Chapter 213: I Owe You a Favor

Lu Yang had just stepped out when Zhou Kaidong, from the locker, took out a weighted vest and began putting it on.

At the earlier morning meeting, the company commander had already made the retention issue clear; he must seize every moment to intensify training.

Just as he finished dressing and was about to head to the drill ground for a run, he saw Kang Changyi sitting on the doorstep stool, grinning like a village simpleton.

Out of curiosity, Zhou Kaidong poked his head forward for a glance and saw that he seemed to be chatting with someone.

"Girlfriend?"

"Ah? No..."

Upon discovering he was being peeked at, Kang Changyi hastily slipped his phone into his pocket.

He thought, "What a guy with no sense of boundaries!"

"Yes, a female friend."

"An online female friend?"

Zhou Kaidong furrowed his brow, recalling what had happened during the new recruit company period, making him especially sensitive to such matters.

"If she's an online friend, we absolutely cannot discuss military matters."

"Damn, I know the military secrecy rules better than you!"

Kang Changyi instantly reacted as if his tail had been stepped on.

He fears Lu Yang, but that doesn't mean he fears Zhou Kaidong.

Zhou Kaidong was merely giving a friendly reminder, glancing at his watch: "You can play for half an hour, then get back to training; this is what you promised Lu Yang, so don't go back on your word."

"I'll head to the drill ground first; later we can train together, and you can help me time it."

"Got it, got it, so annoying."

Kang Changyi waved his hand impatiently.

After seeing him off, he again cradled his phone and started chatting on QQ.

At that time, smartphones had not yet appeared; most phones ran Symbian and Java systems, and typing was done with the traditional nine‑key layout.

Kang Changyi's fingers flew over the keyboard with a clatter, occasionally letting out a hehehe silly laugh, looking utterly engrossed in the conversation.

"Soldier bro, we've chatted this long and I still don't know if you're in the navy, the army, or the air force."

That sentence popping up in the chat box made Kang Changyi's smile freeze instantly, then fade into wariness.

"Why are you asking that?"

"Just curious, can't I?" accompanied by a smug‑laughing emoticon.

"No."

"Alright, then I won't ask. Your birthday is next month; I've picked out a gift for you—do you want it?"

"I want it."

"If you want it, then......"

"I want the motherland to prosper and thrive."

"I'm asking what kind of gift you want."

"I want the people to be happy and healthy."

"Nuts!"

Seeing the other party's gray avatar stop moving, Kang Changyi lifted his head, wearing a triumphant, self‑satisfied expression.

If the other party asked him what was most sensitive, he would reply, "Political cultivation!"

If asked where he was stubborn all over, he would say, "National defense military affairs!"

Whether the other party was an online female friend or a female classmate, whenever a sensitive topic came up, he would automatically switch to a righteous, unbending mode!

Come on, the military secrecy regulations are known by heart; could he not see through such a petty trick?

Kang Changyi didn't delete that person; instead, he planned to keep them around to toy with as a fool.

He then changed into his PT gear, preparing to go downstairs to fulfill the training target set by Lu Yang.

But just as he was about to put his phone into the locker, a call happened to come in.

The caller ID showed only two words: "Great Uncle"; Kang Changyi hurried to the hallway to answer.

"Hello, Great Uncle!"

"Where are you?"

On the other end, Xiong Yao's voice carried the sternness of an elder.

Kang Changyi felt guilty: "I'm in the company, currently...... holding a meeting with the company commander and them, discussing the next training plan. It's really inconvenient to take the call; how about I call you back later?"

Xiong Yao snorted coldly: "Nonsense! You brat have also learned to lie—do you really think I don't know you were relieved of duty?"

Kang Changyi gulped, not knowing how this matter had reached the division.

"Great Uncle, you must never tell my parents about this; if they found out......"

"They already know!"

"......"

Xiong Yao cursed: "Despite being from a general's family, you can't even handle a platoon leader post and got relieved of duty all the way!"

Kang Changyi's head drooped; he couldn't even lift it.

If it were someone else, he could still retort a couple of times, but Xiong Yao has beaten him since childhood.

In his presence, he dare not utter a single word of rebuttal; otherwise, the other could come over and have him strung up and whipped.

Seeing the other side silent, Xiong Yao asked: "Who is now taking over your post?"

Kang Changyi: "A guy named Lu Yang, a non‑commissioned officer."

"A non‑commissioned officer? Isn't he just a private?"

"Great Uncle, do you know him?"

"Uh, I've heard of it, but I'm not familiar."

"Oh."

"Don't worry whether I'm a private or a Non‑commissioned Officer; now that you're working under me, you must lower your stance, settle your heart, and be honest!"

"Don't keep thinking that just because you attended a military academy you're all that—high eyes, low skills, thinking you know everything. In the troops there are hidden talents, and in my Zhencha Daitui the ones better than you are countless!"

"You should learn more from Lu Yang; he was promoted to Non‑commissioned Officer and can replace you as Platoon Leader, showing he has real skill; when you have nothing to do, play less on your phone, or your eyes will go blind!"

