After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 265: Chapter 207: Fang Huai, No Longer a New Recruit

Three pieces of good news arrived at the door.

The Squadron’s topic of the day:

Fang Huai won the championship.

He Zhijun returned.

The Second Squadron is going to be awesome.

Although no one knew exactly what being awesome entailed, Instructor Cao came back and immediately held a small meeting, mysteriously telling everyone that the Second Squadron was going to prosper.

In the future, the Head of the Corps’ special vehicles might be assigned to the Second Squadron first.

The jurisdiction will also expand.

And, the Squadron might even be expanded.

The Second Squadron had already left space for expansion, just beyond the backyard wall of the Squadron, that small three-meter hillock. The land belonged to the Second Squadron. If expansions were planned, leveling the hillock wouldn’t be a problem, and making room for an entire playground plus a building was certainly doable.

These foundational conditions might also be one of the reasons why the Head of the Corps considered the Second Squadron, coupled with the emergence of Fang Huai, the Squadron’s martial arts taking first place, and He Zhijun originally being a member of the Second Squadron.

Various factors contributed to this development.

As for any upgrades in rank and such, Cao Yi didn’t mention.

This matter would definitely benefit the Squadron leaders; just one misstep and the stars and bars on their shoulders would need to be replaced.

It was said that Team Zhang was about to be transferred to the Big Team, but now he doesn’t want to leave. He wishes to stay in the Squadron, waiting for the whole team to rise like a phoenix and possibly secure an early promotion.

But for the soldiers, the workload has become heavier.

Personal requirements for each soldier have also gotten higher.

A promotion in unit rank is not a trivial matter. From proposal to confirmation, it would take at least half a year to a year, and there are so many squadrons in the city that are green with envy.

Cao Yi was rather cautious about this matter.

The Martial Arts Competition started on Thursday and ended on Saturday.

Today is the weekend.

Everyone spent a precious Sunday morning welcoming Fang Huai, but this time, nobody complained; the whole Squadron was in high spirits.

In the countryside, a big celebration calls for a grand feast, and today the Second Squadron naturally had an extremely sumptuous meal.

Before starting the meal, everyone in the Squadron gathered in the front yard, surrounding He Zhijun and Fang Huai, chatting incessantly.

"This time, our Second Squadron is going to rise!" Chen Zhenghai sat with his legs crossed and a cigarette in his mouth, the excitement clear on his face.

He had just filled out the volunteer form for a second-term stay and was filled with anticipation upon hearing that his Squadron would only get better.

Ye Jiahong also happily said, "That’s right! Fang Huai, this time, you’ve made a great contribution! Awarded with a yellow Mandarin jacket and a machine gun, anointed as the protector of the Squadron!"

Fang Huai rolled his eyes, "Captain Ye, our Squadron will sooner or later be bragged by you into a Positive Army Unit!"

"Hahaha..."

"Fang Huai, your package! It arrived yesterday! There are also some love letters from little schoolgirls! They’ve been here for many days! Do you want them? If so, come over yourself to find them; there’s stuff for others here too!"

Jiang Jun, who was on guard duty, saw everyone chatting merrily in the front yard and took the opportunity to bring Fang Huai his package and rest his legs a bit.

Everyone looked over.

Fang Huai stood up, but seeing the pile of flashy letters Jiang Jun had gathered, he said disappointingly:

"Squad leader, just give me the package!"

Fang Huai took the package, glanced at the sender, and immediately headed inside to quietly open it.

Ye Jiahong, however, called out loudly, "Where are you going? Let me see!"

"Damn," Fang Huai turned around speechlessly, "Captain, you just knighted me as the Protector of the Squadron with a Gatling gun, and now I need an inspection to receive a letter?"

Ye Jiahong then laughed:

"A Gatling protector? A few years ago in the First Squadron, there was a kid from Liangshan of the Yi Nationality. After getting a pat on the head from his squad leader, he claimed that the squad leader touched his Heavenly Protector and grabbed a kitchen knife to challenge the squad leader!

