Report... Reporting to the Chief of Staff, It's Mine

(The previous chapter was revised to explain things in greater detail. If it felt confusing, you can reread it.)

"Haha, Director Yang, your work is famous throughout the province. You're a model at leading troops. Who could question that?"

Deputy Director Liu's rambling made everyone feel rather uncomfortable.

But aside from Yang Yonghua, no one else there was in a position to speak.

After Yang Yonghua saw him more or less criticize everyone, both openly and indirectly, he thought, I've given you enough face. It's time to settle this matter.

He said sternly, "Jiang Peng, can you make something of yourself under Squad Leader Pan from now on? With your uncle-in-law right here, make your position clear to me today!"

Jiang Peng froze.

No squad transfer?

Seeing how miserable he looked, Deputy Director Liu remembered his wife's repeated instructions and could not help testing the waters again.

"Squad Leader Hao, that recruit who switched squads with him before... His daily habits, they haven't been affected, have they? I think maybe..."

"He's been performing quite well," Hao Chengbin immediately said. "That recruit, Han Yong! He originally had a conflict with a recruit from Eighth Squad too. After transferring to our squad, he's become much more proactive!"

Hao Chengbin had been waiting to say exactly that. He had rehearsed it countless times in his head, afraid the Chief of Staff might not remember, so he heavily emphasized Han Yong's name.

This assist reminded football fan Yang Yonghua of Chelsea's classic pass against Burnley. He immediately slapped the table.

"That's good! I was still wondering how I'd report this to Deputy Director Luo! Han Yong, the one who switched squads with Jiang Peng, was sent here by Deputy Director Luo from headquarters! It was only when Political Commissar Zhou from the base called to ask me about it a couple of days ago that I found out!"

Deputy Director Liu immediately felt that he had said too much.

He should never have come here in the first place.

"Old Yang, why didn't you tell me earlier? You..."

Even Wang Jian, Hao Chengbin, and Pan Zhaohui were stunned.

Pan Zhaohui finally let out a breath inwardly.

Fuck, good thing I didn't hit him. Good thing I didn't hit him...

Hao Chengbin also kept replaying it in his head, spacing out.

What kind of intelligence was that from Fang Huai? A connection to headquarters, a relationship with senior leaders at headquarters—why had he not made it clear?

Deputy Director Luo. The third-ranking man. Among the seven deputy division commanders at headquarters, he ranked first. In a couple of years, he might well become the commanding officer.

Wang Jian, on the other hand, understood the situation clearly. He just suddenly recalled what he had told Pan Zhaohui that morning: "A recruit's destination isn't for the recruit to decide."

Actually, that statement had been a little poorly considered at the time. It was not absolute...

Deputy Director Liu stopped standing on ceremony with the Chief of Staff and rose directly.

"Jiang Peng, come with me for a moment."

With that, he walked out.

Although Deputy Director Liu had not directly blamed Jiang Peng, he had lost his head a little and, with one small gesture, put Jiang Peng in a dangerous position.

Luckily, Jiang Peng still had some instinctive reactions. He subconsciously glanced at the Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff raised a hand and waved. Only then did Jiang Peng go out.

If Jiang Peng had walked out directly just then, it would have meant he did not understand who his superior was and had ignored the chain of command.

Deputy Director Liu was still in casual wear. Even if only Pan Zhaohui had been there today, Jiang Peng would have had to ask his squad leader for permission before leaving.

The principle was the same as that day in the cafeteria.

When Jiang Peng returned, he was utterly dejected.

His uncle-in-law had actually told him not to offend people everywhere, to take more initiative, and to get along well with his Fellow Recruits.

The helpless look on his uncle-in-law's face made him feel less at ease than if he had simply been scolded.

At least then, in his mind, his uncle-in-law would still have been as composed as he had looked when Jiang Peng first entered the office. Jiang Peng would merely have made a mistake and upset him.

But the reality was that his uncle-in-law had not scolded him. Instead, he used a gentle tone to stab each sentence into Jiang Peng's heart.

Our family's connections aren't strong, and our background isn't powerful. Don't offend people...

Only his final sentence—"That little Pan probably won't do anything more. Stay in Eighth Squad without worry"—offered him a little comfort.

His family's influence went only that far.

