Chapter 101 - 59: The First Time Defense was Broken after Rebirth

8:30 in the morning, training field.

"Squad leader, what happened to our squad leader’s family?"

"Why do you care so much? Your squad leader is only on leave for a few days. As long as he doesn’t request leave for personal affairs, he’ll be back soon!"

Pan Zhaohui looked at the two rows in front of him, a total of twenty people, and was somewhat headache-stricken, scratching his head.

"Squad Nine, up to what subject have you learned in individual formation training?"

No one from Squad Nine answered.

Fang Huai glanced at Zhao Bing, who finally said.

"Squat-stand! Squad leader!"

Pan Zhaohui noticed this little gesture and said, frowning.

"Fang Huai! Why are you looking at him? Why don’t you answer? Have you become mute?

I heard from Jiang Peng that yesterday, when you were fighting with Battalion Commander Zhang, you were quite fierce, weren’t you?"

Fang Huai’s mouth twitched.

Jiang Peng’s mouth, truly unable to spit out ivory.

Just yesterday I beat up Battalion Commander Zhang; Old Pan wouldn’t take revenge for his favored soldier against me, would he?

Thinking about this, Fang Huai quickly deflected the blame, "Report, squad leader, Jiang Peng wasn’t even there yesterday! He went to challenge our Squad Leader Hao! How could he possibly know what happened yesterday?"

As for Pan Zhaohui’s first question, of course, it was because the Instructor appointed Zhao Bing, but Fang Huai didn’t want to mention it.

After all, Pan Zhaohui was not Hao Chengbin, and it was unlikely that he would take Fang Huai’s side. Moreover, if Pan Zhaohui found out that Liang Longhui was dissatisfied with Fang Huai, the coming days might not be so easy for him either.

Upon saying this, Jiang Peng instantly turned his head and glared at Fang Huai.

Fang Huai just smiled contemptuously in return.

"Oh? There’s such a thing?" Pan Zhaohui’s eyes widened as he looked at Jiang Peng.

"Jiang, you’ve got some skill there, now you can even challenge the squad leader? What did you compete in?"

Pan Zhaohui was obviously not fully clued in on the events of last night and looked at Jiang Peng with a smile that hid some anger.

Jiang Peng instinctively raised his hand to protect his face.

Squad Nine members watching from behind all felt like laughing.

It seems Jiang Peng isn’t having an easy time in Squad Eight either!

Yue Tao saw his chance and said excitedly, "Squad leader! Yesterday, Jiang Peng said our squad leader was weak! Our squad leader let him choose an event, and he chose Five Kilometers! In the end, our squad leader left him more than a full loop behind!"

Members of Squads Eight and Nine were stunned. So much happened yesterday?

Pan Zhaohui laughed, his face full of gossip, and pointed at Jiang Peng, asking Yue Tao, "Did he get beaten by Hao Chengbin?"

"No, squad leader!" Yue Tao answered loudly.

Then Pan Zhaohui turned around and said calmly, "Jiang Peng, for defying the squad leader, one hundred push-ups. Zhang Yizhang, for not managing Jiang Peng properly, fifty."

Zhang Yizhang didn’t say anything, just looked at Jiang Peng, sighed, and lay down directly.

Jiang Peng opened his mouth, about to argue something.

Pan Zhaohui glanced at his watch, said impatiently, "Hurry up! I’m pressed for time! The teaching task today is hefty. Do you want to do it with extra weight, or what?"

In Squad Eight, giving excuses was useless. As long as Pan Zhaohui spoke, delaying would only result in infinite increments of the punishment.

Jiang Peng had no choice but to keep silent and started doing the push-ups.

Fang Huai was astonished.

Squad Eight enforces strict rules!

Indeed, the miscreant still needs extreme grinding!

Of course, Old Pan’s handling might not necessarily be for Hao Chengbin, but for upholding the army’s respect for old soldiers and obedience to the squad leader’s rules.

But Yue Tao made another thoughtless remark, "Squad leader, what does ’with extra weight’ mean?"

Pan Zhaohui smiled and looked at Yue Tao, saying, "Who allowed you to talk? Get down, for interrupting the queue without cause, fifty push-ups!"

