Chapter 6: Adding Dishes After Meals

  Lin Jianbing pitied and sympathized with Xu Sanduo, but Xu Sanduo wouldn't have such thoughts. Seeing the familiar face of Class Monitor Xu Sanduo, he quickly returned to normal and said, "Yes." For Xu Sanduo, saying "yes" was the best way to express his inner thoughts.

  Lin Jianbing, like most people, looked at Xu Sanduo for a while, then secretly sighed and shifted his gaze away. He also knew that continuing this matter would only make things worse. He was an old hand and had some experience with such things.

  The first class collective meeting failed to achieve the expected goal, which made Lin Jianbing feel disappointed. The third class was still a head of a group waiting for the head to lead them out, no change.

  Everyone says that if a child is not taught, it's the father's fault. Now Lin Jianbing is like the "father" of the seventh company's third battalion, and this group of donkeys that need to be pulled out are his responsibility. He thought about how his previous commanders had dealt with such terrible donkeys, and how they had managed to teach them into mediocre horses, which was really an incredible feat. He wanted to be like those commanders and whip these donkeys into shape, making them strong and sturdy like horses. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake off the deep sense of self-blame and powerlessness that he felt. If he were asked to run several thousand meters across the wilderness and then carry a wooden beam around the stadium for dozens of laps, it would only be a matter of time. However, he knew that to whip these donkeys into shape required not just time, but also great wisdom, which was precisely what he lacked. In this regard, he was like Murong Liuyue, who insisted on taking the straight path and often needed others to lead him by the hand or support him from behind, otherwise his crippled leg would not be able to make it around the bend. Although the new recruits had only been there for two or three days, Lin Jianbing knew clearly in his heart that this group of donkeys was destined to become a negative example for the entire company. Even if he managed to whip them into shape, he still didn't have the confidence to be able to get Xu Sanduo, that one particular donkey, to make it around the bend. Thinking about how he might disappoint Commander Liang's expectations and lose face in front of him made his heart feel uneasy. He had always thought that in his past life, he owed Commander Liang a debt, and now in this life, he was still continuing to borrow without repaying. Lin Jianbing suddenly let out a loud "ah" with all his might.

  But Lin Jianbing did not think that he could think of these, it was already wise. Even if it's not great wisdom, there is still some small wisdom. The old squad leader and the company commander not only made him a horse, but also quietly enlightened his mind.

  Everyone in the circle says that Ma Liancheng is not bad, but this "not bad" is not a compliment, it's a hint that he's very lucky. He and others do the same thing, using the same method, yet he always gets the results that others want but can't get. Sometimes, when you look at him, it seems like he made a mistake, but the department insists on putting a "reform pioneer" hat on his head. Only Ma Liancheng knows in his heart that any success is not accidental, of course this is what he thinks. These days he's busy showing off his light work, sneaking around in the corners where no one can see him, with the goal of getting a general understanding of the new recruits in the whole company. Knowing how to look at people from behind, you can often see clearly, this is the wisdom he has always insisted on. However, despite being busy, he feels like he's taken a step back, or more accurately, the company has taken a step back. The 7th company hasn't been able to stand out since the last time they made a big noise. He doesn't even want to think about how in a group of donkeys, you can emphasize that you're a donkey and achieve your goal of standing out.

  Ma Liancheng came to the new barracks again, but this time he didn't use his lightness skill, so the guards could see him and successfully saluted. Ma Liancheng came to take a look around, preparing to care about everyone's life, of course, there was no need to make himself transparent. As he approached the door of the third class dormitory, a loud shout suddenly pierced his ears, at this time he knew that the opportunity had come again.

  The three classes of donkeys suddenly heard the class leader's "ah" and were stunned, then saw the majestic and turbulent company commander, and their stunned expression turned into a dumbfounded one.

  Lin Jianbing was eager to prove that he was the one who made the noise, but Ma Liancheng didn't give him a chance. In this serious and sacred place of the troops, any loud shouting without reason is not allowed, so they had to be punished. Since they had to be punished, they would punish the whole class. If running could produce results, then they should run with all their might. Ma Liancheng's approach was simple: first, to give the donkey a warning; second, to let the donkey out for a stroll as an example; third, even if the donkey wasn't over-exercised, there was still a high chance of success. After repeatedly receiving team and department nominations and awards, Ma Liancheng discovered a rule: in order to succeed, methods are secondary, luck is primary. For example, taking the donkey out for a stroll today and encountering unexpected strong winds and heavy rains would be commendable. This philosophy Ma Liancheng didn't share with others, not even He Wenfeng, so there was only one Ma Liancheng in the team, and no one else could replace him.

  Ma Liancheng narrowed his eyes, looking at the three classes about to start running, and felt that this trip was worth it. Then, Ma Liancheng blinked, saw Murong Liunian behind the team, and pondered for a moment before shouting to Murong Liunian, yelling from afar: "Have you learned qinggong?" He thought to himself, if you haven't learned qinggong, how can you be more agile than me.

  This time, Murong was a bit wronged. He originally wanted to go to Zhang's place to smoke, and just as he sat down and the tobacco wasn't lit yet, he found out that they were gathering again. So he only took one puff and then walked over. For him, this couldn't be considered sneaky or intentional. However, Lin Jianbing noticed that Murong Xiu Nian was the type who would swing his sleeves and not bring anything with him, whereas Lian Cheng was the type who would swing his sleeves but bring things with him. This was the only difference in their lightness skills.

