Chapter 27: If It Is Not Earned, I Do Not Want It

"So, I heard from Old Pao that you want to sign up for the scout training camp?"

In the company office, Company Commander Miao accepted the tea Su Yang had brewed for him, took a gentle sip, and looked up at Su Yang, who was standing upright in his uniform, with a look of intrigued interest.

"Yes, Commander. Since I’ve become a scout, I naturally want to become the best one. That is my conviction," Su Yang replied, his expression solemn.

"Good, not bad. You’re worthy of being one of my soldiers—you’ve got guts. However, even though you’ve performed well lately, don’t expect me to just hand you a spot. You’ll have to fight for it yourself!" Commander Miao was very satisfied with Su Yang’s answer; he admired his confidence.

"Of course, Commander. If I didn't earn it myself, I wouldn't want it even if you gave it to me," Su Yang said.

"Very well. Then get ready. The company will hold a selection process soon; if you win, you go," Commander Miao said with a wave.

"Yes, Commander!" With permission granted, Su Yang saluted and left.

After Su Yang departed, Commander Miao glanced at Zhuang Yan, who was by the door helping organize files, and asked suddenly, "Xiao Zhuang, look at your fellow recruit. He’s already preparing for scout training. Don’t you want to go?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head. "Reporting to Commander Miao, I think the company is a good place to be. I won’t go. I can still learn plenty from Platoon Leader Chen and the others."

Commander Miao’s face darkened immediately. "A real man shouldn’t just hide in one place his whole life. You need to go out and see the world."

"Commander Miao, I..."

"That’s enough. You’re going too. You’ll participate in the trials along with him," Commander Miao interrupted before Zhuang Yan could explain further.

"Yes!" Zhuang Yan had no choice but to agree.

...

The day of the scout training selection arrived.

Early in the morning, instead of the usual mountain-climbing drills, there was no morning exercise or physical training. The kitchen staff even went a step further; instead of the usual steamed buns, chive dumplings, pickled vegetables, and porridge, they served sweet buns and meat dumplings, replaced the porridge with soy milk, and swapped the standard pickles for stir-fried pork with chili.

The reason was twofold: the soldiers competing needed to replenish their energy, and several regimental officers, who rarely appeared, were present. After breakfast, everyone gathered, and the soldiers began checking their weapons and gear on the sidelines of the training field.

Today’s assessment covered everything, which is why it was difficult for new recruits to make it into the training camp in their first year. Having only been with the company for a few months, one could be exceptional at a few things, but it was impossible to excel at everything. The sheer volume of training required was enough to overwhelm any recruit without natural talent.

The veterans participating were nervous, however, because there was an anomaly among the recruits—someone whose private training sessions had brought him nearly level with their own performance.

Two regimental staff officers soon arrived. Commander Miao had Platoon Leader Chen assemble the troops, announce the assessment content and schedule, and then sent them off. The annual scout training selection had finally begun.

First was the armed cross-country race—the classic mountain climb. Su Yang, carrying his gear, reached the destination first. In his daily training, he usually ran carrying four rifles and was still at the front of the pack; today, with only one, it felt effortless.

Next were Zhuang Yan and Sun Weihao, arriving one after the other. Xi Wa lagged behind, finishing in seventh place.

"Good! Worthy of being from the First Squad—two in the top five and three in the top ten!" Zheng Sanpao caught a panting Xi Wa at the finish line and looked over at Su Yang and the others, who were already resting, with a grin. As a veteran, he wasn't participating, so he had been assigned to wait at the finish line.

"Su Yang, Sun Weihao, keep it up! Beat them! Show them what the First Squad is made of!" Old Pao cheered excitedly.

...

After the five-kilometer run, all the squads were stretching on the grass beside the field.

"Xiao Zhuang, why did you enter? I thought you said you weren't interested," Xi Wa asked curiously, watching Zhuang Yan rub his sore legs.

Su Yang also looked over. He was curious about Zhuang Yan’s reasons, as he wasn't sure if this training camp had been part of the original story.

"I didn't want to either. Commander Miao forced me, and I already promised him I’d be a good scout," Zhuang Yan replied, giving Su Yang a sideways glance. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have been pushed into this.

The whispers didn't last long before the next event began: the 500-meter obstacle course. This was more difficult than the 400-meter course from recruit training. Su Yang had only learned after joining the company that different branches had different requirements; for the army reconnaissance company, it was the 500-meter course.

While the Marines dealt with island courses and beach sprints, each more grueling than the last, Su Yang didn't need to worry about that. He just had to run his 500 meters well.

"Su Yang, go for it!" The other recruits cheered for him. They knew their own limits—they were just there to make up the numbers—so they hoped their fellow recruit would bring them some glory.

"Xi Wa, two minutes and twenty-three seconds! Sun Weihao, two minutes and fifteen seconds!"

As Sun Weihao’s time was announced, he was currently in first place. Su Yang took a deep breath and prepared himself. He wasn't afraid of Sun Weihao—in their daily training, he had caught up and sometimes even surpassed him—but he knew the guy was formidable.

"Whistle!" As the signal sounded, Su Yang surged forward.

Compared to recruit training, he was much more proficient with these obstacles. Even with his rifle and gear, he moved with remarkable speed. He cleared the obstacles with sharp, precise movements and then quickly dove into the tunnel, crawling through. The tunnel was several meters long, and one wrong move could cost precious time, but Su Yang had the experience now.

Finally, Su Yang crossed the finish line, his legs feeling like jelly.

The regimental staffer announced the time. "Su Yang, two minutes and nine seconds!"

The veterans were stunned once again. "Damn, he broke the company record!"

In the ranks, Platoon Leader Chen looked at Su Yang happily and said to Commander Miao, "Commander, Su Yang broke the record."

"Hahaha, excellent! The kid really has guts. He said he’d fight for it, and he did. It looks like he’s a lock for the training camp," Commander Miao said, clearly pleased. Having a soldier break a record meant the new blood was strong. "Now, let’s see what this kid Zhuang Yan can do. I hope he gives us a surprise too."