“My phone is over there. I didn’t bring it with me,” as Feng Ling spoke, her gaze shifted toward the shelves nearby.
Typically, they were used to leaving their electronics and other sharp objects on the shelves during their training to avoid being weighed down.
“All right, continue practicing,” Qiao Fei spoke and turned to retrieve Feng Ling’s phone.
However, before he could leave, he heard a sneer from behind.
“Drillmaster Qiao, I never knew you had the habit of asking for phone numbers. When you were at Team Two, there were several members who requested your phone number; they waited through the night at the cafeteria entrance but were still unable to obtain it. At the time, didn’t you say that you rarely use your phone in the base?”
Hearing this, Feng Ling glanced back. She saw that it was Boss Li and did not say anything. She turned back and resumed her training.
Qiao Fei faltered because of the man’s words; he kept away the smile on his face: “Boss.”
Nanheng had heard their conversation from earlier. Right now, Qiao Fei’s movements were clearly awkward. They were both men. With once glance, he easily saw through Qiao Fei’s intentions.
He glanced at Qiao Fei. “Stay further away from Feng Ling.”
Qiao Fei was not angered, nor did he try to explain himself. He only smiled: “Boss, I’m only requesting a phone number. I don’t have any other intentions. I’ve just transferred to the long-range sniper team. In the past, I was always training those kids at Team Two. Now that I’m suddenly in a new environment and working with a new group of people, I simply wanted their phone numbers to chat about training matters. If I’m able to keep a close relationship with them while you’re busy, wouldn’t that lighten your load? I could also help you to take care of them.”
Li Nanheng chuckled. “Take care? In other words, you’ve also asked the other four brats for their numbers?”
Qiao Fei’s expressions faltered. “Not yet…”
Following this, Qiao Fei chuckled. “It’s good that you’re back, Boss. You continue watching their practice. I’ve been wanting to use the restroom for quite some time. I’ll excuse myself for a while.”
After speaking, he walked away without looking back.
Feng Ling heard Qiao Fei’s footsteps and turned back for a glance. When she saw that he had actually left, she hesitated for a moment before placing her rifle down. She then reached for her phone.
Nanheng: “What are you looking at? He didn’t save your phone number.”
Feng Ling: “…I’m just checking the time.”
“We’ve only just started the training and the sky hasn’t darkened yet. You’re in such a rush to check the time?” Nanheng spoke coldly. “Since you’ve entered the sniper team, you have to abide by the rules here. Back when you were in Team One, your training hours were much shorter. Don’t tell me you’re already starting to slack?”
Feng Ling looked at him speechlessly. “First of all, it’s very normal for Drillmaster Qiao to request for my phone number. I did not think there was anything inappropriate about it. I can also send him everyone else’s numbers. This way, it’s more convenient and it’ll save him a lot of trouble. Furthermore, Drillmaster Qiao is a very responsible man. In addition, I simply wanted to know what time it is now; to check how long I trained before I successfully picked up the rifle. I’m simply noting down my training time for myself.”
“The sun is right above your head. You’ve been in the base for so long. Don’t you know how to follow the direction of the sun and the shadow of your rifle to calculate the time?”
Feng Ling took in a deep breath and released it slowly.
“Yes, you’re right Boss. I will strictly obey your instructions, Boss. From now onwards, I will never touch my phone again. I will fully begin my caveman-like life in the base. Are you satisfied now, Boss?”
Nanheng glanced at her: “Are you trying to say that I’m too controlling and that I’m taking away your freedom?”
“I wouldn’t dare to think that.” Feng Ling smiled. She then immediately turned around, dropping her smile instantly.
Nanheng: “…”
Wouldn’t dare.
He had only stopped Feng Ling and Qiao Fei from exchanging numbers; this brat was actually more anxious than Qiao Fei?
Nanheng recalled the way Qiao Fei had almost embraced Feng Ling as he taught her to hold the rifle and watched coldly as Feng Ling resumed her practice.
It seemed like in the future, he had to shift all of his meetings to the afternoons or evenings. He needed to personally observe the afternoon training.
——
On the first day of their training, it was as though they had all returned to two and a half years ago.
Boss Li had very strict requirements when it came to everyone’s stamina and arm strength. He made them carry a chunk of metal that weighed 150 kilograms on their shoulders to run five rounds around the base. After that, they immediately went on to do push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups without pausing for a break.
There was still a large disparity in Feng Ling’s stamina compared to the rest. Under the intense training, her movements gradually began to slow down from the push-ups.
After all, back when they were in Team One, they carried less than 50 kilograms when they ran. Right now, the weight had suddenly increased to 150 kilograms. After five rounds, her arms were already weak, yet she had to continue with the push-ups against the ground.
However, she understood that this was only the first step of their training. Long-range sniping was not an easy feat. Thus, it made sense that there would be a stricter demand for their stamina and arm strength.
Despite the tiring training, Feng Ling did not complain nor did she request for a break. When Tam and Lei Peng could no longer hold on and begged for a five minutes water break, she stood quietly by the side to rest for five minutes. Afterward, she immediately continued her training.
Even though there was barely any strength left in her arms, her pace remained synonymous with the rest. She did not lag behind. However, her hair had become soaked with sweat and it left her looking slightly worse off than the rest.
Nanheng appeared not to have seen anything. When he passed by her, he only spoke mildly: “Straighten your arms, make your movements more precise and speed up.”
Otherwise, he would kick against her weak arms. “Make your elbows and knees straight. Stay in this position and don’t move for fifteen minutes.”
Qiao Fei, who had long returned from the restroom watched as the sweat on Feng Ling’s forehead gathered. From beginning to end, she had grit her teeth to continue pushing on. He could not help but step forward to say: “Boss, I haven’t had the chance to visit Team One to check on Feng Ling’s stamina. He is much younger than the rest and his body is also smaller than theirs. I think we should decrease the intensity of his training and train him separately from the rest. We can slowly increase the intensity for him. Based on his current stamina, he should be able to endure Team One’s typical training with no problem. But it might be very difficult for him to endure through the typical training for the sniper team.”
Nanheng: “Are you the person-in-charge of this base, or am I the person-in-charge?”
“Boss, I’m just raising a small suggestion… Feng Ling has a lot of potential. If we nurture him carefully, he will definitely become an outstanding member in the sniper team, but this level of intensity is really…”
“Your suggestion is overruled.”
“…”
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