Chapter 153: Brave Qiang Zi, Not Afraid Of Difficulties
When the airplane reached the predetermined altitude, Ma Da first contacted Gao Zhong Dui and others on the ground responsible for guiding and emergency work, ensuring they had all arrived at the designated positions.
“This is Hui Lang, please report the ground situation.”
“Wild Wolf received, ground situation is good, wind direction unchanged, wind speed two meters per second.
Parachute drop possible.”
“Clear!”
After receiving Gao Zhong Dui’s response, Ma Da stood up and looked at Chang Ning and the B Group members with uneasy expressions on their faces; he revealed a malicious smile.
“Everyone get ready, I’m opening the cabin door.”
As he spoke, Ma Da gripped the cabin door handle and yanked it hard.
Due to the cabin door being opened, the cabin was immediately filled with rushing cold wind.
Fortunately, everyone had sat down and prepared in advance; otherwise, just Ma Da’s action alone could have sucked an unprepared person out of the cabin for an early parachute drop.
Struggling to stabilize their swaying bodies in the strong wind, everyone heard Ma Da say: “The parachutes you’re using this time are the most basic model, with no complex operation process involved.
As long as you remember the key movements I told you and perform them when jumping out of the cabin, no accidents will happen!”
“If the main parachute doesn’t open, don’t panic—you still have the reserve parachute to use; I’ve told you how to do it before.”
“Even if the entire parachute pack fails, don’t worry, because you still have me.”
As he spoke, Ma Da showed everyone the parachute pack on his back, which was different from theirs.
Ostrich immediately explained to the comrades around him after seeing Ma Da’s parachute pack.
That kind of parachute is often used for high altitude high opening and high altitude low opening.
His old unit also had this equipment, and he had even tried it a few times—it was quite thrilling!
Ordinary conscripts in paratrooper units rarely get to touch this equipment; Ostrich got the opportunity to try this high-end gear because his skills were solid and he had a good relationship with the Squad Leader.
Under multiple layers of assurance, everyone’s tense nerves visibly relaxed.
“Finally, check your equipment one more time and prepare for the drop.”
Chang Ning tried hard not to be so nervous and began checking his own equipment.
First confirming the position of the paratrooper knife hanging outside, then checking the parachute pack, and finally attaching the ripcord to the static line rail in the cabin.
Everyone’s check sequence was identical, so they finished at about the same time.
Seeing everyone was ready, Chang Ning didn’t clearly see what button Ma Da pressed in the cabin, only that the red warning lights on the cabin wall began flashing.
A tense atmosphere enveloped everyone once again.
“Everyone stand up, line up, prepare for parachute drop!”
Ma Da shouted loudly at Chang Ning and the others.
First in line was Ostrich; this parachuting veteran was going to set an example for everyone.
“Brothers, I’ll go first.”
Ostrich turned back, flashed everyone a relaxed smile, then leaped out of the cabin; the white round parachute successfully deployed in the sky.
“See? It’s actually very simple.”
Ma Da seized the opportunity to relieve everyone’s tension.
The second was the Medic; from the drop order, it was clear Ma Da had made a detailed plan beforehand.
Even though he had prepared mentally long ago, when the Medic slightly poked his head forward, he saw a cluster of buildings and vast expanses of green jungle.
This area was all Wolf Fang’s Barracks, and their parachute drop destination was a flat piece of ground in the distance.
The high-altitude view still made the prepared Medic unconsciously clench and swallow hard.
“I… I’m going down first. Heh… hehehe.”
It was clear the Medic’s smile was forced; he bent his knees and jumped lightly, instantly disappearing from everyone’s view.
Immediately after, a scream came from outside the cabin, startling Ma Da into thinking something had gone wrong with the Medic; he quickly contacted the ground.
“Wild Wolf, did the second team member successfully deploy?”
Gao Zhong Dui’s response was quick; as soon as Ma Da asked, his voice came through the earpiece: “Deployment smooth, what’s up?”
“Nothing, I just suddenly think the next training should add some spice for the newcomers.”
Ma Da said, glaring viciously at the remaining people.
When it rains, it pours; they hadn’t even passed the parachute drop yet, and suddenly hearing about extra training made Chang Ning instantly feel life had no hope.
“Next!”
Ma Da gave no time for dawdling; seeing no one step forward, he immediately started waving his arms to urge them.
From his demeanor, if they didn’t jump soon, Ma Da would kick them off the airplane; Chang Ning believed Ma Da was capable of it.
Amid Ma Da’s urging, Geng Jihui reluctantly walked to the cabin door.
No matter how excellent Geng Jihui was, it couldn’t be ignored that he was still a recent college graduate without life experience, unable to face a high-altitude jump calmly.
“Rookie, if you’re scared, say it loudly—I can allow you not to jump.”
Ma Da said to Geng Jihui; for someone as excellent as him, especially since Wolf Fang was his father’s old workplace, reverse psychology was most effective.
His inner pride could help him overcome most difficulties; following in his father’s footsteps was his driving force.
“Do it!”
Geng Jihui roared to psych himself up.
Then he shot out into the blue sky, quickly and decisively.
Now only Chang Ning, Lao Pao, Xiao Zhuang, and Qiang Zi remained in the cabin.
Ever since Ma Da opened the cabin door, Qiang Zi’s face had been deathly pale, looking worse than Chang Ning with his acrophobia.
“Chang Ning, help a brother out—my legs are weak, I can’t stand.”
Qiang Zi tremblingly tugged at Chang Ning’s clothing corner.
“No, who’s the one afraid of heights anyway? You’re worse than me.”
Though his face showed clear disdain, Chang Ning still pulled Qiang Zi up.
Chang Ning empathized with Qiang Zi’s situation; after all, going straight to live jumps after just three days of training, it was normal to feel uncertain and scared.
Plus he had acrophobia himself, so he could even better understand Qiang Zi’s current mood.
Seeing Qiang Zi’s state, Ma Da unusually didn’t urge him this time.
Everyone has weaknesses; Qiang Zi hadn’t been this nervous even when running with a burning satchel charge back then.
To help Qiang Zi stand steady, Chang Ning and the equally pale Xiao Zhuang placed their hands under his armpits to support him.
“Rookie, you okay?”
Qiang Zi’s condition worried Ma Da too.
“Yes, I must!”
He’d survived Hell Week—how could a little parachute drop stop him?
Qiang Zi looked at the 2500-meter drop ahead; even though his legs were still shaking nonstop, he insisted on jumping.
Finally, under Ma Da’s concerned gaze, Qiang Zi overcame his fear and jumped from the airplane; fortunately, no accidents occurred.
