Free Web NovelChapter 397: Chapter 322: Plant this tree in your heart_2
"If this path doesn’t work out, Growth Officer, the road is too short, and education is a hard threshold. Even your uncle can’t help you with this, understand?"
Fang Huai felt a wave of fear afterwards.
He seemed to have miscalculated before. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"I can only sit for the exams in December after graduation? But I see others going for the exams in their senior year, don’t I?"
Zhang Zhongting frowned, "That’s for full-time regular colleges! Open University students must wait until December of the year they graduate to take the exams, with results coming out in February or March. If you pass, then you can participate in the retest!
Oh, I’ve asked around, and there’s even an additional test in the middle for Open University candidates. If you pass the retest, you can enroll the following year.
Moreover, you can only adjust your major within certain limits, and it’s better to stay within your field. With an Open University education... there are pretty significant restrictions, but the screening is strict while leaving is easy. As long as you get into graduate school, graduating is relatively easy.
Didn’t you look into all this? Didn’t know? Have you seriously considered going for postgraduate studies?"
Fang Huai was somewhat speechless.
I’ve never been to college, so how would I know?
I just thought about getting by! I’ve got the System, what’s there to understand?
"...So, is there any way I can graduate earlier? When it comes to exams, I won’t have a problem," Fang Huai said, somewhat frustrated.
Zhang Zhongting was numb to this, "Graduate a year early? Do you think I’m a wizard? You graduated from high school in ’07. What, do you intend to start Open University from your senior year of high school? What’s the rush for?"
"...I just don’t want to wait until 2014 to finish grad school. I’m afraid it will hold back my progress." As soon as Fang Huai realized there might actually be a way to graduate early, he had no intention of letting go.
"Heh," Zhang Zhongting could only laugh in exasperation:
"As long as you can pass, even if you’re in the middle of grad school and not yet graduated, it won’t hinder your promotion! If you’re capable enough to make the superiors promote you to battalion commander, that won’t be a problem!"
Surprise shone in Fang Huai’s eyes, "That works? ...Is that okay, though?"
At this moment, Fang Huai was the very picture of a person with connections pretending to refuse a welcomed opportunity. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Zhang Zhongting rolled his eyes.
Looking at him, it seemed as if he didn’t worry about whether he’d be able to pass or not.
Was this guy overconfident? Did he think it was the same as being a soldier?
"We’ll talk about it once you pass!"
With that, Old Zhang turned on his heel, got into the car, and drove off.
Yet Fang Huai’s heart swelled with delight.
No explanation necessary, whether I pass the exam or not, the results will speak for themselves!
He turned around and got a shock.
The moment the others left, Old Cao approached him, his eyes gleaming with a predator’s green luminescence that was somewhat frightening to behold.
Fang Huai took a step back and said.
"Instructor Cao, excited on such a fine night? I thought you were about to transform!"
Old Cao clenched his fists excitedly and pounded them into his other hand:
"Hey, with the Detachment leadership’s visit tonight, I’ve finally put my mind at ease!"
His excitement had been suppressed all evening, as it wasn’t appropriate to show it in front of the leadership.
Fang Huai, however, pointed up at the already darkened second floor and poured cold water on him:
"The boys aren’t as excited as you. With so many tasks assigned by the leadership, the pressure on the Squadron will gradually exceed the honors they receive.
You better think about how to motivate this group properly. We’re generating enthusiasm for the honor now, but to get the work done, we can’t rely solely on passion; we need a system."
Old Cao’s face fell.
"You’re such a buzzkill. You were the one pushing for this, and now that everyone’s asleep, I just wanted to chat with you. Isn’t it something to celebrate that we’ve managed such a big feat?"
"Of course I’m happy!" Fang Huai replied cheerfully: "But there’s still a lot to do afterwards, so I choose to save my passion and pour it into the work!"
"You little rascal." Cao Yi said, pointing at Fang Huai and then pausing to ponder for a moment:
"From now on, the focus of the Squadron Department’s work will need to shift. With all the tasks at hand, I might be too busy to manage them all. While you’re still with the Squadron, you need to pay more attention to training.
