Chapter 28
The new recruits, even if some of them were initially unwilling to join the army, were filled with fantasies about their future military life after deciding to enlist. They fantasized about the beauty of the military camp, holding steel spears in their hands, protecting their country, and establishing meritorious deeds.
However, reality soon gave them a harsh wake-up call. If the treatment they received last night had initially aligned with their inner fantasies, it may have even exceeded their expectations.
But today, after the morning whistle at four, everything had gone far beyond what they had imagined. The company commander was a strict and harsh bastard, and the class monitor was inhumane. The beautiful impression they had of military life last night had completely changed.
Many of them even began to regret their decision to join the army. They regretted coming here and enlisting.
The blanket was too difficult to fold, the hygiene requirements were too extreme, and even during meal times, there were numerous rules to follow. However, the food provided was sumptuous, and no one complained about the rules.
The class monitor had taught everyone how to sing before meals, wait for the company commander’s call to eat, and wait for the class monitor to start eating first. Many recruits were not used to this and felt uncomfortable.
However, they knew they had to adapt. They were thousands of miles away from home, their identity cards had been revoked, and they now had military status.
…
“Who are you saving it for?” Suddenly, Ye Sanshi’s voice interrupted Wang Ye’s meal, causing him to look up. He followed Ye Sanshi’s gaze and noticed that Song Yuejin was the subject of their attention.
Song Yuejin seemed worried and responded, “I…I don’t like carrots.”
Wang Ye then noticed a torn bun beside Song Yuejin’s porridge bowl, with shredded carrots inside.
“If you don’t want it, then don’t take it. But if you take it, you have to eat it. Pick it up!” Ye Sanshi’s voice was stern as he scolded Song Yuejin.
Class Five suddenly became the center of attention in the cafeteria. Song Yuejin’s expression was uncomfortable as he hesitantly reached out to pick up the bun. It was clear he didn’t like carrots, and he might have felt aggrieved. However, the problem had already arisen.
The atmosphere was tense, but suddenly, Wang Ye stood up and declared, “I’ll eat it. I like carrots!” He reached out and took the bun from Song Yuejin’s hand.
Wang Ye noticed that the bun had been torn by hand, and since he hadn’t eaten it yet, there was nothing wrong with eating it. He wanted to win over the hearts of his classmates to become the vice-class monitor, and helping a comrade was a way to show unity, which the army always emphasized.
Even though he might get scolded by Ye Sanshi, Wang Ye wasn’t afraid. He believed that helping others was a form of unity.
Didn’t the army always emphasize unity? Wasn’t helping a comrade a form of unity?
“Humph!” Ye Sanshi snorted, “This is the first and last time. Remember that the army strictly forbids wasting food. Take only what you can eat, and eat everything you take!”
Then he commanded, “Why are you all sitting there in a daze? Aren’t you going to eat?”
The recruits immediately lowered their heads and resumed eating in silence.
“Time’s up!” A voice from Class 7 interrupted their meal.
Wang Ye checked his watch and realized that only three minutes had passed. The recruits of Class 7 had bitter looks on their faces, but their class monitor didn’t seem to care. He put down his chopsticks and stood up.
“The duty squad will stay behind to clean up, while the rest of you will follow me,” the Class 7 monitor commanded.
Everyone in the cafeteria watched as they left, but the company commander and instructor didn’t say anything. The other squad leaders continued to eat, and some even scolded the new recruits for watching the scene.
Ye Sanshi also scolded them, “If you like to watch so much, why don’t you follow them and watch as much as you want?”
Wang Ye and the others quickly turned around and left. Although Wang Ye was curious about whether there would be any punishment for Class 7, he didn’t want to risk getting into trouble by lingering behind.
Wang Ye knew it was nonsensical to follow Class 7. Besides, he was still hungry. Soon, only one recruit on duty remained at the table, and a veteran from the kitchen walked over and instructed them, “You don’t need to wash your class’s plates today. Bring the plates and remaining food to the kitchen, and I’ll show you where to put them. At lunch, make sure to finish the remaining food before you go and get your meals.”
Their class had taken quite a lot of food when they were on duty, and it was impossible to finish it all in two minutes. In the army, wasting food was strictly prohibited, as Ye Sanshi had emphasized.
Wang Ye and the others ate their food obediently and didn’t speak.
Zhang Ping’an finished all of his food in ten minutes.
Without asking if everyone was full or if they needed refills, Ye Sanshi commanded, “Zhang Ping’an, stay behind to clean up, and the rest of you, follow me!”
When they were on the way, the entire company gathered in the canteen to sing. However, they didn’t have to when they left. They just had to follow their class monitor.
But Ye Sanshi didn’t let them leave without a new rule. He taught them that in the army, two people should walk side by side, three people should form a line, and if there were more than three people, they should walk in a column.
Wang Ye and his fellow recruits followed this rule as they continued their training in the army.
…
“When we get back to the dormitory, take a break. You can go to the restroom if you need to. If you don’t want to go, you can sit for a while, but don’t lie down on the bed!” Ye Sanshi informed everyone upon their return to the dormitory. He added, “Remember, it’s not sleeping time. No one is allowed to lie down on the bed.”
This was another rule, and Wang Ye was not surprised by it. He had learned about this rule before he joined the army. However, some of the recruits might not have been aware of it.
Regardless, everyone was beginning to feel numb to the constant stream of rules and regulations in the army.
There were rules for everything in the army, so it wasn’t surprising that recruits weren’t allowed to lie down on the bed during non-sleeping hours.
“Sir, I need to go to the restroom,” Wang Ye reported to Ye Sanshi.
“I’m going too!” Deng Hai quickly added.
Ye Sanshi nodded without saying anything. “Okay, go!”
Wang Ye and Deng Hai left the dormitory together. In the corridor, Deng Hai let out a sigh of relief and muttered to himself, “Phew, finally some fresh air.”
Wang Ye smiled and replied, “Is that what you call freedom? We only have two minutes to go to the restroom.”
Deng Hai nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I feel like I’m free as long as I’m out of Blackface Ye’s sight for a second!”
Then he leaned in closer and whispered, “Brother, can you help me out later?”
Wang Ye looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What do you need my help with?”
“I want to smoke a cigarette after dinner, but we’re not allowed to,” Deng Hai explained.
“…”
Wang Ye was left speechless and felt a bit regretful. He didn’t even feel the need to go to the restroom anymore and decided to go back to the dormitory.
He couldn’t believe Deng Hai had forgotten that smoking was strictly prohibited during the recruit period, especially since they had just been told about it the day before. And why did Deng Hai even have cigarettes with him?
…