Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Here I Come, Departure Squad

Although this string of wooden beads looks unremarkable, everyone in the family knows it’s Grandma Jiang’s cherished possession, containing a very old-fashioned wish that you’d rather believe does exist than not.

Back in the day, Old Master Jiang had already made a name for himself in the army and brought Grandma Jiang to live with him. Her three sons were also growing up and followed in their father’s footsteps to serve the country.

However, the Jiang Family seemed to hit a streak of bad luck, with two sons sacrificing their lives one after another, which deeply affected Grandma Jiang, leaving her anxious all day.

The old lady originally didn’t believe in ghosts and gods, but around that time, she made several trips to the temple, possibly seeking peace of mind.

This wooden bead was bought during one of those temple visits. She didn’t know if she was being fooled; the seller just said these beads could ensure safety.

At that time, Grandma Jiang only wanted peace and, with the belief that sincerity brings effectiveness, bought it.

Later, the Jiang Family’s life got better and better, and Grandma Jiang collected it as a lucky charm.

“I can’t accept this.” Although Wang Miaomiao couldn’t see anything special about the wooden beads, the fact that it was taken from a collection meant a lot.

“You take it, just keep it,” Grandma Jiang insisted, putting the wooden beads in her hand. “It’s not worth anything, but it can keep you safe.” She firmly believed in the power of sincerity.

Wang Miaomiao looked down at the beads and indeed saw intricate patterns carved on them.

Receiving a hint from his grandmother, Jiang Yan also joined in, saying, “Miao Miao, if Grandma gives it to you, just accept it. What the elder gives, you should not decline.”

Given the circumstances, Wang Miaomiao knew that insisting further would be ungracious, so she accepted it, “Thank you, Grandma.”

Seeing her accept it, everyone smiled happily.

After Grandma Jiang’s gift, Old Master Jiang was not stingy and immediately gave a large red envelope.

Jiang Zhongyi followed his father’s lead and also gave a red envelope, telling her to buy whatever she needed.

Upstairs, Zheng Zhen was automatically ignored by everyone. Only Jiang Yan and a few elders were left, all looking at him with smiles that weren’t quite smiles.

Meanwhile, Wang Miaomiao was still dazed after receiving two red envelopes. Seeing everyone’s expressions, she quickly waved her hand and said, “Brother Jiang, there’s no need. I already have plenty.”

Raising the red envelopes in her hand, Wang Miaomiao meant that no return gift was needed.

But Jiang Yan just smiled and said, “It’s indeed not great for me to give you a red envelope as well. Let’s do this: I didn’t have time today, but I will pick out a gift for you as soon as I can.”

Jiang Yan pondered what would make a good gift. Despite Wang Miaomiao’s repeated insistence that it wasn’t necessary, no one paid attention to her, and she had to let it go.

That day, after dinner, Wang Miaomiao and Cheng Xue returned to the Cheng Family home.

After all, with her best friend visiting, she definitely wanted to be a good host. The following days, the two had fun, exploring all the famous sites of Beijing.

On the morning of July 12th, Wang Miaomiao and Cheng Xue got up early to pack their things.

After breakfast, Jiang Yan came to pick them up, accompanied by Jiang Huilan.

Although Jiang Huilan didn’t know Wang Miaomiao, she got along well with Cheng Xue. Being a chatty and clever person, Cheng Xue quickly helped Wang Miaomiao and Jiang Huilan get acquainted.

The three chatted away, and Wang Miaomiao found Jiang Huilan to have a really good temperament, like a gentle lady from a prestigious family.

Jiang Huilan also thought that Wang Miaomiao had a nice personality and was easy to get along with.

Jiang Yan drove them to a training base in the suburb of Beijing, where they would undergo a fully enclosed training for the next three months.

After dropping them off, Jiang Yan left, and Wang Miaomiao and the others were led to a dormitory by a female soldier.

There were already five people inside, and with the three of them, it made eight. There were two beds left, and it was uncertain who else would arrive.

“Hello, my name is Wang Cuihua, I’m eighteen this year…”

With the introduction of the enthusiastic Wang Cuihua, everyone in the dormitory started introducing themselves.

Wang Miaomiao learned that these five girls came from various places across the country and had arrived at the camp the night before.

The oldest among them was Wang Cuihua, who had seemingly become the leader and mainstay of the five.

Wang Miaomiao and her two friends had no intention of competing for any kind of authority and quickly got along harmoniously with the others.

However, them not competing doesn’t mean others wouldn’t.

Maybe because the full group hadn’t arrived yet, there was no training that morning, so everyone went out in groups to familiarize themselves with the environment.

Wang Miaomiao, Cheng Xue, and Jiang Huilan naturally formed a small group. The three strolled around the towering walls, noticing many training facilities. The thought that they might have to climb those tall walls, jump those water pits, and climb those ladders…

Wang Miaomiao felt a chill on her scalp, uneasy at heart, as if she’d jumped into a pit of fire. She wondered why on earth she had come in a moment of muddle-headedness…

After wandering around for half a day and returning to the dormitory listlessly, they found that an internal conflict had erupted there.

“Wang Cuihua, what makes you, someone who crawled out of God knows which mountain valley, think you’re up to the task? All you say is ’I’ non-stop, hardly able to articulate properly. Maybe you shouldn’t embarrass us.” A petite girl with delicate long hair spat these words, though her words were far from pleasant. “The class monitor selected from dormitory 108, represents our dormitory 108 to the outside world. Do you really think you’re fit for it?”

It turns out, after these two new arrivals came, their dormitory was finally complete. The female soldier who led them there told them to select a class monitor among themselves, who would be responsible for some matters in the dormitory.

The girls behind Wang Cuihua, relying on their numbers, directly stated, “Is there any need for voting? Surely it should be Sister Cuihua.”

This statement met with objection from the two newcomers, questioning why there was no voting, as if ignoring them, which seemed extremely presumptuous.

“How can you say that, why is Sister Cuihua unworthy? Isn’t it just a class monitor? Sister Cuihua can definitely do it, right, my sisters…”

“Right, right…”

“Exactly, and we already make up half the number, so we’d win in a democratic vote anyway.”

The girls behind Wang Cuihua were not to be outdone.

Wang Miaomiao and the other two members of her trio heard the last part as they were at the door, and Cheng Xue asked in curiosity as she entered, “What are we voting for?”

As they entered, both groups immediately turned their gazes towards them.

“Cheng Xue.” One of the newcomers, a short-haired lively girl, clearly recognized Cheng Xue.

“Luan Qian.” Cheng Xue, surprised to see Luan Qian, didn’t expect to run into her here after so long.

Wang Miaomiao smiled and asked, “Xiao Xue? You know her?”

“Yes…” Cheng Xue nodded, calmed after the initial surprise, introducing them to each other, “This is my elementary and middle school classmate, Luan Qian. We grew up in the same military district. This is my high school classmate, Wang Miaomiao, and my best friend in life. And my cousin, Jiang Huilan.”

Wang Miaomiao felt sweetness at her introduction, her best friend in life… How nice.

Luan Qian also introduced her companion, a delicate long-haired girl as her cousin Xue Yunyun.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep