Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

At the entrance to the Third Battalion's garrison, the sentry checked the military region's license plates and passes, and after confirming that all the documents were genuine, saluted and let them pass.

As the vehicle slowly came to a stop, Zhang Anbang saw a very quiet barracks where a first-term sergeant was sweeping the floor.

Zhang Anbang stuck his head out of the car window and said, "Hey, soldier, why aren't you training? What are you doing cleaning up at this hour?"

The first-term sergeant who was sweeping the yard in the barracks was startled when he heard the voice. In his memory, it had been a very long time since anyone had spoken to him at this time.

He was especially familiar with the voice, and even more familiar with those six words. He had heard them when the freight car that had just arrived at the military base opened its doors.

He heard this after he made a gesture he hadn't done since, in front of an outstretched tank cannon.

The first-term sergeant quickly turned around, then ran over with a broom in hand. His somewhat tanned face beamed with a wide smile, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "Deputy, deputy company commander, what brings you here?"

"Put that away, Xu Sanduo," Zhang Anbang said, getting out of the car. "It's only been a short time since we last met, and you've started stuttering too. If the company commander were here, he'd think you were copying him and would definitely kick your ass."

As for why I came, nothing much, I was just passing by 702 and thought I'd drop by to see you.

"Hehe, Deputy Company Commander, no, I was just a little excited and a little too happy," Xu Sanduo said, then remembered that he was still holding a broom and quickly ran to put it away at the tools station.

"Deputy Company Commander, let's go to the duty room. There's hot water there, I'll make you some tea," Xu Sanduo said with a smile, scratching the back of his head.

Xu Sanduo was overjoyed to see the deputy company commander again after half a year. On the way to the duty room, Xu Sanduo chattered on and on.

Well, Xu Sanduo has changed. Although he wasn't as timid as he was when he first came to the Seventh Company, he still didn't seem as steady.

Half a year later, although he was chattering away just now and seemed very lively, he gave off a different feeling; it was a calm and composed one.

He has that calm and collected demeanor, a sense of having a firm footing in his heart, and a quieter, more determined, and bright look in his eyes. He's the kind of good soldier you can trust at a glance.

This is more reassuring than when they said that the most meaningful thing to do was to hone their skills in killing enemies, protect their homes and country, and safeguard the people.

The saying "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure" is so true. Zhang Anbang found that many times, he only truly understood Wang Qingrui's intentions after experiencing certain things.

For example, Xu Sanduo had long guessed Wang Qingrui's intentions, but seeing him now, he truly admired Uncle Wang.

"Xu Sanduo, Squad Leader Xu, how have you been lately?" Zhang Anbang lit a cigarette and tossed one to Xu Sanduo.

"Deputy Company Commander, I... I don't smoke," Xu Sanduo said with a smile, waving his hand. Then his eyes reddened. "Deputy Company Commander, it's really hard to be alone."

I miss you all, I miss the squad leader, I miss Squad Leader Wu, I miss Agan. Sometimes when I fall asleep, I feel like everyone is there, but when I open my eyes, it's just me alone, and the rest of the place is empty.

I set up the chairs myself and organized the class meeting in front of the empty chairs.

I asked myself again and again, Xu Sanduo, do you understand the Steel Seventh Company?

"Deputy Company Commander, I think I understand the Steel Seventh Company now. Actually, the Steel Seventh Company isn't that mysterious; it's just those six words: 'Never abandon, never give up.' I truly understand that now."

……

Zhang Anbang listened quietly to Xu Sanduo's words, his expression gradually becoming serious. To be honest, he really admired Xu Sanduo.

He guarded this empty barracks alone for half a year. If he were in his place, Zhang Anbang didn't know how he would have done it.

Three new banners have appeared on the wall of the duty room. Judging from the dates, they were recently received, meaning they were earned by Xu Sanduo during the six months he guarded the barracks alone.

Two companies are model of hygiene, and one is an advanced unit in internal affairs.

Yes, it's a very formal company honor. However, this honor was earned through the combined efforts of all 100-plus people in the company in the past, and now Xu Sanduo has received it all by himself.

It's called a collective honor, a company honor, but it's really Xu Sanduo's personal honor. That's really impressive.

Zhang Anbang patted Xu Sanduo on the shoulder, "Great job, Xu Sanduo, you are really great. You are now a very excellent soldier. Even the company commander would say that if he were here."

Let alone you alone, in many small places, or barracks like the Seventh Company that have been reorganized but not yet cleared out, or remote garrisons like the Fifth Platoon on the grassland, even three or five people will most likely have to herd sheep.

You were the only one who persisted and did a very good job. I just came over and took a quick look, and it's great, exactly the same as before, still so clean and solemn.

You upheld the last vestiges of dignity for the Seventh Company.

Xu Sanduo scratched his head a little embarrassedly, "Hehe, deputy company commander, no, I have to find something to do by myself. It was just a habit at first."

Later, the company commander said that people should travel in pairs or in rows of three, and that everything should remain the same, including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. This was the company commander's order, and I have been doing it according to his orders ever since.

Every day was the same as before for the Seventh Company: training, cleaning, eating, and digesting. I didn't do much.

"Haha," Zhang Anbang laughed. He was beginning to understand why Wang Qingrui valued soldiers like Xu Sanduo so much, not just because he knew the outcome beforehand.

Instead, he gained a real understanding. He also understood why Wang Qingrui was so determined to keep Xu Sanduo hidden. Such soldiers may seem ordinary, but when they actually get to work, they are very reliable and trustworthy.

"That's impressive. You've kept up with the company commander's order for six months. What would you do if there were no new orders?" Zhang Anbang was in a good mood. This was the true Steel Seventh Company.

The spirit of the Steel Seventh Company was fully displayed in this once-despised soldier.

"Huh?" Xu Sanduo was stunned for a moment. "Deputy Company Commander, I haven't received any new orders, so I continued to carry out the previous orders. However, I also made a mistake. Deputy Company Commander, please criticize me."

Zhang Anbang's desire to have some fun immediately arose. He was very curious about what mistake Xu Mumu, this honest and simple guy, had made this time, and why he had admitted it so readily. "Tell me, what mistake did you make? I want to hear it."

"I," Xu Sanduo's grin vanished completely, replaced by a serious expression, "I used the company's TV to watch the DVDs the company commander gave me. I... I used them for personal purposes. This... this is wrong."