Chapter 144: Super‑Charged Emotion

Private Lu Yang performed outstandingly in the mountain‑fire‑extinguishing operation, brave and fearless, fulfilling a soldier's duty.

He promptly discovered the issue, captured the arsonist alive, preventing greater loss and further expansion of the disaster area.

The Tuan Bu decided to award comrade Lu Yang an individual Third‑Class Merit Medal as recognition and encouragement.

He Zhen Tao stepped forward and opened a small rose‑wood box.

He took out the Third‑Class Merit Medal bearing a red five‑pointed star and pinned it to Lu Yang's chest.

Lu Yang felt immensely excited; this was, in the true sense, his first merit medal.

He thrust his chest out and saluted, "Thank you, Instructor!"

He Zhen Tao's face was full of smiles; the word "Instructor" struck a chord with him.

The New Recruit Company's session ended, which also meant the end of his role as a new‑training Instructor.

When he met other new recruits, many switched to calling him "Chief."

Although the title is not wrong, it feels rather formal and distant.

Lu Yang's "Instructor" call forcibly pulled him back to the days of leading new training.

Despite many unpleasant and unexpected events during the process, on reflection it was chaotic yet orderly, bitter yet sweet.

He Zhen Tao returned the salute, then stepped aside, while Company Commander Ma Qing'an led the applause.

"Come on, give Lu Yang a big round of applause!"

"Just off the company, he already brought a Third‑Class Merit back to our Sixth Company—that's a great start!"

"Everyone, whether newly assigned recruits to the Sixth Company or veteran Non‑commissioned Officers, should follow his example!"

Applause continued on the training ground, with the Sixth Squad and Third Squad clapping the loudest.

Especially Zhou Kaidong, whose hands turned red from clapping and wouldn't stop.

His enthusiasm was even greater than his own sense of achievement.

Cheng Jun was also grinning ear to ear; Lu Yang alone could supply a wealth of excellent material for his work summary, as if he'd stumbled upon a huge bargain.

Liu Ziqiang, Sun Chen and a few others from the Sixth Squad, although already aware in advance, knew Lu Yang still had a Third‑Class Merit pending.

But truly watching the kid receive the medal under the whole company's gaze still made their hearts feel sour.

An inexplicable déjà vu of "your childhood, my childhood, seem different" washed over them.

He's just off the company, and the accolades haven't stopped; won't he just take off from here on out?

"Lu Yang."

"Present."

Ma Qing'an, in front of the whole company, deliberately shouted, "Half an hour before the meal ends, you come with me; I'll take you for a spin to get familiar with riding a motorcycle."

"Our Motorized Infantry not only trains people toward motorcycles, but also requires mastery of vehicle‑driving skills. The motorcycle key I gave you is still there, right?"

"It's here."

"Alright, that's it, dismiss."

Ma Qing'an ordered the troops to disperse and turned to leave.

But his words before leaving detonated like a high‑explosive charge, instantly causing a huge stir in the crowd.

In fact, only a few people in the Sixth Company—such as Cheng Jun and Zhou Kaidong—knew that Lu Yang had been rewarded with a dedicated vehicle.

The hidden purpose was to trigger, at this moment, a spark to motivate the others.

"What the heck does that mean?"

"Lu Yang, you have a motorcycle key—why didn't I have one when I left the company?"

"Damn it, when I left the company I asked the Squad Leader for a motorcycle; the Squad Leader said I looked like a motorcycle and then made me carry one while running!"

"I've been in the unit for over three years, and I still haven't found where the motorcycle throttle is; he just arrived and already has a dedicated ride? That's insanely envy‑inducing—are we even in the same unit?"

"Old Zhou, I'll cover your cigarettes for this month; just tell me how you train this soldier, how he's so awesome?"

"I think, just because you uncovered such a good soldier for our company, you'll have no problem staying for the next two years; I'm saying that—if you can't stay, let the Platoon Leader eat shit!"

