Each subgroup within the newspaper has different responsibilities. For example, the colleague from last time was responsible for on-site reporting. In addition, there are further subdivisions within that group.
All things considered, their colleagues at the newspaper have a lot of work to do.
This trip to the military base for experience and interviews was actually part of a special issue the newspaper was preparing. The newspaper holds similar events every year, including those with business elites, but those are just interviews. As for the military, we only occasionally mention them briefly. When we do go into detail, it's usually because of some major accident that we report on them at length.
However, this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Every few years, they would collaborate with the military to send their newspaper colleagues for training, which would improve their physical stamina for future interviews. In short, it was an opportunity for mutual cooperation.
The military would also act as the host, though it was uncertain whether they would agree. Zhou Zuizui had previously heard that the newspaper owner had a very powerful background, and that if she wanted to, nothing was impossible.
However, at this moment, Zhou Zuizui was even more confused about what she was supposed to do.
Seeing her shocked expression, the editor-in-chief smiled faintly and said, "The colleagues from the news team will all be going, plus you and Lin You." He added softly, "Lin You applied to go herself, and as for you... I'm considering that your husband is also in the military, so it might be better for you to experience it."
Zhou Zuizui was slightly taken aback, then nodded hurriedly, "Okay. Thank you, editor-in-chief!"
The editor-in-chief laughed: "But this time you'll be writing the interview article." He smiled and said: "After your internship, if you want to go to the real-time news section, then go for it."
He tapped the table and looked at his subordinate: "On the premise that this article can be written well."
"Okay." Zhou Zuizui smiled gently, "Thank you, editor-in-chief."
The editor-in-chief nodded and waved for her to leave: "The colleagues who will be going with us later will have another meeting."
After Zhou Zuizui came out of the editor-in-chief's office, Lin winked at her again. Zhou Zuizui chuckled and looked at her, "Did you already know about this?"
"I know." Lin said simply, "I heard a little bit of a rumor before. Actually, it was decided quite a while ago, but you were added later."
Indeed, the reason Zhou Zuizui was added later is related to the previous incident. What society needs are people like her who protect soldiers.
So after discussion, the leaders agreed to let Zhou Zuizui join the training with everyone.
Lin lowered her voice and said, "Actually, many people don't want to go; it's too tiring."
It's true, everyone just wanted to experience life for one day, not for half a month.
Zhou Zuizui exclaimed "Ah!" and looked at her curiously: "Was it also half a month before?"
"No." Lin pursed her lips and said, "It used to be two days at most, but this time I don't know why it's been half a month."
She sighed and said, "Maybe it's because the news about society has been too bad lately."
Zhou Zuizui: "…………"
In any case, the two-week military training program is now set. They will depart after this week and stay there for a full two weeks. They will have a weekend off in the middle, but the newspaper will not send a car to pick them up.
So when it was time to leave work, a group of people would pull each other into a group chat and start discussing what food and drinks to bring over, in case the food in the army was bad and they starved to death.
Zhou Zuizui looked at the messages in the group and almost laughed, but when she saw that she had been tagged, she paused for a moment, then looked down and replied: Not sure.
People are asking if this training was conducted in the same unit her husband is in.
Actually, Zhou Zuizui really didn't know.
Shen Nan rarely talked to her about things in the military; many things involved classified information and couldn't be discussed casually, so she rarely asked. But Zhou Zuizui knew roughly where it was, and even if it was the same place, it might not be Shen Nan training them; she figured Shen Nan must be very busy.
Everyone felt a pang of disappointment upon seeing her reply.
Sigh, I can't get protection from people I know anymore.
Lin looked at her with amusement and said, "It seems they've never seen Captain Chen before."
“Right?” Zhou Zuizui thought for a moment and said, “There weren’t many colleagues at the door when they came to pick me up last time.”
"Yes." Lin nodded again and said, "I have seen those three who were expelled."
Zhou Zuizui thought about it and couldn't help but shake her head and smile: "Never mind, let's go together next Monday. Actually, don't buy anything." She thought for a moment and said: "The food in the army is pretty good. And since we're going to experience life, the soldiers in the unit will make everyone strictly follow the training requirements of soldiers. Snacks and cosmetics are out of the question."
Lin You: "...I suddenly feel like I'm going to change my mind."
I can tolerate snacks, but not wearing makeup is something I really can't stand.
