Chapter 27: Vacation

Leng Mohan carried the prepared food, his gaze shifting to Mu Bai and Wang Li. A faint smile curved his lips. “I specifically applied for two extra days of leave. I plan to tidy up the house and take care of the moving-in arrangements. I’ll go over in the mornings for the next two days to check on the training.”

He paused, his gaze hardening. “Pay extra attention. The competition is fast approaching. I’ll intensify my training after I go back and strive to be in peak condition for the challenge.”

Wang Li’s eyes widened, his face a picture of disbelief. “You really want to take two more days off? I can’t guarantee I can keep an eye on them. What else needs tidying up? Let’s go help you clean up after training.”

After he finished speaking, Mu Bai and Wang Li exchanged glances, secretly admiring him in their hearts. What a decisive man!

Leng Mohan frowned slightly, saying calmly, “Training ultimately depends on self-discipline. If anyone breaks the rules, let them suffer a bit. Once they’re exhausted, they won’t have the energy for anything else.”

“I also need to accompany Jiaojiao to get some things. I’ll go over in the mornings for the next two days. After that, I need to help her get familiar with the surroundings. I really can’t leave her alone at home.”

Luo Jiaojiao’s personality always worried him. Thinking of Luo Jiaojiao, his eyes were filled with tenderness and concern.

“They’re not as difficult to handle as you say. If they really disobey, just beat them until they listen. Your deputy battalion commander title isn’t for show. If you can’t even manage a few subordinates, wouldn’t that be a joke?” Leng Mohan’s words carried a hint of teasing; he didn’t seem to believe Wang Li couldn’t really handle those soldiers. In his opinion, it was just a lazy excuse.

Wang Li’s lips curled into a slight smile. He looked at Leng Mohan and teased, “You’ve really been captivated by beauty, haven’t you? You never took a break before, but now you’re taking so many days off at once.”

Leng Mohan glanced at him indifferently. “The regiment commander has approved my leave. Don’t forget your previous promise. Starting tomorrow, after training in the afternoon, you have to come and help me clean the house.”

“If you don’t come, it’s fine. I’ll just take two more days off if I can’t finish cleaning. In that case, you’ll have to keep a closer eye on things.” Leng Mohan finished speaking and, without looking back, strode towards the kitchen.

Wang Li and Mu Bai looked at each other and smiled. Wang Li shook his head and chuckled, saying to Mu Bai, “He just left without a word.”

Mu Bai shrugged; it was indeed the case.

Wang Li looked at Mu Bai again and asked, “Should we go help?”

Mu Bai lightly glared at him. “If you want to suffer for a couple more days, then don’t go. Even if you don’t go, the guys in the team will come to help on their own.”

“The guys in the team are very curious. They want to know who the holy person is who managed to subdue our icy battalion commander,” Mu Bai joked easily, handing the lunchbox to Wang Li.

Wang Li laughed in agreement. “That’s right. After training this afternoon, they kept asking me questions. I was almost interrogated to death.”

Mu Bai winked mischievously. “Isn’t this a good thing? After dinner tomorrow, let them come and help with the work. It satisfies their curiosity and lets them see what it’s like. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”

Wang Li slapped his thigh. “That’s right! It’s also a chance to give Mohan a warning. Let’s see if they dare to slack off in the next period.”

“Okay, let’s go. We need to hurry to the kitchen,” Mu Bai said urgently, seeing that the food was ready.

Wang Li looked at him in confusion. “Why are we going to the kitchen?”

“What do you think?” Mu Bai didn’t want to waste words, fearing Leng Mohan would leave with the hot food.

“Oh, oh, I understand. We’re going to mooch off Leng Mohan’s food, right? Right, right, let’s go, let’s go. Even if there’s no meat, we’ll at least get some gravy to mix with our rice,” Wang Li said naturally, without any embarrassment.

“The food in the mess hall these days has been incredibly depressing,” Wang Li suddenly said, but before he finished, he felt several gazes fixed on him. Looking up, he saw it was the cooks.

He smiled awkwardly and quickly explained, “Oh, I was just joking, don’t take it seriously. I’m going, I’m going.”

Mu Bai couldn’t help but laugh at Wang Li’s embarrassed state. “You’re too bold. You directly said the food was bad in front of the cooks. Be careful you don’t get any food tomorrow.”

Wang Li also regretted it. He sighed, “I was just annoyed by Leng Mohan saying he’d be back two days later. I couldn’t help but say it.”

“That, tomorrow you have to get the food for me. I won’t go these two days. I’m worried those guys are petty and won’t give me any food,” Wang Li worriedly looked at Mu Bai.

Mu Bai twitched his mouth, thinking only Wang Li could come up with this idea. “Look at your uselessness. Get your own food tomorrow, don’t expect me to spoil you.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Li’s eyes widened, as if questioning Mu Bai: Who’s spoiling me? You guys are just eager to exploit me more.

“The mess hall food, oh, it’s so monotonous and tasteless,” Wang Li sighed, shaking his head. “It’s the same few dishes every day, without any variety. I’m so tired of it.”

His eyes showed a longing for delicious food. “I wish this competition would end soon. When it does, I’ll treat myself to a good meal in town.”

However, Wang Li also understood that it wasn’t the cooks’ fault. Food supplies were tight now. If the food was too delicious, people would eat more, which wouldn’t just be a matter of being full. Moreover, the cooks didn’t have many rich ingredients to work with.

Mu Bai listened to Wang Li’s words and smiled slightly. “Perhaps we don’t have to wait that long. I have a feeling we’ll have a chance to eat a sumptuous meal in the next few days.” His tone revealed a hint of anticipation.

Wang Li’s eyes widened, as if he had heard a fairy tale.

“What? A feast? Are you sure?” He stared suspiciously at Mu Bai, trying to find a trace of joking in his calm expression.

Mu Bai smiled slightly, confidence shining in his eyes.

“Although Mohan is low-key, he clearly still cares about his new wife. Even if they don’t have a wedding ceremony, they’ll have a housewarming banquet, right? He’ll introduce his wife to everyone, and he won’t invite us then?” Mu Bai stopped there.