Although the company commanders had repeatedly exhorted them not to cause any incidents during the conference before they came, the phrase "twenty-eight days" struck like a bolt from the blue, hitting their souls. Everyone cried out in distress.
"Damn, how few vacation days do we have? Half of it is gone because of military training!"
"My mom said she'd take me on vacation, I've even booked tickets..."
"I nearly died yesterday. Twenty-eight days..."
Qin Wei was also devastated. She still had to start filming next month and some other schedules this month.
She had already postponed military training to next week because of those, and now if Li Yao and Xu General Manager found out, they'd probably explode.
Hearing the complaints from below, the colonel was not surprised. That was why he didn't mention the duration in the beginning, as he wanted it to be the first lesson in setbacks.
You're bound to encounter situations where plans cannot catch up with changes, and times when you'll definitely have a mental breakdown. This is to teach them to learn to adjust and solve problems.
Setbacks can enable people to grow swiftly.
"The duration of this military training was informed to each of your parents on the night you entered the camp, so there's no need to worry about the parental side. Focus on the training, everyone. Of course, the credits for this military training are five more than previous years, then you'll feel the importance of credits in the Beijing Drama Academy."
"Alright, that's it for today's meeting, company commanders bring your teams back for training per the schedule!"
...
While the leaders were speaking on stage, Song Huan's phone vibrated. She looked at the screen, found an isolated spot, and answered the call.
A deliberately lowered male voice came from the other end:
"Captain Song, how are things going over there..."
Song Huan looked back at the student formation, then replied:
"It's only been a day, what can you see so far? She does seem a bit cold, but not as bad-tempered as you described... Where did you even get that information from??"
The man called Mu Chen coughed twice: "Captain Song, you are mistaken. My information is reliable. As you said, it's only been a day. Can't see much. Other than a pretty face, she's good for nothing...
Let me remind you, don't forget... After training, let her go act. No matter what, don't bring her back, that'd be the beginning of misfortune. We'd suffer if that ancestor who doesn't bow to anyone is brought back..."
Song Huan laughed coldly twice: "You were the one jumping up and down insisting to come instruct training, yet disappeared without a trace four hours before departure. Left a note and vanished.
As your deputy captain my daily job is cleaning up your mess apparently. Mu Chen, you were the one who contacted me today. Give me a reason or I'll throw you to sharks in the ocean."
The man called Mu Chen coughed twice again: "I caught a cold the night before leaving... Uh... Was worried about transmission. Yes, transmission. Much appreciated Captain Song! I'll be your ox or dog when you're back! Just remember, don't listen to the higher-ups. Let her go act after training. We can't control that ancestor who never bowed to discipline since young. Extremely rebellious..."
Song Huan frowned. There was indeed another secret mission during this training. But her teammate Mu Chen was acting very strange.
"It's not set yet. Captain Yang said to consider her, but only if she has upright moral values, a steady nature, and potential to improve her capabilities. As required, I do need to test her in every aspect. If she passes I can discuss later..."
Song Huan said, "And it's not like the task she might be given is life-threatening. She's just more suitable due to her identity... If you're so against her joining, come persuade her yourself. No need to make me the bad guy. You can still make it if you come over now. I'll send a helicopter!"
Mu Chen whispered to her: "You know I like Qiao. I'm worried I may be too harsh on her during training and... Hey, hey, Captain Song, don't hang up! I was talking nonsense, bleh bleh bleh. Captain Yang was going to tell you later anyway. I'll say it now but you must keep it confidential...
She's my sister. Getting me to train her and persuade Captain Yang to dismiss her, I can't do that..."
...
The opening ceremony didn't give the students much time to complain. The team was brought back to the small training ground from before.
Seeing them look crestfallen, Song Huan watched with great amusement and asked:
"Feeling awful?"
"Mm..."
It was like their will to live had vanished...
Song Huan looked at Qin Wei: "Qin Wei."
"Yes."
"Regret re-enrolling? This isn't your comfort zone. Tough, tiring, affects earning money too."
Song Huan spoke lightly, but every word was provocative.
"It's great, no regrets. I can earn money again in the future."
She had expected anger, but instead got a calm, nonchalant reply.
"Continue training." Song Huan said.
...
Before practicing the new training plan, they first had to review yesterday's content. Fortunately Qin Wei adjusted herself in time, avoiding continuation of the earlier stepping drill tragedy.
They then practiced marching and other training content until lunch break, finally catching a breath.
Exhausted physically and mentally after a day's toil, no one wanted to do anything back at the dorm. All they could do was flop onto their beds and sleep.
Thinking of the 28 days, Qin Wei still couldn't fall asleep for a bit despite the early rise. But tiredness got the better and she did doze off...
...
Pleasant times always pass quickly. She felt like she had just fallen sleep when the harsh whistle blew.
Assembly, roll call.
