"Look at you, going easy on me."
Wu Liuyi panted as he looked at Wang Yan, who was only breathing a little heavily beside him.
The two had finished their ten-kilometer run and were walking around the track to loosen up their muscles, occasionally lifting their knees high to stretch.
Wang Yan smiled. "I didn't go that easy on you. You've still got plenty of strength, Squad Leader."
"No need to flatter me. Don't give me that. In the army, strong is strong." Wu Liuyi waved a hand, then asked, "How did you train?"
"Just regular running. I run ten kilometers every morning, a half marathon once every two weeks—just under twenty-two kilometers—and a full marathon once a month, just under forty-three kilometers. Running builds endurance. I also jump rope and stuff to work on footwork and endurance. My cardiopulmonary function's pretty good too. Maybe I'm a genius. Got a little talent in me."
"Marathons? What's your fastest time?"
"About two and a half hours." Wang Yan was very modest about it.
"What about five kilometers?"
"Around fifteen minutes."
"What's the world record again?"
"Under thirteen minutes. World champions are basically all around thirteen minutes. I'm still far from that. Otherwise, why do you think I didn't become an athlete?"
"Couldn't you keep training? You could definitely improve more. Joining the army is kind of a waste for you." Wu Liuyi shook his head repeatedly.
"What are you talking about? The people's army serves the people—how is that a waste? There are over two million people in our military, with talent everywhere. Who knows how many can run five kilometers in fifteen minutes? Are they all being wasted too? I've wanted to become a member of the People's Liberation Army since I was little. You've been a squad leader for