Chapter 150: He's too outstanding; we're not the same kind of people

Lu Yang had already left, and Ding Tengfei's soul was taken away with him.

That sentence echoed in his head for a long time, and he also sat on a stone for a long time.

Sometimes he looked at the clouds in the sky, sometimes at the grass on the ground; his gaze would sometimes focus, sometimes scatter.

He had been assigned here for over a month, going from initially high-spirited to now this listless appearance, all in just about forty days.

The New Recruit Company had taught them discipline and regulations for over three months, but this vast, remote training ground wore it all away completely.

Many late nights, a voice in Ding Tengfei's heart kept asking himself: Is this really good? Is this really right?

But the warm, comfortable blankets each morning, plus the unrestrained, free-and-easy lifestyle, made it hard for him to pull himself away.

He would repeatedly brainwash himself, telling his heart: The most important thing about being a soldier is to fit in; everyone does that, even the squad leader leads the laxness, so he can't keep being that 'troublemaker'.

Being comfortable, what's wrong with that?

With such a unit, such benefits, how many people rack their brains trying to get in and still can't!

But Lu Yang's appearance was like a needle pricking a bubble, bursting the lie Ding Tengfei had woven for himself.

So upon seeing Lu Yang for the first time, Ding Tengfei's instinct was not joy or excitement, but panic and unease.

As Lu Yang said, liking comfort and enjoyment isn't wrong, but those words shouldn't appear on a soldier.

"What are you thinking about, sitting here so long?"

The squad leader bearing the Second Class Non-commissioned Officer Rank came up from behind and sat down heavily beside him.

"Squad Leader."

"How so, were you stirred up by that comrade and fellow townsman?"

"I guess so."

Ding Tengfei didn't hide it; he felt somewhat lost: "Squad Leader, I think... we're like this, it doesn't seem right."

The squad leader paused, his expression somewhat wistful: "You really were stimulated by that kid, you don't even play cards anymore, just sitting here in a daze. Actually, when I first came here I also asked similar questions, but later I thought it didn't matter."

"Why?"

"Being a soldier, however you do it, why wear yourself out like that?"

The squad leader said calmly: "I've seen many people struggle desperately and end up with nothing; I've also seen some talented ones who effortlessly achieve success, their military path smooth and open."

He looked at Ding Tengfei: "Success is ninety-nine percent perspiration plus one percent talent. But that one percent talent is far more important than the ninety-nine percent effort."

You can tell, your fellow townsman must be that talented type, born to carry this military bowl, but we're not the same kind of people as him.

Don't also think about all that nonsense; just leave it as is—how you spend your days is how you spend them, how you serve as a soldier is how you serve. Without us green leaves, how would we set off those red flowers?

"Dinner will be ready soon; after we eat, we'll take Monkey's MP4 to watch a movie for a bit. You like Hong Kong films, right? After it ends we'll play some cards, and the day will pass."

"If you ask me, rather than wear yourself half to death and retire with injuries, it's better to coast through comfortably to the end; besides, if you don't say anything, no one will know whether you're a slacker or an elite in the unit."

After the squad leader finished sharing his shallow understanding of being a soldier, he patted his butt and stood up.

He had thought Ding Tengfei would also stand up, but Ding Tengfei didn't move.

Ding Tengfei gazed at the distant, fiery red setting sun; his voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.

"Squad Leader, I don't want it like this."

"Like that?"

"I don't want to keep getting lost in the days like this; even if I just serve my two-year conscription and then leave, I don't want to keep going on like this."

"For over a month in the lower company, I've felt like a useless person—I haven't tidied my quarters, haven't marched in step, haven't run three kilometers; my friends are all moving up, and I don't want to keep rotting in the mud, looked down upon."

Ding Tengfei got up and ran toward the buildings, then quickly went down the stairs.

Although it's only 4 p. m. now, the other veteran soldiers are already preparing dinner.

Apart from live-fire drills and evaluations, no one ever comes to this place; without discipline, the days naturally pass in a lax manner.

However, when they receive notice of an inspection, they still put on a show to cope with it, but it's just a matter of getting by.

Basically, a vehicle from the production base delivers supplies every ten days or so; even if we ate ten tons a day here, no one would care.

"Tengfei, what have you just been up to? Mealtime's about to start—today we're having Yangzhou fried rice, guaranteed to be the authentic hometown flavor!"

"You go ahead and eat; I'm not hungry, just leave me a bite later."

Ding Tengfei shouldered his backpack and slung the platoon's sole Type 81 rifle over his body.

