Chapter 248: No, You Must Be Willing

"Cuckoo, cuckoo!"

"Cuckoo, cuckoo~"

Sixth Company, in a bamboo grove outside the wall.

Zhang Jiaheng sneaks up, imitating the bird calls toward the inside.

Soon, the inside also echoes with cuckoo calls.

Matching the secret code, Zhang Jiaheng is overjoyed; just as he opens his mouth, he covers his face with his elbow and speaks in a hushed tone.

"Where's the thing I want?"

"It's right here."

"Then, one hand gives the money, the other hand gives the goods."

"Fine."

Zhang Jiaheng steps cautiously inside, while a dark‑skinned, egg‑shaped figure with its back to him shuffles toward him.

Both shield their faces with their arms, yet both wear army‑green camouflage combat uniforms.

Zhang Jiaheng hands over the cash, and the other side passes two small packets of white powder.

"Does this stuff really work?"

"Just take it; leave the rest to it. Even a coward who takes it can become a tough guy."

"How tough?"

The burly man, still turned away, immediately lifts his shirt, revealing a solid, inverted‑triangle back.

Then he raises his hand, forming a devil's horn, performing a classic, mountain‑lifting bodybuilding pose.

Every movement exudes majestic vigor, fully displaying masculine vigor.

Zhang Jiaheng's eyes sparkle: "If it's really as you say, we can cooperate long‑term!"

The egg‑shaped man lowers his shirt, his voice deep: "From now on, buy this from me—prices are favorable, bulk orders are unlimited!"

After speaking, the guy darts away as if he'd never been there.

Zhang Jiaheng excitedly stuffs the items into his pocket and quickly turns back.

He vaults over the wall, lands, and the man standing before him gives him a start.

"Lu, Lu, Lu Platoon Leader?!"

Lu Yang stands at the foot of the wall, smiling warmly at him.

"Take it out."

"What? I—I don't understand?"

"I said, the thing in your pocket—take it out."

Lu Yang squints, his tone unmistakably oppressive.

Zhang Jiaheng clears his throat, trembling as he fumbles two small packets of translucent white powder from his pocket.

At the sight of the item, Lu Yang is momentarily stunned, oddly finding the packaging familiar.

He doesn't immediately think of contraband; after all, dealing with that in Longguo would get you shot.

Lu Yang opens the two packets, sniffs them, then dips a fingertip and puts it into his mouth.

Sure enough, one is creatine, the other a nitrogen pump—both fitness supplements.

"Where did they come from?"

"Bought, bought them."

"What are you buying this for?"

"......"

Zhang Jiaheng's face reddens, clearly finding it hard to speak.

Lu Yang, expressionless, says: "No explanation. I'll take you to see the Company Commander. It's discharge season; the veterans are leaving, lax thinking is one thing, but you're about to be promoted to Senior Private, you've even served as Military Police, and you still tried to climb over the wall?"

Zhang Jiaheng, fearing a misunderstanding, forces an explanation: "The stuff—I had someone with connections buy it. I only know the buyer is from the Third Company, a guy full of tendon meat; I don't know the rest."

"I bought this to boost strength, improve training results..."

Lu Yang thinks the reason is fairly reasonable.

A person needs face, a tree needs bark.

Currently, Zhang Jiaheng is at the bottom of the Sixth Company.

Losing to veterans or to peers of the same year, he can accept.

But if he ends up losing to a rookie, he'd rather hit a block of tofu and die.

Worried about mishaps, he bought these training supplements in advance, just in case.

Since Zhang Jiaheng says they came from the Third Company, and the seller is a tendon‑muscle man who specializes in dealing with such items, the answer becomes obvious.

Aside from Kong Long, the fanatical fitness enthusiast, Lu Yang can't think of anyone else who would hustle this stuff and package it this way for sale.

But Kong Long's brain isn't cut out for business; perhaps there's a Wanbaoshan behind him, scheming as a professional broker?

In the unit, hustling small items is common, especially near discharge time.

Things that can't be taken are just passed on when the chance arises.

Things like once‑worn original‑flavor socks, never‑worn clean underwear, a small yellow basin used for scooping dung, and MP3s wrapped in plastic, among others.

It's a form of passing down, like a college graduation flea market selling sheets, blankets, and other student gear.

Lu Yang returns the items: "These can only assist; the rest still depends on yourself. Wanting to improve is fine, but next time don't be so sneaky, and don't use these tiny packages."

