Chapter 12: You're a Complete Idiot, You Know That?

Lin Hui left the company headquarters looking like a wilted eggplant.

Anyone else who received such an invitation would want the whole world to know.

But Lin Hui's heart was bitter. All he wanted was to be that quiet little star in the dark of night — one whose presence or absence made no difference to anyone.

"I came here perfectly fine, so how did things suddenly turn out like this? I was aiming for a low profile, so why does everything keep getting more and more high-profile?"

"If things keep developing at this rate and I actually end up in that so-called Blade Company, my life is going to be absolute hell!"

The military is a great sieve.

The more outstanding you are, the more attention you attract — and with that attention comes ever-heavier missions and responsibilities.

Lin Hui had heard his father say since childhood that soldiers came in only two kinds.

The first kind just goes through the motions — a monk who rings the bell only because it's his job.

They coast through until discharge, then use their service record to find a decent job back home.

The second kind genuinely loves the military and is always pushing to climb higher.

And the Blade Company was the place that second kind of soldier dreamed about.

In the military, anything worthy of the name "Blade" was absolutely no joke.

That unit was a blade to the enemy and a bone-scraping knife to its own members — anyone who went there would either die or shed a layer of skin!

Lin Hui shook his head. "A place like a torture chamber — only an idiot would want to go there. Wouldn't it be so much better to coast through two years and go back to living the life of a Second-generation wealthy?"

He thought about the millions' worth of Lamborghinis and Ferraris the original owner had left behind.

The seaside villa and yacht his mother had given him, the black card with unlimited credit.

And the lovesick girl who was waiting faithfully for him…

Lin Hui's heart couldn't help but flutter with longing.

He tilted his head back and gazed at the sky, sighing with feeling. "Dad, I know you mean well — you want me to be forged and tempered in the military. But all I can say is, the world out there is full of too many temptations. Your son truly can't hold out!"

"For the sake of a beautiful life ahead, starting right now, I absolutely must keep a low profile at all times."

"It's just a shame about all those plans I had prepared — looks like none of them will be of any use now…"

Thinking about it, Lin Hui's stomach filled with rage: it was all that idiot Wang Yong's fault!

If he hadn't stirred things up, life right now would be incredibly comfortable.

He never would have received that stupid Blade Company invitation in the first place.

Who even wants that thing?

But what was done was done, and he had no other choice — he'd have to think of another way.

Lin Hui's eyes darted around. "Right now in First Squad, almost everyone listens to me except that idiot Wang Yong. If I can get them all pulling in the same direction, all following my lead and keeping a low profile together, then things will be simple enough…"

Lin Hui had already figured out what made the others tick.

They'd joined the military so that after discharge, finding a job would be easier.

Nobody wanted these two years to be miserable.

After all, it's only human nature to want to slack off — anyone who genuinely loves suffering is the one who's truly against human nature!

He wasn't worried about these guys being on the same side as him. The only problem was that dimwit Wang Yong, whose brain worked differently from everyone else's.

Still, the guy was single-minded. If you really wanted to manipulate him, it was simple enough.

All Lin Hui had to do was swallow his pride, sincerely admit fault, and Wang Yong would fall right into line.

Lin Hui understood that Wang Yong was just competitive — he always felt like Lin Hui was stealing his spotlight, so he was dead set on surpassing him and proving himself to everyone.

Well then, he might as well let the guy have his way.

As long as Lin Hui softened up a little, admitted defeat, and let Wang Yong enjoy the moment, wouldn't Wang Yong be completely in his pocket?

Once that happened, First Squad could go back to happily living the slacker life together.

With a plan in mind, Lin Hui's mood immediately lifted, and he strolled cheerfully back toward the barracks.

"Attention!"

Lin Hui had barely stepped through the dormitory door when he was startled out of his skin.

Xu Da bellowed, "Salute!"

Before Lin Hui could figure out what was going on, every man in the squad snapped to their feet and saluted him in unison.

