Chapter 224: The More You Cry, The Happier We Are

"Once you take off your hat, you have no further ties to the Military Police unit, and from now on you are no longer one of us!"

"Take off your clothes, pack your belongings, sign the papers, and you can leave to pursue a new future!"

While Zhang Jiaheng was processing the paperwork, Lu Yang left the office building and voluntarily confessed his mistake to the Regiment Commander.

"Regiment Commander, I made a mistake."

"What mistake did you make?"

"At noon I truly drank one and a half bottles of beer."

It was only because of a system factor that his body's ability to sober up is many times stronger than that of ordinary people.

But earlier, while exhaling, Lu Yang's heart was also fluttering, worried it would be discovered.

In the end, unexpectedly, there was absolutely nothing wrong, so he could turn the tables.

But strictly speaking, he still violated the unit's prohibition on alcohol.

Wang Zhongxi laughed: "No smoking, no drinking—what's the point of being a soldier then? Moreover, how can beer be called alcohol? It's no different from water."

"I think the people of the Military Police Battalion just like to make a mountain out of a molehill; they simply think the soldiers of Special Third Regiment are easy to bully."

"As for the prohibition, as long as it's not excessive binge drinking, drinking at inappropriate times that delays training and affects combat, it's not a big deal."

"The Political Commissar and I also have a small drink on weekend evenings; does that mean we have to write self‑criticisms every day?"

Tan Yuanzhou said: "Drinking is a matter of personal opinion; even the Commander occasionally has a couple of drinks, let alone ordinary soldiers—just drink in moderation as appropriate."

"Moreover, beer in the unit is considered a training tool; if you don't drink and I don't, those bottles used to smash heads won't magically appear, will they?"

Even though they knew that since the two leaders were willing to back him, they certainly wouldn't hold him accountable.

But Lu Yang still had to honestly explain the situation; whether they punish is one thing, whether he reports it is another.

After handling Lu Yang's matter, the two leaders left first; Ma Qing'an smiled, walked up, patted him, and told him not to overthink.

"Whether he drank or not, if the alcohol detector can't detect it, then it's as if there was none."

"The leader's willingness to come over is not just for you, but also for the reputation of our Special Third Regiment."

"If you truly get punished, then in future exercises and competitions, who would dare use beer to commend outstanding soldiers?"

"Hmm!"

Lu Yang nodded; it was his first time experiencing what it feels like to be protected in a unit.

"Company Commander, don't blame the Seventh Company Commander for this; he meant well, especially since it's hot."

"I know, I didn't blame him; between brother units, treating each other to a few beers is harmless. If he served you milk or cola, I'd have to scold him to death."

After speaking, Ma Qing'an turned back to look for Gao Feng, but saw the guy under a tree being all cozy with his own younger sister.

"Cough cough cough!"

He coughed forcefully several times, walked over, and interrupted the two's intimate moment, their eyes conveying affection.

Ma Qing'an first glared at Gao Feng, then looked at the sister: "Finish up quickly and go back, it's so hot today."

Ma Shuyao stuck out her tongue: "Got it, brother."

She winked at Gao Feng, waved: "I'm leaving?"

Gao Feng, eyes longing, waved: "Take it easy on the road, listen to your brother, don't wander in this heat or you'll get heatstroke."

"Hmm, let's go."

Ma Shuyao also left; Ma Qing'an turned back, looking up and down at Gao Feng.

That scrutinizing gaze truly resembled a father‑in‑law seeing a shabby son‑in‑law for the first time.

Gao Feng, feeling the appraisal, became especially uneasy, awkwardly tugging at his collar, not knowing what to say.

"At least you have some sense of responsibility!"

"That's for sure!"

Ma Qing'an's remark instantly made Gao Feng perk up.

"Old Ma, rest assured, I'll definitely be good to your sister; from now on we each mind our own, you treat me as a brother, I treat you as a big brother‑in‑law plus half a father‑in‑law, and during the holidays the tobacco and wine gifts will certainly be there!"