"If you get caught, thinking you were trading something, being shot isn't unfair."

"Oh, got it."

Zhang Jiaheng secures the items and walks away briskly.

Lu Yang didn't say anything more, and went straight to the company office.

He Zhen Tao was in the New Recruit Company, and even called back, asking him to handle the discharge ceremony for the past few days.

The specific procedure follows a fixed template; just a simple tweak, and he has already had Kang Changyi organize and print it.

But as soon as he entered the office, he saw the guy propping his head with one hand, his chin wobbling like a ping‑pong ball.

Lu Yang tiptoed over, his mischievous side kicking in, and quietly brushed away the hand that Kang Changyi was using to support his head.

Boom!

The table was hard, but the hard‑headed world puzzle finally got an answer.

Kang Changyi clutched his head, wincing in pain, and hurried to make excuses when he saw the newcomer.

"I wasn't sleeping, absolutely not sleeping—just thinking!"

"If you're sleepy, just lie down for a bit; I'm not trying to keep you from resting. I know you have a lot going on every day."

Lu Yang rummaged through his desk and asked, "The stuff I asked you to print this morning—have you finished it? Let me see."

Kang Changyi quickly pulled out a few stapled A4 sheets from underneath, "All done, all done, I finished it ages ago."

Lu Yang was flipping through them while Kang Changyi, rubbing his forehead, sidled up with a sycophantic grin as cheap as possible.

"Platoon Leader, Platoon Leader~"

"What?"

"Can you transfer me back to Third Squad?"

"Reason?"

"Isn't the Third Squad Leader about to leave? I think I'm capable of taking the Third Squad Leader role. I really can't handle the paperwork, this crappy keyboard, this lousy computer—using them makes me want to die!"

"Go tell the Company Commander; if he agrees, I'll agree."

"......"

Kang Changyi beamed, "That's exactly why I'm begging you—because he refused. I know the Company Commander values you; if you're willing to intercede for me, I'm sure I can get back to Third Squad."

"I really aren't cut out for clerical work—making spreadsheets, PowerPoints, drafting documents every day, it's making me vomit."

"These days my back and waist ache all the time; I just want to train with everyone, crawling and rolling in the mud together."

Lu Yang shook his head, "I told you, if the Company Commander agrees I'll agree; if he doesn't, there's nothing I can do."

Kang Changyi made a determined request, "Then if I earn a merit for our Company, could you transfer me to become Squad Leader?"

"The Regiment Commander originally said to temporarily strip me of the Platoon Leader post and have me start from the ground up."

"I've been a regular soldier, done clerical work; becoming a Squad Leader again would complete my path."

"Now I've completely turned over a new leaf; see how steady, grounded, unarrogant and calm I am!"

Lu Yang was about to say you look restless and jittery, but his mind suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"Wait a minute, you just said you could earn a merit for the Company?"

"Yes!"

"How would you earn it?"

"It's something like this."

Kang Changyi explained slowly, "Remember that female net friend on my phone? Lately I keep my phone on me, chatting with her whether there's anything or not. The more we talk, the more I suspect she might be a spy."

"Not long ago, wasn't it said that someone in the 441 Regiment made a mistake, leaked secrets, and was discharged?"

"I'm seriously convinced she's colluding with those people, trying to extract some secrets from me."

"Coincidentally, two days ago she told me she's coming to the neighboring city for fun; I could sacrifice my looks to meet her—what if she's a big fish?"

Lu Yang's eyes lit up, "Your counter‑spy instincts are impressive!"

Kang Changyi humbly patted the air and said, "That's also because you previously hinted that I should do reverse fishing; I've been keeping that in mind."

He asked eagerly, "If I actually catch the fish and earn a merit for the Company, can you move me to Third Squad as Squad Leader?"

Lu Yang stroked his chin, a better idea flashing in his mind, and, smiling broadly, grabbed his shoulder.

"Changyi!"

"??"

"If, if this woman really is a spy and we actually reel her in, would you be willing to give that merit to someone else?"

"Not willing."

Kang Changyi, face full of alarm, thought Lu Yang was trying to steal his credit, his head shaking like a rattle drum.

Lu Yang said earnestly, "Hey, you have to say you're willing!"

Kang Changyi frantically shook his head, "No, I'm not willing!"

Lu Yang slapped his shoulder hard with both hands, nearly knocking him down, "No, you must be willing!"