Chapter 72: The First Shower Since Enlisting
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the dormitory of Class Five, everyone was surprised at this moment. To their amazement, today they got to sleep until the reveille call sounded. Both recruits from the upper and lower bunks, who were awakened by the reveille, looked at each other in astonishment. Some even poked their heads out, rubbing their eyes to catch a glimpse of Ye Sanshi, dressed and sitting on the lower bunk.
“What’s wrong? Why is no one moving? Is it because I’ve been too lenient with you today? If you’re not satisfied, I can make up for it by giving you an extra hour of sleep tomorrow!”
“No!”
“Class monitor, we’re up!”
The dormitory was immediately filled with creaking bunk beds as the recruits hurriedly threw off their blankets and got out of bed.
Ye Sanshi chuckled and said, “Look at you all. Alright, today’s morning exercise won’t involve physical training.”
This time, silence filled the room, but they dressed much quicker.
It was fortunate that they didn’t have to endure physical training. Wang Ye might have been the only one regretting the missed opportunity to gain more experience this morning. However, it was fine. Striking a balance between work and rest was crucial. After all, he wasn’t a robot and needed adequate rest.
While folding the blankets, Ye Sanshi addressed everyone. During the weekends, the army usually allowed half an hour of rest. They wouldn’t engage in physical fitness training in the morning, only simple commands and the like.
Ye Sanshi was in a good mood because Class Five had secured the moving red flag. That’s why he decided to let everyone sleep until six o’clock today. In reality, the other classes were still being awakened at five or even four o’clock.
They had no choice. After losing the moving red flag, they naturally had to put in extra effort to strengthen themselves and try to recapture it the next week.
“Shh, shh. Gather downstairs in five minutes for a shower.” After breakfast, Class 5 returned to the dormitory and continued folding the blankets for over an hour.
Suddenly, a whistle sounded from downstairs, followed by the eagerly anticipated shout.
Time for a shower.
It had been ten days since they arrived at the training camp. This was the first opportunity for a proper bath.
Although they were instructed to wipe themselves with cold water in the bathroom, the high-intensity trainings coupled with the lack of time made many people prefer to sleep immediately after their training.
After ten days, only those with strong willpower or those who couldn’t bear the smell of their own bodies would brave the cold water and wash themselves.
Even so, the odor emanating from their clothes was hard to describe in words.
That’s why the class monitor had advised against changing clothes as there was no time to wash them. They only had two sets of training clothes and had to alternate between them. If it rained during the weekend shower time, they would have to wear their wet clothes and run on the track to dry them.
Therefore, they had no choice but to endure it.
“Ten days! I can finally take a hot shower!”
“I forgot to bring a towel. It’s so annoying. Why didn’t I bring a steel wire ball? I haven’t washed myself for the past ten days.”
A commotion broke out in the dormitory.
“What are you all doing? Didn’t you hear the gathering call? Hurry up and put the blankets back on your beds. You have three minutes to grab your clothes and soap. Pack them in the small yellow basin and get ready to go downstairs.”
Ye Sanshi had been absent for nearly an hour, and the members of Class Five had no idea what he was doing. However, he returned a few minutes before the whistle was blown.
With a stern expression, he scolded them to silence the commotion in the dormitory.
For a moment, no one dared to speak. They quickly laid down their blankets and retrieved a small yellow basin, soap, and a change of clothes.
“Remember, we only have ten minutes to use the bathroom. Within that time, you must wash up and smell like soap. If I can’t smell it, anyone who fails will do a hundred push-ups on the spot and then run five kilometers.”
Wang Ye noticed that Song Yuejin’s mouth twitched slightly at the corners.
This guy took seventeen minutes to run three kilometers, and now he was being asked to run five kilometers.
Fortunately, Ye Sanshi ignored him and continued, “Now, double-check your belongings. Did you bring all the soap and clothes? Don’t tell me you forgot to bring clothes when we get to the bathroom.”
After everyone double-checked, Ye Sanshi didn’t say anything further. He took his small yellow basin and led the way downstairs.
The entire company gathered, including the instructor and company commander.
“Have you all been eagerly waiting for this day?” The company commander stood in front of them, wearing a smile. He, too, held a small yellow basin.
“Alright, I understand that you’re all excited. I won’t waste your time. Turn left…”
The entire company of recruits followed Wu Jianfeng’s orders, each carrying a small yellow basin, and arrived at a wooden bungalow.
“Here we are. The facilities inside are limited, so let’s enter.”
As Wu Jianfeng spoke, a platoon leader stepped forward.
“First row, follow me.”
Wang Ye and the others gazed at the opened wooden door.
They could only catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a changing room inside. It was spacious, with some benches, but they couldn’t see anything else.
Once the row of recruits entered, the door closed behind them.
Opening and closing the door, those waiting outside could still hear the platoon leader’s booming voice.
“What are you waiting for? Are you planning to wash up or not? If you’re not, get out and run five kilometers!”
“What’s taking so long? It’s only ten minutes. I’m giving you thirty seconds. After that, anyone still wearing clothes, get out and start running immediately!”
The voices emanating from inside left the two platoons of recruits waiting outside bewildered.
Many people suddenly became nervous. Could there be something strange happening inside the showers?
However, with the instructor, company commander, and squad leaders present, nobody dared to utter a word and could only endure the situation.
Time ticked away.
The door remained closed, and the angry curses from inside ceased.
It seemed that the row of soldiers had reached a compromise.
Ten minutes swiftly passed.
As the bathroom door finally opened, a row of recruits emerged, appearing refreshed. However, some of them wore peculiar expressions when they glanced at the recruits waiting outside.
“Alright, Second Platoon, get ready.”
At that moment, the second platoon leader stepped out.
Then, as the last platoon leader exited with a small yellow basin, he led the way and entered.
Wang Ye was also perplexed about what was happening inside. Why were the recruits looking at him with such expressions as they came out?
However, Wang Ye soon discovered the reason.
Upon entering the bathroom and closing the door, the second platoon leader shouted, “Find a spot on the bench to place your clean clothes. Remove your clothes and place them in your basin. Take your soap and join me inside.”