After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 96: Chapter 54: Taste it, Taste it Carefully!

As soon as these words came out, the second hot potato landed right in my lap.

Clerk Huang, while looking at the notebook from the Fifth Company on the desk, couldn’t help but complain.

"Instructor, just look at this! Their format is all the latest version! This three-tables-and-one-record format is the one you gave me! You told me to do it exactly like this. I spent two whole nights on it, typing and editing!

And you had me call that Jiang Peng, who was no help at all! He just stood there with his hands in his pockets watching! All he could do was help me bind them; I had to dictate the filling out of the forms for him to copy!

Who wouldn’t be able to do that? I could have just called any new recruit!

When Fang Huai was here, I couldn’t even get a finger in! He was way more skilled than me! From creating tables to binding, to filling out forms, he would just call someone over and get it all done!

With him here, we could have handed in the new forms by tomorrow!"

Clerk Huang had been harboring these complaints for a long time. During the training period, there were all sorts of record creation and table making, and it was already a lot of work. It was hard enough to get some help, and he wasn’t allowed to use it!

"Eh? I can’t do it, Squad Leader Huang!"

Before Liang Longhui could regret it, Fang Huai quickly waved his hands.

They won’t even let us eat late-night snacks now, and they don’t allow smoking, who the hell am I supposed to find to help you?

You’re expecting someone to work for free, without any extra pay. Wouldn’t they be happier slacking off in the squad?

"It’s not that I don’t want to help, but the battalion commander has already said they’d give us the opportunity to train physically on our own. They’ve set up a separate class, and now I have to go to additional training every night! I really don’t have the energy to work overtime!

Company Leader, I’ve delivered the stuff, I need to go back now! They’re about to start the drill over there!"

Wang Jian was still a bit stunned, and waved his hand mechanically.

What does "the battalion commander has set up a separate class" mean?

Fang Huai didn’t say anything more and just left the office, not wanting to get wrapped up in the Brigade Department’s recent hectic work.

Ever since Liang Longhui returned, he had been the one on duty, organizing work.

Fang Huai didn’t even desire to perform.

If Wang Lian were the one on duty, he might consider helping out a bit.

But with this Liang Longhui, acting like he was looking down on everyone, forget it.

Some people just take any extra effort you put in for granted, as if it were the norm.

I’m just a new recruit. My duty is to train.

...

When Fang Huai got back to his unit, he reported the stuff the battalion commander gave him and also briefly mentioned the matter of the additional training class.

It was just time for assembly and dinner, and Hao Chengbin just nodded to show he understood.

But after dinner, as soon as Hao Chengbin returned to the squad, he called Fang Huai out for questioning.

"How come the battalion commander gave you not just a guitar... but also books? Wants you to take exams? And because you made a suggestion, he sets up a separate class just for that?"

The battalion commander giving Fang Huai a guitar was strange enough. A gesture of support from the regiment was supposed to be just talk; who would actually meddle in this kind of thing?

Not to mention all the other stuff: way out of tune.

Hao Chengbin had been so preoccupied with these thoughts that he hadn’t even eaten properly.

Fang Huai felt he couldn’t keep hiding it. Things were getting out of control on his uncle’s end; his uncle could show up any time and call him out.

To continue to pretend would be impolite.

After hesitating for a while, Fang Huai said, "Squad leader, if I tell you, can you promise not to demote me from deputy squad leader?"

"What’s going on? Is it serious?" Hao Chengbin’s tone immediately became more serious.

"It’s a personal matter."

"Just say it."

Clumsily, Fang Huai muttered with a look of great shame, "Actually... my family has some connections."

Hao Chengbin’s face lit up instantly.

"What was I thinking! I had already suspected your family had connections! Those soldiers transferred from Chongqing, who didn’t have some pull? Who is it?"

Fang Huai clicked his tongue, frowning as if guessing, "It’s... the one with the surname Zhang that you mentioned last time. After what you said... I think he might be my uncle." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Hao Chengbin was still a bit bewildered: "Which Zhang..."

