TYAM Chapter 69

T/L: there’s a lot of mention of real-life guns in this chapter, and I don’t know much about them :X correct me if I’m wrong!

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It has been months since their last date, and for this time, the location turned out to be quite unique.  

Before extending the invitation, Boss Jiang drove around the city, scouting out most of the popular romantic spots for couples.  

With his imposing demeanor, sharp eyes, and light, purposeful strides, he even managed to scare off a few pairs of high school students sneaking out for dates.  

The People’s Park? Too bourgeois.  

Two grown men strolling, enjoying the breeze, feeding pigeons, and sneaking in a kiss somewhere—it felt lacking in excitement.  

They hadn’t been dating for long, no need to act like an old married couple right off the bat.  

The zoo or botanical garden? Too many kids.  

Before they even got to the ticket office, a chorus of children shouting “Mom!” could be heard inside and out, making it noisy and chaotic.  

Just trying to catch a glimpse of a camel would require elbowing through a sea of kids.  

After some thought, Jiang Wang decided to share one of his cherished secret spots.  

He wasn’t entirely sure if Ji Linqiu would enjoy such a rugged date venue, but it was worth a try.  

When Ji Linqiu got in the car, he realized something.  

They were now in a superior-subordinate relationship. As his boss, Jiang Wang could accurately pinpoint his free time and didn’t even need to ask in advance to schedule a date.  

…Indeed, the pavilion closest to water gets the moon first[mfn]there’s an advantage in proximity[/mfn].

A year ago, Ji Linqiu would still have been struggling to teach kids the ABCs, and sneaking out for a weekday outing would’ve been impossible.  

The destination was a bit far, taking over forty minutes by car. Along the way, Jiang Wang naturally explained the plan.  

“I happened to meet some police officers while handling some paperwork recently.” 

“They told me there’s a private club up in the northern part of the city, near Lushan District. The membership fee is actually quite reasonable, the licensing is legit, and they’ve got a great selection of firearms. They even collaborate on projects with the authorities often.”  

Ji Linqiu wiped the dust off a soda can with a tissue, handed it to Jiang Wang for a sip while he was driving, and then held it in both hands to drink slowly himself, looking quite well-behaved.  

“You’re amazing.”  

“What’s so amazing about that?” Jiang Wang, pleased with the compliment, chuckled. “I haven’t touched a real gun in years—my aim probably isn’t as good as it used to be.”  

“I think it’s amazing how you seem to make friends wherever you go,” Ji Linqiu said, handing him the can again. “You look a bit intimidating at first glance, but you manage to connect with people from all walks of life. Even chatting with old ladies, you can make them laugh nonstop.”  

Jiang Wang replied casually, “Isn’t that a skill teachers have too?”  

“It’s not the same.” Ji Linqiu waved his hand. “I can tell you’re genuine.”  

That was something Ji Linqiu particularly liked about him.  

The Xufeng Club was nestled in a grove of red-leaf plum trees. The entrance was flanked by old crepe myrtle trees, now in late autumn. The petals had long since fallen, leaving only dried fruit hanging on the branches.  

Ji Linqiu had expected the place to be some sort of high-end venue, but upon entering, he realized it was more like a mix between a four-star hotel and a rustic lodge. It wasn’t like the futuristic shooting ranges in Hong Kong movies.  

The shooting range had both indoor and outdoor sections. The outdoor range featured a row of simple huts with shooting windows, targeting old targets across the lawn. It was plain but durable.  

As they walked through, Ji Linqiu noticed some chains hanging in the air.  

“What’s this for?”  

Jiang Wang stepped closer to inspect and let out an “oh.” “Pretty professional—it’s for stabilizing gun positions.”  

“Newbies often can’t hold steady and end up missing or even shooting their own feet.”  

He led Ji Linqiu to the registration desk, where an entire wall displayed a variety of Russian, German, and Chinese firearms.  

It looked rough, like a casually arranged Soviet arsenal — grab a gun today to hunt, and tomorrow defend the motherland.  

The receptionist enthusiastically came over and handed them two cups of chrysanthemum tea for cooling down.  

“Boss Jiang, long time no see! Our team recently introduced live hunting. You can take a gun up the mountain to hunt wild rabbits and chickens, and we even have hunting dogs for rent!”  

“I brought a friend today,” Jiang Wang said, motioning toward Ji Linqiu. “It’s his first time, so pick something with low recoil to avoid shoulder pain.” 

“Me?” Ji Linqiu laughed, waving his hand in embarrassment. “I’m no good. I’ve never done this before. I’ll just watch Brother Wang play today.”  

Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then greeted the receptionist with a nod. “Never mind, I’ll teach him hands-on later.”  

The receptionist gave a knowing bow and left them with a smile. “Enjoy yourselves!”  

Jiang Wang selected two guns and brought Ji Linqiu to the shooting window.  

Handling the guns was second nature to Jiang Wang. He disassembled and reassembled them effortlessly like jigsaw puzzles, explaining the details as he went.  

“Military training and recreational shooting have a lot of differences. I only figured it out bit by bit after hanging around here for a couple of weeks.”  

“This is the magazine, and that’s where you can attach a silencer.” He paused midway when he noticed Ji Linqiu watching him instead of the gun.  

For a moment, he blushed.  

“Is it… is this place not fun for you?” Jiang Wang hadn’t been on many dates with his boyfriend and was worried he might not enjoy this. “Should we go to a park instead?”  

Ji Linqiu suddenly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.  

Then, smiling brightly, he said, “It’s fine. Keep talking.”  

Jiang Wang blinked, flustered by the kiss. “You’re sure it’s not boring?”  

Ji Linqiu quickly shook his head, leaning in to whisper, “You’re… incredibly handsome like this.”  