Alas, joy turns to sorrow.

Yue Tao immediately tried to justify himself, "Squad leader... I... Our squad doesn’t have such a rule!"

Pan Zhaohui’s smile deepened, "Your squad’s formation? This is a rule in all army units nationwide! In a formation, only one voice is allowed. Haven’t you been taught? Shall I phone Hao Chengbin right now and ask, do you believe me?"

Yue Tao was not articulate; what he wanted to say was that when he spoke out of turn in Squad Nine’s formation, the squad leader would just kick him, never making him do push-ups.

Now was not the time to argue, and he could only respond with a bitter face, "Taught, taught, I’ll do it!"

Having said that, he also lay down and joined the push-up group.

Then Pan Zhaohui smilingly walked to the back of the formation and said with hands behind his back.

"Any other rules your squad leader hasn’t taught you? Want me to teach you again now?"

No one answered.

Pan Zhaohui sat down contentedly.

He sat on Yue Tao.

"Ow!!" Yue Tao howled.

Pan Zhaohui cheerfully shouted down to Yue Tao beneath him, "Didn’t you ask me? This is what we call weighted push-ups! Understand? Get on with it!"

Yue Tao frantically slapped the ground: "I was wrong! I was wrong! Squad leader!"

...

After lunch, Yue Tao was sighing and moaning back in the squad room.

"Damn, I did 150 push-ups this morning! How many rules does Squad Eight have anyway!"

Lu Zexian laughed, "Isn’t it just because you talk too much?"

Yue Tao howled again, clasping his hands in prayer and bowing, "Squad leader, please come back soon..."

But Han Yong just laughed, "Actually, I think it’s a lot better now. We haven’t been beaten up this morning."

Everyone was stunned.

"Holy crap... Han Yong, what kind of life were you living before?"

Han Yong spread his hands: "Anyway, if you make a mistake, you get hit first, then do push-ups.

And at night, you have to do half an hour of Evening Exercise, either push-ups, squat-stands, or sit-ups, picking just one and keep at it.

His reasoning is: half an hour is too short, only enough for one exercise, or you won’t build proper strength.

Plus, those of us who can’t pull ourselves up on the horizontal bar have to do extra."

Lu Zexian swallowed nervously and silently walked up to Han Yong, patting him on the shoulder.

"Bro, I was wrong to mock you for joining the Flying Tiger Team, if it were me, I’d fucking go too."

Fang Huai shook his head and smiled. "Actually, getting used to it in advance would make things a little easier later on. The new recruit group places too much emphasis on formation drills. I advise you all to do some extra training on your own, or you might end up crying terribly once you’re reassigned.

Han Yong, let me tell you, the stuff you went through in Squad Eight is just the norm, and the training time is only going to increase. If you’re lucky enough to get assigned to a county squadron... after the first year, you’ll be a changed man."

Everyone’s faces changed. How come Fang Huai is even scarier than Han Yong?

Han Yong quickly shook his head: "Bro, I’m already a person! No need to change anymore! Can you please stop scaring me?"

And you said you would..."

Han Yong hesitated, feeling it wasn’t appropriate to talk about Fang Huai offering to take him to the Special Duty Team here.

Fang Huai got the hint but shook his head with a smile: "I don’t think you’ve really thought it through."

If you had, the system wouldn’t give me a task about "determining Han Yong’s resolve to join the Special Duty Team."

I haven’t even completed it yet!

Originally, Fang Huai thought of coaxing him into it, completing the task, and then letting him choose for himself.

Because that’s how he completed Hao Chengbin’s task. Coming up with a reasonable plan that meets the task requirements, if the other party accepts it, then the task is considered complete.

So Fang Huai didn’t even mention asking Han Yong for any help; he just asked if he was willing to go. The rest could be discussed after completing the task.

But Han Yong’s task was still stuck right here.

It was clear that he had his own concerns, or perhaps he didn’t want to go deep down.

Facing this issue, Han Yong didn’t say a word, just stared blankly at the wall.

Fang Huai stood up and said to Han Yong, "Come with me."

Fang Huai led Han Yong to the end of the corridor outside and turned to him.