He hurried out the door, preparing to re-adapt to running from scratch, to re-adapt to the rhythm of military life.

"Squad Leader, what's gotten into that kid?"

"Mealtime's here, and he's still running out?"

"Not even eager to eat—his brain must be messed up!"

The veteran soldiers came up from underground, saw Ding Tengfei running toward the setting sun, and really couldn't understand.

The squad leader watched his back, sighed helplessly: "Forget it, let him go; he's been stimulated, he feels this place isn't right for him."

The veteran soldiers, not understanding, said: "What's unsuitable? Which unit lets you sleep in until ninety o'clock every day, never tidy your quarters, and still do morning drills?"

"Yeah, such a great place—how many people want to get in but can't, yet they gave it to him?"

"Just watch—it's only a three-minute enthusiasm, at most one night; tomorrow he'll surely be back to his old self; I've seen plenty like him, just like me!"

Ignoring the chattering crowd, the squad leader watched Ding Tengfei's receding back, his feelings very complex.

He felt that Ding Tengfei might not be just a three-minute enthusiasm.

After all, it's really the arrival of his fellow townsman that stimulated him too much.

Coming from the same New Recruit Company, yet one is a squad's soldier, their benefits and development heading to opposite extremes—who could endure that?

"Forget it, let him go; what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Yangzhou mixed fried rice."

"Come on, let's go eat!"

Coming back this late?

I ran into an acquaintance on the road and chatted a bit longer.

Usually I'm back in about an hour when I go out for a ride, but today it's already getting dark.

The guard at the gate smiled and gave a greeting, didn't say anything else, and let Lu Yang go through.

The military is a simple and straightforward place; as long as you have sufficient ability, you earn everyone's respect and even certain privileges.

Lu Yang is no exception; in his repeated matches with the veteran soldiers, he advances and grows at a visible speed.

He even surpasses many veterans in shooting, tactical training, and the 400‑meter obstacle series.

Through his own actions, he constantly updates the whole company's impression of him, giving the company commander surprise after surprise, which is why he now receives this treatment.

Yo, assistant squad leader, I've been waiting here for half a day!

Lu Yang parked his bike in the shed, and as soon as he killed the engine he saw Liu Ziqiang approaching.

In the past month or more, Lu Yang besides winning the veterans' respect also fixed Liu Ziqiang's stubborn mouth.

From being unable to call out 'assistant squad leader' at first, to now saying it easily; he even goes straight to Lu Yang instead of seeking squad leader Cheng Jun for any matter.

What's up, you're in such a rush?

Our instructor is leaving, and the company commander has set up a farewell banquet; everyone's almost here, just you're missing.

A farewell banquet? Didn't you say you were leaving in two days?

I don't know either; maybe the order came early, let's hurry.

Liu Ziqiang grabbed Lu Yang and they jogged over to the cafeteria.

Just inside, Lu Yang saw the dining hall simply decked out with flowers and balloons.

Between two load‑bearing columns hung a banner reading, 'Welcome off the instructor, wishing him steady promotion.'

Jeez, why did you only just get back?

I thought you and your motorcycle had both gone missing!

Next time you go out, bring your phone so I can actually find you!

Company Commander Ma Qing'an and the Second Platoon Leader saw Lu Yang finally return and couldn't help complaining.

Lu Yang also didn't expect to run into so many acquaintances along the way; the main reason was that he'd specially gone to the Tenth Squad's training ground.

Although running into Ding Tengfei was expected, Lu Yang still felt that, as comrades‑in‑arms, paying a visit was only right.

The Special Third Regiment isn't large, but it isn't small either; military life is sometimes slow, sometimes fast.

Usually it's just training piled on training, unless one goes specially to visit.

Perhaps, on the bus taking the detached platoon down, that was the last time he and Ding Tengfei saw each other in the unit.

Lu Yang came to the Sixth Squad's table and sat down; Cheng Jun had saved him a seat.

The dishes on the table were plentiful, with drinks and cigarettes too; you could tell the cooks had put in effort.

Soon after, Company Commander Ma Qing'an ran to the door to greet them, leading Instructor Pan Yuan into the cafeteria.

Stand up!

At the duty officer's call to stand, everyone, including Lu Yang, rose to their feet.

At the cafeteria entrance, Pan Yuan, who had been chatting and laughing, stopped in his tracks, his smile freezing.

Seeing so many familiar faces staring at him, tears welled up unbidden.

He raised his arm to wipe his face again and again, muttering, 'How did it go by so fast? How could time pass so quickly!'