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nChapter 406: Second-Class Meritorious Servant Yan Zhiming

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

n“All, quite an eyesore, the yearly service medal is gone, good riddance!”

nUpstairs, as they watched Wang Ye board the car, some of the soldiers in the same unit whispered with a hint of nostalgia.

n“It’s a good thing we often wear our training uniforms. If he had been parading around in this outfit more often before, it would have been even more conspicuous!” someone added.

nIn the next moment, another person chuckled softly, “Hehe, we’re actually not so bad off. We’re not officers, after all. If he had worn it regularly before, it would have been even tougher on the platoon and company commanders!”

n“Haha! That’s true!”

nWang Ye’s departure didn’t evoke a strong sense of sadness in the Second Platoon. After all, he wasn’t retiring from the military.

nIn fact, except for First Platoon, the soldiers from other platoons secretly rejoiced at his departure.

nThat eccentric guy wasn’t much of a team player.

nJust look at the previous year’s annual assessment. Their scores in various subjects were abysmal.

nThe pressure was immense, standing side by side, especially in the highly competitive atmosphere of the military, and especially among reconnaissance soldiers who each thought highly of themselves. It was really demoralizing.

nNow, they finally felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from their shoulders, and the air seemed a bit lighter to breathe.

n“These guys are probably secretly celebrating now!”

nAs the car drove out of the camp, Wang Ye looked back.

nHe was thinking about the soldiers from the other platoons upstairs.

nWang Ye didn’t even consider that his departure would be met with more than just secret approval; some of them were openly expressing their joy.

n“Wang Ye, I hope there will be a chance to meet again, but if we do, I might have to call you Captain Wang next time!” The car stopped outside the hospital.

nIn the driver’s seat, the driver from the Second Platoon turned around with a friendly smile.

nWang Ye chuckled, “That’s an exaggeration. If 1 come back next year, 1’11 still be just another regular soldier!”

n“Haha! The title ‘Captain Wang’ is just a matter of time!” the driver replied with a smile.

nWang Ye picked up his bag with a smile.

n“Alright, buddy, you can head back. I’m getting off here!”

n“Do I really not need to wait for you? I don’t have much else to do, and I can give you a ride to the Iron Bones Hero Regiment later!”

nWang Ye declined with a smile, “No need. 1 might end up staying here a bit longer today. You go on ahead!”

nYan Zhiming was still in the hospital, but his recovery was progressing quite well.

nGetting off the car and shouldering his backpack, Wang Ye looked up at the hospital building across the street.

nThen, he lifted his leg and walked towards it.

nAt this moment, Wang Ye attracted a lot of attention as he walked towards the hospital.

nWhether young or old, men or women, almost everyone at the hospital entrance couldn’t help but cast a glance at Wang Ye.

nIn his sharp military uniform, with the two stars on his epaulettes, combined with Wang Ye’s height and good looks, he gave off a striking resemblance to the flag bearers seen on television during national events.

n“Sisi, I think I’m almost recovered. Maybe you should go back first. You’ve been on leave for half a month already, don’t let it affect your studies!”

nIn a room at the People’s Hospital, Yan Zhiming, sitting on the edge of his hospital bed, softly spoke to the girl who was preparing fruit puree for him.

nDuring this hospital stay, he had requested the military not to inform his family.

nSo, up until now, his family was unaware of his brush with danger.

nHowever, about two weeks ago, he couldn’t resist telling his girlfriend about it.

nAnd that led to the scene unfolding now.

nThe next day, his girlfriend took a leave of absence and traveled ail the way from Xiangnan to take care of him for half a month.

nNow, Gao Sisi was feeding him fruit puree with an annoyed expression and gave him a playful eye-roll, “Once I leave, who’s going to feed you this mush? Don’t worry, university studies aren’t that important, I’ll catch up when I go back!”

n“Hehe, it’s not that simple. 1 know that the workload in the first and second years of college can be quite heavy. Exams are coming up this year, and if you don’t go back soon, you might fail!” He paused and added, “1 can have one of my comrades continue to look after me, or 1 can manage on my own. 1 can walk around and eat without any problems now!”

nH

nNo, I’ve told you several times. If you mention it again, I’ll ignore you…”

n* Knock Knock!*

nSuddenly, the door, which had been slightly ajar, was knocked on.