"What nonsense?"

Ma Qing'an's eyes widened like copper bells: "I'm talking about Lu Yang's matter; you at least showed some responsibility by knowing you had to come over!"

Gao Feng's face flushed red: "Ah, right, I was just saying, about Lu Yang. Anyway, you keep busy; I have nothing else, I'm heading back!"

Having said that, Gao Feng fled like a flash.

He saw the guy get into the car and slunk away.

He Zhen Tao walked up to him: "Gao Feng is still quite reliable; you two have known each other deeply for years, no need to keep holding a grudge."

Ma Qing'an sighed: "Whether I let go or not, they've been together so long—can they really be a perfect pair? Ah, it's just a painful, suffocating feeling."

"What's suffocating you?"

"Missing a sister, missing a brother."

"But from now on you have a brother‑in‑law, a 'guye'; if in future drills he still dares to take you down, that would be a great betrayal, warranting the beheading of the old father‑in‑law."

"Why are you babbling like that? I recall you didn't even take the graduate exam."

Ma Qing'an turned his head, staring at He Zhen Tao, feeling this guy's mouth was even poorer than former Instructor Pan Yuan's, his flirty talk even more relentless.

He Zhen Tao chuckled: "I'm an Instructor; I have to look after the thoughts, work, and family lives of the Whole Company soldiers, including you. I'm doing this for your good, you know?"

While the two were chatting, a private emerged from the building behind, carrying a backpack and a bag, his face downcast, his shoulder slumped.

Lu Yang looked him up and down, teasing: "Well, well, you look much better than before. Get on the vehicle; you no longer belong here."

Zhang Jiaheng glared angrily at him: "Lu Yang, I damn well remember you!"

Lu Yang smiled: "You remember me now; you'll see. Get on and go."

Zhang Jiaheng looked back and found that the entire squad had no one to see him off.

In the end, only his Squad Leader stepped out, escorted him to the vehicle, patted his arm, and said some encouraging words.

It's mainly hoping he can do well in other units; although the Military Police position is glorious and sacred, because it lacks much technical content, the chance to stay in the unit is relatively lower.

Technical positions in regular units are very easy to stay in, so Zhang Jiaheng being transferred after making a mistake isn't entirely bad; it will also be easier for him to stay in the unit later.

At this moment, Zhang Jiaheng's heart is somewhat broken.

He thought he had made many friends here, but when he left, only the squad leader came to see him off.

Externally, being talked about and squeezed out is fine, but internally he also didn't make any true friends.

This Military Police role has made him fail terribly.

Lu Yang pushed the motorcycle out, but the Company Commander was in a hurry to go back, so he rode off first.

Thus, Lu Yang and He Zhen Tao stood on either side, sandwiching Zhang Jiaheng in the back seat.

Clerk Li served as the driver, and everyone was quite happy; they hadn't seen such a lively scene in a long time.

All the regiment leaders came to support Lu Yang; this treatment is beyond words, and when we go back we must give Lu Yang a proper personal interview, and the manuscript also needs careful consideration.

「Sob... 」

The vehicle slowly started up and drove away from the buildings.

Zhang Jiaheng looked back reluctantly at the building behind him, unable to hold back tears streaming down his face.

He never imagined that an ordinary summer afternoon would lead to him being expelled from the Military Police because he provoked Lu Yang.

Thinking that from now on he could no longer wear the white helmet, could no longer exercise the Military Police's authority over the entire army, could no longer make ordinary soldiers tremble, his heart felt icy cold.

「Hahaha, hahaha! 」

Seeing him cry so sadly, Lu Yang and He Zhen Tao embraced him, one on each side.

They slapped his shoulders hard, laughing as brightly as possible.

Lu Yang couldn't even imagine how happy everyone would be when they saw them bringing back such a 'mascot'.

They'd probably be so happy they'd go crazy, happy enough to take off!