Laozi Shudao Mountain

We're at the entrance to the People's Armed Forces Department, and there's still half a minute left.

Fang Huai got out of the car, carrying the camouflage bag issued by the army. He looked at the imposing gate of the People's Armed Forces Department, with the "August 1st" logo framed on the gatepost, and felt a lot more at ease.

[30]

The System began its countdown.

"Mom, what about the food and cigarettes you packed for me?"

The journey would still be quite long, and Fang Huai planned to properly enjoy his last meal before entering the army.

As soon as he said that.

[20]

Fang Huai's eyes widened.

It definitely hadn't been five seconds.

Zhang Mei got out of the car and slowly rubbed her waist.

"Wait a minute, I'll go get it for you."

[10]

Fang Huai turned around and started running at a hundred-meter pace.

"Why are you running? Fang Huai! Slow down!" Zhang Mei shouted anxiously from behind.

Fang Huai had already reached the entrance. He looked back, hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should wait for his mother to bring him the things.

[5]

So this is how it's going to be?

"I don't need them!"

Fang Huai quickly turned his head. The person in front of him stopped and crouched down to tie his shoelaces.

[3.]

It even had a period at the end. Fang Huai's hair stood on end.

The number 3 was particularly peculiar.

The most formidable high mountain in Sichuan and Chongqing—Laozi Shudao Mountain.

Without hesitation, he pushed off his back and leaped over.

Tumbling and scrambling, Fang Huai disappeared through the entrance and rushed into the courtyard of the People's Armed Forces Department.

After a while.

The System remained silent.

Zhang Mei, standing outside the gate, watched her son disappear with a look of stunned disbelief.

Fang Kaiyang got out of the car and saw only Zhang Mei.

"He went in by himself? Without taking his things?"

"Mm..." Zhang Mei was still a bit dazed.

"He seemed to say he didn't need them... Never mind, I'll take them in for him."

Fang Kaiyang stopped her and looked at the People's Armed Forces Department again, a hint of relief in his eyes.

"Well... if he doesn't want to take them, then he won't. For so many years, you've done everything for him, spoiling him. This is the first time he's had to be independent, don't hinder him. Come on, let's go home."

"His bag is completely empty!" Zhang Mei said anxiously.

"Let's go, let's go. The army has everything."

"The troop transport will be out soon, aren't we seeing him off?"

"No need to see him off. He needs to learn to grow up on his own! Once he's out of the recruit training corps, we'll find a way to see him. I guarantee you'll see a completely new son!"

Inside the courtyard of the People's Armed Forces Department.

The surrounding teenagers were all eagerly saying goodbye to their families. Some were still crying, while a few had slightly more determined expressions, wearing their military caps neatly, standing alone in the crowd, looking disdainful of associating with others.

You could tell they had served as militiamen at the People's Armed Forces Department before enlisting.

Fang Huai was squatting on the ground, panting heavily.

[Mission complete. Congratulations to the host for receiving your father's favor for the first time.]

What the heck, "father's favor" is what?

Is it a special item?

[Complete three missions to independently choose one beginner ability.]

His mood instantly lifted.

Fang Huai had read many novels. Upon seeing this sentence, he felt once again that his life was set.

Wish-granting System! Then what's the point of making money?

He wanted to be Superman.

In his past life, he was a useless soldier, unable to even do three pull-ups on the horizontal bar. This life, he would definitely be soaring on the bar.

His physical fitness would crush the national martial arts competition. After leaving the squadron, he'd be out chasing girls, proficient in poetry and song, with fangirls everywhere, and the System printing money.

Why would he need his uncle's protection? Uncle, from now on, I'll protect you!

Being a soldier like this... wasn't too bad.

Fang Huai felt completely relaxed. He didn't want to think about PPTs anymore. He knew very well that with this System, there was no need to make money.

After entering this compound, his memories of this era also began to recover. Vague images started to become clear, he wasn't sure if it was the System's doing.

Beside him, a young man in his early twenties was patting the shoulder of a new recruit, speaking earnestly.

"Little brother, I haven't taken good care of you all these years. Remember, if you want to make a name for yourself in the army, you need to be bold. When you all start singing before meals, you should report and ask to teach everyone that song I taught you, 'Green Flower in the Army'!

Also, when you first arrive, you'll be served welcome noodles. If you don't like the minced meat, you can ask the cook to add your favorite beef minced meat. If they don't have it, tell him to stir-fry it for you on the spot! Don't be afraid to ask. The cooks are all very nice and like outgoing soldiers, they'll definitely add it for you!

