Chapter 8: This is the second question

In front of everyone, Qi Tian leaned close to Xu Guoqing and whispered, a tone only they could hear:
“Why does the captain want you to target me? Have I offended him somehow?”

At these words, Xu Guoqing’s already tense body stiffened instantly.
His expression shifted from helplessness to surprise, then back to helplessness.

Clearly, Xu Guoqing never expected this.
Not long after, Qi Tian had already grasped the key point!

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Xu Guoqing shook his head and replied,
“I admit, the captain did instruct me to train you harshly, but why he gave that order, I have no idea.
As for whether you’ve offended him, that’s a separate matter and not part of this wager, so I refuse to answer.”

Xu Guoqing’s words were exceedingly skillful.
He fulfilled the terms of the bet by answering one question,
yet he spoke ambiguously, revealing no crucial details—a classic evasive response.

Hearing this, no matter how displeased Qi Tian was, he couldn’t find fault with Xu Guoqing’s answer.
All he could do was express his dissatisfaction through his eyes.

Fortunately, Xu Guoqing wasn’t excessively cunning.
Noticing the change in Qi Tian’s expression, he smiled and comforted him,
“Sometimes knowing too much isn’t good for you.
You only need to understand that everything I’ve done is within the rules.
As for what you call ‘targeting,’ from a certain perspective, it’s actually a form of help—so learn to enjoy it!”

Those words ignited a nameless fury in Qi Tian’s heart.
Xu Guoqing was plainly telling him:
From today forward, his life in the new recruits’ company would be difficult, and he would suffer hardships others wouldn’t have to endure.

To put it bluntly, as long as he wasn’t killed by the training, they would train him to the brink of death.
The most crucial point was that Qi Tian could not resist; he had to endure it willingly.

It was deeply frustrating—truly suffocating!

Qi Tian instinctively turned his gaze toward the captain.
Coincidentally, Li Yunfei was smiling broadly, staring straight at him.

Judging from the expressions on Qi Tian and Xu Guoqing’s faces moments before, Li Yunfei had realized that Qi Tian had surely guessed something.
Unfortunately, he had not gleaned any useful information from the sly Xu Guoqing.

So, he shifted his attention to Qi Tian himself.
“Misfortune is the foundation of fortune, fortune hides misfortune. Recruits, cherish this time in your new company. Harsh training is not necessarily a bad thing for you,”
Li Yunfei said with a smile as he walked past the front of the recruits’ formation.

Then, slowly following alongside Qi Tian, he headed toward the regiment headquarters building.

“I look forward to seeing your instructors help forge you into soldiers with iron skin and steel bones, transforming you into qualified warriors!”

Li Yunfei’s words reminded all the new recruits that only through sweat in training can they avoid bloodshed on the battlefield.
At the same time, he was subtly hinting to Qi Tian:

Only by enduring Xu Guoqing’s hardships and targeting could he grow into a capable and strong soldier.

Hearing this, all the new recruits felt a powerful fighting spirit ignite within them.
No one here wanted to be weak or to serve two years only to be sent home in disgrace.

Becoming a formidable soldier was every recruit’s dream, Qi Tian’s included.

After watching Li Yunfei walk away, Qi Tian’s determination flared completely.
In a resolute tone that refused to admit defeat, he reported to Xu Guoqing in a low voice,
“Report, company commander, I have no issues. Ready to continue training at any time!”

“All recruits!”

At Xu Guoqing’s command, he shouted to the entire company,
“Except for Qi Tian, everyone continue studying the military bedding and interior standards. Squad leaders may instruct freely.
Make sure by tomorrow morning’s inspection I don’t have to throw your bedding from upstairs.

As for you, Qi Tian, since you’ve almost mastered everything, you’ll do more for less—go clean the dormitories for your comrades.
The top floor of Building 1 behind us is where your ten squads’ recruits each have their dorms. I want you to have them spotless before dinner.
If I find even the slightest problem, you’ll be responsible for all interior cleanliness in the new recruits’ company for the foreseeable future. Understood?”

“Report, understood!”

Qi Tian responded loudly and immediately turned to carry out Xu Guoqing’s orders.

At that moment, many recruits secretly glanced at Qi Tian’s hurried retreat, their expressions varied—some amused, some relieved, some resentful.
Most, however, felt sympathy.

Everyone knew that even keeping one’s own bed tidy in the new recruits’ company was fraught with mistakes that brought harsh reprimands from squad leaders.
Now Qi Tian had to clean an entire company’s dormitory with zero errors allowed.

Otherwise, he would be assigned full responsibility for everyone’s cleanliness for a long time.
Just the thought of such a punishment made their scalps tingle and their skin break out in goosebumps!

As for Qi Tian himself, he felt no great emotional fluctuation.
Don’t forget, not long ago, he had received the system’s elite-level interior skills as a reward.
Cleaning one floor of the recruits’ dormitory was indeed troublesome and laborious,
but Qi Tian was confident he could leave Xu Guoqing with no complaints whatsoever!

“What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and tidy your bedding! What, do you want to join him cleaning the dorms?”

Moments later, a roar exploded from the new recruits’ company.
Immediately, all the recruits hurriedly crouched down and busied themselves,
fearing slow movements would anger the squad leaders and lead to the same fate as Qi Tian.

At this moment, none of the recruits noticed the subtle change in the expressions of the ten squad leaders.
As if they had all thought of something simultaneously.

They nodded slightly to Xu Guoqing in perfect unison, their lips curling into a playful, knowing smile.