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The list of soldiers returning to civilian life had been released, and the troops had to reorganize the new camp. Qi Taiguo had been busy these past few days. To enhance elite training, the daily drills were even tougher than before, and in the scorching heat of August, the water they drank almost instantly evaporated into sweat. On some bare-armed soldiers, a layer of white salt could occasionally be seen.
Under the fierce sun, Qi Taiguo, with hands clasped behind his back, watched the soldiers in front of him and listened to them counting off.
"Why didn't Platoon Leader Chen come to training?" Gao Linbing, the company commander from the neighboring Second Company, asked others.
Everyone looked at each other, all a bit puzzled.
Qi Taiguo frowned. It was time for assembly, and Chen Shouwang still hadn't reported in?
"Platoon Leader Chen is here." Someone called out, pointing to the entrance of the parade ground.
