Chapter 34: Hu Xingwei's Father's Wish

  "Wow..."

  Suddenly, a long whistle sounded.

  The voice of the duty officer sounded at this time.

  "New recruits, change into casual clothes in 10 minutes and assemble in the hall."

  After hearing the notification from the duty officer, we immediately started changing into our uniforms.

  Just as we finished changing into our uniforms, the platoon leader pushed open the door of our squad's room.

  "Get in line..."

  The new recruits saw us and asked him how he was doing. He nodded and said: "Hu Xingwei, follow me to the next company."

  We were all curious and didn't know what Lian Zhang was looking for Hu Xinyu for, after Hu Xinyu followed Lian Zhang away, we were all discussing the possibilities of finding Hu Xinyu.

  Just as we were discussing it heatedly, the class monitor pushed open the door and walked in.

  "Let's not discuss it anymore."

  The class monitor shouted at us.

  We immediately fell silent.

  The class monitor changed his clothes and told us: "Hu Xingrui's father has passed away."

  "What..."

  "Ah..."

  We all stood there, unable to utter a word for a long time...

  The monitor sat on the chair and continued to say, "I was also told by Lian Zhang just now. Hu Xingwei's father has been suffering from stomach cancer. Less than a month after he enlisted, his father's condition began to deteriorate. His family hid it from him in order not to affect his training in the army. Just yesterday, his father passed away. When he comes back later, all of you be careful."

  "Yes."

  We felt extremely uncomfortable in our hearts...

  The classroom fell silent, with no one speaking.

  Just then, the assembly whistle sounded.

  "Let's go, let's all gather together." The class monitor said to us.

  When we gathered in the hall, we saw that Lian Chang accompanied Hu Xinquan to the hall. At this time, Hu Xinquan's eyes were red-rimmed.

  We all know that at this time his heart must be very sad and painful.

  At this time we really wanted to go comfort him.

  Just as we turned back, Hu Xingwei was no longer by our side.

  "Don't look anymore, he has packed his luggage." The class monitor said to us.

  "Monitor, he's not going to be a soldier anymore?" I asked.

  The class leader shook his head and explained to us, "No, the team will arrange for him to go back and see his father off on his last journey, and handle his father's aftermath. He'll be back."

  Now we can all rest assured.

  Lian Chang spoke for a long time on top, but I didn't understand a single sentence. My heart was always worried about Hu Xingwei.

  This is my comrade. At this moment, I know that Hu Xinrui's spirit must be on the verge of collapse. How much I want to comfort him, but at this time, the rank-awarding ceremony is being held.

  "Xiao Bin, what are you thinking about? The class monitor has been calling you." The class monitor suddenly kicked me and shouted.

  I had an idea and hastily shouted: "Here."

  Lian Chang looked at me for a long time, didn't blame me, but instead shouted: "Come up here."

  "Yes."

  I immediately ran towards Lian Zhang.

  Standing beside Lian Chang, facing all comrades in the whole regiment, I felt a little embarrassed.

  At this time, Lian Chang said to everyone: "This time, the new recruits have been in the regiment for three months. In the assessment, Xiao Bin performed extremely well. The regiment has decided to award Comrade Xiao Bin a 'Regimental Meritorious Award'. At the same time, our battalion commander has also decided to award Xiao Bin a 'Battalion Meritorious Award'."

  After Lian Chang finished announcing, he ordered me to say a few words to everyone.

  Everyone applauded for me.

  I held the certificate of merit awarded by Lian Zhang and said to everyone with some embarrassment: "Comrades, I am very honored to receive these two honors. Half of these two honors belong to my monitor Zhao Zhijie."

  When I said these words, I saw the class leader smiling and nodding in agreement with other class leaders.

  I continued to say to my comrades: "Without our squad leader, there would be no two commendations. The squad leader said that the troops are like a big melting pot, and we new recruits are like raw iron. Relying on the squad leaders to forge us into good steel, only after being tempered can we become talented people who guard our motherland and protect the people."

  When I finished speaking, Lian Chang shouted to everyone: "Well said, quack quack."

  As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience below.

  After stepping down, I returned to my position, and the class monitor gently patted the back of my head and smiled: "You little brat, didn't you say you graduated from junior high? How come you can talk so eloquently on stage, but usually just see you bragging."

  I chuckled and replied to the class monitor: "Hehe, Class Monitor, this is called improvising on the spot."

  "Get out."

  After my commendation ended, the company commander began to announce the summary of this new recruit company for three months. At the same time, each class had a comrade-in-arms who received the "Lian Jia Award".

  When it was announced that Class 6's Li Jianjia Award went to Hu Xinnuo, the class monitor went on stage to receive the certificate on behalf of Hu Xinnuo.

  After getting back the certificate, the class monitor prepared to send it to Hu Xinnian in Class 6 who was still collecting his luggage.

  I immediately stopped the class monitor and said: "Class monitor, can I go send it? I want to comfort Hu Xinpeng."

  The monitor thought for a moment and handed me the certificate, saying: "Go ahead, don't be too long, it's almost time to confer ranks. The monitor will pin your military rank on you."

  "Yes."

  After finishing the report with Lianzhang, I got permission and quickly ran towards the dormitory.

  When I pushed open the door, I saw Hu Xingrui sitting on the bed folding his casual wear while crying.

  Hu Xingwei saw me suddenly coming in, wiped away a tear, and turned to one side.

  I know he didn't want me to see him cry.

  I sat down on his bed and helped him fold his clothes. I didn't say a word.

  "How did you get here?" Hu Xingwei asked in a hoarse tone.

  I looked up at him and said: "Hu Xingwei, I hope you can bear your grief. You should be strong now. Uncle Hu will be watching over you from heaven."

  "Xiao Bin, do you know that my dad used to be a soldier? He was once a platoon leader and was originally supposed to represent our country in the international military pentathlon competition. However, he was later discharged due to health problems. My dad became a platoon leader after being promoted within the army unit, and he was very excellent back then. Since I was born, he had decided that I would join the military in the future. He arranged for me to attend a sports school because he knew his body wasn't good and he didn't have the ability or energy to train me himself. So I went to the sports school, and when I reached the age of conscription, he let me enlist. I joined the army solely to fulfill his wish."

  I was deeply moved by Hu Xingwei's words, and Hu Xingwei is very filial. I handed over his award certificate and said: "Hu Xingwei, you must adjust yourself as soon as possible, and use the honor to mourn Uncle Hu."

  Hu Xingwei took over the certificate and stared blankly at the "Lian Jia Award" in his hand.

  "En, I want to live up to it, I want to fulfill Dad's wish, I want to be an excellent soldier for Dad, and make the country proud. I must fulfill Dad's wish."

  I put my hands on Hu Xingrui's shoulders and said: "Three knives, let's work together to fulfill Uncle Hu's wish."

  "Let's work hard together."

  Our hands were tightly clasped together.