Chapter 57: Interview
Closing the Mall Panel, Chang Ning discovered that his 100 Merit Points could currently only be used to upgrade the Experience Bar and nothing else.
“Sigh, whatever. I’ll save these 100 Merit Points for now.”
Yes, Chang Ning did not plan to use these 100 Merit Points to upgrade the Experience Bar.
Anyway, the 5 Experience Points needed to upgrade “Sniper Rifle Shooting” could be earned by him through persistent training and reading related books, and “Rifle Shooting” was sufficient for now.
Therefore, Chang Ning planned to save up to buy a Weapon in the Mall.
Chang Ning, who had trained all day until late at night, did not feel the slightest bit of fatigue. His whole body and spirit were now in a state of Excitement.
Completing today’s Training Mission gave Chang Ning 50 Merit Points, which could not compare to the Merit Points rewarded by the Military Rank System upgrade.
Chang Ning had nothing much to say about this. Little by little adds up. Before there were Merit Point rewards, he trained the same way. He couldn’t just stop training because the System didn’t give Merit Points.
If he did that, Lao Pao would pull out his Military Belt and whip him hard.
Moreover, even without Merit Points, daily Training would still increase the Experience in his Stamina Experience Bar by a few points.
Speaking of Stamina, Chang Ning discovered that since his Stamina Experience Points reached 400, the rate of increase was not as fast as before.
If the previous rate of improvement was like taking a high-speed rail, now it was like riding an ox cart—very slow!
Regarding this, Chang Ning had specifically asked the System if Merit Points could be used to increase Stamina Experience Points a bit more.
The System’s answer to Chang Ning was that Merit Points could not be applied to Stamina. When Chang Ning asked for the reason, the System fell silent.
What more could Chang Ning do? Although the upgrade speed was like a turtle crawling, it was still better than not moving. As long as he got stronger every day, what was there to complain about.
It was worth noting that a few months ago, Chang Ning was a subhealthy otaku who could barely run five kilometers without half dying.
In the evening, Chang Ning said hello to Lao Pao. He was preparing to go talk to Chen Pai.
The topic involved personal issues, so it was more appropriate to discuss it at night when it was quiet and deep.
The key point was that everyone had time in the evening. During the day, Chang Ning had to train, and Chen Guotao had Public Affairs to handle.
Back when watching TV, Chang Ning had felt indignant about Chen Pai being unable to stand due to Ankylosing Spondylitis and eventually transferring out.
Now Chang Ning was going to persuade Chen Pai. Since he was in the film and television World, he couldn’t just watch the tragedy in the Plot continue to unfold without doing anything.
Chang Ning strolled all the way to the Combat training Place to find Chen Guotao. At this time of night, Chen Guotao was usually here kicking the Sandbag.
He had come here once before when asking Stir-fried Tomatoes and Eggs about a cooking issue, so finding Chen Guotao had become familiar and easy.
Arriving at the old spot, Chang Ning saw that Chen Guotao was already training. Sweat had wet his Clothes, and there were a few water stains on the cement Ground.
Chang Ning did not disturb Chen Guotao kicking the Sandbag. Perhaps after today, this would be Chen Guotao’s last time training so intensely like this, if he still wanted to stay in the Barracks.
“Kid, what do you want from me? It wouldn’t be about cooking again, would it?”
Chen Guotao stopped training, steadied the swinging Sandbag, and teased while looking at Chang Ning.
Actually, he had noticed Chang Ning when he first arrived. Being stared at so intently by someone late at night was quite creepy.
“Why do you always do this? Next time you come to me for something, just say it. Don’t always stare at me so intently.
I have a girlfriend, and I’m not into guys.”
Chen Guotao continued without waiting for Chang Ning to speak. Chang Ning always did this, making him want to change training spots.
Seeing Chen Guotao stop training, Chang Ning stepped forward and said, “Chen Pai, why do you always train alone here? Last time I also saw you kicking the Sandbag here.”
Hearing Chang Ning’s words, Chen Guotao thought to himself: So that’s what it’s about. No wonder you came and just stared at me without saying a word, making me feel uncomfortable all over.
“There’s nothing bad about saying this. Come, sit.”
Chen Guotao sat on the edge of the garden, pointing to the spot next to him for Chang Ning to sit as well.
After Chang Ning sat down, Chen Guotao slowly said, “Actually, there’s not much to say. In summary, it’s just two words: Dream!”
Chang Ning, who knew the Plot, of course knew the reason for Chen Guotao’s extra training, but he couldn’t say it now—there was no way to explain it.
Straight man Chang Ning came online: “Dream? How so?”
“I’ve had a dream to become a Special Forces Soldier since I was young. For this dream, I’ve been preparing since high school.
Later I got into military academy and chose the Commander major. But joining Special Forces requires passing Physical Fitness and Combat standards. I’m not worried about Physical Fitness, but without professional training in Combat, how could I meet the Special Forces Selection standards?
So I’ve been secretly training on my own, and this has persisted for many years.
Now, Wolf Fang’s Selection Training Camp is about to start. I must seize this Opportunity!”
Chen Guotao said leisurely.
“But training like this without regard for whether your body can handle it will eventually cause problems.” Chang Ning said.
He tried to steer the topic toward Training and illness without directly mentioning Ankylosing Spondylitis.
“What problem could there be? I know my own body—it’s very healthy!”
Chen Guotao knew Chang Ning meant well and patiently explained.
‘Your body is good? Don’t joke. If you keep delaying, whether you can stand up will be an issue!’
Seeing Chen Guotao keep lying and refusing to admit it, Chang Ning had no choice but to be direct.
“Chen Pai, the pain during your extra training last time—wasn’t that a herniated disc?”
“What do you mean!”
Hearing Chang Ning’s words, Chen Guotao’s expression changed. Looking at Chang Ning’s serious face, he realized that if this matter wasn’t resolved tonight, his dream might not come true.
“You know what I mean, Chen Pai.”
‘Chen Pai, I’ll see how long you can stay stubborn.’ Chang Ning thought to himself.
“What do you mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
If you have nothing else, I’ll head back. Tomorrow’s Training Plan isn’t done yet.”
Chang Ning’s gaze told Chen Guotao that he knew something. This made Chen Guotao somewhat Nervous and he stood up to leave.
“Chen Pai, it’s Ankylosing Spondylitis, right!”
As soon as these words came out, Chen Guotao’s body trembled slightly. Although he quickly controlled it, Chang Ning, who was watching closely, still saw it.
Chang Ning had no other choice. Seeing Chen Guotao stubbornly refuse to admit it, he had to go all out.
“That situation last time—I looked it up in professional books when I had time, and it matched the onset of Ankylosing Spondylitis exactly.”
“Chang Ning, don’t tell anyone about this, I beg you.”
Chen Guotao knew his biggest secret had been discovered by Chang Ning, and he pleaded with him.
“Okay, but you have to go to the Hospital for a checkup.”
“Fine.”
“Chen Pai, don’t blame me. Think about your family and your girlfriend. If you can’t stand up, how heartbroken your parents would be, and your girlfriend might even break up with you.
I don’t mean to stop you from participating in the Selection. We’re all adults. I hope you’ll consider the consequences more.”
After saying this, Chang Ning returned to the Dormitory. Honestly, what he did today was inappropriate. After all, Chen Guotao was his Platoon Leader.
But now it didn’t matter. He had done what he should. Even if Chen Guotao still participated in Wolf Fang’s Training Camp in the end, Chang Ning would have a clear conscience!
Just as he said at the end, they were all adults and had to bear the corresponding consequences for their choices.