It was enough to make anyone’s body heat up.  

Confidence surged in Jiang Wang. He picked up a 7.62 sniper rifle, unlocked the safety, loaded the magazine, and steadied his grip.  

A sharp burst pierced the air, and the electronic board lit up with the score.

[9.9]

Without changing his movements, he fired three shots in a row, each one precise and controlled.  

In that moment, his demeanor became sharp and dangerously sexy.  

Ji Linqiu’s Adam’s apple moved, and he suddenly regretted not enlisting in the military himself.  

He cautiously touched the rifle on the table just as the man turned back to look at him. “Come, I’ll teach you.”  

Ji Linqiu didn’t decline again, focusing intently as the man guided him step by step. From his shoulder to his wrist, every part of him was under Jiang Wang’s control.  

Safety off. Load the magazine. Chamber the round.  

Aim. Pull the trigger.  

The moment the bullet left the barrel, the recoil hit abruptly, forcing his shoulder back.  

But Jiang Wang’s chest immediately steadied him with an even firmer resistance, the two forces clashing with an explosive balance.  

During the shot, Jiang Wang gripped his wrist tightly, so firmly that Ji Linqiu’s shoulder and elbow ached faintly. It was an unmistakable, one-sided dominance.  

Yet this gesture also provided Ji Linqiu with enough strength to make his first shot a success, striking an impressive 9-ring hit on the target.  

“Very good,” the man said, his eyes fixed on the distant target, his voice steady and commanding. “Again.”  

He steadied Ji Linqiu’s shoulder and tightened his grip on his wrist.  

“Three, two, one.”  

“Bang!”

Ji Linqiu’s gaze flickered in surprise, his voice lifting as he saw the score. “9.5!” 

“You’re a natural,” Jiang Wang praised with a smile. “Let’s keep going.”  

Ji Linqiu, naturally quick to learn, picked up the skill rapidly. His arms were more accustomed to the lightness of chalk, making it slightly challenging to adapt to the rifle’s weight and recoil.

Jiang Wang remained by his side, absorbing the impact and ensuring he didn’t feel discomfort.  

The sounds of gunfire and the scent of gunpowder filled the air with an untamed energy.  

Jiang Wang, watching Ji Linqiu’s rapid improvement, remarked with admiration, “If you’d joined the army back then, you’d probably be a strategist by now.”  

Ji Linqiu smiled, still gentle and refined.  

“No way.”  

The range offered a variety of activities, including clay pigeon shooting with semi-automatic rifles.  

Large-caliber rounds at 10 yuan per shot, rifles for 41 rounds, and even a chance to try the 5.6mm carbines that were popular during World War II.  

After teaching for a while, Jiang Wang stepped back to watch Ji Linqiu practice on his own, only reminding him to always keep the muzzle pointed away from people. Accidental discharge is real and dangerous, after all. 

Ji Linqiu adjusted his stance, took aim, and finally revealed the gaze of a hunter.  

Silently, he loaded the magazine and chambered the round, his breathing steady and nearly imperceptible.  

“Bang!”

The first shot was quickly followed by the second and third, his eyes unwavering and his wrist steady, though his shoulder and arm still trembled slightly.  

It was like a refined gentleman taming a wild horse — movements graceful yet resolute, with an indescribable charm.  

Watching from the side, Jiang Wang decided he’d have to bring his boyfriend here more often.  

Ji Linqiu only stopped after emptying the magazine, rubbing his shoulder and smiling sheepishly.  

“I’m still not very good at it. I’ll practice more in the future.” 

Every time Ji Linqiu showed such a bashful smile, Jiang Wang found it hard to resist.  

Unfortunately, with staff bustling around nearby, kissing wasn’t exactly convenient.  

Feeling his throat dry, Jiang Wang coughed lightly.

“Then… want to watch me play?”  

“Mm.”  

With Ji Linqiu watching, Jiang Wang deliberately put on a show, shooting a series of clay pigeons with flair.  

Every shot was precise and swift.

The bird-shaped discs shattered mid-air with a crisp crack.  

It’s strange.

Although he hadn’t handled a gun in months due to work, with Ji Linqiu by his side, he didn’t make a single mistake.  

Showing off was pure joy.  

Several veteran shooting enthusiasts who had been sipping tea in a nearby pavilion were drawn by the noise and gathered around, showering him with praise.  

“Incredible! He hit all of them?”  

“You can tell he’s trained. Look at his stance, it’s different from ours!”  

The two played until dusk before driving back to the city, both in high spirits.  

Once inside the car, Ji Linqiu leaned over with a flushed face and kissed him.  

Being naturally reserved, Ji Linqiu rarely initiated kisses like this.

Especially in a public parking lot where someone could walk by at any moment.  

Both were worn out from the day, their breathing slightly labored, making the kisses in the confined space all the more intimate.  

“I kept watching you earlier,” Ji Linqiu murmured between kisses, glancing at him shyly. Then he looked at his boyfriend, before leaning closer to kiss him several more times. “It made my heart race.”  

Jiang Wang chuckled. “You’re feeling seduced?”  

Ji Linqiu softly hummed in response, inexplicably obedient.  

After kissing, he nestled into Jiang Wang’s arms, his nose brushing against his chest as he lightly nuzzled him.  

“I couldn’t help but think,” he said, his fingers brushing Jiang Wang’s collar, his eyes tinged with emotion, “how incredibly handsome you must’ve been in the army… You must’ve looked amazing in uniform.”  

Jiang Wang bent down and playfully nipped his ear.  

“I should’ve brought you here sooner.”  

Watching Ji Linqiu earlier, he had been so moved he wanted to confess his love all over again.  

How could someone be so soft yet so brilliant, with every movement so utterly captivating?  

Being in love is fucking awesome.