Chapter 34

Chapter 34: A Small Test

Gu Ning later thought about it and returned to the dormitory, emptying the supplies in her backpack. Facing the puzzled looks of a few people, she could only explain that she was going outside to look for some warm clothes and politely declined their requests to join her. She left with an empty backpack containing only dozens of gold necklaces.

“Gu Ning is really hard to figure out, always so mysterious. How does she have the guts to run around outside alone?” Jia Daozhang stood on the balcony, watching Gu Ning’s retreating figure with a sigh.

“Maybe she thinks you guys would just hold her back if you followed,” Huang Mengyao walked past, dropping this comment before entering Gu Ning’s parents’ dorm.

Jia Daozhang looked at Huang Mengyao’s back angrily, “Hey, this little Huang, her words are so harsh. How would we hold Gu Ning back? You two tell me, would we hold her back?”

Cheng Ming: “……”

Xie Yuhong: “……”

When Gu Ning returned to her space, she didn’t immediately go back to the other world.

Instead, she first walked to the shore of the green ocean.

The little girl had said that there was a white lake inside her body. Could the orb have created this sea?

She crouched down, first removing the bandage wrapped around her hand. She had noticed this morning that the wound on her hand had completely healed, even the stitches were now buried under new flesh and completely invisible. She scooped up a handful of water, which was unusually cool. Some slipped through her fingers, while some shimmered in her palm, crystal clear like a piece of fine jade. Compared to the green of the orb, the sea’s green was lighter.

She stood up and looked into the distance in another direction, where there were lush mountains and a waterfall cascading from the sky. Gu Ning really wanted to go and see.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the space in front of Gu Ning twisted, and in an instant, she disappeared from the spot!

Suddenly, Gu Ning only heard the whistling wind in her ears, and in a moment, the wind died down, replaced by the sound of water. A mist of water hit her face. Gu Ning stood on a large, wet rock, looking at the huge pool of water in front of her with an incredulous expression. The sound of the waterfall crashing down from a great height roared in her ears.

Thus, Gu Ning discovered a fact: she could move freely within this space.

Gu Ning took a deep breath, glanced at the distant mountaintop, and with a thought, the space twisted again. The roaring sound of water faded, and when Gu Ning opened her eyes, she was standing on the highest branch of the tallest tree on the mountaintop, about thirty to forty meters above the ground. Gu Ning, who had a slight fear of heights, quickly grabbed onto the tree trunk to steady herself. It took her a long time to calm down. The wind brushed past the treetops, ruffling her short golden hair. The leaves rustled in the wind. Standing on the branch thirty to forty meters high, Gu Ning looked into the distance, taking in everything. The green sea now looked like a huge piece of jade embedded in the lush mountains, sparkling with dazzling light, breathtakingly beautiful.

This was the most beautiful scenery Gu Ning had ever seen in her life. The wind whispered in her ears, making her want to ride the wind. Her mood, which had been in a state of extreme suppression, suddenly felt as if it had opened up.

Gu Ning’s figure shuttled through the mountains, disappearing from one part of the forest and reappearing in another in an instant. Gu Ning felt the wind in the forest whistling past her ears. She had never felt so free and completely relaxed, feeling so good. This was her world, her own world.

However, after the excitement, Gu Ning finally remembered she had urgent tasks.

Returning to the other world, it was 8:30 in the morning. Her father had already gone to school. After breakfast, Gu Ning immediately found Fang Fa’s phone number and called him.

At the police station, Fang Fa was idly tapping on the table, occasionally glancing at his phone, feeling somewhat anxious.

Old Li walked past with a cup of hot water, glancing at him, “Waiting for someone’s call?”

Fang Fa immediately said, “What? Waiting for someone’s call? I’m not waiting.”

Old Li said, “Got a girlfriend?”

“Nonsense.”

Almost as soon as Fang Fa finished speaking, the phone on the table vibrated.

Without hesitation, Fang Fa grabbed the phone, not even looking at the number, and swiped to answer, “Gu Ning?”

Before Gu Ning could speak on the other end, she heard Fang Fa call her name, slightly startled, then said, “How did you know it was me?”