Zhou Zuizui smiled and said, "Sunscreen is fine. I'll ask my husband about it when I get home this weekend."
However, Zhou Zuizui didn't plan to tell Shen Nan that she was going to the army to experience life. She wanted to keep it a secret for now. What if she wasn't going to Shen Nan's place? If she told him now, wouldn't she be disappointed? Of course, if she really was going to his place, then it would be a surprise. Thinking about it, she was quite happy.
Before you knew it, it was Monday.
On Monday morning, everyone gathered. There were more than ten people going to the training together, including reporters and photographers. There were six photographers and six reporters, a very good average. And there were six men and six women.
Zhou Zuizui was only familiar with Lin You, the female reporter who spoke up last time named Chen Jing, and a photographer whom everyone called Brother Xu, who was very good at taking pictures.
Not knowing many people, Zhou Zuizui didn't greet everyone very enthusiastically. After the group gathered, they set off for the training camp.
Someone looked at Zhou Zuizui's small bag with great curiosity: "Zuizui, is this all you're carrying?"
Zhou Zuizui nodded: "I told you guys in the group that there are a lot of things I can't bring, so I only brought a few sets of clothes and a few bottles of sunscreen and stuff like that." She really didn't bring much, just the basic necessities.
The other female colleagues all had a 24- or 26-inch suitcase, packed full, and were also carrying a bag of snacks.
Everyone: "It can't be that serious, we don't think it's that harsh."
"Yes, yes, take it with you for now, we'll see if it gets too bad."
"That's right."
Zhou Zuizui smiled but didn't say anything more.
After getting on the bus, she sat with Lin. The military base was a bit far from the city center, and it would take two hours to get there by bus, so Zhou Zuizui closed her eyes and went to sleep as soon as she got on the bus.
—I'm feeling a bit excited.
She didn't know how to explain it, but the thought of experiencing the life that Shen Nan had once lived made her very excited, and she couldn't suppress the pounding of her heart.
That tough, upright, and righteous man was trained in such a place. She wanted to see for herself, to understand those lovely people, why they were so kind and good. She even wanted to experience hardship herself; only by enduring hardship could she truly understand their struggles, and thus better support and empathize with them.
Thinking about it, Zhou Zuizui really couldn't fall asleep. She took out her phone and couldn't help but send a message to Chen Nan.
Even though I know there's a 90% chance he won't reply, I still want to send it.
Zhou Zuizui: Are you training? The sun is so strong today.
...
Shen Nan had just finished his morning training when Gao Zhuo called him back.
Gao Zhuo looked at Shen Nan: "Captain, are you really sending me to that newspaper training?"
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow, thinking about what was discussed in the team meeting last night, and nodded: "Do they need me?"
These words were incredibly arrogant. But they were also true; the newspaper's weak and frail staff really didn't need Shen Nan.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Xiao Tong will supervise the daily work, and you will be the head trainer. If there are any problems, come to me."
This task fell to Shen Nan, but the higher-ups didn't say that Shen Nan would be in charge of the whole process. They only said that he was good at training, and that Gao Zhuo and the others could try it out, but they shouldn't be treated with the training methods of regular soldiers, because they couldn't handle it.
But if this fell into Shen Nan's hands, even if it wasn't a regular military training method, those people wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Gao Zhuo raised his eyebrows, a smug look on his face: "Alright, then leave it to me." He rubbed his hands together and joked, "I heard there are a few great beauties among this group. Do you think they have boyfriends?"
Shen Nan glanced at him, looked him up and down, and sneered, "Even if I didn't, I wouldn't look for you."
Gao Zhuo: "Damn it! Mr. Chen, you've gone too far!! I'm going to find you a girlfriend!"
Shen Nan curled her lips and ignored him.
"I have other things to do. Please greet them first when they arrive. If you have any questions, please contact me."
"Go away, go away!" Gao Zhuo said with obvious disdain. He felt wronged, thinking that he was quite handsome too. Although he couldn't compare to the captain, he wasn't bad-looking either, so why was the captain married while he still didn't have a girlfriend?
It is truly a question of life.
"Little Tong, is Brother Zhuo handsome?"
Xiao Tong turned to look at Gao Zhuo's face and nodded sadly: "Not bad."
"Right? Then why doesn't Brother Zhuo have a girlfriend?"
Xiao Tong was silent for a moment, then thought for a moment and said, "Maybe he's not handsome enough?"
