Before the Lunar New Year, the village militiamen urged Cheng Yousuo to find Song Yan and ask her to practice her marksmanship. Everyone was incredibly curious about Song Yan's marksmanship. How could Song Yan possibly agree to that? She said she was busy at home, and she really was quite busy.

Now that the New Year is over, Song Yan can't keep saying he's too busy, right? Chen Xiaodong urged his wife to come and visit.

Song Yan did feel really stifled, so going out for a walk would be a good idea.

The militia's target practice area wasn't far. Several targets were set up at the foot of a hillside. Behind the targets was the hillside. If a shooter's technique wasn't good, and the bullet missed the target, it would simply land on the hillside behind. That made it quite safe.

Song Yan picked up the gun and aimed carefully. She needed to get a feel for it. Her first shot missed the target.

Song Yan missed the target again with his second shot.

The onlookers were somewhat dismayed.

Song Yan fired a third shot.

Cheng Youfu had his older brother drag him over to watch the commotion.

Huh? That shot seems to have hit the target. "Don't fire yet, I'll go check it out."...

"We hit the target!" Cheng Youfu shouted happily.

Song Yan picked up the gun again and aimed at the target according to the techniques Lao Zeng had taught her…

The space truly improved her physique, causing a noticeable change in her senses. For example, now that he had calmed down and closed his eyes, he could sense several people around him and their distance from him. He carefully sensed the distance between the target and the gun, and felt the position of the bullseye.

Song Yan fired five more shots, none of which hit the bullseye, but all five shots landed on the target.

“You’re really good at this. My husband practiced for so long before he could hit the target,” Chen Xiaodong’s wife said.

Cheng Yousuo chimed in, "That makes sense. I'll prepare more bullets and keep them with the militiamen on duty. Girl, practice hard, and get first place in the commune's target practice competition."

It's like picking something up from the ground for the first time is an easy task. But having the chance to practice target shooting is quite fun. In a few years, with stricter gun control, you won't be able to play anymore. "You're not afraid of wasting bullets, then I'll give it a try." He decided to skip it today, firing a few shots before putting it down. The snow hadn't melted yet, and it was too bright for his eyes; it wasn't suitable for target practice.

However, everyone was also quite puzzled as to why Song Yan's gun was so accurate back then.

Song Yan put down his gun, and the others picked it up to try it out. Ammunition was limited, and they were just militiamen; not everyone had the opportunity to practice target shooting. The men were all very happy to handle the guns, and Song Yan watched the spectacle for a while. Cheng Youfu stood beside Song Yan the whole time.

"Why don't you go and catch a few?" Song Yan asked.

Cheng Youfu shook his head without saying a word. He maintained a smile on his face, but there was an unconcealable loneliness in his eyes.

Song Yan patted him on the shoulder, knowing he was feeling down just like him…

The fifth day of the first lunar month is called "Po Wu," and we eat dumplings that day. After Po Wu, it means the New Year celebrations are almost over. People with chores to do at home will get busy; they can't just relax and enjoy good food all day long.

On the morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, it was natural to make a lot of dumplings. When the dumplings were cooked, Song Yan didn't even have the courage to knock on the wall.

Wei Ping, though young, was incredibly shrewd; he had already figured out this pattern. He picked up a piece of wood and banged it a few times.

Song Yan was a little nervous, unsure if he would get a response.

Song Yan had spent so much time with Lao Han and the others. She knew they had all contributed to the country, admired their character and integrity, and respected their knowledge. She cherished these close friends despite their age difference.

But there's no way to explain what she did.

Old Han heard the knocking on the wall. Without hesitation, he knocked a few times in return.

Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and according to tradition, we eat dumplings today. He guessed that Song Yan would cook dumplings for them. Sure enough, he heard a knocking sound on the wall. Old Han decisively grabbed two pairs of chopsticks, went outside, and saw a bowl of dumplings. Old Han took the dumplings and went to find Old Liao.

Seeing Lao Han go out to get the dumplings, Lao Du was planning to wait inside. But then…

Old Han carried the dumplings to Old Liao's room.

Old Liao usually does the cooking, with a few men helping out. The food is all prepared by Old Han, and they eat there.

Old Du: "Old Han is really going? Hey! Old Zeng, are you still lying down? I'm going to Old Liao's for dumplings, don't say I didn't call you!" After saying that, Old Du left.

Old Zeng was the only one left in the house, and he was furious. "Can't they care about me or offer me some advice?"

Even after Lao Han and Lao Du returned, Lao Zeng remained in the same position, lying on the kang (heated brick bed). The two men looked at Lao Zeng but didn't say anything. There were quite a few dumplings left, enough for the two of them. Lao Liao simply let them stay in her room.

What did Lao Liao say? "Didn't Lao Zeng want to break off relations with Song Yan? There's no need to give him these dumplings; I'll freeze them."

Old Zeng's stomach started growling with hunger, and he couldn't stand it any longer, so he went to find some leftovers. He heated them up and ate a meager meal.

In the middle of the night, Old Zeng heard a soft knocking on the door. The knocking was very rhythmic, pausing after every four knocks. It was the people looking for him! They had just come before the New Year, why were they here again?

This winter, not only did Song Yan occasionally provide them with financial support, but his old subordinates also pulled many strings. Therefore, virtually no one came to investigate them this winter. That's why they gave him a gun to pass the time. Of course, they also provided him with plenty of food and supplies.

Old Zeng opened the door, and Zhou Gang had arrived.

Blackie is still young, and it always sleeps in Song Yan's house.

Someone entered the neighbor's yard, and Blackie immediately became alert. It ran to the door and whimpered.

Blackie is really smart and alert. Song Yan gently called Blackie, and it came back.

Song Yan listened carefully to the sounds outside, and she seemed to hear Old Zeng open the door.

Song Yan knew that Old Zeng hadn't wanted to visit him every so often. He'd just come before the New Year and even brought him a lot of tickets. And now he's here again after only a few days?

Song Yan felt a little uneasy. Was it because of the gun? Old Zeng was still worried. Song Yan knew Old Zeng could contact his former subordinates…