Political Instructor

"All squads' New Recruits, gather with your small stools to watch the news!"

The duty officer's voice echoed through the corridors. The New Recruits, who had long prepared their small stools, marched in formation into the club.

The club was quite large for Barracks, taking up the space of about three New Recruit squads.

However, when the New Recruits from ten squads stood together, it was still a bit crowded.

Fortunately, under the duty officer's command, all ninety New Recruits were soon seated neatly in the club.

The interior of the club was also spacious, with only a television set placed at the very front and no other entertainment facilities.

After all, they were still New Recruits. Once they moved on from the New Recruit Company, the clubs in the Veteran Companies would have much more complete facilities.

Such as ping pong tables, billiards tables, and so on.

The New Recruit Company here hadn't been established for very long, so it was understandable that some facilities were lacking.

"Before we watch Xinwen Lianbo, the Political Instructor will come up to say a few words. Everyone remain quiet when the Political Instructor is speaking, and don't talk amongst yourselves."

The duty officer said a couple of sentences to the New Recruits below before turning and leaving the club.

A moment later, the club door was pushed open, and the duty officer followed a Captain who looked to be in his early thirties, with squinty eyes and a face full of kindness.

That's right, a face full of kindness.

This direct impression was exactly like the face of a priest character Ji Baichang had seen in a certain game's promotional video.

"This is our Political Instructor. He looks very kind!"

Ji Baichang could almost directly conclude that their Political Instructor would treat them very well.

As if confirming his thoughts, the Political Instructor stood before the New Recruits and greeted them with a cheerful smile:

"Hello, new comrades. My name is Cheng Jun, my rank is Captain. You can also call me Instructor Cheng, like the Veterans in this Company. I will be your Political Instructor for the next three months in the New Recruit Company!"

"Looking at your posture and expressions, you're already much better than when you first arrived yesterday. You're slowly starting to look like soldiers. Good job!"

Instructor Cheng began with a round of praise for the New Recruits, making them feel a bit embarrassed after a day of military hardship.

"This Instructor Cheng is really nice. After just one day, he's still praising us!" Ji Baichang turned to Lü Qinglong and affirmed.

He was just a bit intrigued. Indeed, after coming to the military, there were all sorts of people.

The strict duty officer, the kind Political Instructor, comrades who were like meat buns, and awesome Squad Leaders.

"Alright, after the new comrades finish watching the news, we won't organize a review session. Let the new comrades wash up and rest early."

"The Company Commander has something to attend to today, so we won't organize roll call."

"Understood, Instructor!"

The duty officer nodded, watched the Political Instructor leave the club, and then turned on the television. The daily must-watch Xinwen Lianbo slowly began to play at seven o'clock.

Except for weekends and holidays, every night at seven o'clock, they would watch half an hour of Xinwen Lianbo without fail.

These thirty minutes had become a rare time for the New Recruits to relax their minds and rest.

The content of Xinwen Lianbo was quite dry. Most New Recruits would be fast asleep by the time it ended.

The duty officer stood at the front and coughed twice, waking them all up.

However, he seemed accustomed to this situation.

"When you return, all Squad Leaders, remind the New Recruits not to doze off while watching Xinwen Lianbo. This time is a pass, but we will strictly investigate next time."

"Alright, and as the Political Instructor just said, there's no roll call today. Each squad, go back and wash up, let the New Recruits rest early. Of course, New Recruits with weaker physical fitness will also have additional training as needed."

After speaking, the New Recruits from each squad were orderly led back to their respective squads.

"This Political Instructor of our Company, I feel like he looks exactly like a character from a game I used to play."

Back in the squad, Ji Baichang was still muttering about the Political Instructor's appearance.

"Huh? Is that the game where your game ID was 'Use Wu Jin's Mold to Fiercely Extract Patriotic Genes'?"

"Not that one, that was Apex. All the characters in it are femboys, not that fun."

"Then what game was it? Is online gaming that fun? I played a few games before, but they just felt so-so, too fake."

Lü Qinglong shook his head.

He didn't usually play online games, but he used to enjoy playing at the arcade during middle school.

He was particularly addicted to playing the '97 version of King of Fighters, especially controlling the burly man Chen Guohan, who wielded a large iron chain ball.

Back then, with Chen Guohan in his hands, he had no opponents in the entire arcade.

Basically, any opponent sitting in front of the same arcade machine as him would be so terrified by the oppressive aura emanating from the game character that they would tremble all over. They wouldn't even be able to finish one round before fleeing the arcade in disarray.

If he encountered someone slightly more skilled, the stool the opponent was sitting on would inexplicably break mid-match, but Lü Qinglong would still emerge victorious!

"The duty officer just said we can wash up. Should we go?"

Ji Baichang picked up his yellow basin, intending to go to the washroom for a good shower.

He was a bit of a neat freak. In this weather, he had to shower at least once every two days, otherwise, he would feel sticky and uncomfortable.

"But didn't the duty officer also say that those who don't meet the physical fitness standards will have extra training? Otherwise, let's wait until the Squad Leader gets back and ask him what he thinks?"

Lü Qinglong's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

"That's fine. Waiting to ask the Squad Leader when he returns is indeed the most conservative option."

Ji Baichang nodded, placing the yellow basin back onto the shelf. He sat down on a small stool and continued chatting with Lü Qinglong:

"Qinglong, since you're idle anyway, let me tell you about how I met my online girlfriend who was a cute boy in the game!"

"It was a dark and stormy night. I drove the Ferrari SF90 I just bought with my allowance to the airport to pick her (him) up. I had already booked a hotel and planned to..."

"Cough. Cough."

Just as Ji Baichang was about to get to the crucial part, Xue Daochao quickly coughed.

Then, they saw the Squad Leader Chen Ting walk in from outside, carrying a bag in his hand.

Inside the bag was the very phones they had handed in yesterday!

"Holy crap! It's my phone!"

Ji Baichang's eyes widened in shock, staring intently at the plastic bag in Squad Leader Chen Ting's hand.

The expressions on the other New Recruits' faces were similar to Ji Baichang's, all revealing a longing for their phones.

Before enlisting, their phones were practically attached to them; you could say their phones were their lives.

After a day of grueling training, they could finally get their hands on their own phones!