Gao Zhuo: "…………"
After the two bickered for a while, Chen Ruifeng sneered from the side: "If he says less, he might find a partner."
"Don't you understand that you can't make personal attacks!" Gao Zhuo glared at him: "If I don't speak up, this team will lose its spirit."
Chen Ruifeng glanced at him indifferently and slowly uttered an "Oh."
Gao Zhuo felt the unspeakable look in his eyes and was very angry: "Don't look down on me! If it weren't for me, our team would have collapsed long ago!" He said, "It's all thanks to my stand-up comedy!"
That's really true.
Every year during the Spring Festival, they have a gala or something, and each team is required to have someone perform. Gao Zhuo, under pressure from the vice-captain, has been performing stand-up comedy for several years now. If he doesn't go, no one else in the team will.
Don't count on Shen Nan. He'd rather train for a 20-kilometer weighted run than perform on stage. Gao Zhuo felt miserable just thinking about it.
Being the vice-captain is really tough for him!!!
Xiao Tong and Chen Ruifeng exchanged a glance, not wanting to see his expression. Before anyone could react, the two quietly slipped away.
"Hey, I'm telling you, you absolutely have to..." He turned around, and the two of them were gone. Gao Zhuo stared wide-eyed at the two people not far away and shouted, "Where are you going? Wait for me! I need to pick someone up soon!!"
...
Upon arriving at the training camp, the group got off the bus lazily, all looking sleepy.
Zhou Zuizui, Lin You, and the two photographers were the most energetic. The group stood side by side, looking up at the gate in front of them, on which were engraved several large characters, indicating what kind of place this was.
As soon as Zhou Zuizui got out of the car, she sensed a different atmosphere; it was solemn and sacred.
This is where those most lovable people usually hang out; they are as tough as iron, the most resilient and charismatic individuals. Zhou Zuizui stared intently, and only after everyone had packed their luggage and gotten off the bus did the group register and go inside.
Inside the large iron gate, a group of people stood ramrod straight, welcoming them at the entrance.
Once inside, Gao Zhuo frowned subconsciously at the sight of the group of lazy people in front of him, and his brows furrowed even more when he saw their suitcases.
But he didn't say much. He just led a few people in the team to salute them and then said, "Welcome! I'm Gao Zhuo, your training instructor for this session!" He raised his eyebrows and looked at his comrades on the side: "Take the people to the training ground first."
"yes!"
Among this group of people, Zhou Zuizui walked the straightest, with her back straight and her face full of vigor, without the slightest sign of fatigue.
Gao Zhuo couldn't help but take a few more glances, but didn't say anything more.
He can joke around in private, but once he gets into a normal state, Gao Zhuo is more serious than anyone else. That's why, despite his carefree attitude, he was able to become a vice captain!
A group of people stood at the back of the playground, bathed in the scorching sun. The already listless crowd began to whisper amongst themselves.
"My God, it's so hot."
"Yeah. Are we just going to stand here like this?"
"That's terrifying! It's even more tiring than when I go out for interviews."
"I've gotten a tan."
Gao Zhuo pretended not to hear the murmurs behind him. After everyone had arrived at the playground, he looked around and said, "Arrange them from left to right in order of height, in two rows!"
The group lazily changed seats.
Gao Zhuo frowned, looking at their suitcases: "Did you bring any prohibited items?"
Everyone was taken aback and looked at Gao Zhuo: "What kind of prohibited items?"
Gao Zhuo smiled slightly and gestured to the boy.
Xiao Tong immediately stepped forward, looked at everyone and said, "Since you're here for training, you're all comrades-in-arms! So there are some things we need to clarify first. You can't bring snacks. As for skincare and makeup products, you can bring them, but you probably won't have time to put on makeup... You need to hand over all your computers and phones. They will be given to you after your daily training."
This is still considered lenient.
People who aren't from here are generally not allowed to bring cell phones.
Snacks are tolerable, but cell phones are intolerable for 99% of people. So when this regulation came out, people protested: "Cell phones are being confiscated too? We're not going to jail."
"Yeah... just in case we keep in touch by phone."
What if there's an emergency?
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
Xiao Tong smiled slightly, "We'll contact you if there's anything urgent, but I think you won't have a chance to touch your phones during training."
Gao Zhuo looked at everyone and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Under the high sun, no one was willing to take a step forward and hand over their phone. It was the height of summer, and everyone was already sweating after standing there for only a short while.
