Chapter 149 - 105: Is He Sick?

The weekend that was originally packed full was just disrupted by a police dispatch.

The new recruits witnessed all the subsequent work that follows a major police deployment.

Just washing and airing out the several clumps of hoses on the truck, tangled like a mess, was a big job.

There was also refilling the hoses, stowing the firefighting tools, charging the two-way radios, inspecting personal protective equipment, refueling and topping up the fire truck, and the post-battle summary meeting...

In just a short day, the fire truck was washed out twice, and it is estimated that its paint would need to be redone once a year.

More than twenty people bustled about for an entire day.

It was far from the previous imagination of just driving out to spray water and put out the fire, then returning so simply.

Firefighting not only requires courage and technique. A series of tasks also require absolute patience.

That red fire truck is laden with an overwhelming assortment of miscellaneous tasks.

High risk, and plenty of work.

This kind of job must rely on the tough measures and faith of the troops, or it must rely on the treatment.

Fang Huai couldn’t help but think of firefighting in ten or so years.

Without military organization and without a high salary, that would truly be tough, with an emphasis on honor.

In that situation, there were still people on the internet claiming that a firefighter’s monthly take-home pay of four to five thousand, and the commander’s salary of seven to eight thousand a month, was too high.

"They only work a few days a year, wasting manpower, the firefighting should be revoked."

Such words, even seeing one sentence, could cause one’s heart to feel afflicted for several years, that kind of anger, cursing both day and night.

No wonder a single joking remark could bring down the biggest talk show company, making the military pursue the matter to the end.

Some honors cannot tolerate the slightest insult.

...

At 5:40 in the afternoon, the Squadron’s garage and front yard, noisy all afternoon, finally returned to silence.

The silver van used by the Squadron for grocery shopping hurriedly drove in, just in time for dinner.

The new recruits saw the Logistics Officer, who had thick legs, for the first time, as well as the last old soldier who was transferred to the Squadron.

"Squad Leader Hao!"

Han Yong, who was holding the water gun to rinse the front yard, shouted loudly. Unconsciously, he raised his hand higher, almost giving Hao Chengbin, who had just arrived, a warm water cannon salute.

Fang Huai, who was assisting in holding the hose behind, hurriedly held down his arm, which prevented the tragedy from happening.

"Damn it, I haven’t seen you for two days, and you’re that excited? You nearly blasted the squad leader away!"

Fang Huai scolded fiercely, helped him shut off the water gun, and then put on a sycophantic expression to greet him.

"Squad Leader Hao! You’re finally here!"

A family member, that is.

Fang Huai took over Hao Chengbin’s large and small bags, grasping the essential role of being the first bootlicker.

The following Han Yong cursed shamelessly.

Who needed the squad leader’s comfort more? It was me!

"Kid, how do you feel about being in the squadron?" Hao Chengbin freed up a hand, patted Fang Huai’s head, and smiled.

Fang Huai grinned: "Not bad."

The Logistics Officer, with a face full of stubble, asked upon seeing this: "You know this new recruit?"

Hao Chengbin nodded: "I led the new recruit group, both of these guys."

He said, gesturing towards Fang Huai and Han Yong.

Xiao Haishan and Song Lin behind them were left envious.

Third term Non-commissioned officer!

These two fellows still had a third-term NCO covering for them, and they brought their connections to the Squadron!

These past few days, the status of Squad Leader Fang, who was also from the third term, was clearly evident in the Squadron.

Han Yong also quickly joined in, taking over the backpack held by the Logistics Officer for Hao Chengbin:

"Let me do it, squad leader!"

"Heh heh, these two lads are quite lively." The Logistics Officer laughed.

He then asked: "One new recruit company, two of you were assigned to the Second Squadron?"

"One I brought over, and the other was coaxed here by this lad."

Now that Han Yong had arrived at the Second Squadron, Hao Chengbin didn’t hold back anymore, but it wasn’t right to discuss the specifics of Han Yong’s connections with the Logistics Officer, as it might seem like showing off.

