Chapter 370: I Want to Light Their Path

Whoosh—, all the windows of the electronic classroom flew open.

Wind poured in from outside, and the sky‑blocking smoke inside vanished in an instant with the draft.

As the thick smoke faded, the duangduang buttocks on the TV screen grew increasingly clear.

Two figures pressed up against the TV, almost about to drill through the screen, gradually came into view.

One of them wore Army camouflage, with a two‑bars‑two‑stars lieutenant colonel insignia on his shoulder.

The other wore a white Navy service uniform, his shoulders bearing a two‑bars‑three‑stars colonel insignia.

The soldiers' gazes, which had been on the blood‑pumping bikini model, suddenly all shifted to the two officers, and they instantly jumped to their feet in shock.

Earlier, they had been so absorbed in breath‑holding training that they hadn't noticed the two senior officers slipping in.

"Greetings, senior officer!"

Ma Qing'an ripped off his gas mask in one motion and shouted.

Tan Yuanzhou slowly inserted his gas mask, inhaled forcefully: "Why stop watching? Keep going, there are a few more with wings behind you."

He Zhen Tao hurriedly organized his words: "Report, we are completely uninterested in these; we watch with a critical purpose......"

Zheng Chengfeng also removed his gas mask; not only did his face flush red, but sweat beaded on his forehead as well: "Such refined content should be watched more; it can cultivate sentiment and ease tension."

"As the saying goes, eating and sex are natural; this isn't something shameful—it's proper, respectable art appreciation."

Lu Yang looked at the previously unknown Navy colonel and wholeheartedly agreed with his words.

Elegant things should be viewed and studied more; they cultivate sentiment and raise aesthetic taste.

"Introduce yourselves..."

"I'll go first: South Sea Fleet, Zheng Chengfeng."

After introducing himself, Zheng Chengfeng proactively extended his hand toward Lu Yang.

Lu Yang was momentarily stunned, then quickly saluted and grasped his hand.

"Greetings, senior officer. I'm the First Platoon Leader of the Special Third Regiment Sixth Company, Lu Yang."

"I know you; you're excellent, extremely excellent."

Zheng Chengfeng's smile and his proactive handshake left everyone on the spot dumbfounded.

Under normal circumstances, handshakes only occur between peers within a unit.

Lu Yang is many ranks below this Navy senior officer.

Yet the officer voluntarily extended his hand, showing how much he valued Lu Yang.

This scene made frontline soldiers like Zhou Kaidong, Liu Ziqiang, Chen Panpan envious; even Kang Changyi and Ma Qing'an were extremely jealous.

Even before joining the Navy or officially entering the Navy family, they were already making a big impression on the Navy senior officer.

But it's understandable; after all, Lu Yang has earned a first‑class merit and is a living hero who returned it.

Someone like that is a top salesperson in the corporate world, capable of bringing huge profits to a company.

Not even the general manager, but even the chairman, upon seeing him, would smile, nod, and ask a couple of concerned questions.

Tan Yuanzhou waved his hand: "Alright, you all continue; we're just watching casually. Ma Qing'an, He Zhen Tao, come out with me for a moment."

"Lu Yang, take this Navy senior officer for a walk around the camp; he wants to talk with you."

"Understood."

Lu Yang and the two were summoned out of the electronic classroom.

The door was shut again, and a burst of discussion erupted inside.

"Damn, Brother Yang is awesome; he's already got a spot with the Navy senior officer?"

"Do you know what this is called? Not seeing the person, but hearing his voice first; a soldier like Brother Yang is a gem wherever he goes, maybe even get a promotion if he joins the Navy."

"Less than two years in service, rapidly promoted to deputy company commander; Brother Yang is literally my idol, our role model!"

"Ahem, alright, stop the chatter; the senior officer hasn't gone far yet, everyone stay quiet."

Kang Changyi pretended to cough twice; as today's duty officer, he had to manage the records.

It had been agreed earlier that when Lu Yang is absent, he serves as Acting Platoon Leader, performing the platoon leader's duties.

These days, the Company Commander and Instructor authorized Lu Yang with a senior officer experience card, letting him oversee all regimental affairs.

Thus, by analogy, when Lu Yang is absent, Kang Changyi should enjoy the deputy senior officer experience card.

