Chapter 267: Better to Enjoy Together Than Alone

"Old Ma, old Ma, you…"

"It's fine, it's fine!"

The news team leader interrupted on the stage, personally lifted the camera and pointed it at Ma Qing'an's face.

"Come on, continue, keep talking!"

"Huh?"

Ma Qing'an was completely stunned, not knowing why the other side suddenly became so excited.

The news team leader hurried to explain: "I've been in the news team this long, and I've never encountered such frank, unadorned expression. Keep going, speak boldly!"

"Love is inherently fearless; pursuing love is not a sin, it should be straightforward, without twists and turns!"

Seeing this, Ma Qing'an stopped being polite, straightened his clothes, and laid out his family situation and mate‑selection criteria.

He also expressed his pursuit of happiness and his longing for a dual‑military family.

In the past, he had to support his sister's schooling, missing the prime age for romance.

Before he knew it his sister grew up, and he himself was approaching his early thirties, so he should consider settling down.

After all, from meeting to dating to building a family still takes some time.

So he thought to seize the chance, place a marriage recruitment notice to the entire Division, even the whole army, hoping to chance upon a suitable partner.

"OK!"

The news team leader beamed and gestured to him: "This part is definitely the highlight of this interview!"

"Thanks for your hard work," Ma Qing'an scratched his head a bit embarrassed: "As long as we didn't delay your important work, it's fine."

The news team leader waved his hand: "Don't be formal, just be real. I'm not like those who treat news interviews as a task; I want everyone to see the most authentic, down‑to‑earth side of the troops."

"Actually, there are many officers like you—older and single—in the troops; they are busy with work and have no time to think about romance, even I am in the same situation."

"If we can facilitate a marriage and help more soldiers find a home, that's a great virtue for us."

"As the senior officers said at the previous commendation meeting, use quantitative change to cause qualitative change, use trivial matters to influence and inspire more people."

"Well said, well spoken," the Political Department Director heard this and gave him a thumbs‑up.

"I'm just combining the present, quoting classics, purely a novice trying to wield a master's axe."

One must admit, this professional news worker is very articulate and very thoughtful.

Even the usually eloquent He Zhen Tao looked as green as a fresh recruit in front of him.

Immediately after, the news team leader steered the topic back to the Motorized Infantry Sixth Company.

"I heard that when Lu Yang first left the company, you rewarded him with a motorcycle?"

"Yes, it was a Good Forest 600."

"Then why reward him with a motorcycle instead of something else?"

"Because we are a Motorized Infantry Company; a motorcycle best reflects our combat nature and unit characteristics!"

"Then…"

Ma Qing'an snatched the microphone, shifting from passive to active: "There are many jokes online that mock our Motorized Infantry as only looking like motorcycles, claiming we have no motorcycles at all—completely wrong!"

"Here I want to dispel the rumor: our Motorized Infantry not only has motorcycles, we can even carry a motorcycle while running, and we can run as fast as a motorcycle!"

"Kawasaki No. 15, Ducati No. 33!"

"Go!"

Liu Ziqiang and Sun Chen stepped forward, stamping their feet and shouting.

The news team leader pointed the camera at the two, but looked at Ma Qing'an with a puzzled expression.

Even Lu Yang wore a bewildered look, not understanding why these two even had such code names.

Ma Qing'an, emotionally, said: "Run, run over there, run for the commanders to see! Let more people know about our fleet‑footedness, let them see our light skill of skimming over water—it's not an empty reputation!"

"Yes!"

The two turned, kicked off their heels and sprinted away.

The camera lens couldn't keep up, unable to capture the two.

Ma Qing'an planted his hands on his hips, a smug grin on his face; this time he finally managed to make the Motorized Infantry Sixth Company proud.

Seeing a perfectly good interview turned into a mess, the Political Department Director was at a loss, not knowing what to say.

After the farce, they finally began interviewing Lu Yang, the person concerned.

