Chapter 215: Emotional Intelligence, You

"Ah, if you're coming, just come—what did you bring?"

"You're being way too courteous, bringing big bags and everything?"

"Whoa, this big Huazi, and there are two of them!"

"Whoa, this tea can—so exquisitely made!"

Seventh Company headquarters, office.

Gao Feng took the fruit, milk, cigarettes, and tea that Lu Yang handed over, laughing so broadly his mouth wouldn't close.

"It's not a holiday or New Year, yet you go all out like this—really splurging!"

"You're my old Company Commander, so I don't treat you as a stranger."

Lu Yang's single sentence instantly closed the distance between the two.

Old Company Commander + no formality = family.

He bought the milk and fruit on his way here as a side purchase.

When you bring many gifts, it's not blameworthy; the many items also show the weight of the sentiment.

Gao Feng didn't hold back either, cheerfully accepting the gifts, then noticing the Non‑commissioned Officer shoulder badge from his old rifle on his shoulder, and he couldn't help clicking his tongue.

"I heard Guo Yongwen say you not only received the Four Virtues, but also were promoted out of turn to Non‑commissioned Officer and appointed Acting Platoon Leader?"

"Ah, I truly feel happy for you; among the troops I lead, another promising one has emerged!"

Gao Feng clasped Lu Yang's hand; his face beaming with friendly smiles resembled the caring of elders during holidays, a stark contrast to his previously irritable, gun‑popping demeanor.

Guo Yongwen wished he could grab a mirror for the Company Commander to look at, so he could see what kind of conduct he had before!

He flips his mood faster than turning a page, showing no trace of emotion—no wonder he can be Company Commander!

Lu Yang was also very modest: "I owe it to having entered our New Recruit Company and being under you; had I been assigned to the Division Training Base, I'd probably still be unknown today."

"A towering building starts from flat ground; the foundation is crucial. Thanks to the Company Commander and Sergeant Guo's good teaching early on, the foundation was solid, allowing today's results."

What is emotional intelligence?

What does it mean to know how to speak?

Instructor Zhao secretly kicked Guo Yongwen from below, glared at him: "Can't you learn a bit?"

Service years grow, muscles grow, but the brain doesn't!

If you can be even half as capable as Lu Yang, why worry that this acting position can't become permanent?

Having ability alone, not knowing how to speak or handle matters, and occasionally throwing a tantrum—who would like such a person?

Guo Yongwen wore an embarrassed expression, because Lu Yang now was no inferior to him; in less than a year of service, he had already become Acting Platoon Leader.

He, however, spent over a decade, enduring great hardship and effort, just barely being pushed by the Company to the Acting Platoon Leader spot.

Sometimes, even he sighs that effort is worthless before innate talent.

Looking back to when Lu Yang was handed over by the Company Commander into his hands, practicing rifle drills behind him, it truly felt like a surreal illusion.

This growth speed, this progress, is truly astonishing...

Gao Feng waved his hand: "Mainly it's your own effort; others' help is secondary. Back in the New Recruit Company I already saw you'd never be a fish in a pond; seeing you now only proves my keen eye."

He patted Lu Yang's shoulder, squeezed the hard muscle on his arm: "Having a soldier like you is truly Ma Qing'an's good fortune! In just half a year, you've received so many commendations and rewards your hands are sore; he must even wake up laughing in his dreams!"

The air was filled with a sour, tangy smell.

Instructor Zhao sniffed it, Guo Yongwen also smelled it, how could Lu Yang not notice?

But he deliberately didn't take the bait, instead steering the conversation in another direction.

"Our Company Commander often mentions you to me privately."

"Oh, really? What do they say?"

"Our Company Commander says, in the Special Third Regiment, no one dares to defy him except you."

"He also says your command strategy level is absolutely the top in the Division, among the most outstanding."

"Every time in the counter‑exercise, he"

"Even in this recent counter‑exercise, you guys held back a bit, which let our Second Battalion end in a tie; otherwise it would have been a certain defeat."

Lu Yang's words made Gao Feng burst into laughter, asking three times in a row: "Really? Did he actually say that? Old Ma, did he really say that?"

Lu Yang nodded vigorously, trying to make his gaze look sincere, honest, without any impurity: "Our Company Commander also said that having a brother like you, having a rival like you, is his blessing."

"These two boxes of tea were specially bought through a friend for me to deliver to you. He said he knows you like black tea, especially the kind scented with osmanthus."

Gao Feng picked up the box of tea on the table again, opened a can and tore a small opening in the packaging inside.

A burst of red tea mixed with osmanthus fragrance filled the nose, feeling very pleasant.

"Hmm, good tea!"

"Little Guo, go help brew it, I want to taste it right now!"

Seeing Guo Yongwen a bit sluggish, Gao Feng glared at him.

"Why are you standing there, take it and brew tea! No eyesight at all!"

