Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

"Yes, sir!" the recruits answered in unison, quickening their pace and running forward with all their might.

Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang continued to run side by side at the front, their speed increasing.

Qi Tongwei could feel his body getting more and more tired and his throat getting drier and drier.

But his heart was filled with strength.

This life must be better than the last.

You must rely on your own abilities to overcome all difficulties and realize your ambitions.

Zhao Guoqiang glanced at Qi Tongwei and said, "Qi Tongwei, it seems we're going to have to compete for first place."

Qi Tongwei smiled and said, "Alright, let's have a race and see who can reach the finish line first!"

The two smiled at each other and quickened their pace, running towards the finish line.

Cheng Du followed closely behind them, already panting heavily, but still gritting his teeth and persevering, "Tongwei, Guoqiang, wait for me! I'm number one!"

Zhang Qi, Liu Hailong, Guo Fendou, and others also ran forward with all their might.

Finally, the final sprint has begun.

Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang walked forward side by side, equally matched.

Their faces were covered in sweat as they sprinted toward the finish line, toward their goal.

Cheng Du, Zhang Qi, Liu Hailong, Guo Fendou, and others also exerted their last bit of strength, sprinting forward with all their might. Although they lagged behind Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang, they still did not give up and continued to run hard.

Zhao Ruilong was completely exhausted. He collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, covered in sweat and dust, and could no longer run.

He lay on the ground, looking at the sky, tears streaming down his face. "I can't run anymore, I really can't run anymore... I want to go home, I miss my dad, second sister, please save me... I hate Zhao Lichun, I hate Li Dakang, I never want to be a soldier again..."

Liu Xinjian softened his heart and scolded Zhao Ruilong before calling over another soldier.

The two men supported Zhao Ruilong and slowly walked towards the finish line.

Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang crossed the finish line at the same time, tied for first place.

A satisfied smile spread across Lu Guangrong's face as he nodded. "Well done! You two have a good foundation! Don't get arrogant!"

"Yes, sir!" Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang replied in unison.

Qi Tongwei slept soundly that night.

Some people say that Zhao Ruilong didn't return until 9 p.m. that night. He went straight to sleep and slept like a log.

Persevere, grit your teeth and persevere.

If you can't hold on any longer, keep going.

Zhao Ruilong managed to hold on, albeit with difficulty.

Qi Tongwei and Zhao Guoqiang quickly stood out among the new recruits.

Kyoto.

The Zhao Family Courtyard.

Wu Shuang held the phone, her wrinkles crinkling into a wide smile, her voice booming so loud it could be heard in the Intermediate People's Court, "My eldest grandson is so promising! He's only been in the army for a short time, but he's already risen from deputy squad leader to deputy platoon leader, much better than your father was back then."

Your dad was a platoon leader back in the day, and he almost broke his leg while fighting with bayonets...

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is strong, especially since Zhao Guoqiang is Zhao Mengsheng's only son.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Shuang placed the receiver on the table with great pride.

He turned to his son Zhao Mengsheng and daughter-in-law Liu Lan and began to talk about it.

Zhao Mengsheng, dressed in a crisp military uniform, was sitting to the side wiping his medals.

Liu Lan walked over with a cup of hot tea and said with a smile, "Mom, please don't belittle Meng Sheng. Guoqiang specifically said on the phone that his comrade-in-arms Qi Tongwei is particularly good. The two of them compete in training, and Guoqiang has never won against him."

Zhao Mengsheng put down his medals, raised his eyes, and said in a steady tone, "Yes, I've heard about this kid before. He won first place in the comprehensive skills competition of the Northern Frontier Military Region. I heard he's top-notch in shooting and hand-to-hand combat."

"That's right!" Wu Shuang slapped her thigh, her voice even louder. "Guoqiang even told me that Qi Tongwei's sniping skills are second to none! Mengsheng, why don't you transfer this promising talent to your side? Three generations of our family have served in the military, from your grandfather carrying a rifle to fight the Japanese, to you going to the battlefield to guard the border, and then to Guoqiang wearing a military uniform."

