Chapter 20: For the Sake of Health, Quit Smoking!

“Why are you carrying a butcher’s knife? We’re soldiers, not butchers!”
“What? Your family’s in the butchery business, and your father told you to carry it for protection? You...”
“Nonsense! Who told you to bring bullets?”
...

The new recruits were officially assigned to their companies and squads. Now, as each squad entered their dormitories, they began inspecting everyone’s luggage.

Inside the dormitory where Chu An and the others stayed, they could hear the shouts of other squad leaders nearby.

The embarrassment wasn’t limited to the Fourth Squad; other squads had similar characters.

The local customs were rugged, and crucially, almost no one had much experience traveling far from home, let alone any safety education.

For all these reasons, it was hardly surprising to find some bullets in the new recruits’ luggage, judging by Wang Qinghe’s reaction.

Even when Qiu Wei pulled out a handgun, Wang Qinghe’s reaction was mild—only when he realized it was secretly brought from home did his temper flare.

“Bang!”

Inside the Fourth Squad’s dorm, Qiu Wei’s handgun was examined by Old Wang, who removed the magazine and threw it onto the table.

The dull thud made Chu An’s eyes involuntarily glance again and again.

Though he had handled guns during the nationwide military drills, he was too young at the time to have ever fired one.

As for his previous life before reincarnation, that was even less to speak of—living in a society long since outlawing firearms, the only guns he had ever touched were toy models in childhood.

But now, this was a real gun!

And it was casually tossed within arm’s reach, with the magazine still loaded with bullets.

Honestly, he really wanted to touch it.

Of course, it was just a fleeting thought.

“This is the army, not a bandit camp!”

Wang Qinghe’s expression was unusually stern, his tone heavy as he spoke: “You don’t need to bring your own guns or ammo when you join the army.

And as soldiers, even if you’re just recruits, once you put on this uniform, you must follow military discipline, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir!”

Some responded, others remained silent, but the next moment Old Wang suddenly glared at everyone and shouted, “Are you all mute?”

“Yes, sir!”

This time, all the recruits answered loudly.

Satisfied, Old Wang finally let them be.

The inspection continued without incident this time.

At most, two recruits had cigarettes and matches confiscated after they were found in their bags.

“What are you looking at? How about yours?”

After checking everyone’s bags for cigarettes, Old Wang suddenly looked at Chu An.

Embarrassed, Chu An smiled sheepishly and obediently pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a box of matches from his pocket.

These were the “economy” cigarettes he had bought for Old Wang the other day.

Chu An had only sneaked a single cigarette that night when he went to the bathroom.

After being caught by Old Wang the next day, he had resolved to quit.

Mainly because after being exposed, Chu An realized it would be difficult to smoke during the recruit training.

Besides, he understood that smoking’s harm to health was no joke.

It truly affected lung capacity.

Thinking that he would be going to the battlefield early next year, Chu An steeled his resolve and decided to give it up.

“Just one cigarette? Nothing hidden on you?”

Old Wang took the cigarettes from Chu An, glanced at them, then tilted his head and eyed him askance.

“Reporting, really not. I don’t smoke at home; I just bought a pack out of curiosity that day.”

Chu An made a casual excuse.

Though not entirely a lie—this incarnation of Chu An had indeed never been a smoker.

“Hm, alright then.”

Wang Qinghe nodded and shifted his gaze to the other recruits: “If anyone else has cigarettes on them, be honest!”

After a pause, his expression grew serious again: “Smoking is strictly forbidden during recruit training—this is for your own health!”

With that, his eyes scanned everyone once more: “We’re soldiers, so I’m not searching your bodies, but I’m putting this on record now.

If I catch any of you smoking during training, don’t blame me for not warning you today!”

Still no one spoke. After waiting a moment, Old Wang said bluntly, “Alright then, since there’s none left, pack up your bags. We’re going to store them!”

...

“First time smoking? It tastes terrible, huh?”

Following Wang Qinghe out to store their bags, Li Guoping came up beside Chu An with a smile, speaking softly.

“Yeah, it choked me!”

Chu An replied casually, matching his tone.

This made Li Guoping laugh even more joyfully.

But they didn’t chat long; the storage room wasn’t far.

Just a room in the row of red brick buildings ahead.

After storing their bags under Old Wang’s guidance, they lined up again in front of these buildings to receive their uniforms, bedding, and mosquito nets.

At home, everyone had only been issued a set of uniforms, which they had worn from there until now without washing.

Now, finally, they had fresh clothes to change into.

“Squad leader, can we shower today?”

Back in the dorm, someone couldn’t help but ask the question on everyone’s mind.

Though it was March, this was southern China, and after several days without bathing or changing clothes—especially after two days in that stuffy train—everyone felt uncomfortable.

“Yes, today we’ll arrange for everyone to bathe!”

Wang Qinghe’s words instantly stirred excitement among the recruits.

Chu An was eagerly anticipating it as well.

He had actually asked Old Wang about it a couple of days ago.

But at that time, the answer was to hold on a little longer; after the assignments were finalized, there would be a uniform arrangement.

And now, that moment had arrived!

Next, under Old Wang’s direction, everyone quickly started making their beds and learned how to properly hang the mosquito nets.

It had to be said, these nets were absolutely essential.

In March, there were no mosquitoes in southern Hunan.

But now, at the southwestern border of the motherland, after a few nights, even though Old Wang lit mosquito coils in the dormitory before bed, they were still bitten several times each night.

By now, Chu An had several scabs on his skin—scratched raw from the unbearable itching.

No one knew what kind of mosquitoes lived here; their bites itched not only intensely but persistently, to the point where you just had to scratch.

“Beep beep! Assemble!”

Suddenly, as everyone was still fiddling with their mosquito nets, a whistle sounded outside.

“Move out!”

Old Wang, who had been sitting at a table watching them, immediately grabbed his hat and put it on.

There was a slight hint of urgency.

The new recruits from nine squads in the two rows of red brick dormitories quickly ran out under their squad leaders’ lead, then followed the calls of an unfamiliar officer to assemble on the playground beside the dormitory.

...