Chapter 453

Gudong!

Chen Panpan swallowed, a little afraid, looking at Lu Yang before her—who was both familiar and yet made him feel strange.

Lu Yang raised his hand; he instinctively shrank his neck and closed his eyes, still thinking it was also going to pull his backpack.

But he didn't expect that, in the next second, that hand actually lightly landed on his shoulder.

Your performance is very standard, very solid; earlier when you came down to assemble, you were also very quick.

But it's a pity there's no bonus system; otherwise I'd give you two extra points.

Chen Panpan breathed a sigh of relief after the scare, and instinctively flashed her signature smile.

Thank you, Brother Yang; I'll keep striving.

Brother?

Lu Yang narrowed his eyes, and Chen Panpan's heart gave a sudden jolt.

Lu Yang spoke sternly: "In the unit, there are no big brothers or little brothers, only comrades, fellow soldiers!"

He turned and, facing Instructor Sun holding the roster, said: "During the exam, Chen Panpan tried to pull strings and suck up to the examiner—deduct three points!"

Just a moment ago, Chen Panpan was still giggling, but instantly she stopped; her pitiful little look made one's heart ache.

Seeing that this kid was about to become the second crybaby on the scene, Lu Yang not only didn't comfort him, but glared at him.

Pouting, pouting again? Right now, immediately, hold it back for me!

Chen Panpan could only forcefully swallow her grievance, holding it back hard.

He felt Lu Yang had changed, become fierce, become bad, not at all like before when he had human warmth.

He showed no mercy, his mood became fickle, saying he'd turn face and turning face just like that, like a typhoon's weather.

But no one knew that Lu Yang was merely playing the role of Bai Yuan right now; his words weren't even a third as harsh as his.

Strict generals bring strict troops; if during the assessment they're still giggling and laughing, that's irresponsible toward them, toward the unit, and betrays the trust of superiors.

But it was precisely from the fragile, sensitive self-esteem of Kang Changyi and Chen Panpan that he once again saw clearly wherein ordinary soldiers fall short compared to shock troops, compared to special operations.

Their stress resistance is too poor, their self-esteem overly fragile, shattering at the slightest touch; they can't even take a few genuine criticisms without bursting into tears.

If Bai Yuan were brought over, just his words could make more than half of them break down and cry.

How can such a sheep‑like unit cope in a new environment with opponents as fierce as wolves and tigers on the training field?

How can they, in a competitive environment of survival of the fittest, fight their way out step by step and regain their former glory and splendor?

How can they struggle against those cunning enemies and guard every stretch of sea and every inch of land?

These are the questions Lu Yang needs to consider, so he must also use unconventional methods to motivate everyone.

Otherwise, their fate will be to be marginalized, eliminated, or even kicked out of the unit.

Lu Yang, Lu Yang......

Lu Yang made a round of checks and deducted all the points that should be deducted.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard someone softly calling his name.

He turned his head and saw the voice came from Third Squad—it was Zhou Kaidong quietly calling him.

Zhou Kaidong's backpack could be called perfect; after five minutes of leg‑lifts it hadn't deformed, and his assembly speed was also top‑tier, fully befitting his status as a veteran non‑commissioned officer squad leader from the fourth cohort.

Lu Yang walked up to him and, in a voice no one else could hear, asked: "What's up, old squad leader?"

Zhou Kaidong lowered his voice: "I know you're not that kind of person."

What?

I know you're doing this for everyone's good, not wanting us to slip up in the assessment and be assigned to marginal posts, eventually, when discharge season comes, to be weeded out of the unit.

But I hope you won't use that way to interrogate and strike your former comrades; Kang Changyi has already improved a lot compared to before, give him time and he'll gradually correct himself.

Chen Panpan is also getting better and better; if you talk to them properly, they'll listen; don't use such a strict approach, it'll hurt feelings and make everyone feel cold.

Lu Yang looked at Zhou Kaidong's face, sighed, and said: "Old squad leader, I don't want to do this either; I also have my difficulties."

Zhou Kaidong nodded reassuringly: "I understand; during this time apart, you must have gone through a lot; I can feel you're not the same as before, I just hope you can, like before, look after everyone's emotions."

I'm not asking you to let up in the assessment, just...... not be so cold; over these past few months, everyone seems to be adapting fine on the surface, but in reality they lack a true sense of belonging, like duckweed drifting on water, and their inner selves become more sensitive.

The dim yellow streetlamp in the distance shone on Zhou Kaidong, actually giving his face a touch of kindness not lacking for his age.

The veteran non‑commissioned officer truly lives up to his title; the "male mom" value in the unit is steadily rising.

From the army to the navy, over these past few months apart, Zhou Kaidong's mindset has also undergone many changes.

Compared to before, he's steadier, more tolerant, better able to shoulder responsibilities and stabilize the overall situation.

Although Kang Changyi is the platoon leader, more often he goes to consult Zhou Kaidong.

This is what is meant by: although I am an adult, the other person is an even more mature adult.

Lu Yang nodded at Zhou Kaidong to show he understood, and Zhou Kaidong's face also broke into a relieved smile.

But then, Lu Yang stepped back a step, his gaze cold as he looked at him: "Zhou Kaidong, you love to play teacher, thinking highly of yourself! Not only do you suck up to the examiner and pull strings, you also try to interfere with the normal assessment process!"

Deduct five points!

Zhou Kaidong's smile stiffened on his face.

A mouthful of old blood almost spurted from his throat.

Watching Lu Yang turn and walk away, he realized that after two or three months apart, he could no longer clearly see the soldier he himself had brought up.

Everyone present who once claimed to be familiar with Lu Yang, who knew Lu Yang, now fell silent like a cicada in winter, feeling fear.

In the past, Lu Yang gave them the impression of being positive and upward, eager to learn and ask questions, sunny and cheerful, like everyone's little sun.

But after not seeing each other for many days, when they met again Lu Yang seemed like a completely different person—cold, harsh, unapproachable, with unpredictable moods, which became everyone's new impression of him.

Lu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Assessment is assessment; any attempt to pull strings and suck up to the examiner is considered a violation!"

Now, line up according to my standard; the assessment items officially begin!

"Weighted 10‑kilometer run, catch the last twenty, deduct five points!"

"Everyone turn right, target the training field, run, go!"

Watching Lu Yang lead the team away, He Zhen Tao and Ma Qing'an, the two company commanders standing nearby, wore sullen faces as if they'd swallowed dead flies.

"I'm starting to feel like I don't even recognize Lu Yang anymore? Is he still that selfless, sunny, outgoing big boy who put the collective first, or why has he suddenly become like this?"

"I originally thought that with him as the examiner everyone would feel more at ease, giving us some leeway, but now it seems better to replace him; this assessment is going to be tough."

"Now I'm worried that when it's our turn to undergo the corresponding assessment, we'll be singled out by Lu Yang again and get scolded to our faces."

"He dares!"

Ma Qing'an blew his beard, glared, and raised his voice.

He Zhen Tao gave him a look, smiled wryly and shook his head: "From what we just saw, what is there for him not to dare? We need to take it easy and be mentally prepared for him to snap at us at any moment."

Ma Qing'an was both hurried and angry, feeling the futility of a fist striking cotton: "......"