Because it was the first day, there was no set time for dinner, but it was staggered with the meal times of the soldiers. Otherwise, with so many bachelors in the army suddenly facing so many beautiful female college students, it would cause unnecessary trouble.
The food in the army was relatively better, after all, we were all serving the people! However, in those days, people were always hungry, so even if the army didn't want to mistreat these students, most of the food they could provide was coarse grains.
The meal was sweet potato rice made of rice mixed with sweet potatoes, and the side dish was cabbage, pork and vermicelli stew. Of course, the pork was only a few thin slices, but it was still meaty. There was also a dish of potatoes and green beans stewed. It was a good meal for the soldiers. They usually drank porridge at night, but this meal was improved because of the students coming for military training.
For some people who came from the countryside or were sent to school as educated youth, this was considered a good meal. But for some spoiled people, this meal was considered abuse by the army.
Tang Xiaoxiao is one of them. Although her family conditions are not very good, her aunt loves her very much and always thinks of her when she has something delicious. She usually eats fine grains at the Xie family. In the past two years, after the conditions have improved, she has fish and meat every day. Although her uncle doesn't come home often, he always asks someone to send his monthly allowance back. Her aunt is not the kind of person who will treat her badly. She provides her and her niece with delicious food and drinks, and occasionally buys some things for her to take home.
On the other hand, Xie Xuan, the orthodox eldest daughter of the Xie family, ate sweet potatoes in silence just like Liu Yanran. Xie Xuan grew up with her grandparents. Although the commander and his family received preferential treatment, the old people had experienced hard times and were not the kind of people who cared much about food. On average, they would improve the food one or two days a week to provide nutrition for the children, and they still ate coarse grains at other times.
Liu Yanran had experienced a war on the Sino-Vietnamese border before, and had seen the soldiers not having enough to eat, so she naturally cherished food. Although she didn't like to eat it, she wouldn't waste it. However, she had already silently decided to send some supplies to the military district in Beijing. The food here was far worse than that on the border!
Tang Xiaoxiao complained quietly while eating the white rice in the bowl. Yes, Xie Xuan shared the white rice in the bowl with her, and she gave the uneaten sweet potatoes to Xie Xuan. For a moment, it was really hard to tell who was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Xie family. Of course, Xie Xuan just didn't want Tang Xiaoxiao to take the lead in making trouble, otherwise her grandfather and her father would be implicated later. It was really unlucky to have such a bad relative.
After dinner, everyone went to the designated location to pick up their military training uniforms, then went back to wash up and go to bed. After the 5-kilometer baptism of weights, everyone was exhausted.
The next morning at 5:30, the wake-up call sounded. Deng Wanru quickly woke up the still sleepy Liu Yanran, changed clothes and washed up. After finishing as quickly as possible, she rushed to the meeting point!
At the assembly point, several instructors were signing students in, while others were counting on their timepieces. It took half an hour for everyone to gather, and some were still yawning. The chief instructor's surname was Yan—yes, the same as the King of Hell. "Anyone who arrives within ten minutes, step out."
Including the people from Deng Wanru and Liu Yanran's dorm, there were more than 70 people in total. Most of them were from the military compound, or had classmates from the military compound in their dorm.
"Re-line up in order of height based on gender, and then run ten laps around the playground. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 7:00, and you must come back and assemble at 7:00." After saying this, Instructor Yan stopped talking and just signaled everyone with his eyes to start moving.
After hearing the order, everyone immediately acted as instructed without hesitation or nonsense. Although their minds were still in a state of chaos, their bodies had already reacted instinctively, even faster than their brains.
However, the remaining fifty or so people looked at each other, completely bewildered. They had no idea what kind of punishment they would face, after all, no one had told them that there was a time limit for the morning assembly!
At this time, Instructor Yan spoke again, "The rest of the people who are one minute late will do 10 frog jumps, and so on. After the frog jumps, they will circle the playground ten times. We will also gather at 7 o'clock."
Instructor Yan stood at the edge of the playground, his eyes sweeping sharply over the students who were running or doing frog jumps.
"I know that many of you grew up being pampered by your families, but this is the army, not your home! From today on, you are soldiers and must abide by military discipline! No one will accommodate you! After running ten laps, go eat, then go back to the dormitory to tidy up, and gather again at seven o'clock! If anyone is late again, don't blame me for being rude!" Instructor Yan roared.
Following Instructor Yan's order, all the students fell silent, not daring to say another word, and quickly ran to the playground in neat steps.
At half past six, when the sky was just getting light, the students who had just finished running were all exhausted, panting and flushed in the face. They dragged their heavy feet and walked towards the cafeteria exhaustedly.
"Ah? This food is too disgusting!" Tang Xiaoxiao looked at the unappetizing breakfast in front of her and couldn't help complaining.
"It's good enough to have something to eat. Don't be picky." Xie Xuan glared at her and retorted to her bluntly.
Tang Xiaoxiao felt very unhappy after hearing this, but she also knew that now was not the time to quarrel, so she just rolled her eyes and stopped talking.
After breakfast, everyone rushed back to the dormitory to tidy up. At 7 o'clock sharp, everyone gathered again on time.
"Very good, it seems that you have understood the importance of discipline. Next, we will start formal training. I hope you can all stick to it!" Instructor Yan said seriously.
Instructor Yan's voice was loud and penetrating. "This morning's training is standing at attention!" He looked around with a stern look. "I'll only demonstrate the standard posture once. Watch carefully!"
Instructor Yan was seen with his head held high and chest puffed out, his feet shoulder-width apart, his hands pressed against his trouser seams, and his eyes fixed firmly ahead.
"Just like that, stay still and stand for half an hour!" After Instructor Yan gave the order, the students did as they were told.
As time passed, the sun rose higher and the weather became hotter. Many students began to sweat and their legs trembled, but they still gritted their teeth and persevered.
Tang Xiaoxiao was the first one who couldn't hold on any longer. She took advantage of the instructor's inattention and moved her feet slightly.
"Who told you to move?" Instructor Yan noticed immediately and walked up to Tang Xiaoxiao, "Add ten minutes!"
Tang Xiaoxiao pouted in grievance, but could only obey. Half an hour passed, and the students felt relieved. But Tang Xiaoxiao continued to practice.
"Take a ten-minute break, and then we'll do the marching training. Dismissed!" Instructor Yan shouted.
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