Free Web NovelChapter 185: Chapter 137: Retracing the Previous Path
Today, it’s not just the conscripts out for a night run.
The entire squadron is, too.
An unexpected martial arts competition schedule has everyone adding additional training during their rest time.
The departing procession was impressive, with four fire trucks following along.
The chosen route was much more regular, a 13-kilometer loop without many side paths. The instructor told everyone they could speed up for a free run, but to be mindful of safety.
And they could only move along the main road.
This was to ensure the fire trucks could pick up the runners along the way in case of an emergency call.
Surprisingly, Hao Chengbin didn’t drive either, and went along with Fang Huai.
A few conscripts near Fang Huai automatically gave them space, knowing they had matters to discuss.
Fang Huai had gained some strength and naturally established a core position within the group. Even Zhang Yang, who usually defied everyone, saw Fang Huai’s progress and had a premonition.
This batch of new recruits might produce another He Zhijun.
After a while, Hao Chengbin took the initiative to speak:
"Did you ask the instructor today if you could participate in the corps martial arts competition?"
"Yes, but the instructor didn’t agree."
"Admirable courage, but you’ve been with us for too short a time. There’s a lot you haven’t even learned yet. Watch more, learn more, and prepare well for the next competition."
Fang Huai, encouraged by Hao Chengbin, smiled and shook his head, "Squad leader, I know that stuff isn’t hard, it’s just that I don’t have a strong enough foundation. My legs still lack explosive power.
I didn’t intend to participate, but I do want to train with them."
Hao Chengbin listened and nodded appreciatively:
"Not bad, you have a good understanding of yourself!
Training together is no problem! The venue is in the Second Squadron; I’ll take charge. When we train, I’ll make a spot for you!
This half-month, I’m going to focus on your legs, and also work off some of that extra fat you’re carrying!
During the corps martial arts competition, you’ll get a clear view of where your gap lies.
Remember!...Huh... Only comprehensive strength counts as true strength!
During the competition, if you have a weak point, you lose too many points, or even worse, you fail an item completely and score zero, then forget about being in the top two or three; you won’t even be close to the top five!"
"I think you have a great mental state. Your squad leader has high hopes for you! Once all your basic skills are up to par, I will teach you everything I’ve learned in the troops over the years!"
Fang Huai laughed, "I got it, squad leader. That move you taught me last time, the mid-air window leap, I’ll definitely bring it to the national competition!"
Hao Chengbin’s face darkened, "Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all," Fang Huai earnestly replied. "That move from last time, even though it incorporated gymnastics, I really couldn’t have thought of doing it that way without your teaching!"
That was Fang Huai’s genuine sentiment. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
If Hao Chengbin hadn’t demonstrated it, how could the system have triggered proper instruction?
Such little maneuvers the system couldn’t even search for!
"Hmm..." Finally satisfied, Hao Chengbin nodded, "It’s good you know how to be humble! I still have some clout in the corps!
Sss... Huh... If there’s something you want to learn, tell me. I’ll find you the best teachers for those subjects to instruct you!"
"Yes, squad leader!"
"You can really run without getting winded, kid! Hurry up! Go catch up with Huang Yong in front!"
"Why chase Squad Leader Huang? With those short legs of his! I’m going after Squad Leader Xiao Hei up front! Bye, squad leader!"
...
"Hey, this kid."
Hao Chengbin watched Fang Huai, brimming with energy, gradually draw away and began to reminisce about the champions’ dreams he once harbored himself.
Back then, the national firefighting conditions were subpar, and by the time regular and formal competitions were established, he was almost a second stage officer.
Never admitting defeat, he furiously practiced those subjects for years. As a second stage officer, model squad leader, and veteran squad leader, he had gained some influence, but still humbled himself to learn and train.
Yet he never managed to achieve any significant individual ranking in large competitions.
Now, in his tenth year of service, he had turned down Captain Zhang’s kind offer to move to a second-line position and relit the flames of his youth.
At twenty-eight, why wouldn’t he still be in his prime?