The expression changed in an instant.

"Holy shit, Zhang Zhongting?!"

Fang Huai leaned back strategically: "Also? Squad leader, isn’t it rude to talk about my uncle like that?"

"He’s your uncle? Your real uncle?"

"Uh... my mom’s name is Zhang Mei, taken from ’In Zhongting there’s a profusion of trees, leaning on the Mei for counsel,’... My grandfather is somewhat educated, if not greatly so. It’s a fine poem but was chosen quite crudely. If it had been up to me, I would’ve named my uncle something like Zhang Aogu or Zhang Jianren—complementary to the flower character."

The room burst into laughter.

"Smack!"

Fang Huai immediately felt a smack on his head.

Hao Chengbin’s face creased up, teeth clenched so tightly that only the two front ones showed.

"You want to give your uncle a name?!

Not that, why didn’t you tell me sooner?? I made seven or eight phone calls over your transfer!

And the thing with Jiang Peng... and that day, you knew he was your uncle, why didn’t you say anything??"

"I was afraid you’d pick on me..." Fang Huai’s mind raced as he abruptly pointed in the direction of Squad Five.

"Look at Cao Peng from Squad Five! His second uncle is Political Commissar Cao, see how badly he gets treated? How can he be a deputy squad leader?

Plus... if my uncle comes to arrange my transfer, knowing I’ve been taken by the Provincial Special Duty Team, he’d be thrilled!"

"You damn..." Hao Chengbin raised his hand and smacked Fang Huai again on the top of his head.

"You’re glad about it, but what about me? People will think I was so eager to have you because I’m sucking up to the leadership! Do you get it?"

Fang Huai rubbed his head, then spread his hands.

"Squad leader... did you forget? You were already being blocked; they almost sent your transfer back!

Are you still afraid they’ll talk about you over there? They don’t even want you anymore!

With my skills, are you really worried that I won’t stand out if I leave the squad?

Fine, even if I’m not there, people like Jiang Peng — don’t you still have to deal with them whether you like it or not? Their family, won’t you have to offend them if it comes to it?

It’s just a matter of time!

With me here, isn’t it great? The moment my uncle shows up, I’ll be right there to collect debts for you!

Once the transfer is sorted out, what’s the big deal about rumors and gossip?

The two of us, no, plus Han Yong, the three of us, with our strong capabilities and solid backing, we’d go straight to dominating his Second Squadron! Who could mess with us after that?

You agree, don’t you?

Think about it, consider it carefully!"

When it comes to painting a rosy picture, Fang Huai is a pro.

As long as Hao Chengbin is willing to bite, Fang Huai could come up with a different story for him to swallow every day.

Hao Chengbin stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Of course, he didn’t take Fang Huai’s wild claims seriously.

But there were some things Fang Huai was right about; having him around indeed solved some problems effortlessly.

Regarding Han Yong’s issue, although he had agreed to it, it was out of helplessness. Even if not mentioning the right and wrong of using connections, he hadn’t really taken care of Han Yong, and honestly, he wouldn’t be able to if he had to.

But Fang Huai was different. First, he was directly involved in the matter, so taking charge was entirely justified; and second, with Fang Huai’s intellect and performance, Hao Chengbin felt no psychological pressure in looking after him.

Leading soldiers is all about training them well. If a soldier is already outstanding, what’s the harm in giving them a little extra attention?

Such is fate.

"When you enlisted, you didn’t know who I was, did you?" As Hao Chengbin mulled over this, he suddenly felt that this was not the right way to start the conversation.

"I didn’t know you, truly didn’t." Fang Huai affirmed resolutely: "I just thought that by following a seasoned squad leader from the third term, I would have more opportunities to shine!"

Fang Huai was too embarrassed to bring up his great-uncle’s wishes now. If Hao Chengbin still believed him, he’d be a complete fool.

It’s not that I knew you, but whether the system knows you, that’s beyond my understanding.

