Free Web NovelChapter 104: Chapter 62 The Squad Leader’s Phone Call
Tonight’s exam, Fang Huai’s test paper was the first to be turned in, and Wang Jian also used this free time to check the answers against his own.
Soon, the results were out, and as everyone had finished submitting their papers, Wang Jian announced Fang Huai’s exam score.
As expected, a perfect score!
This test paper no longer surprised anyone.
A paper filled with multiple-choice and short-answer questions, even with a perfect score, could not match the impact of Fang Huai reciting an entire section on "formation transition."
The events that unfolded in the first half of the evening were completely overshadowed by the brilliance of the second half.
Moreover, Instructor Liang was making a point with reciting regulations. If Fang Huai could not recite them at all, he would still be partially at fault.
But with such a dazzling operation, who could say anything? He just felt he had been treated unfairly and spoke out, that’s all!
Shouldn’t such excellent talent be treated fairly?
You, Instructor Liang, as an instructor who engages in ideological work every day, could you recite the regulations this perfectly?
...
When lining up to return to the New Training Building, the space around Fang Huai was exceptionally large, as if the pressure from this god of war was too much to bear.
Even the charging warrior Yue Tao felt too intimidated to approach.
Aura is not something that exists by itself; it’s all about the labels others see in you.
And now, Fang Huai’s label was at least at a Krypton Gold Boss Level.
He just had a confrontation with an instructor, and then the Company Squad Leader stood up to applaud him.
With this skill activation, it’s uncertain whether he had activated teammate damage-free mode or all-out attack mode; everyone could only think, "Stay away from him, stay far away, damn."
Else they could not withstand either the collateral damage or the aggroed mobs he pulled in.
A shining moment.
But Fang Huai was still not quite satisfied.
During the recitation, he had called out to the system numerous times.
Not even a task; the system gave him no face this time!
Exploits were hard to come by.
This time it all depended on ranking up with the system, which really didn’t give a damn about him.
...
When nearly at the door of the New Training Building, Pan Zhaohui pulled him out of line.
"Fang Huai, after you go back, take charge of your squad properly. You are the Deputy Squad Leader, so do the work of a Deputy Squad Leader.
But don’t have any more conflicts with the instructor.
We old soldiers are all under his control; we need to restrain ourselves, and as a new recruit, you can’t escape that either.
You’ll be with the new recruit group for at least two more months; think carefully about your situation. You’re not a personnel with special relationships; it’s okay to stand out, but if something goes wrong, in the end, no one will cover for you."
Old Pan was unusually serious.
Fang Huai always believed that old soldiers like Old Pan, with a semi-conscious conscience, were sometimes there and sometimes not.
But today’s words counted as a sincere warning.
It was clear to Fang Huai that Pan Zhaohui had come from a group of non-commissioned officers from Squad Seven; they had probably discussed it and let him, the temporary squad leader of Squad Nine, come forward to deliver this message.
These words represented both recognition and advice from the old soldiers.
Fang Huai thought for a moment but did not make any promises. Instead, he asked, "Squad leader, which day is the team demonstration?"
"Oh, just got notified; it’s been postponed to next Wednesday. Why, do you want to go and give a demonstration to everyone?" Before even getting to the third sentence, Pan Zhaohui had reverted to his mocking tone, his face filled with ridicule.
Fang Huai was suddenly bewildered. Next Wednesday??
Damn, today’s only Tuesday!
When’s the squad leader coming back then?
...
"Squad leader, when are you coming back?"
"I’ll be back this weekend!"
Fang Huai was on the phone, and in addition to Squad Leader Hao’s voice, there was a commotion and a woman singing in the background, still singing "Mice Love Rice."
The atmosphere sounded lively, almost as if it was a wedding.
It seemed that Squad Leader Hao’s grandfather was having a funeral, and they had even hired a dance troupe to perform.
And from the mood in Squad Leader Hao’s voice, he seemed to be in good spirits.
Fang Huai felt somewhat relieved.
