Checking the Package (Seeking Collection)

"Alright, you can take the picture."

"Got it, thanks, Squad Leader."

With permission granted, the Duty Soldier took out his camera and snapped photos of the New Recruits calling home.

Of course, the camera deliberately avoided Lü Qinglong, as he was genuinely intimidating to look at. If this picture were sent out, within half a day, the entire training Brigade would know about this strange person, which wouldn't be good for their Company.

"Thanks, Squad Leader, I'm heading out."

After taking the photos, the Duty Soldier greeted Chen Ting again before leaving the classroom, carefully closing the door behind him.

A while later, all the New Recruits had finished reporting to their families. Chen Ting then instructed Lü Qinglong to collect all their mobile phones.

The New Recruits looked at Lü Qinglong's robust physique and wisely turned off their phones before handing them over. After all, before coming to the military, they had all seen some informational videos saying that New Recruit Companies usually only issued phones once a month.

"I'll hold onto your phones for now. Later, I'll take them to the Squad Office for safekeeping."

"The specific time for issuing phones in the New Recruit Company is decided by the Political Instructor of the New Recruit Company."

Chen Ting put away the phones. Perhaps fearing Lü Qinglong might intimidate people at the Squad Office, he pointed to Ji Baichang, who was closest to the door.

"You take the phones to the Squad Office."

"Yes, Squad Leader."

Ji Baichang was efficient. He took the phones and left the classroom. He returned shortly after and reported to Chen Ting that the phones had been delivered.

"Good."

"From now on, the rest of you should learn from him. Before you go out, and after I ask you to do something, you need to report to me."

"Understood, Squad Leader."

The other New Recruits nodded in response.

"Alright, the rest of you, go get your duffel bags from the storage and line them up on the ground."

"Don't even think about hiding anything. I'll be inspecting the storage later."

Chen Ting pointed to an empty space on the ground in the middle. Some of the New Recruits had planned to hide things, but after hearing Chen Ting's words, they realized their little tricks wouldn't work against this Veteran.

A while later, the New Recruits sequentially brought their black duffel bags from the storage and lined them up on the ground in order.

"Everyone stand behind your own bag. I'll start the inspection."

"Let's start with you, shall we?"

"Open your bag and take out your belongings one by one."

Squad Leader Chen Ting sat on his own bed and pointed at Ji Baichang, who was standing in the first position.

"Yes, Squad Leader."

Ji Baichang nodded and began taking items out of his black duffel bag one by one. Compared to the other New Recruits' bags, Ji Baichang's seemed a bit fuller. There was a set of camouflage uniforms issued by the Armed Forces Department, two bottles of shampoo and body wash, and then a set of casual clothes for summer wear. Even after taking these out, his bag was still half full.

"Squad Leader, there isn't really a place to play basketball in our unit, is there?"

Ji Baichang asked as he took out a pair of red and white basketball shoes from his black bag.

"You play basketball? There are places to play basketball in the military. If you're good at basketball, it can be quite advantageous for you later on in the military."

Squad Leader Chen Ting glanced at Ji Baichang and nodded. After the three-month New Recruit Company training, they would be assigned to different units. If they were assigned to combat units, the skill of playing basketball might not be very useful. However, if they were assigned to places like military housing compounds or administrative units, being able to play basketball could help them build rapport with some of the leaders quickly, which would be beneficial for their future. As a Veteran of sixteen years, he had seen many instances of people getting promoted or earning merits by playing basketball with leaders. Therefore, being able to play basketball was indeed quite advantageous.

"Huh? Why do these basketball shoes look so much like that Jordan-signed model? There are even words on them?"

"That's impossible, right? That model of basketball shoes only had ten pairs released worldwide, and each pair costs hundreds of thousands. How could these be genuine?"

"That's true."

Two New Recruits standing nearby, who seemed to know a lot about basketball shoes, whispered to each other as they saw Ji Baichang's shoes. Squad Leader Chen Ting heard their murmurs and frowned, but he didn't say anything further. After all, it was only their first day in the military, and they hadn't yet been taught the rule about not talking freely in formation.

"Squad Leader, should I continue taking things out?"

Ji Baichang tentatively asked, looking at Squad Leader Chen Ting.

However, as he asked, his face clearly showed some hesitation.

"Take it, keep taking it until your bag is empty."

"Yes, Squad Leader."

Ji Baichang nodded, reaching into his bag again. After a brief search, he pulled out a stack of hundred-yuan bills, bound with a white strap.

Judging by its thickness, one stack was probably ten thousand yuan.

He pulled out a total of twenty such stacks.

Two mountains built from cash were laid out on the ground, astonishing the other New Recruits standing nearby.

"What the heck, are you filming a skit for me here? Why would you bring so much cash?"

Squad Leader Chen Ting suddenly stood up from his bedside, his face filled with deep confusion.

Who actually brings twenty thousand yuan in cash to spend at the military?

He originally thought that last year's discovery of a New Recruit with a whistle in his bag, which he blew in the middle of the night, was already ridiculous enough.

Someone actually bringing something as exaggerated as cash was clearly setting him up for a difficult situation!

"Squad Leader, I know, everyone uses mobile payments to buy things in the military now, but my parents insisted on giving this to me, saying it was for emergencies or something."

"They probably told the housekeeper to stuff it in when packing my luggage. I only found out after I got on the train."

Ji Baichang scratched his head and explained somewhat awkwardly.

He wasn't trying to cause trouble, either. Who in their right mind would bring twenty thousand yuan in cash to the military when enlisting?

This amount was even more than the two-year discharge pay for an enlisted soldier in an ordinary region.

"Alright, you can leave your money at the Company Headquarters for now. Later, when you have a chance to go out, deposit the money into your card yourself. Don't lose it."

Squad Leader Chen Ting looked at Ji Baichang and didn't think he was lying, so he nodded, signaling him to continue taking things out.

Ji Baichang nodded and then pulled out two large cartons of Huazi cigarettes, handing them to Squad Leader Chen Ting.

"Squad Leader, I personally don't smoke. These two cartons of Huazi were probably also packed by my parents for the housekeeper to give to you."

"Would you mind accepting them..."

"You can mail these cigarettes back. I quit smoking years ago."

Before Ji Baichang could finish speaking, Squad Leader Chen Ting rudely interrupted him.

Judging by his expression, it was clear he had experienced many similar situations.