Chapter 34: Again? Is this never‑ending?

The Flag Platform is only thirty centimeters tall, not high, but underneath is concrete floor, so hitting your head is still dangerous.

A sense of weightlessness hit, and Kong Long was startled.

But before he could react, his body was firmly caught in midair.

Zhou Kaidong steadily held him, smiling as he looked down; Kong Long stared with panicked eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

The other new recruits in the class were dumbfounded, fearing the classic fairy‑tale scenario might happen the next second.

Fortunately, the melodramatic scene didn't occur, so no one had to worry about being haunted by nightmares later.

"Get up, now!"

Zhou Kaidong planted his legs, aligned his waist and horse, and pushed forcefully.

Like driving a huge round wooden stake into the ground, he abruptly forced Kong Long back to the edge of the Flag Platform.

After steadying himself, Kong Long hurriedly, still trembling, explained: "Squad Leader, thank you. Uh, I—I had a low‑blood‑sugar episode."

Zhou Kaidong lightly said "It's fine," and his hands slowly moved toward his waist.

Kong Long breathed a sigh of relief, his head just righted, when suddenly his backside was struck.

"Ow!"

In pain, he clutched his butt and jumped up.

Zhou Kaidong, gripping the Armed Belt in his hand, looked like a tyrant and glared while rebuking.

"Laziness is laziness, and you're low‑blood‑sugar too?"

"Five‑big‑and‑bulky, looking like a grizzly, I believe Lu Yang can have low blood sugar, but you? You're just fooling us here."

"Stand properly, stand straight, heels lifted! Don't think I didn't see you sneakily shift positions earlier; I've been watching you all the time!"

"Everyone gets an extra ten minutes; anyone else slacks, add more, keep adding until you behave!"

The recruits wanted to cry but had no tears; inside they were about to curse Kong Long to death.

At the same time they envied Lu Yang and Ding Tengfei, who were temporarily sent on duty.

In the Cafeteria they ate and drank well, while they stood at attention on the Flag Platform like big fools; their treatment was literally heavenly.

Zhou Kaidong simply stayed, standing behind and staring at the bunch as they held the stance, occasionally launching a surprise attack from behind.

He poked knee pits, cracked fingers; anyone whose butt was too high got the Armed Belt as punishment.

There is no shortcut in the military, nor can one be lazy, especially during these three months in the New Recruit Company, which is a crucial Mud Embryo Shaping stage.

If flaws appear, it is Zhou Kaidong's incompetence, a failure to be responsible to the unit.

Being frivolous, opportunistic, and only thinking about slacking—can such a person wield a steel rifle, shoulder heavy duties, and wholeheartedly protect civilians?

Obviously not!

Soldiers must keep their feet on the ground!

They must have perseverance and responsibility, not fear hardship, and dare to endure it.

Only when soldiers have endured all the suffering can civilians be spared the horrors of war.

Every outstanding soldier is forged like steel, having endured countless hardships ordinary people cannot bear, leading to their present achievements.

Now, Zhou Kaidong intends to use all means to hammer these still‑juvenile youths into steadfast stones that can shelter civilians from wind and rain.

Lu Yang isn't worried; this kid's temperament is more mature than his peers, he clearly knows what he wants and has a definite goal, so he can focus on training more than others.

Kong Long's issue is actually easy to solve; he already has a fitness background, and once his weight drops, his training will immediately break through.

The others in the class are also progressing slowly, inching toward a soldier's bearing, and his only worry is Ding Tengfei.

This kid's bad side isn't thorough, his good side isn't lasting, and his brain is like second‑hand market junk—quite dim.

Whether he runs to the Instructor to complain, leaks secrets, or tries to drug the Company Commander in front of the unit leader.

These actions, stupid beyond belief to a normal person, this kid never skips any of them.

Anyone with a bit of social sense and awareness of others' feelings wouldn't pull off such a flop.

But considering Ding Tengfei's past of slacking on studies, fighting, and hanging with street youths, it actually makes sense.

After all, that social circle largely lacks discipline, has little education, very limited perception; coupled with twisted values and a violence‑worshipping atmosphere, it's unsurprising it produces all kinds of odd characters.

These people love to spout the "studies are useless" line, constantly talking about entrepreneurship and doing business.

But they don't realize the ultimate purpose of studying isn't just college entrance or a job; it's to broaden horizons, expand perspective, and understand principles.

In three months, Zhou Kaidong doesn't expect to make Ding Tengfei highly outstanding, only hopes he can learn a bit from his fellow hometown man.

Don't cause trouble for the unit, don't cause trouble for civilians, and don't tarnish the word "soldier" any further—that's enough.

"Ah, finally it's all done, I'm dead tired!"

"Let's go, get some sweet soup."

"You go first, I'll sweep the floor and toss the trash, then be right back."

"Alright."

A little cleanup remained, and Ding Tengfei voluntarily took it on.

But when he spoke, he was evasive, and no one knew what he was up to.

Lu Yang didn't think much, quickly washed his hands, and headed to the front Main Hall.

Two bowls of soup were already set on the table; the silver‑ear soup had been simmered just right—sweet and smooth—ideal for quenching a dry throat after the work was done.

After finishing, Lu Yang shamelessly asked for another bowl; both bowls were empty, yet he didn't see Ding Tengfei coming.

He just went looking, and saw Ding Tengfei carrying two trash bags, sneaking out of the Warehouse.

"Stop!"

"What are you carrying in your hands?"

The one shouting wasn't Lu Yang, but the Senior Private from earlier.

Ding Tengfei's body trembled, then he bolted away.

Seeing the situation, the senior private hurriedly led people in pursuit.

Seeing this, Lu Yang felt his head buzzing, as if his whole self was off!

Stop!

Stop, don't run!

Stealing things, someone is stealing things!

At that moment, Zhou Kaidong beside the flag platform was just about to call out for a rest when he suddenly heard a disturbance erupt from the cafeteria in the distance.

Turning his head, he saw several cook squad veterans holding big ladles, chasing after the person ahead.

Because it was a bit far away, he couldn't make out who the person ahead, lugging two garbage bags and being chased like a dog, was.

Only when he saw Lu Yang also rush out of the cafeteria, anxiously waving at him.

Only then did Zhou Kaidong realize that the person fleeing ahead was Ding Tengfei!

Here we go again, will this never end?

No need to ask; Ding Tengfei must have stolen something from the cafeteria and got caught!

Damn it, he never gets a moment's peace, always causing trouble for me all day!