Chapter 6: It's Not That We're Outstanding — Everyone Else Just Makes Us Look Good

The recruits were all dumbfounded.

They stared at each other wide-eyed, exchanging bewildered glances.

"Gone deaf? Can't hear me?"

Smack!

Zhang Jiantao slammed his palm on the table. "Everyone on your feet!"

The squad leaders immediately bellowed, "Stand up, all of you — stand up!"

Only then did the recruits snap to their senses, reluctantly lifting their backsides off the stools.

The Regiment Commander watched with a grin, looking every bit like a man enjoying a good show.

Zhang Jiantao strode directly over to First Squad and said with barely contained fury, "What have the squad leaders been teaching these men? Look at First Squad — look at how well they're standing."

"The commanders haven't even sat down yet. Who told you to sit? You have no discipline whatsoever."

Xu Da's face was practically glowing with pride, his eyebrows nearly floating off his forehead.

He hadn't even taught them to do that — thank goodness Lin Hui had set the example.

This kid — the Company Commander had called him a backdoor soldier, but he was clearly a natural!

And with the Regiment Commander right there, these recruits had given him a real moment to shine.

By contrast, the other squad leaders looked considerably less pleased.

If everyone had sat down, it probably wouldn't have been an issue at all.

But First Squad was standing while the others were sitting.

That contrast alone made the other squad leaders look far weaker in their ability to lead.

Zhang Jiantao clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth. "From the very first day recruits enter the barracks, every squad leader has an obligation to get their men on the right track."

"War can come at any moment. We don't have much time. Every single minute must be used to turn these people into real soldiers."

"I've already heard from the Political Instructor — First Squad started learning Barracks Upkeep the moment they arrived. In just a few hours, they can already fold a blanket into a decent Tofu-block Fold. And what about the rest of you?"

His voice turned sharp. "Just now during the march, First Squad had the best form in the entire Recruit Company. It wasn't perfect, but at least they looked like soldiers."

"Their chants were loud and in unison."

"Now look at the rest of you. What are you squad leaders even here for — to babysit these recruits? You haven't taught them a single thing?"

The squad leaders' faces turned green.

But the oblivious recruits beside them were still whispering to each other and stifling laughs.

Lin Hui watched it all and laughed inwardly. "These guys still don't realize how serious this is. Looks like tonight's going to be rough for them."

The other squad leaders shot envious glances at Xu Da, which made him feel absolutely wonderful inside.

At that moment, Xu Da felt nothing but gratitude toward Zhang Jiantao.

Because he understood — the Company Commander's words weren't just a dressing-down for the other squad leaders. They were also a performance for the Regiment Commander's benefit.

Xu Da allowed himself a small smile: It's only the first day, and we've already pulled this far ahead. As long as we don't slip up from here, the Commendation and honors are as good as ours!

He glanced over at Lin Hui, unable to hold back his admiration.

What a soldier!

A truly outstanding soldier!

Zhang Jiantao said sternly, "From this moment on, every one of you will take First Squad as your model. If you've fallen this far behind on day one, where will you be later? Each and every one of you — get your heads in the game. This is the military, not civilian life!"

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone shouted in response, though a few recruits deliberately dragged out the syllables, thinking it was funny.

They had absolutely no idea how serious the situation was.

The squad leaders' eyes burned with fury, fists clenched tight.

Just wait until tonight — I'll make sure you all remember this lesson properly!

"Everyone sit down and eat!"

The Company Commander called out, and the recruits immediately dropped into their seats and grabbed their chopsticks.

The squad leaders were so furious they could've breathed smoke: These hopeless cases — the rules were just explained, and they've already forgotten them!

Zhang Jiantao stood to the side watching, shaking his head.

He'd just given them a thorough dressing-down, and these recruits hadn't taken a single word to heart — acting as if nothing had happened.

He turned to look at First Squad. Even seated, they sat rigid as puppets, hands flat on their thighs, not moving a muscle.

Though their eyes kept drifting sideways toward Lin Hui, as if he were the anchor holding them all together.

