Chapter 154: If I could outrun you, what business is it of yours?

Hey, this is what you said—don't go back on your word if you lose!

The First Platoon Leader seemed to have caught onto something, and he got all excited.

He admitted that Lu Yang was indeed formidable, excellent, even stronger than many veterans.

But he hasn't yet reached the point where he can stand atop the Sixth Company's pyramid, look down on all rivals, and casually thrash all the squad leaders.

Young and hot-headed, oblivious to the immensity of heaven and earth!

You think beating Liu Ziqiang once makes you invincible?

Yet they don't realize that the Sixth Company hides hidden talents; besides Zhou Kaidong, the fleet-footed one, the Second Squad Leader is also very good at running!

The First Platoon Leader felt it was time for Lu Yang to taste setbacks, after all, doing so is also to motivate his growth, prevent arrogance and complacency, and stagnation.

Ma Qing'an didn't waste words: "Since that's the case, let's get on with it—we'll see the real skill underfoot!"

Hearing that Lu Yang would compete in legwork with the Second Squad Leader, people from all the other squads came crowding over to join the fun.

Although most people dislike the First Platoon Leader, they all think this competition is fine.

The competition slots are limited; if you're going for honor, then surely the capable will take them.

But regarding the outcome, most people think the Second Squad Leader will win.

After all, running requires accumulation over time.

Even with talent, Lu Yang is just a private who's been in the service less than half a year—how could he possibly beat a Second Squad Leader who's a non-commissioned officer, has toiled for years in the Sixth Company, and has impressive achievements?

Unlike Liu Ziqiang, that useless lump, anyone who can become a squad leader is no soft persimmon.

So everyone thinks that Lu Yang, facing a strong opponent, is very likely to suffer a defeat this time.

Sixth Squad Leader Cheng Jun, upon hearing what happened, was indignant: "Lu Yang, no matter what, you must win—give the First Platoon Leader a hard slap in the face!"

The Second Platoon Leader was also fuming: "The Company Commander and Instructor have no objections—what's he pretending to be a big-tailed wolf for? And damn it, he's competing for honor for the First Platoon; if he had those two words in his heart, his military quality wouldn't be this crappy!"

"Lu Yang, run well, you can do it—as long as you beat the Second Squad Leader, placing in the top five of the Division's 5km is basically guaranteed!"

Chen Panpan was somewhat worried: "Yang bro, are you sure? What if you lose......"

Liu Ziqiang kicked him from behind: "Cut the hog cholera fart, how could the Assistant Squad Leader possibly lose? That Second Squad Leader is just a bit faster than me; if the Assistant Squad Leader puts in a little effort, he'll easily crush him!"

"Assistant Squad Leader, give it your all, abuse him like you abuse me, and crush the Second Squad Leader!"

"You are now the hope of our Second Platoon, the light of our Second Platoon!"

Compared to others' excitement, Lu Yang appeared quite calm.

As the saying goes, with grain in hand, the heart does not panic.

When you know your own level, your confidence naturally grows.

Although his usual 5km physical test scores are slightly inferior, he rarely surpasses the Second Squad Leader.

But in fact, Lu Yang's daily training hasn't been at full effort; he's selectively "controlling his score".

He habitually runs the barehanded 5km, keeping it around sixteen minutes thirty seconds, give or take.

The purpose is to leave energy for subsequent training; especially when encountering shooting, demolition, terrain mapping, camouflage reconnaissance, and other skill-based training, he even conserves extra stamina.

Lu Yang is confident he can outrun the Second Squad Leader, who's good at running, and openly claim this competition slot to win a placement for the Sixth Company.

"Platoon Leader, can I opt out?"

On the track, the Second Squad Leader wore a bitter face, strongly resisting this competition.

Kang Changyi glared: "Not only must we compete, we must win! It's not like you can't run—what are you scared of?"

The Second Squad Leader felt aggrieved: "Platoon Leader, I think it's unnecessary; we're all just trying to bring glory to the company, and besides, we haven't run out of slots—Zhou Kaidong just swapped in a withdrawal-step fuze, didn't he?"

"He's also good at throwing grenades and can still bring back results. Besides, I've already participated in several regiment and division martial arts meets—let's not just tag along; let's give more performance chances to the youngsters."

The Second Squad Leader saying this isn't just because old and new soldiers are fighting for face time, which is too embarrassing.

What's important is that this competition has been messed up from the start—it's a lose-lose situation.

Losing would lose face.

Winning would be expected.

But afterward, Cheng Jun, Zhou Kaidong, the Second Platoon Leader, and others will surely give him the cold shoulder.

Moreover, the Company Commander and Instructor agreed to let Lu Yang go up, but if you now snatch the slot, isn't that slapping them in the face?

Even if you bring back a result, your future days will likely be rough, after all you've offended so many people at once.

If possible, the Second Squad Leader would like to drop this; besides, he himself doesn't want to compete with Lu Yang for this slot.

That shows a lack of breadth, a lack of magnanimity, being petty.

It even feels a bit like bullying the small with the big, deliberately suppressing.

But Kang Changyi doesn't see it that way; he instead feels that the company's commanding officer and some veteran soldiers are overly partial to Lu Yang.

From the start of his military academy internship to now officially becoming the Sixth Company's Platoon Leader, he has repeatedly asked the Company Commander for a motorcycle as a conveyance, but all requests were denied.

But Lu Yang, on his very first day, was all fanfare—given a motorcycle reward, taking a driver's license test, and even able to go out alone for a joyride on weekends?

Although this soldier indeed has some ability, after all he's just a private.

Rumor has it he didn't even get into college, yet this qualifies him as a 'scholar' or someone with strong learning ability?

College—isn't it just something you can do if you have hands?

And yet there are people who can't get in—what a freak!

He pointed at the Second Squad Leader's nose, solemnly saying: "I tell you, I'm doing this not to vie for a slot, but to vent my anger!"

"I don't want people to look down on me, saying I only move my lips, can't lead troops, and won't strive for collective honor!"

"I also wear the uniform, I am also a soldier, and I also have my own dignity!"

The Second Squad Leader scratched his nose, embarrassed: "Platoon Leader, why don't you just go run yourself?"

Kang Changyi chose to mute himself, read but not reply: "......"

If I could outrun you, what the hell is it to you?

Soon, the two arrived at the starting point. Company Commander Ma Qing'an held a stopwatch in his hand, with a whistle clenched in his mouth.

However, just as he was about to shout 'start', a few figures appeared not far away, walking toward them.

The arrivals were the Battalion Commander of the Second Battalion, and also the Battalion's instructor.

"Battalion Commander, instructor, good!"

Ma Qing'an and He Zhen Tao immediately ran over and saluted.

The Battalion Commander asked: "What are you doing? It's quite lively."

Ma Qing'an replied: "We're conducting a small drill, new and old soldiers racing five kilometers to compete for next week's division martial arts competition slots."

The Battalion Commander's eyes lit up, and he quickly waved his hand: "Better early than timely; just ignore us, hurry up and start."

We this time are specifically to check how prepared each company's participants are; we were just about to let us also take a look, to have a clear idea in mind.

"Yes!"

Ma Qing'an ran back, his gaze landing on Lu Yang and the Second Squad Leader, and he spoke in a lowered voice.

"Run well, give your best performance; the Battalion Commander and others are watching!"

"Yes!"

With a crisp whistle blast, amidst the surrounding cheers and shouts.

Lu Yang took the lead, charging ahead first.....