Clash of Ideologies

Hao Chengbin guessed that Fang Huai wanted him to bring a talisman for protection, to borrow someone else's influence.

But he immediately refused.

"No, with his physical fitness and connections, he'd go straight to headquarters upon joining. There's no way he could stay in a grassroots squadron, let alone Special Services. You'd be harming him, and by bringing such a new recruit, you'd be harming Special Services too."

Fang Huai, however, was confident. "Squad Leader, just report Han Yong's name. I'll handle the rest. I guarantee you'll get into Special Services as soon as you leave the New Recruit Regiment."

Hao Chengbin shook his head. "What exactly do you mean? Explain it clearly."

If Fang Huai arranged things like this for him, what would happen to the Squad Leader's reputation?

Didn't he understand how to navigate social situations?

But thinking that Fang Huai genuinely cared about him, he felt quite touched.

Fang Huai scratched his head and said, "Squad Leader, let me put it this way. Han Yong's family just wants him to gain some experience. He won't go to Special Services, nor will he go to headquarters. He might go to a smaller, grassroots squadron. He knows this himself and has even talked to me about it."

"Oh... then his family is quite sensible! If you don't go through some hardship, how can you be a soldier?" Hao Chengbin nodded.

Fang Huai continued, "I'll talk to him and persuade him. I'll tell him that following you and me won't be a disadvantage. What do you think? Will he be willing to go?

Then I'll have him call his family during the New Year and say that the Squad Leader is taking good care of him, and that the Squad Leader is going to Provincial Capital Special Services and is willing to take him along, train him well, and look after him. His family is in business, they must understand this kind of social maneuvering, right?

If that's the case, won't his family put in a good word for you with Director Luo?

When Director Luo makes arrangements below, he'll just mention your name. You're already scheduled for a transfer, so who can stop you?

Even if he doesn't mention you, and you don't get transferred, I'll still be with him. I'll have him call home again and ask them to inquire. Won't that solve it? Then you'll be a soldier personally recommended by Director Luo, and you'll have some connections."

Hao Chengbin was completely stunned.

This kid had planned everything out so meticulously.

The veterans were too ashamed to even mention "pulling strings," yet he used it so skillfully and without any apparent psychological burden.

Thinking about how Fang Huai had always seemed to look out for Han Yong, he wondered if he had already planned to "borrow connections" from him at some point.

Hao Chengbin's expression turned serious.

"Fang Huai, I always thought you were someone who had received positive ideological education. How can you have such ideas?

These social games and tricks are not good things! Stop pursuing these crooked paths!

If you keep thinking like this, you'll be ruined!"

Fang Huai chuckled, his demeanor undiminished. He leaned closer and whispered, "Squad Leader, what you're saying is a grand principle, but it's not a practical way of doing things. Do you think the older generation didn't use various connections to get things done?

When Old Chiang's troops persuaded people to surrender, didn't they all start by leveraging relationships?

The study of connections is a discipline!

Aren't you already supposed to be transferred? As long as the outcome is good, and the process doesn't violate regulations, it's fine! This is at most asking someone to help you collect a debt. As long as there's no kickback, it's not illegal!

And is enduring bullying without a word a virtue? That doesn't make sense, does it?

Besides, why can't Han Yong do it? He's very strong and has explosive power, just his stamina is lacking. He can definitely become a good soldier. And following a Squad Leader like you, his ideology can be purified. When he enters society later and becomes an entrepreneur, won't he be able to benefit society?

Since the outcome is good, why worry about minor tactics?

If you really find it troublesome, I'll train Han Yong."

"No, that's definitely not right. Fang Huai, you need to be careful with your thinking. The bottom line must not be crossed!" Hao Chengbin insisted.

Fang Huai smiled, "Squad Leader, how can the bottom line be determined by human nature? Human nature has its highs and lows. The bottom line is determined by the law."

Hao Chengbin thought for a long time but couldn't find a suitable retort.

If they were discussing military regulations, Hao Chengbin could easily cite many rules and clauses to refute him. But they were talking about life.

With their values clashing, Hao Chengbin lost this round.

How did Fang Huai know he had won?

Because the mission was completed.

System subtitles had appeared.

[Mission Complete.]
[Please choose your reward.]
[1. Memory Lv1]
[2. Lung Enhancement]
[3. Slight Leg Strength Improvement]

It was time to agonize over the choice again.

In the first week, he got three rewards for ten missions. In the second week, only two.

Fang Huai felt that this might be a system designed to hone "social skills," because apart from the special mission involving smoking, each triggered mission involved other people.

This wasn't a proper system.

He speculated that if he didn't get missions for a long time, the only way to increase the possibility of getting them would be to expand his social circle.

There were still many missions in the regiment that hadn't been triggered.

Lung Enhancement definitely helps with long-distance running; at least it won't be as agonizing. Leg Enhancement is for all sorts of running.

He's a lazy person, so choosing Lung or Leg Enhancement would undoubtedly reduce the intensity of the suffering he'd endure.

If things are too comfortable, it will lower his motivation to accept missions.

Comfort, or initiative, which one to choose?

Heh, I choose comfort.

[3.]

Damn it, here we go again, here we go again.

Choose internal organs! Choose 2!

For a moment, Fang Huai felt a violent surge, a powerful force rushing into his lungs.

Breathing became difficult.

He was in so much pain he wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth, only gasp for air.

Damn, this enhancement felt like it was done without anesthesia!

For the first time, Fang Huai felt the System's subjective will so strongly.

This System wouldn't let him slack off!

Across from him, Hao Chengbin was still leaning against the wall, gazing out the corridor window as if contemplating life, completely unaware of Fang Huai's distress.

"Hmm... what you said... makes some sense."

