Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Achoo!

Gu Qingjiu let out another sneeze.

Feng Yumeng asked, Qingjiu, you keep sneezing today. Are you down with the flu?

Gu Qingjiu wiped her nose with a tissue. Not the flu. Theres a persistent itchy sensation in my nose.

While Gu Qingjiu and Feng Yumeng were having their nighttime training, Gu Qingjiu kept on sneezing.

Feng Yumeng was a little worried about her.

Gu Qingjiu shook her head. I think its because others are discussing me behind my back.

Feng Yumeng did not believe it. It is said that if you sneeze just once, it could be that people are talking behind your back. But youre sneezing quite a few times already. You better go for a checkup in the infirmary and see if you caught a cold. You shouldnt neglect the nose itch, just in case. It might be because of nose inflammation Dont blame me for saying such inauspicious things. I had nose inflammation when I was young, and its a vexing condition.

Alright, alright. Ill go over later, but lets continue training for now.

After tossing the tissue into the rubbish bin, Gu Qingjiu continued to train with Feng Yumeng.

Only until about seven did Gu Qingjiu conclude the end of the training. Alright, thats it for today. Lets carry on tomorrow.

The two of them were so tired that sweat had drenched their foreheads. Even Feng Yumeng nearly couldnt get up.

Panting heavily, she replied, Okay Ill take a shower once I get back. The weather is really hot and stifling today.

She and Gu Qingjiu returned to the dormitory together.

After that, Gu Qingjiu took a shower first.

After the shower, as she rubbed her wet hair with a bath towel, she let out another sneeze. Ah-choo!

Qi Xiaoran cast a glance at her from the upper bunk, fell silent for a moment, and then she asked, Did you catch a cold?

No.

After she said that, she felt her body shiver.

It was a subconscious shiver.

Qi Xiaoran frowned and sat up straight, then suggested, Go for a checkup in the infirmary.

Ah, Qingjiu, you caught a cold?

Only then did Gu Qian realize what was going on.

Everyone didnt pay attention earlier on because it was only a sneeze. But upon hearing their conversation, they realized something was amiss.

Surely not?

Gu Qingjiu had some doubts herself as well.

This symptom didnt feel like a cold.

Perhaps I came into contact with dust, and Im allergic to it. I only keep sneezing. I think Im fine.

Gu Qingjiu said with ease.

Is that the case?

Seeing this, Gu Qian and Chu Lian stopped worrying.

After all, everyone had pretty good immune systems because of their training in military school. Other than physical injuries, they rarely fell sick.

Especially Gu Qingjiu.

Hence, nobody gave it much thought.

Qi Xiaoran merely glanced at Gu Qingjiu, before going back to her original posture.

Gu Qingjiu sat on the bed and sent a message to the Chief Instructor.

Not going over tonight.

The Chief Instructor didnt reply to her.

When the lights and Internet connection were about to go out in the dormitory, everyone prepared to go to bed.

It was hot and stifling during the late night at the National Military University of China.

Since it was already May, the weather was transitioning to summer.

The birds were chirping on the tree branches.

Only

Even amid all that noise, the students still slept very soundly.

But tonight Gu Qingjiu felt something wasnt quite right.

She had already fallen asleep, but she felt terrible from head to toe.

One moment she felt like she was being engulfed in flames. Another moment she felt like she was in an icy cellar.

The interchanging of the heat and the cold made her feel awful.

She felt like her head was about to explode, as though people were tugging the nerves in her head.

Every movement brought her immense pain that made her feel like she was dying.