Just before Ashan was discharged from the military, the old sergeant got married. The company commander acted as the officiant, while Ashan took on the role of master of ceremonies and greeter. The weathered face of the old sergeant was beaming with joy, dressed in a borrowed suit from who-knows-where. The bride, with her round face covered in bright red blush and lipstick, wore a floral dress and high heels.
As the couple entered the hall, the old sergeant marched in with military precision, his head held high and chest puffed out. In contrast, the bride walked with a slight limp, her head lowered shyly. Everyone thought they made a perfect pair, responding with enthusiastic applause. During his speech, the commander humorously referenced the couple’s wedding night, advising the groom to "stand strong" and the bride to "adapt gracefully," echoing the president’s exhortations, which had everyone roaring with laughter.
Once the feast began, the soldiers devoured food and drinks as if it were a rare treat on the frontlines. Unfortunately, the old sergeant couldn’t even make it halfway through the toasts before succumbing to the alcohol. Compassionate comrades spared him and instead turned their attention to the bride. At first, she modestly declined, claiming she couldn’t drink. But soon, she was downing large glasses with ease. By the end of the feast, nearly half the soldiers were knocked out, including both the bride and groom. Whether they consummated their marriage that night became the hottest topic among the troops.
On the evening before Ashan’s discharge, the commander organized a special farewell dinner for him. Many soldiers, especially those who had been enlisted before Ashan joined, jokingly complained, "We’re still here; how can you leave first?"
Ah-Tu was particularly emotional, struggling to express his feelings. For the first time, he couldn’t eat his meal. Ashan comforted him, urging him to listen to the officers, assuring him that he’d be discharged soon enough. The two shared three drinks, and Ah-Tu made Ashan pinky swear that after his discharge, he would visit him in Sanxia. Ah-Tu added that both he and Sister Ah-Mei liked Ashan a lot. Ashan readily agreed.
Finally, the commander addressed the group, expressing regret that Ashan, the best officer cadet he had ever mentored, chose not to stay in the army as a volunteer officer. The old sergeant chimed in, saying Ashan was the best emcee, and that anyone getting married in the future should hire him for the role. By this time, Ashan was already tipsy, overwhelmed by emotions. Struggling to find the right words, he simply saluted and bowed repeatedly, murmuring, "Thank you, thank you all."
Ashan’s father had once told him, "A real man doesn’t cry." Fighting back his emotions, Ashan left the tightly knit family he had shared a year with, amidst the blessings and well-wishes of his comrades.
就在阿三退伍之前，老士官結婚了。連長是主婚人，阿三是司儀兼招待。老士官飽經滄桑的臉上堆滿了笑容，穿著不知那裏借來的西裝。新娘子的胖臉上塗了大紅的胭脂及口紅，穿了花洋裝及高跟鞋。
當新人進禮堂時，老士官像是踏正步，抬頭挺胸。新娘子卻是一拐一拐的低著個頭，大家都認為倆人非常相配，給予最熱烈的掌聲。連長致詞時特別提在當晚洞房之時，新郎要莊敬自「強」，新娘要處「變」不驚，才不辜負總統的訓勉，又是惹得弟兄們哄堂大笑。
開席之後，弟兄們就像在前線加菜一樣猛吃猛喝。可憐的老士官還沒敬到一半的酒就不行了，好心的弟兄們就饒了他，轉向新娘子敬酒。新娘子起初還假假地推說不會喝酒，後來居然是大杯大杯的喝。散席之時，大概有一半的弟兄都倒了，包括新郎及新娘。所以當晚到底洞房了沒有，變成弟兄們最熱門的話題。
連長特地在阿三退伍的前一天晚上為連上加菜，萛是為阿三送行。弟兄們都有點依依不捨，尤其一些在阿三入伍前就來當兵的充員戰士，故意對阿三說：「我們都還沒退伍，你怎麼可以先走！」
阿土更是難過，又不知如何表達心內的感受。這是他第一次在部隊吃不下飯，阿三好言相勸要阿土好好聽連上長官的話，很快地就會退伍的。倆人對飲了三杯，阿土要阿三打勾勾，要阿三在自己退伍後到三峽去找他，因為他及阿美姐都很喜歡阿三，阿三當然答應了阿土的要求。
最後連長對大家說，阿三是他帶過最好的預官，很可惜無法說服他志願留營，深以為憾。老士官搶著說阿三是最好的司儀，希望以後大家結婚時都要找阿三作司儀。其實阿三當時已經喝得差不多了，許多感觸也湧上了心頭，實在不知該說些什麼客套的話，只有一直敬禮、鞠躬，口中喃喃地說道：「謝謝你們！謝謝你們！」
老爸曾說過「好男兒不流淚」，阿三一再強忍住心中的激情，在全體弟兄的祝福聲中，離開了這相聚了一年的大家庭。
