Chapter 260: Putting Happiness into a Bottle

"Kang, Kang, tell us again about your heroic deeds when you fought spies?"

"Ah, what's there to say......"

Kang Changyi, a second ago, was still feigning sincere refusal.

The next second, he instantly switched to a storyteller's tone, vividly describing the whole process.

"All of this has to start with that female netizen on my chat app."

"From the start I knew that woman wasn't a good person; she kept probing me, asking about my unit's situation."

"She asked me, 'Do you want it?' I said, 'I want national prosperity and strength!'"

"She asked, 'What's the most sensitive?' I said, 'Political cultivation!'"

"She asked, 'What's the toughest?' I said, 'Military defense!'"

"Hahaha, that's awesome, truly worthy of a military academy graduate; we could never have thought of that…"

Kang Changyi, like the moon surrounded by stars, was encircled by the Sixth Company soldiers.

One after another they shouted "Kang!", each exclamation "awesome", praising him until his heart blossomed and his spirit was elated.

What is called a mass base, what is called the power of an idol, what is called honor bestowed, all under the gaze of the masses.

At that moment, Kang Changyi felt it all; it was simply indescribably wonderful!

On the track, Zhou Kaidong, wearing a weighted vest, kept huffing and puffing as he ran.

He was like an old yellow ox, diligent and silently toiling; his condition was the complete opposite of Kang Changyi's swagger.

The reason a veteran is a veteran is that his temperament is steadier; he won't become complacent just because he earned merit.

Although Kang Changyi attended the military academy for several years, his temperament is actually more like that of a Conscript stage; a slight achievement makes him puff his chest.

At this moment, Zhou Kaidong saw Lu Yang approaching from afar and began to slow down: "Why are you running here? You're injured, don't catch a cold from the breeze?"

Lu Yang: "Can't stay idle, I've been resting for several days, it's driving me crazy."

Zhou Kaidong laughed: "I'm used to daily training; stopping all of a sudden is like this. Once we go back and take the line apart, it'll be fine."

Lu Yang asked: "Squad Leader, did the Company Commander tell you about that matter?"

"He told me, but the specifics still need a reply from the Division."

"The Political Commissar has already stepped in; the problem should not be big."

"Hopefully."

Lu Yang could see that Zhou Kaidong was still somewhat uneasy inside.

Even though the Regiment erased his name from the discharge personnel list.

Only after truly completing the fourth phase can his lingering heart finally settle.

If his merit contribution is insufficient, extending his service by half a year would just be empty joy in the end.

Lu Yang comforted: "If I were a senior officer, I would definitely be reluctant to let you go; the unit most needs a good Squad Leader like you, patient and responsible."

"Really?"

"Of course, the soldiers you train are all top‑notch!"

"Ding Tengfei, he's already become a Deputy Squad Leader in the Seventh Company; now he's not only a tank sniper but also a key cultivation target of the Seventh Company."

"Kong Long, now the deputy machine gunner of the Third Company's Heavy Machine Gun Squad, nicknamed 'Nuclear‑Powered Donkey'; I heard he's already gone to the training unit, and once he returns he'll be a Squad Leader backbone."

"Kang Changyi, also under your guidance and urging, has only gradually gotten on the right track..."

Lu Yang glanced at the loquacious Kang Changyi in the distance and said, "Although he occasionally gets a bit carried away, honestly his progress is extraordinary."

"He wouldn't be a coward; he even dares to jump into the water with you—no lack of courage or responsibility."

Zhou Kaidong took the mineral water Lu Yang handed him, tasted the sweet sip and said, "After hearing you say that, my contribution to the unit seems pretty big? But it looks like you missed someone?"

Lu Yang shrugged: "No one boasts about themselves; you need others to praise you."

Zhou Kaidong tightened the bottle cap, smiled at him and said, "I won't brag, lest you become arrogant; later, wait for the senior officers to commend and commend you."

Beep, beep-beep-beep—

The assembly whistle suddenly sounded in the distance.

Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and ran toward that direction.

Kang Changyi's story was at its most exciting point, but he couldn't trigger the climax at the final moment to earn the crowd's admiring glances, which really made him feel terrible.

Soon, the Whole Company assembled unprecedentedly, standing in formation.

Ma Qing'an, wearing a regular uniform he seldom dons, with a wide‑brimmed hat, strode here in big, swift steps.

"At ease!"

"Attention!"

"Listen up, everyone will go up later to change into regular uniforms; we're taking a vehicle to the Division."

Upon hearing that we were going to the Division, everyone got excited.

Everyone already knew in advance that the Sixth Company had been selected as a model unit for safety and confidentiality.

Changing into regular uniforms to go to the Division is definitely to receive commendation and recognition; such an honor they never even dared to imagine before.

Ma Qing'an, serious yet smiling, said: "Those with stinky feet, sweaty odor, oily faces—wash yourselves thoroughly."

