Chapter 203: Someone’s Stealing?
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“This Wang Ye is truly formidable! I’m genuinely concerned that someone might try to take him away!”
Inside the Regiment Commander’s office, the Commander gazed at the Chief of Staff and the committee member seated beside him, a smile playing on his lips.
This year, the situation with the new recruits had a unique aspect to it. Some parents had visited, so even though the recruits were stationed at the regiment headquarters, the parents had been keeping a watchful eye on their progress.
Wang Ye, a recruit who had attracted their close attention, naturally had his performance today under their scrutiny.
Upon hearing the words of the Regiment Commander and seeing his smile, the Chief of Staff couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness. He let out a dry sigh and said with a hint of resignation, “If you release the 4th Company, there will undoubtedly be those eager to seize the opportunity. Some might even criticize our Regiment Commander for squandering talent.
Take a look at Wang Ye. His physical fitness is exceptional, breaking records in the 400-meter obstacle course and effortlessly assembling and disassembling a blindfolded firearm. This indicates exceptional reflexes, memory, and mental acuity. His performance in other areas is commendable as well—truly a well-rounded skill set. One could argue that his physical readiness has already reached the caliber of a special forces soldier.
Given these circumstances, assigning him to a standard company feels like a waste!”
The Chief of Staff’s reluctance was palpable.
Naturally, he coveted soldiers of such high caliber.
If he hadn’t acquiesced—if the Regiment Commander hadn’t concurred—he wouldn’t be so willing to back down. If he had yielded, it would’ve amounted to reneging on his word.
But the Regiment Commander held seniority over him. Unless the Commander reversed his stance, he had little room to maneuver.
“Heh, so be it. Why the long-winded explanation?” A sardonic smile curved the lips of the Principal beside them.
With that said, the Chief of Staff shifted his gaze toward the Regiment Commander. “Of course they’re observing us. Had we abstained from this event, we might have managed to conceal it for a while. Yet, now that the event has taken place, the higher-ups are already clued in. We’re on the cusp of becoming an open secret!”
The Regiment Commander’s grin persisted as he responded, “Thankfully, their training this year has stretched over an extended period. There’s no possibility for Wang Ye to join midway. Furthermore, no matter how exceptional Wang Ye’s skills are, his grasp of fundamental military knowledge is lacking, making his placement here for training entirely reasonable.”
“Even if we targeted him, we’d have to await the next wave. That would carry us to year’s end. If Wang Ye indeed entertains thoughts of departure by then, I won’t impede him.
Of course, I’d rather he remain; thus, we must exert ourselves to retain him this year.
1 earnestly hope for his continued service in our regiment.
Should he truly be lured to the opposing side, prospects would dim.”
The Regiment Commander’s demeanor retained its affable charm as he articulated these sentiments.
In truth, the military itself adhered to a straightforward ethos.
“Snatching” referred to one’s aspiration to secure exceptional soldiers for oneself.
Yet, their true desire lay in nurturing their exceptional soldiers to soar even higher.
“Report!”
At that very moment, a report echoed through the doorway.
“Enter!”
The reporter pushed the door open and saluted once more. “Reporting, Officer He has conveyed that the parents of the final trio of recruits are anticipated to arrive within half an hour!”
“Understood!”
The Regiment Commander nodded affirmatively.
As recruits’ families were en route to the regimental headquarters, a directive required their arrival to be reported. This was his directive. With this update, he turned his gaze towards the committee member and Chief of Staff.
It was nearly time. Preparations had to be finalized. First, they would convene with the recruits’ families, then proceed to the recruit company as a united front.
“Agreed!”
The committee member and Chief of Staff simultaneously nodded. Their presence within the Regiment Commander’s office was, in fact, in anticipation of this event.
The Iron Bones Hero Regiment was hosting such an event for the first time. Naturally, it had to be grand. The three principal leaders would lead the way.
Furthermore, the publicity department of the group had to accompany them.
“Alright, that’s satisfactory. Eighty-five individuals will assuredly secure the top rank. A contender from Class 2 managed seventy-eight earlier. The remaining participants showed lackluster performance in this event.”
Fitness evaluation field.
Having just dismounted the parallel bars, Wang Ye was approached by Ye Sanshi.
