “Christine, see if there’s something wrong with this kid. His stamina is pathetic—just three hours of standing at attention, and he’s drenched in sweat!”

It was clear that Arnold had his own story from his first encounter with the striking medical officer, but Zhao Li was smarter than to pry. He stood still, listening to their exchange, not daring to so much as twitch, fully aware of Arnold’s temper.

As for sweating, Zhao Li was helpless. Though the Basic Body Conditioning Technique was steadily improving his strength, he simply couldn’t match those who’d been practicing the Strength Technique for at least a year. Besides, it was only sweat—he wasn’t about to collapse. Arnold was making a mountain out of a molehill.

“Soldier, how far have you gotten with your Strength Technique?” Christine turned to Zhao Li, her eyes sparkling as if she’d discovered a new toy. Under that gaze, Zhao Li felt heat rise wherever she looked.

“Reporting, ma’am! I haven’t trained in the Strength Technique!” The time for receiving the army’s techniques hadn’t yet arrived, but it was allowed to state one’s intentions.

Both Arnold and Christine were taken aback. For someone Zhao Li’s age, especially one entering military service, not to have learned the Strength Technique was almost laughable.

“Why not?” Christine asked as she stood and approached him.

When she rose, Zhao Li saw her tailored uniform skirt and the long, slender legs beneath. As she glided toward him, for reasons he couldn’t explain, sweat began to pour from him even faster, as if he were being roasted alive. Unable to help himself, he furtively licked his parched lips.