Chapter 61: Veterans
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
That night, the recruit dormitory buzzed with activity.
In one class, recruits were called out one by one to shout their comments at the building, with the entire class accompanying them downstairs.
In other squads, recruits were summoned to the corridor, where their squad leaders ordered them to do push-ups with clenched fists while giving their comments.
Some recruits even found themselves standing at the entrance of the toilet, holding small yellow basins in their hands as they stammered through their comments.
As Wang Ye entered the toilet, he couldn’t help but feel like he had been transported out of China and into the United Nations headquarters. It seemed like people were discussing international affairs right outside the door!
This continued until nine o’clock, when the gathering whistle finally sounded.
…
“We’ll start cleaning the dormitory shortly. First, let me teach you how to organize your personal belongings. It’s important to arrange everything properly during the cleaning process.
There will be an inspection tomorrow morning, and if anyone fails due to improper organization or a messy dormitory, you’ll be in big trouble…”
In Class Five’s dormitory, Ye Sanshi began to teach everyone how to arrange their belongings after his stern warning.
There was no additional physical training scheduled for the evening roll call, so they still had some time.
Ye Sanshi gave a thorough speech on organizing personal items and maintaining cleanliness.
Afterward, he scrutinized everyone for over ten minutes, assigning specific tasks and then leaving when the platoon leader came to fetch him.
“He really doesn’t give us any rest. I was hoping to take a cold shower, but it seems like that won’t be happening again!” someone in the dormitory complained as soon as Ye Sanshi left.
However, they didn’t stop working. After all, Wang Ye, the vice class monitor, was still present.
Furthermore, since the blanket-folding incident in the afternoon, Wang Ye’s authority had increased.
“The area under the bed must be wiped so clean that white gloves can’t pick up any dirt. Honestly, what’s the point of all this? What does cleanliness have to do with being a soldier? I joined the army to wield a gun on the battlefield, to fight. But now, there’s no sign of a gun. We’re either memorizing books or folding blankets and cleaning!” someone lamented in the dormitory.
Meanwhile, Wang Ye and Wan Baojiang were holding onto someone’s feet, allowing them to clean the dust from the dormitory’s ceiling fan. However, this person fell silent upon hearing the others’ complaints.
This prompted Wang Ye to respond with irritation, “What are you babbling about? Get back to work! It’s hard enough for the two of us to support your weight.”
On the other side, Song Yuejin chimed in with a smile, “Exactly. Let’s just be soldiers, play with guns, and experience military life. As for war? New recruits like us are nothing more than cannon fodder. Thinking you can dominate the battlefield? You’d probably be a martyr before a day even passes!”
“Haha!” laughter filled the dormitory.
But soon, Wang Ye’s expression turned serious, and he shouted in a low voice, “Why are you all laughing? Get back to work. Be careful not to attract the class monitor’s attention!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry, Vice Class Monitor,” Liang Fan, lying under his metal-frame bed and wiping the bed board, reassured with a smile. “The class monitor just left for a meeting. He won’t be back so soon. Besides, even if he does return, I’m not afraid of him.”
Liang Fan, still lying under the bed, rolled up his right sleeve and flexed his biceps to show off.
“Look at these muscles. Just because I’ve been behaving these past two days doesn’t mean I’m scared. I respect the army’s discipline, not him. Besides, with his short stature, I’m not bragging, but 1 could take on two of him with one hand!”
“Oh, i didn’t know you were so powerful,” someone sarcastically remarked.
Just then, the door swung open.
Ye Sanshi stood at the entrance, wearing a stern expression.
“Uh…” everyone in the dormitory was startled.
Ye Sanshi’s gaze fell upon Liang Fan, who looked at him with a dumbfounded expression. “Come out, I’ll spar with you. 1 won’t use just one hand; I’ll use both. If you defeat me, you can go straight to bed and sleep until the morning wake-up call.”
At that moment, Qin Li focused intently on cleaning the ceiling fan. Wang Ye and Wan Baojiang firmly held the person’s feet, gazing upward to assess their progress.
The rest of the class diligently carried out their cleaning tasks—some wiped the floor with great attention, while others meticulously cleaned the bed frames.
Liang Fan, lying under the bed and wiping the bed board, cautiously tried to slink away.
Fortunately, Ye Sanshi didn’t actually intend to engage in a fight with him.
“Hmph, let me make this clear. Focus on your work and refrain from such nonsense. Don’t think that just because I’m in a meeting, you can do as you please. Let me tell you the truth: we re merely pretending right now. All the class monitors only stayed in the corridor for a short while before quietly returning to their classrooms!”
With that, he looked at Wang Ye.
“Vice Class Monitor Wang, the class monitor selection isn’t just for show. While you can chat during work, make sure the conversations are productive. For instance, you can randomly quiz them on regulations while working!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Ye felt a sense of disbelief.
The rest of the class was momentarily speechless before letting out a collective groan.
Was he serious?
They had to recite regulations even while having a conversation.
Of course, outwardly, they didn’t dare to question him, and Wang Ye could only respond loudly, “Yes, sir!”
“Humph!” Ye Sanshi snorted once more and looked at everyone. “I truly left for a meeting this time. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
With that, he glanced at Liang Fan, who hadn’t fully retreated under the bed. “If I catch you bragging again, you’re done for. Also, you’re in charge of ensuring all the beds in the dormitory are spotless!”
“Yes, sir!” Liang Fan’s scalp tingled, but he mustered the courage to reply.
“Humph, not just the lower bunks, but also the bed boards of the upper bunks. If the inspection reveals any deficiencies, you should be prepared to face consequences. As you said, I’ll tie up one of your hands and then call our platoon leader. He’s about the same height as me, the shorty you mentioned. We ll find a place, and if you lose, you won’t be able to leave the infirmary for several days!”
Liang Fan didn’t dare to say another word.
However, he had made up his mind to clean the bedboard with utmost diligence later on.
What was Ye Sanshi planning? Tying one of his hands and then challenging two seasoned soldiers?
He would surely end up in the infirmary.
After Ye Sanshi left, the dormitory fell into silence.
Everyone was taken aback.
Seasoned soldiers were truly a force to be reckoned with!
Playing such pranks even during a meeting.
And let’s not even mention how terrifying it was.
More importantly, if they were caught in the act, just thinking about the consequences made their scalps tingle.
Wang Ye also looked at the closed door, wondering if Ye Sanshi had truly left this time.