nThe next second, Wang Ye, wearing a smiling face, pushed the door open and walked in, saying, “Apparently, 1 arrived at the wrong time!”

n“All, Wang Ye!” Yan Zhiming exclaimed in surprise, sitting up.

nBeside the bed, the girl who had been feeding him applesauce turned around with a bewildered expression when she saw Wang Ye.

n“Hi, beautiful Sisi, don’t you recognize me?” Wang Ye looked at the girl, smiling, and waved a greeting.

n“I do, 1 do, Wang Ye, why are you here?”

nGao Sisi snapped out of it and quickly got up.

nThey weren’t very familiar with each other; after all, they were in different classes.

nDuring this period, or rather, since they got in touch, she often saw Wang Ye’s name in Yan Zhiming’s letters.

nNow that he had come in person, it was even more apparent.

nIt could be said that she had heard Wang Ye’s name so frequently in recent times that it had become quite familiar to her ears.

n“Have a seat, there’s a chair here!” Gao Sisi stepped forward to help pull out a chair.

nAt this moment, Yan Zhiming on the bed also wanted to get down.

nSeeing him struggling a bit, Wang Ye quickly spoke, “It’s okay, don’t move!”

nAs he spoke, Wang Ye set down the bags he was carrying.

n“I bought some fruits downstairs. 1 don’t know if they taste good, but it’s the thought that counts. 1 didn’t buy any flowers; I don’t think a big guy like you would appreciate them!”

n“Hehe, you’re really something, just come as you are, why bring stuff!” Yan Zhiming chuckled.

nWang Ye didn’t respond to his comment. Instead, he looked at Gao Sisi beside him and then turned to Yan Zhiming, saying, “You, young man, have some skills!”

nWang Ye gave him a thumbs up.

nLittle did Wang Ye know that this young man had indeed struck up a relationship with Gao Sisi, and from what he had heard outside the door just now, it seemed Gao Sisi had been here for about half a month.

nFor that, Wang Ye truly admired him.

n“Hehe!” Yan Zhiming smirked.

nGao Sisi’s face had a hint of blush.

nWang Ye, despite being in the adjacent class, was still considered a fellow student. It was somewhat inevitable for a girl with not-so-thick skin to feel a bit bashful when her relationship was discovered by an old classmate.

n“Not bad, Wang Ye, you’ve really become something!” Yan Zhiming shifted the topic as he looked at Wang Ye’s shoulder.

nWang Ye laughed, “What’s all this talk about becoming something? I’m just enjoying some privileges in advance, no official position. I’m still just a regular soldier!”

n“Privileges will lead to an official position sooner or later. Besides, your promotion outside the regular process itself shows how important you are. Let’s not forget, the Corps Commander and the others definitely know you…”

n“They definitely know you too!”

nWang Ye interjected with a smile.

nThis guy, if it weren’t for this matter, the Corps Commander would indeed have no reason to know him.

nBut now, Wang Ye was well aware that Yan Zhiming had received a Second-Class Merit.

nAs the holder of a Second-Class Merit, coupled with the significant incident from last time, there was no way the Corps Commander wouldn’t be aware of him.

nYan Zhiming’s expression soured, “Ah, this time 1 really got lucky!”

nSpeaking of which, he looked curiously at Wang Ye’s girlfriend, who was continuously glancing at Wang Ye’s shoulder insignia, and said, “Sisi, could you please go downstairs and buy a bottle of water for Wang Ye?”

n“Oh! Sure!

nGao Sisi snapped out of her thoughts, then agreed and headed towards the door to buy a bottle of water for Wang Ye.

nWang Ye didn’t say a word.

nHe knew that Yan Zhiming wanted to talk to him about something, and those were things he didn’t want, or rather, he had to adhere to the discipline of a soldier and not let Gao Sisi know.

nWang Ye quietly walked over and closed the door.

nSeeing Wang Ye close the door, Yan Zhiming lowered his voice and said, “Old Wang, 1 heard that you avenged me this time. Thank you!”

nWang Ye, having closed the door, turned and smiled, “Hehe, there’s no need to thank me. I’m a soldier just like you!”

n“Yeah, you’re a very impressive soldier!”