But when Han Yong heard this, he was filled with righteous indignation and a deep sense of grievance: "Yeah! Squad leader! Fang Huai deceived me! He really screwed us over these past two days!!"

"Oh?"

Hao Chengbin’s throat drew out a long tone, looking towards Fang Huai with a "let’s hear the details" face.

"Hey, squad leader, it’s almost time for dinner. Let me take your bags upstairs for you! Which team are you in?"

Hao Chengbin shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

However, the Logistics Officer suggested, "Just put it in Squad Four for now, you are likely headed to the Special Duty Squad."

Hao Chengbin thought for a moment, then asked, "Which squad is Fang Hongliang in?"

"Emergency Rescue Team."

Hao Chengbin looked around, then said: "Oh, then I’ll go up first to find the Squadron Leader."

The Logistics Officer also glanced around and smiled: "That’s a good idea, once you’re here, go visit Instructor Cao first."

...

At the door of the Squadron Department.

"Report!"

Hao Chengbin knocked on the door.

"Come in...yo, Squad Leader Hao is here!" Cao Yi, who was looking at the computer, smiled when he saw the visitor, but didn’t move.

Ye Jiahong, who was in the next room attaching collar pins to freshly-ironed uniforms, heard the voice and came out in his shirt, stepped forward, and extended his hand to Hao Chengbin.

"Squad Leader Hao, welcome!"

The two commanders, one in charge of warmth, the other maintaining an approach of "sacred and inviolable distance".

Hao Chengbin, however, did not put on any old soldier’s airs and saluted respectfully, "Squadron Leader, Instructor, former Anshun Special Service Squadron Equipment Technician Hao Chengbin reporting for duty!"

Ye Jiahong was taken aback for a moment, quickly returned the salute, and waved his hand, "Squad Leader Hao, we’re all family here, no need for formalities!"

At that, Cao Yi also stood up, saluted, stepped forward to shake hands, and said with a smile, "Old Hao, we are still soldiers from the same year, what’s all this for! Please sit down! Sit down!"

Originally, Cao Yi had planned to maintain a certain distance and to assert pressure on the newly arrived Hao Chengbin, but seeing his manner, there was no need to "keep distance to command respect."

A humble attitude sometimes indeed earns respect.

This salute dispelled the slight annoyance that had lingered in Cao Yi’s mind since the day Hao Chengbin had reprimanded him at the training tower.

As Hao Chengbin walked into the office, he continued humbly, "Having transferred to the Special Service Squadron 2 is an honor. From now on, I will follow the leaders’ orders."

Hao Chengbin was not without understanding of personal relationships and incidents.

This was a formal transfer, and all personal relationships needed to be transferred here. It was not a temporary unit like the new recruit company, and building good relationships with squadron cadres was essential for good work in the future.

Ye Jiahong politely said, "You’ve got it backward, Squad Leader Hao. Our squadron has gained a powerful addition with you, like a tiger growing wings!"

Only then did Cao Yi return to his desk, took out a piece of paper from a drawer, and handed it to Hao Chengbin with a smile,

"Just in time, your appointment order came today. We’ll announce it during the evening inspection."

The acting captain’s appointment order could be simply announced or mentioned during a meeting.

The two were entirely different.

A formal announcement represents a degree of solemnity.

One could say Hao Chengbin’s attitude had changed Cao Yi’s original decision.

The Logistics Officer who went to the train station to pick up Hao Chengbin obviously informed the cadres of his arrival.

But the front yard was deserted, and though Cao Yi knew of Hao Chengbin’s arrival, his failure to notify everyone to meet him illustrated Cao Yi’s initial attitude.

At the door, Hao Chengbin heard the 16-year-old soldier, the Logistics Officer, say that he should first visit Instructor Cao, and clearly understood who held authority here.

"Thank you for your concern, leaders. Which squad should I join later? Fang Huai is still outside carrying my bag for me," Hao Chengbin said with a smile.

