Chapter 325 - 259: This Day

After tidying up, my mobile phone vibrated as usual.

"I got to Zun Y yesterday afternoon, Laosha Alley has syrup-glazed fruits, yay, and love tofu, super delicious! Went to the pedestrian street and conference site, met a foreigner who wanted to take a photo with me. He said ’Hi, I saw you alone here, so,’ I was very angry and told him sternly ’I’m not alone!’ Gagaga."

Fang Huai rarely picked up his phone and replied:

"Someone was hitting on you."

Yang Shaoqing: ">_

Fang Huai: "Later, could you go to the Old Town and buy me some egg cakes? From Xie’s, the ones with pepper and salt."

Yang Shaoqing: "Okay... Uncle Fang asked me today if I wanted to travel the Sichuan-Tibet route. He said if I want to go, I should buy a car and have a self-driving tour, over 2000 kilometers... That’s terrifying, tell him quickly I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go!"

Wow.

Youth has no price tag, max out Huabei all the way to Lhasa.

Because of "Blue Lotus," buried straight on Route 318.

The old man actually has such a wild dream...

At this time, from Sichuan to Tibet, he’s about to embark on a quest for scriptures.

Fang Huai smiled, took out his phone, and opened the text messaging page for his dad.

He was almost breaking the keyboard as he typed.

"Have you gone mad? Running the Sichuan-Tibet route? Come back immediately!!"

Just then, Sun Jingwu patted him from behind.

"Fang Huai, I’m on duty this week. How should we arrange the morning training? Should we go to General Hill?"

Fang Huai frowned, "...Monday, just getting started, do we have to be so intense?"

"Yo?" Sun Jingwu glared and said, "How come you, the killer, turn into a saint when it’s my turn on duty? If I arrange too little later, I’ll get scolded!"

But Fang Huai shook his head firmly: "Forget it, the wind is quite strong today, I think police dispatch is likely, we shouldn’t end up with injured hands and broken legs, save some energy."

"Strong wind? It’s been the same recently," Sun Jingwu touched his head.

Fang Huai, however, wasn’t in the mood to explain and simply said:

"Later, I’ll speak with the squadron department. Squad Leader Sun, don’t bother with this morning’s business, arrange for the afternoon yourself."

...

Morning training, grappling hook ladders, two-piece pull ladders, metal ladders.

Fang Huai just went to the Squadron Department and mentioned that after doing so much physical training, it was time to work on maneuvers, as the martial arts scores for the second half of the year still carry the main weight. He even suggested that in the afternoon they should invite First Squadron over for a competition, treating it as a small internal match.

Of course, the Squadron Department agreed.

They were even a bit excited.

Damn, in the past, First Squadron would always come up with reasons to "train together" with Second Squadron.

Just like that time in the new recruit group, it was First Squadron’s idea to train together at the Training Base and take a look at the new recruits.

Of course, it was all First Squadron’s pretense. Even without He Zhijun, they still had Liu Shoulin.

Now, Second Squadron was strong and sturdy, with greats like Fang Huai and He Zhijun, and even the deputy Huang Yong on the rise, and the physical fitness of the entire squadron was taking another step up—they couldn’t wait to push First Squadron down, could they?

When Cao Yi heard about this, he immediately slapped the table and started calling to challenge for a match.

Ye Jiahong also pounded the table saying they have to crush them today!

And so, on a morning laced with a gentle breeze and warmth, the soldiers of Second Squadron heard about the afternoon challenge against First Squadron and were all fired up.

"Go Squad Leader He, go!"

"Go assistant!"

He Zhijun, sprinting with a grappling hook ladder, was like a whirlwind with everyone around him cheering.

But Fang Huai was somewhat absent-minded, looking off into the distance, his thoughts drifting 800 kilometers away.

He looked at the crystal-clear sky, harboring some good fortune in his heart.

No, it was hope.

This is just a parallel universe, right?

There wasn’t a single sign before him, the sky was void of fleeing birds, and a flock of birds approaching from afar seemed so orderly.

It was very likely... nothing would happen.

"What’s wrong? You seem distracted, He Zhijun is demonstrating the flying ladder, pay attention!"

Hao Chengbin came from behind, patted him, and pointed at He Zhijun who was already up to the third floor.

"I’m watching," Fang Huai nodded.

But Hao Chengbin put his hands behind his back, looking at him and said, "Is there something on your mind? I’ve seen you daydreaming since the start of training... Did you have a row with Little Yang? I haven’t seen you call her recently."

"No... well, a little quarrel," Fang Huai started to deny it but then seized the opportunity to give himself an excuse.

"Don’t worry, Little Yang is so sensible, talk to her nicely, it will be fine."

As Fang Huai heard this, he looked at the flock of large birds again, feeling that his hunch was probably right, nodded again, and let out a sigh.

"Yeah... it will definitely be fine."

Only then did Hao Chengbin pat Fang Huai’s back again and said with a smile:

"That’s the spirit, focus on training, we’ve got lots of heavy tasks ahead."

...

Pm, 2:10.

"Beep, beep."

The vehicles of First Squadron slowly drove into Second Squadron.

The soldiers of Second Squadron had already assembled, full of aggression.

Kong Xiangzhong was rubbing his hands with glee: "Heh, today Second Squadron is going to redeem our honor!"

Hu Zhihong chimed in with the same rhythm, smiling, "Right, now we have Zhijun and Fang Huai, we must quell their vigor today!"

"They have no spirit at all," Zhao Jinchen twisted his mouth, "Today I personally plan to settle the score with Liu Shoulin!"

