After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 116: Chapter 73: No spending in the military camp?

On the Mercedes Benz e200k, the song "god is a girl" was playing.

Fang Huai sat in the car, smelling the faint scent of wood air freshener, completely relaxed with his eyes closed.

It felt as though he had stepped out of the barracks and entered another bustling world, with neon lights crisscrossing and crowds bustling.

He was a city kid, with prosperity all around his home. Beyond the old street of Wild Water Ditch was the metropolis; he would sometimes brush past the hustle and bustle but never really immersed himself in it.

Now, perhaps in that military camp, that regiment, that company, that squad, he was someone extraordinary, but if he left that military camp, he would be as ordinary as anyone else.

The figure of Han Yong might suddenly start to loom large.

Still need to make some money.

An ordinary person who had worked in the big cities of Chongqing and Guangzhou for ten years after rebirth had never stopped thinking this.

He did not know how the military characters in novels could be portrayed as being without desires, as if they had become part of the iron-clad barracks.

At least his five years of military service were not like that.

Even staying in the barracks, the matter of money was still plagued with petty troubles.

Small expenses started with the convenience store, buying daily necessities, occasionally treating comrades to a drink or a pack of cigarettes, or having late-night snacks and such.

If you were stingy, and it went on for too long, you would definitely get talked about behind your back.

Don’t mention your good physical fitness or skill at your job, don’t act too cocky; if you’re not a good person, nobody in the squadron will care about you, and your same year soldiers will curse you behind your back.

Transferred to a new squadron, spending money on treating everyone to late-night snacks could make people smile at you a little more.

Bigger expenses came after becoming a Non-commissioned officer: someone in the service was getting married, someone’s family had an event, contributing money to the gift fund, and so on. Not to mention much, but he must have spent at least thirty thousand yuan in his previous five years as a soldier.

Even bigger than that, buying a new mobile phone, a computer—any comrade who had a girlfriend was basically short on money.

Anyway, Fang Huai’s five years of military life, his salary was never enough each month, and occasionally he had to borrow from comrades.

And in this life, his ambitions far exceeded just that.

Reborn once, he did not want to be troubled by money anymore.

...

The female cadre driving in the front row was named Zhang Ning, and the male cadre in the passenger seat was named Zhong Ling.

The male cadre’s name sounded like the English version of the female cadre’s name; it was a wonder how they got to work in the same office.

Both were cadres from the Base, and it was already the end of the workday, dressed in civilian clothes.

Zhang Ning was quite attractive, slim, pretty tall, with a baby face, looking quite young.

But she was married, apparently to the son of a chemical company president; her family was quite wealthy.

For a good-looking female Firefighting officer, as long as they want to go for it, they usually marry well.

A female military officer, after all, has a status that is enough to transcend social class, especially in an urban setting without the need to run all over the place. Many wealthy families quite like having such a daughter-in-law.

"Little Fang, I heard you are quite talented, even the Regimental commander Zhang from the provincial city has taken notice of the song you wrote. So, what, planning to head to the Provincial Brigade in the future?"

Zhong Ling and Zhang Ning chatted for a while in the front row but seemed to get bored and began to talk to Fang Huai.

Fang Huai sat up straighter and answered.

"Yes, that’s right, Special Service Squadron 2."

"Special Duty? They have high physical requirements over there!" Zhong Ling said with a laugh, as if he didn’t quite believe someone who could get by on talent could have that good of physical condition.

"Should be okay, I think there won’t be any issues." freeweɓnøvel.com

Fang Huai smiled, looking out the car window; the Base’s cadres were more toward the administrative side, so there was not much for him to say on this matter.

This trip out was only because everyone was going to handle an affair together; there was no direct command structure, and the superior-subordinate relationship wasn’t as clear-cut.

In fact, strictly speaking, if there were any disagreements, they should follow his lead.

Zhang Ning in the front seat saw they were entering the city and began to inquire, "Fang... Huai, is it? Like the Huaihe River, right?"

"Yeah, that’s right."

"Does your song have any particular requirements for the recording studio?

The one we’ve found used to belong to a boss of a unit we partnered with. I’m not sure about the exact equipment, but I’ve visited once, and the size and décor seemed quite good."

Fang Huai scratched his head:

"Umm... newer equipment should do, there’s been quite a quick turnover with equipment in recent years. The main thing is to have a good arranger.

They might also need to coordinate some musicians.

But as long as there’s a good arranger, they can usually handle these things, they know a lot of people.

We’re there to record a guitar-version demo, it should take about two to three days, then I can communicate with the arranger about the main content of the music.

Actually... I think it would be best to have a female voice, a male and female duet, that way the MV scenes can be more diverse, with footage of us singing. Since we’ll appear on screen, it would be best to have someone good-looking."

Zhang Ning let out a snicker, "How about me then?"

Zhang Ning seemed to be mostly joking, but Fang Huai nodded earnestly.

"Sure! We could give it a try, you have a good image. I just don’t know about your singing ability."

Zhang Ning immediately fell silent.

After not hearing Fang Huai speak for a good while, she glanced at the rearview mirror and saw that he seemed to be in deep thought; feeling somewhat flustered, she quickly said.

"Don’t take it seriously! I’m tone-deaf when it comes to singing!"

Fang Huai, however, laughed, "I didn’t take it seriously. I was just considering how to communicate with the arranger, that’s all. You guys can start looking for the person; we have at least a few days to get the music sorted before the rush.

If you can’t find anyone, I might ask a friend."

As he spoke, Fang Huai thought of the first person he would call.

