The Hunt Begins

"Yes!"

Huang Yishun pointed at the computer. "Open the computer, it's on the desktop."

Jiang Peng casually bent down to reach for the host.

Huang Yi's expression changed drastically. "It's already on! Just turn on the monitor!!!"

It was too late.

Five minutes later, a group of people stood with their hands on their hips.

Jiang Peng stood with his hands hanging low, watching the computer slowly boot up.

Huang Yi's eyes were vacant as he muttered, "Damn, it took over an hour to make this... Why didn't I save it? Damn..."

Jiang Peng gritted his teeth. "Squad leader, don't worry, I'll stay up all night and make it for you!"

Fang Huai stood behind them, deep in thought.

One was carrying a full bag, and the other had 90 new recruits, all identical except for their model numbers... and it took over an hour to make?

Huang Yi's skill level wouldn't even be enough to be my apprentice.

Wang Jian stood up, his expression righteous.

"Forget it, the new comrade needs to sleep. Huang Yi, you teach me, I'll do it."

Then everyone stood around the computer with their hands behind their backs, their eyes determined and brows furrowed, as if they were trying to solve the problem of precision guidance for an atomic bomb.

Huang Yi decided to let Jiang Peng try again. He opened a Word document, created a frame, set the line spacing, and listed the columns.

He stood up.

"You do it. Just fill in these things."

Jiang Peng's confidence returned to his face. He picked up the paper and, like a mathematician, began to input the information step by step, cross-referencing it with what was already filled in on the table.

His typing was... passable, at best. Huang Yi's evaluation was that it was worse than Captain Wang's.

"The font size is too big, change it," Huang Yi reminded him.

Jiang Peng looked up and realized it was indeed too large. He searched blankly for a long time before finally finding the font size. He changed it to size 4, was unsatisfied, then changed it to size 5 and continued typing.

Fang Huai's toes curled tightly into the ground watching this rookie operation.

"What about the previous ones? Aren't you changing them? The sizes are different!" Huang Yi reminded him, also realizing that this new recruit truly didn't know how to use office software, only how to type.

Jiang Peng said "Oh," deleted everything he had typed before, changed the font again, and retyped each one.

Hao Chengbin nodded in approval, at least his typing speed was... faster than his.

But Wang Jian wasn't entirely satisfied.

Huang Yi was even less satisfied but didn't want to say anything.

Suddenly, a voice rang out in the quiet office.

"...Squad leader, let me do it. You've all been standing for quite a while."

Everyone turned around. Fang Huai looked helpless.

Hao Chengbin made the first decision. "Jiang Peng, get up and let Fang Huai try."

Jiang Peng wanted to argue, but seeing the large blank space on the computer screen and the thick stack of papers in his hand, he could only stand up.

He looked at Fang Huai with a hint of defiance in his eyes.

Fang Huai ignored him, took control of the situation, sat down, turned around, and first questioned Huang Yi.

"Squad leader, since there's data to summarize, why didn't you use Excel?"

Huang Yi let out a startled sound.

"They're all... the same!"

"How could they be the same?" Fang Huai's voice was not loud, then he sighed.

He turned back to the search bar and opened all the recently used documents, carefully searching through the tables.

Everyone noticed something was wrong. This operation was clearly not done with a mouse; Fang Huai was very proficient with keyboard shortcuts.

After a while, he found a document.

"This is the class assignment list... it has all the new recruits' names, right?" Fang Huai asked, roughly comparing it to the table.

Huang Yi's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. "My table is an old version! ...But we need to check, some people have already changed classes!"

"Nine classes... 90 people, simple." Fang Huai dragged to copy all the names, opened Excel, and created a new table.

He previewed the printout, and it was clearly much better than before.

Everyone looked at each other, a little taken aback.

At this moment, the most embarrassed person in the office wasn't Jiang Peng, but Huang Yi.

Wang Jian also looked skeptical: He seems more familiar with this than you!

Fang Huai slid the mouse cursor to the left of the name column; the cursor turned into an arrow.

Ctrl+C.

"Just need to adjust the names a bit..."

"For these clothes, L is the most common size, so let's use L for all of them, just adjust a portion..."

"Hats... 56."

"Squad Leader Huang, input the statistical calculation formula here..."

For the next ten minutes or so, everyone was quiet. Fang Huai operated the computer while explaining. Huang Yi felt as if the communication veteran from the detachment headquarters was giving him a lesson, and he leaned in closer.

Fang Huai's familiarity and efficient use of keyboard shortcuts were terrifying.

No, it was only terrifying to the few people in the office.

"Alright, are there any other tables? I'll get them done before lights out."

"No... I have some tomorrow. Are you fast at typing? Can you help me with them?" Huang Yi's tone already carried a hint of negotiation.

"No problem, I use Wubi, so I'm reasonably fast."

As Fang Huai spoke, someone patted him on the face.

Hao Chengbin reached out and handed him a handful of peanuts, his admiration evident in his eyes.

