Eastern Country, Xilan Military District, 21st Army Reconnaissance Camp.
December, the season turned to winter, and the cold wind whistled.
A military green jeep slowly drove in from the gate of the military district, passing through roads lush with trees, sweeping past rows of running troops in uniform, and finally came to a halt in front of an office building.
The jeep had just stopped when the rear door was pulled open.
The figure stepping out was a woman in a military uniform.
She was dressed in the army green service uniform with her military cap neatly in place, wrapping her slender and exquisitely shaped figure, the shoulders adorned with three-star epaulets that reflected the dazzling light of the setting sun's afterglow.
The woman was just over twenty.
Under the brim of the hat was a face delicate and pretty, her expression indifferent, the warm light of the setting sun lingering in her long, lustrous black eyes, which showed a hint of nonchalance at the corners and brows.
Her features were picturesque, her appearance charming, her posture tall and slender, her back ramrod straight.
She stood quietly, her shadow cast long on the grass behind her, merging with the cool glow of the twilight, leaving only a silhouette.
Her looks combined with her rank could not fail but attract attention.
"Your instructor is on the second floor, first office to the right after turning,"
a soldier stuck his head out from the jeep, reminding Mo Shangjun in a clear voice.
Only then did Mo Shangjun turn her head to look at him, nodding slightly, "Alright, thank you."
"Welcoming a new comrade is only proper," the soldier said with a smile, then glancing at her rank, he added, "Lieutenant, good luck."
Having said that, he withdrew his head.
As the vehicle drove off,
Mo Shangjun paused for a moment, then looked towards the gray-white office building in front of her.
The next moment, she tilted her cap slightly higher.
She took a deep breath.
She was already here, it wasn't like she could back out now.
With that thought, Mo Shangjun lifted her long legs and walked step by step toward the office building ahead.
*
In the office building, on the second floor.
Turning right, she found the first office.
She halted in front of the closed door.
Mo Shangjun furrowed her brow slightly as she paused.
Just as she was about to knock, the door opened with a "creak," and the person inside appeared.
The man was under thirty, clad in the army green service uniform, with shoulder epaulets just like hers, indicating three stars.
Given the rank and location, it was undoubtedly the company instructor.
With a slightly plump round face and fairly decent features, the instructor looked a bit bewildered after he clearly saw Mo Shangjun.
"You are...?"
He hesitated.
"Mo Shangjun, here to report,"
Mo Shangjun said, standing erect and looking the instructor directly in the eyes, enunciating each word.
For some reason, the instructor felt a bit uneasy under her calm gaze.
"The one from National Defense Science and Technology University?" he asked, suddenly looking up in realization.
"Yes!"
Mo Shangjun's voice was crisp.
"Alright, alright, no need to be so formal," the instructor laughed and raised his hand to pat her shoulder, but after she gave him a glance, he self-consciously withdrew it, adding awkwardly, "Let's continue inside."
Having said that, he turned and went into the office.
Faintly, Mo Shangjun could hear the instructor muttering to himself, "Really is a woman."
Her eyes flickered slightly, and having been well-prepared mentally by her mentors, Mo Shangjun didn't mind.
After entering, the instructor pulled out a chair and poured tea.
Although Mo Shangjun had just graduated and lacked experience, they held the same military rank, and the instructor couldn't put on airs or show off his prowess in front of her.
Mo Shangjun silently accepted all the formalities.
Holding the steaming cup of tea, Mo Shangjun's eyelids dropped slightly as she waited for the instructor to peruse her file.
After a while, the instructor finished reading and placed the file back on the table.
"So, Mo Shangjun, the situation is this: with your rank, it's a waste for you to be a platoon leader, so we've positioned you as a deputy company commander," the instructor said, placing his hands on the desk and looking at her.
Mo Shangjun nodded.
"However," he paused for a moment, then changed his tone, "our company doesn't have female soldiers, only a temporary female platoon leader. You should know that it's pretty difficult for female leaders to command obedience from male soldiers, so the challenges you face won't be small."
She was new, parachuted in as the deputy company commander, graduating from military school without grassroots military experience.
No matter where, it would be difficult for her to be accepted.
Conflicts and contradictions were inevitable.
Before coming here, Mo Shangjun had been repeatedly cautioned by her mentors to pay attention time and again to getting along with male soldiers, as winning them over with virtue was the most satisfactory approach.
And, judging by the instructor's attitude, he did not intend to worry about how she would win them over.
"Can I ask a question?"
Setting the tea cup down on the desk, Mo Shangjun stood up from the chair.