Zhang Jiantao was genuinely surprised. Could it be that First Squad's cohesion and discipline all came from this one kid taking the lead?

"Did I misjudge him?" he muttered to himself.

"Slipping him in without a physical or background check — that's definitely irregular. But... it's not impossible that he's actually a genuinely good soldier in the making."

Zhang Jiantao shook his head. "Forget it. I'll keep watching. If Lin Hui really does turn out to be a good soldier, I'll make sure to nurture him properly — and find a chance to apologize to him someday."

Soon, the officers all took their seats and began eating.

Xu Da saw the officers pick up their chopsticks, and only then gave the order: "Eat!"

Everyone looked to Lin Hui. Seeing him decisively pick up his chopsticks and lift his bowl, they finally relaxed and dug in.

Xu Da was beaming.

The feeling of standing out — it was absolutely incredible!

He almost felt like he wasn't in the Recruit Company at all, but leading a squad of seasoned soldiers.

Xu Da picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in Lin Hui's bowl. "Lin Hui, eat up. The canteen food is pretty good. Everyone help yourselves — there's plenty more."

"Thank you, Squad Leader."

Nobody held back. The food disappeared at a remarkable pace.

Chen Erhu and Wang Yong in particular ate like they were fighting a battle — wolfing everything down at full speed.

Partly because the Mess Squad cooked well, and partly because eating in a crowd always made food taste better — you had to be quick or miss out.

Lin Hui was shoveling rice himself when he noticed Xu Da smiling at him with the kind of look a man gives a priceless treasure.

His heart sank. "Oh no. This old guy has set his sights on me, hasn't he? I'm done. Did I go too far today? I only did it to avoid getting punished — I never meant to stand out like a crane among chickens."

In truth, First Squad's performance hadn't been outstanding at all.

Many of their movements were actually wrong, nowhere near regulation standard.

But the other squads had performed so poorly that First Squad ended up looking like a shining example by comparison.

He racked his brain. "No, I can't keep drawing this much attention. I need to adjust my strategy — keep everyone at a normal level. Not falling behind, but definitely not standing out too much either."

"That's the only way I can peacefully live the life of a slacker."

After the meal, the squads began making their way back.

First Squad returned to the dormitory and immediately got back to wrestling with their blankets.

Lin Hui knew it wouldn't be long before the Recruit Company held a Barracks Upkeep inspection.

If they performed poorly in the evaluation, Xu Da would definitely blow his top — and then nobody would have a good time.

So to avoid punishment, he moved around the dormitory helping everyone out.

As long as everyone could maintain a passable — not great, not terrible — standard, they'd be fine!

Just then, a sound like a pig being slaughtered suddenly erupted outside.

Lin Hui and the others rushed to the window, craning their necks to look out.

By the flower beds, recruits from the other squads were all lined up, shouting at the top of their lungs: "One, two, three, four..."

Their voices were nearly gone, their faces the picture of misery.

Yet the squad leaders beside them kept roaring furiously, "Louder! You just ate a full meal and your voices are still this weak — what, feeding mosquitoes? Keep shouting! Shout until your throats give out!"

Every member of First Squad drew a sharp breath.

Even Wang Yong couldn't help swallowing hard, a wave of relief washing over him.

Every pair of eyes that turned toward Lin Hui looked at him as if he were some kind of deity.

"Lin Hui, you're something else!"

"Thank goodness we listened to you — otherwise we'd be out there suffering right now!"

"Big Bro, I worship you so much — let me kowtow to you!"

Lin Hui smiled faintly. It was a good thing he knew how the military worked.

Otherwise, instead of calmly folding blankets in the dormitory right now, they'd all be out there getting punished together.

"What are you all staring at? You want to go out there and drill too? Get back to what you're doing!"

Xu Da walked over and deliberately barked in a cold voice.

Lin Hui stuck out his tongue and immediately led everyone back to their bunks to keep working.

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhongyi had just returned to the regimental headquarters office and picked up the phone. "Hello, Old Zhao? It's me. Let me tell you something..."