"I heard about today from Squad Six Leader; you did well! I’m aware of the matter with the instructor and you were wronged! Tell them to perform well too, and I’ll bring you guys some food when I come back!"
Suddenly, an elderly voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Cheng Bin, time for the filial son to kneel! Your dad has gout and can’t kneel, hurry up!"
"Uncle! I’m discussing squad affairs!"
"What squad, squad affairs? Take care of your family matters first! Hurry, it’s almost time for the ritual. The celestial master has opened the gates to heaven, and your grandfather is waiting for you! Let your grandfather bless you to become a leader! Our family has never had a..."
Fang Huai was startled, then turned red-faced.
"Beep beep beep."
Perhaps feeling embarrassed by the content his "uncle" was discussing, Squad Leader Hao quickly hung up the call.
Fang Huai was left holding the phone, and upon reflection, he almost burst out laughing.
Seeing Fang Huai’s face turn red, Yang Hui couldn’t help but ask.
"What’s wrong? Did Squad Leader Hao explain everything clearly?"
"Explained, he explained it clearly." Fang Huai bit his lower lip with his upper teeth, struggling to hold back.
"Then why are you laughing?" Yang Hui glared.
Your squad leader is busy with a funeral, and you’re laughing so happily, is that appropriate?
The other new recruits around were stunned. Damn, you were the one accusing us of being heartless this morning, and yet you’re the one laughing so happily tonight!
The more he thought about it, the more amused Fang Huai became until he finally burst into laughter: "Haha... Squad leader, I can’t hold it in anymore... hahaha, let me tell you. Can you promise not, not to tell anyone else?"
"Sure, tell me!" Yang Hui urged anxiously.
"It seems like the squad leader is holding a ritual over there, doing the big ceremony..."
...
Five minutes later, Yang Hui walked out of Squad Nine, laughing uncontrollably.
The whole squad went crazy with laughter.
"Chirp, chirp!"
Hearing the whistle outside, Fang Huai immediately held back his laughter and habitually bent down to look for the basin under the bed, ready to wash up and catch up on some sleep.
Yesterday evening was so exhausting, and today has been just as tiring...
At this thought, Fang Huai suddenly widened his eyes.
Right... last night.
Outside, Wang Jian’s voice came at the same time.
"Squad Seven, late training class, gather downstairs!"
Fang Huai looked up and exchanged glances with Yue Tao and Zhao Bing, who were taking off their shoes and socks. All three simultaneously let out a heartfelt sigh.
"Damn! Evening exercise too!"
...
New Recruit Diary: Yue Tao.
December 11th, 2007, Weather: clear︎
Today the squad leader went home, he was not here.
Fang Huai looked particularly handsome today, reciting many orders. (???) freewebnøvel.coɱ
But there’s still evening training.
Jiang Peng finally left and is not coming back!
Squad Leader He is very nice, didn’t hit anyone, didn’t scold me, and even took us to see the training tower we really wanted to see.
Squad Leader He said that it’s for training us how to ascend floors, with window rope descending, 12-meter rope climbing, weighted rush upstairs, and climbing irregular walls, there were others, I can’t remember.
Latter on, Squad Leader He said we didn’t have enough time, so we didn’t run five kilometers. We did 300 push-ups and then finished the drill. (He made us do 300 push-ups!!)
I’m very happy today.
——————————
At 11 o’clock, Fang Huai, holding a flashlight that Yue Tao had found from who knows where in one hand and a pen in the other, started amending and scribbling in his notebook.
He was mentally and physically exhausted.
"Why are you even keeping a diary..." Fang Huai complained.
"I want to record all these things to look back on when I’m old!"
In just over a hundred words, there were more than a dozen typos. When Yue Tao introduced himself as a new recruit, he even said he had been a deputy squad leader.
He got his own name wrong, for goodness’ sake!
But he also got Jiang Peng’s name wrong and didn’t bother correcting it.
