The Female General Dominates All After Transmigration-Chapter 62: Preliminary Round, The Big Shot Appears
Everyone brought a lunch box. Seeing she didn’t have one, the head chef kindly lent her a lunch box to get some soup.
Returning with the food, Li Huaihua had already come back with steamed buns. Seeing she was carrying several dishes, she quickly got up to help.
She only got a portion of mixed spinach, silently holding a mixed-flour bun, head down, eating.
Ling Chengyan whispered, "We’re heading back this afternoon, wouldn’t that waste the remaining food tokens?"
Li Huaihua swallowed her food, quickly glanced at Ling Chengyan, and whispered back, "I asked, the meal tickets and food tickets will be refunded."
Ling Chengyan smiled, picking up two pieces of braised pork, giving one to herself and one to Li Huaihua, then packed the lunch box with braised pork into her shoulder bag, smiling as she whispered, "It’s rare to find meat that doesn’t require a ticket, and it’s cheap. I’ll buy a portion to take back and treat the kids."
Li Huaihua felt a bit better, smiling as well, "Hearing you talk, your two kids must be really fun and adorable. I want to visit your home now."
"Come on, it’s not far away. Whenever you’re free, come over. Our two little ones love excitement and wish there were always visitors." Ling Chengyan ate a bun and drank spinach soup quickly.
Before the others finished eating, she washed her lunch box clean, went back to the food counter, and exchanged the remaining meal tickets for food tokens, buying all into braised pork and stewed fish. She also bought a second-hand lunch box, packed everything into her shoulder bag.
Since they were making a trip to the region, she might as well bring back two good dishes for the three kids to enjoy.
After lunch, the group headed back to the competition venue.
After the noon break, targets were already set up at the far end of the shooting range, and shooting positions were ready, just waiting for the competition to begin.
Militiamen participating in the shooting competition first reported to the main committee and drew lots to determine the preliminary groupings.
Ling Chengyan stepped forward, picked out a paper ball from the box, opened it, and handed it to the recorder.
Zheng Hongwei peeked over and breathed a sigh of relief, "Luckily, luckily."
Ling Chengyan raised an eyebrow at him, and Zheng Hongwei gave a wry smile, "I’m in the first group, you’re in the second group after me, that’s good."
A somewhat stocky young man beside them had a bitter face, "What’s so good about it? I’m in the second group."
Another two also looked displeased, "We’re in the third and fourth groups!"
Being in the same group as Ling Chengyan clearly meant one less spot for advancement; and being in the group after Ling Chengyan—given her extraordinary sharpshooting skills—shooting a full score could be intimidating for those following. Maintaining composure would certainly be a challenge!
Though they’d been facing this pressure for several days, right before them was someone who could hit full scores repeatedly. How could it not be stressful?
Contestants from other counties didn’t know what was on the minds of those from Fucheng County, but they certainly didn’t expect that the person they were in awe of and reverent towards was Ling Chengyan.
Ling Chengyan was only 22 years old, not very old, with delicate and gentle features, appearing too pure and harmless to pose any threat.
Someone came up to Zheng Hongwei to taunt, "Why do you look so unenergetic? Our sharpshooter, feeling weak—haha..."
"Don’t say that, he’s been the champion for two consecutive years!"
"So what if it’s been two years? Haven’t you heard ’once, twice, but not thrice’?"
A companion beside Ling Chengyan introduced, "Those two are from Licheng County and Hui County. The one from Licheng has been the runner-up twice, overshadowed by our sharpshooter."
Ling Chengyan nodded slightly, "So it’s the eternal runner-up and his little sidekick."
With this simple remark, everyone around burst out laughing: Eternal runner-up—how fitting. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
The preparations were quickly completed, and the first group’s competition began.
Zheng Hongwei was on the second shooting position, and the guy who had challenged him earlier was on the fifth position.
Zheng Hongwei stood at his spot, focusing on checking his equipment and ammunition, indifferent to everything else.
The roughly 30-year-old man next to Zhang Hanchao was Liu Dacheng, the leader from Licheng County. He had been envious of Zheng Hongwei, the sharpshooter, for two years, and now he praised, "Your guy truly has the demeanor of a general, deserving of the championship for two consecutive years.
Zhang Hanchao merely smiled, and Liu Dacheng assumed he was being modest, not thinking much of it.
The militiamen all took their positions as the competition began.
The sound of gunfire erupted, and everyone around couldn’t help but hold their breath.
Soon, the first round was complete. The contestants put down their equipment, and scorers ran in to tally the targets.
Zheng Hongwei kept his head slightly down, hands clasped behind his back, waiting silently.
He had done his utmost, and as for the outcome, he found a sense of acceptance at this moment.
Scoring begins: First position, one seven-ring, two eight-rings, one nine-ring, one ten-ring, totaling forty-four rings;
Second position, five ten-rings, totaling fifty rings;
Third position... forty-five rings;
...
Fifth position, two nine-rings, three ten-rings, totaling forty-eight rings;
...
The first group of militiamen exited, and the second group of contestants stepped forward. Ling Chengyan passed by Zheng Hongwei, smiled, and gave a thumbs up: "Great job!"
Zheng Hongwei smiled reassuringly, "See you in the finals!"
The elder brother following behind snorted, "What’s so cocky!" Ling Chengyan and Zheng Hongwei simply ignored him.
The competition format was divided into group preliminaries, with the top three from each group advancing to the finals. There were five preliminary groups in total, and finally, fifteen contestants would advance to the finals for the ultimate showdown!
The second group preliminary started, and the usually unconcerned Zhang Hanchao also stood up.
Licheng County’s head ran over to cheer on their contestant who would compete in the third round, so no one noticed Zhang Hanchao acting differently for a moment.
The starter shouted, "All in position—"
The contestants had already checked their gear and loaded their bullets. Upon hearing the command, they lay prone, aimed their guns, and prepared to shoot.
Bang—the first shot fired!
Zhang Hanchao felt a tap on his shoulder.
He jumped in surprise, turned to glare behind him, but upon seeing who it was, gave a wry smile: "Why are you here?"
"Why can’t I be here?" The person responded casually, without looking at Zhang Hanchao, but gazed at the contestants competing, "Which position?"
Zhang Hanchao smiled wryly, "Number seven."
After speaking, Zhang Hanchao glanced at the two people following him, silently asking why the big boss had time to come watch the competition?
The two behind him grinned, collectively gave him a look that said ’you’re on your own,’ and also focused their attention on the competition in the arena.
Zhang Hanchao scratched his nose, somewhat embarrassed, withdrew his gaze, and looked towards the field again. However, in the short span of time, Ling Chengyan at number seven had already finished shooting, stood up neatly, raised her hand to indicate, and once permitted, lowered her equipment, stepped back a step, and stood waiting.
"This Ling... oh, Ling Chengyan, has she been in the military?" The follower, Staff Officer Xing, poked Zhang Hanchao and asked softly.
