The scorching sunlight beat down on the special forces training ground, baking the earth until it radiated intense heat. Lin Yu, dressed in camouflage and face paint, felt sweat trickle down his resolute cheeks, only for the droplets to evaporate the instant they hit the dry ground. Right now, he was leading his team through a simulated live-fire drill amidst the roaring sounds of artillery and swirling smoke.
"Team One, flank from the left; Team Two, make a frontal feint; Team Three, follow me in a surprise attack from the right. Take the objective within ten minutes, no exceptions!" Lin Yu's clear, decisive orders cut through the noisy battlefield via his intercom, his voice resolute and distinct. The team members moved swiftly with seamless coordination, as fierce and fearless as tigers descending a mountain. Leading by example, Lin Yu charged at the forefront, his eyes revealing a reassuring calmness and focus. Under his leadership, the team successfully breached enemy lines and completed the mission.
After the drill, Lin Yu and his men returned to camp. Though exhausted, their faces beamed with the joy of victory. Lin Yu patted a nearby comrade on the shoulder and smiled. "Good job, brothers!" The others gathered around, chiming in all at once. "Captain, if it weren't for your brilliant command, we wouldn't have finished the mission so easily." "That's right, following the captain gives us peace of mind!" Looking at these comrades-in-arms whom he spent every waking moment with, Lin Yu felt his heart swell with warmth and reluctance to leave.
Yet farewells always arrive unannounced. A few days later, the unit held a discharge ceremony for Lin Yu. On the parade ground, military flags fluttered and the band played. Dressed in a crisp uniform adorned with medals across his chest, Lin Yu bore the weight of glorious years and hard-won achievements in the military on every single badge. He slowly walked up to the stage to receive his retirement certificate from the leadership; at that moment, his hands trembled slightly.
Below the stage, the troops stood in neat formations, saluting him. Lin Yu's gaze swept slowly across each familiar face; these brothers who had shared life and death with him now had red rims around their eyes. Raising his hand, he returned a solemn military salute—a gesture brimming with profound attachment and gratitude toward the armed forces.
After the ceremony, Lin Yu walked alone to the armory. He gently stroked the rifle that had accompanied him for years, the cold metal bringing a sudden ache to his chest. This weapon had witnessed his growth and carried him through countless grueling training days and brush-with-death battles. Closing his eyes, he replayed the scenes of fighting side-by-side with his comrades in his mind.
"Goodbye, old friend," Lin Yu whispered, his voice tinged with a slight choke. Putting down the rifle, he turned and left the armory with resolute steps.
After leaving the military, Lin Yu returned to his hometown. At first, he felt somewhat lost, unsure how to adapt to this mundane life. Life in the army had been charged with daily challenges and passion, but now everything had turned quiet and unfamiliar. He tried looking for a job, but none of them felt quite right.
One day while browsing the web, Lin Yu stumbled upon an opening for entry-level government staff. A spark ignited in his chest, instantly rekindling his desire for a new challenge. Perhaps this was a new beginning, an opportunity to continue serving the people, he thought. Without hesitation, he signed up for the examination.
During the days of preparation, Lin Yu brought out the very resilience and grit he had forged in the military. Rising early every day, he began studying a wide range of subjects, from political theory and public administration to legal regulations and official document drafting. Although much of the material was entirely new to him, his stellar physical stamina and learning capacity allowed him to grasp the key points in no time.
On the day of the test, Lin Yu walked into the exam hall full of confidence. Inside, he answered the questions attentively, his pen flying across the paper. Afterward, he felt he had performed quite well. The days waiting for the results were filled with both anticipation and tension. At last, the scores were released: Lin Yu had successfully passed and was officially accepted as an entry-level government employee.
The morning of his check-in was bright and sunny. Dressed in neat casual attire and standing before the government building, Lin Yu felt his heart brim with aspirations for the future. Taking a deep breath, he strode resolutely inside.
