Chapter 36: Mastered

Chapter 36: Mastered It

Cheng Yifei had finished her round of explanations and demonstrations. After a flurry of operations, she finally looked at Xu Qiao. "You’ve finally got the gist of it this time, right?"

Xu Qiao didn't respond. Instead, she said, "Let me try operating it myself."

Cheng Yifei had initially wanted to say that it was too reckless to start operating right after learning, but recalling Xu Qiao’s earlier reactions, she bit back her words and stepped aside to let her take over.

In her past life, Xu Qiao wasn't technically a career soldier, as she never made it to the front lines before she died. Yet, no one could deny her status or her contributions to that war. Operating behind enemy lines required learning much more, as every additional skill was a potential lifeline. She wasn't a dedicated signal operator—a complex role in that era requiring professional training—but during her own training, she had encountered other operators and picked up the basics. These new devices were far more advanced than those from her time, but the underlying principles remained the same.

Cheng Yifei gestured to the side. "You’ve seen how it’s done; go ahead and figure it out."

Even for members of the wireless squad, one didn't need to be incredibly proficient with these first-generation radios since they weren't used often, but a basic mastery was required.

"I don't need help for now. I'll come to you if I have questions," Xu Qiao said without lifting her head, fully absorbed in studying the equipment.

She knew her method of learning was sound. Although the subject matter here was different, she discovered that with the same level of focus, she could learn just as quickly.

However, handling these controls for the first time wasn't easy. She made a mistake within seconds, and the telegram was sent in fragments. Cheng Yifei, perhaps having never encountered a recruit who learned this way, felt a flash of irritation. But remembering their previous run-ins, she dared not lash out.

She realized that many things one might dismiss as irrelevant to combat often ended up playing a decisive role. Things like the incident at the anti-interference camp—if not for Sergeant Wu’s communication skills, they might never have transmitted their intelligence back.

Thinking of this, she looked at Cheng Yifei and smiled. "You taught well. Keep teaching."

Cheng Yifei choked on her response. "What else is there for me to teach you?"

Xu Qiao was deeply immersed. She didn't notice when Guan Yuqi arrived. Guan, observing the scene, asked quietly, "What’s going on?"

Before Cheng Yifei could answer, Guan Yuqi walked over, watching Xu Qiao with curiosity. "Is this how you always learn things?"

Xu Qiao, still fixated on her work, didn't even acknowledge the person standing right next to her. She just kept tapping away at the transmitter.

Cheng Yifei checked her watch. "Two hours. She’s been transmitting the whole time without even glancing at me once."

Time flew for Xu Qiao once she was in the zone. She didn't even know when Guan Yuqi had appeared.

"Did you get it all right on your first try?" Xu Qiao asked, finally looking up at Guan.

Under Guan Yuqi's watchful eyes, Xu Qiao finished transmitting a telegram and suddenly stood up. "I did it!"

Her sudden movement startled both women, who instinctively took a step back.

Guan Yuqi looked at her, then at Cheng Yifei, and asked, "How long has she been at it?"

"Right before you jumped up," Guan replied with a helpless look. "What is this? I told you to learn how to transmit... and you're just researching it on your own?"

"Sister Yifei taught me, and I spent the rest of the time figuring it out myself," Xu Qiao said, then immediately asked, "Sergeant, does this count as mastered? Can I move on to learn something else?"

Guan Yuqi looked at her with surprise. "You learned this in just one day?"

Xu Qiao nodded and presented the finished product. "Look, I’ve figured it out. I’m not very fast yet, but I succeeded."

Though Guan Yuqi had heard her, she still found it hard to believe until she saw the proof.

Xu Qiao truly hadn't been ignoring Cheng Yifei on purpose. She had a habit: whether memorizing something or learning a new skill, she liked to retreat into her own world. Once she focused, nothing else existed.

"Cheng—" Xu Qiao began, then stopped, realizing the slip. "Sister Yifei has finished teaching me, and I’ve been working through the rest on my own."

Hearing the title "Sister Yifei," Cheng Yifei was startled, looking at her with disbelief.

"This is all on her," Cheng said, seeing Guan look her way. "She insisted on doing it this way. I taught her everything I was supposed to."

"Well..." Xu Qiao checked the time. "To be precise, it’s been four hours."

Guan Yuqi looked at the two of them, then patted Xu Qiao on the shoulder. "Carry on with the training."

Cheng Yifei felt a sense of resignation. She stood at attention. "Yes!"

Xu Qiao smiled at her. "Sister Yifei, please."

Cheng Yifei shivered. "Don't talk to me like that. You're giving me the chills."

Xu Qiao reflected silently. Since coming here, she realized her university education was common, and her previous advantages seemed to have vanished. Compared to these people, her military skills were outdated, save for combat and marksmanship. She wanted to catch up, and that meant not just working hard, but learning faster and more than anyone else. She never wanted to be in a position of helplessness again, where the only options were to panic or to go down with the enemy.

She was determined to become stronger.