Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

Chapter 1656: Chapter 1656: Did I… leak secrets?

After a short while, Zhao Dong hurried in, covered in mud and drenched in sweat, his uniform so dirty that its color was indistinguishable.

“Commander, did you want to see me?”

Qin Jian stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and circled Zhao Dong twice before lifting his leg and kicking him squarely in the buttocks: “Can’t you keep your mouth shut, lad?”

“What… what did I do?” Zhao Dong, still unaware that Lin Sheng had already spoken to Qin Jian, looked utterly confused, “Commander, why would you kick me for no reason?”

“For no reason? You dare say I kicked you for no reason? Stop pretending, don’t I know you well? Can’t you fix that big mouth of yours?” Qin Jian stood in front of him, staring him down.

“Commander, are you saying… I leaked secrets?” Zhao Dong realized belatedly, “Could it be that you were reprimanded at the division headquarters this morning because of this?”

“What else would it be? I got a severe scolding from the Commander!”

“My conscience is clear. The secret wasn’t leaked by me. I had no opportunity to be in touch with higher-ups!” Zhao Dong protested his innocence.

“Did I say that you are the one who leaked the information?” Qin Jian raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhao Dong, “Tell me, how did Lin Sheng come to know about this?”

“Him? He leaked the news?” Zhao Dong finally caught on.

“He came chasing after me, asking if I got hurt during the clash with the drug dealers! And he sneaked out during training time to do so,” said Qin Jian.

“Isn’t he the one who admires soldiers the most? So, Commander, you’re his idol. Thus, his concern for your safety is normal.”

“Are you kicked by a donkey?” Qin Jian fumed, “Have you been hanging out too much with the Battalion Commander and become dumb? I’m even starting to doubt how you became the captain of the reconnaissance company! What is the main point of my question?”

“Leaking secrets!”

“This was our agreement, right?” Qin Jian asked.

“Yes.”

“Then why did you still leak it? Don’t you know the bad impact this could have if the information got out?”

“I… I didn’t do it on purpose,” Zhao Dong said apologetically, “Last night, I personally killed two drug dealers, and I was still pumped when I returned to the camp. I just couldn’t sleep, walking around the field holding a bottle of liquor. I didn’t expect Lin Sheng to come along.”

“So you spoke to him? Did you not care to ask how he got out? He didn’t properly follow the new recruits’ daily schedule!” Qin Jian reprimanded Zhao Dong harshly, “This morning, he even ran alone to the gate to intercept me. Tell me, why didn’t Lin Sheng take part in this morning’s training?”

“Last night, he was in a bad mood. Said it was the anniversary of his mother’s death! He couldn’t sleep, wanted to cry but was afraid to disturb his comrades, so he ran out to cry. It was sheer coincidence that I met him! Seeing that kid crying so pitifully, my heart felt uncomfortable too. Although I knew he was breaking the rules, it’s human nature!”

“If every soldier sneaks out to cry on the anniversary of their parents’ death, do we even need a military camp anymore?” Qin Jian asked sternly, “So does our kindhearted Captain Zhao intend to grant leave for everyone?”

Zhao Dong was silent for two seconds before saying, “Commander, his mother was killed by drug dealers!”

“I understand,” Qin Jian nodded, “so you empathize with him?”