Chapter 150 - 106 - What Does This Task Mean?

"He... does have a bit of an illness."

Hao Chengbin was uncharacteristically serious.

He had always kept this matter in mind.

Liu Jianfeng came up today with some personal agenda, since Fang Huai’s performance was so outstanding that even he had nothing to say. But since Squad Leader Fang wasn’t made the acting platoon leader, Liu didn’t want the squadron leaders to always think that everything about Hao Chengbin was perfect.

At the very least, the soldier he brought had some issues.

Liu Jianfeng was about to speak.

Hao Chengbin had already pointed to the area over his heart and said with some anxiety,

"The doctor said his heart rate is low, he should stay up late less often. You should try to give him fewer night shifts, and also, he can’t drink coffee."

Both officers immediately frowned.

"However..." Hao Chengbin continued, "I’ve checked him several times after training, and because of his condition, his heartbeat doesn’t seem to be very intense after intensive training. Moreover, his recovery ability is much stronger than the others. If he undergoes long-term endurance training, he has a significant advantage."

The three men were stunned.

Crooked day, they hadn’t ever heard of such a kind-hearted illness that comes with superpowers!

Is this really an illness?

It’s clearly a blessing!

Liu Jianfeng became anxious, feeling like the more they discussed, the more legendary it got.

"No! Squad Leader Hao, have you not noticed that Fang Huai has flat feet??"

The mood in the office went up and down.

But Hao Chengbin, who always had a good understanding of Fang Huai, seemed to recall something at that moment and did not speak immediately.

He knew what flat feet were, having led soldiers for many years.

As soon as it was mentioned, he had a flash of understanding.

A soldier with such good physical strength but who cannot sprint well must have an underlying reason.

Thinking about it, Fang Huai did seem to have a bit of flat feet after running practice.

He couldn’t gasp for breath much longer, right? He looked desperate, but after running, he could still speak clearly. He just kept punching his legs and rotating his ankles.

It seemed like his legs and feet hurt a lot.

Hao Chengbin hesitated for a moment and then said, "Maybe a bit, but it shouldn’t be... severe, right? His running in the new recruit group... he improved quite fast, and his 100-meter sprint... also made some progress."

"What’s his 100-meter sprint time?" Cao Yi suddenly asked.

Hao Chengbin’s expression turned somewhat ugly, as if someone had caught him by the throat:

"When he joined the group, it was over 16 seconds; when he transferred down to the squad... 14.46 seconds."

This result, even for the new recruit group, was just average.

It was the outcome of Fang Huai’s intense training efforts. It appeared to be a significant improvement, but as the time decreased, the harder it was to improve.

Sprinting is a matter of natural talent.

China’s current record is 10.17 seconds, set by Zhou Wei from Jiangxi at the Asian Athletics Championships in 1998.

Those under 11 seconds form an obtuse-angled pyramid, with more people below that. For every additional 0.1 second, the number of people able to reach that time might multiply several times.

14.46 seconds...

In Special Service Squadron 2, the average time for the 100 meters is slightly over 12 seconds, and there’s even a Little Black who can break 11 seconds, his best time being 10.98 seconds, just 0.1 second behind He Zhijun.

This score seriously lagged behind.

And if there was flat feet...

Everyone’s brows began to furrow.

But Hao Chengbin did not hesitate for long before he stood up, hands on knees, turned to look out the window at the city lights, and declared firmly,

"I’ve seen soldiers with flat feet; even if he has it, it’s definitely not severe. I’ll take responsibility for his running training. Such a good prospect can’t be wasted just because of this small problem."

Cao Yi also felt it was a pity and sighed,

"Captain Hao, try it first. Actually, mild flat foot isn’t so terrible, it doesn’t prevent him from becoming a top soldier.

It’s just that he has chosen to participate in the Grand Martial Arts Competition and even wants to earn a promotion through his ranking...

This path is too demanding; if training doesn’t work out, we should still prepare him for academic study.

This soldier is careful, patient, and determined. If he can become an officer, he can return to the Special Duty Team in the future, our Special Service cadre will indeed become stronger generation by generation."

Ye Jiahong also nodded in agreement, "Such a good prospect shouldn’t be wasted. We should prioritize ensuring he can stay for the long term; academic study is the most critical."

Although both cadres were encouraging with their words, they both internally dismissed the possibility of Fang Huai earning a promotion through the Martial Arts Competition.

The path ahead had always been incredibly challenging, and now with such a significant obstacle added, how could it be possible?

"He wants to earn a promotion through competition?" Hao Chengbin exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, he said so himself, and he’s very determined," replied Ye Jiahong.

Cao Yi also spoke up:

"We really appreciate his ambition, and if he can actually earn honors, our Special Service Squadron 2 produced He Zhijun at the martial arts competition two years ago, and if we can have a Fang Huai this year, we will surely become nationally famous in the future.

That’s why we all support his idea, but now it looks... hardly possible anymore."

Hao Chengbin felt a stir in his heart.

Every time he mentioned the topic of becoming an officer to Fang Huai, Fang Huai didn’t respond directly, only mentioning that he wanted to study, and it was unclear what his plans were.

His uncle had given him a set of books filled with notes and thoughts, which he refused to read.

Unexpectedly, it’s the quiet water that runs deep, seeking tirelessly.

He was thinking that the military academy was too slow.

This kid had grand ambitions.

Hearing this, Liu Jianfeng could only scoff to himself.

