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Novel Catalog
Chapter 71
The men lined up outside the factory, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and unease as they watched Jiang Ning’s car approach. They were about to embark on a journey that would test their limits, and they knew it wasn’t going to be easy. There was an air of anticipation, some of them even silently questioning whether they would make it through what Jiang Ning had in store for them.
When Jiang Ning stepped out of the car, his presence immediately commanded attention. He walked toward them with the same calm, unshakable confidence that had left Xu Rong and Wang Gao trembling the night before. He glanced around at the fifty men standing before him, eyes sharp, assessing them like a general preparing for battle.
“Listen up,” Jiang Ning’s voice was steady but filled with authority. “I’m not here to hold your hands. You’ll train until your bodies can’t take it anymore. If you can’t keep up, you’re out. Plain and simple.”
The men stiffened, their hearts racing. They weren’t here for soft talk, but this was different. This wasn’t just about learning to fight—this was about surviving the process.
“You’ll have one month to prove yourselves. In that month, you’ll be broken down and built back up. Only the strongest will remain.” Jiang Ning’s gaze swept over the crowd, making sure each of them understood the gravity of his words.
He turned to the training facility, a jungle of ropes, weights, and barriers that looked like something out of a military boot camp. Some of the men exchanged nervous glances, while others simply nodded, already accepting the challenge. They had heard rumors about Jiang Ning’s training methods, and if half of what they’d heard was true, this was going to be hell.
“Get in there,” Jiang Ning ordered, pointing to the obstacles. “I want you to run through the course until I say stop. And don’t even think about slacking off. You’re here to learn, not to waste time.”
As the men filed into the training area, Brother Gou stood by Jiang Ning, watching the scene unfold with an expression that was both awed and slightly worried. He knew how brutal Jiang Ning could be, and he was curious to see if these men would even last the first day.
One by one, the men struggled through the obstacle course, their bodies already beginning to sweat and tremble under the strain. They had underestimated how hard it would be. The ropes were tough to climb, the hurdles were high, and the balance beams felt like they might throw them off at any moment. Some men stumbled and fell, but they quickly picked themselves up, knowing that quitting wasn’t an option.
“Move faster! Don’t waste my time!” Jiang Ning barked, watching with intense focus. Every so often, he would step forward and make adjustments, correcting stances or encouraging a few who seemed to be struggling more than others. His tone was sharp but never cruel—he was pushing them because he saw potential.
By noon, most of the men were panting, their bodies covered in sweat. Some had already dropped out, unable to continue. Jiang Ning didn’t bat an eye as they were sent away.
“Out of fifty,” he muttered to himself, “I’ll leave only thirty at most.”
The remaining men exchanged tired, but determined, looks. They had made it this far, and they weren’t going to give up now. Jiang Ning’s brutal approach was exactly what they needed. They were fighters, but they would need more than just physical strength to survive what was coming. They would need discipline, resilience, and the will to push past every limit.
As the sun began to set, the first day of training came to an end. Many of the men were sore, bruised, and exhausted, but none of them dared to show weakness. They knew this was only the beginning. And Jiang Ning? He simply watched them with a calculated gaze, already planning the next day’s lessons.
Back in the office, Lin Yuzhen was focused on her work, her mind occasionally drifting toward the night before. She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about indulging in the mini lobsters with Jiang Ning, but she was grateful for the quiet moments they shared. When he wasn’t there, she felt an emptiness in the house that was hard to ignore.
It wasn’t just the food—it was Jiang Ning’s presence, his strength, his unwavering confidence. He was a man who didn’t just lead; he commanded respect, and those who followed him knew their place.
Later that evening, as she was finishing up her work, she received a call from Jiang Ning. He told her he would be home soon. For the first time in a long while, Lin Yuzhen smiled, feeling the comforting sense of familiarity that came with his return.
But even as she smiled, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were changing. Jiang Ning had something bigger in mind, something that would affect not only Donghai but their lives as well. And whatever it was, she knew it wouldn’t be easy to navigate.
But as long as Jiang Ning was by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.
