Chapter 396: I Enrolled You in a Gold‑Medal Class, So Be Worthy

Gurgle gurgle gurgle......

Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, a certain bath center.

Lu Yang was lying in a pool with a massage function, enjoying the massaging jet from behind, feeling unbearably comfortable.

"Comfortable?"

"Comfortable, too comfortable!"

Beside him, Zheng Chengfeng was also enjoying with his eyes closed, a hot towel covering his face.

"After the bath, I'll take you to eat."

"Alright!" After the bath, Zheng Chengfeng led Lu Yang to a locally famous Chaozhou‑Shantou hot‑pot restaurant.

They ordered plenty of fresh sliced beef, beef balls, beef offal, and several bottles of beer, truly treating Lu Yang to a feast.

During the two days since arriving in the south, besides checking in at the headquarters and updating his military file, Lu Yang spent most of his time sleeping soundly in the guesthouse.

Now, he again takes him to bathe and eat delicacies; life is simply wonderful.

"Chief..."

"Out here, don't use the title, call me Old Zheng."

"Old Zheng, when exactly are you taking me to the Sea Training Base?"

"After we finish eating, I'll send you over."

"Really?"

"Mm."

Zheng Chengfeng stepped out for a moment, then returned carrying a large portion of take‑out pork‑leg rice.

Lu Yang looked at the table of beef and asked puzzled, "So many dishes and still ordering a staple, aren't you full?"

Zheng Chengfeng didn't answer, pushing the pork‑leg rice in front of him: "Finish the hot pot, then finish this pork‑leg rice with nothing left over; once you're done, I'll take you over."

A few question marks popped in Lu Yang's mind; he didn't know the purpose of this.

Is this some test, or is the food at the Sea Training Base bad?

But he had heard Zhou Kaidong and others say the food there is quite good, following the three‑class stove standard.

Without asking further, Lu Yang obeyed the order, devouring all the meat on the table and then finishing the pork‑leg and white‑cut chicken combo rice.

He finished with a sip of beer, let out a satisfied belch, patted his round belly, and wore a very contented expression.

"Are you full?"

"I'm stuffed, the buttons are about to pop off."

"Alright, let's go."

Zheng Chengfeng got up to settle the bill and led Lu Yang southward.

It was already evening, yet Lu Yang still saw the distant shimmering sea surface.

Thinking that he would soon reach the Sea Training Base and meet his brothers, Lu Yang felt extremely happy, though his stomach was a bit bloated.

The vehicle stopped by a civilian pier; after getting out, Lu Yang looked around and said, "So this is the Sea Training Base, doesn't it look different?"

Zheng Chengfeng didn't answer, but checked his watch and led Lu Yang to a newly opened stall nearby, ordering a plate of fried noodles, a serving of Fuding pork slices, and a bowl of fish balls.

"Aren't you full?"

"I ordered it for you."

"Ah, I can't eat any more?"

"Even if you can't, you must eat it all up."

Lu Yang's eyes nearly popped out.

He had just finished the Chaozhou‑Shantou beef and a huge serving of pork‑leg rice.

Even with his fast digestion, he hadn't eaten so much in one go before.

"I really can't eat any more, I'm stuffed, my belly's still round; how about I pack the rest and take it back for them?"

"You must finish it, that's an order, you have five minutes!"

Zheng Chengfeng changed from his previously easygoing demeanor to a very stern tone.

Lu Yang, helpless, unbuttoned his clothes, slid the zipper down a little, and forced himself to eat it all.

Because the stall had just opened, the first order usually came with a generous portion; during the process, Lu Yang choked several times, pounding his chest and widening his eyes.

When he drank all the broth from the Fuding pork and fish balls, it nearly reached the back of Lu Yang's throat, and he almost vomited several times.

"Finished eating, belch..."

"Let's go, the boat's here."

"Boat?"

Lu Yang, like a pregnant woman, supported his round belly and followed behind.

He looked toward that pier and saw a speedboat racing toward them.

Lu Yang's face turned ashen, and an ominous feeling rose.

