Chapter 12
The class monitor had explained, but his explanation was as good as having given none. Veterans were used to this, but none of them there were veterans! They were just a bunch of new recruits who had just joined the army that day. Even though everyone’s expressions were ugly and their stomachs were uncomfortable, no one really vomited.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. We’re soaking our feet now. Let’s get to know each other first!” The squad leader sat on his bed and looked at the recruits. He took out a pen and paper from his pocket and continued, “When I was recruiting the soldiers, I called your names, but I only know your names. I don’t know anything else. You might not even remember each other’s names. Now, let’s introduce ourselves one by one. As the class monitor, I’ll go first!”
Ye Sanshi looked at everyone with a smile. Then, without hesitation, he said, “My name is Ye Sanshi, 25 years old, 1.69 meters tall, 1.37 weight, native of Xiguang Province, second-grade officer, six years in the army, I don’t want to talk about my hobbies. Of course, I’m the class monitor. This is my right. You’ll have to tell me about your hobbies later so that I and the others can understand you. Oh, right, don’t introduce your military experience. Add your academic qualifications later.”
Ye Sanshi’s self-introduction was very brief, but also seemed to be a cop-out. He didn’t say his hobbies but forced everyone to say it. Of course, no one objected. After he finished his introduction, he looked at the two recruits sitting on the bed opposite him.
“Alright, you two go first. You’re up first.” He first looked at the silly Northeast recruit who said he would bring apples to everyone.
“Ben… Class monitor…me!” This Northeast recruit was obviously a little silly or honest. Now that he was only asked to introduce himself, he stuttered a little, and his face turned red. He looked inexperienced and not good at communicating. Previously, when the class monitor wasn’t around, he didn’t act like this when he interacted with Wang Ye and the other recruits. However, it was understandable.
Previously, they were all new recruits, and the class monitor was not around. Now, the class monitor was a leader in his eyes, and he was the first one to introduce himself among the new recruits, so he was nervous.
Ye Sanshi smiled. “Don’t be nervous. I don’t eat people, and they don’t eat people either. Just do as I said. Just introduce yourself!”
“Alright…Alright…” This guy’s face was very red. He lowered his head, and his voice became very soft. However, after everyone fell silent, they could still hear his self-introduction.
“I…My name is Zhang…Zhang Ping ‘an. I…My dad said this was…This is what my mother wanted…I hope I can grow up safely…No, no, no. However…However, everyone calls me…” At this point, he suddenly stopped.
“What did everyone call you?” Someone laughed.
“I…No…It’s nothing…” This fellow was obviously too nervous and almost said his nickname. However, it seemed that his nickname would not be very nice, so he did not want to say it anymore.
“Alright, don’t interrupt. Zhang Ping ‘an, continue. Speak louder. Don’t be nervous. We’re all comrades and revolutionary brothers. We’re just introducing ourselves.” Ye Sanshi said seriously. After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and continued to write in the notebook on his lap. It looked like he was recording.
“Yes…It was…Class monitor!” With Ye Sanshi’s help, Zhang Ping ‘an finally jumped over the pit he had dug just now and immediately continued to introduce himself.
“I…I’m nineteen years old today and my body… I am 1.68 meters tall, and my body…Heavy…138 catties, northeast…Northeasterners…Learn…Academic qualifications…A technical school.”
“You’re from a technical school?” At this moment, the class monitor looked up at him and interrupted him when he heard the introduction of his academic qualifications. “Have you graduated? Do you have any certificates?”
“Yes…There was…I…I learned to be a chef, I…I have a chef certificate issued by the school!”
“This is not bad. There’s a future!” The class monitor’s expression was clearly more amicable. This wasn’t a lie. In the army, it was very popular to have a certificate, especially a chef certificate. In this day and age, not everyone could go to the kitchen. It might sound unbelievable, but in the minds of the people, soldiers shouldn’t carry guns and run to carry pots and spatulas. It wasn’t a place for useless soldiers, but the truth was the opposite. The kitchen was indeed a place where many crouching tigers and hidden dragons were in the army. If you don’t have some ability, you won’t be able to enter.
Of course, Zhang Ping’an was a different case as he held a chef’s certificate.
“Alright, continue!” Ye Sanshi looked at Zhang Ping’an, who remained silent after being interrupted by him.
“Oh… alright, alright…” Despite his nervousness, Zhang Ping’an spoke more clearly now. “I’m nineteen years old today… I like to cook, and I also like to throw stones…”
“Hehe, cooking! We have a chef in our class. Unfortunately, there’s no opportunity for you to showcase your skills here. Otherwise, I would have liked to taste your cooking!” The guy who took off his shoes first and had a girlfriend interrupted.
“Shut up, it’s not your turn yet!” The squad leader glared at him. This was the first time he had shown such ferocity since everyone joined the recruit company.
After saying that, he looked at Zhang Ping’an and asked again, “Why did you join the army?”
Once he finished, he looked at everyone and added, “You guys will answer the same question later!”
“I… my dad… he let me… he said that soldiers have a future!” Zhang Ping’an replied.
“Yes.” Ye Sanshi nodded and quickly recorded it in his notebook. He then looked up at the recruit on the same bed as Zhang Ping’an, who was soaking his feet. “It’s your turn!”
“Yes, big brother, hello, I…” The recruit began.
“You don’t have to call me brother. This isn’t the outside world. It’s not popular to call me brother in the army. Just call me class monitor,” Ye Sanshi interrupted and said, “Continue!”
“Yes, class monitor!” The recruit straightened up, a little nervous after being interrupted by the squad leader.
He spoke quickly. “My name is Gu Yingnan. I’m 19 years old this year, 1.72 meters tall, and weigh 121 pounds. I’m from Xijiang. I graduated from high school. I like to sing, listen to music, dance, and play basketball!”
“Ugh!” Wang Ye, who sat on the middle bed, was slightly stunned.
Thankfully, Wang Ye didn’t make it too obvious and did not attract everyone’s attention.
“Not bad. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I can let you perform singing and breakdancing. Playing basketball isn’t a bad hobby either. We can also play together during break time!” The class monitor smiled and nodded.
“Yes, yes!” Gu Yingnan smiled and nodded. He still seemed confident in his singing and dancing skills.
“Tell me why you joined the army.” The class monitor spoke again.
“Yes, sir!” Gu Yingnan straightened up and replied. He then shook his head in embarrassment. “I didn’t get into university. My family made me come! However, I also wanted to join the army and serve my country. It’s a supreme honor!”
“Yes! Not bad!” The class monitor looked at him and nodded with a smile.
After that, he turned to the two recruits on the bed next to him. “It’s your turn!”