Gu Ning’s unique, slightly cool voice came through the phone, and Fang Fa, unusually, stammered, “Uh… because the number wasn’t saved, I guessed it was you.”

“Oh.” Gu Ning paused, then asked, “Are you busy now?”

Fang Fa glanced at Old Li, who was looking at him with a smirk, coughed dryly, and said, “Cough, not really. What’s up?”

“Yes. I need your help with something, and also to return your money.”

Fang Fa glanced at Old Li again, then said, “Hmm… what is it?”

“It’s a bit inconvenient to talk over the phone.” Gu Ning said, “Can I come to the police station to see you now?”

Fang Fa glanced at Old Li again, then said, “Sure, come on over.”

“Okay, see you soon.” Gu Ning hung up.

Fang Fa put down the phone, clicked his tongue, and looked at Old Li, “Old Li, why are you so nosy?”

“Gu Ning, isn’t that the girl we picked up on the street last time? What? Did you develop feelings during the home visit yesterday?” Old Li teased.

Fang Fa said, “What nonsense. She’s coming to return my money.”

After hanging up, Gu Ning also noticed her mother’s shining eyes.

“Calling Xiao Fang?” her mother asked, coming over.

Gu Ning calmly replied, “Yes, I need his help with something.”

“By the way, I have an interview today, so I won’t be back for lunch. Don’t wait for me.”

“You’re going out dressed like that?” her mother looked at Gu Ning’s black tracksuit, “Wear that white dress from last year.”

“No need. It’s not a date.” Gu Ning said, returning to the bedroom to pick up the large backpack, ready to leave.

“Why are you carrying that big backpack?!” her mother chased after her.

She could only watch as Gu Ning went down the stairs, sighing, “Why doesn’t she care about her appearance anymore?”

Not long after, Gu Ning, dressed in a black tracksuit, wearing sneakers, and carrying a large backpack, appeared at the police station entrance.

“What’s this? Going hiking?” Fang Fa expressed his surprise at Gu Ning’s outfit.

Gu Ning nodded to the others in the police station, then said to Fang Fa, “Can we talk outside?”

“Sure.” Fang Fa followed Gu Ning outside.

“I came mainly to ask for your help.” Gu Ning said, taking out a black plastic bag from her backpack.

Fang Fa reached out to take it, his hand sinking under the weight, “What is this?” He opened the bag and saw dozens of gold necklaces rolled into a ball. He looked at Gu Ning in shock, “What is this?”

“Gold.” Gu Ning said, “I don’t have cash right now. I was wondering if you could help me sell these for cash.” Before Fang Fa could question, Gu Ning calmly added, “I assure you, it’s legit, not stolen or robbed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t come to you, a police officer, to sell stolen goods.”

Gu Ning’s reasoning was sound, leaving Fang Fa speechless.

Gu Ning continued, “Only after selling these can I return your money.”

Fang Fa felt somewhat threatened.

“So, I’m counting on you.” Gu Ning said sincerely.

Fang Fa said, “So, you came to me just for this?”

Gu Ning thought for a moment, then said, “Or, do you know about the Five-Star Brigade?”

Fang Fa’s expression answered her question.

“How do you know about the Five-Star Brigade?” Fang Fa looked at Gu Ning in surprise.

“I have an uncle in the military. He told me.” Gu Ning said.

“…That’s top secret.”

“…Forget I mentioned it.”

“But why are you suddenly asking me about this?” Fang Fa asked.

“I’m planning to give it a try.” Gu Ning said calmly.

“???”

“I told my parents I’m going for a tutoring job interview. But I’m worried about their concern for my safety, so I’ll tell them you introduced me to this position, that it’s your friend. So if they ask you, could you cover for me?”

“…Wait, wait. You just said you want to give it a try? Try what?” Fang Fa was a bit confused.

“Try to join the Five-Star Brigade.” Gu Ning repeated, not surprised by Fang Fa’s shocked reaction, as she currently looked like an ordinary girl with no special qualities, and he knew nothing about her experiences in the other world.

