Chapter 47: The Sour Stench of Love, the Company Commander Is a War Wolf

Wow, this is the Tuan Bu, how grand!

This building is taller and bigger than the town government office building back in our town!

Whoa, look, look! This sculpture, really, really… awesome!

Kong Long stared at the Special Third Regiment's huge sculpture, racking his brain for adjectives, but couldn't think of any.

Having read few books, he could only go around the world saying "Whoa, awesome!"

The troop transport vehicle slowly drove into the Tuan Bu, and the rear barrier was lowered.

The new recruits, rubbing their butts, streamed out one after another from inside.

Just like Lu Yang's first impression, officers were everywhere, dazzling everyone.

In the New Recruit Company, there were only the Company Commander and the Instructor, so everyone naturally thought officers were scarce in the unit.

But here they were as common as cabbages, and you could even see military officers walking around.

Just as everyone was sighing, Lu Yang jogged over here and gathered with the group.

"Report, Squad Leader, Lu Yang requests to rejoin the unit."

"Feeling better?"

Zhou Kaidong nodded, asking with concern.

Lu Yang smiled and said: "Much better; the fever had already gone down by yesterday noon. Eat well, sleep well, I can run three kilometers without any problem."

Zhou Kaidong admonished: "Next time don't push yourself like this; if you feel unwell, rest a bit. Training isn't urgent for a moment or two."

"Understood."

Back in the formation, Kong Long and the others wore smiling faces.

"How's it going, Assistant Squad Leader?"

"What?"

"Stop pretending, is there any good‑looking medic lady in the infirmary?"

"Is there a lady who would take off your pants and give you an injection on your butt?"

"Miss, is there any chance while you're asleep, hee hee hee....."

Seeing these guys' lecherous, sleazy looks, Lu Yang knew they hadn't shied away from appreciating all sorts of chaotic things.

"The medics don't have to be female; there are quite a few male comrades as well."

"Then is there a male medic who, while you're asleep, hee hee hee....."

"Fuck off!"

Seeing Lu Yang's angry, flustered look, everyone burst into laughter.

Seeing him so energetic, a stark contrast to his sick self two days ago, everyone felt quite pleased.

Although Lu Yang's training results weren't the best, he was absolutely indispensable in the squad.

Because his mind was relatively more mature, he viewed problems more comprehensively.

His presence was like a transitional buffer between the new recruits and the veteran Squad Leader, effectively dampening the Squad Leader's anger.

Kong Long suddenly said, "Yesterday during the day, the Squad Leader went to the duty room to take a call, and when he came back he seemed like a different person; I really miss the gentle him from a couple of days ago."

Lu Yang smiled knowingly, realizing that yesterday's call had taken effect.

"Did the Squad Leader hold a class affairs meeting with you yesterday?"

"No?"

Lu Yang was stunned: "Then did he say anything?"

Kong Long shook his head: "He only said there's a physical exam today, get some rest early, and said nothing else."

Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat, instantly sensing trouble.

Zhou Kaidong didn't vent privately with anyone?

What if something goes wrong later, what should we do?

He looked at Zhou Kaidong with a questioning gaze, and Zhou Kaidong didn't dodge, returning a candid smile.

Even though yesterday's call gave him great comfort, whether this Squad Leader is competent still depends on the new recruits' judgment.

Being open‑hearted is Zhou Kaidong's usual way of acting.

If the higher‑ups want to replace him and the troops he leads also agree, then let him go.

At this moment, the Company Commander's jeep arrived late; Gao Feng got out and led everyone toward the east side of the Tuan Bu building.

There, there was also a large open area, with a row of two‑story small buildings; the empty ground floor held rows of tables.

Medical staff in white coats were conducting physical examinations.

In the open space in front of the building, several large trucks were parked, their bodies painted in camouflage and marked with conspicuous red cross symbols.

This must be the field hospital's mobile examination vehicle.

Gao Feng shouted to the new recruits: "We're ten minutes early compared to the scheduled time; up front there are some Regiment core members and military dependents undergoing exams. Stay where you are and wait for orders; do not wander around!"

After speaking, the Company Commander took three Platoon Leaders, including Zhou Kaidong, to the building to fetch the physical exam forms, leaving the site to be managed by the Instructor.

"Third Squad, follow me for a moment."

He Zhen Tao called the Third Squad new recruits aside.

The others were all confused, but Lu Yang knew exactly what was happening.

Sure enough, He Zhen Tao got straight to the point, speaking plainly about the plan to replace the Squad Leader.

"These past days, your class discipline has been lax, training results have dropped sharply, and internal hygiene standards are not met."

"There are issues on your part, but the majority lies with your Squad Leader's responsibility."

"This will seriously affect your final assessment scores and the allocation of the next company."

"Therefore, given the current situation, Zhou Kaidong is no longer suitable to serve as the troop‑leading Squad Leader."