"I agree, let him eat two jin and still not be allowed to drink water, hahaha!"

Zhou Kaidong was surrounded by a group of Squad Leaders, his face beaming with pride.

Since Lu Yang left the company, this former Squad Leader has seen his face countless times.

After so many years of service, he has never in such a short span endured so many pressures and enjoyed it so many times.

Zhou Kaidong, as if a hermit sage, gestured lightly, "Stay calm, stay calm; leading troops demands proper methods. When there's a chance later, I'll sort things out, summarize..."

Another Squad Leader interrupted, "Don't think about it later; just this weekend, let's all gather at the Cafeteria, order some stir‑fry and beers, and treat you to a good meal."

"Be sure to share your troop‑leading experience with us so we can improve… we're damn eager to progress!"

"Hahaha, sure, sure!"

Zhou Kaidong laughed so hard he almost lost his bearings.

The new recruits assigned to the Third Squad seemed to see a beacon.

Secretly excited, finally being with the right people, assigned to a good unit and a good Squad Leader.

As long as they follow Zhou Kaidong, they're bound to achieve results like Lu Yang's, earn honors, and ride motorcycles!

After all, they're already in uniform and in the unit; who doesn't want to earn merit? When they call home later, their parents' faces will also brighten.

They've also seen news of commendation plaques being sent home after soldiers earn merit in the unit.

At the very least, getting a "Glorious Home" plaque for the family works; thieves won't even dare to target it.

After all, stealing from an ordinary person versus a "Glorious Home" yields completely different consequences; the police station handles the latter more strictly, even prioritizing it over other cases.

Seeing Zhou Kaidong swagger like that made Platoon Leader Kang Changyi internally a bit annoyed.

Especially earlier, when those veteran Non‑commissioned Officers unceremoniously added insult to injury, saying they'd "treat him to a meal," it nearly made his lungs explode with anger.

The Platoon Leader thought to himself: It's clearly the rookie's own excellence; what does the former new‑recruit Squad Leader have to do with it?

But when he turned his head toward that side, Lu Yang, surrounded by new recruits like a moon cradled by countless stars, felt his heart stir.

He is wondering whether to submit an application to transfer to the second platoon to become Platoon Leader, and to win this kid over as his right‑hand man?

He knows Lu Yang plans to take the military academy entrance exam, and he himself just graduated not long ago; he believes no one here knows the ins and outs of the academy better than he does......

"Whoa, Brother Yang, you're awesome!"

"Just enlisted and already got a motorcycle—why have you never mentioned this before?"

"On my first day here, I asked the Squad Leader if our company had motorcycles; the Squad Leader said my thoughts were prettier than my looks, so I kept assuming the company didn't have any!"

"You're lucky; our Squad Leader now calls me Ducati No. 33, saying that'll be my code name from now on!"

Being surrounded by all these chattering new recruits, like a fan‑meeting scene, Lu Yang actually felt a bit unaccustomed.

Even so, he knew the Company Commander had deliberately mentioned him in public earlier to set an example for the new recruits.

At the same time, it was also a spur for veterans like Liu Ziqiang, whose personalities have been worn smooth by time.

Fortunately, He Zhen Tao stepped forward and helped Lu Yang temporarily escape the recruits' enthusiasm.

"You're in the spotlight, comrade Lu Yang."

"Instructor, stop teasing me; in front of you I'm always just a raw recruit."

Seeing Lu Yang glance at the captain's rank insignia on his shoulder, He Zhen Tao laughed heartily.

"Don't be anxious; your military career has just begun, and that day will come."

"Instructor, what's your role in the battalion?"

"I'm the head of the Second Battalion Political Work Group, a company‑level unit, mainly responsible for organization and political propaganda work."

He Zhen Tao admitted that he originally wanted to transfer Lu Yang under his command as a propaganda officer.

All the preparations were completed, the invitations had been sent early, and he even arranged the study books and past mock exams for the academy entrance.

