The food here is served twice a day, with one steamed bun and a little soup each time. This is quite good for the survivors who have fled here, but it is a bit meager for Wang Bin and his group.

After finishing their meal in the cafeteria, everyone went back to their rooms to cook their own meals. Because they were afraid of being discovered cooking, everyone could only eat some fast food, but they still enjoyed it very much.

What do others eat? Steamed buns and soup. But what do they eat? Bread, braised chicken legs, beef jerky, and all sorts of canned goods and snacks, and of course, beer and cigarettes.

The only thing they regret is that they probably won't be able to eat hot pot for a long time, but even so they are very content.

During everyone's lunch break, Platoon Leader Liu found Wang Bin and took him aside to talk about something.

"Tomorrow, the division commander will gather everyone together for an awards ceremony. You will receive a medal, so be prepared!"

"Give me a medal? I'm not a soldier, what would I do with a medal?"

"Although you are not a soldier, you have still distinguished yourself this time. We are short of supplies here and have nothing else to repay you with, so we can only express our gratitude with this medal. Please do not refuse!"

"Okay, then."

"I've just been promoted to company commander!"

"Ah, congratulations!"

"Thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have become a company commander! Are you interested in joining the army? I can offer you a platoon leader position. If you join, I know that with your talent, becoming a company commander or even a higher position is definitely not a problem!"

"Well, I think I'll pass. I don't plan to join the army for the time being!"

Wang Bin was quite tempted by the suggestion from Platoon Leader Liu, or rather, Company Commander Liu. Unfortunately, joining the army would restrict his movements. In the apocalypse, to become powerful, he would have to plunder more gold, and he didn't want to be tied down.

Company Commander Liu was quite disappointed that Wang Bin refused. He believed that with Wang Bin's help, it wouldn't be a problem for him to be promoted several ranks.

Unfortunately, he couldn't force Wang Bin, so the matter had to be put on hold for the time being. Before leaving, he reminded Wang Bin to reconsider, saying that a platoon leader position would always be reserved for him if he wanted to come.

Back in the house, Guan Xiaoyue couldn't help but ask what Company Commander Liu had come for. Wang Bin didn't hide anything and told her the whole story. Everyone was very surprised when they heard that he had been refused the offer to be his platoon leader.

Especially Li Dazhu, who had just retired from the army when the apocalypse broke out, still longed to be a military officer.

“Dazhu, how about I talk to Company Commander Liu and ask him to let you be the platoon leader?” Wang Bin could tell at a glance that Li Dazhu was very envious, and he understood after thinking about his past.

"Ah, me! Forget it. I swore that I would follow you for the rest of my life. I will never become a platoon leader!" Li Dazhu was very shocked. He did not expect that Wang Bin would want him to become a platoon leader.

Although he longed for it, he was a very sentimental person and someone who knew how to repay kindness. Wang Bin had been kind to him and his sister, and he had already made up his mind that he would follow Wang Bin for the rest of his life.

Wang Bin didn't force Li Dazhu; it would be even better if he could stay and help him.

The next morning, everyone was awakened by the loud bugle call, and then the loudspeaker rang out, telling everyone to assemble on the parade ground.

Solar generators have been installed here to provide some electricity. However, the electricity is limited and mainly used by the military. There are electric lights in the square, which people can use if they want to be active in the evening.

Upon hearing the broadcast, everyone came out of the house.

It was a bit crowded with 50,000 to 60,000 people gathered together, but with the soldiers' help, everyone was divided into several square formations and stood in a well-organized manner, so it didn't seem chaotic.

Around nine o'clock, a group of officers arrived. They looked quite old. Although Wang Bin couldn't make out their shoulder insignia, he knew that these men must be the leaders of the 98th Division.

"salute!"

When an officer saw his superior arrive, he immediately shouted loudly.

Upon hearing the command, the soldiers saluted their commander on the platform in perfect unison.

The officer in the lead, who looked to be in his fifties with some gray hair, stood at the very front of the platform and said loudly, "Yesterday we welcomed another group of survivors. On behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the 98th Division, I welcome you!"

As he spoke, the leader clapped his hands, and the crowd below followed suit.

"In this rescue operation, we lost many soldiers, including our Company Commander Zhao and all the soldiers of his first and second platoons. Please allow us to observe three minutes of silence for them!"

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and silently mourned for the fallen soldiers.

Most of them were rescued by soldiers, and many of them were attacked by zombies during the rescue. Therefore, they were actually very grateful to the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for them.

After the moment of silence, the leader recounted some of the glorious deeds of Company Commander Zhao and others before proceeding to the commendation ceremony.

"In this rescue operation, our soldiers acted very bravely and fulfilled their duties as soldiers. After discussion, we have decided to award all the soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment a collective second-class merit, and the 3rd Platoon Leader Liu Feng an individual second-class merit, and the squad leaders of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Squads an individual third-class merit. Let us welcome them to the stage to receive the commendation with warm applause!"

Upon hearing this, Company Commander Liu, his eyes red, led the entire Third Platoon onto the stage, where they were greeted with enthusiastic applause from everyone present.

After awarding medals to all the soldiers in the third platoon, the commander said loudly, "In this rescue operation, in addition to our soldiers, there were some survivors who performed outstandingly. They did not care about personal gains or losses, and selflessly donated the ammunition they had painstakingly collected to our soldiers. They also fought alongside our soldiers to buy time for hundreds of survivors. Moreover, if it weren't for them the night before last, the hundreds of survivors and our soldiers you saw yesterday would not have been able to come here alive."

"Now, please give a warm round of applause to welcome Wang Bin and his companions Guan Xiaoyue, Miao Ruyun, and Li Dazhu to the stage to receive our commendation!"

As soon as the leader finished speaking, the entire room erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

After they arrived yesterday, their deeds spread, but they didn't know who Wang Bin was, so many people didn't recognize them when they saw them.

Now that they hear the army is going to commend them, everyone is very impressed, especially the soldiers. After learning that Wang Bin saved their third platoon, they all applauded enthusiastically.

Guan Xiaoyue, Officer Miao, and Li Dazhu were all stunned to be recognized, especially Li Dazhu, who, as a former soldier, longed for a medal.

The three looked at Wang Bin in surprise, but Wang Bin shrugged and indicated that he didn't know either.

Actually, the commendation of the three of them was decided later. Company Commander Liu came to win over Wang Bin on the instructions of the division commander, but unfortunately Wang Bin refused.

They felt they should make some compensation to Wang Bin and the others, so after thinking it over, they added their three names back to the list.

"Let's go, what are you all standing there for!" Wang Bin saw the three of them still standing there grinning foolishly, so he quickly reminded them and strode towards the platform with a smile.