Chapter 51: You Are the Gun

Chapter 51: You Are the Gun

Xu Qiao’s sarcastic remarks provoked even louder laughter, making Xu Yang’s face shift through colors like a palette.

“Ahem…” Guan Yuqi gave a light cough. “Alright, everyone is here for training. What does making such a fuss look like?”

“Squad leader, we didn’t start this fuss. She was the one pointing at our noses and cursing first.” Han Yuqi unexpectedly sided with Xu Qiao this time.

Clearly, the laughter just now had come from her, and Xu Qiao had taken the blame on her behalf. Coupled with how satisfyingly Xu Qiao had just rebutted, of course, they had to stand on the same front now.

Yang Xiaohan felt a headache coming on. Seeing them erupt into arguments the moment they met, she let out a cold reprimand, “Enough! Xu Yang, you scored a zero yourself, what are you still losing your temper for?”

“Get back in line! Who told you to speak within the formation? Have you forgotten even such basic common sense?”

Reluctantly, Xu Yang retreated back into the formation, though she couldn’t help turning back to glare at the group, catching Han Yuqi laughing happily over there.

Unable to control herself any longer, she blurted out loudly, “Report! Since both squads are training here anyway…”

“Why don’t we take turns training, and we can also learn from the Wireless Communication Squad to improve together!”

These disconnected words showed that she was barely keeping her emotions in check.

True to form, the moment Xu Yang finished speaking, Xu Qiao immediately chimed in, “Who wouldn’t dare? Let’s compete then!”

Pausing for just a second, she immediately added, “Report squad leader, I never touched a gun during my time in the recruit company. Can I try it out first?”

Han Yuqi choked back a breath, recalling that week of laundry duty. “Thank goodness the fool isn’t me this time.”

The instructor’s words from back then seemed to echo in her ears: “When you raise your gun, you must merge with it as one. You are the gun, and the gun is you.”

If she had time to adapt slowly, a few tries should make it unproblematic, but right now, time was something they simply didn’t have.

“Not certain, but we can always try, right?” Seeing that she had no objections, Xu Qiao said directly, “I just need ten bullets.”

Seeing someone already make a choice, Xu Qiao responded directly without hesitation, “No problem, then make sure you buy a new towel when you lose.”

Everyone cast astonished gazes over. Ignoring their surprised looks, Xu Qiao continued, “Squad leader, I’ve basically… never trained during my time in the recruit company, and I missed the shooting training sessions.”

Looking through the rear sight at the target ahead, she slowly adjusted her breathing.

Most of the others would do well to pass the halfway mark, so in her mind, Guan Yuqi’s squad wouldn’t be much better either.

***

Seeing that she genuinely had no experience, the crowd wore various expressions.

Although Cheng Yifei and the others had figured it out, they weren't confident enough to guarantee an impressive score themselves.

She took the bullets and loaded the rifle while asking, “Never mind whether I know how or not, I just want to know what you dare to bet against me.”

After the brief familiarity, holding the rifle in her hands instantly brought back that sense of muscle memory.

“So can I practice a bit beforehand before the official training starts?”

“Xu Qiao, why don't you just admit defeat? You still want to compete with me looking like that?” Seeing that she really didn't know how, Xu Yang regained some confidence. “I just missed my shot earlier. Do you really take me for someone like you who knows nothing?”

On the other side, Xu Qiao ignored them. Seeing Guan Yuqi nod, she stepped forward, picked up the gun, and began examining it.

“She’s making a fool of herself and wants everyone else to keep her company,” the others muttered, easily reading her intentions.

“Never touched a gun?” The person surprised wasn't just those around her; even Guan Yuqi was taken aback.

Seeing her unfamiliar movements, Guan Yuqi let out a helpless sigh. “Cheng Yifei, go teach her.”

“If you lose, you’ll clean the toilets for our squad for two months, and remember to scrub them with towels.”

“It’s not just about aiming with your eyes; you have to rely on your body and your instincts.”

Hearing this, Xu Qiao smiled and looked over. “That works out perfectly. You’ve already practiced with ten bullets, and I’ll practice with ten too, so we’ll be even.”

“No… it should probably just be in front of fools,” Cheng Yifei remarked with sharp sarcasm.

Hearing this, Han Yuqi subconsciously glanced at Cheng Yifei and muttered softly, “Is she always like this?”

She wasn't confident handling this unfamiliar firearm, yet she refused to let people laugh at her or allow Xu Yang to get her way.

Before Guan Yuqi could agree, a cold snort came from the front. “Making up excuses to save face—anyone could shoot well after practicing ten bullets.”

She lacked actual ability and couldn't even control her temper. Otherwise, she wouldn't have suffered losses last time only to jump out so eagerly again.

With that, she ignored her, raised the rifle in her hands, and aligned the three points into a line aiming at the target ahead.

She looked her up and down then. “Tell me, what are you even good for? Normally our bets are about washing clothes, but looking at you, you probably couldn't even wash anything clean.”

“How about we have a match then?”

***

Clearly, Xu Yang hadn't expected her to say that so abruptly, and she froze for a moment.

Ignoring her, Xu Qiao listened to Cheng Yifei’s operational instructions, nodded at her, and checked the weapon herself once more.

Recovering her wits, Xu Qiao bypassed her and looked straight at Guan Yuqi.

In her estimation, most people in the communication company had similar abilities, with the best in their squad scoring around eighty rings, and only one person at that level.

Expecting her to hold this unfamiliar gun and hit a full score was a bit unrealistic.

Furthermore, the demand she had raised was clearly targeted at Xu Qiao and the others.

Seeing their hesitation, Xu Yang immediately said with a half-smile, “You had the heart to laugh at others just a moment ago, but now that it’s your turn, you don’t dare?”

Guan Yuqi looked at her with amused eyes. “What is it? Do you think you can shoot a great score just by trying?”

The gun was different, but the shooting method remained the same.

Falling right into the trap, Xu Yang immediately snapped, “I wouldn't deign to have you wash my clothes anyway!”

Xu Qiao looked at the guns in their hands, realizing they were already from a completely different era compared to the ones she used in her past life.

Xu Yang’s temper simply couldn't withstand that kind of provocation.

She was sure any squad leader would be hearing such a request for the very first time.

She had also figured out that this Xu Yang was all talk and no substance.

“What, too chicken to do it?” Xu Qiao asked with a smile.

“The enemy is not a stationary target; they won't give you time to adjust. Only when you truly become familiar with your gun and master it can you instantly fire bullets with speed, precision, and ruthlessness at any moment, and thus seize the initiative!”

“Bang!” Xu Qiao pulled the trigger!

The bullet shot forward, flying straight toward the target.

Whether her muscle control hadn't yet reached the level of her past life, or she was still unfamiliar with the weapon, this shot did hit the target, but it was still a long way from the bullseye.