"Don't be a team leader …" After Zhang Xiaoqiang said this, Huang Tingwei didn't react. He just waited patiently.
Zhang Xiao Qiang looked at him approvingly. Huang Tingwei was someone who could keep his cool, and his mind was quick as well. He could definitely be considered a talent.
"Find a few smart people to form a separate department. They'll be in charge of intelligence analysis, communication, and consultation. Are you confident?"
Huang Tingwei was a little excited. This was asking him to be in charge of a department. At the very least, he would be the middle manager of the base. He would be on the same level as Lieutenant Colonel Feng Yong.
"No problem. Zhang Xiaoqiang thinks highly of me. I'll naturally do my best …"
Zhang Xiaoqiang nodded and let him go prepare. After Huang Tingwei left, Zhang Xiaoqiang couldn't stay any longer. The smoke in the tent was too suffocating. The thick stench made it difficult for him to breathe. He wanted to go out for a walk, but Lu Xiaobu walked in.
"Zhang Xiaoqiang, I have something to tell you …"
Lu Xiaobu was talking about his team member, Li Zhi. Although he would not get into big trouble, he would always make the rest of the team feel uneasy. Lu Xiaobu could barely keep him under control, but he could not keep his mind on Li Zhi all the time, so he might as well transfer him to another team.
"Oh, it's that guy. If you don't want him, will others?
How about this, we can only hand him over to Zhang Huai An. Your team will be empty for now. What do you think? "
Lu Xiaobu was a little unwilling. Who would want to lose a member for no reason? But thinking of that lazy guy, Lu Xiaobu gritted his teeth and agreed.
As soon as he left the tent, Zhang Xiaoqiang smelled the fresh air that he hadn't smelled in a long time. There had been no emissions for nearly nine months, so the area near Wuhan recovered quickly. It was also near the lake, and the vegetation was lush. As the lake breeze blew, Zhang Xiaoqiang felt refreshed. He couldn't help but close his eyes and immerse himself in the embrace of nature.
"Kacha kacha …" A series of footsteps came towards him. Hearing these footsteps, Zhang Xiaoqiang sighed and slowly opened his eyes.
"Zhang Xiaoqiang … I have something to say …"
Huang Quan walked up to Zhang Xiaoqiang and felt that he couldn't raise his head. He lowered his head and quietly asked for Zhang Xiaoqiang's opinion.
"Tell me, what's the matter …" Zhang Xiaoqiang was in a good mood, and he found Huang Quan to be much more pleasing to the eye. At that time, Huang Quan just happened to bump into his gun muzzle. So much time had passed, and he had long forgotten about that incident.
"I … I want to join the search team … I hope you can give me this opportunity …"
Yomi still didn't dare to raise his head. He lowered his head and stared at the tips of his feet as he said these words. Due to his nervousness, his clenched fists were drenched in sweat. His throat was dry as well, and he couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.
"Raise your head … Raise your head and look at me …"
When Huang Quan heard Zhang Xiaoqiang's order, he mustered his courage and looked up at Zhang Xiaoqiang. He did not avoid his burning gaze at all. He knew that this was a crucial moment for him. If Zhang Xiaoqiang did not agree to it, he would never have the chance to prove to Chen Ye that he was a man, a fearless man.
"Repeat what you just said. Louder, I'm hard of hearing …" Zhang Xiaoqiang was not satisfied with Huang Quan's timidity and soft voice.
"Reporting, Zhang Xiaoqiang … Soldier Huang Quan requests to join the search team. Please allow me …"
A deafening roar erupted from Huang Quan's chest. This roar broke the peace and quiet in the campsite. Be it the logistics team or the combat team, everyone stretched their necks to look over. They heard every word Huang Quan said clearly. The team member who took away Huang Quan's military rank was in a difficult situation. He did not know if his impulsive action would bring him trouble.
Chen Ye also heard Huang Quan's roar. When she heard Huang Quan's renewed vigor, Chen Ye's clear eyes curved slightly. Her eyes were like crescent moons, and if anyone saw them, they would definitely exclaim in surprise. Such a pair of big eyes was actually so beautiful.
Zhang Xiaoqiang looked at Huang Quan with a stern face. After a while, Zhang Xiaoqiang shouted, "Soldier Huang Quan is allowed to join the search team. Please report to the search team leader, Lu Xiaobu, and retrieve all your equipment."
After receiving the order, Huang Quan stood straight and gave Zhang Xiaoqiang an impeccable military salute. Then, he turned around and walked toward Lu Xiaobu.
Seeing Huang Quan walk toward Lu Xiaobu with determined steps, Zhang Xiaoqiang could not help but pick his ears with his pinky. Huang Quan's voice was too loud, and it caught the unprepared Zhang Xiaoqiang off guard. He only came back to his senses after a while.
The happiest person there was Lu Xiaobu. He had just lost a combat force for no reason, and in such a short time, Huang Quan had come knocking on his door?
Lu Xiaobu did not have any prejudice against Huang Quan. Compared to Li Zhi, who had fainted twice, Huang Quan could be considered a man. Moreover, Huang Quan had graduated from a proper military school. This was something that Lu Xiaobu lacked.
The matter with Huang Quan had come to an end, and there was another mission the next day. The camp quickly quieted down, and then the silent camp was shrouded in darkness.
A new day, a new beginning. A refreshed Zhang Xiaoqiang walked out of the tent. A good night's sleep had filled him with energy. He was ready to set off. Behind him, Yang Ke-er was making a scene in the tent. From time to time, the sound of heavy objects falling and Yuan Yi's persuasion could be heard. The two puppies were frightened by Yang Ke-er's abnormal behavior and hid outside the tent. They stuck their heads out and peered into the tent carefully.
Zhang Xiaoqiang had decided not to bring any women to the island. Yang Ke-er, Yuan Yi, and the rest were not to be brought. The island was not a big place, so what was the point of bringing them along?
By the lake, more than 10 boats were already in place. There were big and small boats, some with two people, and some with many people. It was not a problem to transport 40 members over.
After eating breakfast, the team members packed up and checked their equipment and ammunition. They knew that this operation was not very dangerous, but they still checked carefully. There were too many impossibilities in the post-apocalyptic world. If they were not careful, they might encounter unexpected dangers. The more preparation they had, the safer they would be.
Today, Huang Quan was different from the previous Huang Quan. He did not have the carefree and arrogant attitude he had when he first left the base, nor did he have the awkwardness and inferiority from yesterday. He was very calm, and under his calm exterior hid a volcano that was ready to erupt. He checked his Type-95 rifle and ammunition like everyone else. After he was done, he walked to Chen Ye and bid her farewell.
"Your leg is not healed yet, don't run around. The morning sun is not poisonous, and more sun is good for healing. You can't stay out for too long, or you will get sunburned …"
Huang Quan was like a husband who was about to leave the house as he repeatedly warned Chen Ye.
Chen Ye ignored Huang Quan's warnings, but her eyes carefully swept across his body. Huang Quan had changed into a clean and tidy new military uniform. The QGF03 camouflage helmet on his head was also brushed until it was spotless. The fully armed him looked especially neat and tidy, except for the heavy M1911A1 on his belt.