Chapter 245: Year after Year the Flowers Look the Same, Year after Year the People Change

Get off, get off, get off!

One by one, take that damn flower off!

That soldier, that soldier, why is your mouth stuck shut—did you swallow a dead mouse?

Everyone sing again; when you're done, go in to eat!

Why are you all looking sour? On the vehicle we have dumplings, off the vehicle we have noodles; the Special Third Regiment's welcome noodles are this size—eat if you want, don't eat and you'll starve!

Alright, the remembrance meal is over, now the main course. That earlier dish was to make you remember the Special Third Regiment's history, to honor the seniors' contributions; now you can eat freely!

After the meal, the Squad Leader takes the new recruits back to rest, wash their feet, wash their faces, and so on. Then do a building check of the storage bags; if there are any odd items, report them early, hand them in early—I don't want to get a needle eye...

The new recruits, after eating, stepped with uneven gait, shouting the slogan "Ya Er Ya", and walked toward the Shushe lou.

Gao Feng and He Zhen Tao were again paired together, taking on the role of new‑training officers.

The two stood on the Cafeteria steps, watching the retreating formation and the familiar surroundings.

This year has gone by so quickly; it truly feels like a different world.

That's what they call, year after year the flowers are alike, but each year the people are different.

Gao Feng glanced at He Zhen Tao: "No wonder you're a cultured person; this little phrase is truly unique."

He Zhen Tao smiled: "Just average, world's third, I just enjoy flipping through books when I have time."

Gao Feng asked: "Compared with previous years, how do you think this batch of new recruits is?"

He Zhen Tao: "Too obedient, too rule‑bound."

Indeed, they're all too honest; they can't be compared with the previous batch.

Ding Tengfei was assigned to your company; how's he doing now, still okay?

Pretty good.

Training is serious, work is steady, but their minds aren't quick enough. Compared to when they first enlisted, it's a completely different world.

But...

He shook his head, ultimately still not comparing Ding Tengfei with Lu Yang.

After all, soldiers like that are truly one in ten thousand.

If everyone were a genius, it wouldn't feel rare.

He Zhen Tao teased: "You hit the jackpot; I told you from the start this soldier would achieve something. No one is born a soldier; they all rely on training and mentorship."

"Cultivate him well; when Guo Yongwen retires, Ding Tengfei can take his role and lift the Seventh Company's banner for you."

Gao Feng gave no reply, but pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a silent puff.

He Zhen Tao extended two fingers and flicked them toward him.

Gao Feng smiled and, being considerate, gave him a cigarette.

The two sat like that at the Cafeteria entrance, smoking, and stayed quiet for a while.

The enlistment season is also the discharge season; now is the time of transition between old and new.

New arrivals are naturally welcomed, but departures are inevitable, which inevitably brings some melancholy.

In the past, I never thought Ding Tengfei could become the next Guo Yongwen, nor that he could take on the main beam.

After time passes, I do think in many respects they really are a bit alike. One got a head start, the other started later.

But, one thing is the same...

What?

These two, after encountering Lu Yang, gradually had their eyes opened.

Gao Feng's words surprised He Zhen Tao somewhat.

He knows Lu Yang has a good relationship with the two, but doesn't know the underlying cause.

Only after listening to Gao Feng's account did he realize the two's transformation is tied to Lu Yang.

Originally Guo Yongwen was hot‑tempered, impatient, unable to stay calm; the more he fixated on the acting promotion, the less he could achieve his wishes.

Now having let go of the obsession, no longer fixated, the regiment is actually willing to give him more time, to observe further.

Ding Tengfei needs no further comment; being transferred from the training camp to a combat squad was already due to Lu Yang's influence.

Now, he even regards him as a target and a benchmark to surpass, working step by step.

People, once they reach a certain age, will awaken wisdom.

When one day you feel like a revelation, realizing your past self was foolish and childish, that's essentially awakening.

But some awaken early, some awaken late; the timing depends on environment and circumstances.

There are also people who live their whole lives in their own world, never experiencing awakening.

Can't take in oil or salt, can't discern right from wrong, doesn't heed good advice.

These people are generally referred to as "giant infants."

He Zhen Tao smoked: "If this batch still has soldiers like Lu Yang, I'll give them to you, so you won't be worrying about it all day."

Gao Feng shook his head: "Forget it, even if there were, I wouldn't worry about it."

Why?

One person can fall into the same pit twice?

Hahaha, you're clever, realizing that even if you cultivate well, you might not be able to take them away.

The Regiment Commander's intention is already clear: each company must develop evenly; a single dominant unit isn't necessarily stronger; all companies flourishing will make us more competitive in next year's exercise confrontations.

Speaking of that, Gao Feng sighed wistfully: "Honestly, I really don't want to be assigned to the Navy."

Why? He Zhen Tao asked, surprised: "Facing the sea, spring warm, isn't that nice?"

