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

Upon hearing this, the dejection on Cheng Du's face gradually faded. "Yes, senior, thank you."

Senior, you're a graduate student, what kind of unit can you be assigned to?

I think at worst, I'll be assigned to be the head of some police station.

As for me, I'd probably only get a beat cop job at best.

Qi Tongwei shook his head. "Chengdu, you're thinking too simply. What we lack most in Handong is not leaders, but people who can get things done."

Let me ask you a question: Do you really want to be a beat cop?

Don't you ever think about the long term and have a career plan?

Cheng Du paused for a moment, then scratched his head, his tone somewhat bewildered: "What career planning?"

We simply obey orders and follow commands. Wherever we're sent, we go. I come from a poor family, have little education, and am not handsome.

Others have a choice, but I don't.

Qi Tongwei's lips curled up slightly. "Actually, we can choose for ourselves."

Cheng Du's eyes widened, and he asked with a face full of curiosity, "What choice?"

Qi Tongwei said, word by word, "I'm signing up for the army."

"Joining the army?" Cheng Du exclaimed as if he had heard something unbelievable. "You're a graduate student, it's like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, a huge waste of your talent! It's an absolute waste of talent."

Qi Tongwei patted Cheng Du on the shoulder, "Cheng Du, not necessarily. You might regret joining the army for three years, but you'll regret not joining for a lifetime."

Just a few simple words, and the whole thing got incredibly exciting.

It's on fire.

"Alright, senior, since you're going, I'll go with you! I'll also sign up for the army. As long as I pass the physical exam, I won't even accept being assigned to the Public Security Bureau as a director; I'll join the army!"

Qi Tongwei clenched his fist. "Okay, it's a deal."

"Senior, I'll ride, I'll give you a ride!" Cheng Du leaped onto the bicycle, patted the back seat, and said, "Senior, we won't delay your registration!"

Qi Tongwei nodded, jumped onto the back of the bicycle, and said, "Brother, let's go."

The word "brother" was quite touching.

"Alright!" Cheng Du replied, pushing off with his feet.

The bicycle slowly drove out of the campus, heading towards the Jingzhou Municipal Armed Forces Department.

The bicycle bells rang out crisply and melodiously, echoing through the streets.

In those days, most people who joined the army were junior high school or high school students. It was extremely rare for college students to join the army, let alone a graduate student like Qi Tongwei.

Armed Forces Department of Jingzhou City.

The staff were handling the conscription registration in an orderly manner. Most of the applicants coming and going were young people with green faces and still carrying a sense of immaturity.

When Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du walked into the gate of the Armed Forces Department and explained that they were students from Handong University, one a graduate student and the other an undergraduate, and that they were there to enlist in the army, the staff member in charge of receiving them was instantly stunned, finding it hard to believe.

"You...you're from Handong University? One's a graduate student, the other an undergraduate?" The staff member repeatedly confirmed, his tone full of surprise. "Are you sure you want to enlist in the army? You're not kidding?"

Qi Tongwei nodded slightly, "I'm absolutely certain, I'm not joking, I'm genuinely here to enlist in the army."

Cheng Du chimed in, "Yes, we're sincere, and we'll never go back on our word!"

The staff member didn't dare to delay and immediately turned to find Minister Cao of the Armed Forces Department.

Minister Cao was also shocked when he heard the news.

He immediately put down his work and personally received Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du.

Minister Cao was in his forties, tall and upright, with a military bearing that exuded a unique fortitude and authority, and sharp eyes.

He sized up Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du, his gaze lingering on Qi Tongwei for a few more seconds. "You two, one a graduate student from Han University, the other an undergraduate, are giving up perfectly good jobs and opportunities for further study to join the army?"

Minister Cao suspected that their motives were impure or that it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

After all, in this era, being able to get into Handong University, especially as a graduate student, meant a bright future. Who would give up such a promising path to suffer in the military?

Qi Tongwei met Minister Cao's gaze without flinching. "Minister Cao, we're not joking. We really want to join the army."

"Why? Please give me a reason," Minister Cao pressed.

"Soldiers are the backbone of the nation and the guardians of the people. It is an honor and a responsibility for us, the new generation of youth, to wear the uniform and defend our country. If I don't carry a gun, who will?" Qi Tongwei answered with conviction.

"Good, very good!" Minister Cao looked at Cheng Du, "And you?"

Cheng Du immediately straightened his back. "I mean it! I don't want to live my whole life in a daze. I want to wear a military uniform, hone myself, and do something more meaningful!"

Minister Cao reminded you both: "I must remind you that joining the army is not a game, nor is it something you can give up halfway through on a whim."

Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du, if you sign up for the army and are recruited...

No matter where you are assigned to the most remote and arduous regions of the motherland, you must obey unconditionally!

If you disobey the army's arrangements and act on your own initiative, no matter which unit you are assigned to in the future, our armed forces department has the right to have you expelled from the army!

These words were spoken in a stern tone.

It was both a reminder and a warning, intended to test the two men's resolve, to see if they were truly prepared to join the army, if they could truly endure the hardships of military life, and if they could shoulder the responsibilities that soldiers should bear.

The surrounding staff also paid close attention, wanting to see what kind of answer these two top students from Handong University would give.

After all, in this era, it is truly commendable to have the courage to give up a promising future and voluntarily enlist in the army.

It's like they're forcing themselves to endure something they can't handle.

Qi Tongwei stated, "Don't worry! A real man's word is his bond. I have no regrets! I want to wear the military uniform, hone myself, and protect my country."

Cheng Du echoed, "Boss, I'm sure, I'm absolutely certain. I want to build a future with my own two hands!"

Even if we are assigned to the most remote and difficult places, we will never back down, and we will never regret it!

Minister Cao nodded. "Good! Well done!"

As expected of a top student from Handong University, he has backbone and a sense of responsibility!

In this era, to have young people like you who voluntarily give up superior conditions to join the army and defend our country is the pride of Handong and the pride of our army!

Minister Cao personally helped the two complete the registration procedures.

Minister Cao also explained the relevant precautions for joining the army to the two of them.

After completing the registration procedures, Minister Cao took Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du to undergo physical examinations.

The physical examination included very detailed tests, such as height, weight, vision, cardiopulmonary function, and blood routine tests.

Finally, all the physical examination items were completed one after another, and Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du's physical examination results were definitely qualified, fully meeting the standards for joining the army.

All that's left is to wait.

As I left the armed forces department, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon the streets.

Cheng Du hopped on his bicycle. "Senior, let me treat you to dinner!"

Qi Tongwei got into the back seat. "No need for you to treat me, I'll treat you. Today deserves a proper celebration."

Cheng Du didn't refuse, smiling and replying, "Alright! It's up to you, senior! Let's have a good drink and chat!"

The two of them found a small restaurant near Handong University.

It's not a large place, but it's very lively, mostly with students from Handong University.

After all, graduation season is approaching, and people sit together in twos and threes, drinking, chatting, and talking about the future.

Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du found a corner by the window to sit down, ordered a few small dishes and two bottles of wine, and waited for the waiter to bring the food.

Soon, the side dishes and liquor were served.

Cheng Du picked up the bottle, poured a glass for Qi Tongwei, and then poured one for himself.

Raising his glass, he said, "Brother Tongwei, come on, let me toast you! Thank you for bringing me along. From now on, we're brothers!"

Qi Tongwei raised his glass, "Good brother, Cheng Du, cheers! From now on, we'll fight side by side."

The two clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.