Ji Xun had eyes only for Shang Qing. He watched her share snacks with the girls in her dormitory, watched them laughing and chatting, and watched her lie contentedly in Cang Yan’s lap. The two of them were so close, whispering away with such intimacy.
*Sigh.* Ji Xun sighed inwardly. He wished so much that it were his sister lying in his lap, sharing that same closeness. But clearly, that was impossible, at least for now. Still, watching Shang Qing laugh and play with the girls, the sound of her joy seemed to wash away the fatigue of the morning’s march.
When they set off in the afternoon, the students’ energy and spirits were noticeably lower than in the morning. The excitement and thrill had long since faded. Though it was hot at midday, military training was relentless; they departed promptly at one o'clock.
Chapter 323