Free Web NovelChapter 160: Chapter 116: The War of the Few
Little brat?
Fang Huai turned his head to size up Wen Jingsong and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
That face was about the same age as his.
His "fate" with the First-class Soldier started with a laugh.
But this time, Fang Huai really had no reason to give way to him.
Just a First-class Soldier from another squadron.
"Didn’t laugh at anything, just now, you asked me to step aside, and I did, Squad Leader."
A faint smile lingered on Fang Huai’s face as he met his gaze without looking away.
"Yo, quite confrontational, huh? Talking to the Squad Leader like that?"
There were quite a few people near the finish line, and Wen Jingsong was loudly chastising Fang Huai there, his expression reading: undaunted and bold.
But he had asked the wrong person.
Cao Yi had just turned his head to see the two and noticed Wen Jingsong scolding Fang Huai, frowning slightly.
Enemies inevitably cross paths.
Looking back, just in time, Hao Chengbin arrived.
Having just reached the finish line and preparing to rest his knees for a moment, Hao Chengbin was patted by Cao Yi, who then nodded towards the two nearby with his chin.
Hao Chengbin looked up, just in time to encounter Wen Jingsong lecturing Fang Huai:
"Which Squad Leader taught you in the new recruit group? Taught you like this?"
That question was Hao Chengbin’s catchphrase, and he didn’t expect that today, a soldier he mentored would be questioned this way by someone else.
Hao Chengbin frowned and immediately stepped forward and spoke:
"I am his Squad Leader in the new recruit group, what about it?"
As soon as he said that, the non-commissioned officers who were about to intervene started watching the commotion with arms crossed.
Wen Jingsong was also startled by Hao Chengbin’s breathless statement, turning his head to glance at him, only to realize he didn’t recognize him.
Hao Chengbin, dressed in physical training gear without epaulettes, looked like a seasoned non-commissioned officer.
These words choked Wen Jingsong up all of a sudden.
Fang Huai laughed again.
You, a Second-year Soldier, strut around your own squadron, picking on the new recruit, and now you come to someone else’s squadron to lecture them, thinking too highly of yourself?
Unexpectedly, Wen Jingsong did not back down and said, "Squad Leader, this new recruit, can’t even be managed by a First-class Soldier in the Second Squadron. He was just smiling at me, seems like he hasn’t been trained well."
"I haven’t trained him well?" Hao Chengbin’s tone suddenly rose:
"Who is your new recruit Squad Leader?
I have been a model Squad Leader in the Base for six consecutive years, and there are two non-commissioned officers from your No.1 Squadron that were new recruits under me, and you’re questioning me?"
With that, he looked around and then pointed to a non-commissioned officer stretching on the side yelling, "Zhang Zhonghui, come here!"
"Eh, Squad Leader Hao! Coming!" That non-commissioned officer immediately waved and ran over.
Wen Jingsong felt a chill in his heart.
Damn, Zhang Zhonghui, a sixth-year, second stage officer, was actually mentored by him.
The officers below in the new recruit group don’t lead soldiers, this person here, is probably a third stage.
"Squad Leader..."
Just as Wen Jingsong was about to explain, Hao Chengbin continued to probe:
"First-class Soldier can’t be managed? Whose words are you listening to? Zhang Yang, or Qi Xiaohui, or Meng Qiang?"
Wen Jingsong was also made somewhat flustered by Hao Chengbin’s rapid-fire questioning.
You old non-commissioned officer think you’re so great? I’m also an Old Soldier now, well-recognized for strength, and even more so behind the scenes...
What do I have to fear from you?
Thinking this, Wen Jingsong managed a smile, "Heh, Squad Leader, Meng Qiang, Zhang Yang, Qi Xiaohui were all there just now, I didn’t make it up."
Hearing this, Hao Chengbin got somewhat heated: "Whatever you have to say, say it to their faces! Don’t go on whispering behind people’s backs!"
Zhang Yang was spreading word about Fang Huai’s flat feet around, and he hadn’t even had the chance to get angry yet!
