Chapter 424: Is This an Unwritten Workplace Rule?

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just got choked by the noodle soup."

Just as Lu Yang finished speaking, Lao Mao patted his back from behind.

The sudden personality shift gave him goosebumps all over and made him feel very uneasy.

"Instructor, is there something?"

"Nothing, I just think you've improved a lot lately, so I wanted to chat with you."

"Oh."

One's mouth softens after eating from someone, yet one's hand feels short when taking from them.

Seeing the duck leg and pork knuckle, just bear with it.

Lao Mao's face was dark, his expression firm and serious; he didn't look like someone who would get sentimental, yet he insisted on forcefully stirring up emotions without feeling.

"I enlisted at seventeen, and back then I often sat on the hill of our unit, watching the sun set, pondering a question."

"What question?"

"I thought about what I should do, what I should pursue, what kind of person I want to become."

Lu Yang replied while gnawing the pork knuckle nonstop: "And then?"

Lao Mao tactically raised his hand to cover his mouth and let out a 'scholar's laugh', a gesture at odds with his aura: "Later, I gradually settled on my life goal, found the path; I can't stay muddled in the lower ranks, I want to be the boss, to become a Special Operations elite!"

"Only then will ordinary soldiers look up to me, making me an unattainable figure!"

Lu Yang finished the pork knuckle and started on the duck leg: "Your turn, continue."

Lao Mao's eloquence wasn't that great; he didn't even know what to say, so those words were just improvised.

"Lu Yang, you have great talent; I don't want you, after the assessment, to return to the Sea Training Base and waste that talent."

"Later, we'll set up a revival competition specifically for that comrade of Tu Hongwei's, as well as a few other promising soldiers who were also eliminated."

"If you nod, I'll go straight to the squadron leader, tell him to inform the higher-ups, and get you into the selection; I believe with your ability you'll definitely pass."

Lu Yang still shook his head to decline, but this time gave a vague reason, saying he couldn't adapt to the high‑pressure pace there.

Lao Mao: "Those are all excuses. Aren't you adapting just fine now? You have strong learning ability and adaptability to new environments; you need to have confidence in yourself, you know?"

Lu Yang: "I think I'm quite confident."

"Then do you want to join?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Is there still pork knuckle?"

"......"

Lao Mao was speechless, ran back, grabbed another pork knuckle from the box, and tossed it to him.

That move was once again observed by the crowd perched on the side, swapping meat for instant noodles.

"Whoa, Brother Lu Yang is already ordering the instructor?"

"It's the first time I've seen Lao Mao act so... so... easygoing in conversation?"

"Do you guys think these two look a bit off? To me... it's a bit ambiguous."

"Ah, no way?"

"Look at Lao Mao's eyes and expression—doesn't it look like he's staring at something he really likes? Look, not only does he help tear the packaging, but he also proactively gives him the leftover bones!"

"Damn, Brother Lu Yang is so all‑round, he can charm both men and women!"

Jiang Dahai, who knew the inside story, frowned: "What is this all about? Anyone with eyes can see that Lao Mao has taken a liking to him!"

The others, holding bowls with noodles in their mouths, all turned to look at him: "We know, right?"

"I mean that kind of…"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Yes, it is a kind of appreciation, care, concern!

"That's what we mean…"

"......"

Jiang Dahai rolled his eyes and almost fainted.

They were speaking Chinese clearly, so why does it sound so mismatched, getting darker with each description?

Why hadn't he noticed how gossip‑filled these folks are, why they latch onto everything?

Just then, Xu Ce forced a comment, "The instant noodles are really tasty, Shanxi specialty lives up to its reputation," and then curiously asked Bai Yuan.

"Instructor, what's the assessment content in a couple of days? Can you reveal a bit?"

"Of course..." Bai Yuan: "No."

That topic instantly sparked everyone's interest.

They stood out among so many competitors, endured so much hardship, and worked so hard for so long.

Now they're just one final step away; once they pass the assessment, they can smoothly land and become one of them.

So naturally they want to know what the upcoming assessment will entail, at least to prepare mentally.

"Instructor, please tell us, give a little hint, we promise not to spread it."

