Chapter 30: The First Stirrings of Love

Upon arriving at the reading room with Liu Shishi, Ma Yuan lost all interest in going to Limin Square. He felt that the woman standing before him was the very person he had been searching for.

"Are you a local of Yuanzhou City?" Ma Yuan asked cautiously, terrified that an ill-chosen word might offend her.

Liu Shishi held a book she had just retrieved from the shelf: *War and Peace*. It was a world-renowned masterpiece, centered on a patriotic war and reflecting two distinct narrative threads—one of conflict, the other of peace. It lauded the admirable patriotic fervor and heroism of those resisting oppression, while simultaneously embodying a profound empathy for the suffering of all sides caught in the gears of war.

Liu Shishi had long desired to read this book, but because its themes diverged from the government’s official stance, it had been banned. Only select prestigious schools and libraries kept copies. Huali Military Academy happened to possess a few, and Liu Shishi had attended the mixer specifically to seize the opportunity to read it. She had not expected things to go so smoothly; Huali’s administration was strict, and it was notoriously difficult for students from other schools to borrow books. Having encountered Ma Yuan, who used his status as a cadet to check it out for her, she felt deeply grateful.

This was exactly the result Ma Yuan had hoped for.

"Oh, yes, I am," Liu Shishi replied, her eyes lingering on the book with such affection that she only just realized she had been distracted. "I’m sorry, I’m just truly fond of this book."

Ma Yuan was no fool; he could see her genuine adoration for the work. He smiled, surprised to find someone who preferred reading over the usual revelry of the mixer. His favorable impression of her grew even stronger.

"Since you like it so much, I’ll put down a deposit and check it out for you. You can take it home for a while; just make sure to return it before the deadline," Ma Yuan said with earnest sincerity.

"Really?" Liu Shishi looked up, her eyes brimming with such longing that Ma Yuan felt a sudden flush of bashfulness.

Ma Yuan nodded firmly. He did not want to refuse the first request a girl had ever made of him. Liu Shishi was so delighted she nearly jumped for joy. She hurriedly took Ma Yuan by the hand and led him toward the circulation desk, eager to head home and begin reading at once.

Caught off guard by the sudden contact, Ma Yuan felt a warmth rise to his cheeks. Aside from his mother, he had never held a woman’s hand in his life. Liu Shishi, swept up in her excitement, failed to realize she was holding the hand of a man she had just met—a gesture that, in the eyes of others, might have seemed improper. But at that moment, her only thought was securing the book; nothing else mattered.

After completing the formalities and leaving a silver dollar as a deposit, the book was in her hands. She gently caressed the cover and tucked it into her satchel as if it were a priceless treasure, terrified that a moment of carelessness might damage it.

Once finished, she looked at Ma Yuan. "Ma Yuan, thank you so much. I only came to the mixer hoping for a stroke of luck. I’ve wanted to read this for ages, but my family is under such pressure from the government that they wouldn't allow me to read such things, let alone buy them. I am truly grateful. I promise I will bring it back on time, and perhaps, if there's a chance, I can borrow it again."

According to Huali Military Academy’s rules, a deposit of one silver dollar allowed a student to borrow a book for one month. If it were overdue, the deposit would be forfeited, and the student would be blacklisted from borrowing again.

Before the mixer had even concluded, Liu Shishi returned to the Medical College; she could not wait a moment longer. Ma Yuan, having lost interest in the remaining performances, told Xiang Ting he was leaving and returned to his dormitory to sleep. The event lasted late into the night, with many students meeting others who captured their hearts and exchanging gifts—fulfilling the very purpose of the joint mixer.

The days that followed were incredibly monotonous for Ma Yuan. The military academy focused not only on physical conditioning but also on rigorous academic study; the goal was to cultivate well-rounded elites. As seasons changed, a year passed. Through his studies and several field exercises, Ma Yuan’s physical and academic prowess improved rapidly, and he gained a modest reputation among the new recruits.

As for Wang Xian, thanks to his own tenacity, his family background, and the support of both upperclassmen and peers, he had become a rising star, arguably one of the most prominent figures among the new class.

Aside from Wang Xian, several others stood out. There was Chang Huailiang, who had previously helped Ma Yuan; his family was a major clan in Yuanzhou City, commanding respect even from the local government. Well-versed in literature and military strategy, he attracted a large following.

Then there was Zhang Xiaoting, the only son of General Zhang of Jizhou City. Ma Yuan had indirect ties to him, as the arms trade involving the Wang and Cheng families of Gao City was largely conducted with General Zhang. Naturally, the General groomed his only son heavily.

Another was Liu Yu, who stood in stark opposition to Zhang Xiaoting. His father was the rival General Liu of Gao City. Ma Yuan also had indirect ties here, as Wang Han, who had rescued them at Bahu Mountain, served under General Liu. Because the two generals were locked in a bitter struggle for territory in Gao City, their sons were naturally sworn enemies.

Finally, there was Zhao Ke, the son of the famous banker Zhao Houqing, who controlled a vast portion of the nation’s wealth. While a stereotypical young master, Zhao Ke was far from mindless; he was cold, calculating, and ruthless, preferring to solve problems with money rather than effort.

These four were the most famous students at Huali Military Academy. There were many others with smaller reputations like Ma Yuan, which was hardly surprising. Before long, Ma Yuan’s class would enter their second year, bringing them one step closer to their eventual service in the military.