After having reported back safely to his parents, perhaps only Brother Yang’s voice could match this rare leisure time.

His mobile phone was out of charge; he could charge it later and give her a call first.

"Oh? Your girlfriend?" Zhong Ling teased.

"Nah, a top student from Sichuan Conservatory of Music, I’m not worthy," Fang Huai said with a laugh, feeling somewhat nervous inside.

"What’s wrong with Sichuan Conservatory of Music?" Zhang Ning protested, "Fang Huai, you don’t know this but Firefighting guys are quite popular with girls out there!"

"He’s still a new recruit; where does he have time for a girlfriend after getting to the squadron? Every day he has to train! Zhang, you haven’t been in the field, you don’t understand!" Zhong Ling argued.

"He won’t be a new recruit forever! As long as the girl likes him, can’t she just wait for him?"

"Hey, you make it sound so simple. The girlfriend I had before said we’d be together forever when I enlisted, guess how long that lasted?

Three months! When I called her from the base, her number had already changed! She promised to send me a ’good night’ text every day, but guess what, on the twelfth day, she stopped sending them!"

The two expressed their opinions, which unsettled Fang Huai, who had been calm up until then.

Shit, I’m just making a call; why am I getting nervous now? fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

[Task: Call! Why be a coward? Waiting for happiness to drop from the sky? ("Brother Yang’s timidity" remaining 78/100)]

Crooked day.

Turning me into a neighborhood committee auntie is one thing, but system, don’t mess with my love life, hey!

Fang Huai was feeling indignant.

[Cancel this task?]

[3.]

Fang Huai’s eyes widened.

No, no need!

Damn.

If Brother Yang can be shy, can’t I be shy for once?

Call, just call!

"I’m telling you, you’re underestimating a girl’s feelings! My husband is from the People’s Liberation Army too, didn’t I wait for him?"

"Sister Zhang, I wasn’t talking about you, why are you getting so worked up?"

The two in the front row kept quarreling, fiercely defending their views on relationships.

Fang Huai finally understood how these two spent their workdays, making such a fuss even over a new recruit’s love life.

"Um... Secretary Zhang."

The two in front stopped.

Zhang Ning seemed a bit irritated already and said gruffly, "What? Do you also think girls are pragmatic?"

Fang Huai cleared his throat and said, "No, it’s not about whether it’s pragmatic. You guys can continue arguing later, but I thought I heard the navigation say we were supposed to turn left at the last intersection."

Squeak... Screech.

The car came to a stop.

...

Twenty minutes later.

The recording studio is really quite spacious, and the lighting is bright. From the lobby, there are several rooms visible.

Different people are entering and exiting various rooms. When they open the doors, some noise spills out, and as soon as the doors close, it becomes immediately silent again.

The soundproofing is really good.

People passing by occasionally glance at Fang Huai, looking quite curious.

To be precise, they are looking at his military uniform.

A few minutes go by.

A slightly plump young man enters the lobby.

"Hello, Boss Wu!" Zhang Ning stood up to greet him.

"Oh, hello, hello, sorry I’m late!" Boss Wu speaks with a wheezy breath, apparently having run over.

This era’s Firefighting, truly a unit with capability.

It seems this boss usually doesn’t take care of this place at all, must be worth a fortune, yet he rushed over because of a phone call.

The staff in the recording studio lobby finally stood up to greet Boss Wu.

"What are you doing standing there? Get some water!" Boss Wu hurriedly instructed upon seeing that the resting table in front of the three was devoid of even a glass of water.

"No need, no need, just show us the recording room, yeah?" Zhang Ning glanced at her watch, indicating they were on a tight schedule.

Fang Huai also bent down to unplug his charger and pressed his phone.

Finally, it powered on.

Shit, after charging for more than ten minutes, it only got a tiny bit of battery.

Phones these days, I really can’t be bothered to complain.

"Boss Wu, do you have a music arranger and keyboardist here? Also, we might need to borrow a guitar," Fang Huai said, noticing they still hadn’t mentioned the main point, and promptly added.

Boss Wu took a look at Fang Huai before saying with a smile.

"Don’t worry, we’ve got it all, come with me."

Leading the way to a room, Boss Wu introduced it as they walked.

"Tonight, our studio’s ace arranger, Teacher Chen Cang is here too. I had to talk him into staying late for overtime work...well, it’s only fair!

The comrades from Firefighting have it tough too!

It’s just... he’s a bit arrogant. If he doesn’t like the music you’re making... never mind, I’ll make sure he works with you!"

Speaking this, Boss Wu opened a door.

The room was small, but the neighboring room, the recording studio visible through the soundproof glass, was large.

Inside, two people were present: one was operating a computer, the other talking alongside.

"Chen Cang! Here, let me introduce you to the comrades from Firefighting!" Boss Wu tapped the standing one.

Chen Cang looked somewhat impatient, put on the headphones next to him, and without turning his head, raised his hand and said.

"Wait a second! Let me finish this segment!"

Boss Wu’s face immediately turned a shade of awkward as he grumbled, "There’s no helping it, this is how it is with people in music, once they work, they’re completely absorbed."

"No worries, no worries, we can wait," seeing this, Zhang Ning didn’t want to press further and quickly gestured with her hand.

Fang Huai couldn’t help but laugh lightly, thinking this guy had character, not even afraid to offend the big boss.

"Let’s try the room next door for now." Having seen the electric guitar outside through the glass wall, Fang Huai was eager to give it a try.

Whether it was the guitar that Squad Leader Hao had, or the one sent by his uncle, none could produce the sound of pop music.

That one, that was the guitar he wanted.