"They are just over there..."
As Wen Jingsong spoke, he turned his head to look, only to find Zhang Yang and Qi Xiaohui had disappeared, and Meng Qiang, who was initially nearby, took one look at Hao Chengbin speaking and turned to walk away with a cigarette in his mouth.
Cowards.
Wen Jingsong cursed silently.
However, Zhang Zhonghui from the No.1 Squadron came up, grinning, "Squad Leader Hao, did you just arrive? We were saying we should treat you to a meal!"
Hao Chengbin didn’t turn around but said to Wen Jingsong, "He’s from your Squadron, right? Second-year?"
Zhang Zhonghui, upon seeing the tension between the two, let out a chuckle and said loudly, "Wen Jingsong, First-class Soldier, the son of Minister Wen from the Head of the Corps."
"Oh..." Hao Chengbin also laughed, "No wonder you speak so loudly, Young Master indeed!"
Wen Jingsong’s face changed.
He never expected the usually affable Zhang Zhonghui to suddenly bring up his father’s name.
If these words spread, it would dishonor his father.
Normally at the Squadron, everyone knew his father was the big shot in Logistics, and tended to accommodate him, but he felt it was what he deserved. After all, Wen Jingsong, like a hero’s son, always brought honor to his father!
Wen Jingsong retorted angrily, "Heh, Squad Leader Zhang, I admit I’m arrogant! It’s because I can afford to be, not because of who my father is!"
"Squad Leader Wen, well I too can afford to be arrogant, I have the right to laugh if I want, what’s the problem?" Fang Huai suddenly spoke up.
Hearing about Wen Jingsong’s background, Fang Huai didn’t want Hao Chengbin to clash with him head-on.
Mainly because Hao Chengbin had a hot temper, if he really got worked up and hit Wen Jingsong, that would be hard to deal with.
A vice division rank, although last in the pecking order, is still a leader in the Head of the Corps.
Fang Huai actually didn’t want to provoke him either, but if his uncle got promoted smoothly this year, this Wen might equally not want to mess with him.
As for making an enemy, it’s just offending a leader’s son, was it worth making an enemy out of his uncle over such a trifle?
"Hey." Wen Jingsong laughed at this remark, "Wait until you beat my new recruit record before you talk big!"
More and more people gathered around, and Wen Jingsong didn’t want to be the center of attention anymore. With Zhang Zhonghui already making his identity clear and people from both squadrons present, too much gossip would be unfavorable for his promotion next year.
His father had also taught him that the more crucial the moment, the more low-key he had to be.
This matter, he would remember, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle the score with this new recruit.
Fang Huai didn’t hold on to the indignation and stopped responding, ready to let it go.
Unexpectedly, Cao Yi came up with a stopwatch and said, "Fang Huai, Squad Leader Wen has thrown down the gauntlet to you. Do you dare accept it?"
Fang Huai was startled, looked around at the circle of squad leaders, and Squad Leader Hao’s eyes brimmed with encouragement. Then he stood firm and said, "I dare!"
Upon hearing this, Wen Jingsong started to have second thoughts.
The records for the single and parallel bars in the new recruit evaluation of the Detachment were all held by him. These were one of his few records, and he had even earned a third-class merit because of them.
If they were really broken, wouldn’t he lose an honor he could proudly speak of?
Cao Yi clapped his hands:
"Great! Seeing how confident you are, we’ll let go of the matter of your girlfriend being angry with us!
Come on, here is your package!"
Fang Huai was utterly confused.
Yang Shaoqing? Angry with you?
Hao Chengbin also seemed to realize something. He chuckled and beckoned Fang Huai over, saying, "Come on, come here."
"Hey, Instructor Cao, you’re still holding the stopwatch! Does that mean the rest don’t count for the evaluation?" someone reminded when they saw Cao Yi about to leave.
Cao Yi turned his head, saw that there were still at least a dozen people running on the playground, and lost his temper:
"24 minutes are up, what’s there to count for the evaluation?"
