That day, the rookies on the training ground faced their first test from the devil.
Huo Rou taught the lesson of "you can't judge a book by its cover" very well.
Cheng Huang and Wen Hu stood by, laughing heartily.
"Hahaha, finally someone is like us back then," Wen Hu said, stroking his chin, a feigned sadness in his smiling eyes. "So miserable!"
Cheng Huang watched Huo Rou scolding people on the field, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Do you think I can still give up this captain position?"
"Dream on," Mr. Lin said softly beside them.
"Ah?"
"Lone Wolf has such beautiful children and a husband, shouldn't you let her enjoy life? Why are you messing around here with us?" Mr. Lin grumbled.
Wen Hu glanced down at Mr. Lin, who was squatting beside them, using their shadows to hide from the sun, and was quite speechless. "Mr. Lin, perhaps you should pay attention to your image?"
"What image should I pay attention to?" Mr. Lin looked at the passionate youths on the field with great satisfaction. "After today, they won't look down on anyone, no matter what kind of person they are. I won't need an image in front of them."
The old soldiers watching from behind the scenes exclaimed, "Good heavens."
"Mr. Lin, since you brought the Wolf Team here, can we visit her during our leave from now on?"
"Exactly! You brought this fate upon us, you can't say anything now, right?"
Mr. Lin remained noncommittal.
The bout ended, and Shen Wuyou appeared at the edge of the training ground.
"A Rou!" His brows were clear and open, his smile gentle.
"Meeting's over?" Huo Rou left with him, leaving a group of rookies behind in amazement.
It was indeed the first time they had seen a healthy person who could make Dr. Shen treat them specially and come to this dusty training ground to find someone.
"Mmm." Shen Wuyou handed Huo Rou a pack of tissues, motioning for her to wipe her sweat. "The spring breeze is warm, but if you get sweaty from strenuous exercise and then get caught in the wind, you can still get sick."
"A Rou, there's going to be a commendation letter issued to publicly praise all participating personnel. The laboratory meeting today was to determine the list and ranks."
Although Huo Rou had used the excuse that she wasn't part of the laboratory to avoid attending, he still had to convey the meeting's content. Moreover, this did indeed involve her.
"Let's not do that," Huo Rou said, not wanting to be so high-profile. Having been in Shenji for so long, she had grown accustomed to being unknown. Besides, such titles meant little to her...
"Let's give it to those who need it." Some people needed the title for promotion, some needed it to bring glory to their families, and some needed it to prove their worth. Anyone else would need it more than she did.
Shen Wuyou looked at her disapprovingly. "A Rou, this is recognition for you! It's not about whether you need it or not. When rewards and punishments are clear, people will be more motivated. Besides, you've done so much, and you deserve to be recognized!"
"But, a public commendation is too conspicuous..."
Shen Wuyou smiled. "You are no longer the Lone Wolf of the Shenji Commando Unit. The commendation is for you, Huo Rou, the person."
Huo Rou still frowned. Shen Wuyou waved his hand. "Anyway, I've already submitted it."
As soon as she exited the military compound, Minister Zeng's call came through.
"Xiao Rou!! That, there's a list of commendations. As our ace, you're naturally indispensable. I've already submitted your name!"
"But I'm not from the Intelligence Department!" Huo Rou thought this would surely be rejected.
Minister Zeng remained unfazed on the other end. "We all consider you one of our own. If you feel something is missing, why don't you join us now!!"
To prevent Huo Rou from refusing again, he quickly hung up.
Reporting Huo Rou's name didn't quite fit their personnel structure, but the higher-ups hadn't sent it back!!
What did this mean?
It meant that the higher-ups also recognized Huo Rou's contribution to the Intelligence Department! Of course, as an old fox, he also smelled an opportunity. As long as he extended an olive branch to Huo Rou, Huo Rou's entry into the Intelligence Department would be a done deal.
He wanted to poach her! The Biomedical Research Institute was already secretly considering it, so he had to get involved!
Time flew by, and it was a pleasant spring day in early March.
Huo Rou sat in the solemn auditorium, listening to the announcer's powerful voice.
He spoke of the changes in Yizhou since the Yizhou virus, the touching stories from the Yizhou incident, and the people who stepped forward.
The entire internet was broadcasting the conference live.
As they listened to the announcer's narration, netizens were moved. The Yizhou virus had shown them the fragility of life and its resilience, the darkness of human nature and its shining moments. It had taught them to cherish and, more importantly, to be grateful.
The commendation ceremony was held in this context and with such solemnity.
The highest leader personally presented the awards, a formality that demonstrated the nation's recognition.
Netizens were still fervently discussing the situation in Yizhou in the comment section:
[This content is really well-researched! It completely hit my heart!]
[Fortunately, our country didn't waver when country M threatened to release them! Yizhou was like that, and if the perpetrators were released, it would be a complete slap in the face!]
[This is the first time I've watched something so serious and actually got into it!]
[Of course, you can get into it! I saw a beautiful young lady in that shot just now! She was sitting in the front row!]
As the announcer's narration neared its end, the comment section and discussions began to deviate, and netizens started arguing!
[In such a solemn commendation ceremony, how could you be looking at pretty girls? The country is also at fault, why would they find a beautiful woman for this? If she's an etiquette host, she should be on stage. Sitting here is taking up the heroes' seats!]
[I saw her too! That young lady looks a bit like R, did she come because of that song she sang?]
[A commendation ceremony isn't a red carpet event, what are these celebrity young ladies doing here?! Get out, get out!]
[Celebrities, get out of the commendation ceremony!]
[She probably used connections! How could a songwriter come to this kind of event? They say celebrities are good at蹭 [ceng - leeching/basking], maybe...]
[Aren't you being a bit too sensitive upstairs...]
[Coming here to gain popularity at a time like this, are you afraid of being scolded? Isn't this poking the wounds of the people of Yizhou?]
They argued fiercely, saying all sorts of things.
As the announcer's voice fell silent, the commendation ceremony officially began.
[Bullet comments, stop! You're disturbing my view of the heroes!]
[+11111]
[+88888888 Let's watch the commendations first!]
[Fine! I want to see if she's awkward sitting there!]
The bullet comments quieted down.
This commendation ceremony recognized people from various aspects.
There were community workers and food delivery drivers who ensured the normal functioning of people's lives. These people in ordinary positions were all within the scope of the commendations.
[He really is... I'm crying! This is simply a hero from the ordinary! This commendation ceremony is really worth watching!]
[Did this celebrity maybe deliver food to sneak in?]
Someone chimed in with bitterness.
The flame war continued, and the commendations for those in everyday roles had concluded. The ceremony entered its second phase.
The camera frequently cut to Huo Rou, while the netizens' arguments continued unabated.