Lin Hui was dumbfounded.

What on earth was happening?

Xu Da marched up to Lin Hui with sharp, precise steps, eyes blazing as he stared at him. "Lin Hui, congratulations! Congratulations on receiving an invitation from the Tiger Regiment's Blade Company. That's not a place just anyone can get into!"

"This is not only the glory of a new recruit — it's the dream of every veteran soldier!"

Lin Hui's mind went blank.

Holy shit! Good news stays home, but bad news travels a thousand miles!

He had literally just seen the Company Commander, and somehow the news had already made it back to the squad?

Did it come by rocket?

Xu Da said gravely, "Do you know what it means to be selected for the Blade Company? It means supreme glory!"

"Even veteran soldiers have to fight tooth and nail to get in, because it's not just about strength — talent matters even more. The Blade Company is a gathering place for the elite. Everyone who gets in is the cream of the crop!"

He shifted tone and broke into a proud laugh. "And I am a Squad Leader there. When you arrive, welcome to report to my squad — ha ha ha…"

Lin Hui's mouth twitched violently.

So after all that, he was just blowing his own trumpet?

And who said I want to run into you again?

I don't want to go to that lousy company, and I definitely don't want to serve under you. Best if we never meet again!

Xu Da turned to look at the others. "From now on, Lin Hui is the example for all of you! Even if your natural talent doesn't match his and your abilities fall a little short, I've always believed that hard work can make up for lack of talent — the early bird catches the worm!"

"Starting today, whoever among you manages to surpass him during training will be free to rest without filing a report — anytime, anywhere!"

Lin Hui nearly cursed out loud.

Squad Leader, could you please shut up?

If you want to motivate them, fine — but why do you keep dragging me into it? You're making me a target for resentment. This is terrible for unit cohesion!

Sure enough, the moment the words left his mouth, a sharp, piercing gaze locked onto him like a vice.

Wang Yong again, that idiot!

Lin Hui really wanted to walk over and slap him twice across the face to knock some sense into him: Can't you see this obvious provocation? He's clearly using me to get under your skin!

We'd exhaust ourselves fighting each other to the death.

And all the benefits, the glory, the Commendations — they'd all go to that scheming Xu Da. What would we even get out of it?

Xu Da cleared his throat and looked at Lin Hui. "Lin Hui, you can't let a small achievement make you arrogant and complacent."

"If your performance slips, I'll be giving you some very special attention."

Lin Hui smiled and nodded, feeling the urge to sing him a heartfelt "Thank you" right then and there.

If heaven gave him another chance.

He would rather have come clean with the Squad Leader from the very beginning — told him straight up that he was a mediocre soldier, not the stuff of a good one at all.

But it was too late for any of that now.

One wrong step leads to a thousand more. All he could do was start making up for it from here.

"I've said what needed to be said. Everyone downstairs for formation — training continues!"

The moment Xu Da stepped out, everyone surged around Lin Hui.

"Lin Hui, you're incredible!"

"I heard all about it — the Tiger Regiment's Blade Sixth Company is the most elite unit in the entire 602nd Division!"

"Big Bro, if you go to the Blade Company, what's gonna happen to me? Can I come along with you? I'll sell myself cheap — half price, even!"

As Chen Erhu spoke, his eyes turned red.

He was genuinely afraid that once Lin Hui went to the Blade Company, he'd be left behind.

Ever since they'd joined the military, Lin Hui had been like a big brother to him — teaching him how to fold his blanket, handle Barracks Upkeep, and helping him fit into First Squad as a whole.

It was Chen Erhu's first time leaving home, and he knew nothing about the outside world, let alone the rules of military life.

If it weren't for Lin Hui, he'd probably be the worst-performing, most-punished recruit in the entire Recruit Company by now.

The others burst out laughing at his expression. "Erhu, do you think the Blade Company is somewhere you can just walk into? Out of the entire Recruit Company, you could count on one hand the number of people who'd get selected."