"What are your concerns about joining the Special Duty Team?"

Han Yong looked confused: "I don’t have any concerns, I’ll go."

Fang Huai saw through his act and directly asked, "Do you think I want to use you?"

"No... not at all."

Feigning surprise, his expression stiffened, and his head tilted to the side.

Fang Huai concluded: he was lying.

With an amused look, Fang Huai patted his arm, "Bro, have you been listening to too much nonsense? There won’t be any of that ’give you five yuan to buy Zhonghua’ business."

"How could I think that of you? You’re overthinking it!"

Han Yong tactically retreated, about to wave his hand, but Fang Huai continued.

"However, I did want to discuss something with you, to ask for your help... I initially had two things, if you help me with them, I’ll take care of you until you’re discharged, and try not to let anyone bully you. Of course, I don’t count normal training and police dispatch.

I’ll take good care of you during this stint in the military, ensuring your service isn’t in vain. Later on, I might even help you make some money."

Upon hearing the last part, Han Yong quickly shook his head: "No need to make money! My family has... enough money! Whatever you need help with, just say it!"

Fang Huai laughed.

This guy is so cautious, probably won’t have to worry about money as long as his parents don’t go bankrupt in their old age.

"Fine, I’ll speak plainly then. Originally, Jiang Peng’s uncle, a deputy director of the Provincial Brigade, was unsatisfied with Squad Leader Hao because of your squad transfer and purposely made things difficult for him, affecting his transfer.

At that time, I was thinking you could call your parents over the New Year to say hello, but that issue has already been resolved now."

"I guessed that. Even if you didn’t tell me, I would have done it anyway. Tell me the second thing," Han Yong said directly.

Fang Huai raised his eyebrows.

This guy is sharper than I thought! Could he have guessed that too?

Fang Huai raised his eyebrows again, reminding, "That matter has been resolved."

But Han Yong shook his head: "My dad told me when he came, if I get bullied, I should tell him, if treated well, I should also repay the kindness."

Ah, mom, the way people from major households talk is different! This tone straight out of Aladdin’s lamp isn’t something ordinary people can pull off!

That Pan Zhaohui... did he miss an opportunity?

Forget it, Squad Leader Hao is also going to be discharged eventually, leaving a door open is always good.

Fang Huai nodded and continued: "Okay, there’s another matter, it’s mine, and it should be easy for your family.

I’ve written a few songs, could you ask your family to find a suitable agent for me? Preferably someone who knows a few entertainment or record companies to help me out with selling my songs."

Upon hearing this, Han Yong became wary.

"How much... How much are you planning to sell your songs for?"

"Holy shit," Fang Huai was speechless.

Did this guy think I wanted him to buy them?

Fang Huai took a deep breath and explained, "I’m asking you to help me find someone to negotiate, not blackmail you into buying them!

When I have money, I can pay them a salary, a commission, whatever works, it’s just that I can’t go out and handle it myself.

Me, make you buy them by force? Am I qualified to do that?

If your family filed a report, wouldn’t I end up sewing behind bars for a few years?

And my songs are definitely sellable! If they really don’t sell... I’ll figure out how to reimburse the agent’s efforts, okay?"

After listening, Han Yong seemed to relax, but then he patted Fang Huai’s shoulder with an experienced tone.

"You should have dreams... but society is very pragmatic. I’ve met many who think they’re capable... I advise you not to get your hopes up too high. I’ll help you with this small favor, and you don’t need to pay me."

Fuck your father.

Fang Huai cursed inwardly, somewhat unable to stand Han Yong’s patronizing tone.

"Fine, but if I really make money, don’t be shocked," Fang Huai gritted his teeth.

"Ah..." Han Yong didn’t continue the conversation but shook his head and walked back to the class with his hands behind his back.

Fang Huai was left standing there dumbfounded.

[Task Completion.]

Before he could even feel happy about it, Han Yong, who was nearly at the class door, looked back at Fang Huai and shook his head again.

"Ah..."

A long sigh echoed through the corridor as if mocking his own miserable life over the past thirty-some years.

At that moment, Fang Huai really wanted to give him a kick. Truly.

This was the first time since his rebirth that he felt defeated.