Eventually, he got cornered by the First Squadron’s Squad Leader Huang and tossed into the corner of the wall, and everyone took turns patting his forehead!

Respecting life customs but prohibiting religious belief is a consistent policy of our troops!

Once through the big gate of the troops, even the Protector must obey the rules!"

Oh my god, Ye Jiahong, just to satisfy his gossiping urge, his verbal gymnastics were truly slick!

Fang Huai curled his lip and unboxed the package in front of everyone.

Suddenly, he noticed that Cao Yi was quietly approaching.

Ye Jiahong also stood up with his hands behind his back, staring at the large package in his hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Shit.

This guy didn’t seem that interested in checking for letters but rather focused on something else.

At that moment, Fang Huai suddenly remembered something and frowned, "Instructor Cao, Captain Ye, did you distribute the bag of beef jerky my girlfriend sent for everyone last time?"

Everyone looked puzzled, staring at the two officers.

Cao Yi’s face changed color.

Ye Jiahong also had an odd look, "Ahem, what beef jerky? I haven’t seen it!"

At this moment, Hao Chengbin came up angrily, "What distribution? Last time I told Cao Yi that anyone who sees it gets a share, and I’m the squad leader!

But he said we would divide it later!

I damn well forgot about it on the spot!

The next day when I remembered and went to the Squadron Department to ask for it, he said it was all eaten! When I checked, the Squadron Department’s trash can was full of beef jerky wrappers!

Two or three pounds of beef jerky! Those f*cking two ate it all!"

The air suddenly became eerily quiet.

All the soldiers were staring at the two officers.

Within this atmosphere, the word "Aluba" seemed to lurk.

Cao Yi knew this mood all too well; as he backed away, he pointed at Ye Jiahong, "Shit, it was all Ye Jiahong who ate it, it’s not my fault! Last time he ate most of it, Fang Huai, he even said your girlfriend was too stingy to send just that little!"

Fang Huai’s face fell as he heard this.

He dropped the package he was holding onto the ground.

Then, he looked at Hao Chengbin and the people around him.

"Squad leaders, over two pounds of beef jerky! What do you say we should do?"

The people around were gleeful, their faces not boding well.

"What to do? We must go with ’Aruba’!"

"Right, ’Grind the pillar’!"

"The basketball hoop is waiting!"

Ye Jiahong immediately backed away, terror in his eyes, "Shit, are you guys crazy? I’m the deputy secretary of the squadron! Captain!"

At this moment, from a distance came Cao Yi’s voice:

"Damn it, what’s so special about being a deputy secretary? Last time, I, as secretary, got screwed! Brothers, charge!"

"Damn!" Ye Jiahong turned to run inside the building.

"Leave him to me!"

This time, Fang Huai, on his own, strode forward and grabbed Ye Jiahong, reaching from behind to hold him by the crotch and lift him up.

"Oh my god, Gatling Buddha, heroic!"

The others immediately burst into laughter and rushed up.

Ye Jiahong screamed in terror, "Shit, Brother Fang, I was wrong! My mistake!"

Behind him, He Zhijun: (´･_･`)?

Why does this squadron seem different from when I left?

Now even the squadron leader is getting beaten up?

...

Time for dinner.

Minced meat eggplant, stir-fried sausage, stir-fried liver tips, potato stewed beef brisket, sweet and sour fish, steamed spare ribs, even the soup was pea and minced pork soup.

It all smelled so good it was steaming.

Fang Huai, holding the package that Yang Shaoqing sent, had a smile on his face.

Inside was a watch identical to the previous F91W and a pair of sky blue Puma sports shoes.

The color was almost the same as the watch he had sent Yang Shaoqing.

Brother Yang and he really were in sync, having sent him the two things he needed the most.

