Chapter 57

Liu Xiaotian kept his word; the next morning he went to find Qin Yuxi and patiently and meticulously solved the problem that she had probably stayed up half the night writing several pages for.

Besides that, he didn't utter a single unnecessary word.

After he left, Qin Yuxi discovered that, for no reason, a feeling of desolation had arisen in her heart, or perhaps it was a sense of loss?

Anyway, her emotions were just a bit off.

"Chickened out, chickened out, the outline wasn't supposed to be like this; five thousand words omitted here..."

A week's vacation, these soldiers felt as if they had just lived through a day, but it ended just like that.

The next day, morning drill proceeded as usual; Chen Shanming was just as usual, with no change in expression.

This made Liu Xiaotian, who had already doubted the "plot" he understood, inevitably suspect that this time, too, things weren't proceeding according to the "script."

But according to the schedule, it should be time to attend the Warrior School's training!

After breakfast, the soldiers who had just returned to the barracks received notice that morning training was canceled; everyone was to assemble promptly at 8:00 and stand by at the basketball court in front of the administrative building.

This time, not only Liu Xiaotian, but the other soldiers also had some idea.

For example, Cai Xiaoxin quietly pulled Liu Xiaotian aside, his smile mixed with a hint of bitterness: "Xiaotian, after today we probably won't have many chances to meet."

"To be honest, I never expected you to improve this much in just a few months."

"Now I truly fit that saying—I can't even see your taillight."

"This time, I expect it's the announcement that we've been eliminated."

Having said that, Cai Xiaoxin's voice weakened, he paused a few seconds before speaking again: "It's been lucky, fighting alongside you! Xiaotian, keep it up! When you become a special forces king of our brigade, or even of our military region, this brother who once shared a bunk with you will be able to boast in front of others, saying we once served in the same squad, bunkmates with a special forces soldier!"

Seeing Cai Xiaoxin's obviously low spirits, Liu Xiaotian didn't know what to say for a moment; he just raised his hand and patted his shoulder, then after a while said: "When you're bragging and nobody believes you, give me a call—I'll come back to prove it!"

Cai Xiaoxin: …

This guy with a heavy expression—shouldn't he be saying something comforting? I feel like he's rubbing salt in my wound. "Damn Liu Xiaotian!" Cai Xiaoxin laughed, punched him in the chest, and gave him a hug…

At 8:00 sharp, twenty-four soldiers lined up neatly on the basketball court in front of the administrative building.

Only, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Two minutes later, He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei, accompanied by Chen Shanming, walked out of the administrative building and strode to the front of the formation, taking their positions.

He Zhijun stood in the center, spoke first: "Comrades! You've been here for almost two months of training; I must declare that I fully recognize your hard work and effort in training!"

"You are outstanding soldiers drawn from each company of the Iron Fist Group, and in your original units you were among the best!"

"Remember, every one of you is outstanding!"

"I can responsibly say that now, each of you meets the basic requirements of a special forces soldier. However, you also know that the purpose of organizing this training is to select a few of you to join the Red Blood Cell Group."

"Now, after careful consideration, the selected soldiers have been finalized."

"However, those not selected need not feel discouraged, for you still have your missions."

"Next, Chief of Staff Fan will announce the specific names and your next assignments!"

Having said that, He Zhijun stepped back two steps, yielding the floor to Fan Tianlei. Fan Tianlei stepped forward, stood firm, opened the folder in his hand, and said in a low voice:

"I now announce that those finally selected for the Red Blood Cell Group are: Liu Xiaotian! He Chen Guang! Wang Yanbing! Li Erniu!"

As Fan Tianlei called out their names, Liu Xiaotian and the three others each stepped forward, left the formation, and stood at attention.

However, the quick-witted Liu Xiaotian and Wang Yanbing each had a somewhat irritating thought at that moment:

"Has the Chief of Staff gotten used to being a leader? It's just four names—does he really need to read them off the list?" After the four stepped out in turn, Fan Tianlei's gaze lifted from the folder, swept over each of their faces, and he ordered in a low voice: "You four, turn right—march!"

Liu Xiaotian and the three others obediently followed the command, moving to the left side of the formation and standing there.

Next, Fan Tianlei once again shifted his gaze to the folder in his hand:

"The rest of you, not being selected doesn't mean elimination; you must continue training here!"

"Furthermore, I can tell you now that, barring any mishaps, you all are now special forces of the Wolf Fang Special Forces Brigade!"

Frankly, this news was completely unexpected for the remaining twenty soldiers.

They all thought that after today they'd be sent back to the Iron Fist Group, back to their original units.

He paused, then Fan Tianlei added: "But don't get too excited too soon.

"You've merely met the minimum standard to become a special forces soldier.

"If any of you cannot persevere in the upcoming training or fail to meet the standards I set, then sorry, that person will be sent back to his original unit."

"Yes! Please rest assured, Chief!" The twenty soldiers, as if they'd rehearsed their gaze, shouted in unison, startling the guards on duty in the administrative building.

After speaking, Fan Tianlei closed his folder, turned to Chen Shanming and gave a signal; Chen Shanming immediately stepped forward, formed up the troops, and led the twenty soldiers back to the barracks to prepare for the next training.

After the troops departed, Fan Tianlei gestured to Liu Xiaotian and the three others:

"You four, follow me inside!"

Having said that, he turned together with He Zhijun and walked into the administrative building.

Liu Xiaotian and the three others hurriedly followed.

But unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, they met Tang Xinyi walking out.

Seeing Liu Xiaotian, Tang Xinyi visibly startled, then lowered her head, clearly unwilling to speak.

But Liu Xiaotian had no intention of just letting her go; as she passed by, he said in a low voice: "Tang Xinyi! Go tell Tang Chengfeng that if he wants to come after me for revenge, let him come—he can bring those three as well—but if he dares to cause trouble for the other twenty soldiers, next time I'll make sure he gets wounded and discharged!"

Liu Xiaotian's voice wasn't loud, but He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei walking ahead heard it clearly.

Fan Tianlei frowned, didn't turn back, and simply said in a low voice: "You four, keep close!"

Seeing that Tang Xinyi had no intention to speak, Liu Xiaotian stepped forward and continued on.

But he didn't see that Tang Xinyi's gaze, cast upon the ground, was full of anger and hatred…

(End of chapter)