"Yes, yes, yes! After the match, let’s hit the Sports Field and run five kilometers! Then after, let’s play football and crush them on all fronts!" Chen Zhenghai, who loved to watch excitement the most, said.

"Oh, Squad Leader Chen, you just got back and you want to run five kilometers? We did enough of that last week!" Liu Jianfeng mocked sarcastically.

Last week, when it was time for duty, he had been eager to sign up, but Chen Zhenghai snagged the spot from him.

Everyone else started laughing.

"Chen Zhenghai, with that speed of yours, you’re still trying to run five kilometers? You just want to play soccer, don’t you?"

Chen Zhenghai’s face darkened, and he picked someone to lash out at, "Liu Jianfeng, think you’re great because you can run fast? Believe it or not, I could lift you up with one hand, you little chick. Want to go upstairs and put on boxing gloves to spar with me?"

As he spoke, Huang Yi, the captain from the First Squadron, was already leading the way off the vehicle.

"Old Cao, you’re really not playing fair! All hands on deck, are we starting a brawl?"

"Hahaha..." Cao Yi was triumphant, "You think you’re up for a one-on-one fight? What do you have to compete with us?"

"Heh." Huang Yi laughed, "Come on! You think I don’t know that your squadron has been doing evening exercises every day? We’re not any worse! Brothers, prepare the equipment, and let’s settle this once and for all!"

They were all cunning foxes, eager to stir up trouble, and the atmosphere was heightened. If the First Squadron lost, then back at the base, they’d be in for some additional training.

The soldiers from the First Squadron were howling like wolf cubs behind him.

"Alright! Take them down!"

"Yang Gaobing, Yang Libing, get on the vehicle and bring down the ladder. Today I want to test my skills against He Zhijun!" A second stage officer from the First Squadron bellowed.

But the Second Squadron just laughed, giving the thumbs-up gesture.

"Che!"

...

Pm, 2:22.

The members of both squadrons had already assembled in the backyard.

Each side was preparing their equipment, and the atmosphere was tense with drawn swords and bent bows.

Fang Huai checked the time and felt his heart palpitations, spreading once again.

He couldn’t suppress the violent pounding of his heart despite swallowing saliva repeatedly.

Nearby, Little White suddenly burst out of the training tower, barking madly at everyone.

Huang Yi began laughing, "Yo, the tower-guarding god of your squadron, does he not allow us to train?"

Watching this scene, Fang Huai’s vision darkened slightly, and the peace of the entire day made the bit of hope that had risen in his heart fade away by a great deal.

His world spun, his whole body felt cold, and his stomach also began to cramp.

It was coming.

The stomach is an emotional organ; severe emotions can cause pain, sourness, and discomfort.

"Ugh." Fang Huai couldn’t help but retch.

Tears began to well up in the corners of his eyes.

At this moment, a mere breeze made Fang Huai shiver.

The tension in Fang Huai’s heart had accumulated to the extreme, forcing him to walk over to the basketball stand and sit down, his legs shaking involuntarily.

That emotion was like when dark clouds press on a city, and the panic of being engulfed by shadows.

And there was heartache.

Fang Huai could only grab tightly onto the basketball stand with one hand and bury his head in the crook of his arm to control himself from screaming out.

Screaming was useless...

Nobody would believe it.

And afterwards, if someone connected his actions to the donation of loudspeakers, it would be over.

He couldn’t scream; he must not scream.

"What’s wrong, what’s wrong?" Cao Yi noticed Fang Huai’s unusual behavior and immediately ran over with concern.

Now, several people ran over and surrounded Fang Huai.

"I knew he wasn’t right today, he’s not talking, is he sick?"

"It’s nothing, you guys go on, I’ll stay here with him." Hao Chengbin’s voice came over.

Fang Huai’s back couldn’t stop trembling, he lifted his hand and waved.

"...It’s nothing, just a cold, I’ll be over it quickly!"

Cao Yi frowned deeply, "If you’re not well, go and rest upstairs for a while. Don’t just stand there, you hear?"

Fang Huai did not respond.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

One person, however, sat down next to him.

Hao Chengbin’s voice was gentle and calm, "I knew something was up with you, kid. What exactly happened at Little Yang’s place?"

Fang Huai still had his head down, not speaking, his leg trembled more violently, helping to release the pressure.

Little White barked for a while, and La Duo, the squadron dog, also suddenly started barking loudly.

Two or three other dogs joined in the barking.

"Quiet down! What are you barking for?" Cao Yi was dissatisfied with the dogs being so "disobedient" today and yelled.

Someone joked, "Sun Xiaotian, didn’t you say you were born in the year of the dog yesterday? Maybe the Second Squadron’s dogs can’t control themselves because they saw you?"

"Fart! Dogs guard the home! If they’re barking, it’s because they saw you, the thief! Did you ever sneak into the Second Squadron’s training tower and steal old water to sell?"

"Hahaha... he definitely stole... hey, dang it, why did you push me?"

"I didn’t push you!"

Fang Huai felt a sudden jolt under his feet and abruptly looked up.

It was coming.

His previous life, at this time, he was sneaking in a rest at the training tower, waiting for the whistle when he was jolted awake. He thought the squad leader had caught him and gave him a push, but after getting up, he realized there was no one around. The shock and fear from that moment were vivid in his memory.

That jolt was the same sensation.

Hao Chengbin also grabbed the nearby basketball stand, looking around while muttering.

"Does this basketball stand need to be replaced? Why is it shaking so much?"

Fang Huai suddenly stood up and glanced at his watch.

2:57.

His watch was a minute slow.

"Earthquake!" Fang Huai bellowed.