"I'm going, I'm going, I'm going! A second-class merit, and a lieutenant!"
"Quick, quick, quick, pinch me, I think I'm dreaming."
"Qin Feng is amazing..."
The entire training ground instantly became noisy.
The expressions on everyone's faces changed rapidly, like a face-changing performance.
Kang Lei, standing on the rostrum, saw this and smiled. He then coughed into the microphone.
Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately fell silent.
Then, Kang Lei continued,
"Next, those whose names are called, please come up to the rostrum to receive your awards."
As Kang Lei's voice fell, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.
Although only two people were being awarded this time, their company would also rise with them.
This was the principle of one person achieving success and benefiting all.
Two figures, one after another, marched onto the rostrum in an orderly fashion.
Kang Lei handed the certificates and medals to Qin Feng and He Chenguang.
He Chenguang looked at the medals and certificates in his hands, filled with excitement.
Qin Feng, however, maintained his usual nonchalant expression.
Kang Lei looked at He Chenguang, then at Qin Feng.
He then walked up to Qin Feng and smiled,
"You brat, only half a year in the army and you've already received a second-class merit and been promoted to lieutenant. Tell me, how does it feel?"
Qin Feng thought for a moment and said indifferently,
"To be honest, I don't feel much."
Kang Lei was speechless and his lips twitched involuntarily.
"Are you going to die if you don't show off, you kid?"
Others might serve for decades and not even earn a third-class merit.
You've only been in the army for half a year and already have a military region's second-class merit.
Keep in mind, the current Yan Nation is in a period of peace.
Let alone second-class merits, even third-class merits are rarely awarded.
This heavy honor, and you tell me you don't feel much.
What *do* you feel something about?
Qin Feng chuckled and explained,
"Regimental Commander, I truly don't feel much. Military merits or anything are not important. For me, protecting our home and country is our duty."
Kang Lei patted Qin Feng on the shoulder and said,
"This child of yours, sometimes I selfishly wish you weren't so outstanding."
"But, forget it, you have a broader sky to soar in."
Qin Feng's expression turned serious, and he immediately said loudly,
"Report, Regimental Commander, please rest assured, no matter where I, Qin Feng, go in the future."
"I will always remember that I, Qin Feng, am a soldier of the Iron Fist Regiment, and once a soldier under your command! The Iron Fist Regiment is my eternal home."
"Good!"
Kang Lei's eyes reddened slightly and he said,
"You truly are a soldier of my Iron Fist Regiment."
While Kang Lei and Qin Feng were talking on the stage, Fan Tianlei, standing below, watched Qin Feng with a thoughtful expression.
In fact, Kang Lei had noticed Fan Tianlei in the crowd long ago.
But he wanted to tell Fan Tianlei, to let him know that such an excellent soldier was his.
After the medal ceremony, the regimental assembly also concluded.
As soon as he stepped off the stage, Kang Lei ignored Fan Tianlei and quickly walked away.
Fan Tianlei smiled helplessly at Kang Lei's reaction.
Afterward, he went to his car for a moment, then quickly walked towards Kang Lei's office.
Meanwhile, Qin Feng's life returned to normal, continuing his regular training.
Of course, his daily training was no longer enough for Qin Feng. He was secretly adding extra training for himself.
Kang Lei and Fan Tianlei arrived at the office almost one after the other.
As soon as he entered, Kang Lei saw through Fan Tianlei's smiling face and his true intentions, and said mercilessly,
"What do you want to say? Don't say anything. No. No matter which soldier of mine you want to poach, I won't give them to you."
Fan Tianlei, that old fox, his intentions were as clear as day.
How many years had Kang Lei worked with Fan Tianlei? How could he not see through him?
Fan Tianlei was not discouraged by Kang Lei's words, his smile unwavering, and said,
"I don't want your soldiers! I'm here to bring you a gift."
Saying this, Fan Tianlei raised what he was holding to show Kang Lei.
"What is it?"
"Roast chicken and good wine."
Wine!
Kang Lei's eyes flickered, and the wine bug in his stomach was instantly awakened by craving.
There were regulations against drinking in the army, and he hadn't had any for a long time.
Now with roast chicken and good wine, it had completely hooked Kang Lei.
He instinctively swallowed.
Kang Lei loved these two things, he liked them very much.
Fan Tianlei had known this from the beginning.
He just didn't expect Kang Lei to still be the same, what was that saying, a dog cannot change its...
He took the bait!
Fan Tianlei was overjoyed internally, waiting for Kang Lei to bite the hook.
Kang Lei still maintained a shred of vigilance and said,
"No, we are a rapid reaction force, and there is a prohibition on alcohol. Are you trying to harm me?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Tianlei stood up directly and said with utmost sincerity,
"Old Kang, we are both rapid reaction forces, and we aren't drinking in the courtyard."
"Elder brother, I pulled you out of a pile of dead bodies, would I harm you?"
"It's been a long time since we brothers have been together. I miss you in my heart. Let's find a place nearby and have a good drink or two. And about the exercise last time, consider it my apology. You have to give me this face, right, elder brother?"
Kang Lei looked at the good wine on the table, then at the sincere Fan Tianlei, and his eyebrows twitched.
"Are we just catching up and not talking about anything else?"
It really seemed to be as Fan Tianlei said.
Fan Tianlei nodded with continued sincerity and said,
"Really, I've brought everything, the place is booked. Elder brother, just have a couple of drinks with me."
Fan Tianlei's words moved Kang Lei, and coupled with the fact that good wine was not often available, he couldn't miss this opportunity.
Kang Lei felt like he could already smell the wine.
"If we're going out for drinks, we have to wear casual clothes. Where are your casual clothes?"
Hearing this, Fan Tianlei's eyebrows shot up, and he immediately pointed to the car outside,
"In the car!"
Kang Lei blinked and said,
"I have my casual clothes here. Let's split up!"
After changing, Kang Lei got into Fan Tianlei's car.
The two drove towards a small restaurant a few kilometers away.
Fan Tianlei had indeed arranged for many dishes in advance, all of them being good pairings for alcohol.
Things like pig ears, peanuts, and smashed cucumbers.
As soon as they sat down, Fan Tianlei first drank a self-punishment glass and said,
"Elder brother, I'll first apologize for the exercise last time."
Fan Tianlei had a high tolerance for alcohol, and he was very confident he could get Kang Lei drunk.
"Hey!" Kang Lei waved his hand and said,
"It's all in the past, don't worry about it. Besides, exercises are like battlefields, the situation at the time was unavoidable, brother doesn't blame you."
What was supposed to be a self-punishment drink for Fan Tianlei turned into a toast for both of them.
After the first glass of wine was down, Fan Tianlei immediately poured Kang Lei a second glass.
While talking, the two clinked glasses again.
After a few rounds of drinks, Kang Lei, who didn't drink often, was quickly gotten drunk by Fan Tianlei.
Drunk people like to reminisce about the past. Both of them became sentimental as they talked.
Kang Lei's voice even rose by an octave.
Finally,
The drunken Kang Lei patted Fan Tianlei on the shoulder and said,
"Tell brother, which soldier do you want?"
Having said that, Kang Lei paused to hiccup.
Then, with a grand wave, he continued generously,
"I'll have him report to you right now."