Chapter 81: “jungle Survival” For One
Training Camp, the sun rises with the Five-star Red Flag.
Rookies are doing morning exercises, dozens of pairs of military boots stepping in unison, the sound majestic.
Suddenly they all froze. About ten exhausted, ragged “wild men” were escorting a four-man stretcher, stumbling toward them.
They were covered in mud from head to toe, and the smell on them could make one’s eyes water.
These ten or so people stared straight ahead, running hard toward the national flag, while the rookies looked on sympathetically at these people who had clearly been tormented by Gao Zhong Dui.
“What are you all looking at? Never seen it before? Do you want to try it too?” the instructor in charge of training these rookies roared.
The rookies quickly averted their gazes in fright and continued their run.
Under the national flag, Gao Zhong Dui was already waiting for Rookie A Team.
“Report! Rookie A Team, all members present.”
After Chang Ning directed everyone to set down the stretcher, he came before Gao Zhong Dui to report. His voice was hoarse and lacking strength.
The long-distance raid, over a hundred kilometers round trip, was too much even for someone with Chang Ning’s physique, let alone the others in Rookie A Team. Being able to stand now was their greatest effort.
“Your speed is slower than an old lady’s.” Gao Zhong Dui glanced at his wristwatch and began mocking them mercilessly.
“Report, we returned by the original route, so it took more time.”
Chang Ning replied. Even knowing it would invite even harsher mockery from Gao Zhong Dui, he still answered truthfully.
This was the result of everyone’s joint effort; he couldn’t withhold it just because Gao Zhong Dui would mock them.
Gao Zhong Dui roared, “Do you think I’ll praise you for doing that?
This is a wounded soldier! For him, time is life. You are his hope of rescue! Have you considered his feelings?”
At this point, Gao Zhong Dui squatted down, opened a backpack, took out a damp stone, looked at it, and put it back. He looked at the rookies: “Who can tell me why the wounded soldier is soaked through?”
“Report, we fell into a river on the way,” Chang Ning said.
“Very good, you actually let a wounded soldier fall into the water. Medic, come check him.”
Standing in the formation, Chang Ning watched Gao Zhong Dui and the others acting, and he felt embarrassed with goosebumps all over.
Gao Zhong Dui, this cold-faced strong man, forcibly squeezed out a trace of sadness on his face, which looked completely out of place no matter how you saw it.
After everyone changed into regular uniforms, under Gao Zhong Dui’s hosting, they attended the memorial service for their “comrade” for the first time.
After three bows, they quickly returned to the dormitory, changed into training uniforms, and dug out their backpacks.
Gao Zhong Dui said that not a single penny of Huaxia military expenses could be wasted!
More than half a month had passed since the last assessment. Rookie A Team was also short two comrades; they had both withdrawn due to training injuries, but they were all good men.
Every day was either study or massive training; everyone had no time to dwell on the assessment process.
In the evening, Chang Ning was called out of the dormitory alone by Gao Zhong Dui.
“You have ten minutes to pack your backpack. You’re only allowed to bring one set of clothes, dagger, rope, water canteen.”
“Yes.”
Chang Ning didn’t ask what for; in the military unit, too much curiosity wasn’t a good thing.
“Chang Ning, what does the pervert Gao Zhong Dui want with you?”
Xiao Zhuang asked, and everyone in the dormitory looked at Chang Ning; they were curious too.
“To be honest, I don’t know either. Gao Zhong Dui just gave me ten minutes to pack my things and then told me to go with him.”
Geng Jihui, sitting on his bed, seemed to guess something after seeing what Chang Ning was packing, but he didn’t say it; he never liked to talk about uncertain things.
Actually, while Chang Ning was packing his clothes and backpack, he also guessed: Could it be Jungle Survival? According to the process, it was about time for this event.
It was just that the original plot described it very vaguely; Chang Ning wasn’t sure. Besides, Jungle Survival didn’t start by separating everyone.
Gao Zhong Dui would first gather everyone together, then search their carried items to check compliance, finally blindfold the rookies’ eyes, take them to the road, and drop them off one by one at different places.
Suppressing his curiosity, Chang Ning packed his things, walked out of the dormitory, and came before Gao Zhong Dui.
