During the lunch break, all twelve classes were learning how to fold their comforters into perfect squares.
However, because the comforters were relatively new, folding them proved difficult. The squad leaders only taught them a few times before letting them figure it out on their own.
Consequently, the new recruits in other classes were not exempt from reprimands.
After a round of scolding, these proud, intellectually gifted students, who were known for their strong learning abilities, felt quite demoralized.
Who would have imagined that on the very first day of training, the biggest challenge would be folding a comforter into a tofu-like square?
Seeing that quick results were impossible, the new recruits in other classes simply gave up and decided to rest.
But in Class Five, the effort was still in full swing, with several new recruits even devising geometric methods for folding the comforters.
They were intensely competing because they didn't want to be outdone by Gao Fei.
They were all new recruits undergoing the same training; if Gao Fei could learn it in one go, why couldn't they?
Thus, the entire Class Five was currently in a state of intense internal competition.
When the lunch break ended, everyone gathered on the training ground to continue with drill practice.
After the scolding and trials of the morning, the new recruits' learning progress was quite good; at least they were learning to look the part.
However, compared to standard drill formations, they were still far from it.
The high-intensity training still inevitably led to minor mistakes from the new recruits.
And making mistakes meant that hellish push-ups were imminent.
During the push-up segment, the numbers one and two rose and fell incessantly on the training ground.
But at this moment, the new recruits of Class Five were once again experiencing self-doubt.
"Attention, at ease, attention, at ease, column right...
Turn left, turn right, about face, about turn...
March in step..."
Crack! Crack! Crack!
With countless commands issued, Gao Fei executed each movement with perfect precision.
Li Dong was stunned, and the new recruits behind him were bewildered!
They couldn't fathom how, after just one morning, Gao Fei seemed like a completely different person upon returning to the training ground.
His posture in drill practice was so perfect, indistinguishable from that of a soldier.
Li Dong, who had just finished giving commands, swallowed hard. As a former recruit himself, it usually took about a week to master all the drill movements.
Yet, this top humanities student from Long Country had standardized all the movements in just one break.
Was this the immense learning ability of an academic prodigy?
Li Dong glanced at Gao Fei, then at the new recruits behind him.
The meaning in his gaze was evident even to a fool, let alone these intelligent new recruits.
"Attention, everyone! Rest for ten minutes!
Gao Fei, come with me for a moment!"
As the two of them left, Li Shuishui and the others felt a great sense of relief.
Even though they were resting under the scorching sun, it was far more comfortable than the intense training.
Zhang Cheng glanced at Gao Fei and Li Dong walking away and said, "Brothers, do you think Gao Fei is cheating? It's only been a morning, and he's already far surpassed us. Is this normal for a person?"
"He's good at studying, knows martial arts, can do business, and can compose music... that's already the peak for a normal person, but now he's even doing military training like a real soldier. Comparing ourselves to him is just depressing!"
"If I learned anatomy, the first thing I'd do is dissect Gao Fei to see what's in his head. This is simply not human!"
Gao Fei's performance that afternoon had once again redefined the new recruits' perception of him.
If folding comforters in the morning required skill,
then the drill practice in the afternoon demanded years of accumulated training to achieve such standards.
Initially, everyone was still unwilling to be outdone.
But now, a single thought emerged in the minds of everyone in Class Five: what was the point of competing? It would be good enough if they could just keep pace with him.
Meanwhile, under the shade of a tree not far away.
Li Dong examined Gao Fei closely and asked curiously, "In just one morning, you've managed to perfect your drill formations. Have you had military training before?"
He was truly puzzled. How could a new recruit standardize all drill movements in just one morning?
Unless he had military training, or perhaps he was a suspicious individual from abroad!
Gao Fei, having already prepared an excuse, calmly nodded and said, "Reporting, Squad Leader. I had military training during middle and high school.
Also, I was too mischievous, so my mom sent me to summer camps and the like during holidays, where I also received similar training.
The reason I can standardize my movements now is entirely due to the morning's training stimulating my muscle memory!"
Initially, he hadn't planned to directly reveal his full-level recruit skills.
However, he recalled that he had indeed undergone military training in middle and high school, and while it wasn't very standard, it wasn't drastically different from recruit training.
Moreover, the original host was indeed a mischievous child. When his mother was busy and couldn't look after him during winter and summer breaks, she sent him to various summer and winter camps, which also included drill training.
After listening to the explanation, Li Dong remained silent for a moment before saying, "Since your movements are already very standard, from now on, you will assist me in training Class Five's drill formations. Do you have any objections?"
"Yes, Squad Leader!"
Returning to Class Five.
"Fall in!"
Li Dong scanned the twenty new recruits who had reassembled. He stated directly, "I intend to promote Gao Fei to be our Class Five deputy squad leader. Do any of you have objections?"
"No!"
The entire group responded in unison.
Given Gao Fei's astonishing performance today, none of the nineteen present dared to voice any objections.