As usual, Cao Yi started with a toast: freewёbnoνel.com

"Just a word, today, we celebrate He Zhijun’s return to the Second Squadron! And also the victory of Fang Huai in the provincial Martial Arts Competition!

Now, with the champions of the competition, both new and old, in our squadron, what does that represent?

It represents that we will have greater responsibilities! Heavier tasks! You, too, must face more rigorous tests!

Additionally, Huang Yong has submitted his resignation as squad leader to give younger people more opportunities for training!

After discussion and study, the Squadron Department agrees to Comrade Huang Yong’s request, with Fang Huai taking over as Special Duty Squad leader and Huang Yong as deputy squad leader! The report for the squad leader’s appointment will be quickly filed!

Next week, Fang Huai will be the duty squad leader, and you should all be clear that his overall quality has already surpassed our original squadron members, earning our squadron the highest honor at the provincial level!

So, from now on, don’t treat him as a new recruit, and he won’t need to participate in the new recruits’ attendance and training!

Of course, the address and respect for the old squad leader are the traditional virtues and rules of the troops! Fang Huai, I hope you will avoid arrogance and restlessness, retain your high-quality performance, and at the same time possess the managerial abilities and sense of responsibility of a squad leader!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the three peers at the table all looked on with envy.

A peer had become a squad leader!

In fact, because of Fang Huai’s excellence, their own treatment had also improved. They could wake up on time in the morning, rest without hiding, and the instructor had approved the use of mobile phones for one day on the weekends.

They were also allowed to take leave according to regulations.

Though Cao Yi’s heart was not really keen on showing partiality, he had given Fang Huai special treatment, but also granted them some special privileges.

In other squadrons, these benefits would only come after half a year of demobilization.

Of course, their performances had indeed warranted such favorable treatment from the squadron. With Fang Huai leading the way, they were all very motivated.

Fang Huai listened to all this and remained motionless, starting to display some composure.

With regards to the issue of treatment, it was ultimately up to the old soldiers to make a gesture. Otherwise, what had just been said would seem like a setup between him and Cao Yi.

Moreover, with Huang Yong resigning as squad leader, there were likely some reservations in everyone’s minds.

Did the rise of new recruits necessitate the old soldiers to step aside? With Huang Yong being so strong and resigning as squad leader, what would happen to them in the future?

Actually, the old soldiers were quite accepting, but since Fang Huai didn’t stand up to respond, the atmosphere went silent for two seconds.

Seeing this, Huang Yong stood up first and said loudly:

"During this competition, Little Black and I made quite a few mistakes. This trip has indeed been eye-opening for us.

Today’s Grand Martial Arts Competition lacked many of the previous competitors, but it was still filled with masters!

We may have lost last year’s contenders, but new ones have emerged this year!

During these days, our Detachment was trampled by Liupanshui, ZunY, Anshun, and several other detachments. We might be arrogant on the usual days, but we were nothing special there!

As a member of the Provincial Special Duty Team, the 8th Team I belong to is not the strongest, just in the middle of the pack, but among eighteen, I only managed to be fourth in overall ranking!

I didn’t even make the top three!

Honestly, on the first day, I barely spoke, feeling utterly down!

When the referee called out ’Guiyang Special Duty, Huang Yong’, I was ashamed to respond!

Thanks to Fang Huai, he fought for our honor and intimidated the other detachments! He protected the reputation of our squad, even the entire Special Duty Squad!

It was this Martial Arts Competition that made me acutely aware of my shortcomings!

I resigned my squad leader position selfishly because I want to devote all my time to training. Next year, I want to go back to that arena and redeem myself!

So, thank you to Fang Huai for taking on this heavy burden and for setting an example for me!

I want to make a military pledge right here; if I don’t make it to the top five in next year’s Martial Arts Competition, I will strip off my non-commissioned officer epaulettes and train with the new recruits next year!"

After Huang Yong finished speaking, he saluted solemnly and sat down.

(Starting to write Chapter Three)