Chapter 38: This Squad Without Me Will Eventually Fall Apart

Lu Yang, this old countryman, has returned.

But he has become mute.

It's as if his body returned, but his soul is gone.

And the fact that he "stole" something quickly spread throughout the Whole Company.

But unlike before, this time the overwhelming majority responded with sympathy and understanding toward him.

Someone said, if a person commits a crime for money, the person is guilty; but if a person commits a crime for bread, then society is guilty.

So then, if a rat‑like scoundrel robs bread for a group of people, is he good or bad?

Regarding this matter, everyone has their own scale in their heart and their own interpretation.

Overall, the Third Squad recruits felt quite conflicted after learning that this guy erred for their sake.

Especially Kong Long, who often goes hungry and has teased him about his protein powder, inexplicably feels like slapping himself.

The straightforward nature of Northeasterners gave Kong Long an attitude of focusing on the issue, not the person.

Thus, he thinks there's nothing wrong with it, and even feels the Cook Squad veterans are deliberately picking quarrels, making a mountain out of a molehill.

Moreover, the Third Squad recruits think that, in the final resolution and handling of this matter, the Squad Leader is indeed biased.

The next morning's training went on as usual, as if nothing had happened.

But everyone feels an uncomfortable sensation like wearing a sweater inside out, both itchy and choking.

Since returning last night, Lu Yang, this old countryman, has become reticent; aside from brief words like "report numbers", "report", "yes", etc., nothing else comes out of his mouth.

It's as if, in a physical sense, he has sealed himself off, refusing external information.

"Dismiss, ten‑minute break."

During the inter‑group break, Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong, as always, went to Da cesuo to smoke.

But before leaving, he gave Lu Yang a meaningful glance.

He knows this means another job has arrived.

In fact, after yesterday's incident, the Instructor sought out Zhou Kaidong for a talk and, in front of Ding Tengfei, criticized him.

Zhou Kaidong also apologetically said sorry, then led the person back.

But the resolution of the conflict was not as simple as imagined.

The stronger one's pride, the easier they are to be knocked down.

Since the day this old countryman enlisted, he has endured all kinds of scolding and criticism; after much difficulty, he finally resolved to improve and is genuinely working toward it.

Just as a decisive blow seemed within reach, when success was near, Zhou Kaidong, inflamed with anger, slapped him, wiping him out.

Soldiers are also human; being human means making mistakes, even veteran Zhou Kaidong is no exception.

He too can be blinded by anger, have his own subjective emotions, and be swayed by mood.

Now the problem arises; only Assistant Squad Leader Lu Yang can devise a way to patch things up in the middle.

He'll see whether he can pull the heart‑wounded Lost Lamb Ding Tengfei back into the group.

"Hey, without me, this squad will eventually fall apart!"

Lu Yang sighed, slightly tidied his wording in his mind.

But this time, the other party gave him no chance; upon seeing Lu Yang approach, they instinctively stepped aside.

No words, no expression, like like‑charged magnets repelling, they completely prevented Lu Yang from getting close.

This made Zhou Kaidong, who had been monitoring the situation, shake his head helplessly.

Sure enough, one, two, not three; the same trick works at most twice, beyond that it fails.

"Hey, you see, this Platoon Leader really—after ten years as a veteran, how can he be swayed by emotion and make such a petty mistake?"

Suddenly, from behind a wall came the click of a lighter, then the voices of several veteran Squad Leaders chatting together.

"Who says not? Though Ding Tengfei is unruly, I can see that this kid's nature isn't bad."

"I've also analyzed him; he's not bad, just lacking sense. He grew up wild without guidance; now the rope is tightened suddenly, so he has to struggle a bit, right?"

"If you ask me, this kid is still Lu Yang's fellow native; you know, birds of a feather. As long as they stay close, Ding Tengfei will find it hard to go astray later."

"Actually, these past two days the kid has shown signs of improvement, trying to blend into the group, and he's quite earnest in training."

"That good fellow got a slap from Zhou Kaidong and reverted to his original form, now like a mute."