“Follow me.”
Gao Zhong Dui took Chang Ning onto a helicopter, where the cabin windows were all covered with black cloth.
Sitting in the chair, Chang Ning felt the fuselage start to vibrate slightly, then a push against his back—this was the sensation of the airplane taking off and flying at full speed.
‘It can’t really be Jungle Survival, but there’s no such segment in the original plot.’
What the mission was, Chang Ning didn’t know; the only thing he could do now was sit obediently in the chair. When the time came, Gao Zhong Dui would naturally tell him.
“There’s still some time to the destination; you can rest first,” Gao Zhong Dui reminded.
“Yes.”
Chang Ning was an honest man; he did exactly as Gao Zhong Dui said, without any discount.
This series of actions completely threw Gao Zhong Dui off; he had even prepared a speech on how to refuse Chang Ning, but the guy didn’t ask at all, which was nothing like Chang Ning’s usual style.
If they didn’t spend basically every day together, Gao Zhong Dui would suspect the person in front of him was a fake.
When the red light came on in the cabin, Gao Zhong Dui woke Chang Ning.
“Here, put this on.”
Seeing Gao Zhong Dui pull out a 92-style handgun, Chang Ning instinctively took it.
“Open it and check.”
Chang Ning skillfully removed the magazine and saw the shiny yellow bullets inside.
“Live ammunition!”
At this moment, Chang Ning realized Gao Zhong Dui wanted him to carry out a secret mission. Having been enlisted for nearly a year without actual combat, he felt excited thinking about his first real combat.
“Don’t overthink it; I’m giving you this for self-defense. Don’t use it unless it’s a critical moment.
Alright, at this point I won’t hide it from you. Rookie, welcome to experience Wolf Fang’s Jungle Survival project. Since you’re different from your teammate rookies, we’re separating you from them in advance.”
It really was Jungle Survival, but he’d never heard of using live ammunition for it. This mission wasn’t simple.
Thinking of this, Chang Ning felt a bit nervous.
“Clang”
Gao Zhong Dui opened the cabin door and jumped out first; unbeknownst to them, the airplane had already landed.
Chang Ning followed closely behind Gao Zhong Dui. Only after exiting the cabin did he realize how cold the place really was.
“Old Li, I’m handing my soldier over to you.” Gao Zhong Dui went up to a captain, grabbed his hand, and said enthusiastically.
“Hey, this is no big deal; you, Old Gao, don’t need to be polite with me.”
……
After chatting for a bit, Gao Zhong Dui got directly on the airplane and left, without even glancing at Chang Ning, like a scumbag who deceived feelings.
“Here, take this satellite phone. The only number stored inside is our squadron’s. Call if you run into any trouble.”
Captain Li’s face gave a friendly impression, and his speech lacked any stern tone; the man was very mild-mannered.
“Thank you, leader!”
Chang Ning took the satellite phone, stood at attention, and saluted.
“No need to thank me; this is all arranged by your Gao Zhong Dui.”
The two exchanged smiles, everything unspoken.
‘This leader is quite something; that sentence of his was clearly a reminder not to call lightly unless necessary.
He specifically mentioned Gao Zhong Dui, meaning using the satellite phone would be seen as withdrawing from the selection.’
Chang Ning’s mind raced, immediately grasping Captain Li’s meaning.
According to regulations, please put on the eye mask. I’ll have someone take you to the mission location; you need to get back here within five days.
One more thing: poachers have been extremely rampant and active around here lately. They have automatic weapons, so be careful.
“Understood.”
Chang Ning put on the black eye mask; Captain Li’s words made him understand why Gao Zhong Dui gave him the 92-style handgun with live ammunition.
‘But is he thinking too highly of me? I haven’t even experienced actual combat yet.’
Complex emotions swirled in Chang Ning’s heart.
The off-road vehicle carried Chang Ning away from the Armed Police squadron’s barracks, kicking up yellow dust as it vanished on the horizon.
Chang Ning’s “Jungle Survival” began.
ps: Drafts finished; now it’s time to write. Suggest everyone thumbs up at six in the afternoon to read together.
