The military training for new students at Jing University arrived as scheduled. Everyone was initially excited, but after the first day of standing at attention, they realized that military training is no joke and truly tests one's endurance.
Under the scorching sun, in the second platoon of the third battalion, Mo Jingchun, like everyone else in the company, stood slightly leaning forward and had already been standing at attention for half an hour.
In the blistering sunlight, sweat flowed freely, sometimes dripping from the forehead into the eyes, making it hard to keep them open.
When you finally come to your senses, it's hard to tell whether the moisture at the corner of your eyes is sweat or tears.
"Lean your body slightly forward, keep your fingers together, stick your chest out."
"Hey you, who told you to scratch your itch? What did I tell you before?"
"Before doing anything, you must report it. Did you report it?"
The tall and thin instructor looked serious, evoking respect at a glance.
"Report, instructor, I didn't."
Sun Hongwei, holding a stopwatch, checked the time and said nonchalantly, "Everyone add ten more minutes to your standing time."
"You were originally about a minute away from being able to rest, but you can blame your teammate. Why didn't they report it when they had an itch? Is reporting it so difficult? Or do you think if you report it, I won't let you scratch?"
"The weather is hot, sweating and feeling itchy is normal, I understand."
After speaking, Sun Hongwei strolled behind everyone, checking one by one to see if they were standing correctly.
"Report!"
Sun Hongwei frowned, "Speak!"
"Report, instructor, I want to scratch an itch."
"Endure it!"
"If you can't endure such a small itch, what can you stick to in the future?"
Someone couldn't hold back and laughed, and the laugh instantly set off a chain reaction, making everyone in the company burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at? What's so funny? Do you want to add another ten minutes of standing?"
This statement was quite effective, as if a cold bucket of water was poured over them, instantly calming everyone down.
Unlike others, Mo Jingchun, although standing at attention, was always distracted, especially upon hearing his sister's crying. He always wanted to turn around and look, but to avoid holding back the team, he could only endure it.
At the back of the third battalion's second platoon line, under a row of willow trees, Li Na and Zhang Hui Zhen were trying hard to soothe a child, but no matter how they tried, the little one kept crying, her eyes constantly searching the sea of uniforms.
At a glance, aside from the instructor, all the students wore the same clothes, and with their backs to Candy, the little one had no idea which one was Mo Jingchun.
"Na, maybe I should talk to the instructor and have Mo Jingchun come out. It's strange, really. During the class meeting that night, Candy didn't cry even though many people were holding her. Why is she suddenly crying after being held for just half an hour today?"
Neither Li Na nor Zhang Hui Zhen had much experience with children. When the toddler cried, they didn't know what to do.
They initially thought she was crying because she wet her pants and felt uncomfortable, but upon checking, it wasn't the case.
Li Na kept soothing Candy by patting her, frowning at the still-standing third battalion's second platoon.
Sun Hongwei glanced at the teacher holding the child under the tree, then at his stopwatch, realizing they were only halfway through the additional 10 minutes he mentioned.
The next moment, Sun Hongwei loudly shouted:
"Everyone, take a ten-minute break. If you need to drink water or use the restroom, do it quickly. The rest can rest on the spot."
Resting in the shade was impossible; having time to relax was already a luxury.
As soon as the instructor gave the order, Mo Jingchun turned around and ran back, but many were quicker than him. The difference was, they ran for water, while Mo Jingchun headed straight for his crying sister in the instructor's arms.
Ignoring the sweat soaking his clothes, Mo Jingchun immediately cradled his sister to comfort her.
"Don't cry, don't cry, Brother is here."
Mo Jingchun smelled of sweat, but the little one didn't mind at all. Instead, she rested her small head securely on his shoulder, ceasing her cries, though her little nose still twitched, and her face showed a hint of fear.
"Wow, Mo Jingchun, you're good. Just a little comforting, and Candy stopped crying," Zhang Hui Zhen praised Mo Jingchun.
"But let me clarify, neither Na nor I mistreated the little darling. She was fine earlier, and then she just started crying out of nowhere, and no amount of comforting seemed to help."
Mo Jingchun apologized to Instructor Na and senior Zhang Hui Zhen: "It's probably because my sister Candy finds this unfamiliar and can't locate me, that's why she's like this."
"You should hurry and have some water. With you sweating like this, it's not good if you don't replenish. I'll occasionally bring Candy to stand by you for a bit to see if she stops crying. If it doesn't work, maybe military training isn't suitable for her."
Mo Jingchun nodded after a moment of silence.
Mo Jingchun valued group honor, but it wasn't as important as his sister Candy.
He considered himself a selfish person, as he had to be to raise his sister.
Luckily, Instructor Na's method proved effective. Anytime the little one furrowed her brow and looked around, Li Na would bring Candy to Mo Jingchun's side for a short while. It didn't take long, maybe just a minute, and the little one would be all smiles again, unconcerned about who was holding her.
Two or three days later, the little one fully adapted. She occasionally cried, but upon seeing Mo Jingchun's face, she instantly stopped crying and fussing as if flipping a switch.
"With the morning light and dew, stepping forward with youthful strides, accompanied by inspiring melodies, look! Here comes the third battalion's second platoon marching towards us, with confident faces, we passionately display our self-assured smiles and firm beliefs. The green grass is filled with the spirit of youth, the blue sky ripples with youthful hope, with each step, filled with resolute faith. Believe us, we will embrace future success with confidence and courage."
On the plastic track, an announcer explained each past formation.
On the track, Mo Jingchun and his classmates wore serious expressions, marched with powerful, synchronized steps. Following the leader's command, "March, forward!" everyone marched in proper form while saluting as they passed the grandstand.
Over two hours later, with the leader's announcement of the "perfect conclusion of military training," only when everyone was dismissed from their positions did they realize that the instructors had quietly left at some point.