Under Huo Rou's encouraging gaze, Qin Nishui handed her the pistol.
Holding the gun, she casually stood where Qin Ningyi had been.
The onlookers began to discuss enthusiastically.
"This looks quite easy."
"Ha, how do you know this isn't just her being flustered?" someone thought Huo Rou was simply unsure of what to do and chose to stand in the same spot with a similar stance as Qin Ningyi.
Others were purely enjoying the spectacle. "She's never learned before, and not showing excitement with a gun already means she has a good mindset. Your expectations are too high!"
"That's true. Who wasn't excited when they first touched a gun?"
The soldiers present were very impressed and appreciative of Huo Rou's composure.
They were just here for a bit of fun.
"Cheater! Cheater!" someone started to heckle.
After all, the men in the military district were all their own people, so teasing was fine! Before Huo Rou could even raise her gun, they started shouting.
"Zhao Hengyu, run laps!"
"Zhao Hengyu, run laps!"
...
Zhao Hengyu looked at the crowd, who seemed to be enjoying the commotion, with a deadpan expression. What had he done to deserve this?
"My sister-in-law has agreed to a shooting match, so keep it down!" He made a "shushing" gesture. "Don't scare my sister-in-law."
"If she misses, it'll be your fault!"
The crowd burst into laughter and booed, "Tch!"
Huo Rou felt the passionate atmosphere, and her heart was filled with warmth.
She slowly raised the gun in her hand.
Seeing Huo Rou's casual stance, Qin Nishui frantically signaled Qin Ningyi to go and teach her some tips.
Even though one couldn't expect much from a first-time shooter, especially in this weather where hitting the target would be difficult, he should still teach the young lady something! Otherwise, how would his delicate niece-in-law feel so insecure?
Qin Nishui was getting anxious, but Qin Ningyi smiled and gave him a reassuring look.
"Sister-in-law, you can shoot with confidence!" Zhao Hengyu stood to the side, clasping his hands together and swaying them as he comforted Huo Rou. "Uncle Qin won't make you run laps anyway!"
Then, he looked up at the sky. "Heaven bless us..."
His comical actions made Qin Nishui want to both laugh and cry, and he considered kicking him.
Zhao Hengyu dodged to the side. In this cold weather, he really didn't want to be drenched in sweat.
Huo Rou smiled and shook her head at his "devout" appearance. Now that he had put her on the spot like this, Zhao Hengyu would have to bear the consequences of whatever happened.
Qin Ningyi took her hand and guided her to hold the pistol.
"Huh?" Huo Rou looked at him with some confusion. Qin Ningyi should have known she could shoot.
Qin Ningyi's breath was warm as it brushed against her ear. "My uncle's glare is almost dissecting me. I'd better teach you."
Huo Rou glanced out of the corner of her eye at Qin Nishui, who still looked dignified and calm.
Qin Nishui, however, was so pleased he wanted to nod. His nephew was finally getting the hang of things.
"Hey, Old Qin, be sportsmanlike!" Zhao Hengyu quickly interjected when he saw Qin Ningyi's sharp gaze aiming. "Are you shooting, or is sister-in-law shooting?"
Seeing his cowardly demeanor, Zou Xiaoxiao kicked him. "That's enough. What's a few laps? Don't be such a coward, man!"
Zhao Hengyu pouted and stared at Qin Ningyi with a mournful expression.
"I'll do it." Huo Rou raised the gun herself and began to aim.
No one took this round seriously. Who would expect a sweet young woman, holding a real gun for the first time, to hit the bullseye?