Chapter 153: One Slap Can

"Hit someone, you hit someone, when I was at the military academy nobody ever hit me, wuwuwu......"

Kang Changyi had several huge footprints on his body, his face looking like a big calico cat, and he curled up in the corner, sobbing.

"Crying? Still damn crying?"

Zhou Kaidong, the most disgusting guy, started crying, and he was about to give him another two blows.

Lu Yang quickly stepped in and stopped him; he was truly afraid the Squad Leader would beat this guy into something.

With Zhou Kaidong's ten years of veteran skill, dealing with a fresh graduate still stuck in a student mindset was as easy as catching a quail.

There was no evenly matched opponent, no back‑and‑forth, no flashy moves, only one‑sided friction.

Even though Kang Changyi flared up in anger, it was only a brief outburst, then he cooled off.

Even more, Lu Yang had misheard earlier, his ears splitting, turning "I'll damn well fight you" into "I'll damn well fight you (as a woman)"!

But watching Kang Changyi keep sobbing, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, it really looked a bit effeminate.

The commotion grew loud; the Company Commander and Instructor rushed over in a hurry, and seeing the Platoon Leader, a grown man, sitting on the ground like a child wiping tears, both of them felt like covering their faces.

What a damn shameful sight!

Soldiers are supposed to shed skin and flesh, not tears!

Even if you lose a fight, clench your teeth and keep quiet; next time you'll win it back.

Peeing like a cat in front of so many people is unbearable to watch, especially when it's a Lieutenant Platoon Leader.

"What happened? Who can explain it to me?"

"Company Commander, he hit someone, Zhou Kaidong hit someone!"

Kang Changyi, as if he'd seen a savior, got up like a pear‑blossom in rain and started filing a complaint.

"He dared to hit the Platoon Leader today, tomorrow he'll dare to beat the Company Commander, beat the Instructor!"

"Apologize, he must apologize to me, otherwise this won't end!"

"Even if I report it to the battalion, the regiment, the division, I must get an explanation!"

Seeing the Platoon Leader about to blow this up, He Zhen Tao quickly gave Zhou Kaidong a look, signaling him to apologize right away.

After all, he was the one who struck first, so apologizing was only natural.

But no one expected Zhou Kaidong to have a donkey's temperament; once stubborn, even ten oxen couldn't move him.

"Let him sue! Doesn't he have connections in the Division? If he's so capable, sue the Division; I'm not scared!"

"Look at him, look at his attitude! Is he even a soldier, can he still be a Squad Leader?"

The Platoon Leader, furious and desperate, said: "With that attitude you still want to stay for the fourth term, you're a complete, unreasonable violent thug!"

Zhou Kaidong's soft spot was hit, and in his rage he lunged forward, ready to tear his mouth apart.

But Lu Yang understood the stakes, quickly yanked him back, and then apologized to the Platoon Leader on his behalf.

"Apology, apology, I'm apologizing for the Third Squad Leader; this whole thing started because of me, I'm at fault. Sorry, excuse me, sorry, sorry!"

"I made him apologize, and you rookie egghead are stirring up trouble here? Do you have any say? No respect!"

The Platoon Leader's words also sparked Lu Yang's anger.

If someone else said it, it'd be one thing, but to let this guy wear it? Damn it.

Four years at the military academy turned him into a dog's belly; his physical and military skills are still worse than mine, a rookie—how does he have the face?

Luckily, earlier when the fight was being pulled aside, I kicked this guy's butt twice; otherwise Lu Yang would be up there trying to beat him right now!

He Zhen Tao, seeing the Platoon Leader vent his anger on Lu Yang, also flared up: "Kang Changyi, straighten your attitude, don't stick your nose in the air here!"

"I ask you, Zhou Kaidong isn't a rookie; he's been an excellent Squad Leader and outstanding officer for years—why does he beat you and not others?"

"One slap can't make a sound; it's not because you keep picking fights that he would strike?"

"I..."

The Platoon Leader tried to say "my damn", but the words got stuck in his throat, hanging there.

Good guy, the 'one slap makes no sound' theory has finally emerged.

Since I apparently deserve a beating, should I go ahead and hit?

"Ah, right!"

The onlookers all nodded in unison in their hearts.

The Platoon Leader, after all, was a cultured man; suppressing his resentment, he said: "Instructor, you just arrived and don't understand the Company's situation. Zhou Kaidong, this Third Squad Leader, repeatedly refuses to cooperate with me, speaking back."

"He even reported up the chain, giving the 5‑kilometer run slot that belonged to our Platoon to the Second Platoon, effectively handing over our Platoon's honor."

"When I tried to reason with him, after just two sentences he got upset, said something about 'none of my business', and then he struck!"

"I restrained, restrained, and restrained again, never retaliated the whole time; if I had, it would have turned into a mutual brawl!"

The Platoon Leader thought that after explaining the whole cause and effect, he could claim the high ground.

But he didn't expect Company Commander Ma Qing'an to refuse to buy it, instead retorting.

"What, you think I, as Company Commander, have to get your approval before making decisions?"

"I didn't mean that."

"I think that's exactly what you're saying!"

"......"

"Zhou Kaidong sprained his ankle during training, and to preserve his honor he voluntarily stepped down; he gave his slot to Lu Yang after careful thought—what grievance do you have?"

The Platoon Leader stammered, unable to explain for a long while, but he still remained unsatisfied.

"But I think Lu Yang is just a private; his daily physical test can't compare to Zhou Kaidong's. The Second Squad Leader should take it; that's more reliable!"

"Besides, he's already signed up for a precision shooting event, occupying two slots; what if he ends up with no honor later?"

"I suggest we let the Second Squad Leader and Lu Yang face off; if I lose I'll have nothing to say, and Zhou Kaidong won't need to apologize, proving I was mistaken."

"But if the Second Squad Leader wins, Zhou Kaidong must apologize, and Lu Yang must give up the 5‑kilometer run slot; let me state, I'm not doing this for myself, but for the Whole Company's honor!"

I have to say, when it comes to eloquence and quick thinking, the First Platoon Leader is much sharper than Zhou Kaidong.

The military academy cultivates well‑rounded soldiers, so their stats are relatively balanced.

This leads to situations where, in physical ability and military skills, they get completely outclassed by veteran Non‑commissioned Officers.

However, at this moment the First Platoon Leader has the upper hand, and on top of that he got beaten up, his nose bleeding.

If they insist on making a big fuss, they don't even need to reach the Division; just stirring it up to the Regiment is enough for everyone to have a drink.

The heaviest impact will still be on Zhou Kaidong himself, because next year and the year after he has to apply for a stay‑in‑unit.

Especially at the critical juncture of the three‑sets‑four, not a single slip can occur.

Moreover, they must not incur any punishment, otherwise a slight mistake will force them to discharge and leave.

The Company Commander and the Instructor, aware of the stakes, after a moment's thought both turned their gaze to Lu Yang, asking what his opinion was.

Lu Yang shrugged, a look of indifference on his face: "Then, shall we compare?"