Chapter 31: Do you think the new recruit platoon is run by my family?

Goddamn, can't pass the political vetting!

I'm already the ruler of the underworld, a top‑notch gentleman—why does this even matter?

Do these people have a problem with what they're focusing on?

"Can't take the civil service exam yet."

"If you have tattoos, you can't even get into the electronics factory."

"Pfft, hahahaha!"

Lu Yang's follow‑up jab instantly had the whole group cracking up.

Kong Long even clutched his belly, rolled on the ground, and laughed until tears fell.

Ding Tengfei's head filled with black lines, feeling his brain and these guys were on entirely different channels.

Lu Yang patted his butt, stood up from the ground: "Alright, that's enough, let's continue training."

Ding Tengfei turned his neck: "The Squad Leader hasn't come back yet, shouldn't we sit a bit longer?"

Lu Yang walked straight toward the parallel bars: "You all sit down, I want to train a bit more and make up for the previous parallel‑bar training."

Kong Long also got up quickly: "I need to grease up, otherwise I can't drive the tank."

People kept getting up one after another, feeling they were following Lu Yang's lead to train.

Ding Tengfei truly couldn't understand—since the Squad Leader hasn't come back yet, why not rest a bit longer?

The Squad Leader had earlier said Lu Yang has masochistic tendencies, and he thought that might be contagious, so why train at all during rest time?

After a bout of mental struggle, he still got up from the ground, putting on a show by finding a single bar to hang from.

But he definitely wasn't doing it to fit in; he simply didn't want the Squad Leader to come later, see him sitting alone, and get reprimanded.

At the same time, not far away in the Da cesuo, Zhou Kaidong, just having stood up from squatting in the back row, pulled up his pants and saw a group of veteran Squad Leaders gathered at the doorway smoking.

Why must it be at the doorway? Because being seen by the new recruits outside would reflect poorly and undermine the Squad Leader's authority.

So, gathering at the Da cesuo doorway for a cigarette during break has practically become a consensus.

In the unit, nine out of ten veterans are cigarette addicts, not because the cigarettes are that great.

It's purely because military life is relatively dull, and day‑after‑day training easily causes fatigue.

And cigarettes become the most readily available seasoning in this bland life.

Like the vinegar and chili oil in a restaurant, you can skip them, but you can't do without them.

Moreover, cigarettes also have a certain social aspect; when everyone gathers to chat, not holding something feels awkward.

Especially the core leaders, when discussing matters in the office, are basically enveloped in smoke, cigarettes never leaving their hands.

"Yo, everyone's here?"

Zhou Kaidong washed his hands, smiling brightly as he addressed the Squad Leaders.

Seeing him, the bunch instantly lost their good color.

Because two days ago they had just placed a bet, saying Ding Tengfei would definitely cause trouble.

But instead it was calm, and the Troublemaker had become docile, even beginning to gravitate toward the group.

"Take it, as the loser must pay."

th Class Squad Leader pulled out a pack of Huazi and slapped it into Zhou Kaidong's hand.

"Weren't we supposed to get two packs of Xiao Su? How did it become a pack of Huazi?"

"Take it or not!"

"I want two packs of Xiao Su!"

"Only Huazi!"

"This stuff easily gets stuck in your mouth!"

"The service club has no Xiao Su left, you don't want it?"

"I want it, why wouldn't I!"

Zhou Kaidong, grinning, put the pack of Huazi into his bag but discovered it had been opened and was missing two sticks.

He immediately understood: these guys had gotten the stock from somewhere and were trying to fool him.

Never mind, having something is better than nothing; at least it's a loot.

Suddenly, the whole bunch reached out, demanding some from him.

"What?"

"Give me one!"

"Damn, it's not even warmed up yet!"

Although Zhou Kaidong complained, he wasn't a stingy person.

It was just a joke, no real bet was prepared, just a bit of fun.

He simply gave each a stick, kept one for himself, and there was hardly any left.

Second Platoon Leader raised his chin at him: "Teach me, how did you do it?"

"What?"

"It's only been two days, and that kid suddenly went from rebellious to reformed. Did you give him a soul‑confusing soup?"

"Honestly, if a soldier like Ding Tengfei were placed in our class, I'd have given up on him early and let him fend for himself."

"How did he end up in your hands, and you revived him? Platoon Leader, what's your hidden move?"

Zhou Kaidong smiled and casually said: "It's not me who's great, it's the soldiers I lead who are capable."

"The soldiers you lead?"

"Well, I had Lu Yang talk to that kid, and in two meetings it was settled; they happen to be fellow townsfolk."

"WTF, so you have nothing to do here?"

Zhou Kaidong smiled, didn't take the bait, and simply smoked by himself.

Here, indeed he has nothing to do with it; it's all Lu Yang's merit.

But some believe, and some don't.

Ding Tengfei is no ordinary Troublemaker; he's a top‑tier Troublemaker.

Since enlisting, he's been causing trouble every few days, and with the leak incident he's almost become a celebrity in the New Recruit Company.

To tame a soldier like this you need real skill; before it was confinement, then reviews, and even the Instructor's repeated talks were useless.

Now Zhou Kaidong says that just sending the new recruits under his command solved the matter?

A prodigal can turn back, not that it's impossible, but I've never heard of it happening this fast.

Given their experience in leading troops, even with changes it would at least take until basic training ends.

How could it possibly take two or three days to force this mud onto the wall? That's nonsense.

Zhou Kaidong spread his hands, not bothering to explain: "Believe it or not, I really didn't put much effort into this; at most I was a bit harsh in training."

Second Squad Leader suddenly spoke: "Now that you mention it, I actually recall at noon going to the water room, saw Lu Yang talking to that kid. He had a cigarette in his mouth, walked over to that station; his bearing made me think he was the Instructor."

"Really? That's exaggerated, right?"

"You really shouldn't say that; some new recruits just have that kind of talent?"

"Didn't you see the Instructor praising Lu Yang every now and then? Scholars resonate with scholars."

"In the recent news commentary, I was surprised that the kid voluntarily called for a report; once on stage his demeanor was clearly different from other new recruits—confident and poised..."

Everyone looked enviously at Zhou Kaidong, bluntly saying his luck was great to get such troops.

Most of their squad are dead‑weight pumpkins that can't even produce a single fart with three sticks; their heads still aren't turning fast.

Even if a few stand out physically, in other aspects they're basically a mess; few are well‑rounded in virtue, intelligence, and physique.

Zhou Kaidong held a cigarette, pressed his lips hard, and his heart was already blooming with joy.

As Squad Leader, the competition is about whose new recruits are more badass, whose troops are more outstanding.

Before, he was mostly on the receiving end of criticism; now he finally gets a chance to lift his chin a bit, right?

At this moment, the usually silent Third Platoon Leader suddenly blurted out.

"Set a price, will you?"

"What price?"

"Let your squad, Lu Yang, the lower company, go with me."

"Why should we go with you, not with me?"

Second Platoon Leader cut in, smirking at Zhou Kaidong.

Zhou Kaidong, however, wore an indifferent expression and said irritably.

"The lower company's assignment is up to me; the New Recruit Company is my family's?"

"You think I'm the Company Commander, picking whichever I want, taking whichever I want?"

As the words fell, a pair of red‑glowing eyes slowly appeared behind, with a grim smile on the face......