Despite the rigorous evaluations, the atmosphere mirrored the familiar scenario of parents stating their diligent effort to secure admission to Qing Bei before the college entrance exam. Subsequent to the exam, once they’d achieved satisfactory scores, jubilant celebrations ensued, marked by fireworks and widespread jubilation.
By merely observing Ye Sanshi—standing beside Wang Ye, his head held high, and a grin spanning his face—it was evident.
He was engaging in a display of triumph for the other class monitors.
“Class Monitor, remember the significant surprise you mentioned?
I genuinely put forth my utmost effort. Could you bestow it upon me?”
Thirst creeping in after a sequence of physical assessments, Wang Ye hadn’t sipped any water. Thus, in this instance, he focused his gaze on Ye Sanshi, who sported a training ensemble instead of a physical fitness uniform. Wang Ye even glanced at Ye Sanshi’s pocket.
Wang Ye almost quipped, “Class Monitor, don’t stow that Coke in your pocket. 1 performed admirably too. Hand it over.”
“Just a moment… Wait, let’s discuss it once we return to the dormitory!”
Ye Sanshi replied with a grin.
This left Wang Ye slightly taken aback.
Was there genuinely a surprise?
Or not a Coke?
Baffled, Wang Ye couldn’t deny a hint of intrigue.
“Class Monitor, could you possibly divulge the nature of the surprise?
Is it food?”
Wang Ye inquired in hushed tones.
“Not food. First, let’s observe the others’ assessments!”
Following the suspenseful response, Ye Sanshi hastened to the parallel bars. “Let’s go, time to give it another shot!”
On the parallel bars, Wan Baojiang was already in action, yet as soon as he began, Ye Sanshi abruptly interceded.
“Hey, Brother Wang, 1 have a hunch that the class monitor might be holding a letter from your family. He concealed it from you earlier!” At that moment, Yan Zhiming, who was still awaiting his turn for the next round, approached Wang Ye with a grin and whispered.
Previously, when Ye Sanshi alluded to the presence of a surprise, it had stirred a surge of curiosity among the students. Just now, as Wang Ye stepped aside, the other students from Class Five who weren’t partaking in the examination also congregated. They’d overheard the exchange between Wang Ye and Ye Sanshi.
“Heh… It doesn’t matter, really!”
Ye Sanshi reveled in toying with suspense. Wang Ye was left speechless, but he didn’t delve too deeply into it.
While he felt intrigued, he tempered his expectations.
In all seriousness, what sort of commendable surprise could it be?
Wang Ye genuinely struggled to conjure ideas.
Concurrently, on the physical training grounds, Wu Jianfeng approached Kang Hua’s side and murmured, “Everyone’s present. Let’s convene for dinner later!”
Kang Hua cast a sidelong glance at Wu Jianfeng. Then, his gaze traversed the training area, surveying certain individuals. Ultimately, he whispered, “What do you suppose their reactions will be when they unexpectedly encounter their parents at the canteen entrance during their mealtime?”
“They’ll probably get teary-eyed and shed a few tears!”
Wu Jianfeng responded, a grin dancing on his usually somber countenance.
Following this reply, he shifted his attention towards Wang Ye, who was stationed on the parallel bars. “Pass me your digital camera later. I’ll designate someone to capture snapshots of their teary moments—particularly Wang Ye’s.
That youngster, if he ever dares to boast in my presence again, I’ll brandish today’s photo of his tearful display!”
“You’ve got quite the peculiar taste!” Kang Hua laughed and rebuked, albeit lightheartedly.
But after jesting, he concurred without reservation. “Sure, locate someone with adept photography skills.”
Considering their roles as company commander and instructor, they would certainly have to lead the reception. They wouldn’t have the luxury of taking photographs.
For this endeavor, they’d have to rely on others.
“Understood!”
Wu Jianfeng flashed a smile and nodded.
Simultaneously, Wang Ye felt a chill at the nape of his neck. Instinctively, he reached up to touch his neck and scanned the sky above.
No birds were visible in flight, nor did any droppings taint his fingers when he withdrew his hand.
Perplexed, he rotated around.
In his line of sight were Kang Hua and Wu Jianfeng, both grinning, positioned roughly seventy to eighty meters away on the training grounds.
“You two have the oddest sense of humor!”
Wang Ye muttered inwardly. Then, he pivoted and resumed observing the assessment of his fellow Class Five peers.