Other people had backing. All he had was someone's back as they walked away...

Deputy Director Liu entered the office, picked up the bag on the table, and chuckled.

"Old Yang, I'll have to trouble you with this matter. You won't blame me for causing trouble for the New Recruit Regiment over Jiang Peng's earlier squad transfer, will you? And don't go making a little report about me to the leaders, okay?"

He and Yang Yonghua were familiar with each other. This man was straightforward, so Deputy Director Liu did not beat around the bush, lest he return home still feeling uneasy.

Yang Yonghua waved a hand and gave his concluding remarks.

"Enough. We came out of the same company—do we need to say such things between us? The outcome is quite good now! Both of them can be trained into capable men!

"I'll keep an eye on your nephew too!

"As for what happened today... I bent a principle as well. Neither of them will be held accountable!

"Pan Zhaohui, you should also make your position clear to the recruit's family! When leading troops in the future, pay attention to your methods! Only yesterday, the regimental commander..."

Yang Yonghua had planned to give Pan Zhaohui a proper dressing-down, but he also felt it was not the right time. He could only point at Pan Zhaohui and grit his teeth.

"I'll deal with you later!"

Pan Zhaohui and Wang Jian both breathed easier. Since the Chief of Staff had said that, there would be no report or disciplinary criticism.

And enough face had been given. Since he had been told to address the recruit's family, Pan Zhaohui could not continue being ungrateful. He turned to Deputy Director Liu apologetically.

"Director Liu... My way of leading troops before..."

"Hey!" Deputy Director Liu interrupted him and took Pan Zhaohui's hand.

"Chief of Staff Yang is still blaming me! Squad Leader Pan, recruits like Jiang Peng who are mischievous and troublesome need strict discipline! You did the right thing! Thank you veteran squad leaders for all the quiet effort you put into training recruits! Keep in touch if anything comes up!"

Since he was putting on a show, there was no need to make the other man apologize.

That final "keep in touch if anything comes up" sounded like he was extending a favor, yet said nothing at all.

With that move, Deputy Director Liu had essentially wiped away the negative impression Jiang Peng had made on everyone.

A slick operator, though not even thirty yet—how could Pan Zhaohui withstand the maneuvering of such a seasoned old hand? By the time Deputy Director Liu finished speaking, Pan Zhaohui was smiling.

He then shook Wang Jian's hand and delivered a round of stock pleasantries about how promising the young company commander was.

He just tactically forgot Hao Chengbin.

From what had happened earlier, he had already figured out who in this office was genuinely displeased with Jiang Peng.

Though Pan Zhaohui had hit Jiang Peng, it was only about the matter at hand. Hao Chengbin had eagerly spoken up against the squad transfer—that was real dissatisfaction with Jiang Peng.

And when an old hand wanted to show displeasure toward someone, he did not necessarily have to say it aloud. A more civilized method was to exchange pleasantries with everyone and simply leave that person out.

Until Deputy Director Liu walked out of the office, Yang Yonghua was still lecturing Pan Zhaohui nonstop.

But the moment the door closed, Yang Yonghua's expression changed. He leaned back in his office chair and calmly looked at Wang Jian.

"Wang Jian, what was arranged for this morning?"

Wang Jian snapped to attention. "Reporting to the Chief of Staff, memorizing the Regulations and Ordinances!"

"Take them back."

The Chief of Staff waved casually, as though the show had ended and he could not be bothered to keep acting.

"Yes!"

Jiang Peng's eyes widened.

I'm still here! My uncle-in-law just left! Nothing's been dealt with, and they're just taking me back?

At least do some psychological counseling for me!

But that was exactly what the Chief of Staff meant. Your uncle-in-law was your uncle-in-law. You were just a brat, not worth him pretending for even one more second.

That was his clear attitude.

Wang Jian gave Pan Zhaohui a look, then grabbed Jiang Peng and prepared to head out.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Hao Chengbin glanced at his Rolex, then at a key on the table. His expression changed, and he walked over to Yang Yonghua with a flattering grin.

"Chief of Staff, lend me your vehicle, will you?"

Yang Yonghua followed his gaze and immediately widened his eyes. He quickly reached out and covered the key.

"What are you trying to do?? The vehicle and my wife are never loaned out!"