Hearing this, the new recruits looked at each other, having never expected that the Squad Leader could be changed mid‑course?

Without giving anyone a chance to discuss, He Zhen Tao immediately produced a stack of slips of paper and a black pen refill.

"Anonymous vote: mark a check for those who agree to replace the Squad Leader, a cross for those who disagree; this way no one bears a mental burden."

"Is that the one that passed unanimously?"

"No, as long as even one person checks the box, after the medical exam Zhou Kaidong can return to his old unit."

This voting method is indeed somewhat overbearing, and everyone suddenly found themselves at a loss.

And everyone's impression of Zhou Kaidong varies.

Some think he is excessively harsh in training, shouting and yelling at the drop of a hat, behaving rudely.

Others liked his "friendly" side from a couple of days ago, hoping to get a talkable Squad Leader who would let everyone sleep in.

Some think more deeply, wondering whether a new Squad Leader would be any better than Zhou Kaidong.

Lu Yang showed no hesitation, drew a cross on the slip, folded it, and handed it to the Instructor.

He Zhen Tao was not surprised at all; he also knew that after he left yesterday, the kid would certainly call Zhou Kaidong to vent.

Because earlier on the way here, Gao Feng told him that yesterday Zhou Kaidong went to the duty room, took a call, and returned with a sudden 180‑degree attitude shift.

Based on the timing, it's nine‑tenths likely that Lu Yang borrowed someone else's phone and called back.

However, He Zhen Tao was not displeased; being ill yet still thinking of his Squad Leader shows this soldier has loyalty and righteousness.

Conversely, if Lu Yang had done nothing, He Zhen Tao would think the soldier is outwardly warm but inwardly cold, rather self‑centered.

But one person's decision cannot change the overall outcome.

The rule, set after he discussed with the Company Commander, is that if even one person wants Zhou Kaidong to leave, he must go.

This is done for the sake of the Third Squad's new recruits, and it also neatly cuts the conflict between Zhou Kaidong and Ding Tengfei.

He Zhen Tao gathered all the slips, did not open them immediately, but stuffed them into his pocket, sending everyone to the medical exam first.

This made everyone, including Lu Yang, extremely frantic.

The answer could be revealed instantly, yet they have to make an announcement and then return—who can stand that?

It's like reading a novel; some crappy authors always love to stall at the critical moment, making readers itch with a hundred claws.

"What the heck, can't we just tear it open on the spot to see the result? Why wait until after the exam?"

"Hey, whether you marked a check or a cross, I marked a cross anyway."

"Me too, me too, I think our Squad Leader is actually pretty good."

"What's so good about him? He's ferocious; if we could replace him with someone as good‑tempered as the Second Squad Leader, how great—who wants to be scolded every day?"

"Damn, you didn't check the box, did you?"

"Nonsense, I—I also marked a cross!"

It's a liar's game; even those who truly checked a box won't admit it.

After these days in the unit, everyone is no longer a clueless rookie.

Being kicked out by the New Recruit Company means the training mission has gone awry, a dereliction of duty.

Future commendations and retention promotions will be out of reach for Zhou Kaidong; a single vote can ruin someone's future.

Even if one actually did it, they must bite their tongue and deny it, or else their backbone would be pierced to pieces.

Kong Long stepped forward, whispering, "Tell me, will Ding Tengfei mark a check?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "It's no longer important."

"Why?"

"Anyway it's already submitted; discussing now is useless, just wait for the result later."

"Actually, I quite like old Zhou; his methods are ruthless, but he's flawless as a person!"

Lu Yang hummed in agreement, but not everyone is as they think.

It's hard to please everyone; even if you're cash, you'll encounter people who treat money like trash.

At this moment, the three Platoon Leaders have returned, distributing the received medical forms.

Zhou Kaidong clearly knows what's happening, yet he still pretends ignorance and doesn't ask a single question.

He seems completely unfazed, as if he doesn't really care about the final outcome.

Ten minutes fly by; the medical exams for the senior soldiers and unit officers finish, and finally it's the new recruits' turn.

As everyone lines up to head upstairs, a Female Lieutenant suddenly emerges from the nearby medical vehicle.

It's still the first time many have seen a female soldier; though her appearance and bearing aren't outstanding, the eyes are still drawn to her lady's uniform.

Immediately after, the Female Lieutenant walks to Gao Feng's side and lightly pats his shoulder.

The two chat and laugh, their relationship clearly unusual.

Gao Feng also pulls out hot soy milk and two buns from his chest and hands them over, clearly prepared in advance.

"Tsk tsk, I smell it—the sour stench of love."

"I smell it too."

"Who would have thought our Company Commander, looking so imposing, is actually a Dog zodiac."

"What dog?"

"Not a dumb dog, a 'bootlicker' dog!"