Kang Changyi listened and always felt that his uncle seemed to know Lu Yang.

But he didn't dare to ask more, just kept agreeing.

"Got it, I'm about to do extra training for myself."

"It's the weekend, and you have this self‑awareness; that's good."

Xiong Yao's anger faded, and he said earnestly, "I know you don't like staying in Special Third Regiment Sixth Company; when next year you make progress and achieve results, I can transfer you to the Division."

Kang Changyi shook his head, "Better not; I'm fine here."

Xiong Yao was surprised, "Before, weren't you crying and demanding to leave, saying you couldn't adapt to this unit and the work didn't cooperate with you? Why now you don't want to go?"

Kang Changyi sighed, "Uncle, before I was arrogant and didn't truly understand this company, feeling staying here was stifling my talent. Now I think it's fine; the new Platoon Leader didn't attend a military academy but is more capable than me, and understands human affairs better."

"I want to first improve my physical fitness, steadily follow behind and learn properly; we'll talk about later matters later."

"Moreover, the regiment has already spread the word; everyone knows the Division may undergo reform next year, with a wave of development opportunities, and I also want to contribute to the company and fulfill my responsibility."

On the other end, Xiong Yao lifted his face from the phone twice, repeatedly checking whether he had dialed the wrong number.

Would such words come from his underachieving nephew?

Has this kid eaten something bad, or is he possessed?

"You really think so?"

"Hmm. No more talk; the Platoon Leader assigned me extra training, and when he returns I have to check, so I need to go to the training ground."

"Fine, when I have time I'll come to your company to see you."

"No, you really shouldn't come; I have a bad reputation in the company, and if people find out I'm a relative's favor, I won't be able to get by later; besides I'm just an ordinary soldier now, coming would only embarrass you."

"You have a point; go train, bye."

After hanging up, Kang Changyi grabbed his water bottle and went to the training ground.

In the office, Xiong Yao wore a look of satisfaction, plus an indescribable happiness.

Even if Kang Changyi is still spineless and incompetent, he's his own nephew, blood thicker than water, so he naturally hopes this kid does well.

But the change came too fast, as if he suddenly became enlightened, catching him off guard.

Thinking this might involve Lu Yang, he personally made a call to inquire.

When they met in Regiment Ninth Company of the 441 Regiment, he exchanged contact info with Lu Yang, to conveniently keep up with his nephew's situation.

While riding his bike, Lu Yang felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, so he stopped, pulled it out, and saw the note "Division Chief of Staff – Xiong Yao".

"Chief of Staff, hello!"

Lu Yang stopped by the roadside and answered the call.

On the other end, Xiong Yao didn't beat around the bush, directly asking about Kang Changyi.

Since it was already known to everyone, Lu Yang didn't hide anything and gave a brief report of what happened these two days.

Although he didn't mention his suspicious arrangements, Xiong Yao as Division Chief of Staff couldn't be unaware of the strategic planning and chain of tricks involved.

Xiong Yao grinned broadly, "I wondered why that kid suddenly had such a huge change, suddenly became enlightened—so that's the reason? You, Acting Platoon Leader, are doing a very competent job!"

"Chief, this is what I should do, and besides he's my comrade."

"That may be, but without your proactive involvement, making him enlightened would be difficult!"

Xiong Yao lightly patted the table and solemnly said, "From now on, he'll need you to trouble you more; if you can turn him into a trustworthy, dependable, people‑relying excellent soldier, I, Xiong Yao, will owe you a favor!"

A favor from a Division Chief of Staff carries considerable weight.

But Lu Yang still holds to that: where duty lies, one should do one's best.

Moreover, the company will need someone who can shoulder duties and attract fire, a scapegoat hero.

Therefore, Lu Yang will certainly employ an all‑round, no‑blind‑spot approach, using various methods to "forge" Kang Changyi, helping him become an indestructible little champion!

After hanging up, Lu Yang also understood that this Xiong Chief of Staff had just spoken with Kang Changyi; his happiness also indirectly showed he sensed the nephew's change.

People always like to constantly deny their past selves, and grow by extracting experience.

Soldiers are the same.

No one is born knowing how to be a soldier, nor is any soldier born flawless.

The charm of a unit lies in being tempered; after growth, shedding the flawed shell piece by piece, forging a brand‑new self.

This dual physical and mental fulfillment surpasses building perfect muscles in a gym, and exceeds promotion and raise, being more lasting and uplifting.

Longguo soldiers' lofty belief of defending the homeland and protecting the people is incomparable to any material wealth.

Putting his phone into his pocket, Lu Yang took a detour to Third Company, intending to see Kong Long.

But he didn't go inside; instead, through the iron fence, he saw from afar a muscular man on the training ground, shirtless.

Carrying a backpack loaded with a spare barrel and an optical sight, and holding two ammunition boxes, he was sprinting around the circle.

Shells rattled "whala whala" inside the ammunition boxes; the man, looking like a boiled egg, was drenched in sweat, his muscles glinting metallic under the sun.

Combined with his gritted teeth and fierce expression, he truly had a touch of post‑modern wild aesthetic!