Chapter 468

Did you see clearly?

I really saw it!

Definitely, it's not the shoulder insignia of a five-term non-commissioned officer (third-class sergeant major), right?

Those twin guns and stars—I still can't tell them apart?

Holy shit, the Seventh Company Commander spent years unable to settle this, but Lu Yang solved it as soon as he showed up?

If I were Guo Yongwen, I'd rush over and kowtow to him—this happiness came too suddenly!

This is literally defying fate—originally they were likely to be discharged, but suddenly they became officers; shouldn't they go through fire and water, follow the horse's head?

During those two days of evaluation, Yang Ge was harsh, but it was about the matter, not the person; ultimately it was for our own good, fearing we'd get complacent before achieving results, getting carried away.

You really shouldn't say that; Yang Ge is harsh and scolds, but the benefits are real; Guo Yongwen's evaluation scores were so low he was eliminated in the middle of the second round, yet he wasn't criticized but instead promoted to officer—so can I understand that scores aren't that important for this evaluation?

You and I think alike; our level can't compare to those veteran navy and army units; at the Sea Training Base we'd absolutely be top-ranked; scores or rankings can't possibly represent our true strength.

So we misunderstood Yang Ge; then why did he deliberately suppress scores? Afraid of doing too well, attracting other units' attention and getting poached early, or is there some other reason?

Anyway, Yang Ge is definitely forced; when has he ever screwed us over or shortchanged us? On the contrary, the Seventh Company Commander earlier had the air of questioning our sins.

Saying that was so harsh, it's a personal attack; what's more, I look down on you—you've made it this far without us, my Yang Ge relies solely on self-discipline, talent and effort......

The clamor in the cafeteria, like a surging tide, instantly submerged Gao Feng completely.

His face flushed red; he suddenly felt like a clown, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to hide.

Guo Yongwen held this insignia, happiness striking him senseless, looking at him somewhat at a loss.

Company Commander, this insignia......

Don't ask me; I know nothing.

Ma Qing'an looked at his appearance, sighed: 'I told you, go out and talk, go out and talk, but you insisted on making a scene here; now it's fine, huh? Can't be settled!'

He Zhen Tao comforted: 'Alright, go back; Lu Yang isn't the type to hold grudges; moreover, his willingness to help Guo Yongwen seize this opportunity shows he still remembers our kindness to him.'

He looked at Guo Yongwen: 'Congratulations, you've secured early retention and been promoted to officer; finally you've shed the 'acting' label and become a true platoon leader.'

Guo Yongwen broke into a big grin, his face smiling like a flower.

He scratched his head, also unable to figure out what was going on, how he just stumbled through it.

Ma Qing'an told him, saying this is 'intentional planting of flowers that won't bloom, unintentional insertion of willows that grow shade.'

But one thing is certain: without the past decade's accumulation, dedication, and the recent two years of settling, such an opportunity would absolutely not come his way.

Leaving the cafeteria, Gao Feng pinched his brow, unable to resist asking Guo Yongwen: 'Just now, did I say too much?'

Guo Yongwen was lost in his excitement, didn't hear his words, until Gao Feng's gaze fell on him, then he touched his nose and said: 'Seems, it's a bit...'

Gao Feng took off his hat, vigorously scratched his scalp, endlessly complaining: 'Back then, why didn't you stop me a bit? You clearly know I have a bad temper; when I flare up I'm like a barrel of explosives!'

Guo Yongwen gave a bitter smile: 'I and Ding Tengfei tried to persuade you, but you wouldn't listen; you're the Company Commander, we don't dare do anything to you.'

Gao Feng beat his chest and stamped his feet, thinking of that earlier scene, he wished he could bang his head against the wall: 'You say Lu Yang too—couldn't he have produced the insignia earlier? He's clearly doing a good deed but hiding it; isn't he just waiting to see me make a fool of myself?'

Oh my goodness, this face, this old face is about to lose all dignity!

It's all your fault!

Huh?

Guo Yongwen was bewildered: how come there's still something about me?

Gao Feng, fuming: 'If it weren't to seek justice for you two, if it weren't to speak up for you, worrying you'd have nothing after discharge, would I be getting worked up?'

Guo Yongwen nodded like a pecking chick, face wearing an apologetic smile, but inside he felt grateful.

This Company Commander Gao Feng has a temper fouler than a latrine stone, but his protectiveness toward the troops is genuine.

He can't stand seeing his own soldiers suffer injustice; he values the future development of the troops under him above all else.

