Chapter 155: Wang Ye’s Showdown

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Oh? Are you sure?” The voice of the regiment commander echoed through the walls of his office as he conversed on the telephone.

From the other end of the line, Wu Jianfeng’s voice resonated with a cheerful tone. “Absolutely, sir. Commander, would you like to pay a visit and see for yourself?”

“Very well, I’ll summon the Chief of Staff,” affirmed the regiment commander.

Inside the office, a smile adorned the regiment commander’s face as he nodded in agreement.

Upon concluding the call, the regiment commander’s gaze shifted toward a document resting on another desk within the room. “Summon the Chief of Staff,” he directed.

“Certainly, sir!” responded the secretary, promptly rising from their seat and making their way to the door. Simultaneously, the commander reached for his hat placed nearby.

Witnessing the emergence of a third-class merit filled the regiment commander with immense satisfaction.

Before long, the regiment commander exited the office.

A short distance away, in a different office, the Chief of Staff emerged with an impassive expression.

He had already discerned his forthcoming course of action from the regiment commander’s written communication.

Had it not been for the promise of Wang Ye to the Fourth Company, the Chief of Staff might have been even more elated than the regiment commander.

However, at this moment, any semblance of elation eluded him.

“Ha, why the long face? Our new recruits have consistently proven themselves as exceptional soldiers, and you have played a significant role in this accomplishment as well. Let’s proceed together to bear witness,” the regiment commander disregarded the Chief of Staff’s demeanor and greeted him with an unwavering smile.

Do you fancy another bottle of Red Bull to replenish your energy?” On the training grounds, Wu Jianfeng, having just concluded his call, cast his gaze once more upon Wang Ye.

In this instant, he was sporting a grin.

Conversely, Wang Ye’s complexion bore a hint of flush.

400 meters.

He had just completed a sprint.

Naturally, Wu Jianfeng’s coercion had yielded results. Wang Ye’s performance just moments ago was nothing short of impressive: 1 minute 31.43 seconds.

What did he mean by running faster than 1 minute 32 seconds and 45 seconds? Wang Ye had shattered this record by over a full second.

“Alright!” Wang Ye responded with a sheepish smile, harboring no intention to decline whatsoever.

Give it to him, and he’d drink it. Refusing to drink would only lead to regrets.

This company commander was truly getting in the way of his plans!

While Wang Ye presented an outward appearance of cheerfulness, inwardly, he was feeling quite despondent.

He had been compelled to reveal himself prematurely and hadn’t even fired a shot yet.

“In your dreams. I don’t have any more on me. Look at the bottle on the ground and determine if you’ve drained it. If there’s any liquid left, shake it and see.” Wu Jianfeng chortled as he scolded.

With that said, he crossed his arms, regarding Wang Ye with an air of intrigue. “Kid, come clean. What are you concealing?”

“All?” Wang Ye feigned innocence.

“What do you mean by ‘ah’? Were you only capable of completing the run in one minute and thirty-three seconds before I forced you today?

Or perhaps you could’ve stretched it to one minute and thirty-four seconds. After all, you had exerted yourself during the assassination exercise as well!”

Wang Ye felt a shiver down his spine. He pondered what Wu Jianfeng was trying to do.

Was he truly onto something?

Of course, Wang Ye continued to act helpless, asserting, “I had no choice. Commander, you afforded me this singular opportunity. How could I not have given it my all during that run?

This time, 1 truly pushed beyond my limits.”

“Bull**! I’d be a fool to buy that!” Wu Jianfeng retorted once more.

Following his retort, Wu Jianfeng’s tone shifted. “Tell me, suppose 1 were to propose to the regiment commander that instead of aiming to surpass Huang Dayong’s record, we set our sights on toppling the regiment’s historical 400-meter obstacle record.

Can you manage a single run in one minute and twenty-nine seconds?”

“All?” Wang Ye exclaimed.

“Commander, you overestimate me. I’m genuinely at my limit. I truly gave it my all just now.

One minute and twenty-nine seconds. I absolutely cannot achieve it in one go!”

Wang Ye truly felt at a loss!

He even cursed internally.

Had Wu Jianfeng lost his mind today? Why was he suddenly diving into this matter?

Wu Jianfeng, however, continued to regard Wang Ye unwaveringly. After a few moments, he resumed speaking. “Tell me, if I were to promise you second-class merit for shattering the team’s entire historical record, could you make it happen?”

Uh…” Wang Ye was dumbfounded, subsequently voicing his response weakly. “Company Commander, I don’t think this is a matter of merit?

