Chapter 10: Hidden Talents In The Cookhouse
Cookhouse?
Being assigned to the cookhouse myself wasn’t something I couldn’t accept.
Since Chang Ning has a Golden Finger, as long as he is disciplined enough, becoming strong is only a matter of time, and he has no choice. Night Tiger doesn’t want him; besides the cookhouse, he has nowhere else to go.
“I listen to the Company Commander.”
“You two come with me, everyone else continue training.”
Seeing that things were mostly arranged, Miao Lian could finally relax. He had done a lot to compete with the Third Company and the Sixth Company for recruits.
After today, both promising prospects would be his.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but show a triumphant smile: “Little brats, you didn’t even know where you were when I was a soldier! You’re still far from being able to compete with me.”
Since the meeting point was at the Company Headquarters, Miao Lian first settled Xiao Zhuang before taking Chang Ning to the cookhouse.
The cookhouse was not far from the Company Headquarters. Chang Ning and Miao Lian walked for more than ten minutes, and they could almost see the figures of their comrades busy in the kitchen.
“Old Ma, I’ve brought you a new recruit, please take care of him.”
Miao Lian walked towards a Sergeant Major with graying temples who was chopping vegetables. He skillfully took out a pack of cigarettes from his trouser pocket and put it into the other’s pocket.
“I knew you, Old Miao, wouldn’t come without a reason.”
That Sergeant Major showed no deference to Miao Lian at all. He took the cigarettes but didn’t look pleased.
Miao Lian maintained his usual smiling demeanor, as if Old Squad Leader Ma wasn’t talking about him.
“Old Ma, you can’t say that about me. I’m bringing him because I saw you needed more hands here.
And…”
Miao Lian paused deliberately here, enticing Old Ma.
Old Ma was also sharp and had eaten from the same trench as Miao Lian in Southern Xinjiang. They knew each other too well. Miao Lian, with a flick of his buttocks, would know what he was up to.
“If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t be so evasive, it’s not straightforward.
Say it quickly and get lost. I don’t have time to chat with you. Don’t you see how busy I am!”
“You’ll never change your hot temper.”
Miao Lian cursed with a laugh and continued, “The new recruit I’m bringing you isn’t some nobody; he’s a genuine promising soldier!
His shooting talent is not bad, and his physical fitness is excellent. Due to some reasons, he has nowhere to go for now, so I’m sending him to you.”
Hearing this, Old Ma understood. He knew Old Miao wasn’t acting with good intentions and was sending him that soldier who beat up a squad leader.
Old Ma thought to himself that his old bones couldn’t handle the roughhousing of a young man. He absolutely couldn’t take this person.
“You’re trying to use me as a scapegoat by sending that soldier who beat up the squad leader here, I can’t handle it!
I don’t want him!”
Miao Lian became anxious upon hearing this and immediately explained, “That was a misunderstanding. I deliberately set up a situation to get that kid into our Reconnaissance Company.”
Old Ma was a bit confused, his mind couldn’t catch up. He put down the kitchen knife he was holding: “Since you’ve already brought him into the Reconnaissance Company, why didn’t you make this public? Keeping it a secret isn’t the way to go.”
“The reason I didn’t make it public is that I wanted you to help me probe his capabilities. Chang Ning is good in every way, but I just can’t see what kind of person he truly is. He’s terrifyingly calm; I even have the feeling that all my schemes are seen through.”
Miao Lian explained the reason, and Old Ma found it difficult to refuse. Firstly, their relationship was strong, and secondly, Chang Ning was a good prospect, and he felt his hand itching after not leading soldiers for many years.
“Alright, I’ll take this kid.”
“Then I’ll rely on you, Old Brother.”
After they finished discussing, Miao Lian led Chang Ning into the kitchen, introduced them to each other, and then left.
“Relax, kid, I don’t have that many rules here. You don’t have any work today. You can look around and get familiar with your future workplace, or you can stay in the dormitory and sleep. Just don’t interfere with anyone.
I’ll take you to the dormitory to make your bed first.”
Chang Ning silently followed the Old Squad Leader, without a word. He had already noticed something was off when he was in the kitchen. Normally, when a new person joins a group, everyone’s attention would be focused on the newcomer, but not in the cookhouse. From the moment he entered until he left with the Old Squad Leader, not a single person even glanced at him, as if he didn’t exist.
Fundamentally, the reason for this was either that it was close to mealtime and everyone was extremely busy, or that the cookhouse had strict discipline.
Chang Ning leaned towards the latter, because no matter how busy one was, they would still spare a moment to look, and it wouldn’t take any effort.
Therefore, he might have arrived at an extraordinary place, even though every soldier working here was a bit older.
The cookhouse dormitory was separate and close to the kitchen.
Chang Ning and Squad Leader Old Ma arrived in a few minutes. Squad Leader Old Ma pointed to an empty bunk in the corner: “You’re quite lucky, a comrade in our squad was demobilized and went home a few days ago.
Make yourself comfortable. I’m leaving now.”
“Okay, thank you, Squad Leader.”
Chang Ning politely saw him off. Chang Ning had personally witnessed the murmuring between Miao Lian and Old Ma earlier.
Based on his understanding of Miao Lian, he was definitely digging a pit for him, and the cookhouse might not be an easy place to be. Regardless, he would first act politely, then resort to force if necessary, so that no one could fault him. Besides, Miao Lian wasn’t harming him by doing this, so there was no need to resist; they could just play mind games.
After making his bed and putting his personal belongings in the locker, Chang Ning began to observe his future living environment.
To be honest, the landscaping in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company was excellent, making the barracks less monotonous.
“What is this?”
The dormitory was not large, and some yellowed color photographs on the wall caught Chang Ning’s attention.
In the photograph, a group of burly men in camouflage uniforms were holding Type 85 sniper rifles. A banner behind them read “Certain All-Army Scout Sniper Competition.” The young man in the center position was likely a young Old Squad Leader Ma. The gold medal on his chest was dazzling, and his eyes looking at the camera held an unconcealable indignation.
This was just one of many photos on the wall, along with many similar ones, either from the All-Army Scout Competition or from individual competitions. The protagonists were different, but they all had one thing in common: everyone in the photos had won an award, at least third place.
“Good heavens, it turns out the cookhouse is the elite force of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company.”
The “All-Army” here referred not to the Southeast Military Region, but to all armies across the country. To win an award in a national competition showed how formidable these people were.
“I never expected the inconspicuous cookhouse to be a place where hidden talents reside.”
This discovery excited Chang Ning. Since they were elites, they must possess unique skills. If he could learn them, wouldn’t he soar to new heights?
He could refresh his experience bar again.
ps: Thank you to Shuoyue Zhaojun for the monthly ticket!
ps: Thank you to Sakura-flavored Heart Guitar, Shuoyue Zhaojun, 5263551, A Bear BEAR, Li Jia Ge Ge Zhen Shuai, Shadow Under the Mask, cong05, and the above readers for the recommendation tickets!
