Chapter 121: Jiang Huan’s Full-Blown Argument, Unleashing All Firepower

"They found a flag, but it was snatched away, and they got injured in the struggle—leg injuries. By the way, does anyone have any medical supplies?"

Jiang Huan had plenty of hemostatic agents in her space, but she didn't move. Those agents were far too effective; bringing them out would be a risk. As for the pharmacies she had raided before the apocalypse, they certainly contained trauma supplies, but she decided not to dwell on that. Why shackle herself with unnecessary burdens?

The two men writhed in pain for a while. Unable to watch any longer, the others began to pitch in—some provided gauze, others offered alcohol for cooling or disinfecting. Jiang Huan followed the crowd, offering two cotton swabs, and then stood to the side, looking unconcerned.

"Aren't they with Jiang Huan? Jiang Huan, didn't you get a flag? Why not just set off and head back? You're all in the same team, and since you have a flag, that should be enough to report back."

Someone blurted this out. Jiang Huan glanced at the speaker with surprise. Not long ago, this same person had been claiming that if they found the flag, they would return it to her.

Jiang Huan remained silent for a moment, then agreed to the request. She held out her hand to Sister Chen: "I'm sorry, please give me the flag."

Sister Chen seemed to catch on to the subtext and handed it over without hesitation.

"Wait, no, you—"

Jiang Huan said coldly: "I am satisfying your kind heart; don't you dare stop me."

After saying that, she called out: "Is there anyone who can take them back? Just rowing the boat is enough to complete the mission; there's no need for them to keep suffering. The higher-ups didn't say everyone in a team has to return together. Is there anyone who can take over this task?"

Two people immediately volunteered. The remaining members of their team had no objections, as the flag now belonged to them. "Remember to report that they were injured and unable to move before they could find a flag."

"No problem, thank you."

Jiang Huan pointed to the two men on the ground. "Help me carry them."

Xie Congzhou gave a grunt of acknowledgment. Then, along with Uncle Kui, he picked the two men up, laboring without complaint to carry them to the kayak on the shore.

As the two men leaned weakly against the kayak, Jiang Huan thanked Xie Congzhou.

If it hadn't been for him and Uncle Kui carrying them the whole way, she wouldn't have been able to haul two grown men who couldn't walk properly. Really, it was a nuisance to have this label slapped on her; if she didn't handle it, it would lead to follow-up trouble. If only teammates could be self-selected.

Xie Congzhou waved his hand, and he and Jiang Huan watched the kayak pull away. The group exchanged glances before returning to their previous resting spot.

The building was the same, but the atmosphere was worlds apart from before. The person who had burdened Jiang Huan because of the belief that "teammates should return together" felt uneasy, yet still believed they were in the right, thinking Jiang Huan was just being petty.

Jiang Huan didn't say a single extra word to that person. She sat with Xie Congzhou and the others, sharing the dry bread sticks from her backpack, followed by some peppermint tea.

Once the hottest part of the day passed, Jiang Huan followed Xie Congzhou and the others in the afternoon, finally encountering A-Lin.

A-Lin was panting, her water already finished. Jiang Huan shared a few sips with her, and A-Lin was so moved she felt like calling her "Daddy."

"Thanks, you saved my life."

Since A-Lin and her group had secured a flag, they didn't need Jiang Huan's help anymore. The person from Sister Chen’s group tried to say something, but finding no one would listen, they could only chase after this ever-growing team.

Fortunately, Sister Chen found a flag later on, and this person urged them to leave quickly.

Sister Chen was surprised: "Why leave now? Aren't Jiang Huan and Xie Congzhou trying to gather everyone possible and ensure all seen teammates return safely? Since we have a flag, we aren't in a rush to leave."

"Does she... does she actually have that kind of character?" If so, why be so petty over a single sentence?

Sister Chen was puzzled. What had Jiang Huan been petty about? Oh, the matter of taking back the flag. "Isn't she following your wishes by saving them? She didn't leave with them herself, so of course, she had to use the flag as a reward to get someone else to take the injured back.

"If she lacked character, look at how she’s been giving people water and rallying teammates to find flags all day—if that isn't character, what is? Besides, this is training; the goal is to complete the mission. If this were a real battlefield, would you still be nagging and insisting that people live and die together just because they're on the same team?"

They would have lost the battle before it even began. What was this person thinking?

The man fell silent.

When the three days were up, Jiang Huan and Xie Congzhou had managed to find most of the people in the area. After a headcount, a dozen were still missing.

"Perhaps they found a flag and headed back, plus the ones who left earlier; that accounts for most of them."

If it really came down to it, the head coach and his team would surely have a way.

The large group reached the shore, waded into the water, and soon arrived at the two large ships. After boarding, they took a headcount and found three people missing—exactly one small team.

But, just as everyone had guessed, the head coach wasn't worried. He made a satellite call, and half an hour later, an old fishing boat arrived with the three of them.

Jiang Huan thought to herself: As expected, the two sides were collaborating.

Now that everyone was present, the large ship began its return journey. Upon landing, they didn't let anyone rest; they went straight into a general meeting and called Jiang Huan to the stage.

Jiang Huan had her suspicions. Under everyone's gaze, she stood beside the head coach.

She was composed, calm, and confident, with no sign of shrinking back or guilt. Her slender build, pleasant features, and confident aura made the head coach frown, causing him to doubt the story those two men had told.

"Our team—the reason we are a team is because..." He rambled on for a bit before pointing directly at Jiang Huan. "You abandoned your teammates and even harbored resentment over a minor friction, watching their plight with cold indifference. This is unacceptable. Go back and write a three-thousand-word self-criticism—"

"I refuse."

Jiang Huan didn't wait for him to finish; she rejected him outright.

The head coach was left speechless.

"Jiang Huan!"

"Present!"

"Do you know what you are saying? Do you not know that obeying orders is a soldier's duty? The negative impact you have had on the collective is immeasurable. What is there to shirk regarding a three-thousand-word self-criticism? Tell me, how do you have the nerve to refuse?"

"Women are supposed to be inclusive and gentle. Look at what you've done! They even reminded you when they got off the ship—that’s not a lie, right? Many people saw it."

Jiang Huan sneered repeatedly. So that was why those two had suddenly warned her before getting off the ship—they had this motive in mind.

With so much craftiness, it was a waste they weren't out fishing; their hearts were so full of schemes they were riddled with holes.

She took two steps back. "Why shouldn't I have the nerve to refuse? One must bravely say no to unfair things. Head coach, first of all, I am not a soldier, nor am I here to serve. This selection process is meant to choose individuals with high personal quality for the front lines, not to engage in some wolf-culture team-building."