Chapter 153: Forcing to Stand Out—Loss Outweighs Gain

At the same time, the females training on the tribe's square also followed Zhang Fan's instructions, stopped their running pace, and gathered at the center of the square.

Zhang Fan once again stepped onto the high platform at the center square, with a stern face he said: "Each row leader is responsible for forming the ranks!"

After saying that, Zhang Fan stood still on the platform, but his eyes kept scanning outward around the square; after searching several rounds and not seeing a certain person's figure, he began to feel vaguely unhappy.

"That elm‑wood head! I told you not to come watch me, and you really didn't come! Humph! You're utterly stupid!"

Thinking this, Zhang Fan grew even more annoyed, almost wanting to rush home right away, grab someone and start questioning them! Fortunately he still had a bit of sense, knowing now wasn't the time to settle scores.

Zhang Fan collected himself, drove his annoyance from his mind. Calmly, he looked down at the females standing somewhat askew, then glanced at his watch; only then did he realize that, without noticing, it had already become lunchtime.

But looking at the females with their odd stances below, Zhang Fan couldn't help sighing in his heart: "Really a bunch of useless things! Can't even stand this? Looks like I need to train them more; otherwise, if they really went to the battlefield, they'd just be a sure‑fire drag on the males."

Thinking this, Zhang Fan no longer held back: "Now begin standing at attention! Whichever row finishes first gets to eat first; the rest stay standing until I'm satisfied."

Hearing Zhang Fan say that, the females below all became unwilling. They gathered in small groups and started whispering.

Seeing the females below start to whisper, Zhang Fan became even more furious; he directly took the short flute that Ba Ke Er had rushed to make for him overnight from his pocket, put it to his lips, and blew hard.

A piercing short‑flute sound issued from the bamboo flute in Zhang Fan's hand, carried by the wind, reverberating wildly over the tribe's central square.

Upon hearing the flute, the people below all covered their ears with their hands, faces grim; even their voices gradually faded away in the wind.

Zhang Fan saw that everyone had stopped speaking, and immediately put the short flute away. Looking at the crowd below, his eyes were like a lifeless dead pool, yet the corner of his mouth twitched into a meaningless smile, his expression a smirk without genuine feeling.

The females below had never seen Zhang Fan like this before; for a moment they were quite frightened. After all, in their impression, Zhang Fan was always that gentle, pretty, and skilled‑at‑cooking virtuous female.

Even if he occasionally played tricks, it was only petty mischief, hardly worth mentioning. Yet now Zhang Fan had, in an instant, refreshed everyone's impression of him!

At this moment, if it weren't for the unchanged female aura on his body, everyone would think the one standing before them was a male beastman who had endured countless life‑and‑death battles!

Then Zhang Fan spoke again, his voice now lacking its usual gentleness: "I say, stand at attention!"

Zhang Fan didn't say much, just a few simple words, and already the females below fell silent like cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe, without exception.

Even Fei Er and Nuoya, who usually were on very good terms with Zhang Fan, strictly followed his order, tensing their bodies below and standing expressionless.

Looking at the females below, each one straightened her body; Zhang Fan was actually quite pleased inside, but he showed nothing on his face, remaining stern‑faced.

It seemed as if, no matter how well those below performed, they never met his approval; yet he would fix his gaze on whoever hadn't stood properly, locking onto that entire row.

Thus, those who had hoped to skate by also abandoned their petty thoughts, for the wrath of an entire row is unpleasant enough—let alone the fact that Instructor Zhang Fan stood on the platform, eyes like a tiger watching its prey.

"I think everyone must be hungry by now, right? Aren't your stomachs already growling?"

After saying that, Zhang Fan gave a light, seemingly unintentional chuckle, then added: "Don't forget what I just said! The neatest, best team gets to eat first!"

After Zhang Fan's intentional‑unintentional hint, the females below all put in extra effort, vying to be the first team to eat; as a result, Zhang Fan didn't need to think further, and the females below were already standing neat and tidy.

Zhang Fan glanced at the rows below, nodded in satisfaction inwardly while showing nothing on his face: "Now, second row, sixth row! You may follow your row leaders to get food! The remaining rows, keep standing!"

After saying that, Zhang Fan nodded at the two row leaders of the second and sixth rows, signaling they could leave.

Seeing that Zhang Fan indeed kept his promise and let the well‑standing teams go eat first, the females below naturally redoubled their efforts to stand well, and their row leaders no longer had any desire to keep standing.

Especially the leader of the first row, Fei Er! After thinking it over, he still decided to ask Zhang Fan for guidance, so he left his squad, ran forward, stood before Zhang Fan, and then spoke.

"Report, Instructor!"

Zhang Fan looked at Fei Er with a amused expression, secretly pondering his intent, while keeping a composed smile and lightly nodding his head, showing great anticipation for what he would say next.

