After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

In the past three days, Fang Huai’s mindset towards training had stabilized quite a bit, no longer training until his legs gave out.

After all, everyone is bound to reach the same level of physical strength sooner or later.

In firefighting, if the overall level of physical strength isn’t raised, it’s not just a question of whether there’ll be problems during a police dispatch, but training maneuvers would definitely be problematic.

Of course, his money-making plans hadn’t stopped.

Last night, Fang Huai finally made a recording of the demo and, using the recording studio’s computer, sent it to Brother Yang’s QQ.

He was still unsure what she would think about it.

He was genuinely feeling a bit restless inside.

He had thought that no matter how successful he might become in this life, if he could find a girl like Yang Shaoqing, it wouldn’t be a bad deal.

Tall and leggy, her skin so white it shone, features, voice, personality, all beyond reproach—from a vanity standpoint, she was definitely a girl who could win him some bragging rights.

As for whether there was still a bit of that old youthful dream lingering, this old guy was too embarrassed to even mention it.

The only stumbling block was: that was Chen Shuang’s little sister.

Brother Yang’s little sister, practically his daughter.

This feels so wrong.

...

Fang Huai discussed with the two cadres that in the future, unless they absolutely needed to shoot daytime footage, they’d drag anything to do with recording or editing into the evening.

Actually, there weren’t that many scenes that needed to be staged; most of them could be found in previous police dispatch and training footage.

After lunch, on the way out in the car, Fang Huai called Yang Shaoqing right in front of the two cadres.

If Yang Shaoqing didn’t agree, at least it’d show he made an effort.

"Hello? Who’s this?"

The call connected, and the voice that came through stunned him—it was a man.

By the voice, it was Chen Shuang’s dad.

Also, Yang Shaoqing’s dad.

Fang Huai jolted, "Uh... Uncle! It’s... It’s me, Fang Huai!"

"Fang Huai? Didn’t you join the army? Are you with firefighting?"

"Ah... Yes! I, I’m on a business trip."

Fang Huai was at a loss for words when the voice on the other end changed.

"Dad! You’re sneakily looking at my phone again. I’ve told you several times, I don’t have a boyfriend!"

"Hello?" Brother Yang’s voice came closer to the phone.

"Ah, it’s me, Fang Huai. You’re back home?"

"Yes! I just started my holiday! I arrived home yesterday!"

"Oh... Right, did you listen to the song?"

Yang Shaoqing’s voice suddenly became cheerful, "I listened, I listened! I’ve been trying to call you but couldn’t get through. I was just about to pack up and leave!

But my dad doesn’t agree!

He thought I was going to meet a boyfriend! Since my dad’s here, you talk to him!"

Fang Huai was blown away.

Could you not have told me earlier that your dad needed to agree to this?

Before Fang Huai could refuse, the voice had already switched again.

"Fang Huai, Yang Shaoqing said you’ve invited her for... some kind of shooting?"

"Oh, yes, uncle. We need someone with both a good voice and appearance for the promotional song we’re doing. I thought it might be helpful to Yang Shaoqing, so I wanted to invite her over."

The situation was what it was; he had to steel himself and proceed.

Up front, Zhong Ling looked at him curiously while Zhang Ning was also sneakily peering through the rearview mirror from time to time.

Hearing Fang Huai’s phone conversation, both seemed on the verge of laughter.

Yang Shaoqing on the line was playing along, saying loudly, "Yes! I’ll use this as my holiday homework, it’ll surely impress my teacher, and who knows, it might even get on the school website!"

The Nokia’s volume was loud; both people in the front could slightly overhear.

Zhong Ling immediately turned back and said, "We must get it featured on other websites only after our own promotion, make sure you tell her that."

"Of course, Secretary Zhong." Fang Huai nodded. "Uncle Chen, did you hear that? I’m with the cadres in charge of our unit right now."

"Oh... I did, well, thank you Fang Huai. It’s rare that you still remember to consider her."

Uncle Chen’s suspicion had reduced quite a bit after hearing Zhong Ling and Fang Huai talk, and his tone warmed up considerably.