His body might not be in its easiest-to-improve state, but he possessed the heart of a soldier who trained as if he were still a rookie.
"Charge!" Hao Chengbin shouted, tightening the empty call device on his chest, and suddenly picked up his pace.
If he couldn’t keep his peak, then he’d retrace his steps to return to it.
...
This week, the Qian trigram represents heaven, and the trapped dragon gets water.
The area under their jurisdiction remained safe, calamities did not turn into disasters, and everything went smoothly.
"Brother Yang, what are you doing?"
With his hair now slightly longer and matted together by sweat, Fang Huai leaned back in the chair in Squad Four’s resting room, leisurely holding onto Squad Leader Hao’s mobile phone, enjoying the quiet of the afternoon.
"Wow, you’re able to make calls again!" Yang Shaoqing sounded surprised.
This was the third time this week Fang Huai had called her, seemingly signifying that Fang Huai was close to achieving "telephone freedom."
"Of course!" Fang Huai laughed with a bit of pride:
"I need to call you more!
You don’t know how stingy our squad leader is!
The other day I talked to you for too long, and he grumbled about it, saying his phone was about to be cut off because of me!
So yesterday, I went right to the convenient store across the street and topped up his phone with 500 yuan of credit!
From now on, I have to make sure I call you enough to get my money’s worth!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the resting room door opened and Hao Chengbin glared at him: ƒrēewebnovel.com
"Using my phone to make calls and you dare talk behind my back?"
"Geese, geese..." Yang Shaoqing on the other end tried to stifle her laughter upon hearing Hao Chengbin’s voice.
Fang Huai immediately put his hands together in an apologetic gesture towards the fuming squad leader. After Hao Chengbin left, he continued smugly:
"No worries, I’ve sent him away!"
Brother Yang’s voice was a bit lazy and reproachful, "When you’re using someone’s phone to make calls, you should say a few nice things, silly."
"Not a single bit better, my relationship with my squad leader is way too good. If I say nice things, he gets annoyed."
As Fang Huai said this, he lay back, sprawled out in the chair, shaking his tired legs from the past few days of training.
Yang Shaoqing smiled amusedly, "Is that the squad leader you mentioned before?"
"Yeah, he’s a good guy. I’ll introduce you when you come over."
"Alright, I’ll come tomorrow." Yang Shaoqing suddenly laughed.
Fang Huai was startled for a second before letting out a sigh of relief, "Brother Yang, you’re just trying to scare me, right?"
"Goose, goose, did you rescue some girl who is now so grateful that she wants to marry you, and you’re afraid I’ll come over and catch you in the act?"
Fang Huai glared, "Whoa, what did you have for breakfast this morning, hot and sour noodles? That much jealousy?"
"Pfft, who’s jealous! I’m not talking to you anymore! Nothing you say is nice!"
Fang Huai could feel the shyness coming through the phone and laughed:
"Haha, my mom always said I’m like a snail, and snails are suited to live in acidic soil, so being a bit sour is good."
"Hmmph! Aunt Zhang meant that you’re slow in doing things! I’m Shaoqing! It means fast, and if you keep dawdling like this, you won’t be able to keep up with me!"
Oh? Are little girls these days skilled in playing with words?
"Okay, Yang, very fast. I will train hard, don’t worry. As a firefighter, our specialty is flipping through windows and breaking walls; there’s no door I can’t enter, no household register I can’t reach." Fang Huai poured himself a glass of water and said with a light smile.
After speaking, he suddenly realized, Yang very fast... Yang very quickly...
This name is not one to be called.
"Fang Snail! Do you believe I’ll cook you and eat you with mustard and soy sauce!"
"Hey, you should have said that earlier. After all this time, you’re just craving my body!" Fang Huai cheekily retorted:
"And besides, snails are usually cooked with garlic and salt; that’s the way to go, right?
That’s totally how you eat river snails! You’re eating snails plain boiled? The sewage hasn’t even reached the sea yet! Little foodie, are you really not that picky?"
