Chapter 249: Scared the hell out of me, I thought they were going to steal my eggs

Ma Qing'an pressed his fingers to his temples, glaring as he looked over Kang Changyi and Lu Yang.

"You two mean to say you suspect that female netizen is a spy and want to try reverse catfishing. If you can earn merit, it just so happens you could help Zhou Kaidong stay in the unit smoothly?"

"Yes."

"No!"

Lu Yang and Kang Changyi gave two completely different answers.

Ma Qing'an raised his eyebrows, looking at Kang Changyi: "You're the person involved, and that female netizen is the one you've been chatting with. I want to ask what you think."

Kang Changyi straightened his chest and spoke righteously: "I think whoever deserves the credit should get it. You can't just give someone else's contribution to Zhou Kaidong because he's leaving."

"This is very unfair to me and goes against a soldier's code of conduct!"

Kang Changyi's voice was loud, as if he were complaining to the company commander.

Ma Qing'an naturally understood, then turned to Lu Yang: "And you, what do you have to say?"

Lu Yang: "I think what Kang Changyi said is spot on!"

Ma Qing'an had a big question mark over his head?

Kang Changyi likewise had a clueless look?

Isn't that wrong?

Is that your wording?

Shouldn't you be arguing for Zhou Kaidong's sake, then get lectured by the company commander?

"Go on."

"I've always believed that whoever deserves the credit should get it."

Lu Yang said loudly: "So I just hope that when we achieve merit, Zhou Kaidong gets a chance to chip in an assist. Even if it's just a commendation or a verbal praise, that's fine."

"If she really is a spy, then she definitely has accomplices; Kang Changyi alone couldn't handle it."

"So I unilaterally think he might need help, and Zhou Kaidong is undoubtedly the best choice."

"Of course, I'm also willing to lend a hand for free, then after it's over, leave without a trace, hiding my merit and fame."

Ma Qing'an nodded repeatedly, secretly praising Lu Yang's noble integrity.

At first, he also thought Lu Yang wanted to threaten Kang Changyi into giving up his credit.

But doing that would be too overbearing, too unfair, really lacking impartiality.

Sacrificing one person's benefit to benefit another is not worth advocating.

Even if the intention is good, even if both parties are willing, as the company commander he must stand on the side of fairness and justice to judge right from wrong.

But he didn't expect Lu Yang's considerations to be far more thorough than his own.

Not only had he never thought of seizing Kang Changyi's credit, but he was willing to help voluntarily to see them both succeed.

Kang Changyi was instead caught off guard at this point, really a bit embarrassing.

Turns out it's just about playing support; I thought they were going to steal my eggs.

If it's just helping out, earning a commendation or verbal praise, he's totally willing.

Because he definitely can't pull this off alone; if he messes up and gets caught, that would be a glorious sacrifice.

Kang Changyi knows his own fighting strength; at most he's about one and a half Chen Panpans.

He can beat ordinary folks, but if the opponent has help, or three or five big guys, he's done for.

Ma Qing'an pondered a moment, then said earnestly: "No matter what, leeching off someone else's merit is never good, after all that female netizen has been chatting with Kang Changyi all along, and they'd previously filed a request and report."

"How about this: Kang Changyi, you go alone; Lu Yang, don't get involved, so you don't steal their credit."

"If you manage to pull out the radish and bring up the mud, you might just earn a personal second-class merit."

"Then you could be reinstated to your original post and return to your platoon leader position."

"Alright."

"No good!"

This time, a complete reversal.

Lu Yang directly chose to compromise.

But Kang Changyi refused, his tone especially high.

"What a joke—if he could earn a personal second-class merit, could he handle the situation alone?"

Lu Yang has practiced the Through-the-back Fist; taking on two or three opponents alone is no problem; Zhou Kaidong, as a twelve-year veteran, has rich combat experience and can adapt on the fly.

With these two bodyguards, he feels confident; but if he brought fewer, he wouldn't dare try reverse catfishing.

"If the other side, cornered, pulls a knife and lets him lie down while earning a first-class merit, that wouldn't be funny."

Ma Qing'an actually wanted to laugh a bit by now, but he forced his lips down: "Why not? You weren't worried Lu Yang and the others would steal your credit, yet I've taken those two out, and you're still unhappy?"

Kang Changyi choked a bit: "I think we're all comrades—share weal and woe. Zhou Kaidong is a good squad leader; if I can help him stay in the unit while earning merit, I'm willing too!"

"This is the camaraderie between comrades, mutual help and support, mutual progress, and even the transmission of the Sixth Company's spirit!"

"Is that right?"

Ma Qing'an raised his eyebrows, looking at Lu Yang: "They've all stated their position; what do you think?"

Lu Yang, without a word, slapped the motorcycle keys onto the table: "As long as we can earn merit together, regardless of the final outcome or whether Zhou Kaidong stays, this motorcycle is his."

Kang Changyi looked at the keys on the table, his eyes burning with fervor.

He's been craving Lu Yang's motorcycle for a long time.

He'd get two more gold-rated bodyguards, earn merit, and even hold the "F" key to get a vehicle—he really can't think of a reason to refuse.

On the contrary, Ma Qing'an's eyes showed little surprise.

These days, they've been racking their brains to think of ways to help Zhou Kaidong.

Cheng Jun is about to report to logistics; if Zhou Kaidong leaves too, the Sixth Company's strength will immediately drop another notch.

Both emotionally and logically, both publicly and privately, Ma Qing'an hopes Zhou Kaidong can continue to stay, but he just can't find a suitable opportunity.

Although, no one is clear whether Kang Changyi's female online friend on his phone is really a spy, but as long as there is still a chance, we must try.

"Since you all have no objections and have already agreed, let's just do it this way."

"Fix the time, I'll give you leave slips; going out together as three will let you look out for each other."

"If it turns out to be a merit, naturally everyone would be happy; but if it's just an ordinary online friend, don't overstep—just have a simple meal and come back early."

Kang Changyi patted his chest and guaranteed: "Company Commander, I trust my intuition; that woman is definitely no good person."

Ma Qing'an shrugged and exchanged a glance with Lu Yang.

The two shared a smile; everything was understood without words.

"Platoon Leader, I have something I want to ask."

"What's up?"

Leaving the office, Kang Changyi called out to Lu Yang.

He was very curious: why is everyone so insistent on keeping Zhou Kaidong?

In the unit, people coming and going is normal; new replacing old is just how it is.

Only when the predecessors leave can the new recruits have more opportunities to perform.

"Do you think that I, the Company Commander, and the Instructor are all stubborn, clinging to the old and unwilling to accept newcomers?"

"Not exactly; I just think we should let things take their natural course."

"Do you have anyone you care about and look after in the unit?"

"Um..."

Kang Changyi thought carefully for a moment, but his mind went blank.

Three and a half years at military academy, one year of internship—altogether over four years of service, and it seems he still hasn't had any truly meaningful close friends.

Lu Yang patted him and said: "When you have someone you care about and look after, perhaps this question won't be a problem for you."

"As for why we don't want him to leave, the reason is simple: we all treat him like family."

"Family?"

After Kang Changyi pondered it carefully, he impulsively asked: "Zhou Kaidong, where is your hometown?"

Lu Yang: "Sichuan Province."

"More specifically?"

"Wenchuan."

"......"

Lu Yang left, leaving Kang Changyi alone, standing silently in the hallway.

At that moment, he seemed to understand nothing, yet also seemed to understand everything.

After a long while, he finally sighed and walked out of this somewhat gloomy office building.