BXBX NOVEL Chapter 62 - 62: There Are Mosquitoes, Three More Kilometers
That night, tension gripped the recruits as some unlucky individuals from each class were caught for punishment. The methods employed by the class monitors varied, but Class Five got off relatively lightly.
Liang Fan was spared punishment but given additional tasks by Ye Sanshi. The main reason was that Ye Sanshi didn’t want to waste time on punishment when there was a health inspection the following day.
After the lights were turned off, the dormitory fell silent. However, Ye Sanshi didn’t leave like he usually did. Instead, he lay down on a bed along with everyone else. This forced the Class Five recruits to remain quiet, even if they weren’t particularly tired.
Wang Ye curled up under the blanket and kept his head outside. He had noticed mosquitoes in the dormitory, a recent development. Concerned about getting bitten, he adopted this sleeping position. Ye Sanshi didn’t allow them to use mosquito nets, claiming that it was unnecessary since it was winter and there weren’t many mosquitoes around. He dismissed the idea of opening and closing the nets daily, as the recruits were already pressed for time.
In the early hours of the morning, loud clanging sounds filled the dormitory, abruptly waking up the recruits.
“Hmm…?”
“What time is it?”
Confused and groggy, they were soon met with another sound—cries. It wasn’t Ye Sanshi who had caused it; rather, it was a result of waking up to sore muscles. Although the recruits had felt better after yesterday’s massage, the pain returned as they moved their limbs upon waking up.
“If anyone screams again, come down and lie on the ground,” Ye Sanshi ordered, “and 1’11 give you a massage!”
The cries immediately ceased. No one wanted a massage from him, even if it was offered free of charge. The recruits groaned and begrudgingly got out of bed.
Wang Ye, however, didn’t feel the same pain. Despite his desire to continue sleeping, he rubbed his face vigorously and quickly got dressed. Within a few minutes, all of Class Five was gathered downstairs.
“When folding the blanket, remember not to fold it right away. If you want to fold it, 1’11 give you some time after the morning exercises,” Ye Sanshi instructed as they stood on the concrete pavement outside the dormitory, illuminated by streetlights.
He was on guard duty himself and had made the arrangements before reporting to the veteran squad leader in the corridor. Now, he sat behind a table, observing them.
“What time is it? The other classes are still asleep!” one recruit whispered.
“I’m not sure. 1 think it’s probably two or three in the morning.”
“No, 1 don’t think so. Brother Wang, where’s your watch?”
As they pressed down the blankets, their conversation was hushed. They didn’t look around or pause in their actions to avoid alerting Ye Sanshi.
“Forget it. Let’s just press the blankets down. Who cares about the time? We definitely won’t be able to sleep today!” Wang Ye responded his watch still in the cabinet.
Knowing the time wouldn’t make a difference now. Since they had been awakened and the blankets were being pressed down, Ye Sanshi wouldn’t allow them to return to bed.
“It’s probably around four or five in the morning, judging by the moon. But if it’s already five, there should be some movement from the other classes. It’s more likely to be four-thirty or even four,” Gu Yingnan analyzed logically.
Wang Ye agreed with him, and he also knew that army shifts typically lasted two hours.
Ye Sanshi had just taken over the guard duty shift, so it was unlikely for him to take over at 430.
Given the circumstances, there was a 90% chance it was four in the morning.
“Demons!” Wang Ye cursed silently.
Folding blankets at four o’clock seemed excessive. Even though he had mentally prepared himself for hardships in the army, it still felt uncomfortable.
Time passed, and after about half an hour, sounds of movement finally emerged from the other dormitories. The recruits from other classes were awakening and beginning to fold their blankets. It wasn’t until the wake-up call sounded that Wang Ye and the other Class Five recruits were allowed back into the dormitory after Ye Sanshi changed shifts.
“Rest for a few minutes. Your legs are still sore. It’s best if you massage them hard now!” Ye Sanshi instructed.
Inside the dormitory, Ye Sanshi didn’t assign any further tasks for the remaining few minutes. However, nobody thanked him. In their hearts, they silently cursed the two hours they spent accompanying him under the streetlights.
A few minutes later, the entire company gathered again.
At around 6:40 p.m., Wang Ye helped Qin Li and Song Yuejin, one on each arm, back to the dormitory building. Both recruits were in pain and struggling.
“Bear with it. The soreness should subside in another day or two,” Wang Ye consoled Qin Li, who spoke in a low voice, sounding on the verge of tears.
“I can’t take it anymore. 1 miss home…” Qin Li’s voice trembled with a sob.
That’s right. After a three-kilometer trip, they received a free massage service from the veteran squad leaders.
“It’ll take another day or two. Doesn’t that mean I have to receive a few more massages like this?”On the other side, Song Yuejin’s legs went weak, and his voice trembled when he said this. This damn massage was definitely the most terrifying nightmare for all the recruits who had no foundation since they joined the army. In comparison, the other things were not considered cruel.
“Endure it. It’ll be fine after this phase,” Wang Ye reassured him, understanding his pain. Although Wang Ye didn’t experience the soreness today, he had gone through it over a month ago.
As they walked, Wang Ye’s mind wandered, and he absentmindedly checked his system.
He was in a relatively good mood now because the recent three-kilometer run had allowed him to level up to the maximum level.