Chapter 39: Company Team-building Game
“Creak.”
The aged wooden door was pushed open, revealing Political Instructor He Hongtao’s beaming face. With a guilty, thieving glance, he peeked outside twice.
Confirming that the Company Commander hadn’t seen him, he enthusiastically grabbed Chen Jun’s arm and said, “Come in, come in and talk.”
“Captain, hello.”
Chen Jun noticed an extra captain in the room and immediately recognized him as the Third Company Commander, but pretended not to know him and greeted him properly.
“He’s Chen Jun, new recruit Second Platoon Leader. This is Huang Yang, the Red Third Company Commander.”
He Hongtao, acting as the matchmaker, introduced them to each other.
“Platoon Leader Chen, you’re pretty tall, probably nearly six foot three, with a sturdy build and great spirit—you’re prime material. Old Seven is lucky to snag such a fine Cadet Soldier.”
The Third Company Commander had a bull-calf personality and rarely praised anyone outright, but today, to “take revenge” on Gao Cheng, he was going all out to pull Chen Jun over.
“Company Commander Huang, you flatter me.”
Chen Jun smiled modestly, seeming to somewhat understand Huang Yang’s intentions.
“Flatter? I’m just stating facts.”
The Third Company Commander gestured for Chen Jun to sit, smiling as he said, “I’ve heard that among the new recruit company’s three platoons, your Second Platoon stands out the most. The recruits’ results in your platoon lead the other two by a wide margin.”
“That’s all thanks to the Squad Leaders in Second Platoon teaching well. I just handle management—it really has little to do with me.”
No courtesy without a reason—either deceit or robbery. Until Chen Jun figured out the intent, he decided to play it safe and push the Tai Chi.
The key was to be a non-stick pan!
“Platoon Leader Chen, no need for modesty. Everyone in the new recruit company knows why Second Platoon’s results are so good. Isn’t it obvious?”
He Hongtao laid it all out, leaving Chen Jun at a loss for words.
He simply stayed silent, replying with a smile.
The Third Company Commander wasn’t one for beating around the bush; paving the way this long was already his limit. Now he couldn’t hold back anymore.
He came right out with it: “Platoon Leader Chen, I heard you just became Acting Squad Leader in Seventh Company. Don’t you think that’s a waste of your talent? With your ability, even during your probationary period, being a Platoon Leader is no issue at all.
“Our Red Third Company’s original Third Platoon Leader transferred to Ninth Company as Deputy Company Commander, so Third Platoon is short a Platoon Leader.
“I think you’d be perfect for it. Interested in joining Red Third Company? Just nod, and I’ll submit the application report to the Regiment when I get back.
“Once new recruit company work ends, you can report directly to Red Third Company as Platoon Leader. How’s that?”
Promising a red card spot as a company Platoon Leader—no acting role, but a proper appointment via Regiment application.
Equivalent to ending probation half a year early!
To offer such a huge temptation, the Third Company Commander was truly investing heavily.
You see, application reports to end probation early aren’t easy to get through at the Regiment level; he’d have to pull major strings.
Such a massive temptation before him—no Cadet could possibly refuse.
After all, becoming Platoon Leader half a year early meant your resume started counting half a year sooner, letting you reach company deputy positions earlier.
One step ahead, always ahead.
The later benefits would be even greater.
Sadly, Chen Jun wasn’t an ordinary Cadet. He was worldly, having come down from the peak— a mere Platoon Leader position meant nothing to him.
He’d been a Division Commander, after all—why would he care about being a Platoon Leader?
Chen Jun just wanted to play the “company development game,” raising Steel Seventh Company all the way to Combined Arms Company, Battalion, Regiment, and ultimately Division.
So this huge temptation for ordinary Cadets held zero appeal for Chen Jun.
Might as well promise him a few pounds of beef!
At least beef could build muscle; a Red Third Company Platoon Leader spot was useless.
Even more bluntly, with Chen Jun’s head full of tech and skills, staying in Seventh Company meant grabbing honors left and right.
Ending probation early to become a company Platoon Leader wasn’t that hard.
If he could do it in Seventh Company, why go to Third?
The Third Company Commander thought victory was in the bag, waiting for Chen Jun’s excited agreement, but Chen Jun stayed silent for a long time, his expression utterly calm.
“Doesn’t even this tempt him? Appetite that big?”
The Third Company Commander sensed something off, his face slowly darkening.
“Platoon Leader Chen, this is a rare opportunity. If you join Red Third Company, the company will focus on cultivating you—way better than in Seventh Company. What are you still hesitating for? Come to our Third Company…”
“Old Third, Old Third.”
Just as Political Instructor He Hongtao was still persuading and Chen Jun was pondering how to reject the Third Company Commander without souring relations, Gao Cheng’s loud shout suddenly came from outside.
The voice was clearly headed here, instantly making the room’s atmosphere intriguing.
The one outside was indeed Gao Cheng.
And he came charging in aggressively.
Gao Cheng had been happily playing basketball, but rushed over furiously because someone tipped him off in time.
The Third Company Commander thought he’d been very discreet, undetected.
Little did he know, halfway there he’d turned back and sneaked into the Political Instructor’s office—all spotted by Wu Liu Yi.
Seeing the Third Company Commander acting suspiciously, then Chen Jun entering the office.
Recalling how many Company Commanders had recently visited the new recruit company, all after the soon-to-graduate recruits, Wu Liu Yi instantly got it.
Good grief.
Other Company Commanders came for recruits; this Third Company Commander came straight for Chen Jun.
Unacceptable!
Wu Liu Yi had personally experienced Chen Jun’s abilities and knew how much the Company Commander treasured him now—losing him would spark rage.
Realizing the stakes.
Wu Liu Yi hurriedly found the basketball-playing Gao Cheng and told him everything he’d seen and suspected.
Just as Wu Liu Yi guessed, Gao Cheng heard someone was poaching Chen Jun.
His face flushed with anger on the spot.
He tossed the basketball and stormed toward the dormitory building, unable to suppress his fury. Still far off, he bellowed in rage.
Hearing Gao Cheng’s big voice, the Third Company Commander knew today’s poaching was doomed.
“Platoon Leader Chen, the offer’s on the table. If you have other requests, feel free to make them—as long as they’re within bounds, I’ll figure it out. Think it over and contact the Political Instructor. I’ll be waiting for you in Third Company.”
The Third Company Commander extended another olive branch to Chen Jun. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, he didn’t continue or hide in the room.
Instead, he pulled a reverse play: opened the door and walked out to face Gao Cheng head-on.