The second‑class merit medal pinned to his chest, certificate in hand, Lu Yang smiled like a flower.

"Earlier on stage, you thanked so many people in one breath; I'm curious, if you could choose just one, who would you most want to thank?"

Including Wang Zhongxi, Tan Yuanzhou, Ma Qing'an, He Zhen Tao, Zhou Kaidong and many others quietly perked up their ears.

One must admit, this news team leader is good at finding topics and knows how to seize the focus, creating conflict and points of interest.

But Lu Yang clearly knew how to respond to the linguistic trap set by the other side, so he said seriously.

"I most want to thank my father."

"Huh~"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

What a damned competitive spirit.

The news team leader squinted, apparently not expecting that the other, only nineteen, was more seasoned than his own Company Commander Instructor.

He continued trying to guide: "Anything else?"

"My mother."

"Could you elaborate?"

"They are the epitome of the most traditional Longguo parents—uncommunicative, frugal, yet willing to give me all their love. When I went for my conscription physical, my father waited outside, more nervous than I was."

"Interesting expression, a very realistic portrayal. I heard you failed the college entrance exam, originally planned to repeat a year, but the village had a slot so you joined the army. If your parents knew about your meritorious service in the troops and your exceptional promotion to officer, they'd be very happy, right?"

Sure!

Then do you want to make a phone call right here, tell them, and record this moment on camera?

No.

Why?

If possible, I hope to wear my uniform, bear this rank, stand before them, and personally see them happy and proud of me.

You seem more steady than others your age, better at keeping your composure—I definitely can't hold back.

Lu Yang gave a slight smile; he wanted not only to share this joy in person with his parents.

He especially wanted to share it with his cousin, who had served two years in the air force ground crew, and that cousin's two comrades.

As the saying goes, "Shared joy is better than solitary joy"; just calling them back, what if they don't believe me and think I'm lying?

Kang Changyi stood excitedly in line beside them, thinking he could approach after interviewing Lu Yang, but he didn't expect the interview to be limited to Lu Yang and the two company commanders.

Seeing them already packing up, Kang Changyi felt awful, hurried over and said, "Hello comrade, won't you interview a grassroots soldier? I'm the secretary of Sixth Company; my story is true, down-to-earth, and full of twists and turns!"

Sorry, we already have enough material.

Enough? You won't add a bit more?

Pfft~

The whole news team burst out laughing.

Comrade, this isn't dishing out rice or soup—you can't just add more?

We've already recorded a lot, the camera's out of battery, so we're really sorry.

Next time, just wait for next time; your company is so outstanding, you'll surely get another chance to be in the news and newspapers.

Kang Changyi knew full well they were just being polite—who knows when the next chance will come, maybe in the year of the monkey and horse?

But he had waited so long with eager anticipation, and in the end didn't even get a single shot, feeling suffocated inside.

But just as he was about to argue with them relentlessly, a stern-faced middle-aged man not far away made his sturdy frame shudder.

Xiong Yao waved at him, gesturing to come over; Kang Changyi gulped, and could only steel himself to walk that way.

Seeing this kid finally give up, the news team members also shook their heads in amusement.

Young soldiers crave merit, and also crave appearing in military news.

After all, who doesn't want honor?

Just as they were packing up to leave, a soldier bumped into the team leader and slipped a note into his hand.

Blockbuster news, all hardcore stuff...

Zhang Jiaheng left that remark, then pretended nothing was wrong and hurriedly left, following the main force to the cafeteria to eat.

The news team leader looked bewildered, but when he opened the note in his hand, he revealed an expression of utter shock and anger.

What's up, team leader?

I never expected it—I really never expected it!

What didn't you expect? Is it that the interview lacks material?

It's simply shocking to hear, horrifying to see, and arouses universal outrage!

Having said that, he fixed a stern, icy gaze on the direction where Sixth Company had departed...