This hinges on capability.

I’m aware that breaking the military record would grant me first-class merit as well!”

“Haha!” Wu Jianfeng also laughed.

“I’m not banking on you to outdo the entire army, but I’ve got a hunch that you just might pull it off!”

“I’m uncertain.” Wang Ye glanced at Wu Jianfeng with a smile, before adding, “Commander, I sense that you won’t act until you’re certain.”

Logic dictates that if your performance in the 400-meter obstacle is this impressive, it’s unlikely you’ll lag behind in other training as well.

A five-kilometer run sans equipment. You’re at around eighteen minutes now. Yet those capable of sprinting four hundred meters in a minute and forty seconds can complete a five-kilometer run within eighteen minutes.

Bear in mind, Huang Dayong is able to run five kilometers unburdened in less than 17 minutes.

But you…”

Uh…” Wang Ye was taken aback. He was unaware of this. How could he know unless someone informed him?

“Alright, I’m typically not inclined to run so swiftly. I find it exhausting. Claiming first or second place would be ample for me!” Wang Ye admitted.

Wu Jianfeng didn’t betray any semblance of astonishment.

“You brat, 1 know. 1 hadn’t realized it before, but your revelation triggered this realization within me.

Each time there’s a prize at stake, you’re quick to respond.

Last time, you asserted you’d garnered third-class merit for the four-hundred-meter sprint. That proved quite the shocker for all of us.

The same held true for the grenade toss.

Kid, confess. Are you concealing something else?”

Indeed, Wu Jianfeng remained perplexed as to why Wang Ye persisted in concealing his capabilities when he already possessed them. According to his understanding, someone with the intention to make a substantial contribution would naturally have the confidence to excel without reservation. So, what purpose did prolonging the process serve?

After a brief scrutiny of Wu Jianfeng, Wang Ye deliberated momentarily before explaining, “I’ve already earned one third-class merit. Acquiring another would mean I have two.

However, you did mention earlier that achieving a perfect score in target shooting also garners a third-class merit.

But, if I’ve already secured two, I’m apprehensive that the Regiment Commander might not grant me the latter!”

“Ugh!”

This time, it was Wu Jianfeng who found himself taken aback.

After a pause, he extended his arm and flicked Wang Ye’s hat brim.

“Damn it, what goes on in that head of yours?”

Wang Ye readjusted his hat and responded with a grin.

In this instant, Wu Jianfeng was left momentarily speechless.

Subsequently, he regarded Wang Ye and posed another query, “Have you had any experience with firearms before?”

“No!” Wang Ye shook his head.

“In that case, what are you rambling about?” Wu Jianfeng retorted with exasperation.

In truth, upon hearing Wang Ye’s explanation earlier, even Wu Jianfeng experienced a moment of surprise.

Never had it crossed his mind that Wang Ye might be capable of a perfect score in marksmanship.

Did he imagine everyone to be a mirror image of himself, Wu Jianfeng?

This was a source of pride for him.

Furthermore, it wasn’t every year that a flawless marksman emerged, nor was it an annual occurrence for a third-class merit to be awarded.

Following a brief contemplation, Wu Jianfeng shifted his attention back to Wang Ye. “Don’t fret over that. Secure this merit first on my behalf. As for the target shooting accolade, if you truly possess the capability, lay claim to it.”

Wu Jianfeng took a stride forward and directed his gaze toward the group before facing Wang Ye again. “I’m uncertain of the Regiment Commander’s intentions this year.

However, 1’11 lend you my support when the time comes.

Should the regiment commander be prepared to secure a third-class merit this year…

1’11 devise a method to extract an initial commitment from him.

Once he declares his intentions first, even if you acquire two merits, it won’t impede your pursuit of the third!”

During the marksmanship event, the leader would often be present.

Occasionally, he wouldn’t stipulate beforehand that he’d obtain a perfect score.

When a flawless record emerged upon culmination of the competition, they would convene and determine the reward on the spot.

However, there were instances where the leader would stipulate his terms ahead of time.

This facet was influenced by the leader’s personality.

However, this was predicated on the premise of no external interference.

Given that Wang Ye had divulged this information to him…

Naturally, Wu Jianfeng was inclined to offer assistance.

After all, Wang Ye was a member of his unit.

Furthermore, if Wang Ye genuinely attained another third-class merit today, Wu Jianfeng would harbor a sense of guilt if the regiment commander failed to grant him a perfect mark in marksmanship.

Thankfully, Wang Ye’s timely disclosure had paved the way for a solution.