Only Do Three Push-ups

"Two minutes, get dressed, put the pillows and folded quilts into the bed frame storage, spread the quilts flat on the bed, hurry!"

"What are you still gawking at?!"

"Shorty, you want me to drag you down, huh? Hurry up!"

"Anyone slow, you're doing a hundred push-ups outside before coming back!"

The entire ninth squad echoed with Hao Chengbin's curses and the clatter of things being moved around.

No one dared to make a sound. Even "Shorty," who had woken up startled with red eyes, didn't dare to complain. This was because Hao Chengbin had already opened the door, and the sounds of other squad leaders' scoldings echoed from the hallway.

Occasionally, a scream could be heard.

Or perhaps someone fell out of bed too quickly.

Tradition, those who know, know.

In any case, no one dared to peek.

Hao Chengbin said two minutes, but with 10 people fumbling in this cramped space, it was impossible to finish these tasks in two minutes. When everyone had finished tidying up as required, Squad Leader Hao glanced with a smile at the Rlelx produced in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Fang Huai had seen it clearly these past few days; it was indeed a Rlelx.

Seeing how much Squad Leader Hao cherished that watch, even taking it off before washing his face, he couldn't bring himself to remind him.

Hao Chengbin looked up and issued his orders.

"Five minutes! Three minutes late, everyone prepare for push-ups!"

While everyone was still stunned, Fang Huai had already quickly secured an advantageous position, placing his hands on the ground and his feet against the side of his bed for leverage.

The floor tiles were too slippery, and having a place to push off from made it much easier.

One after another, people began to imitate Fang Huai and get down, but half of them still hadn't found a place to put their feet.

"Hurry up! Prepare for push-ups, don't you understand? Yue Tao, Lu Ze Xian, Sun Lian Hai, there's no room to squat here, go outside! Line up in a row so I can see you!" Hao Chengbin pointed to the doorway and kicked them out as he spoke.

Soon, everyone was in position.

Hao Chengbin stepped among the new recruits who were down, constantly adjusting their postures.

"Straighten your backs! You're three minutes late today, so only three push-ups. I'll say 'one,' go down, say 'two,' come back up. Do them properly, don't touch the ground, understand?"

Damn, only three? They're going this hard on the first day?

"Understood, Squad Leader!" Fang Huai was the first to get down. He was already feeling the strain and quickly shouted to set the example.

"Understood!"

"Understood, Squad Leader!"

Everyone quickly tried to appease him, naively thinking: It's just three push-ups, not much, we'll be free once we finish.

Hao Chengbin chuckled, scratched his ear, and pretended to be deaf: "What did you say? I can't hear you!"

"Understood, Squad Leader!" This time, everyone's voices were unified.

Hao Chengbin smiled and looked at his watch, saying, "One..."

Everyone went down, but their bodies didn't lower much. Only Fang Huai, with his arms tucked in, did a close-grip push-up, which saved some strength when lowering himself.

It was difficult. This body hadn't undergone any training, and its strength was much weaker than it had been at thirty-five.

However, at this moment, Fang Huai finally felt that his waist was the most relaxed part of his body. With the sustained exertion, the improvement in his core strength was particularly noticeable.

Suddenly, a squad leader's roar came from outside the door.

"What are you laughing at? You want to do them too, huh? Everyone prepare for push-ups!"

The next barracks also started shouting.

Soon, the shouts could be heard from further away.

The competitive spirit of these "dog-head" squad leaders was ignited.

Hao Chengbin heard the commotion, poked his head out of the squad, and watched the spectacle for a while.

Time passed incredibly slowly. The teammates inside began to quietly communicate through their microphones.

"Someone call the squad leader? I can't hold on!" Jiang Peng secretly started to shift his weight.

"Holy crap... is that one? Is that a push-up? We have to do three?"

Fang Huai gritted his teeth and whispered to Chen Zhongqiang's butt in front of him, "Stop complaining! For these three push-ups, if you can do one every two minutes, you should be happy!"

About a minute later, when everyone was starting to falter, Hao Chengbin turned back with a smile.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot about you all. Two!"

"Hoo, hoo..." A chorus of heavy breathing. Everyone hastily shifted their hands to support themselves on the ground, their butts raised high as they rested their arms.

Hao Chengbin's eyes swept across them. Only Jiang Peng, Zhao Bing, and Fang Huai at the very back were still holding a decent form.

"One!" The next command followed immediately.

A collective gasp. Yue Tao and the others' forms were already starting to break.

"Report!" Peng Yingqirui finished his report and immediately collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.

Hao Chengbin grabbed his clothes and yanked him into the air.

"Get up! Otherwise, I'm adding another round for everyone!"

They had to hold on, but Peng Yingqirui's hands were trembling and he couldn't hold on, though he managed to stay up without falling. Hao Chengbin didn't bother with him anymore.

"Report! Squad leader, I really can't hold on anymore!"

"Still got the energy to talk? I think I can add another round."

