"Tell me, how long does each episode of pain last now?"
Chen Pai waved his hand and said, "I understand what you mean. Don't worry! It hasn't been more than two hours. I know just as much about this disease as you do. Don't worry, you've only seen it on other people, but I got it myself."
"That's good. Xiwa's here. Let's not talk about this for now." Li Ling stopped the topic as soon as he saw Chen Xiwa coming down with the basin.
Xiwa carried a basin of hot water to Chen Pai and asked with concern, "Chen Pai, how are you?"
Chen Pai smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just twisted my ankle. I'll be fine after a rest. Why aren't you guys sleeping in the middle of the night?"
“We have tinnitus,” Li Ling said.
"By shooting?" Xiwa added.
“Yeah.” Chen Pai understood. He smiled; he had experienced these things before.
"Hehehe... It's okay, you'll get used to it after playing it a lot."
Li Ling took the basin from Xiwa, and Xiwa went back to her duty.
After wringing out the towel, Li Ling lifted up the cuffs of Chen Pai's camouflage trousers and wrapped the slightly hot towel around Chen Pai's knees.
Chen Pai calmly let Li Ling do all this, but looking at him, a warm feeling flowed through his heart. What a good soldier!
After finishing his task, Li Ling sat down next to Chen Pai on the edge of the flower bed, still holding a hot towel in his hand on Chen Pai's knee. He then asked Chen Pai, "Chen Pai, what about you? Why aren't you sleeping? Are you training like this every day?"
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Chapter 38 The Leader's Inspection and Old Gao the Dog
Chen Pai looked at Li Ling, who had no expression on his face, and said casually, "I'm used to it. I've been doing it since high school."
Li Ling sighed, "High school! But... why? You're already the best reconnaissance platoon leader in our company, why do you train like this every day? And what about your illness?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Pai smiled slightly, then said solemnly, "I'm asking you, do you know anything about special forces?"
“I know, I watch a lot of American blockbusters, like Jaguars, Delta Force, and those U.S. Army commandos with their green berets on their heads,” Li Ling said.
Chen Pai smiled, sniffed, and said seriously to Li Ling, "Let me tell you! My dream since I was a child is to become an outstanding special forces soldier."
Li Ling asked, "So, Chen Pai, can you tell me why you want to be a special forces soldier so much?"
Chen Pai's eyes gleamed with longing, his voice filled with an indescribable emotion, "Because being a special forces soldier is the highest honor for a reconnaissance soldier, understand?"
"Chen Pai, tell me about the special forces." Li Ling looked interested.
"Our military region's special operations brigade is codenamed Wolf Fang. To give you an example, if our military region's combat forces are a wolf, then the special operations force is the sharpest tooth in its mouth."
When Chen Pai said this, his eyes gleamed. The special forces were his biggest aspiration for the past ten years, starting from high school.
Li Ling sighed and said, "To become a special forces soldier, it's not just about having outstanding skills; the most important thing is to maintain good physical health."
With you training so intensely every day, I'm afraid you'll collapse before the special forces selection even begins.
After saying that, Li Ling squatted down, took the towel off his knees which had gone cold, reheated it in the basin, and wrapped it back on.
Chen Pai glanced at Li Ling helplessly and said, "I told you I would be careful, why are you such a spoilsport?"
Chen Pai shook his head, then asked meaningfully, "Do you know why Miao Lian likes you so much?"
Li Ling shook his head slightly.
“Miao Lian has fought in battles and has good military skills. His dream has always been to join the special forces.”
As he spoke, Chen Pai's expression darkened, and he sighed, "He applied, but he was eliminated in the first round of physical examination. The doctor said he was not suitable for diving training because the blood vessels behind his prosthetic eye would burst due to water pressure."
At this point, Chen Pai paused, looked Li Ling up and down, and then continued, "And you have the potential and ability to become an excellent reconnaissance soldier, or an excellent special operations soldier."
"Becoming a special forces soldier was Miao Lian's dream, but he couldn't achieve it himself. So he hopes you can fulfill his dream for him. Didn't I say that he hopes you can become his embodiment?"
Li Ling nodded upon hearing this and said, "I originally planned to become a special forces soldier."
"Doing things to the best of my ability has always been my principle in life and work. As a soldier, I want to be the best soldier."
Now that I know Miao Lian also has this obsession, I will not back down. I will not let Miao Lian down. I will make him proud and honored!
Becoming a special forces soldier is Miao Lian's dream, and it's also my dream. Now, Miao Lian has entrusted his dream to me. I carry the weight of our shared dream on my shoulders. I... will not let myself down, and I will certainly not let Miao Lian down!
Li Ling's words were powerful and moving, deeply touching Chen Pai who was listening nearby.
After Li Ling finished speaking, she picked up the towel from the ground and put it in the basin, pulled down Chen Pai's trouser leg, and looked at him solemnly.
"Platoon leader, I also hope you can take care of your health. We'll be able to fight side by side in the special forces, and I don't want you to ruin yourself now."
Before Chen Pai could react, Li Ling picked up the basin and headed towards the dormitory.
Chen Pai stared at Li Ling's departing figure, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, shook his head, and got up to leave as well.
He originally wanted to persuade Li Ling to participate in the special forces assessment, but unexpectedly, he was lectured by this kid instead.
After taking a few steps, Chen Pai shook his legs and found that his legs were indeed less painful after the hot compress.
A smile appeared on Chen Pai's face: "Zhuang Yan... what a good soldier!"
...
The next day, at the firing range.
After the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company assembled, a Warrior military off-road vehicle slowly drove into the firing range. Company Commander Miao personally went over to open the car door and respectfully saluted and greeted them.