Fei Er, seeing Zhang Fan's nod, knew he had permission to speak, so he stopped holding back and said to Zhang Fan with a playful grin:

"I think your arrangement is totally unreasonable! Look, we have so many people standing here, and we don't know when we'll be able to stand properly. You, as the instructor, have clearly done what you should, yet you're making everyone stand hungry—how bad is that!"

"Why not let everyone go eat first? After they finish eating, they can continue standing—would that be all right?"

Fei Er's voice was just loud enough for the females below to hear clearly; upon hearing his suggestion, they all began to discuss, many voicing their agreement.

Fei Er, hearing the voices from below, smiled at Zhang Fan with growing smugness, even raising his eyebrows at him, and said triumphantly: "Look! Everyone is on my side, right?"

As for Fei Er's words, Zhang Fan acted as if he hadn't heard them, staring straight into Fei Er's eyes and saying: "Row leader Fei Er, do you believe or not that your proposal could make everyone skip eating?"

When Zhang Fan said that, Fei Er finally realized he might have done something inappropriate. And the females below, having heard Zhang Fan's words—each word crystal clear—took them to heart.

After that, the females below dared not speak again; each one followed Zhang Fan's earlier order and stood properly.

Looking at the situation below, Fei Er repeatedly cursed in his heart: "Damn, does it have to change this fast? It's totally catching people off guard! Humph! When I first spoke up, I didn't see you opposing me! -"

Thinking this resentfully, but Fei Er's face indeed showed none of these thoughts; instead, before Zhang Fan he put on a low‑brow, obedient lackey look, rubbing his hands and smiling obsequiously.

"Heh heh! Fan Fan, look, can I go down and stand at attention first? Or could you approve me to go eat first?"

Saying this, Fei Er rolled up his sleeves, looking shameless, and said: "Look, I've starved myself thin! Sniff… When I go back today, my Mo De will surely feel sorry for me!"

And you too—you've been hungry this long; when you get home, your Ba Ke Er will definitely feel bad for you! So you should really go eat with me early; why suffer hunger standing here?

After saying that, Fei Er made a miserable face, shrank his neck, then covered his stomach with his hand, looking pained.

Zhang Fan had originally wanted to keep up his stern‑instructor act, but seeing Fei Er look somewhat off, he couldn't hold back. He quickly reached out to steady Fei Er, and no longer paid attention to the females below standing at attention.

After a brief thought, he waved his hand and announced that everyone could disperse and go eat.

But what Zhang Fan didn't expect was that, the moment he called for everyone to eat, Fei Er, who had been leaning weakly in his arms, suddenly sprang up as if he'd taken a stimulant.

As soon as Fei Er broke free from Zhang Fan's embrace, he dashed off like a released hound, pulling Zhang Fan's hand toward the platform's base, winking and making faces at him all the way.

"Heh heh, Fan Fan, didn't I act this scene well? You really thought I had a stomachache just now, huh? Hahaha… You definitely don't get it, hahaha… But you don't need to understand, just as you said, geniuses are always misunderstood!"

Seeing Fei Er swaggering before his eyes, Zhang Fan truly felt his teeth itch with hatred; it took great effort for him to barely restrain the urge to drag him out and beat him up.

You little Fei Er! How dare you trick me? From now on in training, you'd better watch your hide! I won't be going easy on you anymore!

Having said that, Zhang Fan flung aside the disheveled Fei Er and walked toward the edge of the square where the food was being distributed.

Fei Er lay dazed for a while before coming to; just as he was about to keep pulling Zhang Fan along, he realized he had actually been tossed aside by Zhang Fan.

Seeing Zhang Fan already midway in the line, Fei Er didn't think twice and ran toward him, then, while Zhang Fan wasn't looking, cut in front of him.

After getting his meal, he then walked up to Zhang Fan holding his bowl, showing off wildly.

"Yo yo yo! Look, look! Isn't that our instructor? Why are you still in line? Hey, instructor, want me to give you my portion?"

Saying this, Fei Er pretended to offer his meal toward Zhang Fan. In fact, he did this knowing full well Zhang Fan wouldn't take it.

But what Fei Er didn't expect was that Zhang Fan actually took it! Oh my goodness, he really did take it! This left Fei Er flustered once again.

After receiving the meal Fei Er handed over, Zhang Fan bared his teeth at him, gave a little smile, and teased: "Fei Er, such a childish trick—only you could think of it. Oh, by the way, thanks for the food!"

After he finished speaking, Zhang Fan picked up Fei Er's meal, left the spot where he had been standing, and then placed the stunned Fei Er in that spot.

Okay, Fei Er, I also don't feel right eating your portion directly, so I'll just give my portion to you.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Fan turned and left with the meal, leaving only an arrogant back for Fei Er.

Fei Er only came to his senses after Zhang Fan left; he lifted his head to see the twenty-odd people lined up ahead of him, then silently lowered his head again, continuing to wait in line for the meal.