In the broad open space before the barracks, the soldiers of Seventh Company gathered together, chatting and laughing.
Shi Jin patted Wang Yan's arm. "I'm leaving. Work hard, all right? You know where I'm going, don't you? Don't forget to write to me."
"Yeah, keep in touch more often," Wu Liuyi said with a smile from the side.
"Oh, cut it out. Aren't you at regimental headquarters? You make it sound like you're going ten thousand miles away. I could even go stay at your company."
Wu Liuyi laughed. "But you're leaving after this, aren't you? I'm just saying it all now."
"When your girlfriend comes around again, don't keep her hidden. I'll treat you two to a meal. At least let us meet her."
"Get lost, get lost, get lost." Wu Liuyi waved him off irritably.
Just then, Xu Sanduo walked over. Hearing Wang Yan tease Wu Liuyi, he grinned foolishly as well.
Shi Jin took two steps closer, placed both hands on Xu Sanduo's shoulders, and stared straight into his eyes. "Xu Sanduo, remember this: you're a good soldier. You're not some useless bastard, and you're not some Three Dullards. You're Xu Sanduo. You can do well, and you can do even better. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I'm a good soldier." Xu Sanduo spoke loudly.
"Look how much he's changed. When he first came, seeing him like that, I wanted to kick him to death. Now he's much easier on the eyes." Wu Liuyi reached over and rubbed Xu Sanduo's head, intimate as could be.
He said, "Work hard, kid. Try to become an officer someday too. We're out of the running, but you've got a real shot."
Wang Yan patted Wu Liuyi's arm. "Stop talking about him. He understands things better than you do. You need to