"Kid, you're full of hidden talents."

Fang Huai immediately reverted to his humble demeanor, chuckling, "Reporting, Squad Leader! I have a computer at home, and I learned a bit out of curiosity before."

Hao Chengbin waved his hand, "You kid, always so modest."

Huang Yi approached, bending over with his hands behind his back, "What else can you do?"

Fang Huai casually clicked on a few Microsoft software icons on the desktop and said, "I know all of these. I'm most familiar with WPS and PowerPoint, mainly for making presentation slides. I can also do CAD drafting, but it seems like your computer doesn't have it. If you're interested, Squad Leader, I can teach you."

Huang Yi quickly exchanged a look with Wang Jian.

He's the one!

"Hmm, your skills are good. Come to the company headquarters more often in the future, and we'll cultivate you well. Don't let your talents go to waste!"

Wang Jian's concluding remark as a leader turned the menial task into "cultivation," a masterful display of PUA techniques.

"Hey! Don't let them work for free!" Hao Chengbin's eyes widened as he said, with his hands behind his back.

Wang Jian waved his hand grandly, "No problem! My treat for late-night snacks!"

"Alright, you two can head back to the barracks first," Hao Chengbin said, waving them off with satisfaction.

"Yes, Squad Leader!" Fang Huai discovered his task completion rate had reached (3/12) and beamed with joy.

What would the next reward be?

Back in the barracks, as soon as he entered, eight pairs of eyes filled with anticipation greeted him.

Everyone had already finished washing up and tidying their beds and washbasins. Feeling bored, they were waiting for the two to bring back some new information.

Working overtime at the company headquarters meant the possibility of gaining resources that others wouldn't have access to.

Like cigarettes, snacks, and such.

"Sorry, brothers, I didn't get picked. Your future happy life depends on him now."

After pointing at Fang Huai, Jiang Peng sat on his own bed, a deep sense of regret in his eyes.

Fang Huai smiled and distributed two peanuts to each person from the handful he was holding.

"We just got some peanuts, and they said we could have late-night snacks if we work. If the company commander and squad leader agree, I'll definitely bring some back for you."

"Big brother, can you bring back a cigarette?" Chen Zhongqiang from the top bunk wailed.

The smokers also looked excited. They hadn't smoked all night, and the withdrawal symptoms were starting to kick in, making them restless.

"Yeah! Fang Huai, can you bring back a cigarette? We'll each take a couple of puffs!"

Fang Huai rolled his eyes, "You're all dreaming! Even if I get cigarettes, they'll be contraband. If you want to smoke, you'll have to wait for the squad leader to issue them! Focus on your training. When the time is right, I'll risk my life to ask the squad leader about it."

"Okay!"

"Good brother! We're counting on you!"

While they were washing up, they had already inquired with other squads. The squad leaders of other squads had given their approval. Smoking was no longer an option, it was impossible.

The smokers fell into despair.

Now, Squad Nine had someone who could get "resources" from the company headquarters. There was hope, which was better than no hope at all!

"Don't tell the other squads! If word gets out, it'll definitely be impossible! Lights out soon, go to sleep."

Fang Huai said, picking up his small green basin filled with various washing tools and the thermos by the door. He then turned off the light and walked out of the barracks.

Washing up was at 9:30, lights out at 10:00. By now, most people had finished washing up and returned to their barracks.

Jiang Peng also picked up his basin and followed.

The washroom was quite large, with about twenty faucets on two washstands, all cold water. Hot water had to be fetched from the adjacent hot water room. Fang Huai took the empty thermos to fill it with scalding hot water, poured some into a basin, tested the temperature, and handed it to Jiang Peng.

"Thanks," Jiang Peng said politely again.

Fang Huai waved his hand. "No problem. Give me the thermos when you're done."

"How were your grades in high school?"

"Not good."

"What about sports? I heard there's a physical fitness test in a couple of days."

"Not good either." Fang Huai took the shampoo bought by the squad leader, squeezed some out, and started rubbing it into his hair.

Jiang Peng relaxed.

He probably just played too many computer games back then and didn't have any other strengths.

When people arrive in a new environment and realize their past selves were mediocre, destined to be the "chicken's head" rather than the "phoenix's tail," they begin to reconsider their position.

Fang Huai had a high school education and was aiming for a military academy; he was also good with computers. Without a doubt, he was a competitor Fang Huai would compare himself to.

Jiang Peng quickly brushed his teeth and washed his face. He rinsed his feet with the wash water and said as he left.

"Ah... I took a martial arts class in college, so my physical fitness is okay."

Fang Huai's mouth twitched.

Crazy.

Hao Chengbin didn't return until after the whistle for lights out. The first thing he said upon entering was, "Get some sleep. We're getting up at five tomorrow morning to learn how to fold blankets."

A chorus of groans followed.

Half an hour later, the room was exceptionally quiet, even quieter than when there were only four people yesterday. Everyone was a bit restless but no one spoke.