"From today onwards, we'll be teaching sixteen routines of military boxing each day. According to the training plan, four routines per day, with an examination on the last day.
I'll demonstrate first. Pay attention."
...
Not a single moment of leisure the whole day...
Until dinner time.
A whole afternoon later with emotions running low for everyone, not because the training intensity was too high, but the lack of time to think. Now finally at dinnertime they got to rest, and the sorrowful feelings surged forth again. Many started crying while eating.
In a batch of 500+, half were crying. The mess hall was exceptionally lively.
Usually no sound was allowed during meals, but today the instructors let them bawl.
The filming crew also documented this segment.
Kind souls immediately made a Qin Wei cut edition——
【Lu E seems very sad too...】
【Back in our day it was 14 days. I felt dying from exhaustion. Isn't 28 days too torturous? Can't you do it gradually? 14 this batch, 20 next batch, something like that?】
【All that crying just over some military training】, I just wanna see when she can't take it anymore.】
【My big sister is famously enduring. She can endure anything... 】
【Looks like she really has no appetite huh. Just ate a small bun and a plate of stir-fried napa cabbage...】
...
After the tearful bawling, the mess hall gradually quieted down. Releasing their sorrow appeared to lift the gloom.
After eating they assembled for training again. But after just half an hour Instructor Zheng brought good news——
Movie night, outdoor screening!
Everyone cheered. Not necessarily wanting to watch, but anything's better than training!
Anything that's not training is good!
As night fell everyone grabbed their little stools and sat on the parade ground. Equipment in front was already set up, just debugging before playback.
It was this year's new film "Frontline", an contemporary military action movie.
Seeing the title, many couldn't help stealing glances at her. After all, the lead was played by Shen Kai, the famously affectionate "CP" from many years ago.
Qin Wei silently took her stool and sat at the very back.
The movie began...
As male lead, Shen Kai's first scene has him rappelling down from a hovering helicopter, one hand holding the rope, landing in a very cool posture.
He's in military uniform with sunglasses, walks up to his superior and salutes after taking them off.
Many of his fans are present. Though they'd seen it many times, his visuals still drew squeals, controlled to the best they could manage.
Sitting in the second last row, Ye Jiahe suddenly hears a "click click" sound. Turning, she actually spots her Lu E sitting right behind her!!
How did she not notice earlier!! What great luck!!
Just being able to see her from afar during joint training was amazing enough! Didn't expect to be assigned to the same company and share dorms!
And today! She's sitting less than half a meter behind!
Ye Jiahe felt her heart race. She must remember this day - at her young age, she could finally sit together with Lü E.
Should she greet her? Should she express her liking for her? Should she tell her that although she's only a freshman, she's a fan of Lü E's mom?
But...what is she doing?
Ye Jiahe lowered her head to take a look.
Qin Wei was tapping egg shells.
Ye Jiahe frowned and coughed twice.
Startled, Qin Wei looked up at her, holding up an egg innocently and asking softly:
"Do you want some?"
Ye Jiahe: "......"
Eat, eat, eat what?!
Although they were strangers, Qin Wei sensed a fierce look in the other's eyes.
She didn't answer, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
Qin Wei continued peeling the egg silently.
"Do you know what 'iron and blood' means?"
Just when she thought the conversation had ended abruptly, Ye Jiahe suddenly spoke again, the words disjointed.
Qin Wei was confused, but still answered softly:
"Iron and blood? Bismarck? I know...why mention this all of a sudden?"
"A divided country can only unite through iron and blood! A strong person is the same! They must use iron and blood to solve problems!"
Although spoken softly, Ye Jiahe enunciated each word clearly.
Qin Wei: "?"
But before Ye Jiahe could finish, she suddenly signaled at Qin Wei, lowering her voice to say:
"Quick, put it away!"
Qin Wei: "?"
In just two seconds, it was already too late to react.
The shadow behind covered the weak and helpless Qin Wei. She turned around to see Song Huan's handsome but fierce face.
She didn't even know how to steal properly!!!
"Damn Lü E!"
Ye Jiahe whispered to her:
"Lü E, I'm sorry, it's mom's fault for not protecting you well. But stealing is still wrong of you...
It seems I really should be stricter in my demands of you...
Ye Jiahe looked up at Song Huan and said:
"Instructor Song, my daughter was in the wrong. Go ahead and punish her. After all, we in the fan club have already sworn that as a Qin Wei fan, we will heed our pledge - to strictly make demands of Qin Wei, using iron and blood to forge her bright future, never slacking off!"
Song Huan: "?"
The filming crew silently captured it from the sidelines. Someone stealing an egg is negative behavior that must be shown -
[Ah, tilted it, tilted the angle! Strict demands are right, but avoid punishment if possible. You should plead for mercy...plead for mercy!]
[Stupid fan!]
[Your words have a double meaning...quite clever...]
[The hard boiled egg Lü E hid all day was heartlessly taken away by the instructor...]
