Living Target

Hou Rui had encountered unruly guests before, but this time the young thug seemed particularly brazen. Who knew what wild things he might do once the alcohol fully hit him? While quietly preparing a new magazine, Hou Rui discreetly asked another attendant, “What’s the deal with this kid? Isn’t it against the rules to allow drunk people into the shooting range? How did the front desk let him in?”

“That’s the youngest son of the Liu family. His father has two stars on his shoulders, and his grandfather is even more formidable. The front desk wouldn’t dare refuse him entry! Usually, he goes to Range No. 1, though—why is he here today?” the other attendant whispered. “Monkey, keep your eyes peeled and watch them closely. If you upset that kid, it’s us little attendants who’ll pay for it.”

“Ha, it’s fine.” Hou Rui’s words hadn’t even faded when Da Hai started shouting, “Bullets! Bring bullets! I’m just getting started!”

Hurriedly, Hou Rui delivered two fresh magazines.

For the next hour, Da Hai’s group fired off over a thousand rounds, burning through plenty of handgun ammo as well. Hou Rui was kept busy, shuttling back and forth like a wheel, delivering bullets.

Finally, Sister Hong’s group grew bored. They returned their firearms to the safety officer and prepared to leave Range No. 3. But Da Hai, unwilling to let things end, stirred up trouble again. “Hey, hey, hey, attendant! Bring me that Python, let me have some fun with it.”

“I’m sorry, according to regulations, a firearm can only be used again after it’s been checked back into storage. Please wait a moment; I’ll arrange it for you.” Hou Rui took the Colt Python from the safety officer, explaining to Da Hai.

“Screw your arrangements! The gun’s right there—just hand it over! Why all the damn fuss?” Seeing Hou Rui didn’t immediately hand over the gun, Da Hai unleashed a stream of curses, gesturing wildly with his hands.

“I’m sorry, that’s the rule.”

“Oh, so that woman can play, but I can’t? Is that it?” Da Hai’s reckless tirade dragged Sister Hong’s group into the fray, making them pause just as they were about to leave. Even Sister Hong’s gaze grew cold and sharp.

Seeing no one back down, Da Hai stepped forward, grabbed a young woman, and, in a show of dominance, squeezed her chest while his eyes roamed over Sister Hong’s curves, his expression full of provocation and lewdness. That was enough to enrage Sister Hong; she stared at Da Hai’s group and strode toward them, step by step.

With a clash imminent, the other attendants quickly slipped away. Hou Rui, unwilling to let things escalate, stepped between the two groups. “Let’s not, let’s not—everyone’s here to have fun, that’s what matters.”

“Screw your fun!” Da Hai suddenly lashed out, smashing the safety officer to the ground with a gun butt, then swung it at Hou Rui’s nose.

Hou Rui wasn’t one to take a beating lying down. He watched Da Hai’s movements closely, took a quick step back to dodge the gun butt, then darted forward, almost diving into Da Hai’s arms. Instead of hitting Da Hai, he reached out and deftly removed the magazine.

“That’s enough!” As their bodies brushed past each other, Hou Rui quietly murmured this in Da Hai’s ear, then slipped back to stand between the two groups once more.

“Wha—what just happened?” Da Hai was stunned by Hou Rui’s swift actions. He looked at Hou Rui, then at his own hands, stammering, at a loss.

The commotion at Range No. 3 had been going on so long that the safety officers had already alerted the front desk by radio. Now, the special incident response team had arrived, and Hou Rui seized the opportunity to step aside.

The emergency team tried to mediate, but unfortunately both sides seemed to have powerful backgrounds, and neither was willing to back down. Once again, the situation deadlocked.

After a while, as the alcohol’s effects waned, Da Hai looked at Hou Rui with a venomous glare, a sly smile curling his lips. “How about this! Let’s make a bet: whoever loses has to leave, and whoever stays is the winner. Dare you?”

“We’ll play whatever you want, punk!” The man with the close-cropped hair was the most aggressive, immediately accepting the challenge.

“Let’s play real-life target shooting,” Da Hai declared. The emergency team leader was the first to protest: “No way! This is a legitimate shooting range; we absolutely cannot allow such a dangerous wager with firearms. Mr. Liu, if you persist, we’ll have to call the police.”