"If you have clean clothes, change into a clean set; don't let the sweaty smell reach the leaders. Don't let brothers from other units think our Sixth Company neglects hygiene or appearance."

"Everyone must present the best spirit and the most upright posture to receive the Division leadership's inspection."

"Yes!"

Ma Qing'an lifted his chin and said, "Dismissed!"

Everyone broke into a noisy rush up the stairs.

They hurried to wash their faces, shave, and change into regular uniforms.

Regular uniforms differ from daily training or camouflage uniforms and are used mainly for formal occasions.

Usually they stay locked in the cabinet, never getting a chance to wear them; this time they can finally be worn out and shown off.

Although everyone knows the protagonists this time are Lu Yang and his two companions, even as supporting roles they must not lose face before the division leaders and other brother units.

Soon two buses pulled up downstairs, as they were headed to the division for commendations and were wearing proper uniforms, making a troop truck somewhat unsuitable.

The soldiers, as if organizing an autumn outing, eagerly lined up to board.

Ma Qing'an told the ever-invisible deputy company commander to hold the fort, then also boarded the bus.

In the unit, the deputy company commander and deputy instructor usually have little presence; their main duty is to guard the home base when the whole company goes out for training, drills, or competitions.

Occasionally they can also play the scapegoat, truly the most inconspicuous tool.

"Hey, hey, wait for me, wait for me!"

As the bus just pulled out of the Sixth Company gate, someone came running from a side path, waving to stop it.

Ma Qing'an looked at the dust‑covered, panting He Zhen Tao and asked, "Why aren't you staying in your new‑recruit company? What are you doing here?"

He Zhen Tao jumped up in anger: "I'm just going to the new‑recruit company to bring in new recruits—I'm not dead! Damn it, if Gao Feng hadn't let the slip, I wouldn't have known about this!"

You're too sneaky—taking all that credit yourself, aren't you afraid of bursting?

Ma Qing'an gave an embarrassed look: "I wasn't just watching your new‑recruit company do PT because I was worried you'd be swamped, was I?"

He Zhen Tao shoved him aside, got on the bus, and said, "What's there to watch about a bunch of rookie PT? I can't tell what's important."

I've figured it out—birds of a feather flock together; you and Gao Feng are the same, all talk and no action.

Ma Qing'an laughed loudly: "No way—I'm talk‑one‑face, behind‑the‑scenes two faces."

Their banter made the soldiers on the bus burst out laughing; it's rare to see two company commanders trading jokes like that.

Lu Yang sat in his seat, enveloped by the cheerful atmosphere, his mood as bright as the sunshine outside.

Life in the grassroots units is dull and monotonous, but never lacking in joy.

Even the small moments of how people get along always exude warmth.

For some reason, Lu Yang really wanted to record this scene.

With a brush, with words, with photos—whatever captures this fleeting joy, just seal it in a bottle.

"What are you thinking about, spacing out like that?"

Zhou Kaidong sat beside Lu Yang and nudged him with his elbow.

Lu Yang: "I think, when I have free time later, I'll write a novel."

Zhou Kaidong exclaimed: "What genre? Suspense, urban, xianxia?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "Military life—I want to write our grassroots company's story into it, so more people can know the fun inside the troops."

To understand what dedication is, what comradeship means, what honor lies in the mundane, what hardship lies in the long haul...

Platoon leader, could you give us a role in the book?

In the front seats, Liu Ziqiang and Sun Chen turned their heads together in excitement.

Lu Yang explained tactfully: "It's just an idea; I haven't started writing yet."

Chen Panpan: "I want to be a special forces soldier king—able to blow up a whole company with one punch!"

Kang Changyi: "I just want to be a platoon leader—but I've got to be handsome, suave, and have a hundred female soldiers chasing after me, wanting to date me!"

Zhang Jiaheng: "I want to be a silver cap—military police of the three services, preferably able to police the commander himself!"

Liu Ziqiang: "Just give me an aviation regiment commander—I like helicopters!"

Sun Chen: "I want to be the regiment commander's dad—just to whip his son with a Seven Wolves cigarette when he's bored! Oh wait, we don't even share a surname..."

Liu Ziqiang jumped up furious: "You damn neighbors, always taking advantage of me? I'll make you a reluctant dad, I'll make you smoke Seven Wolves!"

Bold move—I'm the squad leader!

Screw your squad leader, eat a banana and beat you!

Laughter and chatter filled the ride, and everyone laughed all the way.

Everyone had been a bit nervous about the unknown division headquarters, but now the laughter washed it all away.

But as the bus slowly approached the destination, Lu Yang and his two companions, looking at the outside street, all froze.

The familiar milk‑tea shop, the familiar supermarket, and besides, the moat had been fenced off and warning signs posted.

Lu Yang really hadn't expected such a coincidence: "Those two spies' photographed building is actually the division headquarters office building?!"