"Sometimes people can't be too weak... letting others do whatever they want..."

"Squad Leader Hao made some mistakes in his thinking, but doing it like this, isn't it too... Huh? What do you think, Fang Huai?"

Think about your mother!

Big brother, I'm crying for help here!

When Hao Chengbin finally finished his contemplation and turned around, Fang Huai had already curled up like a cooked shrimp.

"Holy crap! What's wrong with you?

Why are you... hurting again?"

"N-no... lie, lie down." Fang Huai clutched his stomach, managing to hobble out a few words.

This was definitely the most uncomfortable enhancement Fang Huai had ever experienced. It lasted for more than ten minutes, and Fang Huai clearly felt how an enhancement could go from intense to weak.

Hao Chengbin stood by Fang Huai's bed, scratching his head and frowning.

"Damn, Fang Huai, the re-examination is tomorrow, will you be okay?"

Fang Huai waved his hand: "I'm fine... I'll definitely be fine, maybe I ate something bad."

Hao Chengbin immediately retorted: "Nonsense, the place you were touching was your chest cavity, your lungs are in your chest! Your heart is in the middle! It's very important! Don't think it's a small problem! Go to the military hospital tomorrow and let a doctor check you thoroughly!"

"Squad Leader Hao, if Fang Huai is discharged, can we choose a new Assistant Squad Leader?" Yue Tao, seeing Squad Leader Hao getting chatty, came over with his hands behind his back, looking for trouble.

Just as Hao Chengbin was about to kick him, Fang Huai reached out and grabbed him.

"Squad Leader Hao, can I handle him myself?"

Hao Chengbin turned and saw the smile on Fang Huai's face. He smiled back and put on a serious thinking expression.

After a while, he said, "Hmm... don't cripple him, it'll be hard to explain."

Yue Tao's eyes widened, and he turned to flee.

Fang Huai yelled, "Stop him!"

Chen Zhongqiang, who was drinking water by the door, stepped aside and blocked him.

"Chen Zhongqiang, we're from the same hometown!"

As Yue Tao was wailing, Fang Huai had already taken off his jacket and, with lightning speed, covered Yue Tao's head with it, shouting.

"Get revenge for past grievances, or just get a free beating if you don't have any!"

The room immediately erupted in chaos. Even Peng Yingqirui came over and slapped Yue Tao's forehead a couple of times.

"Aow, aow, aow..."

Yue Tao picked up the mantle of "Aow Aow Pai" from Peng Yingqirui.

A few seconds later, a dark, pointed head emerged from the clothes, full of resentment.

Han Yong was the slowest. By the time he reached them, he was still in the posture of reaching out.

Han Yong felt very awkward. He had already struck the pose; it wouldn't be believable if he claimed he hadn't hit him!

Since he was here anyway.

"Slap."

Han Yong openly struck, and Yue Tao's head was hit again.

Yue Tao's eyes widened like copper bells, and he touched his head.

Han Yong coughed, "They all fought, and if I don't, it wouldn't be appropriate."

"Hahahaha…"

Laughter, long missed, erupted throughout the entire squad.

A dark-haired boy and a chubby white kid chased each other in the narrow space. Everyone watched, laughing, finding a bit of the pure joy of their school days. Even Hao Chengbin smiled, a nostalgic smile.

It was a pity that those years, with books piled too high and sleep taken too deeply, had blocked the setting sun and also blocked the good times that would never return.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late to start cherishing them now.

The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago; the next best time is now.

The next day.

Outside the People's Liberation Army 925 Hospital.

"Fried dough balls! Sweet and crispy fried dough balls!"

A handcart with a tirelessly shouting loudspeaker passed by the new recruits.

The perfectly round fried dough balls, with thin, crispy, golden edges and coated in white sesame seeds, attracted the hungry, thirsty gazes of most of the refugees.

"Gulp..."

Han Yong's stomach growled in perfect timing. Fang Huai explained with a teasing smile.

" 'You Guo Zi' is the Zunyi term. Locally, they should be called 'Tang Ma Yuan.' They're hollow glutinous rice inside, and they're incredibly crispy when you bite into them. You'll definitely remember this delicacy after trying it once."

After speaking, he pointed to another handcart nearby, emanating a fragrant, spicy aroma.

"That's called 'Lian Ai Dou Fu Guo.' The outside is fried tofu, and inside is chili peppers and knotweed. It's a representative of spicy snacks. There's also 'Chang Wang Noodles,' 'Huaxi Beef Noodles,' and 'Dou Hua Noodles' here..."

"Gulp..."

Another long, drawn-out sound.

Han Yong's eyes were practically red with hunger. He said with a crestfallen face, "Brother, I didn't eat yesterday afternoon... Stop talking about it..."

Fang Huai chuckled, "Do you want to stay in the provincial capital?"

"What, you have connections?" Han Yong asked weakly.

"You do! Do you want to follow me to the Special Services Team, make a name for yourself, and bring home a couple of Third Class Merits?" Fang Huai tempted him.

"Forget it, I'd just be a doorman. Even the dogs in the Special Services Team get promoted faster than me, right?"

Han Yong's body slumped, looking completely resigned.

But Fang Huai persisted, "Do you want to be a hero, or someone who applauds the heroes?"

"Brother, I don't have the energy right now. I don't even want to clap."

This kid was hard to persuade.

Fang Huai helplessly took out a ten-yuan bill from his pocket, which was almost crumpled into a small ball.

He slowly smoothed it out and waved it in front of Han Yong.

"Come on, follow Brother Huai. You'll eat eight meals a day. As long as you listen to me, when we get out of here later, I'll treat you to a meal with my last bit of wealth."

Han Yong's eyes began to gleam.

"Okay, Brother!"