Old Xu had been thoroughly sweet-talked, carrying with him the beautiful hope that his precious son would one day return home to become a police officer.
He stayed there for two days. During that time, he toured the base and, just like in the original story, rode in an armored vehicle. Wang Yan took plenty of photos for him.
By the time Old Xu left, he had eaten eight meals and drunk alcohol at seven of them. It could be said that he had never sobered up.
But it could not be said that Wang Yan had done it on purpose. Old Xu himself was the sort of drunk who knocked back Erguotou whenever he had nothing to do. Wang Yan had been the main drinking companion—eating with him, drinking with him, chatting with him. A proper three-in-one escort.
Old Xu had been taken excellent care of and had been very happy.
And because of that, Xu Sanduo finally got his wish. He signed on as an NCO alongside Wang Yan, and the two chevrons on his shoulder boards became a single small chevron, accompanied by the crossed-rifles insignia.
Xu Sanduo had been delighted at the time. He saluted Wang Yan and called him Squad Leader.
Wang Yan gave him full face, smiling as he returned the salute and called Xu Sanduo Squad Leader.
Xu Sanduo said that he was an old soldier now too...
A few days later, Cheng Cai came to Seventh Company. Knowing that Cheng Cai was under pressure and that Wang Yan did not care for him, Wang Yan did not force himself into the meeting. Xu Sanduo treated Cheng Cai to a meal at the service club.
After he came back, Xu Sanduo said that Cheng Cai had complained about the poor conditions in Fifth