CHAPTER 454: CHAPTER 271: CONFLICT AND TENSION

Seeing Military Commanders Xia Keming and Lin Xibe arguing fiercely, Luo Ye and Zhan Hao exchanged a glance. What exactly is going on here?

"Enough, stop arguing," Vice Chairman Lin interrupted the two. "Old Lin, I’ve already given you a chance to let Xiao Luo and Xiao Zhan choose for themselves. You cannot interfere."

Lin Xibe protested: "Commander, the training of these two kids has been managed by Old Xia’s team. Naturally, their loyalties lie there, which is unfair to us."

"How can you blatantly lie? During the exercises, eight of them did join the B Army. You only brought this up when it’s time to announce the names. Giving you this chance was already an exception, don’t be too greedy, that’s not what good comrades do."

"Commander, about Xiao Feng..." Lin Xibe attempted to continue but then hesitated, looking at Vice Chairman Lin.

"It’s precisely because of that incident that I gave the B Army this opportunity. Enough, no more," Vice Chairman Lin said, turning to Luo Ye and Zhan Hao: "Let me be fair. The B Army is indeed looking to establish a special operations team. Their equipment is no worse than Team A’s, and there’s no issue of seniority. Both of you think it over carefully, which side you truly wish to join."

"I stand by my choice, I want to join the A Army," Luo Ye answered without hesitation. Choosing a military career was initially driven by guilt towards Jiang Zheng. Even if changes prevent me from being directly under him, being in the same unit is still good.

"I also insist on staying in Team A. At the selection outset, we aimed for Team A. In terms of cooperation, we have already achieved a certain level of understanding. Please, Commander, grant us this!"

Vice Chairman Lin made a final decision: "Old Lin, let it be. Anything else, we can discuss after this meeting. Xiao Luo, Xiao Zhan, you can go back now."

"Sigh," Lin Xibe sighed and said no more.

...

After the award ceremony, everyone went back to their living quarters to pack their bags, preparing to leave.

The few who weren’t selected looked gloomy. Even though they were mentally prepared, it was still hard to accept when the results were officially announced.

"Whimper... after enduring so much hardship and suffering so much pain, I still wasn’t selected, whimper..." Once in the room, Liang Xiaorao threw herself on the bed and cried.

Affected by her, Li Xiaobei silently started to cry too. Luo Ye sighed, embraced both, and then turned to go to the next room. Yaoguang, who hadn’t said a word on the way back, expressed her concerns.

"Yaoguang, say something, please talk to me..." Luo Ye entered to find Xing Nong helplessly watching Yaoguang packing, tears streaming down her face.

"Yaoguang..." Luo Ye hugged Mo Yaoguang: "I know, any comforting words seem hypocritical. So, I want to make a request, next year, you must get selected!"

Yaoguang stopped what she was doing, her eyes reddened, and then tears started falling down abundantly. Xing Nong stood up and hugged them tightly: "We... we’ll be waiting for you, Yaoguang, we’ll be waiting for you."

"Okay!" Yaoguang nodded, her tears still rolling down: "I just feel so, so sad, not being able to act with you in the future. Really, I’m not jealous of you two, not at all!"

"I know, of course, I know," Luo Ye said, tears rolling down his cheeks: "Fool, we are still living in the same dorm, still attending the same classes, and still participating in regular training together. It’s just that occasionally, on special training or minor missions, we can’t be together. As long as you work hard, one year later, we will definitely fight side by side."

"Okay!" Yaoguang wiped away her tears, "You two really have no shame, crying like that?"

"Didn’t you cry? Look, take a good look..." Xing Nong grabbed a mirror, forcing Yaoguang to look: "Trying to stand tall on top of us, but I won’t let you get away with it!"

"That’s too mean. Just because someone didn’t get selected and is feeling down, can’t you let it go just once?"

Xing Nong put down the mirror, nodded: "Alright, the demon didn’t cry, Luo Ye and I cried, we are the weak ones, are you satisfied now?"

"Sort of," Yaoguang burst out laughing: "I just wanted to see, how much you really care about me."

Luo Ye and Xing Nong: "..."

"My advice to Yaoguang, I also offer to you, if you want to be with us, there are opportunities every year," Luo Ye said, turning to pat Sang Cao, who was sobbing softly on the bed: "We are waiting for you."

"Actually, I already expected to be not selected, but I couldn’t help wanting to cry, feeling that if I didn’t, it wouldn’t be fair to myself," Sang Cao said with a sob, sitting up.

"Well, then just have a good cry," Xing Nong said, tickling her underarm.

"Ha ha... no... ha ha... Xing Nong... I don’t want to cry anymore... ha ha..." Sang Cao laughed breathlessly, trying to push Xing Nong away, but without any strength, she floppily lay on the bed letting Xing Nong do as she pleased.

"Stop teasing her, let her mood recover a bit, then pack up. I have to go back and pack my stuff too," Luo Ye said as he walked away.

Yu Na, who had been watching them indifferently, smiled: "Luo Ye, you’re more and more like a squad leader now."

