Folk Strange Stories Part 1: Miao Township Witch Ancestor Chapter 6 Section 2 Waiting

"Wang Team, give me a cigarette," I reached out to Old Wang. Old Wang reluctantly took out a pack of cigarettes and tossed one to me, "I haven't seen you offer the leader a cigarette; you only know how to mooch off the leader."

"Just one cigarette, don't be stingy," I chuckled, "Wang Team, sharing your cigarettes with me comes with benefits. I heard the deputy squad leader is retiring at the end of the year. They're promoting one of the squad leaders to become the deputy squad leader, right?"

Song Chunlei, who was nearby, perked up at the news, "Really? Wang Team is becoming the deputy squad leader? Why haven't I heard about this?"

"Go play by yourself, adults are talking, kids shouldn't interrupt," I waved him away as if shooing a fly. Song Chunlei had less military experience than me; he was one of the few people I could "bully."

I continued to Old Wang, "Wang Team, your squad has a marksmanship competition at the end of next month, right? You need to practice your shooting. Last time, you were second to last in the competition, right? You only scored 85 points in the 100-meter moving target, just two points more than Zhao from the K9 squad. Wang Team, with your current marksmanship, becoming the deputy squad leader seems unlikely. How about I help you come up with a plan?"

Old Wang looked at me warily, "What's your plan?"

I lit a cigarette, blew a smoke ring leisurely, and casually put his pack of cigarettes back into my pocket, "I'll give you some special training. I guarantee that within a month, your marksmanship will improve significantly. You'll score at least 95 points in the competition."

Before Old Wang could respond, Song Chunlei's eyes lit up, "Shen Ge, can you train me too? If it means I can score 90 points in the 100-meter moving target, count me in."

This guy had been admiring my marksmanship for a while now. Old Wang was not pleased with Song Chunlei's request and scolded him, "Song Chunlei, what's wrong with your manners? You're the sheep here; your whole family is sheep!"

"Wang Team, don't get upset with a kid. Have a smoke, don't be so polite," I calmly took out his pack of cigarettes again, handed one to Old Wang, lit it for him, and then put the pack back in my pocket. Old Wang, unable to hold back, looked at me and said, "Shen, I knew you had some tricks up your sleeve. Tell me, what's your training plan?"

"It's simple," I smiled, "The method is straightforward; I just need to borrow a prop from you."

"A prop?" Old Wang began to suspect, squinting at me, "What kind of prop do you need?"

"It's the rubber baton you used to train me when I first arrived. Can't hit the target at 100 meters? No problem, we'll change it to a 200-meter moving target. Impossible tasks? I'll just..." I mimicked swinging a baton.

"I knew you were up to no good," Old Wang took the pack of cigarettes from my pocket without asking for permission. I looked at him innocently and said, "Wang Team, you're something else. The division commander has repeatedly emphasized that officers shouldn't demand cigarettes from enlisted soldiers."

"Who cares about demanding cigarettes!" Old Wang grumbled, "I'm taking my own cigarettes!"

I was about to continue bargaining with Old Wang when Song Chunlei chimed in, "Shen Ge, how about you train me too? As long as you can help me score 90 points in the 100-meter moving target, I'm in." Old Wang and I exchanged glances and said in unison, "Go away!"

To be honest, I wasn't suited to be a sniper. Snipers needed to endure loneliness, hiding in a corner for days and nights, only to eliminate the target in an instant. It was a routine part of their job. I could shoot accurately, but deep down, I was someone who couldn't stand loneliness. My mental resilience was far from that of a true sniper. Luckily, I had Old Wang by my side, along with the impulsive Song Chunlei. Even when we spent extended periods at ambush points, it didn't feel too stifling.

After a few more hours, the supplies arrived. They included specially-made field rations and purified water. We finished our cold meals with the chilled water. Old Wang began organizing the shifts since the target had not yet arrived. The three of us took turns resting. Old Wang was the first to rest, and Song Chunlei and I kept watch.

Song Chunlei was known for asking "a million whys." He hadn't been in the military for long but was chosen by the squad leader for our squad due to his excellent physical fitness. Since he was new to the Falcon team, he was a bit timid around Old Wang. Now that Old Wang had fallen asleep, he finally opened up. "Shen Ge, how do you shoot so accurately?"

"Shen Ge, they said you killed four people on your first mission, is that true?"

"They say you never use a scope with your sniper rifle, is that right?"