"Specifically which aspect— is it about combat?"

"Or are we to split into groups A and B to see who finishes the mission first?"

Facing the crowd's questioning, Bai Yuan remained completely unmoved, refusing to tell them the assessment details.

With no other choice, they could only sneak to Lu Yang, hoping he could help probe for hints so everyone could be prepared.

Because there were only eleven sleeping bags, Lu Yang didn't share a tent with them at night; instead he slept at the outpost with the instructor.

If there is any assessment plan, or if the two instructors let something slip while chatting idly, perhaps they could get news from Lu Yang's side.

Isn't that not good?

Lu Yang thought it was on the left, and without thinking he refused.

But actually, he himself was also curious about what the assessment entailed.

So, after returning to the outpost at night, his gaze began to wander unintentionally around the desk drawer.

Perhaps because he was guiltless, Lu Yang felt a bit guilty; he thought that sneaking around was something Ding Tengfei had experience with, after all, he used to run with a rough crowd.

Hey, kid, what are you glancing around for?

Bai Yuan lay on the bed, holding a story magazine, avidly reading, and lifted his chin at him.

Lu Yang let out an 'oh': 'Nothing, I'm looking for nail clippers to trim my toenail.'

Bai Yuan: 'Isn't it right on the table?'

Oh oh oh, I didn't notice.

Lu Yang pretended to take it over to trim his nails, diverting the topic.

Instructor, when can we take a shower?

You swim every day, doesn't that count as washing?

That's not washing; plus our hair is getting long, it needs a trim; otherwise, as soon as we get ashore, the Military Police will catch us.

After the assessment, they'll give you a haircut and shower; if you're tired, go to sleep.

Bai Yuan put down the story magazine, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Yang pursed his lips and crawled into the makeshift bunk on the ground.

The outpost only had two beds, so he could only make do on the ground.

Lao Mao turned his head, propped his head with one hand, patted the bunk: 'Lu Yang, come, sleep here tonight. The ground is damp; don't end up with arthritis later.'

Lu Yang shivered, shook his head: 'No thanks, I'll sleep just fine here.'

Lao Mao's eyes widened: 'This is an order, I order you to come sleep!'

Lu Yang, helpless, could only lie down obediently, but his body tensed up, fearing Lao Mao had ill intentions.

As expected, what he feared most happened; the instant Lao Mao turned sideways and placed a hand on him, Lu Yang broke out in goosebumps.

Just as he tried to get up forcefully, the other pressed his arm against him and whispered in his ear: 'I've spoken with the Company Commander; if you're willing, I can get you admitted without an exam.'

Such a thing must never be known to others; we've never had a precedent of letting people in through the back door, kid, you're lucky.

Lu Yang inexplicably felt like being forced into a chair for a haircut and being pushed to sign up for a card.

The other kept making up various excuses to apply for discounts for him, just to get him to top up the card.

Such forced consumption really makes one dislike it.

Just then, someone was secretly crawling along the wall outside the window.

When Xu Ce, Tu Hongwei, and the others saw this through the window glass, their worldviews were shattered!

Is this, uh, considered an unspoken workplace rule?!

Why wouldn't it be? It must be that Brother Yang was caught stealing data; the evil Lao Mao, I never expected he'd take advantage of someone's vulnerability, turning out to be this kind of person!

Lu Yang, he, in order to help us gather information, was forced to sacrifice his chastity!

The moment the outpost door opened, everyone was frightened and scattered; Bai Yuan stood at the doorway and cursed a bastard, saying staying up late made his skin itch, lacking practice.

Looking back, they saw Lao Mao still earnestly advising Lu Yang, also with a look of helplessness.

As they say, you can't force a melon to be sweet; insisting will surely end in failure.

Lu Yang.

Present.

Pack your things, get out and sleep outside.

Yes.

Lu Yang finally escaped from the sales trap of 'Tony Lao Mao'.

After the others left, Lao Mao remained unwilling to give up: 'What are you doing? I'm almost successful!'

Bai Yuan wore a look of disdain: 'Success my ass! Those who really want to go don't need persuasion; those who don't want to go won't change even if they wear out their lips talking—just hurry up and play dead!'