Chapter 7: Comrade

Guojun’s personality definitely fit his name; literally “national army,” Guojun was physically strong, mentally smart and decisive, and unfailingly loyal. Yuan met him when they were put in the same class, their final year of high school. Granted, most people were focused on studying for the college entrance examination, Yuan saw a simpler person in Guojun. He didn’t seem as stressed or competitively cut-throat as the other smart guys. In addition, despite being very physically fit, he was very gentile, so he was popular among both the guys and the girls. Yuan liked the fact that Guojun was always there to talk to, be it about schoolwork, dreams, the latest movie, or future aspirations. Guojun talked about joining the military; serving the country was what the men in his family have always done. Yuan didn’t want him to go, as him joining the military meant that he would be gone for long periods of time, and she wouldn’t be able to keep him by his side. However, Guojun could not be talked out of it; his mind was made up. Last Yuan saw of him, he signed up and marched off to private training camp.

“I hear Guojun is actually gay!” Read the text from her friend. Yuan dropped her phone; how is that possible? Guojun was probably one of the most “alpha male” types she ever knew. Snapping out of her daze, Yuan scrambles to pick up her phone up again, and calls her friend up, looking for an explanation. It turns out, that Guojun left the army after a year; he’s now running a gold farming enterprise with his partner, Shang. To everyone else, Guojun is being a filial son, running a business, making money to send back home to his parents, but as he secretly revealed to his girlfriend, he was only dating her to appear normal in front of his parents. Being the only son and only child of his parents, Guojun did not want anything to disappoint his parents. Yuan’s heart goes out to him; Guojun has always wanted to please his parents. He’s the true fighting comrade; ironically he also happens to be a tongzhi.