The cigarettes I gave you, don't smoke them alone. Once you're in the army, you need to understand relationships and social dynamics. When you see your squad leader, give him a cigarette, especially those with stars on their shoulders. You need to call them 'brother'! Get your cigarettes out quickly! And light it for them!

The whistle I gave you, don't let your squad leader find it.

On weekend breaks, the army will give you mobile phones so you can call home. But the leaders are busy with work. If the company commander or political instructor forgets, you can take out the whistle and blow it, blow it loudly, to remind them.

Oh, right! The army has a secrecy policy, no photography! If you see someone in plain clothes taking pictures with a camera, they must be an enemy agent! If you encounter them, you'll have a chance to earn merit! If you take them down, it'll be at least a second-class merit!

If you have the chance, go for it yourself! If two people do it together, it might become two third-class merits!

These are secrets I learned after two years in the army, your squad leader won't teach you! Don't tell anyone easily!"

Fang Huai was numb from listening.

What the hell, is this a real brother? This is a deep-seated hatred!

He doesn't intend for me to come out of this alive, does he?

The new recruit listened, looking touched and regretful: "I understand, brother! I'll never make fun of you for not getting into military school again! I'll definitely work hard to get into military school and stay in the army! To become an officer!"

Damn it, brother, you're thinking too much. You probably won't even last until you're assigned to a company before you get an early discharge.

With that kind of intelligence, even if he stays, getting into military school will be tough!

As Fang Huai was listening, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Brother, you just stepped over me, what's that supposed to mean?"

Fang Huai turned around. The person who approached him was burly and imposing, with a fierce face and bulging eyes.

Oh my god, a mini-boss.

"...Sorry, I was leveling up... No, I didn't notice."

The man grunted and pushed him hard twice, nearly knocking him over.

"Didn't notice? You jumped pretty high!"

Fang Huai gritted his teeth and slowly stood up, looking at him.

"Brother, we're all comrades from now on, no need for this, right?"

The man's eyes widened, and the bag in his hand loosened and fell to the ground.

Tension filled the air.

"Fang Huai is over there!" From outside his line of sight, a female voice suddenly called out.

"Damn it, why are you so late?" Another male voice complained.

Fang Huai knew who it was without looking.

It was Chen Shuang, his classmate and best friend for 12 years. They were both at the bottom of the class in elementary, middle, and high school, and now they had enlisted together.

And Chen Shuang's sister, Yang Shaoqing.

They were biological siblings, just with different surnames from their parents.

Yang Shaoqing was someone all their friends admired to varying degrees but never dared to confess to.

It couldn't be helped, this second child was too outstanding.

Chen Shuang was 1.68 meters tall, and Yang Shaoqing was 1.72 meters. She looked a head taller than her brother, with incredibly fair skin. As the saying goes, fair skin hides a multitude of flaws, but Yang Shaoqing truly didn't need it. Ever since she grew up and took off her low-prescription glasses, Fang Huai hadn't dared to look at her directly.

He still didn't dare much now.

Mainly because there was a burly young man in front of him, looking incredibly fierce, staring at him.

[Mission: First step of rebirth, break up with Huang Jiaojiao completely.]

Fang Huai was a bit stunned when this line appeared before his eyes.

What counts as a complete breakup?

I haven't even seen the person! ...Could this big brother in front of me be Huang Jiaojiao? Parallel world?

"Brother, what do you want?" Fang Huai didn't really want to cause trouble.

He couldn't afford to, either.

The System was the System, but in this current situation, if a fight broke out, he'd choose to protect his kidneys first.

After all, his dad had a hereditary kidney disease.

The burly man opposite him strode closer, carrying the pressure of a congenital expert, and poked Fang Huai's chest.

He pouted, "What do you want? Whatever you want!"

If this were outside a middle school, this sentence could be answered with "Whatever you want," accompanied by pointing back with a finger.

For the more timid, the two could just mess around for 20 minutes.

The two people beside him simultaneously noticed something was wrong.

A bright white figure appeared before him.

Yang Shaoqing stepped in front of Fang Huai, bringing a wave of warmth with her.

"What are you doing!" Yang Shaoqing shouted.

Of course, he couldn't do anything either. This was the compound of the People's Armed Forces Department.

An official walked over and pointed at the pouting guy opposite Fang Huai, who clearly had the advantage.

"Hey! You two, step aside!"

