While Cheng Su was busy preparing to host distinguished guests at the factory, the military region of Qi Taiguo was also in full readiness. All the soldiers in the military region were dressed in their crisp uniforms, standing in the parade ground waiting for inspection.
A few black cars drove into the gates of the military region from afar. Qi Taiguo, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, turned and commanded the soldiers with hands behind his back, "Attention, right-dress."
The neat sound of footsteps crisply rose. Qi Taiguo began the military drill, thinking to himself that even if the inspector was coming, they wouldn’t be so swift to arrive, they would surely take time for a tea or something first.
Indeed, the car had been inside for quite some time with no one coming over yet.
It wasn’t until half an hour had passed that a sentinel came to report that Regimental Commander Mai was accompanying the Chief.
Qi Taiguo immediately called out commands.
Shortly after, Regimental Commander Mai arrived with a middle-aged man dressed in military uniform, followed by several others whose positions Qi couldn’t discern—they could be political commissars or commanders of other battalions.
As the man approached, Qi Taiguo felt he looked somewhat familiar.
Regimental Commander Mai introduced the newcomer, Ning Gang, Commander of the Beijing 39th Liberation Army Group. Qi Taiguo was surprised and his eyes widened.
Ning Ge’s elder brother?
While Ning Ge was still bewildered, Ning Gang spoke up, "Comrades, you’ve worked hard!"
"Greetings, Chief!" shouted the soldiers in unison.
Ning Gang gave a speech, praising the soldiers for their hard work in protecting the home and the nation, then the inspection began.
Qi Taiguo dared not think further, leading his own company through the procedures of the review, feeling a gaze fixed upon him.
The review ceremony concluded swiftly, and after it was dismissed, Qi Taiguo was called over by Regimental Commander Mai to Ning Gang’s side.
Ning Gang and Regimental Commander Mai walked ahead, followed by several political commissars and battalion and deputy battalion commanders. Qi Taiguo, under the envious gaze of his fellow servicemen, followed as well.
"It looks like Old Qi will undoubtedly be the next deputy battalion commander," sighed Company Commander Long Shaoguang.
"If you had gone on that mission, maybe it would’ve been you!" laughed Gao Linbing.
"If I had gone, who knows if I would have even returned? Now, things are good as they are. I got to see my son being born. Quite good!" Long Shaoguang laughed heartily.
"Let’s go too, keep up!"
Not far away, Chen Shouwang watched as Qi Taiguo, who had been at the back, gradually moved up to walk beside Ning Gang and engage in conversation. He pursed his lips and turned to leave.
To compare oneself to others is to court agony. Really, such an opportunity should have been his too.

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