Chapter 33: What is the Reason?

Chapter 33: For What Reason?

When Xu Qiao dragged her exhausted body across the finish line, the surroundings fell into an instant silence. Everyone looked at her with disbelief.

"What are you all gawking at? Why don't you go over and help her up?" Although Guan Yuqi said this, there was a hint of a smile on her face. She knew that although Xu Qiao's physical fitness had improved significantly, it was impossible to reach the required standard in just a few short months. As expected, when the weight-bearing load reached a certain level, there was still a clear gap between her and the others. Yet, she hadn't expected that while the gap existed, Xu Qiao had actually managed to hold on.

Watching her being helped to her feet by a few others, Guan Yuqi nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad, you've exceeded my expectations. Poor physical fitness is not a problem; as long as you have the right attitude toward training and the determination to persist, it’s not an issue."

At this moment, Xu Qiao could only open her mouth; her throat felt as if it were on fire, and she couldn't utter a single sound. She nodded awkwardly, only to hear Guan Yuqi say, "Let's go. I'll teach you how to route the wiring."

Xu Qiao could only cough and shake her head. She thought of her first mentor after arriving in this world—the one who helped her train her physical strength, taught her new things, and allowed her to understand this completely different era. The warfare of this age was no longer what she was familiar with. If she wanted to become a true soldier in this time, she would not turn down any opportunity to learn.

"We are a radio station squad, so why do we still have to... climb poles and carry so much wire? Is there any point to it?"

Perhaps... she had simply been reborn into a peaceful country, and this peace was something they had to safeguard. Xu Qiao clearly felt this change. Even though her legs were still weak and her throat still ached, she couldn't help but smile. If she had been born in this era, she might have made the same choice as the original Xu Qiao—to enjoy this peaceful and prosperous life. In her previous life, her decision to don the military uniform had been a necessity of that era.

If Xu Qiao had heard the others whispering, she would surely have told them that before this, she really hadn't wanted to leave the mess hall.

"For the rest of the training, you can just watch us," Guan Yuqi said, effectively granting her a break, but immediately added, "The upcoming training involves more technique. You need to observe more. Learn the techniques first so you have a foundation when you try it yourself."

Xu Qiao nodded hastily. "Don't worry, I will definitely... keep it all in my mind."

She had seen physical training and skill drills, but this was her first time seeing a group of female soldiers climbing utility poles. She had seen the 400-meter obstacle course, but never one where you had to carry wire while doing it, and even perform wiring tasks.

"Sister Yifei, do you think she’s really turned over a new leaf?" In the distance, the veteran soldiers watched her focused study and couldn't help but be suspicious. After this five-kilometer run, not just Guan Yuqi, but everyone else looked at her differently.

When she saw these things, the previous exhaustion seemed to vanish. She stood up abruptly and scurried over to Guan Yuqi’s side. "Squad leader, what is all this training for?"

Because she had experienced war, she understood that sometimes there were too many things one was powerless to change. However, it wasn't until she returned to the communications squad that she understood the meaning behind Squad Leader Wu's words. Even though they wanted her to catch up as quickly as possible, they couldn't force it under the current circumstances.

As a line was finally connected according to the requirements—slowly, perhaps, but finished nonetheless—Xu Qiao beamed.

"Squad leader, did she really only learn this once?" Several others, having just finished their own training, saw her progress and gathered around.

Xu Qiao's performance had shown everyone her potential and her effort, so those who had looked down on her began to change their minds. When she was just watching earlier, it hadn't seemed difficult, but when she actually tried to learn, she realized everything required technique. These seemingly simple tasks were truly impossible without mastering the craft.

Guan Yuqi glanced at her and said directly, "Although we are a radio communications unit, the equipment still requires wires. Furthermore, whether it's a wired or wireless squad, we all have to repair equipment in emergencies. When that time comes, you can't just say you don't know how or that you can't carry the lines, right?"

In the training that followed, Xu Qiao truly broadened her horizons. She hurriedly picked up her pack and followed along. She had thought that after the morning's physical training and the five-kilometer run, she would be finished for the day. If her previous promises had been nothing but hot air to them, their attitudes had certainly shifted after that bizarre five-kilometer run.

After resting, Xu Qiao felt a bit better and was finally able to sit on the ground comfortably. Just as she took off her pack, she heard the squad leader speak. Looking at Xu Qiao, Guan Yuqi asked, "Rested enough?"

She looked up to see Guan Yuqi staring at her and hurriedly called out, "Squad leader, I've finished!"

Regardless of whether it was in the mess hall or here, she cherished every opportunity to learn. Since she had mistakenly ended up in this military uniform, she would continue to fulfill the mission she hadn't completed in the past—to protect this country she had once guarded.

Guan Yuqi smiled and nodded, even giving her a thumbs-up. To the ears of the others, this was fine—few people joined the army just to cook in the mess hall. If she wanted to stay in the military and see a wider world, she had to return to the communications squad, where she could learn more.

Xu Qiao suddenly realized, "No wonder we have to climb poles."

Guan Yuqi nodded and continued, "I’ll say it again: although we have the most advanced communication equipment, we can never abandon the most primitive communication capabilities at any time."

Having an extra skill on one's body might just be an extra bargaining chip for survival. Guan Yuqi wasn't surprised by the question; it was clearly not the first time she had heard it.

This era looked peaceful, but she knew it was only a facade.

Cheng Yifei snorted upon hearing this. "If she can really change, I'll wash my hair upside down on a livestream. I think she just doesn't want to be in the mess hall and is back here just for show."

Guan Yuqi shook her head. "Either she didn't seem to be learning before but was actually paying attention while pretending not to care, or she is a genius at learning."

"And if it's the second one?" someone suddenly asked.