"That severe? It can't be that bad, can it?"

"If you work hard, climb from the bottom of the squad to the top, return home full of joy, thinking you'll be praised, only for your family to tear up your test paper, call you a cheater, say you don't deserve to be their son, how would you feel?"

"Honestly, I went through that when I was young, but… I did copy. Still, in that situation, you'd feel suppressed, miserable, self‑destructive."

"Actually, if a soldier like this were placed in our squad for proper training, guided onto the right path, he might someday become an Elite Soldier. What a pity!"

In the troops, many Elite Soldiers were once unruly Troublemakers when they first joined.

Unlike the majority who can't even produce a single fart with three sticks, these people tend to be more ambitious, with stronger pride, never wanting to lose to others.

Precisely for this reason, they work harder in training and more easily achieve good results.

But this also involves probability; often those unruly Troublemakers who fail to learn are kicked out of the unit as soon as their conscription ends, never getting a chance to showcase their performance.

Only those reformed Troublemakers who actively perform and possess a skill can continue on the path and attract more attention.

Previously, Ding Tengfei left everyone with only bad impressions, a negative side, but after this incident people discovered he also has merits.

He dares to err for the group, dares to steal for the whole squad, and refuses to admit it when caught, inherently carrying a stubborn streak.

Unfortunately, the tiny spark he ignited was promptly stomped out by Zhou Kaidong's heavy foot.

Just as everyone sighed at this, Zhou Kaidong entered from outside, expressionless.

The group, previously idle chatting, fell silent instantly, showing awkward expressions.

"Platoon Leader, need to pee?"

"Then what, you go first, I'm leaving now."

Our squad's break time has arrived; we must hurry to train.

Lao Ba, didn't you just say that after smoking you wanted to take a dump?

I held it in, don't want to go anymore!

A few veterans guessed that those earlier words had probably already been heard.

Being caught red‑handed by the very person while gossiping behind their back was extremely awkward.

The smell in Da cesuo remained foul; after using the restroom, Zhou Kaidong turned on the faucet and washed his hands.

He stared at the dull, cracked mirror before him, and at the face on it, split into pieces by the shattered cracks.

Zhou Kaidong's mind replayed the harsh words he had blurted out in his emotional outburst yesterday, and he raised his hand to slap himself hard!

A scorching pain radiated from his face, the cheek's sting making him feel even more self‑critical and remorseful.

After so many years of enlistment, he had always been strict with himself, leading by example, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the unit, and training excellent soldiers.

He had always thought of himself as a just, strict, and fair Squad Leader, with clear rewards and punishments; yet he never expected a day when he would wear tinted glasses and judge others.

Just from a single fragment he saw, he arbitrarily labeled Ding Tengfei as a thief; although he tried to defend and believe, he couldn't truly trust.

For a rookie whose mind was still immature and who strived to improve, such a wound was far too great.

"Squad Leader..."

Lu Yang's voice sounded from behind.

He had earlier seen Zhou Kaidong lingering at the restroom doorway for a long time, his demeanor seeming off, so he followed.

Sure enough, he saw Zhou Kaidong in front of the mirror, his face full of regret and dejection, extremely self‑critical.

Zhou Kaidong turned his head, forcing a helpless smile: "Lu Yang, be honest— is the Squad Leader really terrible?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "No."

No? But from the moment I first met you, you were always sarcastic and odd; don't you think I'm a very difficult person to get along with, and that when I was assigned to my squad there was already some resistance?

Lu Yang fell silent, because his initial impression of Zhou Kaidong hadn't been good either.

The guy was not only fierce, but also adept at sarcastic oddness, and even gave himself the nickname "Scholar".

Zhou Kaidong laughed; he quite liked Lu Yang's frankness and lack of pretense: "I think I might not be suitable to be your Squad Leader..."

Lu Yang felt a jolt in his chest, and seeing Zhou Kaidong's lonely face in the mirror, he sensed something was terribly wrong.

The problem over there hadn't been solved, and the Squad Leader here also ran into trouble.

Really makes one... two big......