Fang Fa took a deep breath, “Are you kidding?”

Gu Ning didn’t try to explain further about the Five-Star Brigade, instead saying, “You’ll see if I’m kidding or not. Anyway, I hope you can help me deal with my parents.”

Fang Fa stared at her deeply, then somewhat deflated, said, “I don’t know why, but even though what you’re saying sounds crazy, I kind of believe you…”

Gu Ning smiled, then said, “Then I’m counting on you.”

Fang Fa watched as Gu Ning casually hailed a taxi and left.

Looking at the black plastic bag in his hand, he sighed helplessly. This Gu Ning, they had known each other for less than a week, met less than three times, yet she gave him the feeling that she knew him very well, well enough to be absolutely sure he wouldn’t refuse to help her.

And she actually said she was planning to join the Five-Star Brigade?!

What a joke! When he was in the military, he was tormented by the Five-Star Brigade. Does she have some hidden superpower?

Two hours later, she arrived at the address given by Third Brother.

After paying a hefty taxi fare, Gu Ning was left with almost no money. However, these were unavoidable expenses.

The world was changing every day, and she needed to become stronger as quickly as possible.

Gu Ning believed that her financial difficulties were temporary. Once those dozens of gold necklaces were sold, she should have no problem getting tens of thousands of yuan.

Thinking this, Gu Ning felt a bit better about the financial loss.

The soldiers on guard at the entrance noticed Gu Ning as soon as she got out of the car.

After all, this place was remote, and few people came here, let alone a girl.

“Hello, I’m here to see the Third Company Commander. I just called him, and he asked me to wait here for him.” Gu Ning smiled at the soldier who was about to speak.

She had borrowed the driver’s phone to call Third Brother on the way.

Third Brother should be on his way now.

Sure enough, not long after, Third Brother, dressed in military uniform, hurried out from inside the gate.

Before speaking, Third Brother’s sharp eyes had already discreetly scanned Gu Ning from head to toe. He looked much more spirited than when Gu Ning had seen him in the apocalypse.

He asked with a hint of doubt, “You’re Gu Ning?” Clearly, Gu Ning didn’t match the image he had in mind. Gu Ning, dressed in a tracksuit and carrying a large backpack, looked like a very ordinary girl. Moreover, when he saw Gu Ning’s golden hair, Third Brother frowned slightly.

Gu Ning smiled slightly, “Yes, I’m Gu Ning.”

“Show me your hands.” Third Brother said.

Gu Ning obediently extended her hands, palms up.

Compared to her relatively soft left hand, her right hand was much rougher, with thick calluses from long-term knife handling. Third Brother mainly looked at the first joint of her index finger near the thumb. There, he didn’t see the callus from shooting. He frowned and asked bluntly, “Are you sure you’ve handled a gun that shoots bullets, not a spear?”

Gu Ning didn’t explain, just said, “Since I’m already here, and you’re standing here, why waste time?”

“Follow me.” Third Brother didn’t waste words, greeted the soldiers at the gate, and led Gu Ning inside.

“Where did you hear about the Five-Star Brigade?” Third Brother asked.

“From the person who told me about you.” Gu Ning said.

“I hope you won’t waste my time.” Third Brother’s attitude and demeanor were just like when Gu Ning first met him in the small courtyard. If she were meeting him for the first time, she might have felt a bit nervous. But she knew very well that after she demonstrated her abilities, Third Brother would surely become much “friendlier” towards her.

“I hope so.” Gu Ning said modestly. Of course, she had some confidence, mainly because of Third Brother.

Gu Ning followed Third Brother for about ten minutes before reaching the large training ground. Many soldiers who were training couldn’t help but cast curious glances.

Third Brother waved to the squad leader over there, “Zhao Shuo! Come here!”

The squad leader jogged over, saluted Third Brother, then glanced at Gu Ning and asked, “Company Commander, what’s up?”

Third Brother said, “Go call Zhang Xiaobai, Zhao Jie, Zhong Xu, and Zou Ming over here.”

The squad leader was stunned but still saluted and said, “Yes!”

