Chapter 53: You Just Don't Get It, Kid

"After pinching the rubber band with your fingertips, give it a slight twist like this. It helps improve accuracy when you release the shot, and also prevents the power from dissipating."

"When aiming, remember the three-point-in-one rule: the target point, the outer edge of the slingshot, and the projectile tip."

"When you get back, if you have free time, go to the empty ridges and pick up some glass-marble-sized stones to use as slingshot ammunition. Practice more to get better."

Having finished teaching the technique, Zhang Yang did not forget to impart the mental aspect to Lin Qiushui.

"There aren't many tricks to shooting a slingshot; the main thing is to keep your mind and hands steady. Don't hesitate, and try not to let too many distracting thoughts in."

"Just focus on aiming. After you succeed a few times, you'll gain more experience and confidence."

"Okay!" Lin Qiushui tucked the slingshot into her coat pocket.

She patted her bulging pocket with her left hand, held the box containing the remaining half-box of flaky pastries in her right, and smiled brightly.

"My trip out today has really been quite rewarding! I only gave away half a box of pastries, and now I'm taking half a box back... yet I've received so many gifts in return!"

Zhang Yang smiled without a word, and then handed her the last two small slingshots.

"These are made for Daming and Xiaoming. Since you're heading back to the educated youth team, it's right on your way. Could I trouble you to take these slingshots to them?"

"Those two boys seem quite mischievous. They should be able to figure out how to use a slingshot after tinkering with it a couple of times. Still, you must remind them to be careful and not hit themselves."

Lin Qiushui took them. "Those two kids are at the age where they should learn a few skills. Starting with a slingshot is a great idea! Let me thank you on behalf of Daming and Xiaoming and their family. You're so thoughtful!"

"Just a small favor, nothing worth mentioning. By the way, how is Shen Yiming?" Zhang Yang asked about the injured youth from the team.

Lin Qiushui smiled. "He's doing great! He eats, drinks, and sleeps well! The doctor says if he obediently rests in the clinic for two more days, he can return to the educated youth team. However, he needs a proper recovery to avoid lingering health issues. So, no matter what, he won't be able to work the fields until after the New Year."

Zhang Yang replied, "Well, there isn't much heavy work to worry about before the New Year anyway. He just needs to rest easy."

"He may not have to work, but his mouth certainly hasn't stopped! These past two days, he's been constantly telling us how fierce and heroic you were when he went hunting in the mountains with you!" Lin Qiushui said with some excitement, stars twinkling in her eyes.

Zhang Yang suddenly felt his face grow a little warm.

Perhaps it had been too long since he was praised by a woman, but he actually felt a bit shy.

Especially with Lin Qiushui's affectionate eyes staring unblinkingly at him, making the rhythm of his breathing go haywire.

"Um..."

Lin Qiushui lowered her head and nervously smoothed her hair with her hand. "It's getting late, and it's our group's turn to cook for the educated youth team today. I—I'm heading back first!"

She turned and had barely run two steps when Zhao Dongsheng chased out shouting, "Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! You forgot your rabbit cage!"

Zhang Yang cuffed him twice, grabbed the rabbit cage himself, and handed it over to Lin Qiushui.

Seeing the two little rosy spots on her cheeks, he couldn't help but smile.

Lin Qiushui really was quite cute.

"I'm leaving then... Goodbye, Zhang Yang!"

This time, hugging the rabbit cage, she ran off until she vanished from sight.

***

Zhao Dongsheng watched her retreating figure, hooked his arm around Zhang Yang's shoulder, and teased with a smile, "Yangzi, I've figured something out..."

Zhang Yang glanced at him sideways. "Figured out what?"

Zhao Dongsheng said, "You clueless blockhead hasn't figured it out yet!"

Zhang Yang: "..."

Zhao Dongsheng felt anxious for him. "Can't you tell that Lin Qiushui has feelings for you?"

