Chapter 27: Appointing the Deputy Class Monitor!

"You performed well today; you didn't embarrass me!"

Inside the Fourth Platoon's barracks, once they returned from dinner and the door was shut, the recruits stood in two rows. Old Wang scanned them from left to right. "Don't get cocky. Not embarrassing me is merely the most basic requirement for you now that you are soldiers."

The few recruits who had been smiling after receiving praise immediately composed themselves.

Old Wang continued, "You need to understand the shift in your identity. Before the platoons were assigned today, although you were wearing uniforms, you were still essentially civilians; you were just wearing different clothes. But from today on, things are different. You have officially begun your training. You are now soldiers-in-training!"

He paused for a moment, looking around at the recruits. "Don't ask me why it's still 'in-training.' It’s because you have only just begun! A true soldier must possess not only excellent military skills but must also meet standards in speech, conduct, and thought."

Old Wang held up three fingers. "Three months. The next three months will be the process of learning how to become a real soldier. During this time, I hope you will remain grounded and diligent."

"Can you do it?" he suddenly raised his voice.

"Yes!" The recruits stiffened, heads held high, responding in a loud, unified voice.

"Good. Now, I am announcing an appointment."

The suddenness of his statement left the recruits bewildered. What did he mean? An appointment? What kind of appointment? Of course, some recruits had their guesses. Li Guoping, for instance, glanced toward Chu An, who was standing diagonally across from him.

"I hereby announce that the position of Deputy Squad Leader for the Fourth Platoon of the First Company will be temporarily held by Comrade Chu An!"

The recruits of the Fourth Platoon were stunned; some even stared in disbelief. Everyone turned to look at Chu An. They knew Chu An was a bit different. When the platoons were being assigned, he had originally been picked by the Second Platoon Leader, but after it was over, he had been swapped into their platoon, and they had seen Old Wang personally ensure the transfer.

Later, during introductions, they learned he was the only high school graduate in the squad—an intellectual who had missed getting into university by only four points. But... was that enough to make him the deputy squad leader? Wasn't that too hasty? Being a soldier wasn't the same as studying! This was what everyone except Li Guoping was thinking.

Wang Qinghe clearly saw their reactions and spoke up again: "I acknowledge Chu An’s ability. This has nothing to do with his education, nor do I have any personal connection to him. I am appointing him deputy squad leader simply because his barracks maintenance is excellent. In just three days, the quilt he folded is the best I have ever seen among all the recruits."

Old Wang scanned the group. "Of course, if anyone is dissatisfied, you are free to challenge him from this point on." He smiled and held up one finger. "I don't care how other platoons do it, but here in the Fourth Platoon, the criteria for selecting the deputy squad leader is simple: folding quilts. Whoever can fold a better quilt than Chu An will take his place!"

Old Wang looked at Chu An. "Chu An, you heard that clearly?"

"Yes! I guarantee my quilt will always be the best-folded one in the squad!" Chu An stood tall and responded loudly.

Though he felt a bit strange about becoming a deputy squad leader based on quilt-folding, it was, regardless, a chance to stand out among his peers.

"Good, you all heard him! Deputy Squad Leader Chu has put it on the line. As long as his quilt isn't as good as yours, I will replace him without hesitation. So, work hard!"

The recruits remained silent, but as Chu An turned his head, he could see by their expressions that they were all bottling up their drive. Only Li Guoping kept a playful look on his face. He had no intention of competing for the deputy position. Over the past few days, he had witnessed with his own eyes how Chu An managed to fold his quilt into a "tofu block" that rivaled Old Wang’s. As for the rest of them? Despite trying their best to mimic the technique, their results always had various flaws. The other recruits had even whispered in their spare time that this was likely a matter of talent—much like studying, where in the same classroom with the same teacher, some could score perfectly while others would always fail.

*Beep-beep!*

"Assemble!"

Suddenly, a whistle blew outside, and the call to assemble sounded exceptionally stern.

Every recruit in the room turned toward the door. Even Old Wang looked puzzled. But in an instant, he said, "Let's go!"

Chu An was nearest to the door. While he wondered what was happening, he moved quickly, opening the door and being the first to step out.

Outside, recruits from other platoons were already running out. They didn't head to the drill ground but instead gathered in front of the dormitory building. When Chu An arrived, the first thing he saw was Tong Lianzhong’s grim face. Beside him were the instructor and that officer whose name no one yet knew.

It took about four or five minutes for the formation to complete. Some recruits had been in the restrooms, and when the whistle blew, their squad leaders had to scramble to call them out, leading to the slow assembly.

"Attention..." The First Platoon Leader began the routine of dressing the line.

But the next second...

"Enough with the dressing! Just follow!"

Each platoon in the First Company consisted of eleven men; it was easy to see if anyone was missing. Tong Lianzhong gave the order with a dark expression and immediately turned to walk away. The instructor and the other officer followed in silence.

The recruits' hearts sank. What was going on? Why was the Company Commander suddenly so angry? Had something happened? No one could guess the reason, and even Chu An felt bewildered. They hadn't really done anything, had they? Everything was fine during dinner. Although a few recruits in some platoons had picked up their chopsticks before the squad leader gave the word, they had already been punished in the mess hall. Even just now in the barracks, Old Wang had said they hadn't embarrassed him.

Unable to fathom what had set Tong Lianzhong off, Chu An, as a recruit, could only follow the main body of the troops. Soon, he saw the Second Company emerging in formation as well.

"What's going on? Did something happen?"

"I have no idea!"

As they marched, there was no need to call out the cadence; the atmosphere was such that some recruits couldn't help but whisper to one another.