"Is that so? That’s good," Luo Ye stopped, raising an eyebrow with a smile: "Yu Na, no need to remind me, I haven’t forgotten that you’ll be the squad leader when we return to school."

Yu Na stood up smiling: "To be the squad leader of a meritorious First-class Merit, I’m truly happy!"

Xing Nong giggled: "Yu Na, if our Luo Ye gets selected as the district team leader, you’d be even happier."

"Of course," Yu Na’s smile faded.

"Stop it, aren’t you embarrassed?" Just then, Zhan Hao’s roaring voice came over, and Luo Ye hurriedly stepped outside.

Entering the male dormitory, Luo Ye saw Zhan Hao blocking Wang Tianlin, his face full of anger.

"What happened?" Luo Ye nudged Liu Xing and asked quietly.

Liu Xing explained in a low voice, "Some of them are not convinced about Wu Zetian being selected, and as they talked, it got heated, and Wang Tianlin and Old Wu came to blows."

Luo Ye nodded in realization. In the women’s team, the difference in strength is quite clear. Those who weren’t selected were unhappy, but it wouldn’t lead to conflicts. In the men’s team, Zhan Hao, Liu Xing, and Yan Han are equally strong. The others, if really compared skillfully, Wu Zetian might not be the worst, but definitely not the best either, hence, it’s understandable that everyone is not convinced.

Wang Tianlin huffed, "I still stand by my opinion; there’s definitely something wrong with his selection!"

Luo Ye stepped forward, "May I say a few words?"

Zhan Hao gestured to Luo Ye, "Luoluo, don’t get involved in this."

"I’m not trying to interfere, I just want to speak some fair words based on facts. I’ve partnered with Wu Zetian once, his skills might not be the best, but his sensitivity to directions and positions is unmatched.

Team A wants specialized talents. In the selection process, many factors need to be considered. That is to say, if there is a computer genius among us, even if his physical skills are poor, he would still be selected. Can you accept this explanation?"

"Luoluo, thank you," Wu Zetian said, his face red with angst, "I don’t mind being wronged, but they whisper about me relying on my family’s money and taking a back door, isn’t that an insult to the entire military?"

"Who said that?"

"Luo Ye, no matter who said it, it’s not your place to point fingers right?" Li Midong snorted; "And it’s not right to cover for each other just because you are close, right?"

Luo Ye looked coldly at the crowd, "Here’s the deal, when we get back to school, let the team leader provide a topographic map, and anyone who’s not convinced can challenge Wu Zetian. That would be fair, right?"

"Fine, let’s compete then!" Wang Tianlin was the first to agree.

"Count me in," said Li Midong.

"I’ll join too!" Lu Jian and Jing Feng almost simultaneously announced.

Zhan Hao waved his hand, "Since it’s agreed, everyone go back to your rooms to pack up. You’re embarrassing yourselves." After speaking, he pulled Luo Ye out to a quiet place, "You fool, why do you have to meddle in everything, didn’t I give you a look?"

"I was just stating the facts, what’s wrong with that?" Luo Ye looked puzzled, "Is there something I should avoid?"

Zhan Hao looked around cautiously before asking softly, "Tell me, what’s your relationship with my cousin?"

"Do you mean Ye Xuan?"

"Who else could it be?"

"What does he have to do with this?"

"They were arguing earlier, saying cousin received benefits from the Wu family, which is why he made an exception for Old Wu. If they find out about your relationship with my cousin, won’t they think you’re just trying to help Old Wu?"

Luo Ye frowned, sizing up Zhan Hao, "I must say, you’re not much of a cousin. Others are slandering your cousin, why aren’t you defending him?"

"During the exercises, Old Wu and my cousin acted together, I am not sure about his specialty, so I can’t speak recklessly. How can I defend my cousin?

They have reasons to misunderstand him. During training, Old Wu’s parents once met with him and took him out for a meal. Think about it, wouldn’t others have opinions?"

"What urgent matter would allow breaking such a rule?"

"Old Wu’s parents donated hundreds of millions to the military and requested to see their son, the order came down, and my cousin had to obey, right? But this is supposed to be confidential, right? I can’t speak about it outside, and neither can Old Wu. He trusts me, which is why he quietly told me."

Luo Ye couldn’t help but laugh, "The Male Emperor’s parents really love their son; you can tell from their actions that the donation was entirely to see their son. Oh man..."

"Why do I feel like you’re enjoying others’ misfortune?" Zhan Hao scrutinized Luo Ye.

"No, no, I was just suddenly thinking, if this kind of training happens often, the Male Emperor’s parents will really have a hard time." Luo Ye recalled the conversation with his mom and changed the subject, "By the way, good news, my mom agreed to help your aunt."

"I knew auntie would help out," Zhan Hao smiled wickedly, "Really looking forward to the look on my uncle’s face when he finds out he has a son."

Liang Xiaorao ran over, "Luo Ye, hurry, some senior official is looking for you."

"A senior official looking for me?" Luo Ye’s cheeks reddened; could it be Mr. Ye?

Sending out the noon update late, oh well, calling for all your support to energize us...Special thanks to ’Han Xia 5520’ for the reward, and thank you to the subscribers for your support. (To be continued, for subsequent events, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)