Zhang Yang raised his fist to threaten him again. "How many times do I have to tell you? Girls have thin skin; stop running your mouth about this!"

"Lin Qiushui's skin is thin indeed. Hmph, unlike certain people in the educated youth team who throw themselves at that guy wielding the javelin..." Zhao Dongsheng said indignantly, "I saw it with my own eyes when I went to the clinic to visit Shen Yiming yesterday! You were right, Du Shujun is really no good!"

Zhang Yang chuckled.

Zhao Dongsheng made a mournful face. "Don't you laugh! You've got someone on your mind, but what about me? Why don't you have sister-in-law introduce someone to me from the educated youth team?"

Zhang Yang kicked him in the rear. "Go practice your shooting! Practice with the slingshot will do, too! It'll be dark soon, focus on proper business!"

"Marrying a wife *is* proper business..." Zhao Dongsheng muttered whiningly.

Zhang Yang warned, "If you utter one more word of nonsense, don't even think about testing the guns tonight."

Zhao Dongsheng instantly shut his mouth.

If he was going to get to shoot tonight, practicing was naturally what mattered most!

***

Night fell at the Zhangjiatun militia team's assembly point.

When Zhang Yang arrived and looked around, there were quite a few people—six in all.

However, only three actually came from the official sign-up list.

The remaining three were the Gao brothers, Gao Wen and Gao Wu, and the young bean-sprout lad, Zhang Wumao.

Zhang Yang frowned.

Noticing this and having already figured out the situation, Gao Wen hurriedly stepped forward to explain:

"Shen Yiming is injured, and Zhang Simao and the other guy got beaten up. The uncles who signed up said they're getting too old to handle the strain, and the mountains are too dangerous..."

"Besides, everyone has heard about the commune's new arrangement."

"Anything hunted weighing over twenty pounds has to be split evenly."

"And counting all the nearby peaks together, four wolves have already been killed; there probably aren't any big beasts left anyway."

"Even if you patrol the whole night, you won't get much."

Zhang Yang understood.

People don't exert themselves without the prospect of gain.

Not long ago, everyone eagerly signed up simply hoping to haul something back.

And now, there was a high likelihood of catching nothing.

Even if they did catch something, they had to share it with everyone else.

Might as well just sleep at home.

To toil and stay awake the whole night for so little return was simply not worth it.

It was human nature and completely understandable.

Zhang Yang wasn't overly disappointed.

Regardless of whether anyone came or not, he was still a mountain patroller.

Even if he went alone, he would still carry his rifle into the mountains!

However, before setting off this time, he deliberately stopped one person.

"Wumao, you shouldn't go. We're just going on an empty patrol, walking a very long way and getting exhausted. Your frail body won't be able to take it," Zhang Yang said.

Zhang Wumao anxiously hid behind Gao Wu and protested, "I can walk! I can endure hardship! I want to go!"

Zhang Yang said with a stern expression, "People got hurt on the last two trips. If there's another accident, I won't be able to explain it to anyone."

"I absolutely won't get hurt!" Zhang Wumao insisted stubbornly. "I've packed enough things! I can be in charge of carrying the lantern! My family has an old oil lantern that works especially well! The kind that won't go out even if you drop it! My grandfather brought it back from Zhenhai City ages ago!"

Zhang Yang said nothing and did not set off.

His face was grim and extremely stern.

Fearing that his gaze would frighten Zhang Wumao, Gao Wen quickly stepped in front of the youth.

"Yangzi, let me talk him out of it."

With that, Gao Wen pushed Zhang Wumao aside and lectured him in a low voice.

At the same time, Zhang Yang walked to the center of the crowd and emphasized loudly:

"What I just said isn't just aimed at Zhang Wumao; I hope everyone keeps it in mind!"

"Life safety is paramount!"

"No matter how large the prey we encounter, it is never worth risking your lives for!"

"As long as the green hills remain, there'll be no shortage of firewood!"

"I hope everyone remembers the discipline of the team!"