Chapter 33: Commissioning

Seeing Zhang Chu’an’s panicked look, Doghead Gao felt rare joy—he rarely got the upper hand in front of these four.

Doghead Gao cleared his throat and said, “But what you just said is only half right. I’m not particularly generous, but I am fair and upright in official matters.”

Seeing Zhang Chu’an relax and nearly collapse, he punched him hard and laughed aloud:

“Enough already. Look at you, scared half to death. You just rallied a whole squad to beat up your Uncle Gao—and still had the nerve to sneak a kick at me. You think I didn’t know it was you?”

At that moment, Miao Lian walked over and complained to Doghead Gao: “Enough, Gao. Stop teasing that kid.”

Hearing Miao Lian’s complaint, Doghead Gao chuckled and said:

“He’s slapped my face so many times—can’t I even tease him back once?”

At this, Miao Lian flew into a rage:

“You’ve been slapped so many times? Why don’t you admit you keep showing up at our Night Tigers Recon Company to stir up trouble? If you hadn’t come kicking up dust here, none of this would’ve happened.”

Facing his old comrade’s furious tirade, Doghead Gao could only bow his head and apologize: “Miao, I’m sorry.”

Miao Lian turned away, ignoring him. Then Guo Jing hurried over to mediate:

“Senior Sergeant Gao, Miao Lian, aren’t we about to be commissioned? This is a good thing—we should all be happy.”

Hearing Guo Jing’s words, Miao Lian turned to Doghead Gao and said, “Today, I’m sparing you—for the sake of my platoon leader.”

Under the watchful eyes of the entire company, Doghead Gao announced the regional command’s order.

Guo Jing is awarded the rank of Captain, administrative level Deputy Battalion Commander.

Zhang Chu’an is awarded the rank of Captain, administrative level Deputy Battalion Commander.

After the commissioning, Doghead Gao told the two: “You’ve both been awarded the rank of Captain and are favored by regional leadership—but don’t get arrogant.”

Guo Jing asked in confusion: “What have we done that’s so impressive? Why should we be arrogant?”

Yesterday, he learned from the chat group that Nie Huaishang had already been promoted to Major and was highly regarded by senior leaders and the Wolf Fang Battalion commander.

Compared to that, his own achievements meant nothing.

Yet Doghead Gao detected a hint of false modesty in Guo Jing’s words.

Come on—Miao Lian spent over a decade in the military just to reach Captain, and he’s about to retire and transition out.

“You’re fat, and now you’re puffing up.”

After scolding him, Doghead Gao suddenly changed tone:

“Though your achievements are rare among your peers, they still fall short compared to your good buddy Nie Huaishang.”

“During this exercise, he first captured Fan Tianlei, then infiltrated the command center and set up ambushes that eliminated both our Wolf Fang Battalion commander and the Blue Force commander.”

Hearing Nie Huaishang’s accomplishments, Xiao Zhuang and Lao Pao were stunned—but Guo Jing and Zhang Chu’an showed no surprise.

Seeing this, Doghead Gao asked curiously: “Aren’t you two surprised at all?”

“Why should we be? It’s perfectly normal for Huaishang to achieve this. Besides, Fan Tianlei was arrogant and overconfident—arrogant troops always lose.”

Guo Jing declared firmly.

“Exactly, Senior Sergeant Gao. Fan Tianlei isn’t as meticulous as you—you never gave us a chance to capture you.”

Zhang Chu’an complained to Doghead Gao: “We don’t know if we could’ve pulled off the decapitation, but infiltrating the Blue Force command center? No problem.”

Doghead Gao glanced at Zhang Chu’an and thought to himself: “You’re dreaming. If I gave you the chance to sneak into the Blue Force command center, you’d have a field day—and I’d be the one left in ruins.”

And remembering Fan Tianlei’s current state, Doghead Gao couldn’t help sighing: “Poor guy.”

Doghead Gao looked at Guo Jing and Nie Huaishang and said: “You two don’t need to take the evaluation. By the battalion commander’s order, you’ll serve as instructors here for a while.”

After speaking, Doghead Gao got in his vehicle and left. The moment he was gone, the entire company erupted in congratulations.

The whole company was full of enthusiasm, especially Xiao Zhuang, Lao Pao, and others.

Xiao Zhuang clapped Guo Jing on the shoulder and said: “Platoon Leader, when you get to Wolf Fang, take me with you—I’ll still be your soldier.”

“Me too.”

The soldiers in both rows chorused in unison.

That night, back in the barracks, the four of them contacted each other through the chat group.

Guo Jing: “I’m a Captain, Zhang Chu’an is a Captain, Nie Huaishang is a Major. Are you a Major too, Zhang Xiaofan?”

Zhang Xiaofan: “No, I’m still a Second Lieutenant. Even though I sniped the Blue Force commander, the whole plan was Nie Huaishang’s. He shone brighter.”

Nie Huaishang: “You’re all being too modest. I think the biggest contributor was Fan Tianlei—he came up with the decapitation plan and provided the gear for infiltrating the Blue Force command center.”

Guo Jing: “So you’re saying Fan Tianlei got you promoted to Colonel?”

Nie Huaishang: “You could say that. But knowing how generous he’s been to me, and now I’m taking over his Red Blood Cell team… I feel a little guilty.”

Then Nie Huaishang sent a heartbroken emoji in the group.

Guo Jing: “How exactly are you going to take over Fan Tianlei’s Red Blood Cell team?”

Nie Huaishang: “The battalion commander was going to reject Fan Tianlei’s Red Blood Cell proposal, so I explained its benefits and convinced him to approve it.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “But the commander changed—from Fan Tianlei to Nie Huaishang.”

Guo Jing: “Fan Tianlei won’t agree. He worked so hard, only to have someone else take the credit—and you don’t even have the seniority.”

Nie Huaishang: “So I made a bet with Fan Tianlei in front of the battalion commander: whoever captures Scorpion Ruan Wenxiong first becomes the Red Blood Cell team leader.”

Guo Jing: “What was the bet?”

Nie Huaishang: “Whoever captures Scorpion Ruan Wenxiong first.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “Fan Tianlei didn’t hesitate at all—he accepted immediately. After all, Scorpion killed his comrade and then his son. He had no reason to refuse.”

Zhang Chu’an: “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Even if you took over his idea and his team, you avenged his son.”

Nie Huaishang: “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

Guo Jing: “Then what are you worried about?”

Nie Huaishang: “I’m worried about whether I should kick Fan Tianlei out of the Red Blood Cell team. He’s a bit of a liability—and I’ve already thought of a way.”

Nie Huaishang: “Didn’t I beat him once before? I’ll bring that up to the battalion commander and use it as justification to remove him officially.”

Zhang Chu’an: “Whoa. Now that you say it, I suddenly feel sorry for Fan Tianlei for one second.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “Whoa. Now that you say it, I suddenly feel sorry for Fan Tianlei for two seconds.”

Guo Jing: “Whoa. Now that you say it, I suddenly feel sorry for Fan Tianlei for three seconds.”