Hearing the official, the man let out a slightly displeased and unconvinced "Tch," his gaze lingering on Yang Shaoqing directly in front of Fang Huai, then glancing at Fang Huai behind her.

"Coward, relying on a woman for protection."

With that, he smirked and took a step back.

Just then.

"Fang Huai!"

A third voice called out at the entrance of the People's Armed Forces Department.

Huang Jiaojiao's expression was tinged with disappointment. She picked up her phone and pointed at the screen.

"I was wondering if I should wait for you. I kept calling you, but you didn't answer, and now you're fighting here again!"

Why did she say "again"?

Fang Huai was quite "loyal" when he was studying, often helping friends out of minor scrapes for no reason.

Showing up for friends, just racking up numbers, it was indeed quite foolish.

But Fang Huai at that time was having a blast.

Huang Jiaojiao initially thought it was okay, but ever since her close "sister" started dating a real tough guy from the streets, and she'd gone out with her "sister" to see people get beaten up for the slightest disagreement, she found Fang Huai's ways to be very low-class.

Seeing this woman again, Fang Huai felt an indescribable aversion, wondering what he had ever seen in her before.

Perhaps seeing her reminded him of his own pathetic self; what he truly hated was that version of himself.

He was also pondering another question: what did "completely breaking up" mean?

Would getting a new partner count?

Fang Huai looked at Yang Shaoqing in front of him.

Brother Yang was also a loyal person, stubborn and not afraid, which was a reflection of her. Her brother, Chen Shuang, had always been protected by her since childhood. At school, people admired her beauty and she had many admirers, but no one really bothered her.

The two of them had played together since childhood because of Chen Shuang and were quite familiar. If Fang Huai needed to borrow money, Brother Yang, this little rich girl, could easily lend him several hundred yuan. But if she were to be his girlfriend now, he didn't know if she would slap his left cheek or his right cheek first.

"Brother Yang, I need urgent help."

Fang Huai said in a low voice, stepping forward, casually putting his arm around her shoulder. Her shoulder was as if carved... that's cliché, but she was a bit thin.

Not that she was thin everywhere.

Yang Shaoqing clearly froze, her breathing suddenly becoming constricted. She turned her head and stared intently at him, about to break free.

"Huang Jiaojiao saw me with someone else, and we broke up. She keeps bothering me, and I can't stand it. Do me a favor," Fang Huai continued in a low voice.

When you're out and about, your identity is what you make it.

If it wasn't enough, he could even make it sound more pathetic.

Brother Yang stopped moving.

She just wriggled her shoulder, adjusting herself so as not to touch her bra strap.

Sensing Yang Shaoqing's nervousness, Fang Huai seized the opportunity and smiled at Huang Jiaojiao.

"Waiting for me? You're so kind. You don't need to agonize over it anymore. Save your time and waste it on people who need it in society."

As Fang Huai said this, hugging Yang Shaoqing, he didn't feel particularly triumphant, but there was a sense of relieved freedom.

"You... with Yang Shaoqing? You've liked her for a long time, haven't you?" Huang Jiaojiao raised her finger, pointing at Yang Shaoqing, her face smiling but her eyes welling up with tears, as if she had suffered some great humiliation.

This was the kind of sadness that could only be performed after watching too many Taiwanese dramas.

What real sadness looked like, Fang Huai had seen in the mirror every day for a long time.

Huang Jiaojiao just felt she had lost face.

Fang Huai showed no reaction, merely looking at her.

But Yang Shaoqing beside him swayed slightly again, and her expression was also a little unnatural as she glanced at Fang Huai.

Fortunately, the other side didn't intend to continue embarrassing themselves here.

Huang Jiaojiao then sneered, her eyes full of hatred: "I knew it, Fang Huai, I'm telling you, I don't like you either!"

She turned and left.

The warmth he had just held in his hands instantly vanished. Yang ge lowered his head and, like an actor taking a bow after a performance, stepped back and withdrew from Fang Huai's embrace.

He felt a faint fragrance recede.

It felt a little empty.

Fang Huai also noticed the awkward silence around them. Many parents were watching the spectacle, so he immediately offered a deep apology, clasping his hands together in a circular bow.

"Sorry, sorry, I was just joking around."

[Mission complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining "Yang ge's Shyness" for the first time.]

What kind of item was "Yang ge's Shyness"?

Another hand landed on Fang Huai's shoulder. The veins on the hand indicated the person was using their full strength.

"Fang Huai, I consider you a brother. Are you trying to become my brother-in-law?"