Chapter Thirty-Two: Assembly at the Drill Ground

This was something I had no choice about. As the captain, I couldn’t simply cast out another member from the team; whoever was assigned away would inevitably overthink it. Rather than debating who should go, it was simpler for me to volunteer myself and avoid unnecessary trouble.

The rapid thrum of the helicopter’s blades grew louder as we slowly lifted off the ground.

Outside the window, a series of sounds drew our attention. Through the glass, Gao Yi and the others and I saw fireworks shooting up from below, bursting before our eyes.

“Congratulations, you are the final victors,” came a voice over the helicopter’s speakers.

But I was a bit confused about whom they meant. Since the Green Team and I were on the same helicopter, did that mean both our teams had won? If they weren’t counting me, then it was another matter entirely.

Clearly, the others in the helicopter realized this ambiguity as well. No one seemed particularly excited; they were all watching me, uncertain of how I would react.

Yet, there was nothing for me to say at that moment. Anything I might add would be inappropriate, and well-meaning words could just as easily be misunderstood. Better to remain silent.

The helicopter traveled swiftly; in barely fifteen minutes, we had descended from the mountain and arrived at the training camp.

When we disembarked, only the instructors awaited us.

“Don’t say anything for now. Go eat, you’ve been hungry all day. Rest after your meal, and tonight, once everyone has returned and eaten, we’ll assemble again,” the chief instructor announced before dismissing us.

Both teams went together to the dining hall and sat around a large table of twelve. The kitchen staff quickly began to serve dish after dish—eleven in total—leaving one space at the center empty. I guessed there was one final dish yet to come.

As expected, someone brought out a large covered pan and set it down. After glancing around with a mischievous grin, he declared, “May good fortune and great luck be with you.”

With a flourish, he lifted the lid, revealing an enormous chicken.

I was speechless at the sight—so this was really their idea of “winner winner, chicken dinner.”

All through the contest, I’d felt as if we were in a game; now, even the ending played out accordingly.

I’d already asked my teammates, and they’d confirmed that, like me, they too had heard the victory announcement while on the helicopter. In other words, both teams had won.

I suspected the chief instructor was simply unable to choose between us and so made this decision. Or perhaps he wished to test our unity by fostering internal strife—who could say?

Whatever Hua Wannian, the chief instructor, had intended, it didn’t dampen our celebration.

Perhaps because we were in a military camp, there was only soft drink and no alcohol at the table. Still, everyone was in high spirits, chatting about the day’s events as we ate our chicken and drank our beverages.

“Now that everyone’s finished, go wash up and get some rest. We’ll assemble again tonight,” I told the group once we’d all eaten our fill.

With a few waves and goodbyes, everyone headed off.

I didn’t know what kind of reward awaited the victors, but for me, simply flying back by helicopter was rewarding enough. Compared to the other students who had to descend the mountain on foot and endure a long, bumpy ride, I felt incredibly fortunate.

It had been a long day, and I was exhausted. After a shower, I went straight to bed.

My dreams were a jumble of odd and fantastical scenes, all ending with a giant clock that was being struck again and again, the sound growing ever more oppressive.

Eventually, unable to bear it, I opened my eyes—only to realize it had all been a dream.

The persistent ringing, however, had a real-world source: the dormitory bell was clanging relentlessly.

I looked out the window—the sun was gone, replaced by the bright glare of floodlights.

It must be time for assembly, I thought to myself.

“All personnel assemble in the schoolyard.”

“All personnel assemble in the schoolyard—five minutes,” the loudspeaker echoed through the corridor after the bell had rung for a while.

With a yawn, I got up, pulled on my jacket and shoes, and hurried out.

Today marked the last day of military training—tomorrow, we would all return to school.

Soon, everyone was assembled in the schoolyard, standing as usual.

On the raised platform, Chief Instructor Hua Wannian swept his gaze across the assembled crowd before speaking. “Today, whether you participated in the battle exercise or observed from the base, I trust this has been a full and interesting experience for all of you.”

“You have each, in your own way, summed up this month of military training.”

“To choose is to gain, but also to lose. Whether you chose to compete in the exercise or to remain as observers, I hope none of you have regrets.”

“I believe, after this training, you will all have gained new insights.”

He paused.

“I’m sure the two victorious teams have many questions for me—such as why both were allowed to win.”

“So let me be brief. Ultimately, whether you chose to determine a single winner or, as you did, to share victory, you are all the final victors. That is an undeniable fact.”

“If you had decided on a sole champion, that person would be the strongest leader—and might have been specially recruited into the special forces,” the chief instructor said, glancing at me.

But he found no trace of regret in my eyes; I met his gaze with calm indifference.

When it came to joining the military, I was unsure of my true feelings. I longed for the passion of military life, but also for a simple, peaceful existence. Most importantly, I felt that I should focus on learning useful skills to prepare for whatever the future might hold.

Seeing that I wasn’t particularly excited or regretful, the chief instructor seemed faintly dissatisfied.

He turned his gaze away and continued, “Still, I’m glad you saw yourselves as a team. A lone wolf may be formidable, but the strength unleashed by a pack far surpasses that of any single leader.”

“You made it to the end not because of one person’s efforts, but because every member contributed.”

“Teamwork was the decisive factor in your victory.”

“It was your mutual trust that carried you to the end—and ultimately led you to choose shared victory.”

“By awarding victory to both teams, I wanted to show you that a team is like a person—some act as the brain, others as the limbs. Only when mind and body work together can you walk straight, eat, write, and work.”

“Your victory was no accident, but the result of your hard work and mutual trust—the spirit of the team.”