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Chapter 12 - The First Step in Housekeeping, Folding the Quilt
Chapter 12 - The First Step in Housekeeping, Folding the Quilt
Chapter 12: The First Step in Housekeeping, Folding the Quilt
“Bring them back from each class!” The platoon leader’s command marked the end of the formation. Chen Ming and his comrades followed Li Long back to the dormitory.
As they entered the dormitory, everyone, exhausted from the training, finally sighed in relief. They took off their hats and used them as makeshift fans.
He Dong, upon returning to the dormitory, promptly sat on the bed, ready to lie down. However, the squad leader’s furious shout stopped him: “Who allowed you to sit on the bed!”
Startled, everyone stood up, and even the overweight recruit, in a reflex, looked at Li Long for guidance. Confused expressions filled their faces.
The squad leader explained, “In the military, aside from naptime and nighttime sleep, the bed has no relation to you. Sitting or lying on it is not allowed. If you want to sit, use the small stool underneath. This is discipline!”
Perplexed, they all pulled out their small stools from under the beds and sat down, hands on their knees, afraid to move.
The squad leader nodded satisfactorily, saying, “Each class takes turns on duty today. It’s Chen Ming’s turn.”
After the morning drill, while everyone else was fatigued, Chen Ming, the duty student for the day, was still energetic.
“In school, you’ve all been on duty, right?” The squad leader asked, and they nodded. He explained that military duty was similar but included tasks like serving meals.
Pointing at Chen Ming, the squad leader assigned today’s duty: “Chen Ming, today it’s your turn.”
Chen Ming replied, “Yes,” and left the dormitory. Downstairs, the announcement was made for all duty students to help in the cafeteria.
Upon arriving, the duty students were tasked with collecting meals. Chen Ming, assigned to lead, took enough for his class and set the table.
Seemingly timing it, the squad leader arrived with the platoon just as Chen Ming finished. Outside the cafeteria, they sang a military song before entering.
Looking around the cafeteria, He Dong was the loudest singer. After the song, under the squad leader’s lead, they sat at Chen Ming’s table.
Hungry, He Dong eyed the steaming meat buns. Chen Ming, noticing, kicked him and shot him a stern look. He Dong understood, withdrew his hand, and refrained from grabbing.
Their subtle actions didn’t escape the watchful eyes of the squad leader. After a grunt, he declared, “Let’s eat!” Taking a steamed bun, he started the meal.
With the squad leader leading, the others followed suit, grabbing meat and steamed buns with a bowl of soy milk. Just like that, He Dong hastily grabbed the bread and steamed buns from the table, fearing it wouldn’t be enough.
Observing his behavior, the squad leader snorted coldly, saying, “Do you know the consequences of wasting food in the military?”
Everyone halted their actions, turning their attention to the squad leader.
The squad leader pointed to two large buckets at the dining hall entrance, saying, “Those are slop buckets, typically filled with leftover bones or food scraps.”
As they realized the implications, He Dong quickly returned the looted food to its original place.
“Someone once threw half a steamed bun down there and got caught by the company commander. Since then, those slop buckets became our squad’s ‘dessert,'” revealed Li Long.
The group hesitated, shuddering at Li Long’s words, reluctant to touch the pig-feed-like substance.
With a threatening tone, the squad leader added, “If any of you gets caught wasting food, I’ll make sure you eat the whole thing!”
He menacingly bit into his steamed bun, exuding an aura of hostility. Witnessing this, the group trembled with fear. Post-breakfast, the squad leader led them back to the dormitory for internal affairs.
“In the military, tidiness is crucial. Cups with handles facing the same way, neatly folded quilts, shoes fixed at the bed’s end, and clothes properly organized. Understand?!” Instructed the squad leader.
With a resounding “Understood,” the recruits acknowledged.
The squad leader emphasized, “Military internal affairs are nothing like playing house at home!”
The squad leader continued his lecture by giving examples of areas that require neatness. After breakfast, the squad leader led them back to the dormitory for internal affairs.
“In the military, tidiness is crucial. Cups with handles facing the same way, neatly folded quilts, shoes fixed at the bed’s end, and clothes properly organized. Understand?!” Instructed the squad leader.
With a resounding “Understood,” the recruits acknowledged.
The squad leader emphasized, “Military internal affairs are nothing like playing house at home!”
The squad leader continued his lecture by giving examples of areas that require neatness.
“After breakfast, the squad leader takes you back to the dormitory for housekeeping,” the squad leader announced.
“The most challenging part of internal affairs in the military is folding the quilt into tofu cubes. I’ll demonstrate it now. Pay attention and learn!” He added.
Observing the squad leader’s complex movements, the recruits nodded in understanding.
The squad leader unfolded his perfectly folded quilt, meticulously demonstrating the process with drawn lines and careful folding. Completing the intricate movements, the squad leader’s tofu cube emerged, perfectly square and visually appealing on the bed.
Recalling his previous attempts at home, Chen Ming contemplated the squad leader’s actions. While he had practiced at home without internet resources, his quilts didn’t match the squad leader’s expertise. However, combining the squad leader’s demonstration with his past experiences, Chen Ming quickly grasped the essentials of the technique.
Others, on the other hand, looked bewildered, exchanging confused glances, their eyes filled with perplexity.