Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Chapter Eight: A Midnight Conversation—Which Path to Take?

“Listen up!”

Zheng Sanpao’s stern gaze swept across the recruits, his voice filled with authority.

“We’ve just received orders from higher command.”

“Enemy agents have infiltrated the mountain behind our camp, attempting to steal classified intelligence.”

“Squad One will carry out a search-and-capture operation.”

“Do you have confidence?”

The recruits tensed, caught off guard by the sudden assignment.

Zhuang Yan felt his grip on his steamed bun tighten until it crumbled in his palm. A storm of emotions raged inside him—anger, frustration, resentment. Meanwhile, Lin Yi silently observed him. The clash between Zhuang Yan’s rebellious nature and the strict discipline of the army had reached its breaking point. All that was needed now—was a spark. His gaze flickered to Zheng Sanpao. Some things… were never coincidences.

“DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE?”

Zheng Sanpao’s roar echoed across the recruits.

“YES, SERGEANT!!”

The entire squad bellowed in unison. It was not just obedience— It was defiance. It was their unspoken protest against every hardship they had endured so far. But it was also—their true acceptance of military life.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Drop everything you’re holding.”

Zheng Sanpao’s next command stunned the recruits into silence.

Chen Xiwa hesitated, stealing a glance at Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan.

Lin Yi remained unfazed—his physical endurance made hunger irrelevant. But Zhuang Yan shoved the crushed bun into his mouth, chewing aggressively, before letting his metal tray crash to the ground, a final act of silent rebellion.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Squad, attention! Face right!”

“March—double time!”

At Zheng Sanpao’s command, all nine recruits pivoted sharply.

Their boots thundered against the ground, moving toward the darkened mountain.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

As the storm raged, their silhouettes blurred into the downpour. From afar, the company commanders and other training officers watched in silent astonishment.

Squad One—once considered a hopeless collection of misfits—had been forged into a real unit. Zheng Sanpao had done the impossible. But to the other recruits, watching from shelter— They only felt relief. Thank God we weren’t assigned to him. They had no idea how valuable this training would be when they were assigned to their permanent units.

By the time the mission ended, the search exercise had long since lost its purpose.

The real lesson was the test of endurance, teamwork, and discipline.

Exhausted and drenched, the recruits staggered back to the barracks, barely managing to shower before collapsing into bed. Within minutes, the room was filled with snores. Everyone was asleep except for Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan.

Lying on his bunk, Zhuang Yan stared at the ceiling, his mind whirling with doubt.

Why am I even here?

He had joined the army for love, hoping to reunite with Xiao Ying.

But since enlisting, he had no way of contacting her.

They were in two completely different worlds.

Is there even a point to all of this? How long would I have to endure this?

On the opposite bunk, Lin Yi was also deep in thought.

The military was an entirely new world for him.

His two-year conscription would give him a prestigious experience alongside his identity as a Yanjing University student.

With this, he could pursue politics or business—both paths far easier with a military background.

But…

Is that really what I want?

Should I return to the corporate world, repeating my past life’s success in business? Or should I stay in the military, and contribute to modernising and strengthening the country’s defence forces?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Hey, Xiwa! Xiwa!”

“Hmm?”

Chen Xiwa, deep in sleep, mumbled groggily as Zhuang Yan shook him awake.

“Keep your voice down.”

Zhuang Yan sighed, then grumbled:

“We’re just recruits in a standard infantry battalion—not special forces.”

“This level of training is insane.”

Chen Xiwa’s eyes snapped open, curiosity overriding his exhaustion.

“Wait, what’s special forces?”

Zhuang Yan rolled his eyes.

“Special forces? Just another name for a unit full of idiots.”

He dismissed the idea, having no interest in elite forces.

He had no way of knowing that Zheng Sanpao had repeatedly attempted to join special forces—only to fail every time.@@novelbin@@

For Zheng Sanpao, this topic was a deep scar.

For Zhuang Yan, at this moment—special forces meant nothing.

Chen Xiwa, dissatisfied with Zhuang Yan’s answer, turned to Lin Yi instead.

“Vice Squad Leader… what do you think?”

Lin Yi met his gaze calmly.

“Xiwa.”

“Have you thought about what you’ll do after the army?”

“After?”

Chen Xiwa blinked, confused.

“I’ll still be a soldier, won’t I?”

Lin Yi shook his head slightly.

“Not necessarily.”

His voice took on a serious tone.

“We are conscripted soldiers—our service lasts two years.”

“If we want to continue, we must apply to become volunteer soldiers.”

“Not everyone qualifies.”

“To stay, you must meet certain standards.”

Chen Xiwa listened intently, his expression shifting.

“Volunteer soldiers become non-commissioned officers.”

“There are six levels—each requiring different years of service: 5, 8, 12, 16, 21, or 30 years.”

“Only exceptional conscripts get promoted to junior NCOs.”

“Even then, you only serve another three years before needing to advance again.”

“If you don’t make the cut—you’re out.”

Chen Xiwa’s mouth hung open.

He had never known any of this.

“So… just being a soldier isn’t enough?”

“No.”

Lin Yi’s tone remained firm.

“The military prioritises high-level talent.”

“University students who enlist often get fast-tracked into officer training.”

“You, on the other hand, only have a middle school education.”

“Right now, that’s enough for a junior NCO role.”

“But in the future—if you don’t improve—you’ll be left behind.”

Lin Yi glanced at him meaningfully.

Chen Xiwa was a born soldier—loyal, hardworking, and determined.

It would be a waste for someone like him to be forced out due to lack of education.

If he wanted to stay—he needed to start preparing now.

Zhuang Yan, listening from his bunk, felt his stomach twist. Xiao Ying is also a high school graduate, now a soldier herself. If she is fast-tracked for officer training…And I am forced out after two years…Would our paths ever cross again?

A new, unsettling thought took root in his mind.

For the first time, he wasn’t sure what his future held.

And for the first time—

He felt afraid.