Chapter 204: Finally Meeting
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Class monitor, why are you dealing with internal matters at this time?”
Whispered Gu Yingnan in the dormitory of Class 5.
Liang Fan, who was wiping the floor with a towel on the side, also looked up and chimed in, “Yeah, class monitor, did we perform well today?”
Ye Sanshi was meticulously going through everyone’s lockers in the dormitory, helping to organize everything.
“Why are you asking so many questions? Just get to work!”
After uttering those words, he turned around and continued with his tasks.
Nevertheless, Class 5 had indeed performed impressively today. Apart from Zhang Ping’an, who struggled in the line, no one else faced any failures in other subjects. This boosted everyone’s confidence.
Despite his stern demeanor, Song Yuejin still whispered, “Class monitor, is there a higher-up visiting?
Perhaps some leader has taken an interest in Brother Wang, which is why we’re tending to internal matters?”
His remark caught the attention of Wang Ye, who was arranging the blanket on Gu Yingnan’s bed. He peeked down to observe Ye Sanshi below.
Upon returning to class for internal tasks, Ye Sanshi had assigned Wang Ye the responsibility of overseeing the refinement of the class’s beddings.
Naturally, he must have inquired about the promised surprise.
Ye Sanshi had previously mentioned that a surprise was in store during the assessment.
However, despite breaking only a single record, he seemed unperturbed.
During the assessment, he had suggested waiting until they were back in the dormitory. Now that they were back, when Wang Ye inquired earlier, he had deferred revealing the information until dinner.
Truthfully, Wang Ye had an inclination to hold him down and give him a good talking to.
If he didn’t want to share, why dangle the suspense?
If a surprise truly existed, it could be unveiled during dinner.
Ye Sanshi had a knack for enigma, causing Wang Ye to feel the urge to smack him.
Now, Song Yuejin’s statement made Wang Ye consider the possibility.
After all, his performance had undeniably been exceptional.
Furthermore, the timing of their return and the cleanup seemed somewhat peculiar.
This aligned well with the scenario of a higher-up inspection, requiring last-minute preparations and internal affairs polishing.
“Don’t overthink it. You’ll find out when the time comes. Right now, focus on your tasks.
I’ve told you, anyone who’s careless will face consequences once 1 discover it.
Don’t assume that you’re safe just because you’re about to have some fun in two days.
Let me make it clear, if I wish, even in these mere two days, 1 can cast a shadow over your hearts for the rest of your lives!”
Class 5 fell silent. Even Wang Ye rolled his eyes.
A lifelong ordeal? We’re all young men. What’s your intention?
Ultimately, Wang Ye chose to ignore him.
Who cared? Regardless of the circumstances, dinner was only about twenty minutes away. They would find out soon enough.
Without delay, everyone in the dormitory resumed their tasks.
Meanwhile, while Wang Ye and the others were engrossed in their work, in the first-floor hall of the guest house, the regiment commander spoke with a grin, “Parents, it’s almost time. Let’s head over together!”
The regiment commander and his group had recently arrived, waiting for the parents of the final three recruits to arrive punctually.
After a brief exchange and a few photos taken by the publicity department officers, they checked their watches and the regiment commander promptly signaled for everyone to depart.
As they didn’t have vehicles, it would take more than ten minutes to walk from the family quarters to the main gate of the recruit company. They needed to enter through the canteen entrance, allowing the recruits just enough time to sing a song before dinner.
Precision in timing was a hallmark of the military.
“Small duty group, assemble!”
At exactly six o’clock, a voice echoed from downstairs.
Promptly, Yan Zhiming laid down his rag, preparing to stand up.
However, at that moment, Ye Sanshi interjected, “Yan Zhiming, continue your work.
Wang Ye, there’s no need for you to finish the last two blankets. Go get your meal today!”
“???”
In this instant, Wang Ye was left with a figurative question mark hovering above his head.
Halting and straightening himself, he gazed at Ye Sanshi.
After a brief contemplation, Wang Ye responded with a succinct, “Yes, sir!”
Certainly, something was amiss today. Wang Ye wasn’t naive, and it seemed related to him.
Moreover, it probably wasn’t a negative development.
After all, Ye Sanshi referred to it as a “surprise,” not a “shock.”
However, if this guy had no intention of explaining further, Wang Ye sensed that inquiring now might yield little information.
Consequently, he didn’t bother asking.
He no longer concerned himself with that matter and headed straight to the cafeteria.
He could only hope that the surprise would be unveiled later.
“Stand at ease! Attention!”
As the duty groups descended the stairs, Wang Ye started to realize that something was genuinely unusual today. The individuals on duty from each class appeared to be the deputy class monitors.
Furthermore, Wang Ye observed that all of them wore somewhat unnatural expressions.
“Hey, comrades, did your class monitor discuss anything with you?”
While the veterans on duty led the formation towards the cafeteria, someone softly inquired from behind Wang Ye.
Turning around to address the query, Wang Ye noticed a peculiar atmosphere.
However, before he could respond, a platoon leader walking alongside the group adopted a stern expression and scolded, “What are you doing? How much time has elapsed?
Both of you are deputy class monitors. Are you planning to hop like frogs all the way to the cafeteria?”
Instantly, the individuals who had contemplated responding earlier swallowed their words.
Nevertheless, Wang Ye cast a discerning glance at the platoon leader. Something indeed felt off today.