As soon as Hao Chengbin finished speaking, no one else said a word. The room was filled with gasping sounds from inside and out.

"Two!"

Half of the people couldn't get up.

By the time Fang Huai managed to get up, his wrists felt like they were about to snap, and his entire hand was shaking.

He really wanted to just lie down and not get up.

The whole process took less than five minutes. The weak heating seemed to have become scorching hot, and all ten men's sweat glands were activated. The room was already starting to fill with the smell of sweat.

[Mission: Break Through Limits, Hold On for Three Minutes.]

[Requirement: Maintain a supporting position for three minutes without falling to the ground.]

Before he could even confirm accepting the mission, the System interface's 180-second countdown had already begun.

"Holy shit!"

Fang Huai roared, feeling adrenaline surge through his body as he quickly switched hands to rest.

He could already feel the improvement in his core strength, and it was significant. He had maintained a straight line from his waist to his hips the entire time, and while his arms were shaking violently, his waist could still hold on.

The strength in his hands and waist was clearly disproportionate.

He had to get more rewards quickly!

Still, this System wasn't giving anything away for free! If he broke through his limits a few more times, his own strength would improve considerably, right?

Don't shout, don't shout!

Fang Huai pleaded inwardly. In this state, it was fine to hold on and switch hands, but if he fell now, he really couldn't last three minutes.

Squad Leader Hao gave the Chinese team no chance.

"One! Last one, hold on! Those on the ground, get up immediately! Otherwise, I'm adding another round!"

Hao Chengbin started lifting everyone who had fallen to the ground one by one.

"Ah!!" Fang Huai roared and held on.

"What are you roaring for? Fang Huai, look at Jiang Peng and Zhao Bing! Hold on!"

Fang Huai's forehead was covered in sweat. When he looked up, the stinging sweat irritated his eyelids.

Jiang Peng seemed to be struggling too, but Zhao Bing didn't even show any signs of blushing or gritting his teeth.

Damn it, my son Zhao Bing is terrifyingly strong.

Fang Huai cursed inwardly, gaining some psychological comfort and surprisingly feeling a bit of strength return.

"Squad leader... I can't hold on!"

"Squad leader! Really..."

People kept falling, only to be lifted up by Hao Chengbin one by one.

122 seconds.

107 seconds.

90 seconds.

His hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and he struggled to catch his breath. Fang Huai felt the world before him begin to blur.

Jiang Peng seemed to have gotten up, sneakily switching hands, but Squad Leader Hao didn't call him out.

Squad Leader Hao... seemed to be staring at him.

70 seconds.

Zhao Bing finally seemed to start breathing heavily.

My son Zhao Bing, with the bearing of an emperor, your father cannot compare to you!

Fang Huai cursed inwardly again, seeking some solace.

These guys from Funan who farm are just too fierce! I can't even feel my hands anymore!

40 seconds.

Fuck your grandma!

30 seconds.

"Two! Get up!" Hao Chengbin finally relented.

Everyone lay on the ground, sticking out their tongues. The cool ground was, at that moment, the most perfect resting place for the new recruits of Class Nine. They could even fall asleep on the ground.

After the people in front of him got up, a blast of cold air blew in from the doorway.

It felt like he was breathing fresh air again.

Fang Huai and Zhao Bing were still lying there.

"Fang Huai, get up!" Hao Chengbin, seeing Fang Huai with his eyes tightly shut, trying to sweat out, started to worry.

This kid is really stubborn.

"Zhao Bing, you get up too." Hao Chengbin thought Fang Huai was probably just sulking with Zhao Bing, so he turned to look at Zhao Bing.

Zhao Bing smiled, nodded at Fang Huai, and said breathlessly, "Squad leader, I'll stay with him a bit longer."

Hao Chengbin frowned. "Get up!"

Fang Huai's entire back was trembling, and his legs were shaking.

He wanted to say something, but he had to gasp for air so much that his lungs might explode.

The entire room was filled with Fang Huai's heavy panting, his voice sounding like a horse.

Seeing Fang Huai's state, Hao Chengbin, who had already sat down on the bed, stood up again. He pointed at Fang Huai and said to Zhao Bing, "Your comrade is like that, why are you trying to be tough? If you like lying down, then lie down until noon!"

Zhao Bing quickly stood up. Unlike the recruits still lying on the ground, although he was shaking his hands and legs, he clearly still had some strength left.

Fang Huai hadn't gotten up yet.

Zhao Bing was also a little worried and shouted, "Brother, I lost, get up!"

Fang Huai couldn't hear him at all. His mind was filled with a countdown that was as slow as a turtle crawling, and his ears were filled with a droning, monotonous sound like a Buddha chanting scriptures.

He thought he saw his great-grandmother.

Hao Chengbin no longer hesitated. He quickly stepped over a few people and went to pull him up.

Fang Huai's entire upper body was suspended in the air as he let out a breath.

"Fang... Huai..."

"Get... out of the way!"

