Chapter 145 - 145: Family Letters
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the middle of the night, Wang Ye, lying on his bed, closed his eyes. A list of his personal attributes appeared in his mind.
[Strength: 1.15]
[Speed: 1.35]
[Stamina: 1.8]
[Vision: 1]
[Memory: 1.5]
[Reaction: 1.3]
[Storage space: 1 cubic meter]
[Skills:]… Pull-ups level 3 (9/40), Frog Leaping level 2 (13/20), Military Boxing level 2 (8/20), 400-meter obstacle level 2 (2/10), 5-kilometer cross-country level 3 (7/20)… Basic Tactical Movement Level 3 (Maximum), Aim Level 2 (8/20), Basic Boxing Training Level 1 (1/10), Type 81 Rifle Combination Level 1 (9/10)…
[Skill Points: 2]
Fifty days had passed, and all of Wang Ye’s attributes, including his weakest vision, had been raised to 1 due to the upgrade of his aiming skill.
One of the most remarkable improvements was his physical strength.
Before enlisting, Wang Ye’s stamina was only 0.9, but now, after 50 days, it had doubled.
This kind of growth could truly be considered rapid.
The other recruits in the company were also improving, but not as dramatically as Wang Ye. According to his system attribute evaluation, most of them, unless they were sports students before enlisting, had physical strength between 0.8 to 0.9. Now, their stamina was probably at 1.1 or 1.2.
Fifty days might seem short, but with high-intensity training day after day, it was a significant period for their physical growth. This was also the reason why recruits were not allowed to smoke during the first six months.
Of course, their growth paled in comparison to Wang Ye’s. Obviously it was because Wang Ye’s training results were directly enhanced by having a system, and the system resulted in his rapid improvement in a short period of time!
After closing the attribute page, Wang Ye gradually fell into a deep sleep.
“One minute and forty-one seconds and twenty-one milliseconds.
At the regiment camp, on the 400-meter training ground, Wang Ye came back panting as Ye Sanshi, the class monitor, walked over with a stopwatch in hand.
Don’t be discouraged by today’s results. Your hand has a huge impact!”
“Phew.” Wang Ye took a few deep breaths. After calming himself down, he raised his head with a smile, “I won’t be discouraged, class monitor. I know what I’m doing. It’s not urgent anyway. As 1 said last night, I’ll just take it as honing my skills and familiarizing myself with the venue. After taking a break later, I’ll head to the obstacle course and try my luck there!”
Wang Ye was prepared to reveal more of his potential today.
Of course, he didn’t have to run multiple times at once. He planned to use the skills and experience gained from the system upgrade when he tackled the other side of the obstacle.
Improvement was a process, and the system’s enhancements came in waves, so Wang Ye couldn’t continuously demonstrate the full extent of his improvement.
“Yes, let’s take a rest first before heading to the obstacle course later.”
With only Wang Ye and Ye Sanshi present, the latter didn’t put on a strict face. Though his expression was stern, he smiled a lot, and his conversation was calm and casual.
He took a sip from his water bottle.
Ten minutes later, Wang Ye strolled over to the obstacle course and proceeded to navigate the obstacles one by one.
Around 1:40 p.m., Wang Ye and Ye Sanshi started making their way back to the recruit company.
“Class monitor, the duty platoon leader just called for a letter to be received.”
Before Ye Sanshi entered the dormitory, someone inside spoke impatiently.
Ye Sanshi halted for a moment but then went back inside the dormitory.
“Alright, as usual, let’s review military theory today. If you pass, I can help you get the letter later. If you don’t pass, just leave the letter there for now. You can get it once you pass!”
Ye Sanshi had a smile that made everyone want to punch him, but no one dared to.
For a moment, the members of Class Five lined up for the spot check.
After all, everyone was eager to receive letters from home. Being away for more than 50 days had led to increased homesickness.
Actually, that wasn’t the case. When they sang the military songs during the New Year’s Eve party, it caused many recruits to cry and made the entire company, from the commander to the squad leader, anxious for days.
“What the hell have you memorized? Where’s your brain? Alright, talk about it tomorrow!”
Gu Yingnan was the first to be called up.
Unfortunately, he was humiliated by Ye Sanshi.
There was no punishment because not receiving letters was a punishment in itself.
Then, the second and third recruits were called up.
The process was efficient as Ye Sanshi asked three questions each.
Wang Ye was also chosen but easily passed.
Military theory was relatively simple, testing memory, and his memory now depended on his improved attributes.
“Alright, you three work hard on your own. You can come to me for a spot check every afternoon from now on.”
Out of the ten members in Class Five, three failed, and seven passed. After Ye Sanshi finished the spot check, he turned to Wang Ye and said, “I’ll get your letter. You maintain discipline in the class!”
“Yes, sir!”
After Ye Sanshi left, Yan Zhiming’s expression turned dark as he looked at Wang Ye pitifully.
“Don’t look at me; you need to memorize these yourself. Besides, didn’t you receive a letter last week? Are you sure you have more this week?”
Yan Zhiming said with a pitiful expression, “1 don’t know. What if there is? It’s like a dream!”
In truth, everyone had the same thoughts. Not everyone received a letter every time. Usually, in a squad, two or three letters were considered a lot. But Ye Sanshi would keep it a mystery and set the assessment target without revealing who received letters. He would only tell you if you had received a letter or not once the assessment was complete. If you received one, he would give it to you; if not, he’d simply say, “Wait for next time.” This was an effective way to motivate the class, but for the recruits, it felt like torture, especially for those who consistently failed.