Normally, during the walk to the cafeteria, it was acceptable for conversations to flow quietly. Some duty veterans would even engage in the discussions as long as the formation wasn’t disrupted.
However, today, someone had barely spoken before receiving swift reprimand.
Well, the platoon leader was undoubtedly stringent.
Nevertheless, Wang Ye’s intuition hinted that the platoon leader had orchestrated this deliberately.
Before long, the duty group reached the cafeteria.
Along the way, there were no deviations, surprises, or elation.
Inside the cafeteria, everyone fell in line orderly under the supervision of the platoon leader, just as they did each day.
But when they were about to collect their portions of vegetables, a realization swept through the group.
Today’s meal resembled that of a festive season.
“What’s happening?” Someone couldn’t resist whispering.
“Shh, don’t inquire further. Avoid drawing reprimand. Wait and observe!”
Their brief exchange concluded promptly.
After all, the watchful eye of the platoon leader was upon them.
Consequently, everyone suppressed their astonishment and focused on their tasks.
A few minutes later, the meal and dishes were prepared. Wang Ye positioned himself at Class 5’s table, awaiting the unfolding of events.
Frankly, he couldn’t deny his curiosity.
What was the surprise?
The actions of Ye Sanshi and the platoon leader, combined with the altered cafeteria menu, sparked intrigue.
Gazing at the platoon leader, Wang Ye scanned the surroundings both inside and outside the cafeteria.
Currently, he noted no overt peculiarities.
Could it indeed be a leader’s inspection?
What sort of leader was it?
Could it be a teacher?
Wang Ye’s thoughts ventured into speculation.
The prime rationale was that, despite online searches, he couldn’t identify any other recruit company that would invite families to the military for the assessment and award ceremony.
Hence, Wang Ye hadn’t even remotely considered this possibility.
Upon contemplation, it made sense. The Iron-Bones Hero Squad accommodated recruits from diverse regions globally. The labor and resources expended to assemble these recruits were extensive. Now, they even welcomed recruits’ parents. Imagine the effort invested in this endeavor.
Wang Ye hadn’t foreseen that it wasn’t conceivable for the Iron-Bones Hero Squad to extend invitations to all recruits’ parents.
Yet, invitations for several exceptional recruits’ parents were possible.
After waiting for a period, orderly footsteps resonated from outside.
A sizable assembly emerged.
Before long, the sound of singing reverberated.
“Unity is strength…”
This was a familiar melody, often sung by the recruits before dinner.
Simultaneously, the recruits were making their way to the cafeteria from the camp entrance. Adjacent to the propaganda department, a cluster of individuals held cameras, observing the multitude of recruits at the cafeteria’s entrance.
“Which one is Xiaoye!”
“Where’s Xiao Jun? Who’s our Xiao Jun?”
The parents of the soldiers murmured in hushed tones to their spouses.
Yet, obtaining concrete identification proved unfeasible.
All the recruits’ backs were turned toward this direction.
Facial features remained obscure, yet attire matched. Some seemed akin to their sons.
But… Their sons were not present outside at all.
“Parents, remain patient. Your children have been directed to enter for dinner tonight. We intended to provide them with a surprise. We didn’t wish for them to spot us outside.”
In this instant, the official addressed the assembly with a genial smile.
Following this, a hush descended among the soldiers’ parents.
“His singing is indeed commanding. I wonder if our Xiaoye can project his voice so robustly!”
After having their concerns pacified, soldier parents engrossed themselves in the discussion. Wang Ye’s mother engaged in this topic with Wang Jianjun.
Shortly, the song concluded, and the cohort of soldier fathers and mother soldiers arrived beside the cafeteria, halting their progress.
At that moment, certain recruits who had finished singing glanced about, noticing the gathering situated ten meters from them.
“What the heck is happening? Who are these people?
“Is this the surprise the class monitor mentioned?
Even the regiment commander’s chief of staff is present?
Who are these middle-aged men and women?”
In actuality, with each passing second, an increasing number of recruits acknowledged the scenario unfolding on one side.
While they sang and chanted, Wu Jianfeng and Kang Hua stood before them, inhibiting the capacity to rotate their heads or divert their gazes. However, now that these soldiers had paused, despite their attempts to temper their volume, the song’s cessation uncovered their conversation.
Glancing over, a recruit instantly mentally exclaimed, “What the heck!”
Several recruits were momentarily dumbfounded.
Before they could deliberate further…
“Attention, everyone!” Wu Jianfeng commanded.
A resounding directive jolted the recruits back to awareness.
“Right face!”
“Welcome, Luo Xiong, Liu Jun…Wang Ye… The parents of the nine exceptional recruits are visiting the unit and receiving applause!”
“Clap, clap, clap!”
In this instance, the recruits outside clapped anew, astonishment etched across their expressions.
Amid the applause, an array of sentiments surged within the recruits.
What had they just heard?
The deputy class monitor’s parents were present?
Such an activity segment was actually arranged.
Why had this information been withheld?
Had it been divulged earlier, recruits would undoubtedly have striven harder for the deputy class monitor position!
At this juncture, the recruits who clapped exchanged glances, gazing at the assembly of men and women opposite them, finding it difficult to regain composure.
Simultaneously, Wang Ye and his peers in the cafeteria were left speechless before their respective tables.
Soon after, someone dashed forth.
Certain individuals grasped the importance of discipline and shifted their focus to the platoon leader.
However, upon beholding his smile, they hastened to the exit.
“Dad!
“Mom!”