Chapter 26: Can't Carry, Absolutely Can't Carry

"Come, come, come, Platoon Leader, light a cigarette to calm your nerves!"

"This time we were saved thanks to Third Squad drawing fire; otherwise we would have been in trouble!"

At the Da cesuo entrance, a few veterans were gathered smoking.

Seeing Zhou Kaidong come in, they quickly took out a cigarette and lit one for him.

Faced with everyone's attentions, Zhou Kaidong didn't refuse, because he needed a cigarette to ease his worries.

"Whole Company has so many squads, I'm already bored, why did they single out Third Squad?"

"Yeah, Eighth Squad has long‑distance runners, the neighboring Seventh Squad has soldiers from military families, so why did they specifically target Third Squad?"

"Then we discussed for ages and finally reached a conclusion..."

"Because what?"

"The Tuan Bu leadership first lingered at the bulletin board, glanced at the blackboard poster, must have heard that the poster was produced by your squad's Lu Yang, and then headed straight over."

"Also, everyone in the Regiment knows about the leak Ding Tengfei caused earlier, right? This time, the point is to see if the kid has learned his lesson; doesn't that make your squad a live target?"

The veterans' analysis was logical and well‑founded; thus Third Squad indeed became the most conspicuous in the Whole Company.

But Zhou Kaidong was like a mute eating bitter herbs—he couldn't voice his grievances.

For various reasons, Third Squad lagged behind the others in progress.

This also caused the recruits' performance to be highly unstable during surprise inspections.

If they could give them a bit more time, they'd surely improve dramatically, unlike before.

But the die is cast; it's too late now, and looking back they'll surely get a scolding from the Company Commander.

"Platoon Leader, to say something you don't like: you shouldn't waste your energy on people who don't deserve it."

"In your squad, that soldier named Lu Yang is pretty good; though his foundation is a bit weak, he can endure hardship, is eager to improve, and is quick‑witted."

"That kid with the surname Kong is also okay; he already has a fitness background, it'd be better if he could lose a bit more weight."

"As for that rat droppings, just let him be; there's no need to waste time on him."

Zhou Kaidong shook his head: "Teaching knows no class; once assigned to our squad, he's my soldier, and I must find a way to teach him well."

The others immediately retorted: "What you say is correct, but people's energy is limited. If you spend more time teaching Ding Tengfei, the whole squad's training falls behind, and that's a fact."

"Because his alone drags the entire squad's progress, it's simply not worth it."

Zhou Kaidong wanted to argue, but truly didn't know what to say.

He tried hard to find Ding Tengfei's strengths, but only thought of his flaws.

Two days ago, helping seize the Moving Red Flag was at least a bit chivalrous.

But today, in an instant, he reverted to his true self, and it showed up during the Tuan Bu leadership's inspection.

"Platoon Leader, people must face reality; some raw eggs can't be kept warm just because you want to."

"Now is a critical moment; the Regiment only has a limited number of four‑term slots, so stability is even more necessary."

"We also fear that kid will drag you down; if you poured all your energy into Lu Yang, perhaps results would already be evident."

Zhou Kaidong naturally understood this reasoning; Lu Yang is a very proactive and ambitious soldier.

Any training, no matter how harsh or tiring, will be completed without compromise.

Even when punished or scolded, there will be no complaints.

A soldier like that, even with a weak foundation, as long as he works harder, achieving results is only a matter of time.

In contrast, Ding Tengfei, though clearly a fellow native of Lu Yang, is completely the opposite.

Lazy, complaining, lazy, often forgetting the pain after a wound has healed.

The kind where you pull him, and he still clings down, refusing to leave no matter what.

But this soldier's nature isn't bad; he's just a bit stupid, and past experiences have made him rebellious in character.

So Zhou Kaidong wanted to give him a pull, to see if he could drag the kid back from the wayward path; otherwise, after two years in the troops, he'd still be a menace.

By then, his trouble would affect more than just himself; it could even disgrace the soldiers' reputation, which Zhou Kaidong absolutely cannot tolerate.

As for his stubbornness, others were speechless, and a familiar person even called him a stubborn donkey.

"He really never backs down after hitting a southern wall! Do you believe it? This kid will only be quiet for two or three days before causing trouble again?"

"What are we betting?"

"Two packs of Xiao Su."

"Fine!"

Zhou Kaidong was also tough‑mouthed, but inside he had no clue.

He could only hope the kid would learn something good.

Even if he only learned half of what Lu Yang does, that would be enough.

……

"Before meals, let's have a word!"

The next morning, in front of the Cafeteria steps.

Company Commander Gao Feng coldly addressed the newly hoarse recruit.

"Yesterday, the Tuan Bu leadership conducted a surprise inspection during drill time. The result was, to put it mildly, a total mess."

"Here, I won't name any specific squad; but a few pretenders, a dog that can't stop eating feces, pay attention to me!"

Just hearing that part, everyone might not know who is being referred to.

But mentioning a dog that can't stop eating feces, the Third Squad recruits instantly understood the veiled reference to Ding Tengfei.

Lu Yang glanced sideways, and indeed Ding Tengfei's expression looked as if he'd eaten a fly.

Since everyone knows who it is, naming him directly would be pointless.

Ding Tengfei in the ranks clenched his fists, feeling as much resentment as he could muster.

He originally thought that coming first in the three-kilometer run for the whole squad would earn him praise and commendation, and get him noticed like Lu Yang.

But he never expected that what awaited him was a public execution at the cafeteria entrance, and even being scolded so harshly in front of the whole company.

Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong also had a grim face like Zhang's, from the work report before roll call last night to the earlier morning meeting, he had already been shot full of holes by the company commander and instructor.

Even the company commander lashed out, saying that if he couldn't lead well or produce results, he would be sent packing back to his old unit and replaced as the Third Squad Leader.

Now he, too, is like a mud Buddha crossing the river—unable to protect himself...

Gao Feng stood with his hands behind his back and gave a cold snort: "So from today on, I decide to run three kilometers each in the morning, noon, and evening. That is, everyone has to run nine kilometers a day for me!"

Help!

I'm going to die!

What's the difference between this and going to the execution ground?

They're just new recruits—this training load might be too much even for veteran soldiers!

Now the third squad has once again become the target of everyone's resentment, being harshly blamed by the other squads.

What's worse, they have already secretly started cursing in their hearts, indiscriminately greeting everyone in the third squad.

Lu Yang also felt utterly helpless; the new recruit company is at the entry level of enlistment, at most a bronze rank.

He originally thought that with the system and his own effort, he would surely thrive.

As it turned out, he was matched with a pig teammate right away, every game a bottomless pit.

I can't lead them, I simply can't lead them...