"Oh, I completely forgot!" Cao Yi smacked his forehead, stepped forward, and took Hao Chengbin by the arm, saying,

"I should have greeted you at the squadron entrance! Just this morning, there was a fire alarm at the lumber mill. The Fire Prevention Office called, rushing us to submit a firefighting report for their fire investigation! I was hurrying to finish it, and it slipped my mind!

Let’s go, it’s just mealtime, I’ll treat you to a welcome meal!"

As he spoke, he pulled Hao Chengbin outside while giving Ye Jiahong a knowing look behind his back.

Ye Jiahong walked behind, took a whistle out of his pocket, and blew a gathering call down the hallway.

"Assemble downstairs!"

...

"Instructor, for tasks like this, you can just let Fang Huai do it. That lad knows how to deal with computer graphics and all that!"

"It’s alright; the new recruit hasn’t settled into a role yet. He just needs to do his duties well. Besides, he wants to participate in the national Grand Martial Arts Competition, so let’s not burden him with these miscellaneous tasks just yet."

"How’s his performance?"

"Very good."

Hao Chengbin and Cao Yi continued to chat as they walked down the stairs.

Fang Huai had been in the corridor, but upon hearing the whistle, he quickly instructed his companion Han Yong to leave Hao Chengbin’s bag in his Second Squad’s bed, and then followed a few meters behind them down the stairs.

Observing their figures, his heart was filled with astonishment.

The two had had a confrontational moment at the training tower that day! But now, it seemed they were on good terms!

...

The entire squadron personnel had assembled downstairs.

Cao Yi intended to pull Hao Chengbin to the front of the formation to introduce him, but Hao Chengbin repeatedly refused and ran to the last row to stand.

The two showcased a display of the cadres’ warmth towards new members and the old soldier’s compliance in front of the whole squadron.

Those below, seeing the usually stern Instructor Cao reveal a rare smile, had mixed feelings.

There were familiar faces too, greeting Squad Leader Hao; Hao Chengbin responded with a smile, but remained silent.

"Ahem," Cao Yi coughed, and silence fell below.

"This afternoon, the last member of our squadron’s personnel change, Squad Leader Hao, has arrived. Let’s give him a round of applause to welcome him!"

Applause rang out enthusiastically.

"Squad Leader Hao... from now on to be called Captain Hao! The Detachment and Big Team have issued his orders, which I will read out this evening!

Captain Hao is a spearhead of our whole corps and, at the same time, a role model for everyone!

In the future, he will be responsible for the squadron’s training plans and combat readiness tasks; he is also an equipment technician, so Squad Leader Chen should communicate more with Squad Leader Hao and learn from him!

Once the squadron is fully staffed, I hope everyone will thoroughly engage in training and take combat readiness seriously!

These days the weather is dry and cold, prime time for fires. Stay vigilant and be ready to be dispatched to emergencies at any moment!

That’s it. In a while, I will notify the canteen to add drinks to officially welcome the new non-commissioned officers and four new recruits!

Let’s sing and have our meal!"

...

During the meal, the squadron cadres frequently toasted with everyone to make up for the lack of warmth in not having welcomed Hao Chengbin earlier.

However, as for the newly arrived veteran Squad Leader, everyone was still unsure of how to treat him.

Hao Chengbin was in no rush; he chatted briefly with those who came to greet him, and after the meal, he went upstairs with the squadron cadres.

Liu Jianfeng hesitated for a moment before following them upstairs.

...

Squadron Department.

"The upcoming post duty training, spring training, new recruit training, and the Grand Martial Arts Competition in the latter half of the year... we have heavy tasks ahead. During the Olympics period, we will also need to dispatch frequently for duty..."

Cao Yi, Ye Jiahong, and Hao Chengbin were deep in discussion when Liu Jianfeng walked up to the open door and knocked.

"Report!"

"Come in, what is it?" Cao Yi saw who it was and inquired.

Liu Jianfeng walked straight into the office, glanced at Hao Chengbin, frowned, and got straight to the point,

"Squad Leader Hao, you led the new recruit group Fang Huai was part of, right? I’d like to ask you... did he have any illness before?"