Whoa, they wouldn't be that ruthless, would they?

Being this full and taking a speedboat, aren't they doing this on purpose?

He tentatively asked, "Chief, do we still have to take a speedboat to the Sea Training Base?"

Zheng Chengfeng replied without turning his head, "You aren't going to the Sea Training Base."

"What?" Lu Yang was stunned, "Then where are you taking me?"

"You'll know when we get there."

The speedboat docked quickly, and a sturdy‑looking major in his thirties jumped out.

The major saluted Zheng Chengfeng and glanced at Lu Yang, whose mouth was puffed out like a toad.

"Is that him?"

"Hmm."

"Did you feed him to fullness?"

"Hot pot, pork‑knuckle rice, fried noodles, Fuding sliced pork, fish balls—already filled his throat."

"Fine. If he can make it all the way without spitting it out, I'll let him join; if he spits even once…"

"I understand the rules over there."

Even though the other party's rank was clearly much lower than his, our Zheng Chengfeng spoke very politely and even took two packs of good cigarettes out of his pocket.

But the Major didn't take them; instead, with a teasing gaze he looked up and down at Lu Yang, then turned back to Zheng Chengfeng and said.

"We never have a 'backdoor' policy like that, but to repay your favor I can make an exception and give him a chance as a transfer student. Whether he can seize it depends on him."

"I have confidence in this kid; he'll definitely withstand the test."

"Is that so?"

The Major walked up to Lu Yang and stared at him.

Lu Yang also examined the Major, whose face was rugged and whose mouth constantly held a smile.

The other was wearing neither navy‑blue camouflage nor army camouflage, but a style Lu Yang had never seen, paired with a somewhat elaborate tactical vest.

The Major circled Lu Yang once, feeling that besides his delicate appearance, he saw nothing particularly special about the kid.

"Board the ship!"

"Go ahead."

"????"

Lu Yang's mind was full of question marks, completely unable to grasp the situation: "Weren't we going to the Sea Training Base? Where exactly are you taking me?"

Zheng Chengfeng patted him: "We originally were going to send you to the Sea Training Base, but I changed my mind at the last minute. That place is more suitable for you; you need to seize the opportunity. After a while I'll pick you up again and send you to the Sea Training Base."

Lu Yang seemed to understand; Zheng Chengfeng was pulling strings, getting him into a "Gold Medal Class."

The training intensity and difficulty there are far greater than at the Sea Training Base, so the gains will be larger.

But the "Gold Medal Class" isn't open to just anyone; one must pass a test first.

"Understood, Chief, I'll do my best!"

"Alright, go."

Lu Yang leapt onto the speedboat and immediately felt his balance wobble.

It was his first time on a boat, and it rocked more violently than he imagined.

The Major took out a cigarette, lit it, and jabbed his chin toward Zheng Chengfeng on the shore: "Let's make a bet—no more than fifteen minutes, I'll have to bring the person back. Do you believe it? I'll wager your two packs of cigarettes."

Zheng Chengfeng laughed: "Make the bet bigger. I bet he'll not only arrive safely but also make it to the end. If you lose, you'll owe me another favor."

The Major let out a sputtering laugh: "Fine, I'm betting with you!"

He walked to the pilot seat, said "start up," and moved the original driver aside.

The Major held the steering wheel with one hand: "Kid, sit tight; if you get thrown off, I'm not responsible."

Before Lu Yang could get ready, the speedboat suddenly surged forward.

A force so strong it felt like a push on his back almost flipped him over; fortunately he clutched the handrail tightly in time and steadied himself.

Lu Yang looked back at the shore, expecting Zheng Chengfeng to wait at the dock, but was surprised to see him board a vehicle and leave.

This made Lu Yang feel a vague, uneasy nausea, yet his heart was deeply moved; even he himself felt uncertain, but he hadn't expected the Chief to trust him so much, so he must not disappoint Zheng Chengfeng's expectations!

"Scram, scram, scram!"

In the car at the other end, Zheng Chengfeng gave a sly grin.

As long as he slips away quickly, he'll save two packs of cigarettes in a flash!