Father, you've been drafted four times already, please spare us!

"Damn it, Lao Ge, why should you think it's yours just because you say you want someone?!"

"I was even saying I wanted this person!"

"Go away, you guys are just a bunch of idiots. This young man is right up my alley. Come with me."

"What the hell is this guy who's on your side? How come he's on your side? Let's test it out right here and now, whoever wins goes with him!"

"Come on, let's give it a try. Last time I managed to get your poop out, this time I'll make sure you poop completely clean!"

"Damn it, you think you can embarrass me? Come on, let's practice a bit!"

"..."

The group of three-cent men who came to pick up the person immediately started arguing, looking ready to roll up their sleeves and fight.

Chen Nian remained silent, simply watching them argue.

"Phew, the same recipe, the same taste, Lao Lu, I'm back!"

Chen Nian loved this feeling so much. People who hadn't served in the military couldn't understand it. It was just like going back to her parents' home, especially since she didn't have a younger brother!

"Wait, what's going on? Why is everyone else being passively taken away, but this kid is being fought over by so many leaders?"

"Who knows? Maybe he has some connections. Perhaps he's like Gao Cheng, with a father who's a military commander!"

"Damn it, why isn't my dad a division commander?!"

"I accidentally wandered into the imperial palace~"

Seeing that many new recruits' "Dao Hearts Shattered" after witnessing this scene, Old Ge muttered to himself and immediately spoke up to stop them:

"Alright, let's stop arguing. There are so many new recruits watching. He needs to act like a leader, otherwise how will he lead the troops in the future!"

Several men, each with a penny to their name, glanced at the murmuring recruits and then pretended to cough to cover up their embarrassment.

"Alright, tell me, who is this person going to?"

A few cents and three li away, a burly man urged, "There are still so many new recruits waiting!"

Old Ge paused for two seconds and then mentioned:

"How about this, since none of us can convince anyone else, let them choose for themselves!"

"That way, no one can find fault with it!"

After saying that, Lao Ge immediately added:

"Let's make this clear first: no matter who they go with, no one else can retaliate!"

"Nonsense, retaliation? That's something women do!"

"Which of us could do that?"

"..."

Seeing that the others had agreed, Lao Ge took a step forward and stood in front of Chen Nian:

"Heh, second enlistment, huh? You still smell the same!"

"They're all vying for you, but I think it's like marrying a wife—you can't force a relationship!"

As soon as Lao Ge finished speaking, a man with 13 cents stepped over:

"A forced relationship may not be sweet, but it quenches thirst!"

"However, we really haven't reached an agreement yet, so you can choose for yourself!"

Chen Nian glanced at Lao Ge and found that the other man was looking at him with a smile.

He turned to look at Yi Mao San, who had just arrived, and found that the other person was also staring at him, his eyes full of expectation.

Through the gap between the two, Chen Nian noticed that those who hadn't come over were all watching him.

For a moment, Chen Nian felt somewhat embarrassed.

Touching his nose, Chen Nian looked at Lao Ge:

"Instructor, I'll go with you!"

Upon hearing this address, Lao Ge paused in his tracks.

How did you know I was the instructor?

Chen Nian grinned:

"You smell like your mother!"

"Hahaha, get lost!"

In the military, the company commander is the chief military officer, and they usually have a bad temper, just like a father in a family.

The instructors, who are responsible for political ideology and daily life, are generally quite good-tempered, like mothers at home.

Therefore, Chen Nian's description of Lao Ge as "mom-like" is perfectly accurate.

"No way, did we really accidentally wander into the imperial palace? And we can even choose our own company?"

"Pear blossoms fall before your eyes..."

Several new recruits standing in the front row overheard the conversation and immediately felt that it was getting dark.

Everyone says the military is the fairest place, where everything is based on merit. But I never imagined it would be just as corrupt as the outside world!

Old Ge didn't care about anything else. Chen Nian had immediately exposed his identity and could still joke with him so naturally. At the very least, it proved that Chen Nian was capable. Realizing this, Old Ge's face immediately lit up with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.

In the military, if you're not one of the very best, daring to joke with your superiors like that will get you promoted to officer on the spot!

Yes, it's a promotion in the literal sense, a promotion to get things done!

But if you're a top student, even your academic advisor will make you tea every day!

This is the military; results speak for themselves!

Unaware that the new recruits already considered him a Celestial Being, Chen Nian, taking advantage of Lao Ge's pleasant mood, leaned closer and added:

"Instructor, you have excellent eyesight and can probably tell that I'm a repeat recruit. So, if you're planning to take me to your company, I'm afraid I have to apologize."

Old Ge's smile froze, and Chen Nian continued:

"You'll probably see my file soon. After basic training, I expect to be transferred back to my original unit, so..."

"Instructor, let's look after each other during these three months in basic training!"

Old Ge murmured softly:

"Looking out for each other?"

After pondering for a few seconds, Lao Ge suddenly understood:

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you with these three months of basic training, Comrade Chen Nian. I hope you won't disappoint me when it's over!"

Chen Nian grinned, recalling a phrase he had heard back in his hometown:

"Anyone is welcome within the recruit training camp; anyone outside the recruit training camp will be accepted!"

Old Ge burst into laughter at Chen Nian's antics, patting Chen Zheng's shoulder affectionately as he pulled him back, calling out:

"Come on, let me show you around!"

"Hey, Deputy Commander, take the rest of them back."

When the new recruits saw this, everything went black again!

No, this discrimination is way too obvious!

Upon arriving at the camp, Lao Ge greeted everyone:

"You all wait here, I'll go and have them come down and select the people!"

After Lao Ge and the deputy company commander left, the new recruits all gathered around:

"Bro, is something wrong with you? Look how different the advisor is towards you!"

"Bro, you're awesome! You're so cool! I'm following you from now on!"

"elder brother..."

The new recruits chattered amongst themselves, not in front of Chen Nian.

However, Chen Nian didn't find it annoying; he had been through this phase himself.

"Heh, it doesn't matter to me. I just enlisted for the second time, serving two more years than you guys. They treat me like this only because I'm less of a worry than you!"

Chen Nian subtly and gracefully put on a small show.

"Brother, you were in the army? Tell us about it, what was it like?"

"Yeah, bro, what do we new recruits need to be careful about? I heard the platoon leader is really fierce!"

"..."

Looking at the new recruits, Chen Nian felt a pang of envy. Sigh, they could still experience what it was like to be in basic training, unlike him, who could no longer feel that way.

Ah, life...

"Brother, hurry up and tell us! The counselor will be back soon!"

Chen Nian's eyes darted around, and an idea suddenly popped into his head.

"Hehe, there's nothing special to be careful about. Just follow the rules and be attentive to your duties!"

"However, after you are assigned to a class, your class monitor will usually take the initiative to wash your feet, which means he welcomes you into the big family!"

"If your platoon leader forgets, you can remind him; the army has this glorious tradition!"