It's not impossible.
"My specialty is using computer office software, and I quite like basketball and soccer..."
Fang Huai set aside his only talent—guitar playing and singing—and spoke frankly.
Having too many and too mixed characteristics doesn't make for a memorable point.
Hao Chengbin's eyes lit up, "Computer office software? How proficient are you?"
Basketball and soccer aren't unusual, but being proficient with computers... now it depends on how proficient you really are. If you can handle clerical work, that's a treasure.
A few days ago, the Brigade Department's Clerk stayed up all night sorting out the new recruit group's electronic records, and he didn't hold back with his complaints. The Company Leader and the Instructor even held meetings with them, hoping that any Non-commissioned Officers proficient in Word and Excel could help cover a shift.
Once this task was assigned, the Non-commissioned Officers became like Aimless Wanderers, starting to feign ignorance: where's the power button on this computer?
Not to mention, they were only good at playing CS, typing at a snail's pace, and even if the Clerk was willing to teach, no one was willing to learn.
Joking aside, who would want to do that? You're yelling yourself hoarse during the day while training the new recruits, and then still have to work overtime at night.
Fang Huai certainly understood this situation.
Not just now, but even when he was close to being discharged, a Communication Soldier or Clerk who could proficiently operate various office software and communication equipment was still in hot demand, and there was even a special Communication Soldier Competition every year.
"Squad Leader, I'm familiar with most of the office software available on the market."
A visible smile finally appeared on Hao Chengbin's face.
"Good, follow me to the Joint Office later."
The other new recruits immediately sensed the aroma of benefits.
The new recruit who had been talking in front of Fang Huai while going upstairs immediately stood up, confidently declaring.
"Reporting, Squad Leader, I can also use computers!"
A double blessing?
Hao Chengbin nodded, "Alright, you come too! Great, you first introduce yourself."
"Reporting, Squad Leader, my name is Jiang Peng!"
"Oh... you're Jiang Peng, from Yunnan, right? Did you attend higher vocational education?"
"Yes, Squad Leader!" Jiang Peng felt a surge of speculation in his heart upon realizing the squad leader recognized him, his spirits lifted.
"Squad Leader, my name is Jiang Peng, 21 years old, a graduate from higher vocational education, from Kunming, Yunnan..."
"I saw on your file, you're from Qu Jing, right?" Hao Chengbin interjected.
Jiang Peng's face turned slightly awkward.
"Squad Leader... I, my grandfather is from Kunming, and I usually live with him."
Fang Huai couldn't help but laugh.
Creating a grandfather out of thin air, a fellow practitioner indeed! But what's the use of saying he's from Kunming? To seem like he's from a better home environment?
Hao Chengbin waved it off, "Just state the place your household registration is from."
"... from Qu Jing. I like singing and can play guitar! I'm also quite proficient with computers! In high school... I've also been a Deputy Squad Leader!" Jiang Peng quickly listed a few strengths, covering up the previous awkwardness.
Jiang Peng, being older, knew that he had to show some advantage to compete for the position of Deputy Squad Leader.
But he was still somewhat naïve.
Hao Chengbin saw through it but said nothing.
Who hasn't attended school for a few years? In schools, class deputies are chosen based on grades. If you could really be a Deputy Squad Leader, why would you need to attend a vocational school nowadays?
If a Deputy Squad Leader was really to be chosen... this Fang Huai seems a bit more suitable.
As Hao Chengbin thought this, Fang Huai's eyes widened in shock.
[Task: Become Deputy Squad Leader of the new recruit group. (Upon completion of this task, unlock the Merit System.)]
The Merit System?!
And there are subsystems?
[The Merit System will reward the host for honors obtained above the level of commendation.]
Fang Huai's adrenaline began to pump, the drowsiness that the gradually quiet and warm atmosphere of the room had given him disappeared entirely.
This is not just about a Merit System!
Military honors are rare, and above commendation, which means above "Outstanding Soldier," he could serve another five years and probably wouldn't get many such awards.
But now that there's a Merit System... could there be other systems as well??
What are the rewards?
And yes, it's possible to undertake multiple tasks at the same time! That makes the possibility of completing tasks much greater!
The thought was lightning fast.
"Hmm, 21 years old, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Yes... if I get into the Military Academy, we plan to get married," Jiang Peng declared with not a little pride.
"Oh... aiming for the Military Academy... do you have the books?"
Non-university graduates aspiring to the Military Academy need to take basic cultural exams in Chinese, mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, and politics, each with a set of standard guidebooks.
"I do, in my bag," Jiang Peng pointed outside the door.
"Hmm, having the ambition to become an officer by attending the Academy is commendable! If there's no additional training on the weekends, you could spend more time studying!"
"Thank you, Squad Leader! I will work hard!"
Having finished speaking, Jiang Peng felt as if he were already an officer, sitting down with a somewhat triumphant posture.
Hao Chengbin seemed to remember something, his gaze sweeping around.
"Who among you are planning to take examinations and don't have the books? Clerk Huang in the Brigade Department has a set; you can ask and the Brigade Department will help you make copies."
After a while, nobody spoke up.
Hao Chengbin looked slightly disappointed.
After all, bringing up an officer was something to be proud of.
Jiang Peng felt even more buoyant.
"Fang Huai, you graduated from high school, right? You're not old and could still try for the undergraduate Military Academy... aren't you going to try?"
Fang Huai recovered from his earlier shock.
"Reporting, Squad Leader! My family wants me to try, and I have the books! Later on... my family will send them to me. Squad Leader, I've just joined the troops, and if I have spare time, focusing on the training would be good enough."
In his past life, it seemed that after he had been conferred his rank, his uncle had come to visit him, bringing a set of books that had been left by a top student, filled with notes, certainly more valuable than an ordinary book.
Moreover, the new recruit group often had additional training on weekends, and the rare times they could rest, one would hardly rush to plop down on a small stool to catch up on sleep, let alone study books!