The list of soldiers returning to civilian life had been released, and the troops had to reorganize the new camp. Qi Taiguo had been busy these past few days. To enhance elite training, the daily drills were even tougher than before, and in the scorching heat of August, the water they drank almost instantly evaporated into sweat. On some bare-armed soldiers, a layer of white salt could occasionally be seen.
Under the fierce sun, Qi Taiguo, with hands clasped behind his back, watched the soldiers in front of him and listened to them counting off.
"Why didn’t Platoon Leader Chen come to training?" Gao Linbing, the company commander from the neighboring Second Company, asked others.
Everyone looked at each other, all a bit puzzled.
Qi Taiguo frowned. It was time for assembly, and Chen Shouwang still hadn’t reported in?
"Platoon Leader Chen is here." Someone called out, pointing to the entrance of the parade ground.
Qi Taiguo looked over and sure enough, saw Chen Shouwang running over in his military uniform. When he arrived, he stood at attention, saluted, and said he was late because he had diarrhea.
Gao Linbing’s face looked a bit displeased as he uttered some instructive words, then said, "Fall in!"
"Yes Sir!"
Qi Taiguo turned to Chen Shouwang and noticed his face was pale, his forehead drenched in sweat. He deeply furrowed his brow. Was he really sick with diarrhea? His complexion looked so terrible!
"Fifty pull-ups, fifty push-ups, run ten kilometers," Gao Linbing barked.
"Yes Sir!"
"Attention, dress right, left turn, march in place." Chen Shouwang blew his whistle and called out commands.
With neat, synchronized strides, they headed for the track, and the orderly military songs also began to play out; Chen Shouwang and the other platoon leaders led their respective squads around the parade ground.
Qi Taiguo approached Gao Linbing and asked, "Old Gao, did Old Chen not ask for leave when he was late?"


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