Hao Chengbin checked the time and wore an urgent expression that said, "No time, get in." "It's for something important! If it works out, I'll definitely give you a surprise!"

Ninth Squad.

With the squad leader out, everyone was studying.

But studying required patience, and most of Ninth Squad lacked that patience.

Memorizing regulations was too boring, so some started drawing while others dozed with their eyes half-open.

But no one dared lie facedown on their desks.

They were all afraid the door would suddenly open, the squad leader would suddenly appear, and their happy little lives would vanish just like that.

While trying to preserve the status quo, they carefully let loose.

Eighth Squad's Squad Leader Pan had long since been heard in the corridor, yet their squad leader had not returned.

Fang Huai could only curse inwardly.

Damn it, this Hao goes out to have fun all day and doesn't care about the recruits. Ever since I came along, his life has become more and more indulgent.

The Fang family's spiritual victory method once again gained the upper hand.

Just as he was thinking that, Wang Jian's voice sounded outside the door.

"Fuck, Hao Chengbin fell downstairs! Come down with me and take a look!"

The moment he finished speaking, Ninth Squad erupted into chaos.

Han Yong, seated in the back, turned around and charged to the window first. He opened it and craned his head outside.

Ninth Squad's windows faced the entrance below the New Recruit Building. They could even see the base's main gate.

Several others nearby hurried toward the window as well.

It was no use. Zhao Bing still had the sharpest eyes. After one glance, he pointed somewhere and said,

"That really looks like Squad Leader Hao!"

Hearing that, Fang Huai did not bother squeezing into the crowd. In a few quick strides, he opened the door, chased out, and shouted, "Company Commander! Company Commander Wang!"

Without the company commander leading him, not to mention the big iron gate downstairs, even the fifth and third floors were forbidden zones he could not cross.

Fortunately—

"What is it?" Company Commander Wang had already gone downstairs, but hearing the voice, he backed up two steps and poked his head out from the stairwell.

"Company Commander, can you take me downstairs?"

Once Wang Jian saw it was Fang Huai, he thought for two seconds, then beckoned.

"Double-time! Hurry!"

Fang Huai quickly followed in long strides.

They had rushed down as if saving a critically ill patient, only to find at the entrance that it was just a scraped patch of skin.

Hao Chengbin was already back on his feet.

Wang Jian, Clerk Huang, who had followed down, and Fang Huai were all stunned.

But besides them, the Chief of Staff had also rushed over.

The expression on his face could only be described as grief-stricken fury.

"Fuck, my vehicle!"

The Chief of Staff's brows were practically pressed together as he painfully stroked a bulky-looking military-green motorcycle beside him.

Two small red flags hung from the left and right mirrors at the front, while a large guitar case was tied to the back.

Fang Huai finally understood what his squad leader had been doing all morning.

Hao Chengbin's face held thirty percent sorrow, thirty percent embarrassment, and the remaining forty percent was entirely focused on the guitar case behind the motorcycle.

"That slope by the entrance... I didn't notice it on the way down... I checked. It's just scraped a little. I'll ride it out and get it spray-painted for you..."

The Chief of Staff blew up.

"You still want to ride it! Ride my ass!"

The motorcycle's offending owner, Hao Chengbin, helplessly waved a hand. "Fine, fine, fine! I won't ride it! You spray it yourself! I'll compensate you!... For this scrape, one or two hundred should do, right?"

"My ass! At least over two hundred!" As the Chief of Staff spoke, he lifted the motorcycle upright and checked it everywhere for further damage.

As the two discussed compensation, they looked nothing like superior and subordinate, more like drivers on the roadside privately settling a traffic accident.

"Fine! Let me first see whether the guitar's broken!" Hao Chengbin said as he moved to untie the rope securing the guitar.

The Chief of Staff slapped his hand away, looked at the guitar, and then started cursing.

"The surprise you mentioned was this?? What did you bring it for? Are you going to belt out a couple of songs? Or are you going to teach me how to sing??"

Four questions straight to the soul.

The Chief of Staff was determined to make Hao Chengbin explain just what the hell counted as a surprise.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Fang Huai awkwardly raised a hand.

"Rep... Reporting to the Chief of Staff, it's mine..."