"Yue Tao, I’m afraid you won’t even understand your own diary when you’re old..."
"I will understand it," Yue Tao said with conviction.
"If you can understand it, why do you need me to correct it? Why don’t you just read it yourself?"
"Our teacher said that diaries need to be submitted every day for correction!"
"Corrections aren’t for diaries! And who the hell writes diaries?"
"Writing a diary is meant for others to read!"
"...You’re absolutely right, congratulations, you’ve grasped the essence of traffic in the New Internet Era."
...
The next day, after breakfast, Fang Huai was called to the Joint Office.
Both Wang Jian and Liang Longhui were there, and upon entering the Brigade Department, he saw a bulky silhouette from behind.
"Hello Company Leader, hello Instructor," Fang Huai greeted as he stood by Zhang Yizhang.
Wang Jian cut straight to the point, reminding, "Someone has reported that the night before last, you had a verbal altercation? And that it escalated to a physical fight?"
Fang Huai glanced sideways at Zhang Yizhang’s face. The bruise had not completely faded. He sighed, ready to speak.
Yet Zhang Yizhang spoke up first.
"Instructor, Company Leader, we didn’t fight! I practiced martial arts before. Fang Huai suggested a friendly sparring, and so we sparred!" he said, touching his face lightly. "Injuries like this, we used to get them every day."
Fang Huai’s heart skipped a beat.
What’s he playing at?
When Fang Huai came in, he thought Zhang Yizhang had confessed.
Looking at this, it seemed Old Pan must have coached Zhang Yizhang on what to say if anyone asked.
"You’re still lying!" Liang Longhui reached into his inner pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and slammed it onto the table.
"Someone has written an accusation letter! Dozens of people were there; do you think you could hide it?"
Fang Huai wasn’t frightened by this. He clearly saw it was a blank A4 sheet on both sides, with one side filled with writing.
And it was quite full.
Fang Huai clenched his teeth, wanting to say directly, "We fought, what the hell do you want to do about it?" seeing Liang Longhui looking triumphant as if he had caught him red-handed.
But seeing Zhang Yizhang standing firm without speaking, if Fang Huai just followed his temper, it would probably be irresponsible to others.
According to the regulations, fighting could lead to a minor verbal warning or more severe punitive measures, with both individuals involved being punished.
However, the most severe punishment of demotion wouldn’t apply to them since both soldiers did not hold any rank.
But if Fang Huai stubbornly resisted Liang Longhui, he would definitely try to push the issue towards a severe punishment.
This accusation must have been made by Jiang Peng, Fang Huai thought, not without reason.
Jiang Peng had been absent the previous night, and Fang Huai had felt something was amiss.
And it surely wasn’t someone who was there the whole time who reported it; otherwise, another person would be present today: Yue Tao.
Yue Tao was much craftier, and a few words would have given him away. He might even have believed that speaking out was a courageous act, detailing everything clearly.
Of those who were there, only Jiang Peng could have been ignorant of the whole incident.
Jiang Peng had been ordered to do push-ups by Squad Leader Hao when he returned, missing the resolution of the situation. And after running five kilometers, he was probably too exhausted to hear clearly.
Afterwards, the squad leader took everyone back, and there was no chance for conversation within the formation.
If Zhang Yizhang also kept silent, then all Jiang Peng knew was that Fang Huai and Zhang Yizhang had fought.
But Wang Lian had said Fang Huai argued with Zhang Yizhang.
The one who had the actual argument with Battalion Commander Zhang was Yue Tao.
I was just the one who got physical.
Gauging by this, it seemed like Jiang Peng, upon hearing Fang Huai’s complaint the day before, thought he had found a strong ally in Liang Longhui. Eagerly, he went to report to Liang Longhui, who then gave him an A4 paper to write down the incident.
Instructor Liang was indeed impatient.
Armed with an accusation letter and without even questioning further, he came to confront them.
But this incident happened a whole day ago; it was almost too late to investigate it any further.
It was smart of him to involve Wang Jian today.
