"Each pack was equipped with a pistol and twenty bullets. The guns were real, and the bullets were specially made simulation rounds for military exercises. Their lethality couldn’t compare to live ammunition, but if you really wanted to injure or cripple someone, it wouldn’t be difficult."
Lin Xinglan leaned on Song Lili, her almond eyes fixed on the bullets in Lili’s hand, "Have you used guns before?"
"I collected some and played with them before."
President Mansion had everything, from conference rooms for work and daily life, various department offices, reception rooms, command and control centers, bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms, to leisure facilities like a gym, concert hall, singing room, and various ball courts...
Her favorite was the shooting range reserved for the President’s personal use.
Not every President loved military matters, but fortunately, Wen Nian had joined the military at a young age and had never neglected his own military training.
He had taught her how to shoot, hand by hand, in the shooting range. Wearing earmuffs and protective goggles, she would fire bullets in quick succession, from pistols to automatic rifles and machine guns—even including some of the newest weapons that were rarely seen even in the military. Wen Nian was generous with her in every aspect.
Wen Nian knew her passion for the military. Wherever she went, he brought her many military books and gadgets. If he heard about an interesting military event abroad, he’d narrate it to her like a story and even specially set up a military weapons exhibition room in the President Mansion for her.
Sadly, during those two patient years that Wen Nian taught her, when she was just in her early twenties, blissfully ignorant and immersed in the sweetness of newlywed love, reveling in the blind pride and arrogance of being the President’s wife, spoiled by Wen Nian to almost losing her own identity, her days were filled with nothing but eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying frivolous freedom. Little did she think about the many changes that would come later in life.
Her marksmanship had always been mediocre. Wen Nian always said she lacked focus, yet she’d argue and pout after rebuking him, "Why should I learn to shoot so accurately? Don’t I have you to protect me?"
Back then, Wen Nian would just smile and indulge her. But now, recalling those distant memories, the way Wen Nian looked at her back then became clearer, filled with indulgence and a hint of resignation.
The two grew further apart, and when she picked up a gun to practice her shooting again, her skills improved significantly. Unfortunately, by that time, Wen Nian no longer cared about these trivial matters of hers.
Song Lili suddenly fell silent. Lin Xinglan stared at her for a long time before she couldn’t help but bring her back to reality.
"The commander is providing us with guns, there must be a reason we’ll need them. Right now we have two guns, but only seventeen bullets."
"Shouldn’t we have twenty—"
Lin Xinglan started to say, but then he stopped abruptly, quickly recalling the three shots heard earlier in the woods.
"I used three, so I have seven bullets left, and the other ten are yours."
Her light and usual tone confirmed Lin Xinglan’s guess.
"Luoheng Mountain’s terrain is complex, you could say it’s a completely unexplored wild mountain. Ordinary people wouldn’t enter, so there’s a high chance of encountering wild animals. Gunshots and fire can deter wild beasts."
"No wonder we have to climb trees to rest."
"Climbing trees broadens your view. While wild beasts are indeed fearsome, remember, humans are even more fearsome."
"I don’t know exactly what methods our instructor will use to set the challenges, but since they have chosen officer cadets, they must be looking for people with leadership qualities and competence."
Song Lili and Lin Xinglan discussed their analysis in detail.
Lin Xinglan nodded repeatedly, feeling that Song Lili’s points were spot on.
"So I guess... the most crucial screening challenge set by the commander is... actual combat."