nAs he looked at Wang Ye, Yan Zhiming couldn’t help but sigh again.

n“When we were in school, I never imagined that you, who were always on the internet, would become the person you are now!”

nH

nHehe, I didn’t expect it either. So, what are you planning now? Can you still continue your military service with your health?”

nWang Ye didn’t want to dwell on his own topics. The more he talked about it, the harder it was to explain.

nAfter all, there was a significant difference between him before and after enlisting.

nYan Zhiming didn’t doubt him and continued in line with Wang Ye’s topic, with a bitter smile, “I can’t continue. The doctor said my lungs have been damaged, and I definitely can’t engage in strenuous physical activities in the future.”

nAfter a pause, Yan Zhiming continued, “I’ve already made up my mind. Once I recover from my injuries, I’m going to retire. The battalion has also assured me that I can find a job when I go back. It’s time to go home; 1 don’t want to be a burden in the military anymore!”

nWang Ye remained silent.

nAfter a while, Wang Ye nodded and said, “That’s a good decision. Going back and holding a stable job is not a bad choice!”

nWang Ye understood his choice.

nIn fact, without even thinking about it, Wang Ye knew that the military would definitely try to retain him. After all, he was a hero, and after recovering from his injuries, as long as he didn’t engage in strenuous physical activities, there were still some positions he could take on, like an administrative officer.

nHowever, Yan Zhiming probably didn’t want that kind of care.

n“Yeah, that’s right! Sisi and 1 have already talked about it. 1’11 go back and work diligently, and when she graduates, we’ll get married. We’ll live an ordinary life from now on!” Yan Zhiming smiled again, but beneath the smile, Wang Ye sensed a hint of melancholy.

n“That’s enough. You’ve shed blood for the country, and military life has no regrets!” Wang Ye reassured him.

n“Yeah, no regrets,” Yan Zhiming sighed heavily, but then his face brightened again.

n“You know, Old Wang, when 1 got hit by that bullet, I really thought 1 was going to die. I actually felt guilty in my heart towards Sisi, my parents, and everyone. But 1 didn’t expect that when I opened my eyes again, I was miraculously alive!”

n“Lucky, even the King of Hell didn’t want you!” Wang Ye chuckled.

n“Hehe, yeah! It’s a pity though. If I could fully recover this time, maybe I could become your classmate at the military academy, and I could become an officer too. But alas, I can’t do it now!”

nHehe, being my classmate isn’t all that great. You’ll just end up getting beaten by me again. It’s better to go back as you are!”

nWang Ye joked with him.

n“Haha, you’re right. You’re a real maniac. I can already imagine those future officers who will be classmates with you, mourning their fate.”

n“Haha!”

nThey continued to chat for a while, and Yan Zhiming’s girlfriend returned.

nThe three of them chatted together for the entire morning.

nOf course, they didn’t talk about military matters this time.

nThey talked about their high school days and gossip.

nAt lunchtime, Wang Ye had a meal with them at the hospital.

nIt wasn’t until after lunch that the emotions of parting surfaced in the hospital room again.

n“Old Wang, take good care of yourself. When I go back home, I’ll come to visit you. Also, when you guys get married, don’t forget to send me an invitation!”

nYan Zhiming smiled and said, “I definitely won’t forget. I won’t miss the chance to eat a big meal!”

n“Haha, that’s settled then!”

nWang Ye slung his backpack over his shoulder.

nFinally, standing in front of the bed, Wang Ye saluted him with a formal stance.

nHe turned around.

nYan Zhiming watched Wang Ye leave with a smile.

nBut as Wang Ye left and closed the door, the smile on Yan Zhiming’s face was replaced by a flood of tears.

nSeeing Wang Ye’s back in that military uniform, he felt like he saw himself in a military uniform leaving with Wang Ye.

nThat version of Yan Zhiming in a military uniform was leaving, departing.

nNext, he could only become an ordinary person without the uniform.

nTears flowed uncontrollably.

nGao Sisi, with a look of sympathy, reached out and held his hand without saying a word.

nShe knew what her boyfriend was thinking.

nAlthough her boyfriend had told her that he didn’t achieve much in the military, and his training results weren’t great, she knew that he genuinely loved military life.

nBut now, he would never be able to put on that uniform he loved and continue staying in the military..

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