Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

Xu Sanduo looked at Yuan Lang with a puzzled expression. "I don't understand."

Yuan Lang smiled and looked at Xu Sanduo, who was still standing perfectly still. He pointed to the side and said, "Don't just stand there. Get a stool and sit down."

While Xu Sanduo turned around to move a stool, Yuan Lang felt that the insole was a bit uncomfortable. He looked around to put down his water cup, but couldn't find a suitable place for it.

Just then, Xu Sanduo returned with a stool and sat down on the ground. Yuan Lang immediately handed him a water cup, saying, "Here you go."

Just as Xu Sanduo was about to turn around and put the cup on the table, Yuan Lang waved his hand, "Sit, sit, sit, no need to stand up."

Xu Sanduo had no choice but to sit down again with his cup in hand.

Yuan Lang took off his leather shoes and began to tidy up his insoles.

There was nothing he could do; the insoles he wore today were the same size as his shoes—three-piece leather shoes issued by the military, which were on the stiffer side and had a wider insole.

The more you walk, the more likely your insoles will slip out, which is both uncomfortable and unsightly. He's been putting up with it for a while now, and it's a good time to tidy them up in Xu Sanduo's dormitory.

As he tidied up the insoles, he glanced at Xu Sanduo and said, "Well, I'm here to recruit soldiers."

Your soldiers are recruited from the local area, while my soldiers are selected from among the existing soldiers, understand?

Xu Sanduo blinked innocently and handed the water cup back to Yuan Lang. To put it another way, he understood the meaning of the words, but he didn't understand what it had to do with him.

Yuan Lang took the water glass and continued, "I read your resume, it's very interesting. I'd really like to see you again. The last time I saw you, you were just a reckless and impulsive young man."

This time, to borrow your words, he's just an average soldier, neither good nor bad, neither high nor low rank.

After saying that, Yuan Lang took a sip of water.

Xu Sanduo smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm just a soldier."

"Yes, he's a very well-behaved soldier. He's not too anxious and can endure loneliness. Many people are anxious every day, afraid of not getting what they want or being lonely. I like people who aren't anxious."

As he spoke, Yuan Lang fell into deep thought, recalling many people, including many soldiers with excellent military skills, whom he looked down upon for this very reason.

Xu Sanduo smiled and interrupted Yuan Lang's thoughts, "I... I still don't understand what you mean by recruiting soldiers, what does that have to do with me?"

……

Yuan Lang smiled and interrupted Xu Sanduo, "It's alright, you'll understand in a few days."

As he spoke, he leaned forward and said, "Hey, even if this is a home visit, what else do they do besides home visits when recruiting soldiers?"

Xu Sanduo answered without hesitation, "Physical examination, to check whether the soldiers are qualified."

"Hmm," Yuan Lang responded calmly, then commanded in a loud voice, "Xu Sanduo, stand up and turn around."

As Xu Sanduo executed the order flawlessly, he stretched out his foot and gave Xu Sanduo a light kick.

Xu Sanduo swayed slightly, but his balance remained steady, and his movements did not falter at all.

Yuan Lang nodded in satisfaction. "Turn around and sit down."

His smile widened. "In a few days, someone will notify you to go for a medical check-up. I'll be the one conducting the check-up."

Xu Sanduo was a little confused. "A physical examination?"

Yuan Lang didn't answer, but walked to the table and poured himself another glass of water.

Xu Sanduo asked curiously, "Isn't a home visit only conducted after a physical exam is passed?"

Yuan Lang smiled and pointed to his head, saying, "Xu Sanduo, use your brain."

As he spoke, he picked up his cup and sat back down in his chair. After gesturing for Xu Sanduo to sit down, he looked at Xu Sanduo's still somewhat bewildered expression and said, "I can only tell you that it's very difficult."

Saying anything more would be against the rules.

Seeing Xu Sanduo's expression change from confusion to surprise, Yuan Lang was a little annoyed. "What kind of expression is that? You seem to be saying that since I broke the rules, why did I even say anything?"

Xu Sanduo nodded. "Yes, that's what I think."

"Okay, then let me ask you, if you pass, are you willing to leave here and go to a place that is basically completely unfamiliar? Answer me." Yuan Lang spoke very quickly, as if he couldn't wait to know the answer.

"I..." Xu Sanduo paused for a moment, his gaze immediately avoiding Yuan Lang's eyes. He was a little unsure how to answer; he didn't want to leave this familiar place.

But he was also a soldier, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders.

"Don't be in a daze, sergeant. I, Yuan Lang, never use force to take people away. Think it over carefully," Yuan Lang said without urging him. He was very patient with this sergeant who could endure loneliness.

Since there was no one else around, Yuan Lang spoke quite openly and honestly. After he finished speaking, he stared straight at Xu Sanduo, eagerly awaiting his answer.

"I," Xu Sanduo glanced at the empty dormitory, "don't know, but I'm a soldier, I obey orders."

He spoke his mind directly.

Yuan Lang grinned. "I don't want to obey orders. I want your own ideas."

Xu Sanduo fell silent; he hadn't figured out his own thoughts.

Yuan Lang crossed his legs again, glanced around the dormitory, and finally looked out the window. "There are some things here that you're afraid you'll lose if you change environments, right?"

Xu Sanduo nodded firmly, "Yes, yes." The Seventh Steel Company was the most unique place for him, where there were so many people and things that were very meaningful to him.

Here, Shi Jin gave him the first warmth in his life; here, he transformed from a coward into a good son. Here, he went from a weak soldier to the veteran in Wu Liuyi's eyes—not everyone deserves to be called a veteran by Wu Liuyi.

Although the Seventh Company has been reorganized and many people have left, he still feels very comfortable here, just like at home.

But he also told his squad leader and deputy company commander that he would work hard to improve his skills in killing the enemy and defending his country, which was the most meaningful thing.

So he was conflicted. He felt that Yuan Lang's direct gaze seemed to see right through him, yet he was also very patient with him. He felt that the answer Yuan Lang wanted to hear was that he was willing.

However, he couldn't bring himself to say it, because he hadn't figured it out himself.

Looking at Xu Sanduo with his head down, Yuan Lang leaned forward and asked, "How old are you?"

Xu Sanduo looked up, a little confused, and asked, "What's your age?"

How old are you?

"Twenty-two."

"what?"

"Twenty-two," Xu Sanduo repeated.

"You look like you're seventy-two," Yuan Lang said, sitting up straight.

Xu Sanduo quickly spoke up, "I, I really am twenty-two."

Yuan Lang shook his head. "What age is twenty-two? You eat at twelve, and you're hungry again at 12:30. When it comes to pursuing something, it can be summed up in two words: novelty."

As he spoke, he held up two fingers and continued, "Are you excited? Your life is definitely not exciting. Twenty-two? That's nonsense."

Besides, you're not exactly twenty-two, are you? I remember your birthday in your file; by Western reckoning, you're only in your early twenties, not even twenty-one yet.