“Go ahead! Let’s see which precinct in the capital dares to respond.” Da Hai remained as arrogant as ever.

“So, you’re saying no one in the capital can rein you in?” Even Sister Hong, typically the most composed, couldn’t help but mock him.

“There are plenty who could, but by the time they get here, it could be the next millennium. Are you planning to camp out here all night? Come on, dare you or not? If not, just admit defeat and get lost.” Da Hai toyed with the weapon in his hands, arrogance written all over him.

“Alright, how’s the bet going to work?”

“Simple. Someone holds an apple on their head. Each side chooses a shooter; whoever hits the apple wins. If you hit the person, tough luck for them. Heh, heh, heh.”

“Let’s do it!”

“Wait, I want him to hold the apple.” Da Hai suddenly turned his gun toward Hou Rui, revealing that this so-called wager was just a setup to humiliate Hou Rui.

“No. Our employees can’t participate, nor risk themselves,” the emergency team leader declared, standing up for Hou Rui.

“We’re making a bet, borrowing a range staff member. What are you whining about? If you won’t let him, then you come hold the apple!” Da Hai’s tirade left the leader red-faced, but with his own life at stake, few could remain unfazed.

Seeing the leader hesitate, Da Hai pressed harder. “This shabby range needs its annual permit from the military. If I make a few calls, you’ll all be out of a job tomorrow. Instead of standing around, you’d better start looking for new work! Remember, don’t cross paths with Liu Hai again, or I guarantee you’ll be unemployed every time!”

Seeing the apologetic look in the leader’s eyes, Hou Rui knew he was about to give in. If others couldn’t protect him, then he’d have to protect himself.

Hou Rui, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly spoke out. He stepped up to Da Hai, looked him squarely in the face, and said, enunciating each word, “I’ll compete with you. Loser leaves immediately; anyone who stays is a coward.”

Da Hai stared, then burst into wild laughter. “A lowly attendant, serving others, dares to challenge me? The capital is getting more and more lawless.”

“Save the chatter. Are you scared or not?” Hou Rui used a goading tone.

“If you want to play, I’ll oblige. But let’s raise the stakes—a single hand!” Feeling insulted, Da Hai’s madness ramped up.

“Da Hai, enough. Don’t take it so far,” another tried to intervene.

“No one stop me! Anyone who does isn’t my brother!” Da Hai roared, pressing close to Hou Rui, their noses nearly touching, full of provocation. “One hundred meters, full-auto. Whoever moves first loses. Let’s do it!”

“No way, that’s insane! You’re gambling with lives!” The emergency team’s safety officer rushed forward, trying to disarm Da Hai and escort him out. But Da Hai, reckless now, waved his AK-47. “Don’t come near me! There’s still a round in this gun. If someone gets hit, don’t blame me!”

“It’s fine. I’ll play your game, but let’s cut the distance to thirty meters, how about that?” Hou Rui’s face was frozen, showing no emotion.

“Thirty meters? You want to die? I’ll gladly help. Thirty meters it is.” Da Hai’s face twisted, eyes wild with insanity. Ignoring all objections, he grabbed a full magazine, loaded it, and jumped into the target zone.

Hou Rui calmly loosened his bow tie. After today’s chaos, it was clear this wouldn’t end easily. His days working at the Tomorrow Shooting Range were likely over. He took off his uniform vest, strode to the shooting line, picked up a 9mm Italian Beretta, and stood firm opposite Da Hai—exactly thirty meters apart.

“Watch me! I’ll call the start!” Despite the uproar, the girls with Da Hai showed no fear. Instead, they grew even more excited. The red-haired girl danced in place, drawing everyone’s attention, then yanked off her friend’s only crop top and tossed it far, shouting, “Start!”

As the tossed crop top drifted between Hou Rui and Da Hai’s line of sight, Da Hai raised his gun to aim. But Hou Rui had already squeezed the trigger. The Beretta’s trigger was loose, perfect for rapid fire—just what Hou Rui needed. He’d spent a year practicing rapid shooting, learning from Lux, with countless rounds fired.

Within two seconds, there were five sharp gunshots—bang, bang, bang, bang, bang...