The dream of becoming promoted, who among these new officers of the information age had not dreamed it?

The internet was full of such stories! A command is given, three months of training, and one becomes a lieutenant, in charge!

A leap across classes!

It sure is exciting; his batch of same year soldiers talked about it, but no one had the courage to actually mention it. They all knew it was just a dream.

But Fang Huai really dared to aim for it!

Participating in the national Grand Martial Arts Competition, so this is what it’s all about.

This Fang Huai, who always looks cheerful, is really eager to become our leader soon.

The Squadron Leaders are even willing to make special exceptions for him.

Thinking of this, Liu Jianfeng expressed his concerns:

"Instructor, I think Fang Huai’s training should not delay the growth of this batch of new recruits. If it’s too much, the new recruits won’t be able to handle it. It’s better to return to a gradual and progressive training."

"Instructor, which squad is the new recruit in?" Hao Chengbin didn’t wait for the cadres to give their opinion and interjected.

"Second Squad, in Liu Jianfeng’s team," Cao Yi said.

"I request to go to Second Squad." This was the first immature remark Hao Chengbin had made since joining the Squadron.

"How could that be possible?" Cao Yi immediately shook his head and said:

"You are the acting platoon leader. The non-commissioned officer platoon leader needs to be responsible for the training of the whole Squadron. Although Anshun Special Duty’s training and equipment are slightly inferior to ours, their police dispatch frequency is much higher than ours!

We also believe that your experience is the most valuable asset.

We want you to join the Special Duty Squad to elevate everyone’s police dispatch experience.

Second Squad is for new recruits and doesn’t dispatch!

You have greater responsibilities, not just to be a new recruit squad leader!"

Hao Chengbin also realized he had been impulsive.

He had to settle for less and said, "Then how about this, I can use my spare time to give Fang Huai extra training. I assure you I will do my best in the other tasks!

Just give me this privilege, and I will ensure Fang Huai excels in all subjects!

Instructor Cao, Captain Ye, Fang Huai is not only a soldier under my command but also important to Captain Zhang... I have to report to Captain Zhang about the Squadron’s situation weekly via text, so I need to have something to show for Fang Huai."

At the end of his statement, Hao Chengbin dropped a bombshell, fully aware that Cao Yi held a strong position and without subduing him once and for all, there might be future obstacles.

With these words, a storm surged in the hearts of the two commanding officers.

You’re that close with Captain Zhang?! Sending texts weekly?

And reporting "Squadron situations"? Aren’t we the ones who report to the Big Team on time?

You can report directly to the Detachment?

What, so you’ve been openly snitching all along?

Cao Yi’s expression changed.

Hao Chengbin smiled.

Damn, a big flag is still the most useful.

He added fuel to the fire:

"Leaders, Captain Zhang values him beyond the ordinary. If he truly excels, he might even make it to the national Grand Martial Arts Competition...

Perhaps Captain Zhang might even relax some principles.

If he does well, not only will he earn honors, but many issues of the Squadron could also be resolved directly through the Detachment."

Both commanding officers’ eyes widened.

The stern Captain Zhang, is there really such a backdoor?

"Ahem," Cao Yi coughed, "Captain Hao, as the acting platoon leader, you already possess this authority; it’s not a privilege. Fang Huai, go ahead and train, our Squadron will support you."

Hao Chengbin smiled and nodded: "Don’t worry, leaders!"

Liu Jianfeng: ???

What Captain Zhang? What reporting? Solve what??

...

Fang Huai, who was cleaning the canteen downstairs, suddenly stood up straight.

[Task: Achieve a 100 meters sprint time of under 14 seconds on your own merits.]

[Task: Become friends with Little White.]

Two unrelated tasks.

Become friends with a dog?

Ever since his rebirth, Fang Huai’s trajectory had always been influenced by tasks.

Starting with provoking that muscular guy from the Armed Forces Department on the first day.

If Brother Yang had not stood in front of him, and Huang Jiaojiao had not appeared, there probably wouldn’t have been that nostalgic embrace.

He was too frivolous at that time; looking back, for a girl like Brother Yang who had never been in a relationship, that kind of intimate action in 2007 was already a major boundary crossing.

From then on, Brother Yang began, developing an emotional connection with him.

Joining Squad Nine under Hao Chengbin, helping the Clerk with work, becoming the Deputy Squad Leader, repeatedly taking charge...

All of it is probably what propelled him towards excellence.

Even finding a girlfriend seemed to point towards someone outstanding for him.

Now... becoming good friends with Little White? What does that mean?

Do they want me to join the ranks of military canine handlers?

Besides the two Squadrons, there indeed is a canine training team within Special Duty, and a canine training base will be built in the future...

But that can’t be it, right??

That’s not right; there must be another reason.

After much thought, Fang Huai couldn’t figure it out, so he decided to treat it as a "community service" type of task.

Forget it, first complete the task and get the reward.

At least the tasks have started coming in.

Two tasks, plus the previous completion of the new recruit group’s three kilometers, will allow for another enhancement of the arms.

Given the current strength of his body, once the hands, waist, and legs have all gone through two enhancements, he should be able to join the ranks of all-round athletes.

The main issue is still the legs, which he severely lacks.

But with more training, perhaps after two enhancements, they could become his strongest part.

Also, he needs to find a way to participate in police dispatches quickly.

With the physical strength and the military merit value, he would be able to exchange for those maneuvers.