"Kang Changyi, what are you pretending to be here? The Second Platoon Leader and Third Platoon Leader are still here; how can your acting words matter?"

"I'm maintaining regimental discipline on Lu Yang's behalf; that's a responsible act. If you don't improve, others still want to progress!"

Kang Changyi puffed out his chest, chin held high, looking like the class discipline commissioner.

"Everyone be quiet, or I'll write down your names."

"Then what, let's change the disc. This content is too vulgar, too low‑brow; let's watch something more refined, like 'highbrow art'—elegant and educational."

Zhang Jiaheng was the first to speak up: "Didn't the senior officer just say earlier that this is art appreciation, and let us continue?"

Kang Changyi glared at him: "Just by looking, you're not cut out to be an officer; you can't even detect sarcasm. The senior officer is sparing his face because of your first‑class merit, protecting our dignity, so he didn't point it out."

"Listen to me, fetch an English‑learning disc; we'll study a foreign language together and broaden our knowledge."

They ejected the DVD disc and swapped in a proper foreign‑language learning disc.

It's the kind that comes attached to the back of an English textbook, an English learning disc.

Within ten seconds of the opening, yawns spread across the electronic classroom like a wave.

Obviously, this content not only fails to forge willpower, but is also highly hypnotic and saps fighting spirit.

In the end, following Zhou Kaidong's suggestion, they switched the disc to one featuring a winged girl; the theme was perseverance from start to finish.

Kang Changyi, positioned at the front, watched with relish: "It still has to be a blend of elegance and vulgarity; we must watch the English while learning, and still study it critically!"

Tan Yuanzhou called Ma Qing'an and He Zhen Tao into the office to discuss some work matters.

Zheng Chengfeng stayed behind Lu Yang; he had many things he wanted to discuss with the young man.

Lu Yang, did you draw the bulletin board at the gate?

Yes.

Have you studied drawing?

I've self-taught a bit of sketching; I'd say I have some basics.

Your bulletin board is excellent, with clear concept and theme; I can say without exaggeration that, among the bulletin boards I've seen, yours is the best.

Thank you for the praise, chief; I'm still learning.

Do you want to come draw with us in the future?

That depends on whether you're willing to take me in, chief.

Hahaha!

Zheng Chengfeng laughed heartily: "You're smarter than I imagined; it seems you're quite confident in your charm."

Lu Yang smiled: "You said it yourself—among those you've seen, my bulletin board is the best; being able to deserve those two words 'best', I think it's appropriate to be a little proud."

Zheng Chengfeng nodded meaningfully: "What you said is right; when it's time to be proud, be proud; when it's time to be arrogant, then be arrogantly so."

How does that saying go? Isn't it that if you're not arrogant, you're not young?

Lu Yang looked at him, and Zheng Chengfeng also stared back with a half-smile.

At that moment, Lu Yang understood, but everything remained unspoken.

Zheng Chengfeng said with feeling: "I've seen all your inventions and creations; they're interesting, cheap, but practical."

When I say practical, I don't mean physically; I mean here......

He pointed to his own head with his finger: "Your company's soldiers have light in their eyes—that kind of hopeful light, anticipating beauty, bravely challenging the future."

Lu Yang laughed: "The soldiers of our Sixth Company all believe in light."

Zheng Chengfeng shook his head: "Strictly speaking, it's your appearance that gave them light in their eyes and confidence in their hearts."

Actually, before coming here, I'd already looked at your file and knew you were a fine soldier; after all, not everyone can earn a First-Class Merit Medal, and still stand here vigorous after receiving it in actual combat.

A few days ago, I came to your regiment carrying out orders; your regiment commander told me: "There's a soldier I must take with me, even if I have to be demoted, I'll take him."

At that time I wondered: what kind of soldier could make an old regiment commander say that without reservation?

So I had to come to the Sixth Company, had to see you, to see what kind of soldier you really are.

Lu Yang: "Now that you've seen me, are you still satisfied?"

Zheng Chengfeng smiled: "Before coming, I thought you were the spark of the Special Third Regiment, a hopeful flame; now I want to say, you are a torch that can warmly illuminate many people!"

Lu Yang grinned, laughing happily: "It's them, using the trimmed branches to fuel me, making me burn brighter; so I want to do my utmost to find a way to light their path!"