"Fang Huai!! Who’s craving you..." Yang Shaoqing was about to get angry.
"Attention, attention!"
"Everyone, assemble downstairs in ten minutes for training!"
Fang Huai glanced at the small clock on the table and rolled his eyes:
"Oh my... out for drill at one-thirty, not even letting us sleep, inhumane!"
"Hmph, train well!... Rest first after you’re done with the noon tasks, don’t call anymore, it’s okay to call at night..." Yang Shaoqing put aside her little temper upon hearing that he was going to train.
"Alright..." Fang Huai pretended to sigh: "I’ve recently lost around five or six pounds, and my hidden abs have started to show."
There was an evident pause on the other end.
Then, somewhat eagerly, "How many packs?"
Fang Huai couldn’t help but laugh gleefully: "Hahaha... and you say you aren’t lusting after my body! How many packs, you can count them yourself when you come! Good afternoon, bye!"
"You... bye!"
After teasing the little fairy, Fang Huai hung up feeling quite satisfied.
Lately, his conversations have been increasingly flirty by nature, and Yang Shaoqing seemed to have gotten used to it, sometimes not even objecting to his remarks.
If he really infuriated her, Fang Huai would whip out his trump card.
Changing the subject.
Lately, he’s been tired from training, what he’s done on calls, what progress he’s made...
Then Yang Shaoqing would become concerned about him instead.
Ah, silly girl.
His mom and uncle must have given quite the assist as well.
His mom went all the way to Chengdu this week, bringing Yang Shaoqing two sets of clothes and gifts she had carefully selected, along with some snacks, thanking her for the several visits during the holidays.
According to his mom, Yang Shaoqing was very happy and a little shy.
The uncle also texted from time to time, asking about her studies, saying his daughter was studying in Hangzhou and that once he returned to Chongqing, he would introduce them as friends.
The whole family was rallying together.
Thinking of the love he received from home, Fang Huai stood up contentedly and twisted his neck.
There were so many happy families waiting for him to protect them; it was good.
Picking up his mobile phone, he walked out of the study room and saw that Squad Leader Hao was standing at the door, lost in thought. He handed over his mobile phone and smiled:
"Squad leader, not resting yet?"
Hao Chengbin turned his head upon seeing Fang Huai, shook his head, and yawned:
"This month, forget about resting at noon. When the training team gets here, it’s likely to get even busier!
How’s it going, isn’t this training exhausting?"
Fang Huai also let out a yawn: "Not bad, I feel like I’m getting older, sleeping less."
In fact, ever since his heart and kidneys were enhanced, he had become much more resistant to fatigue. If his liver and spleen were enhanced again, he could probably handle staying up all night without feeling too worn out.
Moreover, his sleep quality seemed quite good.
Now, with more and more physical enhancements, Fang Huai was gradually starting to feel the strength of his own body.
Sleeping less, recovering quickly, enduring longer.
If Yang Shaoqing really did crave his body, well...
Cough.
He had more and more cards in his hand.
After a few minor police dispatches, his military merit value rose to 19.
The Task Completion Degree rose a bit slower but had reached 38. Once it hit 50, it would trigger another reward.
Another task was likely to be completed soon.
Befriending Little White.
This week, Second Squadron had beef for two whole days. Fang Huai stocked up on lots of beef bones for Little White, feeding it one each morning and afternoon.
Lately, Little White has been sleeping with a beef bone bigger than its head. Whenever Fang Huai called it, it would peek out from the Training Tower, obviously quite pleased with Fang Huai.
Thinking this over, Fang Huai found his head being ruffled by Hao Chengbin.
"Complaining about being old and sleeping less? When I was your age, I could run marathons twice in one night! Come on, let’s train!"
Fang Huai was stunned, "Oh come on... Squad Leader, running around University Town looking at beauties, aren’t you scared I’ll meet your sister-in-law!"
Hao Chengbin glared back, "What did you say?"
"...I said you’re handsome and dashing, as well as deeply devoted; sister-in-law is really lucky to have met you, Squad Leader."