"No problem, uncle. You don’t have to worry about Shaoqing’s safety. Once she arrives, I will take responsibility," Fang Huai promised.

Zhong Ling in front immediately glared back, frantically waving her hands.

This isn’t really our concern!

But Fang Huai just waved it off.

I wasn’t planning on involving you guys anyway.

"Fine! It’s too late today, let’s do it tomorrow. Tomorrow at noon, we’ll take her to the airport," Uncle Chen agreed without further hesitation.

"Yay!!" Yang Shaoqing’s cheer came through from the other side:

"Fang Huai, you promised to treat me to good food!"

Fang Huai said helplessly, "You’ll be taken care of, you’ll be taken care of. But I can’t accompany you; I can only come out during work hours. My uncle is here, so I’ll get him to host you, okay?"

"Ah... okay then, I’ll just have some fun on my own!"

Fang Huai’s face darkened.

So this girl just wanted to have a good time.

"... I’ll send you a phone number. Once you’ve booked your flight, send the flight number to this mobile phone, and someone will pick you up," Fang Huai instructed.

"Fine, I can buy my own ticket; no need to bother you with that!"

"How could I let you spend..."

"No worries, my dad gave me money! I’ll bring you some of your favorite fried dough twists! That’s all for now, bye."

Before Fang Huai could say more, the line was disconnected.

Since when did I like fried dough twists?

Fang Huai was dumbfounded for a while before calling his uncle.

He got right to the point.

"Uncle, I’ll send you the address now, could you ask auntie to come?"

"I’m eating dinner with your aunt. What’s the rush?"

"No, no rush, take your time eating. Also, that girl we were talking about, I’ve managed to get her to come! She’s arriving tomorrow, so you... get ready to host her!"

As soon as Fang Huai finished speaking, his uncle began to cough furiously, as if he’d choked on something.

"Cough... cough... You, I’m on speakerphone! Your aunt is here! Clarify for me! What did you mean by that girl I called for?"

Fang Huai laughed.

Zhang Ning and Zhong Ling, who could hear the conversation without speakerphone, also laughed.

Only then did Fang Huai realize that the car had been playing soft music, which had now stopped.

The two were leaning in with their ears tilted, clearly engrossed in listening to the juicy gossip.

"Hey, didn’t you say you wanted to meet the girl I like? You even offered to help me win her over, so I called her, and now you’re backing out?"

That’s when his uncle let out a "ssst" sound, followed by an angry roar.

"Did you hear that? Fang Huai’s girlfriend! Why the hell are you pinching me?"

All three people in the car started convulsing in laughter.

"Enough! Your aunt will come over later!"

Another roar on the line, and the call was ended.

Fang Huai had never expected his aunt, who always appeared gentle, from a family of scholars, and a writer herself, would pinch someone.

And she wasn’t just any online fiction writer; she was a legitimate editor for a magazine, having written several works with substantial value.

"Hey, Fang Huai, you have relatives around here?... What’s your aunt coming for?" asked Zhang Ning with a chuckle.

Fang Huai had already thought of a casual reply.

"Oh, didn’t I play a song last time? I wrote it myself, and Brother Chen liked it. He wants to buy it, offering a few thousand, and I’d even have to sign a contract. I can’t deal with that, so I had no choice but to ask my aunt to come over."

"Oh... You ought to be careful, there’s an order about that. You’re indeed talented, earning so much from writing songs. Congratulations then!"

"Oh, come off it," Fang Huai looked enviously at the steering wheel in Zhang Ning’s direction and said, "Sister Zhang, one song from me can’t even afford two tires of your car. I’m flattered by the compliment from a wealthy lady, but I dare not enjoy it."

"Then just keep working hard!" said Zhang Ning.

But Fang Huai waved it off: "Forget it, I plan to serve as a soldier properly. I’ll be eating State rations from here on out. Although my dad is still young, I think there’s a chance for rescue, let him work hard instead."

"Hahahaha..."

...

In the recording studio.

When Aunt Yu Ming arrived, Zhang Ning and Zhong Ling were stunned.

