Chapter 95: Misfortune to Bystanders
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the classroom, the recruits from the other classes were completely despondent. They felt like they had been unfairly blamed for something they hadn’t done. Despite their frustration, they didn’t dare utter a word. Every one of them hung their heads low in silence.
“Do you still believe that you’ve been wrongly accused?” Wu Jianfeng asked once more, his expression cold and stern.
“Who are they? They are soldiers. And so are you. You are comrades, brothers. But now, instead of supporting each other, you are at odds. What had happened to your unity? All you did was sit in your seats popping popcorn and enjoying the show. Do you truly believe you were innocent?”
Having said his piece, he turned around and glanced at the class presidents standing behind him.
“Each of you will write a 5,000-word self-reflection. Class monitors, take note of their names… Oh, and disregard the one who stepped out to seek help just now.”
With that, Wu Jianfeng turned on his heel and walked away.
They were left behind, along with a curious crowd who had just stood idly by. Among them was their class monitor.
As for Ye Sanshi, he had departed alongside the captain. He had summoned the members of Class Five for a jog, but he had stayed back because he hadn’t completed his task. Now he had to catch up.
“Class One, follow me!”
“Class Two…”
Once the company commander had departed, the squad leaders assumed their stern expressions and began summoning their respective squad members.
Copying the regulations could wait. For now, they had to address this issue first.
Although the company commander had already disciplined them with a 5,000-word self-reflection, their squad leaders still had a responsibility to educate them.
Admittedly, the company commander’s punishment was sufficient, and they wouldn’t impose any further penalties. However, a reprimand was inevitable.
Inside Class 5’s dormitory, the partially open door allowed everyone inside to lean against it and engage in hushed conversations.
“Brother Wang, what exactly happened? Why did Old Wan and the others start a fight?”
“I have no idea. The instructor arrived too quickly. I saw them coming down, but I couldn’t even ask them!”
“Why are you so clueless? We’ll all be in trouble if a fight breaks out here!”
Inside the dormitory, some individuals were curious, while others were filled with anxiety.
In reality, as soon as they heard the commotion, they halted their push-ups and rushed out. They had heard that some students from their class were involved in the altercation.
However, before they could reach the scene, the instructor coincidentally arrived and called them back, along with those from other classes who had also rushed out.
Huddled in the dormitory, they genuinely had no knowledge of what had transpired.
“The squad leader and the company commander are coming down!” Gu Yingnan whispered suddenly.
Of course, it was evident to everyone. The Class Five students hiding near the slightly ajar door caught a glimpse of the corridor’s situation.
However, neither the captain nor Ye Sanshi appeared.
“Step aside, I’ll go and find out!” Wang Ye declared abruptly.
He had made up his mind to leave.
When the instructor had called them away, he had brought Liang Fan and the other three individuals who had just descended the stairs.
At that time, Wang Ye and the others didn’t dare to venture outside.
But now, seeing that it was Ye Sanshi and the company commander, the others hesitated while Wang Ye did not.
“Alright!”
The others swiftly made way, and Wang Ye promptly opened the door and darted out.
“Squad leader, company commander!” Wang Ye caught up with them on the stairs.
“Why did you come out?” Ye Sanshi turned around with a serious expression.
“I wanted to ask what happened!” Wang Ye replied earnestly.
Wu Jianfeng glanced at Wang Ye and spoke with indifference, “This doesn’t concern you. Go back and get some sleep!”
“Yes, sir!” Although Wang Ye felt a tinge of disappointment, he had no choice but to comply if the company commander had made up his mind.
After all, he had taken the chance to ask, but the response was clear.
Ye Sanshi added, “Take care of maintaining order in the class. Don’t create any disturbances when I’m not around.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Brother Wang!” Gu Yingnan and the others approached him as they returned to the dormitory.
“You must have heard something, right? Forget it, let’s continue with our push-ups. Then we’ll lie down and wait!”
“What? You still want to continue?” Gu Yingnan whispered incredulously.
Wang Ye shot him a stern look. “Don’t talk nonsense. This is our original training objective. Besides, it’s about strengthening our bodies. Since we’re fine, we shouldn’t stop!”
Deep down, Wang Ye knew that it would be impossible for everyone to fall asleep now. Instead of allowing idle chatter to fill the room, it was better to complete the training task assigned by Ye Sanshi.
As for Wan Baojiang…
There was nothing they could do at the moment. They would have to wait for their return.
Unbeknownst to Wang Ye, the fight had actually been instigated because of him.
Downstairs, Wan Baojiang and the other three individuals were not partaking in the jogging activity.
After being brought downstairs by the instructor, they began explaining the situation.
However, with the arrival of the company commander and Ye Sanshi, they were almost done with their explanations.
After giving a quick glance to the captain and Ye Sanshi, the officer turned his attention back to the four individuals in front of him. “There is discipline within the military camp. Violence is not the solution. If something like this happens again, call the class monitor. Understood?”
“Understood!” The four of them nodded, though their true feelings might have been begrudging.
“Alright, Squad Leader Ye, I’m handing them over to you. Tomorrow, they will be confined and required to write a 5,000-word self-reflection,” the officer declared.
Ye Sanshi looked at Wu Jianfeng.
“Why are you looking at me? Do you have any objections to the instructor’s decision?” Wu Jianfeng responded.
“No, no!” Ye Sanshi hastily shook his head.
In reality, when Liang Fan informed them about the fight, Ye Sanshi had intended for them to escape. He had instructed them to hit the road, but his intention was for them to run away and return later when the situation had settled. However, they hadn’t anticipated being caught by the instructor.
“Hmph, the instructor has already reprimanded and punished you. I won’t say anything more.
But all four of you, remember this.
If there’s a next time, be prepared to run until you drop dead on the track!”
With that, Wu Jianfeng shifted his gaze towards Ye Sanshi. “Take them for a run. You’ll lead them. Run for an hour, or don’t bother coming back.”
“Yes, sir!” Ye Sanshi replied firmly.
Upstairs, Wang Ye overheard the company commander’s final words.
“Oh no, one hour of running? I might just vomit blood!”
“I never expected Zhang Ping’an to actually make a move.”
“And Qin Li too? These four guys are really daring!”
Inside the dormitory, everyone was still lying down. However, upon hearing the commotion downstairs, someone couldn’t help but speak up.
“Alright, enough talking. Anyone who speaks again will have to do an extra fifty push-ups…”
At that moment, Wang Ye intervened, his voice carrying authority.
His words instantly silenced the dormitory.
Of course, even though they had been in the army for half a month, most of them struggled with a hundred push-ups in one go. It was the culmination of their training over the past few weeks.
Adding fifty more seemed almost impossible.
No one uttered a word. In the dormitory, only the sound of Wang Ye’s continuous counting and the rhythm of his push-ups could be heard.
Seven to eight minutes later, he completed the squats and push-ups.
Everyone then returned to lying on their beds.
Silence proved to be impossible, and true sleep eluded them. Five empty beds served as a reminder of the absent classmates.
Whispers and discussions continued in hushed tones among the remaining students, but Wang Ye no longer paid much attention to them.
As he lay on his bed, Wang Ye himself pondered why they had acted so impulsively. The question lingered in his mind.