The work may be complicated, but with this reform, the Squadron’s standing has improved. There’s bound to be gossip from other Squadrons, and during the Martial Arts Competition in August or September, we need to show what we’re capable of to silence any critics!"
Only then did Fang Huai smile and say, "Right, stay true to our original aspiration to keep moving forward! I’ve got this under control!"
He turned away, hands behind his back, and headed upstairs.
In the light of the distance, Fang Huai’s shadow grew longer and transformed into a towering figure.
...
Sunday.
Bright and early, the Detachment’s troops marched grandly into the Squadron.
Yesterday’s meeting was not for nothing; department heads were arranging their staff to complete the tasks set by Captain Zhang.
Some were checking equipment, others were observing the terrain and soil composition outside the Squadron’s rear wall, and some were reviewing the Squadron’s various books and records—officers with notebooks recording details were everywhere.
If they weren’t in military uniform, you might think they were auditors from some company conducting a financial review.
Squadron Leader, busy running around.
Throughout the day, the squadron was filled with voices, and though no one disturbed the soldiers, everyone felt that the restful days were probably coming to an end.
Indeed, after getting up at noon, Fang Huai, empowered by Cao Yi, took out his whistle.
"Twee～twee tweet!"
"Assemble downstairs!"
A chorus of "damn."
As they descended the stairs, grumbles filled the air.
"Has the rest just begun? Why is it over already?"
"I think there should be eight days in a week, and at the end of every Sunday, add another ’ground day’! Work five, rest three!"
"Damn, even in your dreams, you’re so restrained. If it were up to me, I’d work Saturdays and have a two-day workweek, five days off!"
When everyone arrived downstairs, Fang Huai was already waiting.
Everyone looked at Fang Huai, standing in front of the formation, as if they were dreaming.
It’s been almost 20 days without training.
Once upon a time, this little new recruit whom they used to boss around suddenly picked up a whistle and became a nightly nightmare; anyone who dreamed of Fang Huai had to kick at the air when they woke up.
Scroll king.
Whenever he stood in front of the formation, it signified the beginning of a hellish day of training.
Today, however, Fang Huai was all smiles.
"Why the hell are you all staring at me like that?"
"Training on the weekend, are you even human, Ah Sir?" Chen Zhenghai scratched his head, flaking off some dandruff, and spoke weakly.
Fang Huai’s eyes widened: "When did I say we were going to train?"
"Not training?"
Fang Huai nodded, smiling: "Right, we’re not training today. Gather up and go to the backyard, water your trees!
Our trees have been planted for a month now, I checked them today, and they have mostly sprouted. The squadron is also welcoming new developments!
New equipment is on its way, the squadron will be expanded, and we will become a more professional team. In the future, we will respond to major disasters throughout the province, even nationwide!
This month, even these two months, we’ve been through a lot!
Some of it can influence a lifetime!
So I think everyone should take some time to water their own tree, talk to them, and tell them about your growth. Later when these trees grow up, they will carry all the insights from our military service!
This understanding will remain forever in the squadron and in our hearts!"
Long silence.
Indeed, what did I gain this month?
Life and death, partings, compassion, hope.
Many words, pressing on the heart.
These days, everyone has been using play to dissipate some things.
Some words, you don’t want to tell others, but in fact, you still have a tree you can talk to.
"Let’s go, you’ve inspired me, I want to see my tree too," Hao Chengbin said with a smile.
"Let’s check it out!"
Everyone perked up, suddenly finding the idea interesting.
Fang Huai smiled, straightened his posture:
"Turn right! Target, the backyard flower stand, marching!"
...
This afternoon, many people talked while watering.
Some spoke and ended up crying.
Some, in the midst of conversation, suddenly said to Fang Huai:
"Fang Huai, let’s do some training today! It’s not easy for the squadron to reform; we should cherish the opportunity and lay a good foundation!"
"Yeah, I heard the professional rescue team has high physical requirements, we should work hard and be worthy of this opportunity!"
Everyone’s passion for training was ignited.
Fang Huai laughed: "Rest first. Training will start tomorrow."
And so the new job begins here.
It will surely be tough.
Thought work cannot be done every day; he had to plant this tree in everyone’s hearts.