Unless the person with an objection could surpass him!
"If there are no objections, Gao Fei, step forward!"
Li Dong shouted and then addressed the others, "From now on, Deputy Squad Leader Gao will be instructing you in drill formations in my stead.
But don't think you can slack off just because it's Gao Fei; I'll be watching from under that tree over there!
If anyone slacks off, it's ten laps around the field!
Continue training!"
With a command, Gao Fei took over the task of drill training from the squad leader.
Initially, Li Shuishui and the others thought that since they were all new recruits and comrades, Old Gao would go easy on them.
But after hearing just a few words, the nineteen of them were met with hellish push-ups.
Gao Fei's strict demeanor left them no room for playful thoughts.
The transformation of Class Five also caught the attention of the squad leaders from other classes.
When they learned that it was the new recruit Gao Fei who was assisting Li Dong with the military training for Class Five, it caused a huge stir.
Within half an hour, the matter had reached the ears of the company commander and political instructor, and it also attracted the attention of the Kyoto University teachers responsible for the new recruits' military training.
When the superior leaders arrived at the training ground, they first inquired with Li Dong about the situation.
Upon learning that Gao Fei's drill formations were comparable to any veteran soldier, it immediately piqued the interest of the company commander and political instructor.
Gao Fei, who was in the middle of training, was taken aside for individual assessment by the political instructor and others.
After a series of tests, his performance greatly astonished the company commander and the political instructor.
Even the Kyoto University teachers, who had some prior knowledge of him, were equally shocked.
When asked if he had received military training before, Gao Fei repeated the excuse he had given to Li Dong.
Everything was attributed to the recall of muscle memory.
After hearing the explanation, everyone seemed to have no doubts.
However, as Gao Fei returned to the training ground, Company Commander Wu Chenghu frowned at the explanation he had just heard. "Teacher Li, I must state upfront that I have no prejudice against student Gao Fei.
But his performance is too extraordinary, and I suspect his explanation might be fabricated.
I believe it's necessary for relevant departments to conduct a thorough investigation into Gao Fei's background, as this is a military camp, not a school!"
Li Changhuang, the head of Kyoto University's new recruit military training, had no objections to the company commander's suggestion.
He had military experience himself and understood the strict confidentiality protocols of the military.
Moreover, this place was the Kyoto Military Region, the military region of Long Country's core capital, where secrecy was even higher.
Furthermore, Gao Fei's performance had indeed been astonishingly abnormal; even he found it hard to believe that this was a recent graduate.
If Gao Fei were a spy masquerading as a student and infiltrating the military, the situation would be extremely serious.
After Li Changhuang reported the situation to the school leadership, they agreed with Company Commander Wu Chenghu's proposal.
Following their discussions, an investigation into Gao Fei commenced that very day.
By 6:30 PM, the investigation results were promptly sent to Wu Chenghu and Li Changhuang.
The investigation report clearly detailed Gao Fei's family background, his parents' social experiences, and all his activities from childhood to the present, even the petty ones.
The conclusion was that he was not a spy, and his explanation at noon was truthful!
Upon reading the report, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Company Commander Wu Chenghu smiled and said to Li Changhuang, "Old Li, if that's the case, Gao Fei was born to be a soldier.
He could recover all his past training in just one morning; isn't that proof he was born to be a soldier!"
Li Changhuang did not reply but cast a meaningful glance at Wu Chenghu.
The two were former comrades with ten years of shared military experience.
Old Li knew what Old Wu was getting at the moment he spoke.
"I understand what you're thinking, Old Wu, but this is just drill practice for now.
Whether he's truly meant to be a soldier remains to be seen.
But I must remind you, Gao Fei isn't someone you can just poach; the school leadership values him highly."
"Understood, understood!"
Wu Chenghu nodded with a smile. "Then we'll wait and see, but I have a strong feeling this kid is definitely material for a soldier. In the next few months, he'll undoubtedly amaze everyone."
....
Activity Room.
After a full day of training, all the new recruits finally had some rest time.
After dinner, led by their squad leaders, everyone gathered in the activity room.
As soon as they entered, each new recruit eagerly pulled up a stool and sat in front of the television, awaiting the scheduled broadcast of "Xinwen Lianbo" at 7 PM.
Yesterday, none of them had understood why their squad leader had said they would eagerly anticipate "Xinwen Lianbo" at 7 PM.
But after today's training, they finally grasped the meaning of that statement.
They couldn't use their phones, surf the internet, or play games for the entire day, only endless training.
Anyone would look forward to "Xinwen Lianbo" at 7 PM under such circumstances.
Yesterday, they had complained that there was only one news channel on television.
But now, as 7 PM arrived and "Xinwen Lianbo" began, all the new recruits watched with great interest, including Gao Fei.
Just as "Xinwen Lianbo" was nearing its end, a news segment appeared that sent the entire activity room into an uproar.