Although the insignia in the end was procured by Lu Yang, Guo Yongwen also remembers Gao Feng's kindness; to secure his own retention, Gao Feng grew so anxious his white hairs sprouted, thinking up many schemes, expending much effort.

Yet he never expected it to be so easily resolved by Lu Yang; this also left Guo Yongwen inevitably curious.

Company Commander, you say—what exactly is Lu Yang's situation now? I find him increasingly inscrutable.

Don't say you can't see through him; even I can't.

Gao Feng shook his head and sighed: 'The troops are updating too fast, especially with today's strong push to develop the navy; newcomers keep arriving, and if the older generation doesn't strive, they'll truly be beaten to death on the beach.'

Guo Yongwen asked: 'So putting it that way, Lu Yang's strict invigilation of the evaluation is because he doesn't want us to be beaten to death on the beach?'

Gao Feng didn't answer, but that counted as assent; suddenly he searched behind left: 'Strange, where did that kid Ding Tengfei run off to? Why don't I see him?'

He went to find Lu Yang, didn't dare tell you, told me instead.

What's there not to dare say?

No, it's because I'm afraid you won't be happy?

Not happy?

Gao Feng yanked off his old shoulder badge, replaced it with a shiny second lieutenant insignia, his face full of relief: 'What else could be more joyful than your promotion and retention? It's truly suffering turned to bliss, suffering turned to bliss!'

Looking back, we really ought to thank Lu Yang properly!

On the other hand, Ding Tengfei didn't go directly to find Lu Yang.

Nowadays, Lu Yang's aura has changed from before, becoming like an instructor; he also feels a bit intimidated.

So they sought out Zhou Kaidong, inviting him along; Zhou Kaidong also had the same idea, so the two simply went together to find him.

At this moment, Lu Yang was in the computer room checking data, searching for professional knowledge related to rangers, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the composition of this amphibious rapid-reaction unit.

Zhou Kaidong and Ding Tengfei arrived, but they didn't enter directly; each put on a pair of blue shoe covers.

At this time, computers weren't yet widespread; wearing shoe covers in the computer room to prevent static and dust was practically a consensus.

Yang Ge, busy?

Ding Tengfei poked his head in, his smile restrained.

Lu Yang closed the screen page, took off his headphones: "Not busy, what's up?"

Zhou Kaidong stepped forward: "Lu Yang, we want to talk with you?"

"Sure."

"You, do you have something you're hiding from us?"

"Indeed, I do."

"Can you say it?"

"Not now, but tomorrow I can."

"Why?"

Ding Tengfei was utterly confused, not knowing what difference there was between the two.

But Zhou Kaidong could understand this implication: "You mean we can only talk after tomorrow's troop division ends?"

Lu Yang neither admitted nor denied: "Some matters involve confidentiality rules, so I can't reveal them now; in this examination, many eyes are watching, and my every move is also under scrutiny."

"The stricter, the better for you; the lower the score, the safer."

"In short, you just need to know that I will definitely not harm you."

Zhou Kaidong and Ding Tengfei exchanged a glance and nodded.

Although the key information revealed was not much, just knowing that Lu Yang had his difficulties and was doing it for their sake was enough.

Ding Tengfei curiously asked: "Then, where exactly did you go during those two or three months away? Can you say that?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "That also cannot be said."

Ding Tengfei gave a wry smile: "How mysterious!"

But the more mysterious it was, the more he wanted to know.

He even suspected that Lu Yang might have secretly attended a military academy during that time.

But thinking about it, a military academy couldn't possibly be completed in such a short time, and he couldn't think of anything else.

Zhou Kaidong didn't press further; since Lu Yang had said they'd know after tomorrow, they might as well wait patiently.

After a brief chat, the earlier sense of restraint gradually faded; everyone chatted and joked, making Zhou Kaidong feel, inexplicably, that he was still that same boy from before, unchanged in the slightest.

"Alright, you go ahead and be busy; we'll head back to the dorm to rest."

"Hey, Squad Leader, could you please call the airplane guy over?"

"Did he make a mistake?"

"No, not that; I just want to chat with him."

"Sure, I'll go get him."

The two left; Zhou Kaidong returned to the dorm and notified Zhang Jiaheng.

Zhang Jiaheng's legs went weak from fright, his flustered look as if he were about to go onto the battlefield.

"What does he want from me? I haven't done anything wrong."

"Just go when I tell you; why all the nonsense?"

"Aunt Kang, can you come with me?"

"Oh dear, my stomach hurts; I need to go take a dump..."

Kang Changyi clutched his stomach and immediately employed the "feces escape."

Seeing no other option, Zhang Jiaheng could only steel himself and go alone to the computer room.