"Aunt Yu?... You’re..."

Having worked at the Base, they naturally recognized the leader’s wife.

"Oh! Long time no see!" Yu Ming approached, greeting Zhang Ning with a smile.

Fang Huai didn’t delay either: "Aunt Yu, I’ll go call them!"

"Go, go! All you do is boss your uncle around all day!" Yu Ming said, exasperated.

"Hey, trouble you to make a trip, okay? I’ll share the profit with you afterward!"

"I don’t need your share!" Yu Ming wasn’t much older, in her thirties, and still spoke with the air of a younger person.

Fang Huai didn’t retort; given his uncle’s burden in the family, it was best not to add to it.

He went straight in to find Chen Cang.

Yu Ming was quite responsible, asking Chen Cang some legal questions. Being from the publishing field, she was relatively knowledgeable.

Chen Cang was proactive too; after all, it was an opportunity to make money from nothing, so he answered every question.

The song authorization dealt with a company called "Century Bo Le," which had SP rights in Zhejiang and Guangdong.

Representatives of the company had arrived.

Soon, after listening to a demo, discussing details, and reviewing the contract, it became clear that the official signing awaited the copyright approval.

They added the song "The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style" to the contract.

...

Coming out, Yu Ming’s expression was somewhat strange.

Initially complaining about having to run around for such a trivial matter, she no longer mentioned the inconvenience, instead tugging Fang Huai to ask.

"How much money can you actually make, needing to declare a service fee cap of five million on the contract?"

Fang Huai spread his hands: "I’m not sure either, I’ll make sure the demo is recorded well. You just need to go and apply for the copyright. When it’s time, you’ll still have to sign the contract.

"The money will certainly be deposited into your account. Just give him 40% afterward."

Yu Ming couldn’t help but review the contract again, finding no issues, and reminded him once more, "If there’s a lot of money, remember to pay personal tax!"

In the past, Fang Huai was quite the troublemaker, and she felt compelled to remind him of one thing after another.

Fang Huai replied helplessly, "Aunt Yu, the money is all with you. Wouldn’t it be fine if you just paid the taxes? If you don’t feel reassured, when signing the contract, just ask the company to pay it on behalf."

He was silently exasperated.

Damn it, justifying things to the family now always involved paying for the mischief he’d created as a kid.

...

The next day.

Zhang Zhongting, dressed in casual attire, stepped out of the car with a sweet girl wearing a beige sweater and a gray plush fisherman’s hat.

The two walked to the entrance of the New Recruits Building.

Zhang Zhongting, hands behind his back, put on a serious face and glanced toward the training ground. Actually, the training ground was buzzing with the noise of hundreds of soldiers practicing their drills; it was impossible to spot Fang Huai.

With no other option, he shrugged helplessly.

"They’re still in training on the playground; he can’t come out."

"Oh..." Yang Shaoqing felt a tinge of disappointment before inquiring, "Uncle, are you an officer? I saw your car could come straight in!"

Zhang Zhongting smiled and nodded: "Yep, I’ve been an old employee here, so I can come and go."

Then, pointing to a squad performing the goose step on the training ground, he said, "Fang Huai is a soldier now, and he has to train like this every day. It’s really tough. Your brother has just enlisted, and he’s probably going through the same routines."

"I know! We’ve gone through military training too, doing the goose step! It’s so loud! And every day, we were extremely tired!"

"It’s different for them, though. They have to train here for three months, and then they’ll be firefighters. This place is the easiest part; it’ll get even tougher afterward."

"Oh... So that’s how they train."

Yang Shaoqing watched intently, absorbed in observing the training.

Zhang Zhongting checked his watch: "It’s almost time for their meal. Let’s wait for him for a bit. We’ll take a quick glance and be on our way."

"Okay~"

(Tomorrow is my wife’s birthday, so I need to drive out, and it’s a bit far. I’ll be one update short these next couple of days, which also gives me time to adjust my thoughts.

I’m revising some parts of the outline, cutting some content, and around 300,000 words in, we’ll move into the next part of the story.)