Stepping through the doors, Lin Yu found everything entirely different from the military. The spacious, bright corridors, the quiet and orderly office environment, and the coming-and-going staff in formal wear all bustled with activity. Following the directional signs, he located his office and pushed open the door to find several colleagues already hard at work.
"Hello, I'm Lin Yu, the new guy," Lin Yu greeted everyone with a smile. A young colleague looked up and responded warmly, "Hello, hello! Welcome to the team, I'm Xiao Li." The other colleagues offered friendly glances as well, briefly introducing themselves.
Director Wang, the supervisor, walked in—a middle-aged man wearing glasses who looked quite approachable. "Ah, Lin Yu, you're here," Director Wang said with a smile. "Welcome to our big family. If there's anything you don't understand from now on, just ask." Lin Yu hurriedly nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Director Wang, I will definitely work hard."
Director Wang showed Lin Yu around the work environment, introducing him to the various office workflows and responsibilities. Listening attentively, Lin Yu nodded from time to time. He realized that while the work here lacked the gunfire and smoke of the battlefield, it was fraught with complex interpersonal dynamics and tasks.
In the days that followed, Lin Yu commenced his grassroots work. Every day brought mountains of documents and visits from citizens, making his duties petty and complicated. Sometimes, completing a single report required consulting vast amounts of material and undergoing repeated revisions. When facing the public's demands, however, he always listened patiently and did his utmost to help find solutions.
Yet the political ecosystem proved far more complex than he had imagined. Within this tiny office, subtle interpersonal relationships existed. Some colleagues acted amiable on the surface while plotting their own agendas behind closed doors. As a newcomer, Lin Yu struggled to adapt to this atmosphere. Once, during a discussion on a project proposal, he voiced his own ideas only to be met with opposition from a veteran colleague. The older staff member spoke with fierce words and a rigid attitude, leaving Lin Yu somewhat humiliated.
"Lin Yu, you haven't been here long and don't quite understand how things work around here. We've always done things the old way; your ideas might be novel, but they aren't very practical," the veteran colleague said unsparingly. Though a grievance prickled in his chest, Lin Yu maintained his cool and patiently explained his perspective. Ultimately, with Director Wang's mediation, a temporary compromise was reached.
Walking home alone after work, Lin Yu felt a heavy weight in his chest. He recalled his days in the army, where comrades treated each other with absolute honesty, speaking their minds without hiding anything. Here in this new environment, however, he felt as though he had stepped into a maze, completely at a loss.
Back home, Lin Yu sat on the couch and fell into deep thought. He knew he couldn't let himself be defeated by difficulties. Since he had chosen this path, he had to see it through. Remembering a military slogan—"Never discard, never abandon!"—he secretly rallied himself, vowing to adapt to the environment and make something of himself.
From then on, Lin Yu worked even harder. Not only did he diligently complete his own duties, but he also proactively sought advice from other colleagues to learn from their experience. He actively participated in various training and study sessions, continually improving his capabilities. At the same time, he began trying to integrate into the collective by communicating and interacting more with his peers.
Gradually, Lin Yu discovered that treating others with sincerity and approaching work with dedication could indeed win the respect and recognition of his colleagues. Even the veteran colleague who had once opposed him changed his perspective during subsequent projects. "Lin Yu, I never took you for a young man with such grit. Your work is getting better and better," the older colleague said with a smile. Lin Yu smiled modestly. "I'm just learning from everyone here. I'll still need to ask for your guidance in the future."
As time passed, Lin Yu gradually grew accustomed to official life. Growing constantly through his work, he began to grasp the true meaning and value of the job. Though it lacked life-or-death struggles on a battlefield, every policy formulated and every problem resolved bore a direct connection to the fundamental interests of ordinary people. He knew deep down that his responsibilities were heavy, which only strengthened his conviction to serve the people.
On this brand-new battlefield, Lin Yu marched forward step by step, anticipating more challenges and opportunities in the future while firmly believing that he would author a brilliant chapter of his own.