  He Wenfeng stood by the window and saw that there was a commotion, so he took a few more glances and then clearly saw Ma Liancheng and his third squad of the seventh company. He Wenfeng thought to himself that an opportunity had arrived, so he called over the squad leader of the third squad of the third company and said: "Run."

  The monitor of Class 3-3 didn't react in time and said, "A run?"

  He Wen looked out of the window and urged, "Come on! Run, run faster!"

  ……

  Although it is said that obeying orders is a soldier's duty, after running, under the urging of many reasons, the squad leader of the third company finally found the company commander and asked why they had to run. He Wenfeng looked out the window, nodded, was silent for a while, and still didn't speak, smoking a cigarette as he walked out of the office. He found Ma Liancheng and said: "Why did you guys have to run?"

  Ma Liancheng turned his head and took a look at He Wenfeng, thinking that he was still as stupid as before. "Obviously, add dishes after meals."

  He Wenfeng's eyes sparkled with a deep meaning as he let out an "oh" of realization. That's right, it was adding dishes.

  They ran sixty laps in total. The 7th company, 3rd battalion ran twenty laps and the 3rd company, 3rd battalion ran forty laps. Their performance was actually not bad, and they could still insist on training during their free time. However, there wasn't a single word from the team department this time. He Wenfeng was very puzzled, suspecting that the team's scout might have taken the day off and failed to report the situation. As a result, each company and battalion thought that the 7th company, 3rd battalion had made a small mistake, while the 3rd company, 3rd battalion had made a big mistake, and they ran because they were punished. It was just pitiful that the 3rd company, 3rd battalion had unknowingly exhausted themselves for nothing, and also lost face in public.

  Murong Liuyue had just finished enjoying the taste of the cigarette and was about to say goodbye when Lian Chang returned to the dormitory. Xu Sanduo saw him and didn't rush to go to the bathroom, holding his clothes and plate: "Liuyue, you go wash first."

  Murong Liuyue glanced at Xu Sanduo, then looked down at his left hand, which wasn't wearing a watch. He lowered his head and blew gently, sending a small grain of sand flying away. Murong Liuyue quickly lay down on the bed and asked, "Sanduo, have you eaten?"

  Xu Sanduo hadn't responded yet, but Yu Bo on the side cursed under his breath: Isn't this nonsense? Everyone knows that tonight is the new recruits' big dinner gathering. From the beginning, Yu Bo thought Murong Liuyue was a bit of an idiot, and Xu Sanduo was even more so. Seeing them and hearing their conversation made Yu Bo uncomfortable, he threw the washbasin to the ground and said: "I'm not washing anymore." As soon as he thought about washing clothes after bathing, he couldn't help but think of many problems, such as how to wash clothes? Unfortunately, the all-knowing "book" didn't tell him, and he didn't want to ask others either. He was afraid of losing face, even if it meant not knowing how to wash his own clothes.

  Xu Sanduo was unaffected by the ripples and replied to Murong Liuyue: "I haven't eaten. Lian Chang said we're having dinner together tonight."

  "Oh, you haven't eaten yet. It's good that you haven't eaten yet, I wanted to tell you that there's still a dinner gathering tonight, so even if you eat now, don't eat too much for now."

  Yu Bo was fed up with the laundry issue, but he even more didn't want to stay here and listen to Murong Liu Nian and Xu San Duo's silly conversation. So he picked up the bathtub and washing utensils again and walked towards the bathroom.

  Xu Sanduo responded with a grunt, and Murong Liunian asked again: "Sanduo, have you taken a bath?"

  Everyone present, including Qin Si Hai, thought that Murong Liu Nian had gone crazy. It was obvious that Xu San Duo hadn't taken a bath yet. Two or three of them felt annoyed and also went to the bathroom to take a bath.

  Xu Sanduo still said seriously: "Not washed. Wait for you to wash together."

  "Oh, didn't wash up. Didn't wash up is good, I just wanted to tell you what Lian Zhang said earlier, he wants us to go help set up the venue."

  Xu Sanduo nodded seriously.

  The people around him changed their faces, as if they were facing a great army. They thought it was fortunate that they didn't go to the bathroom, otherwise they would have had another round of trouble. This kid is quite good at grinding, and now he's finally spoken up after Master Long's words. However, they didn't know that these words were Ma Liancheng's self-talk when he was enjoying his pipe, so Mu Rong Liu Nian was wronged again.

  The bugle sounded suddenly, and the third class gathered urgently. Lin Jianbing finally found Ma Liancheng, preparing to bring down the crime of making a loud noise in the dormitory today, but heard that Ma Liancheng wanted the third class to help set up the venue for tonight's dinner party. He wanted to hurry back to inform everyone, but Ma Liancheng didn't give him this opportunity, so the bugle sounded.

  Yu Bo and several others in the bathroom heard the whistle, as if they had heard a soul-calling order, and were immediately stunned on the spot. They began to complain about why they had to take a bath so urgently, and that if they waited a little longer, nothing would have happened, unlike now when they were all covered in foam and unable to move up or down. Then, without exception, they complained about Mu Rong Liu Nian and Xu San Duo, saying that if it weren't for those two, they should still be staying in the dormitory. Mu Rong Liu Nian let out a sneeze, and together with the crowd who were fortunately still standing in line, waiting for orders. When Yu Bo and the others rushed down, what was waiting for them was another ruthless twenty laps.

  Lin Jianbing looked at the crowd of three classes and couldn't help but feel another wave of heartache.

  Standing in the team, Qin Si Hai's line of sight slanted towards Murong Liu Nian, with a hint of playfulness.