Chapter 353: Chapter 353

After dealing with a series of chaotic situations, Sang Ning finally decided on the date to officially report to the training camp.

At first, Qin Jiaxiang painted an optimistic picture for her, saying that the training camp wouldn’t take long. But when she confirmed with him again, he surprisingly informed her that the camp would last another two and a half months before it ended. Newest update provıded by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩

However, Sang Ning was no longer panicked as she had been before. Up to now, her Weibo follower count had already climbed close to seventy million. Even if there wasn’t much media exposure in recent months, it didn’t really matter. As long as the film could be released within the required timeframe, the goal of hitting one hundred million followers on Weibo was still achievable.

The one feeling the most distressed was undoubtedly Li Juezhou. After finally making their relationship public and being able to date openly, Sang Ning now had to head to a closed training camp, where they’d lose contact for several months.

Li Juezhou had already driven her to the training camp gate but couldn’t bring himself to part ways with her. "Sangsang, if I don’t see you even for just one day, it feels like I’ve been abandoned by the world. Can you approve me to work as a little security guard in the camp? That way I can see you every day."

Li Juezhou leaned across the center console, moving his face closer to Sang Ning.

"Don’t even think about it. I refuse!" Sang Ning stretched out her hand, pressing his face away coldly. "I’m here for work, not for play."

Sang Ning didn’t understand how, even as a couple, both sides didn’t have their own things to take care of. Wouldn’t it be tiresome to stick together every single day?

"Sangsang, most of my work is already handed off. Dating is now my top priority," Li Juezhou said, grabbing Sang Ning’s wrist and moving her hand off his face.

Momentarily speechless, Sang Ning realized Li Juezhou was currently enjoying a phase of financial freedom and leisurely ease. Throwing himself entirely into their relationship could easily turn him into a love-obsessed fool.

"Then I would suggest you pick your work back up," Sang Ning said earnestly. "Xiao Li, you must always maintain a sense of urgency. Right now Hai Chuan is doing well, but that doesn’t guarantee it will stay that way. A serious-working man is the most attractive. I hope that you can always stay in a state where you can captivate me."

Li Juezhou couldn’t help but laugh at her overly serious excuse as he pinched her cheek and gave her lips a light kiss. "Fine, one kiss isn’t too much, right?"

Li Juezhou was just teasing Sang Ning. Regardless of the type of relationship, offering enough personal space to the other party was essential. He wasn’t the overly controlling type who needed her tied to his side every day.

Sang Ning was quite satisfied. Li Juezhou was a considerate boyfriend who was very understanding. As a reward, she proactively kissed him back.

When Sang Ning stood in front of the training camp gate, she still felt a bit dazed, completely unaware of how she even got out of the car.

Her cheeks were burning red, and even a few gusts of cool breeze couldn’t dissipate the heat on her face.

Damn it, Li Juezhou’s kissing skills were becoming more provocative. If this continued, she’d sooner or later lose her composure.

"Sangsang, not going in yet? Feeling unsatisfied and wanting more?" Sang Ning turned around and saw Li Juezhou sticking his head out from the car window, his lips curving into a playful yet teasing smile.

His hand lazily rested on the car window frame, its slim, well-defined fingers catching Sang Ning’s gaze. Her throat involuntarily shifted slightly—just moments ago, this very hand had snuck under her clothes...

Her face flushed even hotter as Sang Ning experienced, for the first time, what true embarrassment felt like. Unwilling to confront what had just happened, she let out a cold snort through her nose, issuing a warning: "If there’s a next time, I’ll break your hand!"

Saying this, Sang Ning dragged her suitcase and bolted into the training camp gates like she was fleeing.

Watching her hastily retreating figure, Li Juezhou found it utterly adorable. If there was a next time? He’d dare.

As the sound of the car engine starting echoed behind her, Sang Ning finally exhaled a sigh of relief. Yet, she was dying inside from the awkwardness. She wasn’t entirely ready yet and still felt resistant to moving their relationship toward deeper intimacy.

Sang Ning rushed all the way in and was stopped at the gate check by someone. The man blocking her was dressed in a gray tracksuit, the zipper pulled tight up to the collar, and he approached with an imposing aura.

"Trainees must hand in their luggage and phones!" The man stood with legs apart, hands clasped behind his back, his expression strict.

Sang Ning lifted her gaze to appraise the person in front of her. He appeared around forty years old, with dark skin, and thick eyebrows forming an inverted "V" shape, giving off a particularly fierce vibe.

"I’m the chief instructor for this camp. My surname is Zheng. You can just call me Instructor Zheng," he said loudly.

"Alright, Instructor Zheng," Sang Ning smoothly replied.

Though she was clearly being respectful, Instructor Zheng suddenly raised his voice to yell at her: "We run a militarized closed management system here! You respond with ’Understood,’ not a careless reply!"

"Understood, Instructor Zheng!"

Although inwardly exasperated, Sang Ning immediately transitioned into full compliance mode, placing her luggage aside, standing straight with legs together in a standardized posture, and saluting Instructor Zheng.

Sang Ning’s transformation was startling, her eyes now bright and spirited, her gaze sharp and filled with determination.

Instructor Zheng’s lips twitched slightly, his expression threatening to crack entirely.

Earlier, seeing Sang Ning arrive in a luxury car, he’d assumed she was the pampered type. He had intended to intimidate her before she entered the camp to adjust her mindset and prepare her to endure hardship. He hadn’t expected her posture to be as perfect as though she had undergone professional training.

Confirming that Sang Ning wasn’t some delicate girl, Instructor Zheng’s demeanor finally softened slightly. "Alright, you’re good. Leave your phone and luggage here, and head to the supply room to pick up your essentials. Then you can go rest in your dormitory."

"The phone... does it really have to be handed over?" Though Sang Ning did fish her phone out of her pocket and hand it to him, her gaze lingered on it, filled with reluctance.

"Yes, absolutely. From now until the camp ends, you won’t be allowed to touch your phone!" Instructor Zheng replied.

Sang Ning reached the peak of frustration in her mind. Qin Jiaxiang had completely duped her—this was no different from being imprisoned!

Rules were rules, though, and Sang Ning didn’t want to make things difficult for Instructor Zheng. Even though she begrudged it, she handed over both her phone and luggage.

Instructor Zheng was genuinely impressed. Most trainees fussed endlessly when asked to hand over their phones. Sang Ning was one of the few to comply without a fuss.

Her cooperation completely changed Instructor Zheng’s opinion of her. Initially planning to have her fetch her supplies on her own, he instead ordered someone to bring her essentials over and escort her to her dorm.

Besides being momentarily stunned by Instructor Zheng’s earlier yelling, Sang Ning found the instructors at the camp rather approachable, significantly less intimidating than she’d imagined.