Chapter Ten: The Impulsive Young Man

Chapter Ten: Impulsive Youth

“Don’t be so hasty. With your talent, getting into the special forces won’t be a problem at all. Just give me a little time to make arrangements,” the colonel said, delighted that Li Runze had agreed. “You’ll all stay at my place tonight. I’ll have some food prepared to welcome the future stars of our military!”

Soldiers are known for their straightforward nature, something made clear at the dinner table. The three of them took turns toasting the colonel, but he held his own, unfazed. The four spent a memorable evening together, filled with laughter and camaraderie.

The next day, Song Nianqiang and his two friends, sporting panda eyes from lack of sleep, accompanied the colonel to the school. The instructors for the freshmen’s military training came directly from the colonel’s unit—more than capable of handling new recruits. Normally, the colonel would have declined a school visit; even the county magistrate had to make appointments in advance to see him. In this small county, the colonel was practically the highest authority. But for Song Nianqiang and his friends, he personally drove to County No.1 High School.

By the time they arrived, it was already past eleven. The freshmen’s military training had long since begun. When the new recruits saw the colonel himself appear, they all snapped to attention and saluted him. The principal, upon hearing of the colonel’s visit, canceled his meeting to greet him personally.

“This is our class,” Song Nianqiang said, pointing to a group standing at attention. “Don’t you want to join the training?” the colonel asked, half in jest. To his surprise, Song Nianqiang curled his lip in scorn. “Not to boast, but those rookies are no match for me.”

“Oh? Let me call one of them over to spar with you!” The colonel had heard of Song Nianqiang’s explosive strength, but still doubted he could take down a trained soldier. Even if they were new recruits, they had nearly a year’s worth of training and were in good shape.

“Sure, no problem. I just hope you won’t be too embarrassed,” Song Nianqiang replied nonchalantly. The colonel called out to a sergeant instructing the recruits, “Hey! You, come over here!”

The sergeant looked around, saw no one else nearby, and jogged over, snapping a salute. “Spar with this kid!” the colonel commanded, pointing at Song Nianqiang.

Once given an order, a soldier never hesitates. The sergeant saluted again, took his stance, while Song Nianqiang stood there lazily, cockily beckoning with a finger. Never before had the sergeant been treated with such disdain, even in the army. He strode forward and swung a punch at Song Nianqiang’s head.

What happened next made the colonel’s eyes light up. Song Nianqiang caught the punch with ease, then, in one fluid motion, hoisted the sergeant over his shoulder and slammed him to the ground. Not stopping there, he grabbed the sergeant’s arm, and with a swift movement, hooked a foot around his neck, the entire sequence seamless and natural.

“Haha, excellent!” the colonel applauded. The sergeant, embarrassed to be bested by a student, paled. “Don’t take it too hard; he’s the nephew of Major General Liu Zhaohai. It’s no shame to lose to him,” the colonel laughed heartily. Just then, the principal approached, smiling and reaching out to shake the colonel’s hand from afar.

“What brings the colonel here today?” The principal thought himself witty, but Song Nianqiang felt only scorn for his attempt at humor. The colonel, unruffled and experienced with such scenes, replied with a smile, “These three kids had a bit to drink at my place last night, so I brought them here myself this morning.”

Many students overheard this, and began to wonder what relationship the three had with the colonel—drinking with him in the barracks was every boy’s dream.

Everyone in the county knew the colonel’s status. Did you think a brigade-level officer would waste time in a small county for no reason? The colonel was no idle figure; he commanded real authority. If the county weren’t such a well-hidden place, the state would never have set up a military outpost here.

Naturally, many girls also glanced their way, Jiang Ningzhi among them. With her beauty, Jiang Ningzhi had already received three love letters since arriving at the school, but she had rejected all three unlucky suitors, still finding Song Nianqiang the most appealing—even if there had been no word between them after the letter incident.

“Jiang Ningzhi, I just bought some drinks. Here’s one for you!” A handsome boy approached, offering her a drink. Jiang Ningzhi smiled and shook her head politely. “No, thank you. I’m not thirsty.”

This scene was witnessed by Song Nianqiang, who was standing behind the colonel. He grabbed a bottle of purified water, walked up to Jiang Ningzhi, and said, “Jiang Ningzhi, I’ll treat you to some water.” The boy, having seen Song Nianqiang take down the sergeant with one move, stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.

“If I were you, I’d leave while I still could,” Song Nianqiang said, sitting down beside Jiang Ningzhi, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the boy holding the drink. The boy seemed to understand and slunk away, defeated.

“How can you bully your classmates like that?” Jiang Ningzhi said, but there was not the slightest hint of anger in her tone. “He didn’t even ask me before making a move on you. Isn’t that asking for trouble?” It was the first time Song Nianqiang had been this close to Jiang Ningzhi. Looking into her large eyes, his heart raced uncontrollably.

He wanted to say more to her, but Li Runze called out, “Qiangzi, let’s go!” Shrugging, Song Nianqiang gave Jiang Ningzhi an apologetic smile. “We’ll talk again another time,” he said, then stood up and walked back toward the colonel.

“Who was that? He’s so handsome!” As soon as Song Nianqiang left, a group of girls crowded around Jiang Ningzhi, chirping excitedly. “He’s an old classmate from middle school, Song Nianqiang. But he doesn’t care much for studying—always hanging around the school with that chubby friend of his,” Jiang Ningzhi replied, listing all of Song Nianqiang’s bad habits as if reciting a litany.

“What’s up?” Song Nianqiang asked Li Runze when he returned to the colonel’s side. After last night, they were already good friends.

“The principal decided to give us the day off—let’s go have some fun,” Li Runze whispered. Song Nianqiang glanced around but didn’t see the chubby friend. “Where’s the big guy—gone off to chase girls again?”

“You sure know him! There he is!” Li Runze said, pointing at the chubby boy, who was holding court among a group of girls. Song Nianqiang was about to call him over when he noticed several freshmen closing in around the big guy, their faces unfriendly.

“Hey, get lost, punks! You looking for trouble?” the big guy barked, shoving a short kid who blocked his way. But the short kid slapped his hand away and, jabbing a finger at his nose, cursed, “Fat pig! Don’t embarrass yourself. You think you can mess with the girls in our class?”

“Here comes the show!” Song Nianqiang said, sitting down on the steps, making no move to help. “You think he can handle it himself?” Li Runze asked, seeing the big guy surrounded by five or six students. “Don’t worry. If it really comes to a fight, even I’m no match for him. Those punks are no threat,” Song Nianqiang replied, then called out, “Fatty, wrap it up—we’re leaving soon!”

The principal also noticed the commotion, but the colonel just laughed, “It’s good for young people to be a little impulsive!” With the colonel’s approval, there was nothing more to say.

Hearing Song Nianqiang’s shout, the big guy grabbed the little one by the collar and tossed him aside. Then he kicked a bamboo pole to his left, stepped forward, and with a punch gave another boy a black eye. Three were floored in an instant, and the remaining two fled in panic.

Before they knew it, it was noon. The colonel was invited by the principal for lunch, while Song Nianqiang and his friends returned to their rented room, happily eating instant noodles and drinking beer.

“Do you guys think there are a lot of ghosts in this world? I have yin-yang eyes, but in all my life I’ve only seen ghosts three times—and one of those times was with you,” Li Runze said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Haha, I’m sure there are plenty of ghosts out there. Once you join the special forces, you’ll see for yourself,” Song Nianqiang replied.

The night before, the colonel had hinted that if Li Runze joined the special forces, he would be assigned to the department that deals with the supernatural.