After ten laps.

Seeing that Ouyang Qianyu completely ignored her, Shangguan Xiao continued unfazed, “But you’re pretty impressive! You’ve been running for so long and your breathing hasn’t faltered! Not bad at all! You deserve some praise!”

The scorching sun blazed overhead, ultraviolet rays beating down on everyone, causing their body heat to rise. The surroundings were barren, with no shelter in sight. Yet Shangguan Xiao still found the energy to chat amid the sweltering heat!

Finally, Ouyang Qianyu spoke up, “Focus on running! Five more laps to go.”

Her tone was so cold it was as if someone owed her a penny from a past life and never paid up. Shangguan Xiao, however, was the kind who thrived on challenges and was undeterred. She pressed on, “Hey! Don’t be like that! Let me see if you work out regularly—how many abs do you have? Let me feel!”

Before Ouyang Qianyu could react, Shangguan Xiao’s mischievous hand reached out to grab her. Ouyang Qianyu was caught off guard, and Shangguan Xiao’s fingers roamed freely over her. After a moment, Shangguan Xiao’s face lit up with surprise, “Hey! You really do have them! Looks like eight-pack abs! But they’re so hard!”

She continued to paw around, causing Ouyang Qianyu’s breathing to become erratic. Taking a deep breath, she suddenly choked on the sand whipped up by the wind, coughing as she ran, clearly uncomfortable.

Hui, who had caught up from behind, watched their interaction and teased, “What are you two doing? It’s broad daylight, and here you are, touching each other like that! Aren’t you ashamed?”

She craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Ouyang Qianyu’s expression. Unfortunately, she wasn’t tall enough, and Ouyang Qianyu was covering her mouth while coughing, so her face remained hidden.

Xiao Ai gave Hui a playful shove aside, eyes sparkling with affection as she said to Xiao, “Forget Hui, keep going! Don’t mind us, we won’t mind, right, bro?”

Dongfang Shuo, running beside her, cooperated with a simple, “Mm.”

Xiao shot the group a big playful glare, “You bunch of idiots! I’m taking off first! Bye!”

She quickened her pace, putting some distance between herself and the others. Seeing Xiao pull away, the others hastily dropped their teasing expressions. Xiao Ai sped up as well, calling out as she ran, “Wait up!”

Soon enough, she caught up to the front.

Before long, the group had finished the remaining five laps. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the ground, tossing their caps aside and greedily gulping down the water they had prepared earlier.

After a moment, one of them set down the bottle, sighing in amazement, “Wow! I never knew plain water could taste so good, so sweet!”

Listening to Xiao’s exaggerated words, the others didn’t quite know how to respond. They settled beneath the already pitched tent—its olive drab fabric and the handsome faces of the young men and women framed the only striking scene within miles.

Shangguan Xiao leaned comfortably against Ouyang Qianyu, eyes closed with a delighted smile, her legs crossed in utter ease. The green military uniform she wore made her skin look even more fair and smooth, radiant with a youthful glow.

Her smile was captivating, impossible to look away from, as her small feet swayed side to side, full of vitality, while she rested peacefully.

Over half an hour passed before more people gradually arrived. The instructor stood to the side, watching coldly as these recruits arrived one by one, each looking utterly exhausted like beaten dogs. Truly, it was deeply disappointing.