But unexpectedly, he was careless and lost the opportunity; however, Gao Feng suffered an even bigger loss, so his mind was more balanced.

Lu Yang, upon hearing that He Zhen Tao had prepared so much for him in advance, felt both surprised and a bit guilty.

"Sorry, Instructor."

"You don't need to apologize; that's how it is in the troops—no one can ignore a good soldier. When you become a Squad Leader, especially when you become a Company or Platoon Leader, you'll naturally understand."

"However, seeing how popular and valued you are here, I'm happy for you; moreover, the Sixth Company belongs to the Second Battalion, so ultimately you're still serving under me."

He Zhen Tao said some encouraging words to Lu Yang and took some items from the vehicle for him.

They were everyday supplies the battalion distributes during holidays—towels, soap, socks, insoles, and the like.

But it's often these very things that let Lu Yang feel a down‑to‑earth concern and a warmth that is plain to the bone.

"By the way, here's another."

He Zhen Tao pulled out a pair of sports knee braces and handed them to him: "The Motorized Infantry is a unit that really hurts the knees and wears out the legs; while you're young, protect them so you won't get arthritis or rheumatism later."

Lu Yang's heart was deeply moved, his nose tingling with sourness.

That feeling was just like before joining the troops, when his parents stuffed local specialties into his bag and fed him dumplings on the platform.

It seemed that, aside from his parents, he had never truly experienced such sincere care.

Lu Yang took the knee brace, his eyes warm: "Thank you, Instructor."

He Zhen Tao shook his head: "I didn't buy it; you should thank Gao Feng."

"Seventh Company Commander?"

"Yeah, he was too shy to come, but he cared about you; last night he pretended to drop by my place and specifically told me not to tell you."

At this moment, Lu Yang felt doubly moved.

After more than three months together, Gao Feng had indeed taken great care of him.

If not for him, Lu Yang would never have had the chance, as a new recruit, to join the sniper training team and learn so many professional military skills from Guo Yongwen.

Even so, because of face and because of the love‑hate relationship with the Sixth Company Commander, he couldn't come himself.

But Lu Yang truly felt that care and intention, and his heart was warm.

He Zhen Tao patted his arm and said with a smile, "Lu Yang, you're a gifted soldier; you possess a steadiness and diligence that peers lack. Such a trait is extremely rare in the troops, and even in society."

"Although the Sixth Company is said to be a bit weaker in hard power than the Seventh Company, it still ranks among the top in the Regiment, and many people scramble to get into it."

"Ma Qing'an is a good Company Commander; Zhou Kaidong, Li Jiang, Cheng Jun are all fine—they will be your excellent mentors and friends."

"Remember what you once said: to become a good soldier, you must keep striving continuously and maintain your current momentum."

He glanced toward the cluster of veterans, then at Lu Yang's chest where the Third-Class Merit Medal bearing "August 1st" was pinned: "In the army, the worst thing is to let the days slip by, ending up neither high nor low."

"Rather than muddling through waiting to die and ending up a veteran slacker, it's better to either go straight or stay straight."

Lu Yang nodded, fully agreeing with these words.

Because in his previous life he struggled in society, he had countless regrets about not studying well in high school.

Back then at school, he was the type who neither studied well nor played well.

He spent his days reading novels, but always in secret, having to pretend to be "seriously diligent" in front of others.

If he had, back then, just like Ding Tengfei, lived a life of idle eating and waiting for death, completely fallen, there would be nothing worth reflecting on.

But, paradoxically, being neither up nor down, after entering society he still ended up neither succeeding nor failing.

So, given the chance to start over, Lu Yang has always strived to avoid that outcome.

It's either to charge forward in one go or to lie flat and slack off to the end.

But having been reborn, what's the point of completely lying flat?

He Zhen Tao encouraged, "I look forward to you earning more honors and more medals."

Lu Yang brought his legs together, saluted firmly: "Yes, I will certainly not disgrace the mission!"