Ah, it really is fate.

Hao Chengbin sighed once again.

Then he thought of something else, "That Han Yong... you don’t have to go find him now, right?"

Hao Chengbin asked without much confidence because even without using Han Yong’s connections, he would still have to rely on Fang Huai.

"Squad leader, Han Yong... let me ask him. I think he’s not bad, tall enough, sturdy, and not stupid either. If we’re dispatched and need a number two, he’d have no problem handling a fire hose."

Hao Chengbin was amused by his reasoning and nodded.

"Alright, ask for his opinion. If he’s willing to train, even if I’m no longer the new recruit squad leader, I can still find time to instruct when you guys are out of the squad. As for equipment, I have enough to teach you for a year."

Hao Chengbin didn’t bring up whether the Special Duty Team would want Han Yong or not. No one lives in a utopia; if Han Yong truly wanted to go, the doors of Special Service Squadron 2 wouldn’t be able to stop him.

Fang Huai was also amused by Hao Chengbin.

Equipment Technician, enough for me to learn for a year?

As for how many weeks or even days I’d need to learn specifically, it depends on what level my memory improves to by then.

Given the current enhancement level of the system, enhancing any body part three or four times would definitely make one among the top tier of humanity.

...

The regimental commander gave the order, carried out by the Chief of Staff. The formation of the "Physical Enhancement Class" was alarmingly fast.

After the evening news broadcast, each company specially arranged for registration; intensive training began that very night.

The squad leaders all brought out their best recruits from their squads.

Chang Kun of Squad Five... Squad Five Leader has gotten into the habit of pronouncing his name separately.

Xiao Haishan of Squad Six, Su Mengliang of Squad Seven, Battalion Commander Zhang, Jiang Peng of Squad Eight, Fang Huai, Zhao Bing, Yue Tao of Squad Nine.

Why so few people from other squads?

Perhaps the other squad leaders misunderstood.

The Chief of Staff felt having too many people would be hard to manage, so during the transmission, he only mentioned that physical ability needs to be excellent, without needing to be overly numerous.

By the time it reached the Company Leader and the Instructor, the conveyed spirit turned into "only the best".

Apart from Hao Chengbin who had a rough idea of the situation, the other squad leaders thought this was similar to a "Training Team," and it was enough to send the best from their squads to avoid embarrassment.

For those who didn’t go, no one wanted to slack off; everyone was fine with it.

Except for Jiang Peng.

Squad Nine was close to Squad Eight, and Fang Huai saw Jiang Peng pleading with Pan Zhaohui several times.

To Fang Huai’s surprise, Pan Zhaohui actually agreed.

The brigade was also cautious, adding extra trainings during rest times and even had everyone sign a consent form, stating that due to poor lighting conditions at night, it was strictly prohibited to attempt dangerous moves on the horizontal and parallel bars.

The cadre leading the team was a rotating brigade Chief of Staff, the squad leader was a He Zhijun from Squad Leader of First Company, a renowned physical strength champion from the Guiyang Regiment, and there was also Hao Chengbin.

To this matter, Wang Jian and Liang Longhui, the cadres who were informed that afternoon, both sensed there was a personal favor involved.

Wang Jian quite naturally considered this special treatment for Fang Huai in return for his songwriting. After all, the others didn’t know that on the day Fang Huai performed singing and playing, he was there.

To write a song, many might not take it seriously.

As soldiers, our youth is given to the nation, and girls too... right?

Not seeing each other frequently is a very real problem.

Disappointed, heartbroken songwriters are quite common.

But what he heard that day was very clear, Fang Huai’s songs were definitely not the usual dirges.

As someone who is a seasoned member of KuGou music, an offline critic for "Super Girl," "Super Boy," "My Show," and a well-known song award ceremony attendee, he could tell that Fang Huai’s writing was the kind that truly had the potential to become a hit!

Like those masterpieces by Jay Chou that would make him spend money on a membership just to listen to them!