Gao Feng looked at him, saying with some difficulty: "I damn, I get seasick..."

He Zhen Tao slaps his thigh, laughing until his face twitches: "You, a dignified armored Company Commander, all hard as bone, yet you still get seasick—who would believe that if you said it?"

Gao Feng's face turned waxen yellow: "I have no idea why, I'm fine with everything else, only seasick. Last year on leave I went to the seaside with Ma Shuyao; I vomited as soon as we boarded, and kept vomiting until we disembarked."

"Then you're finished."

He Zhen Tao scoffs: "A hard bone in water turns straight into a soft‑legged shrimp; later you'll surely have your big‑uncle riding on your head—his swimming's pretty good, he even won a prize."

Gao Feng covers his face and shakes his head vigorously: "That's why I said I don't want to be transferred. Also, the Navy's service uniform is too ugly—bright white, and once it gets dirty you can't even wash it. I've hated wearing white since I was a kid!"

"Hahaha, I'm not like you; I actually think the white service uniform looks pretty good, and the blue camouflage uniform is fine too—quite spirited!"

"Spirited? No way—no matter how good it looks, it can't beat our green camouflage!"

"Each has its merits, each has its merits—alright?"

As the new‑training program kicks off, the demobilization arrangements are also proceeding.

Depending on the unit and the service branch, the discharge order varies.

Especially for technical troops, discharge dates are often delayed a bit due to work needs.

In the Seventh Company tank garage, Ding Tengfei carries a bucket of water, vigorously scrubbing the armored personnel carrier before him with a rag.

During this period, under Guo Yongwen's careful guidance, his progress is visible to the naked eye; even Gao Feng occasionally praises his diligence.

That also gave him great training enthusiasm and drive, so he throws himself into work even more energetically.

At that moment, a disturbance sounds from inside the tank; Ding Tengfei walks to the rear and is about to open the door.

But a blurry figure pokes out of the machine‑gun port on the roof—it's the Fourth Class Assistant Squad Leader, about to be discharged.

"Fourth Class Assistant Squad Leader, why are you in the tank?"

"Ding Tengfei, I was just taking a short rest inside, slacking off…"

The Assistant Squad Leader climbs out of the machine‑gun port, sliding down like a slide and landing in front of him.

Burp~

A whiff of alcohol hits his nose, making Ding Tengfei frown: "You've been drinking?"

The Assistant Squad Leader chuckles, pulls a small bottle of Erguotou with a little left in his pocket: "Want some?"

Ding Tengfei waves his hand to refuse: "Assistant Squad Leader, it's broad daylight and you're already drunk—if the Platoon Leader or Company Commander found out…"

"The Company Commander went to train the new recruits, the Platoon Leader isn't here—what's there to fear?"

The Assistant Squad Leader waves his hand: "Besides, I'll be taking my bucket and leaving in a couple of days; having a drink is nothing."

Ding Tengfei watches his drunken demeanor, says nothing more, and continues wiping the mud off the tank with his rag.

In the unit there's a saying, "dragging like 258," referring to two‑year, five‑year, and eight‑liang veterans.

Because discharge is near and the unit's rules no longer bind them, many become lax.

Training turns half‑hearted; playing cards and drinking become routine. As long as it's not a serious violation, they're generally looked the other way.

Talking doesn't help; they don't listen. Even if punished, they're not scared—everyone's about to shed the uniform, who'd still fear that?

It's said that even the Military Police now avoid these veteran slackers, fearing an enthusiastic greeting.

"Hey, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?"

The Assistant Squad Leader comes up beside Ding Tengfei and lowers his voice.

"Here's the thing: I have an old classmate who runs a hot‑pot restaurant here; the business is huge, with several branches, and he wants me to join him."

"I'm planning to invest my discharge money, and borrow a bit from home; after the math, I'm still short by a few ten‑thousands."

"Don't worry, I won't borrow much—just five thousand, and I can write you a note."

"At most half a year; then I'll repay principal and interest together. Does that work for you?"

"Your old classmate—reliable?" Ding Tengfei asks skeptically.

"Why not?" the Assistant Squad Leader pulls out his phone and shows him photos of the bustling hot‑pot shop.

"I've known this old classmate for many years; we were in the same class from middle school through high school. He used to work in a factory screwing bolts, then opened this so‑called crystal skewer hot pot, pulling in a million a year!"

"Look at his car, the Mercedes badge, and his girlfriend—pretty, right? They just started dating."

"Rest assured, I've researched this project; it's a sure profit, and even TV stations are promoting it!"

"If it takes off, when you're discharged I'll bring you along; we'll do it together, share the wealth, and become bosses!"

Ding Tengfei watches his animated description and the bright future he outlines, and doesn't think he's lying.

Only, the whole scene feels oddly familiar, though I can't recall where I've seen it before.