Zhao Mengsheng shook his head. "Mom, that's not appropriate. Qi Tongwei is a graduate student at Handong University. Guoqiang also said that if it weren't for Liang Lu using her family's influence to suppress him, he wouldn't have been assigned to that remote mountain village of Guyingling. It's a waste of his talent."

Wu Shuang's face darkened. "What nonsense is Handong doing?"

A graduate student with a wealth of skills, yet he was bullied like this!

I'll make a call right now and ask them what's going on in Handong!

"Mom, please don't be impulsive," Zhao Mengsheng quickly stopped her. "It would be a shame if people said you were still active after retiring. I've already spoken to Guoqiang and told him to tell Qi Tongwei that if anyone dares to bully him again, he should say my name, Zhao Mengsheng, and that I'm his uncle!"

Uncle Zhao Mengsheng.

Wu Shuang smiled and nodded: "Yes, that makes sense! Then I'll be Qi Tongwei's grandma, and we'll both support him!"

I just don't know if the child would be willing, since we're not related by blood.

We come from a military family and cherish talent the most; we can't stand to see promising young people go unnoticed.

"Meng Sheng, the last time was when you went to the battlefield, I was so anxious that I called the front-line command in the middle of the night. I almost scared your commander, who said that this old lady was fiercer than the artillery fire on the front lines!"

Liu Lan smiled and smoothed things over: "Mom, you became famous that time. Everyone in the command post knew that Zhao Mengsheng's mother was no ordinary person."

"Liu Lan, is this a good thing or a bad thing? I think it might be better if I don't know anything. But I'm a mother." Wu Shuang felt a pang of sadness as she thought of her comrades who had sacrificed their lives in battle over the years, as well as the younger generation who had passed away.

Zhao Mengsheng comforted her, "Mom, you did nothing wrong. It was my fault back then."

Look how great our country is now.

A country must exist before a family can exist.

Our family is getting better and better.

Guoqiang has been practicing marching with you in the courtyard since he was a child. He was three years old when he picked up a toy gun, and he could recite military regulations by the age of five. At the age of seven, he went to the shooting range with me and hit the bullseye on his first shooting attempt.

Back then, you said that this child was born to be a soldier, and that he must dedicate his life to the military, so that the military spirit of the Zhao family could not be broken.

"Of course!" Wu Shuang's mood improved a bit. "Our Zhao family has served in the military for three generations, and no one has ever deserted or sought a life of leisure! Your father was a hero too, it's such a pity he's gone. I miss him so much!"

Guoqiang is currently training in the northern border region; he'll be serving in the military for the rest of his life, carrying on the military spirit of the Zhao family!

Liu Lan nodded. "Mom, don't worry. Guoqiang said on the phone that he wants to stay in the army for the rest of his life and protect the beautiful land of our motherland. He also said that Qi Tongwei has a lot of tenacity and, like him, considers the army his home."

Wu Shuang took a sip of tea and put down the teacup. "That's right!"

Both Guoqiang and Qi Tongwei are promising talents!

We won't make exceptions for them, but we also can't let promising talents suffer.

Meng Sheng, if you have the chance, tell Guo Qiang that if Qi Tongwei is in trouble, he should just ask for help.

Although our Zhao family doesn't seek special privileges, we must protect our own in crucial moments.

Zhao Mengsheng had already regarded Qi Tongwei as his nephew. "Mom, don't worry, I will have the opportunity to go to the northern border region."

Qi Tongwei is a promising talent; he's already a platoon leader.

Let him grow naturally, and we'll give him a push when it's crucial.

Northern Xinjiang Military Region.

Qi Tongwei called Gao Yuliang, "Teacher, this is Tongwei."

On the other end of the phone, Gao Yuliang's voice immediately came through, sounding somewhat excited, "Tongwei? Is there more good news?"

Gao Yuliang was used to it; every time Qi Tongwei called, it was always with good news.

"Yes, teacher." Qi Tongwei smiled. "I've been promoted to platoon leader, and I wanted to share the good news with you."