They stood with their backs to the sun, while the soldiers opposite them were basking in the sunlight.
Ignoring everyone else, Zhou Zuizui was the first to step forward and throw her phone onto the box that Xiaotong used to store everyone's personal belongings.
The child's eyes lit up, and he stared at her suspiciously for a long time, feeling that she looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before.
As soon as Zhou Zuizui handed over her phone, just as the people behind her were about to complain, Lin You and Chen Jing also handed theirs in, without the slightest hint of displeasure. With all three of them handing it in, the remaining nine people who wanted to protest followed suit, and several men did the same. So in the end, after a half-hour of scattered activity, all the phones and other prohibited items were handed over.
Gao Zhuo narrowed his eyes, looked at everyone, and said in a calm tone: "Let me make this clear from the start. Now that you're here, you have to abide by all the rules here. Whether you're here to experience life or just to have some fun, it's all the same. Here, only discipline matters, and discipline is above all else. Anyone who doesn't obey orders will be asked to leave at any time!"
He shouted, "Everyone, get ready! Go to your dorms, put down your luggage, and change your clothes!"
He glanced at the watch in his hand and said in a deep voice, "You have twenty minutes!"
This is absolutely the longest time Gao Zhuo has ever given.
"Little boy, take them there."
"yes!"
The men and women lived in different places, one on the first floor and the other on the second floor.
After following Xiaotong to the second floor, Xiaotong, who had a fairly good personality, told the group and then looked at the time, saying, "Try to be as fast as possible, we need to get to the playground within twenty minutes."
A female colleague complained, "Only twenty minutes? How can we have that much time? I want to apply sunscreen."
"Me too, what kind of training is this? It wasn't this strict before."
Zhou Zuizui and Lin You didn't say a word the whole time. After quickly putting away their luggage, they took their clothes and changed. Two sets of camouflage uniforms were prepared for them, which was enough.
Zhou Zuizui knew how to put it on, so she put it on very quickly, and then applied some sunscreen to her arms, neck and face. The whole process was super fast.
"ZuiZui, you're too fast!" The colleague who had just complained said, sitting on the bed and looking at her.
Zhou Zuizui glanced at her and said softly, "We need to hurry. I reckon we'll have to run laps as punishment if we're late."
"It can't be that weird," one of the colleagues said.
"Probably," Chen Jing said. "The military has its own regulations, and we can't be too lazy."
"That's right."
Suddenly, everyone quickened their pace.
Lin and Zhou Zuizui had finished changing when Xiaotong came to knock on the door.
"It's time."
"Oh no, I'm not dressed yet!"
The child looked at the three people who came out, paused, and said, "You go first!"
"yes!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Gao Zhuo was complaining to Shen Nan: "I finally know why you didn't go and lead this group of people." Gao Zhuo took a deep breath and said: "I'm so angry. I've never seen such a lazy person."
Shen Nan glanced at him but didn't say anything.
“However,” Gao Zhuo chuckled, “there’s a nice girl.”
He said, "I'm not lazy. Although I didn't meet the standard, I was the first to hand in my phone."
Shen Nan nodded: "That's right."
"She's really pretty," Gao Zhuo said smugly. "I just don't know if she has a boyfriend. I'll ask her properly after training stops. I'm going to pursue her!!!"
Gao Zhuo exclaimed excitedly, "She's so beautiful!!! Absolutely the most beautiful girl ever!"
He glared at Chen Nan: "She's probably even prettier than your wife, Captain."
Shen Nan glanced at him: "Bullshit." He grunted and glanced at the time: "It's time."
Gao Zhuo glanced at the screen and saw that there were still two to twenty minutes left.
Shen Nan came to check on the situation, so he happened to be here with her.
Upon seeing a familiar figure running towards them from a distance, Shen Nan narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "What was the name of the girl who was the first to hand in her phone, as you just mentioned?"
"Her surname is Zhou, Zhou Zuizui. She's the girl who came in first over there."
Shen Nan curled his lips and looked at Gao Zhuo: "What else did you just say? You're going to pursue her?"
Gao Zhuo paused for a moment, then nodded: "Is that not allowed?"
Shen Nan nodded slowly, then suddenly walked behind Gao Zhuo and kicked him, gritting his teeth: "You dare to chase after me?"
Gao Zhuo: "???"
The author has something to say: Upon learning the truth, Gao Zhuo shed tears.
—No, no, I wouldn't dare.
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