Chapter 78: Blackface Ye Is Actually Pretty Good!
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Check the internal affairs carefully. Don’t miss anything,” Ye Sanshi commanded as they returned to the dormitory after the morning run. He didn’t allow anyone to wash up and instead instructed them to continue checking and tidying up the room.
No one felt that anything was amiss because they all understood the significance of the day.
In fact, they had all agreed to wake up at four in the morning the previous night, not because Ye Sanshi forced them to, but because they knew the difference between waking up at four every day and waking up at four once a week.
Just as Wang Ye was about to check his blanket again, Ye Sanshi called him out suddenly. “Wang Ye, wait a moment!” he said, catching Wang Ye’s attention.
Wang Ye looked over, and Ye Sanshi continued, “Come out with me for a while.”
“Yes, sir!” Wang Ye replied, obediently following him.
Although he didn’t know why Ye Sanshi called him, he didn’t question it. He simply followed his instructions.
They soon arrived at the entrance of the water room, and when they saw no one around, Ye Sanshi whispered to Wang Ye, “Later, you’ll take over the day duty. When you reach the canteen, get your breakfast and hide two steamed buns in your pocket!”
Wang Ye was slightly taken aback but quickly smiled and replied in a low voice, “Actually, I had the same idea. I was planning to have Liang Fan continue making his blanket by telling the duty officer that it wasn’t up to standard. Then, I would offer to go in his place!”
His words were genuine, revealing his original plan.
This morning, despite Ye Sanshi scolding and encouraging Song Yuejin to run faster, he still ended up being one of the five people chosen for punishment.
Because the class leaders and recruits from other classes didn’t want to be among the last five either, they were all putting in their utmost effort.
Naturally, Ye Sanshi ended up in the last five, which meant he didn’t get breakfast.
Wu Jianfeng wouldn’t go back on his word, especially when he needed Wei Xin to lead troops and train soldiers.
However, Wang Ye didn’t expect that before it was time to blow the whistle, Ye Sanshi, the strict and stern veteran, would call him out and secretly advise him to do this.
Wang Ye couldn’t help but feel surprised by Ye Sanshi’s unexpected actions.
But then Ye Sanshi smiled and patted Wang Ye’s shoulder, whispering, “Not bad, you’re very suited to be the class monitor!”
Wang Ye smiled and replied, “Okay, I will work hard!”
Being the class monitor alone was not enough. That was what Wang Ye added in his heart, but it wasn’t necessary to say it aloud at the moment. There was no need to tell anyone else about it.
“Well, since you have the intention, let’s proceed with your plan,” Ye Sanshi said after a brief pause. “But don’t let the class know that I have my own intentions regarding this matter. In the future, you’ll be the ‘good cop,’ and I’ll be the ‘bad cop.’ It will make it easier for everyone to improve.”
Wang Ye looked at Ye Sanshi, momentarily speechless.
So, you want me to betray my comrades and become an enemy of my own class?
That’s right. Although it had only been ten days, based on the current situation and the consensus among many recruits, there were still clear divisions.
Everyone naturally sided with each other.
The veterans were seen as class enemies, the individuals who needed to be brought down.
But now, Ye Sanshi wanted him to cooperate with him. Well, it seemed that it wasn’t a bad idea for Wang Ye. Moreover, it was for everyone’s improvement.
Thus, Wang Ye nodded silently.
Ye Sanshi smiled, patting Wang Ye’s shoulder once again. “Alright, keep this a secret. Go back and continue with your internal affairs!”
• •
At 7:10, the whistle blew.
Liang Fan was about to stand up when Wang Ye stood up first.
“Liang Fan, check your blanket again. I’ll switch with you on duty today,” Wang Ye said, looking at Ye Sanshi. “Class President, is that okay?”
“Okay, go!” Ye Sanshi responded naturally, not even glancing at Song Yuejin, and casually agreed as if it was a routine matter.
“Yes, sir!” Wang Ye stood at attention, saluting before taking his hat and jogging out.
A few minutes later, in the cafeteria, Wang Ye helped Class 5 get their breakfast and placed it on the table. Taking advantage of the distraction, he discreetly took out two steamed buns and tucked them into his pocket when no one was looking.
The other items were not as easy to take or conceal.
For instance, Wang Ye was worried that if he took the skin off the steamed bun, the oil might spill into his pocket.
The dirty clothes were still visible nearby, and any traces left on them would give away the secret.
So, he settled for the steamed buns.
Although the buns provided by the kitchen weren’t large, they weren’t the soft, over-fermented ones commonly found in the South. Instead, they were dense and substantial. A hot bun was soft when eaten, but when cold, it became as hard as a brick.
Fermented, but sturdy.
One bun like this was very filling, and two of them were enough to sustain them during the morning’s vigorous exercise.
In fact, Wang Ye was also observing the duty officers from the other classes.
However, he didn’t notice anyone else hiding anything.
“Seems like Old Ye is quite considerate,” Wang Ye murmured to himself.
A few minutes later, the main group arrived outside the cafeteria. As they started singing, the recruits began eating their breakfast as usual.
At the dining table, Ye Sanshi showed no sign of abnormality, as if he hadn’t chatted with Wang Ye earlier.
However, as he sat down, he made subtle gestures under the table. Wang Ye felt it and discreetly responded with an OK gesture.
After breakfast, as they returned to the dormitory, Ye Sanshi once again ordered everyone to quickly check the cleanliness of the room.
Then he said, “I’ll be out for a while. Vice Class Monitor Wang, keep an eye on everyone!”
Afterward, he reached into his pocket and showed everyone in Class 5 a half-empty cigarette pack.
But he didn’t take out a cigarette; instead, he left the dormitory.
Inside the dormitory, everyone remained quiet for a few seconds before relaxing.
“Sigh, the veterans have it good. They can smoke!” Liang Fan smacked his lips.
He was also a smoker, but his cigarettes were confiscated on the first night they arrived at the camp.
“Just endure it, it’ll be fine after a while. We can buy them after six months,” someone consoled.
Smoking was common among obedient soldiers. In fact, at least one-third of the recruits in the company knew how to smoke.
Of course, smoking and addiction were two different things.
For example, Wang Ye also smoked, but he wasn’t addicted. He could smoke a cigarette when he wanted to, but if he couldn’t or didn’t want to smoke, he could still carry on.
However, Wang Ye wasn’t in the mood to engage in the conversation.
Ye Sanshi’s actions had made his intentions clear.
I’m going to smoke, so take out what you’ve hidden and eat it.
Immediately, Wang Ye glanced at Song Yuejin across from him. When he reached into his pocket, he turned to Gu Yingnan and said, “Gu Yingnan, be alert. Go behind the door and listen for any footsteps outside.”
“Liang Fan, hurry up and eat!” he said, handing the steamed bun to him.
“Damn, Brother Wang, when did you hide the steamed buns?” Liang Fan’s eyes widened in surprise.
The others were also taken aback when they saw the steamed bun in Wang Ye’s hand.