Episode Summary
Chen Hansheng finds purpose in the kitchen squad after a talk with the Old Squad Leader, even earning praise from Ling Zhengrong. He is then abruptly transferred back to the repair squad. His first major task involves a trip to the naval squadron, where his superior, Zhang Lan, is offered a new post. Back at the base, the repair squad faces pressure from an impatient Captain Wang but lacks the parts to fix his vehicles. Hansheng proposes a risky, unauthorized plan to cannibalize one vehicle to repair five others. When official approval is delayed, Hansheng and his team take matters into their own hands and are caught by Zhang Lan.
Spoiler Alert
From the Kitchen to the Repair Bay
A Lesson in Cooking
So, Chen Hansheng is stuck in the kitchen squad. He leads his new comrades in physical training. He's also learning the ropes from the Old Squad Leader. They're providing support for the Cheetah unit's training exercises. You can tell Hansheng is miserable about his new post. He just keeps his head down and works without saying a word.
The Old Squad Leader sees this. He pulls Hansheng aside for a talk. He tells him that during a war, the kitchen squad's job is critical. They have to get the food made no matter what's happening on the front lines. If the soldiers can't eat, they can't fight. This finally clicks for Hansheng. He starts taking the job seriously.
He ends up cooking a meal for the entire unit, with some help. Everyone loves the food. Even Ling Zhengrong comes over to praise him. Ling admits that this is the first time he’s seen Hansheng and thought he actually looked like a soldier. After the meal service, the Old Squad Leader gives Hansheng a food container. He tells him to go find his old friends, knowing Lei Peng and the others are waiting for him.
Pulled Back to the Garage
Hansheng is just getting into the rhythm of the kitchen squad. He's doing evening workouts with his new team. Then, Zhang Lan shows up out of nowhere. He's taking Hansheng back. The repair squad is swamped with work and needs his help. Hansheng is tired of being moved around. But Zhang Lan tells him this time it's for good. He can settle in at the repair squad.
After Hansheng leaves, the kitchen squad guys are a little down. They decide to keep up the physical training routine he started. It's their way of remembering him.
A New Mission and a Big Problem
A Trip to the Docks
Back in the repair squad, Hansheng gets a new assignment right away. Zhang Lan takes the team to the naval vessel squadron. They need to provide maintenance support for the ships. Here, Hansheng gets a look at a different kind of military life. He meets Squad Leader Ke. Ke has been stationed there for decades. The living conditions are rough. They live on the ship, which is freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer.
We learn that Zhang Lan was actually trained by Ke. Ke wants Zhang Lan to take over his post when he retires. Zhang Lan looks conflicted. Ke asks if he has problems at home. Zhang Lan explains his wife started a chicken farm. Ke jokes that a mechanic wouldn't be much help on a chicken farm anyway. Zhang Lan says he will seriously consider the offer. He also tells Ke about Hansheng's whole story. This prompts Ke to have a chat with Hansheng. He gives Hansheng his personal harmonica as a keepsake.
The Spare Parts Dilemma
When the repair team gets back to their base, they have a problem. Captain Wang and his soldiers are doing drills right in the middle of the repair bay. Wang is frustrated. His vehicles are either out on a mission or stuck in the shop. Zhang Lan explains their busy schedule and promises to get the vehicles fixed as soon as possible.
But they hit a major wall. They don't have the necessary parts to finish the repairs. All they can do is wait. This is where Hansheng gets an idea. He suggests they cannibalize one vehicle for parts to fix the other five. That way, they could at least give Captain Wang some of his vehicles back.
Hansheng Makes a Bold Move
The idea is a huge risk. Every single part on a military vehicle is strictly inventoried. You can't just swap them around. But Zhang Lan agrees it's a solid plan. He goes to ask Qiu Tian for permission. Qiu Tian can't make that call, so he has to send the request up the chain of command.
Captain Wang is not a patient man. He keeps bringing his soldiers to the repair bay to pressure the mechanics. Hansheng can't take it anymore. He makes a decision on his own. He's going to dismantle the vehicle. His teammates all agree to help. They decide if there's trouble, they'll all face it together. They get about halfway through the job when Zhang Lan walks in and catches them red-handed.