But everyone kept their thoughts to themselves.
Soon, Ye Sanshi returned with a letter and a package.
“Wang Ye, you have a letter. Liang Fan, this package is for you.”
There was no need to mention the other five recruits who passed the spot check. At this moment, they all had disappointed expressions.
Of course, the other three looked at Ye Sanshi as if they wanted to ask but didn’t dare to.
“Why are you looking at me? I don’t know if you have any. You can pretend you didn’t,” Ye Sanshi teased, glancing at Gu Yingnan and the other two.
“Thank you, class monitor!” Wang Ye accepted the letter.
He knew without even looking that it was from home. He had only written letters to his family, so it could be no one else’s response.
As for Liang Fan, he opened the package and looked at the sender’s information with a big grin. “My brother is so generous!”
Translation:
Nonsense! He only wrote letters to his family. Who else would reply?
As for Liang Fan, after receiving the package, he looked at the sender’s information and grinned, “Wow, my brother is really thoughtful!”
Looking at everyone, he maintained a smile and said, “My brother sent this. We grew up together, wearing open-crotch pants when we were kids. Last time 1 wrote to him, 1 mentioned that I was craving the braised pig trotters from home, and they must be in here. Everyone, let’s taste them later.”
In the military, it was allowed to receive packages. In fact, some comrades had already received packages from their hometowns before, and they contained some snacks.
For example, Zhang Ping’an received snacks from his girlfriend, and Wan Baojiang did too. Last time, his girlfriend even mailed a small box of snacks to him directly.
“Come on, don’t waste time!”
Young people’s emotions come and go quickly. Qin Li and others hadn’t received any letters or packages, but Liang Fan did, and they eagerly crowded around him.
Ye Sanshi didn’t care and just watched with a smile.
This was actually a tradition; letters sent out had to be checked. When they were sent back, the squad leader wouldn’t usually read them unless the letters caused significant emotional fluctuations among the new soldiers, in which case the squad leader would have a talk with the soldier.
As for packages, they had to be opened in front of the squad leader to prevent any contraband.
“Alright, I’m going to open it now!”
Without using any tools, Liang Fan opened the package. He tore open the plastic bag outside and found a small cardboard box inside.
“I’ll help you unpack!” Everyone was eager to help, and Liang Fan didn’t waste any time. He removed the familiar packaging and tore off the tape on the cardboard box.
“Brothers, I’m about to reveal the prize…” Liang Fan held the box and looked at everyone, speaking with a smile.
“Alright, stop dilly-dallying, just open it!” Ye Sanshi urged.
The next moment, Liang Fan opened the box.
Indeed, they immediately saw vacuum-packed braised pig trotters, several of them, with a folded piece of paper on top.
Hey, don’t fight over them, don’t fight!” Liang Fan said, but the paper was snatched away.
However, the braised pig trotters inside were quickly devoured.
“What on earth is this!”
Yan Zhiming also reached into the box, but he didn’t grab a pig trotter; he found a small boxed item with a strange picture of a cup-like thing on it!
“Oh my, what’s this…” Suddenly, Song Yuejin looked astonished.
“All, fuck!” Liang Fan hugged the box tightly.
“Hmm?” Wang Ye looked at him in surprise, and the others were also intrigued by their reactions.
What was going on?
There’s something else inside!”
Ye Sanshi walked over at this moment.
“All… Squad leader, it’s nothing, really. It’s just garbage. I’ll throw it away later!” Liang Fan reluctantly handed over the box.
At this moment, Wang Ye and the others were all curious and gathered around to take a look.
Ye Sanshi held the squashed box and reopened it. His expression froze slightly as he looked at Liang Fan. “This is truly your good brother!”
Ye Sanshi heavily emphasized the term “good brother.”
“Haha!” Song Yuejin couldn’t hold back his laughter at this point.
Liang Fan felt a bit embarrassed.
And Wang Ye and the others, at this point, were also wide-eyed because they saw it too.
Under the box, there were books, and they were those kinds of books with extremely provocative and seductive covers…
“Hahaha” someone couldn’t suppress their laughter, while others even secretly reached out, wanting to take a look.
“Snap!”
Ye Sanshi opened his hand and stopped the person, saying, “What are you doing?”
“Hehe, well, Squad leader, I just want to broaden my horizons…” Qin Li grinned lewdly.
“Get lost!” Ye Sanshi scolded without mercy.
Suddenly, Wang Ye, who had been containing his laughter, looked at the small box in Yan Zhiming’s hand.
Earlier, he hadn’t thought much about it.
But now, a flash of insight struck him, and he knew what it was…
“Oh my God!” Looking at Liang Fan, Wang Ye couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly.
Damn, he was truly a good brother. Not only did he send food, but he also included these “enjoyable” books. Most importantly, he thoughtfully prepared such a self-pleasuring toy…
“Brother Wang, why are you looking at me like that?” At this moment, Yan Zhiming also happened to look over, noticing Wang Ye’s strange expression, and asked in confusion.
Young people nowadays were quite innocent; although online shopping existed, most people in this age group hadn’t been exposed to it much.
E-commerce platforms and various bizarre items found online might be unknown to them.
This was why Yan Zhiming was holding the item, and for a while, he didn’t realize anything strange. The others hadn’t figured it out yet either…
But that was only temporary.
The moment Ye Sanshi looked at the letter in Liang Fan’s hand, the truth was exposed.
“All! Liu Hui, fuck!” A wailing cry echoed from the fifth squad’s dormitory.