"In our squad, only Lin Hui has what it takes."

Lin Hui waved his hand dismissively. "Keep it low-key, keep it low-key. It's just an invitation, and besides, I'm not even planning to go."

Though he was telling the plain truth, in everyone else's ears it sounded like modesty.

Ma Xiaoshan immediately looked at him with stars in his eyes. "Brother Hui, could you give us some extra coaching? Teach us a few more things so we can improve too?"

"Even if we can only learn half of what you know — or even a third — that'd be enough!"

A soldier nearby nodded eagerly. "Right, right! Even if we can't make it into the Blade Company, at least we won't end up getting assigned to feed pigs."

Everyone crowded around Lin Hui, laughing and heaping on the praise.

Wang Yong's face flushed a deep crimson, his eyes bulging like copper bells!

He'd never been willing to accept that Lin Hui was better than him.

Now, hearing that Lin Hui had received an invitation to the Blade Company, he felt like a gas canister heated to the point of explosion.

Lin Hui quietly sighed to himself. "Sure enough, jealousy can make a person unrecognizable. I need to have a talk with this guy — otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble he'll stir up next!"

He cleared his throat. "Alright, everyone get your things and head downstairs for formation — training time!"

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone immediately grabbed their gear and headed downstairs.

Lin Hui stood at the doorway, waited for Wang Yong to pass, and grabbed him by the arm.

"What do you want?"

Wang Yong shoved him off.

Lin Hui knew what kind of person this guy was, so he didn't make a big deal of it. He smiled pleasantly and said, "Comrade Wang Yong! I think there must be some kind of misunderstanding between us."

Wang Yong sneered coldly. "A misunderstanding? Yeah, there definitely is one."

He said angrily, "In the Squad Leader's eyes, you're a genius, and the rest of us have all become fucking idiots. He even told us to learn from you. I don't see what's so smart about you."

Lin Hui wasn't exactly thrilled with him either.

But for the sake of his own peaceful days ahead, he had no choice but to keep a smile on his face. "The Squad Leader is the Squad Leader — what does he know? Haven't you heard? Our Squad Leader's education level is pretty low. You could tell just from looking at him that he didn't study hard as a kid."

"How would he know that our Brother Yong is a dragon among men — gifted beyond measure, a Soldier King reborn!"

Wang Yong stared at him, still on guard.

He had no idea what trick this guy was trying to pull.

Lin Hui launched a volley of sweet-coated flattery first, then grinned and said, "Brother Yong, listen to me — that little misunderstanding between us was actually manufactured on purpose by the Squad Leader."

"I've always respected you. In my eyes, you're a real man — purer than pure, the real deal!"

"The Terminator — the real deal?"

"No wait, the guy in the Terminator is Arnold Schwarzenegger!"

Lin Hui corrected himself with a perfectly straight face. "But! That doesn't matter. In my heart, both of them stand shoulder to shoulder with you as true tough guys!"

"So I'm proposing that we stop fighting among ourselves. Wouldn't it be so much better if we all got along?"

"Everyone lives their days in peace and quiet — a simple life is a blessed life."

Wang Yong let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You really think I'm stupid?"

Lin Hui froze, feeling a little awkward.

Wang Yong's words were sharp as a blade. "You actually think I'd believe you? That I'd let you brainwash me? You think I have no brain at all?"

"You act one way to my face and another behind my back. You think I don't know you've been calling me someone from the back-end of nowhere behind my back?"

"Pfft! And now you want to corrupt me with your sweet talk!"

Wang Yong spat on the ground and snarled, "Just you wait. I will fight you to the bitter end. I will grind you into the dirt beneath my feet!"

Watching the guy storm out without looking back, Lin Hui felt his lungs might burst with rage. "You complete idiot — I was offering you a comfortable ride and you wouldn't even take it. You really think you're some kind of tough guy!"