"Hello, sir!"

People were talking around him.

[Mission complete.]

[Detected hypoxia in host's brain, increasing oxygen concentration.]

Fang Huai kept his eyes closed, but the system messages appeared clearly in his mind.

His collar seemed to have been pulled open a bit, and a large amount of oxygen poured in. With the system's simultaneous effect, Fang Huai immediately felt his mind clear up considerably.

"Step back further! Open the window to let in some air! Don't crowd around him, give him more space!"

"Squad leader, should we give him artificial respiration? Or press on his heart or something?"

"Nonsense! He's not drowning! He's breathing on his own, do you want to suffocate him?"

Although Fang Huai was feeling extremely uncomfortable, his ears and mind were clear. Hearing this, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Will you dare to torment me again in the future?

In less than three push-ups, you'll be on your knees begging me! Begging me not to die!

Two minutes later, Fang Huai opened his eyes, only to close them again, stung by the cold sweat.

"He's awake, he's awake!"

"Yue Tao, go get Fang Huai's basin and bring some hot water!"

When Fang Huai felt a warm towel placed over his face, his breathing had already evened out.

"Squad leader, I'm fine." Fang Huai forcefully raised his hand and waved it.

"Hao Chengbin, take him to Baiyun First Medical Center to get checked out."

"Yes!"

Fang Huai heard a familiar voice. When he opened his eyes again, he found that it was quiet around him. He turned his head, and several military officers were standing outside the door. Hao Chengbin was standing beside them, explaining something in a low voice.

The Major among them was dark and gleaming with oil.

Holy crap, Old Black.

Fang Huai jolted, sitting up from his near-death state.

"Hiss..."

His waist was fine, but his back hurt.

"Hello, Chief of Staff!"

The people at the door were also a bit stunned. Seeing the recruit, who had been pale moments ago, suddenly sit up, Chief of Staff Yang Yonghua frowned and stepped forward to take a closer look.

Just now, Wang Jian had rushed over to report that a recruit needed emergency medical treatment and hospitalization.

By the time he arrived, listening to the situation all the way, Fang Huai had calmed his breathing after climbing the stairs.

Within two minutes, he sat up.

A medical miracle? Or a final burst of energy?

"Lie down and rest properly!" Yang Yonghua stepped forward and patted him.

"It's fine, Chief of Staff, really fine. I just overexerted myself earlier!" Fang Huai quickly explained.

If this caused trouble for the company, it would truly not be worth the loss.

Yang Yonghua frowned and asked suspiciously, "Did your squad leader hit you earlier?"

"No."

"Forced you to do push-ups? Didn't let you get up?"

"No, I wanted to see if I could last 10 minutes, but... I couldn't hold on."

Yang Yonghua found it both infuriating and amusing.

Someone who could give up but managed to pass out from holding back was truly a person of tenacious willpower.

"Your spirit is commendable, but your methods are not! Squeezing your body like this, you'll be ruined in less than two years! ...Hao Chengbin!"

"Here!"

"This recruit, let him rest well this morning. He doesn't need to go to the training grounds for now."

"No! Chief of Staff, it's not necessary. I can get up." Fang Huai quickly stood up, enduring the pain, and twisted his waist. "Chief of Staff, I feel a bit better after moving around. Lying here, my body gets cold, and the more I lie down, the more it hurts!"

Seeing Fang Huai's lively demonstration, Yang Yonghua couldn't help but laugh. "He really is a promising talent. Keep up the good work! If you get 20 pull-ups in your physical test at the end of training, I'll apply for an outstanding soldier award for you!"

He said this while patting Fang Huai's shoulder.

Fang Huai swayed from the pat, nearly falling onto the bed.

"Yes! Chief of Staff!"

Seeing his unsteady appearance, Yang Yonghua chuckled with his hands behind his back and walked out, taking a few regimental staff officers with him.

It was a false alarm.

Wang Jian, who had been tense moments before, his eyes wide open, breathed a sigh of relief. He walked back into the squad and looked at Fang Huai, who had sat down again, with some reproach.

"Brother, it's the first day, why push yourself so hard? Are you trying to die?"

"I've caused you trouble, Company Commander. Next time I'll... try not to."

Fang Huai said, thinking of the peculiar system, his tone was a little uncertain.

"Try not to?" Wang Jian's eyes widened again.

"I... Company Commander, it's normal to feel dizzy from overexertion, isn't it?" Fang Huai said with difficulty.

Hao Chengbin walked up at this moment, patted Wang Jian, and shook his head. "Company Commander Wang, I'll keep an eye on him. Nothing like today will happen again."

Wang Jian and Hao Chengbin exchanged a look, then Wang Jian pointed to the stars on his own shoulder.

"Buddy, I'm... this year. You take it easy."

"Don't worry, Company Commander!" Fang Huai quickly stood up and promised.

"I'll definitely pay attention to my own safety!"

Wang Jian rolled his eyes and walked out with his hands behind his back.