ZJU’s "Lava Chocolate": from signal corps to dragon boat captain

At the College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University (ZJU), XIONG Zhiyi (Class of 2020) is affectionately known to her peers as the "Lava Chocolate." The nickname perfectly captures her essence: a disciplined, resilient exterior protecting a warm, passionate heart. As a former combat zone signal soldier turned dragon boat captain, her journey is inspiring a new generation of students to find their own "inner fire."

XIONG Zhiyi's path was not always so clear. Like many freshmen, she arrived at ZJU feeling somewhat adrift. The turning point came during a political education seminar, where a female veteran shared her story of service. "I found myself yearning for that life," XIONG Zhiyi recalls. "Her experience convinced me that women belong in the military just as much as men."

Driven by this new conviction, XIONG Zhiyi spent her sophomore year preparing for enlistment. She pushed herself through a grueling daily fitness regimen to meet the military's stringent standards. "I told myself: if I can't even pass the physical entrance exam, how can I ever call myself a soldier?" Her tenacity paid off, and she successfully donned the uniform.

Military life was not the cinematic "action hero" experience XIONG Zhiyi had initially imagined. Instead of wielding a rifle on the front lines, she was assigned to a signal corps unit, ensuring 24/7 communication stability in a windowless server room.

"Even in the middle of the night, we had to answer every call within three rings. That was the responsibility," she says. Realizing that "there are different roles, but no hierarchy of duty," XIONG Zhiyi spent her off-hours mastering technical manuals and honing her skills, eventually becoming a backbone of her company.

Upon returning to campus, XIONG Zhiyi transitioned into leadership roles within the student veteran community. Serving as a drill instructor for two consecutive years, she became known for her rigorous tenderness. On the parade ground, she was a strict disciplinarian; during breaks, she would pull out her harmonica to play everything from military marches to pop ballads like Big Fish, using music to bridge the gap with freshmen. Even when a recurring leg injury flared up during a long-distance trek, she refused to fall out of formation, completing the march alongside her students.

XIONG Zhiyi's passion for discipline naturally flowed into competitive sports. As the captain of the ZJU Dragon Boat Team, she has led her crew to numerous victories. "The military taught me how to hold the line; the dragon boat taught me how to charge," she explains.

Beyond sports and academics, XIONG Zhiyi remains a dedicated community servant. She is a regular blood donor and serves as a peer counselor at the Chu Kochen Honors College, sharing her life lessons with incoming students. Whether in the barracks, on the water, or in the classroom, XIONG Zhiyi continues to pursue excellence in the ordinary, proving that a "heart of fire" can light the way for an entire campus.
Adapted and translated from the article written by CAI Shenxue
Translator: LU Yihsuan ('28, Literature)
Photo: the interviewees
Editor: JIANG Chenqi ('27, Structural Engineering), HAN Xiao