That person immediately responded with chagrin, "They want to save some energy to play with the First Squadron..."
"Save what energy! I don’t care about the First Squadron, but for the Second Squadron, anyone else who deliberately dawdles, forget about playing soccer! You’ll just jog slowly around the track all afternoon!"
Fang Huai was astounded.
Well, for most people in the new recruit group, even racing to their limit, they wouldn’t make it in 24 minutes. But to this guy, that’s considered taking a stroll.
And then looking at Brother Yong, who was ’strolling’ on the playground, gasping for breath and hands on hips, truly evoked pity.
...
Cao Yi took down a large package from the Number 2 vehicle parked by the entrance of the sports field.
Inside the package were two smaller packages, one white, one black, and a letter.
To Fang Huai’s surprise, Cao Yi pulled out the black package and tossed it onto the car.
Fang Huai’s eyes widened, "Instructor Cao, why are you robbing it?"
Cao Yi, however, pushed the package towards him, saying impatiently, "Just look for yourself!"
Fang Huai picked up the letter and read it.
The letter was short:
To the leaders of the Firefighting Special Service Squadron: Greetings upon reading this.
I am a friend of Fang Huai. I know you will open this package, but there’s only beef jerky inside. The white package is for him, the black one is for you. Thank you for protecting our lives and property without regard for your own safety!
I kindly ask you to properly train Fang Huai so that he can become an outstanding firefighter soldier!
^_^ ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Fang Huai felt a warmth in his heart.
Then he was startled again.
Damn it, they gave you beef jerky, even prepared a separate package for you, and you say they’re angry with you?
Seeing his confusion, Hao Chengbin laughed and said, "There’s another one inside, open it up and take a look."
Only then did Fang Huai take out the white smaller package.
This one had obviously been opened before as well, but someone had used a big piece of clear tape to reseal the original opening.
Fang Huai was speechless.
Such crude handiwork clearly didn’t match the original packaging, and yet why bother resealing it after opening it as if to deceive?
Without hesitation, Fang Huai tore open the tape.
As soon as he opened it, suddenly, a rather long snake sprang out.
A toy snake.
It startled Fang Huai, but his reaction was quick, and as it sprang out, Fang Huai grabbed it.
"Damn, this girl...," Fang Huai said, still in shock.
Instructor Cao only then started to laugh.
Fang Huai noticed besides the beef jerky, there was another letter:
Hmph, I knew this letter would be opened, too. Leaders, you need to learn to respect others’ privacy!
(-.-)
Fang Huai: I recently visited Uncle Fang. He told me Uncle Zhang informed him about your achievements and was very happy about it. Lately, he’s been quitting smoking. You also need to train well and keep pushing on.
Actually, I have a lot more to tell you, but I asked Uncle Zhang, and he said someone might see it, so I don’t want them to read it, haha~
This brand of beef jerky, I saw you buying it once, so I guess it must be to your liking, right?
That’s all for now, I have to rush to send this letter.
Good night.
Fang Huai weighed the package of beef jerky in his hand, caught between laughter and tears.
It might be over two pounds.
If both packages were added together, it might be four or five pounds.
He had indeed loved this before, but he’d never indulged in buying so much, with one pound costing around eighty to ninety yuan!
Only when he was particularly flush could he afford to buy half a pound.
Such extravagant spending, that’s typical of rich girl Yang Shaoqing.
Fang Huai looked at the passenger’s car door, feeling somewhat reluctant to part with it, thinking about snatching it back.
After Cao Yi saw him finish "inspecting the goods," his expression turned serious.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "Fang Huai, if you want to become an officer, you need to be prepared for competition. That Wen Jingsong from earlier is also aiming for the same goal.
This is a battle for the few. There aren’t many with the qualifications, and the spots are even scarcer. He’s definitely your rival.
If you’ve set your mind on it, you really have to break his new recruit records."
(The third Chapter to be continued in the middle of the night)