"Yes, I'm going right now…"

Guo Yongwen took the tea and went to prepare it.

He shook the thermos and realized the kettle was empty, so he had to carry it outside to fetch water.

As he left, muttering: "How did I end up running errands?"

Soon, several cups of tea arrived, the osmanthus black tea aroma even richer.

Lu Yang doesn't know tea and hasn't drunk good tea before, but judging by its color and scent, this tea is certainly not cheap.

However, this tea wasn't prepared by Ma Qing'an, but bought by He Zhen Tao; as the Sixth Company Instructor, He Zhen Tao must be thorough, helping the military commander consider all training contingencies, naturally including maintaining inter‑company relations.

But Gao Feng didn't know, still thinking the tea was truly prepared by Ma Qing'an; the awkward feeling in his heart eased a bit with the tea aroma.

Lu Yang continued: "Actually, our Company Commander has always wanted to visit you, but our Company has always used your Seventh Company as a mock enemy, a pursuit target; he really can't get too close to you, otherwise the soldiers' morale would be completely drained."

Ah?

Gao Feng, somewhat surprised, said, "You mean your Company has always taken our Seventh Company as a rival?"

Lu Yang: "Isn't that so? A while ago, the Regiment Commander came to our Company to commend us, gave us a Regimental Commendation and the Excellent Company Moving Red Flag, and specifically emphasized that this honor is meant to motivate us to improve."

"He hopes we can soon be as brave and battle‑savvy as the Seventh Company, invincible, each growing a hard backbone."

Lu Yang's words were half true, yet each one struck Gao Feng's heart; he laughed, his face creased, almost coaxing him into a baby.

Instructor Zhao watched, his mind as clear as a mirror, but he couldn't help that people just love to hear flattering words.

It's like every day at work, a colleague compliments you with "so handsome", "your outfit is so stylish", "absolutely stunning", "if I weren't married, I'd definitely chase you", and the like.

Even knowing the flattery may be sycophantic, when stepping out of the restroom and looking in the mirror, a mischievous smile still curls at the corner of the mouth, and with mysterious confidence says a line.

"Man, you really are incendiary!"

And these are things that Guo Yongwen, also an Acting Platoon Leader, will never learn in his lifetime.

Instructor Zhao glanced at Guo Yongwen, who was standing off to the side like a wooden post, occasionally letting out two dumb laughs, and sighed inwardly.

He fears that even after Lu Yang becomes a regular officer, Guo Yongwen still can't shed the "Acting" label.

If he were the Regiment Commander, he would also choose Lu Yang.

This kid is too good at handling matters, too good at speaking, his ability is damn strong, and his growth speed is damn fast.

Gao Feng pulled Lu Yang into a long chat, covering training, daily trivialities, and various aspects, showing he truly likes this soldier Lu Yang.

And Lu Yang never missed a beat; each time he precisely avoided the landmines and Gao Feng's sore points, making the conversation increasingly addictive.

"Company Commander, it's eleven o'clock; I should probably head back."

"There are still a few work tasks unfinished; this afternoon the Company still has to run a fifteen‑kilometer cross‑country."

Lu Yang, seeing the lingering chatter had gone on too long, prepared to wrap up the visit.

But Gao Feng clutched him, refusing to let him leave.

"It's perfect timing for a meal; let's eat first and then leave!"

"You came all this way and brought all this stuff; you have to let me show my appreciation!"

Lu Yang, seeing he couldn't decline, could only agree to stay for the meal, but he also made a request.

"Could you also invite Ding Tengfei? I heard he was transferred to the combat squad; he's also from the New Recruit Company, and I'd like to say hello."

"Of course we have to invite him; you two are still fellow townsfolk, haven't seen each other in ages—perfect for catching up!"

Gao Feng agreed readily, showing no hint of any displeasure toward Ding Tengfei—truly embodying 'love the house and the crow.'

Guo Yongwen recalled the earlier moment when Gao Feng scolded Ding Tengfei, that irritating look, a white‑eyed stare that seemed to pierce the heavens.

If there were a phone, he would record the Company Commander's irritable expression.

"Hey little Guo, go to the small Cafeteria and tell Squad Leader Sun I'm treating later; have him whip up a few signature dishes!"

"Then go to the Warehouse and move two cases of beer into the freezer to chill; in this scorching heat, drinking the white (liquor) hurts the throat, so some cold beer will be refreshing!"

"I'm not bragging, but the cooking in your Cafeteria can never match mine!"

Guo Yongwen muttered curses in his mind as he left the group chat, once again becoming the errand runner.

While waiting for the meal, Lu Yang asked if he could get a close look at the Seventh Company's tanks.

He added that during the previous exercise, those iron clunks gave their Company a hard time, and he wanted to admire them up close.

"Not only can we look up close, we can even take you for a spin outside—no problem!"

"Let's go, let's go, together!"