On their first day in the military, everyone, to varying degrees, felt a bit homesick.

"Can't sleep, huh?"

Hao Chengbin's bunk was closest to the door. Fang Huai could see him texting while he spoke.

No one responded for a long time.

"Bang!"

Hao Chengbin kicked the bunk above him.

Zhao Bing, a new recruit from Huaihua sleeping in the upper bunk, sat up abruptly.

"Squad leader! What's up?"

His dazed tone made the room erupt in laughter.

Hao Chengbin laughed and cursed, "What are you pretending for? You've been tossing and turning, just say you can't sleep! Let's chat!"

Someone asked, "Chat about what?"

"Do you guys have girlfriends?" Hao Chengbin knew these kids were bound to be homesick and intentionally brought up a topic for men.

As expected, Yue Tao, opposite Hao Chengbin, excitedly sat up.

"Squad leader, I do!"

Chen Zhongqiang loudly exposed him, "You don't! You little brat, just bragging!"

Hao Chengbin shouted, "Aren't you a little brat? What are you pretending to be, an old toad?"

"Hahaha..."

Chen Zhongqiang was speechless. "Squad leader, I'm really not lying! I asked him a couple of days ago, and he kept saying his girlfriend looked like Maggie Cheung one minute and Cecilia Cheung the next! Look at him, all dark and grubby like a refugee, if that's not bragging, what is?"

Yue Tao said dejectedly, "What's wrong with me? My lips are just a bit thick and my skin is a bit dark. My girlfriend says that's called sexy!"

Hao Chengbin burst into laughter. "Haha... Yue Tao is quite ugly!"

The room erupted in laughter again.

Everyone soon started talking about their girlfriends or girls they liked.

"I like my deskmate from junior high. She likes me too, but we've never officially gotten together."

"Nonsense! Just unrequited love?" Hao Chengbin retorted to everyone he could.

"Right! Those with girlfriends, show us your photos! Anyone have any photo booth pictures? I have some!"

"You don't! You must have stolen them!"

"Haha..."

Fang Huai's lips also curved into a smile. He knew Hao Chengbin was providing psychological counseling for everyone and didn't interrupt.

But the conversation soon turned to Fang Huai.

Jiang Peng said, "Fang Huai, there are a lot of pretty girls in Chongqing, right? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Everyone fell silent. Hao Chengbin was also quite curious. He put down his phone and looked in Fang Huai's direction.

He always felt that although this kid seemed cheerful, he kept a lot to himself.

After a while, Fang Huai said faintly, "No, our Fang family practices the Bixie Swordplay. With no women in our hearts, our swords will naturally be divine. The first page of the swordplay says, 'First, slay the one you love!'"

"Whoa! So your mom was also slain by your dad?" Hao Chengbin retorted again.

"Hahahaha..."

Fang Huai rolled his eyes. "Squad leader! I was just joking! This is called self-deprecating humor!"

Hao Chengbin sat up abruptly. "Hey, I'm telling you guys, I had a girlfriend once whom I met at Jiefangbei in Chongqing. Whoa, she was beautiful!

If any of you don't have a girlfriend, let Fang Huai introduce you later. There are really a lot of beautiful women in Chongqing!"

Yue Tao shivered, his tone becoming fawning. "Brother Fang! Introduce me to one?"

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"That girlfriend... doesn't really count!"

"What do you mean 'doesn't really count'?"

Yue Tao suddenly looked a bit shy.

"...It's just that I'm not very sure if she agreed! Anyway, her brother and I served together, and I asked her, but she didn't say anything!"

Fang Huai was stunned.

Damn, isn't that Brother Yang?

Thinking back, I actually had a crush on Yang Shaoqing for a while, but I never dared to make a move. If I had pursued Yang Shaoqing, even if I was rejected, it would have been better than going for that Huang Jiaojiao.

Unfortunately, by now, I'm no longer interested in those childish romances. Besides dopamine, there's just hormones. In summary, it's all sexual impulse.

As everyone was chatting animatedly, someone suddenly sat up in anger.

Peng Yingqirui.

He was the only one who had been immersed in sleep, and he had a significant temper when woken up. "What time is it, and you're still chatting? Can we sleep?"

This guy was tough; he even silenced Hao Chengbin.

Hao Chengbin couldn't find a reason to scold him for a long time, so he said sullenly, "Let's sleep, let's sleep!"

Most of their homesickness had also dissipated. Perhaps they realized that in the military, a bunch of men bragging and chatting was also quite enjoyable. They drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces.

They smiled too soon.

The next day, the promised five o'clock turned into four forty. The main idea was that the military never tires of deception.

"Attention!! Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!!"

The rattling beads in the whistle struck frantically. As a group of them got up, they all experienced intense sympathetic nervous system excitement and rapid heartbeats.

With a "snap," the sky instantly lit up, revealing Hao Chengbin, leaning against the door, with an almost wicked smile.

Christmas Eve was over.

The hunt had begun.