Chapter 427: All Good Things Must Come to an End
Early the next day, the sports field echoed with the "March of the Athletes."
All the freshman military training classes stood in formation, looking ahead at the officers and school leaders in military uniforms on the podium.
The "March of the Athletes" stopped, and then a military leader stood straight in front of the microphone, looking at the teachers and students standing below.
"Good morning, everyone! I am Zhao Xiong, the captain of the Blade Convergence Team in Kanyue City. I am pleased that everyone has successfully completed this military training. Although seven days is not long, I hope you can improve your lazy habits! You are the fresh blood of the nation, and you will be future angels in white, so I hope you can take a little more time to strengthen your bodies during your studies, and show your spirit and energy!"
Clap, clap, clap...
Thunderous applause erupted from below the stage.
Then, the flag-raising ceremony began.
Wow...
Everyone brought their legs together, stood straight, and raised their right hand.
All the officers stood up from their chairs, forming a line in front of the parade platform, looking seriously at the square formation below, without saying a word.
Class 42 was the fifth to enter, but everyone was ready, although the atmosphere was tense.
"Don’t be nervous, just do as you practiced yesterday, I believe in you all."
Mr. Liu tried to relax and encourage everyone in front of the class, but it didn’t help much. Everyone just forced a smile and waited for the four classes in front.
The wait was less than ten minutes, but it felt very long to everyone.
Suddenly, the broadcast on the sports field came on. "Ancient Medicine Class 42, please prepare to enter."
Hearing these words, Lin Tian perked up. He stood at the front of the class and shouted, "Everyone ready! In place, march in step, one-two-one... March!"
Da-da-da...
Everyone concentrated, stepping resoundingly, each step loud and orderly.
Lin Tian led the shout, "Obey orders, follow commands, unity and cooperation, strive for excellence!"
"Obey orders, follow commands, unity and cooperation, strive for excellence!"
With all their might, the morale soared.
"Now approaching the podium is the formation of Ancient Medicine Class 42. They are the inheritors of traditional medicine on the Celestial Dragon Continent. They are radiantly imposing, spirited, with virtuous medical skills. The scorching sun cannot evaporate their enthusiasm; hardship cannot erode their faith!"
"Halt! Turn right! Salute!"
All the classmates raised their right hands, eyes uniformly fixed on the parade platform.
At the same time, the leaders in a row raised their right hands in salute, returning the gesture.
After the salute, Lin Tian stood at the front of the class, leading everyone in performing the Military Boxing.
This set of Military Boxing was practiced by Class 42 for two and a half days, and when they performed it now, it was smooth and fluid, each punch powerful, uniform and vigorous.
After the Military Boxing was completed, there was extraordinarily enthusiastic applause from both the podium and the audience.
Passing the podium, everyone saw Mr. Liu standing at the exit, waiting for them, grinning with a bright smile and a thumbs-up.
Everyone also laughed, the tension from earlier dissipated, but they didn’t cheer because their goal was first place, which hadn’t been announced yet.
Mr. Liu led the formation back to the class’s original position, then continued watching other classes parade.
When the parade ended, a leader holding a sheet of paper stood at the microphone, praising everyone’s spirit of fearlessness and resilience.
Then, looking at the content on the paper, the leader loudly announced the rankings for the parade.
When the leader announced, "First place in military training: Ancient Medicine Class 42," everyone took off their military caps, threw them to the sky, and cheered excitedly.
Mr. Liu crossed his arms over his chest, grinning, watching everyone. It seemed like this was the first time everyone had seen Mr. Liu smile so many times in one day.
"Instructor, we won first place, is there any reward?"
Mr. Liu chuckled, giving another thumbs-up.
The whole class laughed and also sighed. Some classmates suggested, "Instructor, let’s have a luncheon at noon? We’ll use the class fund for it."
Before Mr. Liu could speak, everyone cheered again.
Mr. Liu, with tears in his eyes, looked at everyone with a smile, knowing this was likely the last time they’d be together. They might never see each other again. So he finally nodded, "We can eat, but I can’t drink alcohol."
"Then let’s drink soda, each of us toasts you with a glass; that’s a lot."
"I am your instructor; you can’t bully me," Mr. Liu shouted.
"Hahaha."
...
Mr. Liu only returned to the camp in the afternoon. The military was considerate, giving the instructors a few hours off to spend more time with their groups.
Before lunch, the girls surrounded Mr. Liu like singing birds, pulling him into endless photos, making him blush. The boys teased him but were also envious, wondering when they would be so admired by the girls?
In the end, the whole class and Mr. Liu took many photos together before they finally stopped.
After the photos, everyone sat in a circle like that night, surrounding Mr. Liu in the middle, continually chatting with him, full of laughter and cheer.
But, somehow while talking, Mr. Liu’s eyes reddened, his mouth pulled into a reluctant smile, eyes unwilling to part, as two tears streaked down his face.
Everyone else started crying, too. The boys were somewhat better, just wiping tears from their faces. The girls clung to each other, sobbing softly.
Men have tears that are not easily shed, just waiting for the time of sorrow.
Mr. Liu was departing that afternoon; they were going to part ways.
Kanyue City Medical University is a nationally key university, and the instructors who come here to lead military training are outstanding, well-performing soldiers or officers in the military.
After they return this time, they will be assigned to other units.
In the future, perhaps there will never be another chance to meet again in this lifetime.
For lunch, they found a clean small restaurant, booked the entire second floor for over thirty people, and set up four tables.
At the dining table, everyone gathered around Mr. Liu, unable to finish their words, constantly toasting with drinks.
As previously mentioned, everyone toasted Mr. Liu with a glass each, from Sprite, Coke, orange juice to coconut milk, Mr. Liu ended up drinking over thirty glasses in one go.
He couldn’t bear to refuse these children, knowing they were intentionally teasing him, but still felt very happy.
Mr. Liu patted the table and boasted, "Hmph, drinking soda is too bloating. Next time, we switch to alcohol, I can drink all thirty-six of you under the table!"
"Instructor, don’t brag, a promise is a promise!"
"Yes, when will you treat us to drinks?"
Mr. Liu waved his hand, saying, "Once I return and settle into the job allocation, I’ll definitely have a drink with you before you graduate!"
"Ah~ great!" everyone cheered with beaming smiles.
...
All good things come to an end.
Mr. Liu left, boarding the military vehicle amidst everyone’s watchful eyes, standing at the back of the vehicle, lined up with other instructors, looking at everyone with tear-streaked faces, reluctant to part.
"Salute!"