novelzi Chapter 22 - The New Soldiers Arrive—Like Grandma Liu Entering the Grand View Garden!
Chapter 22 - The New Soldiers Arrive—Like Grandma Liu Entering the Grand View Garden!
Chapter 22: The New Soldiers Arrive—Like Grandma Liu Entering the Grand View Garden!
The First Squad barracks buzzed with excitement. A group of fresh recruits crowded around Chen Xiwa, eyes wide with surprise.
“Wow, Xiwa! You’re heading to the Recon Unit?!”
“Man, I didn’t see that coming!”
Chen Xiwa scratched his head, grinning awkwardly. “To be honest... I didn’t either.”
While envy was natural, no one in the squad resented him. Chen Xiwa had always been a simple, kind-hearted guy. If anyone deserved it, it was him. But amidst the chatter and laughter, one person sat in silence.
Zhuang Yan.
He perched on the edge of his bed, staring at the ground. A deep frown creased his face as he watched the others celebrate. Chen Xiwa noticed immediately.
“Zhuang?”
He broke free from the group and rushed over.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhuang Yan sighed and forced a bitter smile.
He tossed his cap and uniform onto Chen Xiwa’s bed.
“Here. They’re yours now.”
Chen Xiwa blinked. “What? Why?”
Zhuang Yan let out a hollow chuckle.
“Because I’m not going anywhere. No unit, no orders. Looks like I’m getting kicked out.”
The room fell silent.
“That’s not true!”
Chen Xiwa’s voice rose with urgency.
“Zhuang, think about it! You’re the second university recruit in our whole regiment. You’re a role model! The army wouldn’t just—”
“Bullshit.”
Zhuang Yan cut him off.
“If they didn’t want me, they should’ve just said so! I’m not begging to stay.”
His voice was harsh, but beneath it was hurt.
“Attention!”
“ATTENTION, ZHUANG YAN!”
A voice thundered through the barracks. Zhuang Yan’s muscles tensed. Out of pure instinct, he snapped to attention.
Lin Yi stood at the entrance, clad in his crisp green uniform.
On his shoulders—an Upper Sergeant’s insignia.
Footsteps.
A new voice cut through the air.
“Took me long enough to come get you, huh?”
Everyone turned their heads. It was Captain Miao.
.........................................................................................................
Captain Miao smirked. “You’ve been to the Recon Unit often enough. Thought I’d come pick you up myself.”
Lin Yi grinned. “Gotta enjoy the perks of being a rookie, right?”
The First Squad stared in shock.
Captain Miao was personally here for Zhuang Yan.
Miao turned to Zhuang Yan.
“Where’s your uniform?”
Chen Xiwa rushed to grab it.
“Here, sir!”
Miao tossed the uniform at Zhuang Yan.
“Put it on.”
Zhuang Yan hesitated. “...But no unit wanted me.”
Miao raised an eyebrow. “Says who?”
Zhuang Yan blinked. Miao grinned.
“You’re coming with me. Welcome to the Recon Unit.”
The entire squad fell silent. It made no sense that Zhuang Yan... got into the Recon Unit after punching a sergeant. Even Zhuang Yan himself was too stunned to react.
Chen Xiwa laughed and shoved him forward.
“Go on! What are you waiting for?!”
Zhuang Yan’s hands shook slightly as he grabbed the uniform.
The gold stripe on his shoulder... felt different now.
A deep breath. He threw on his uniform, shouldered his pack, and followed Miao out the door.
As they walked, Miao glanced at Lin Yi.
“You were right about him.”
Lin Yi smirked. “Told you he had potential.”
Zhuang Yan’s journey wasn’t over. It was just beginning.