Shen Li had originally just meant to test the gun’s sights.
Spotting a target, he raised the gun and fired without much hesitation.
But after pulling the trigger, when he heard the announcement, Shen Li paused in surprise.
He hadn’t even aimed for the heaviest one during that shot—the target had practically run into the barrel. He’d fired casually to test the weapon, so who would have thought a mere three kilos would put him in first place?
Though Shen Li had vaguely suspected that Yang Zhiqi and the others hadn’t hit much, this was still ridiculously low.
Wasn’t this guy supposed to be an expert? He’d even insisted on teaching him.
And this was all they managed in two hours?
Shen Li glanced at Yang Zhiqi, who had been talking nonstop a moment ago but now seemed to have run out of steam.
The middle-aged man’s facial muscles twitched. He simply dashed forward to inspect the fallen target, muttering under his breath, “Damn, this isn’t scientific at all.”
Before his words had even faded—
Bang!
Another gunshot rang out.
The second prey target clattered to the ground.
The system’s hit notification chimed again:
Gun No. 1—Target hit: Roe Deer—15kg
Gun No. 1—Current ranking: 1
This time, even the cameramen around them let out gasps of astonishment. Yang Zhiqi blurted out, “Holy shit,” and the camera caught it all.
The cameraman gave him a helpless look and reminded him to watch his language. They’d only just restored the live stream after the crash— they couldn’t afford another platform ban because of a guest swearing.
Yang Zhiqi’s face flushed with embarrassment. He changed tack and said to Shen Li, “Hey, buddy, you’ve actually got some real skills, huh?”
Shen Li: “Not bad.”
Yang Zhiqi: “If you’re this good, why didn’t you show it earlier? Back when we were signing up, you didn’t say a word. We had to beg you before you’d join.”
Shen Li lowered the gun.
His sharp, handsome features seemed shrouded in shadow, his sparse lashes fluttering faintly. Even his voice dropped low. “So what are you trying to say? That I deliberately held back, making sure everyone went hungry?”
Yang Zhiqi: “N-no, that’s not what I meant—if I were you, and this good at shooting, I’d be way more proactive!”
Shen Li’s slender fingers clicked the safety into place, the metallic snap crisp and clear. He shouldered the gun in a perfectly standard stance, his lean, tall frame graceful in motion. Every gesture was strikingly elegant. He shot Yang Zhiqi a cool sidelong glance and said with faint sarcasm, “Mainly, I thought you guys were the experts. So as a cripple, it seemed only natural to leave the chance to someone like you—who patted his chest and bragged about his professional training. No problem, right?”
Yang Zhiqi: “…I was stepping up to take responsibility!”
Shen Li’s clear, focused eyes were captured in close-up by the camera, looking aloof yet intent. But his words carried no warmth. “Oh? So what now? Not taking responsibility anymore?”
Yang Zhiqi: “…”
Shen Li: “You love taking responsibility so much—why not keep at it? Why suddenly expect a disabled guy like me to take the lead?”
Those words struck right at Yang Zhiqi’s already irritable temper, hitting every nerve.
“Hey, buddy, that’s just you splitting hairs! I was encouraging you out of the goodness of my heart—praising you, urging you to join in group activities. What’s wrong with that?”
Shen Li pulled his gaze from the sight, looking at Yang Zhiqi with genuine puzzlement. “Am I your subordinate? Do I need your praise or encouragement?”
“Damn.”
It finally dawned on Yang Zhiqi that this guy wasn’t the pushover he’d seemed like in the car—the soft target who just took whatever came.
This man’s mind worked fast. Every retort landed precisely, his logic airtight. Pushed to this point, Yang Zhiqi could only play the sympathy card, acting pitiful to explain himself and salvage his image on screen.
“No, Little Shen, I think there might be a misunderstanding. My delivery might’ve been off, but everything I said was without any ill intent—it was all for your own good. Think about it: if you’d come and just slept through it, skipping a project where you have an edge, is that right? Good for you? For the team?
“So if you felt offended just now, I can apologize first. My personality’s a bit overbearing, sure, but I’m not a bad guy. I don’t want to argue on camera, especially not on our first day. It wouldn’t look good for either of us—so how about we both cool off, okay?”
With that, Yang Zhiqi waited for Shen Li’s response.
Any normal, decent person would take the olive branch and let it drop.
But Shen Li’s striking face remained utterly expressionless as he caressed the gun in his hands. “…What were you mumbling about just now?”
Yang Zhiqi: ?
Shen Li narrowed his eyes. “Sorry, didn’t catch the beginning, and the end made no sense.”
Yang Zhiqi: .
Yang Zhiqi deflated completely. He hadn’t expected to hand over such a perfect out, only for the other man to play dumb.
He opened his mouth to say more, but Shen Li had already strode forward, giving him no time for dramatics. “Fifteen minutes left. You coming or not?”
By now, the 【Netizen Discussion Zone】 was heating up.
【Aaaah so handsome handsome handsome! Shen Li don’t slay me with hotness!!!】
【Finally, some satisfaction! That felt good!!!】
【This Yang Zhiqi just says whatever’s on his mind. Watching him, I can practically smell the greasy middle-aged dude vibe.】
【I’ve been wanting to say it!!! Cuiguo, rip yzq’s mouth to shreds for me!!!】
【But have you noticed the vibe between them? Kinda like exes with unresolved drama lol I love watching Shen Li roast yzq.】
【Damn! CP can be wild, but not that grounded in hell???】
【Hard pass! Imagining a pretty boy touched by that greasy guy makes me sick.】
【Hard pass on that cult +11111 And if they’d been a couple before, Yang Zhiqi would’ve at least known how badass Shen Li is. They definitely didn’t know each other.】
【Yeah, now that you mention it, Li Weiwei pulling out early feels like she knew something! What if she and Shen Li were the couple?】
【Help, who divorced Shen Li?? Who divorced Shen Li?? WHO DIVORCED SHEN LI???】
【I weirdly hope Shen Li’s here for a fresh marriage, not revenge remarriage QAQ】
【The moment he fired those two shots, this soft-cute-wife stan fell hopelessly for his cool aloof world-weary face 🙂 Who gets it :- )】
【I get it……………. Mom what do I do I think I’m into a divorced disabled guy who looks broke QAQ】
【Pale + skinny + gorgeous + sickly, but he raises his hand and insta-kills! Fam, he’s handsome as hell!!!】
