"Is this luck?" the soldiers crowded around, their faces full of surprise.
"So thin, and further than the target!"
Someone who had shot from that position spoke up, "I saw this cloth strip when I was aiming at the target from there, but all I saw was the cloth strip..."
Meaning that at that distance, the branch was too thin to be seen!
That person added, "Do you still think it was luck??"
Everyone was speechless. The person who had brought them, under Qin Nishui's orders, cleared his throat after everyone had grasped the point.
"Now, do you all see the gap between yourselves and others?"
The crowd nodded blankly.
How could they not see it?
"Since you've seen it, why aren't you practicing hard? An outsider who hasn't trained can have such astonishing talent, and you're not practicing diligently! You'll all be utterly disgraced during the exercises!"
He was giving them a pep talk, tightening their nerves, as instructed by his superiors.
Some felt ashamed from the bottom of their hearts, while others questioned, "Is she really an ordinary person?"
With such skill and ability, he dared say that even their superior might not be able to do it. Could mere talent, without subsequent effort, truly hit the mark in one shot?
"Of course." He had asked that question himself. The superior said Huo Rou was just his niece-in-law, and her main job was the director of a computer company.
Everyone was left speechless.
Had they been out of touch with "ordinary people" for too long? The definition of ordinary people seemed to be evolving too quickly.
"Alright. Let's start practicing. From today onwards, everyone will have an extra round of practice!"
The atmosphere was sufficiently charged. The person who brought them took this opportunity to loudly announce the final results.
No one dared to complain. The facts were clear...
Meanwhile, Qin Nishui was leading them towards the city.
"Xiao Rou," Qin Nishui served Huo Rou some food, smiling warmly. "Eat more."
This gesture was quite unexpected. Zou Xiaoxiao and Zhao Hengyu were both surprised.
Although Qin Ningyi's uncle was easy to get along with, he was never a kind and gentle elder. For him to serve someone food meant he must like them immensely.
Zhao Hengyu leaned towards Zou Xiaoxiao and asked with confusion, "When I first learned to shoot, I missed the target too. Why didn't Uncle Qin comfort me like this?"
Zou Xiaoxiao, hearing the hint of jealousy in his tone, rolled her eyes so hard they almost spun out of her head. "If this good fortune were offered to you, would you dare to accept it?"
Zhao Hengyu seriously imagined the scene.
Hmm...
It seemed...
The picture was too beautiful; he couldn't imagine it.
He shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Zhao Hengyu." Qin Nishui called his name. This sudden good fortune made him quickly sit up straight.
"Uncle Qin, please speak." His expression was as ingratiating as possible.
Qin Nishui looked at him with disdain. "Don't embarrass me outside anymore."
Huh? A big question mark appeared in Zhao Hengyu's eyes. Before he could ask, he heard Qin Nishui speak to Huo Rou in a completely different tone, "Xiao Rou, have you been in the military before? Your marksmanship..."
Huo Rou was silent for a moment. Qin Nishui quickly added, "It's okay if you can't disclose it. I understand the secrecy rules."
Huo Rou thought for a moment, then smiled and shook her head. "I was at Fenghuo for over a year."
Her experience at Fenghuo could be discussed, but anything else... was indeed difficult to talk about.
Upon hearing this, Qin Nishui subconsciously glanced at Qin Ningyi. Seeing him nod, Qin Nishui's doubts deepened.
He had investigated Huo Rou's identity at the time but found no record of her at Fenghuo.
There was only one possibility for her being there but having no record: the place she went to later had higher security requirements for identity, which is why all her experiences were locked away.
It seemed his niece-in-law was not simple!
Those whose identities could not be traced were either exceptionally ordinary or extraordinary!
"Hahaha, good!" Qin Nishui laughed. "Next time, have Ningyi bring you over again, and if it's convenient, teach these recruits how to shoot for me too!"
"Okay." Hearing him say this, Huo Rou knew he had noticed her little trick. She smiled shyly. "You saw it, didn't you."
Every shot was on target. Even though she had intended to let Zhao Hengyu off the hook for running, she couldn't bring herself to miss or shoot wide. She had no choice but to aim at the red cloth strip in the wind.
"Haha, only that fool Zhao Hengyu wouldn't see it," Qin Nishui shook his head helplessly. "Right, Ningyi?"
Qin Ningyi smiled with affection. "Yes."
Huo Rou was standing in his spot. He had indeed seen that red cloth strip, so when Huo Rou missed the target, he instinctively looked in that direction.
"What are you guys talking about?" Zhao Hengyu was still somewhat confused. Wasn't he there the whole time? They seemed to be discussing something entirely new...
Hmm, it must be that his ability to gather information was still insufficient.
Zou Xiaoxiao didn't know the specific details, but from their conversation, she could guess the general situation. Huo Rou's shot was probably not a simple miss...
The fact that Qin Nishui was inviting her to the military district to teach marksmanship was enough to show how capable Huo Rou was.
She looked at Huo Rou's calm face, and the last trace of her unwillingness faded away.
Huo Rou truly deserved the person she had admired in her youth.
Zhao Hengyu noticed Zou Xiaoxiao was zoning out. His gaze shifted. "Grand Aunt."
His voice was a little soft. "Don't tell me you're still thinking about..."
For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to say the name "Qin Ningyi." Zhao Hengyu felt a slight pang in his heart. He thought Zou Xiaoxiao would have moved on from Qin Ningyi after accepting Huo Rou, but her absentminded look still made him feel something was wrong.
Zou Xiaoxiao lowered her head and took a bite of food. "No, I'm not."
She blinked, swallowed the last trace of her youthful admiration, and when she looked up again, she was as bright and cheerful as ever. "My idol is Lord Chiyou! If I'm thinking of anyone, it's him!"