Then he jogged over to the team and shouted, “Zhang Xiaobai! Zhao Jie! Zhong Xu! Zou Ming! Fall out!”

Then he led the four of them over at a jog.

Gu Ning had seen Zhang Xiaobai before. But the current Zhang Xiaobai was even fairer and more tender than in the apocalypse, with a bit of baby fat, bright eyes, looking more like a college student than a soldier.

Gu Ning also remembered the name Zhao Jie, one of the people who died in the military truck.

As for Zhong Xu and Zou Ming, she hadn’t heard their names before and didn’t know if they were among the twenty-plus survivors.

Most of the soldiers who were curiously looking over here had died in the apocalypse.

Gu Ning collected her thoughts, dispelling the inexplicable sadness rising in her heart.

The four of them all started sizing up Gu Ning.

Zhang Xiaobai was very blatant, his bright eyes showing undisguised curiosity towards Gu Ning.

“These are the best shooters in our Third Company. If you can outshoot them, then you have the qualifications to join the Five-Star Brigade.” Third Brother said.

The four soldiers were all shocked. What did that mean? This girl was here to challenge them?

“Let’s go. Head to the shooting range.”

On the way, the other three didn’t attempt to talk to Gu Ning. Zhang Xiaobai wanted to, but Gu Ning’s expressionless face and aloof demeanor made him lose the courage to strike up a conversation.

Third Brother and the others walked quickly, but Gu Ning seemed to keep up effortlessly.

From a distance, they could hear the continuous sound of gunfire.

Zhang Xiaobai walked up and said, “Third Company, it seems like Second Company is practicing shooting.”

Third Brother sneered, “Perfect. They also got a talented new recruit this year. Let’s have a friendly competition.”

Zhang Xiaobai and the other three exchanged glances, feeling the pressure.

Gu Ning, however, was clueless about the situation and could only follow Third Brother.

The shooting range was in a large open area. The sound of gunfire continued intermittently. As they approached, the shooting had just ended. The soldier responsible for counting the targets jogged over and excitedly reported to a soldier with rolled-up sleeves, “Report, Company Commander! Ten shots on target, all ten rings, a perfect score!”

The Second Company Commander, who had been serious earlier, now smiled broadly and patted the soldier who had just stood up with his gun, “Good job! Zhai Jun, you’re getting more stable. Keep this up, and in a few days when the Five-Star Brigade comes, you’ll have a much better chance than those guys from Third Company!”

“Company Commander, Third Company is standing right there.” A soldier whispered a reminder.

Only then did the Second Company Commander notice Third Brother standing there with his four best shooters and a golden-haired girl in the middle. His smile didn’t fade, and he showed no embarrassment at being caught talking behind someone’s back. He greeted Third Brother, “Old Xie! What are you standing there for? Come over!”

Second Company had dozens of people, all curiously looking at Gu Ning, guessing her identity.

Gu Ning, however, acted as if she didn’t notice, following Third Brother forward.

Third Brother pulled Gu Ning to the front and introduced her to the Second Company Commander, “Here, Old Zhang, let me introduce you to my niece.” Then he said to Gu Ning, “Gu Ning, greet Second Company.”

Gu Ning couldn’t help but think of the time Third Brother introduced her to Wang Jizhong. She found it somewhat amusing but kept a straight face and said to the Second Company Commander, “Hello, Second Company Commander.”

Zhang Yueguo said, “Old Xie, have you forgotten our military discipline? How can you just bring someone in, and a girl at that? If the higher-ups find out, you’ll be in trouble.”

Third Brother said, “She pestered me, what can I do? She’s my only niece. Since I’m free, I brought her here to practice shooting.”

Zhang Yueguo looked at Gu Ning a few times, “Not bad. The little girl knows how to shoot? Have you handled a gun before?”

Gu Ning glanced at Third Brother, then smiled, “I have. But I’m not sure how accurate I am.”

Zhang Yueguo said, “Since you’re Old Xie’s niece, your shooting can’t be bad. Zhai Jun, give your gun to the little girl, let her try.”

“Yes!” Zhai Jun handed his gun to Gu Ning.

Zhang Yueguo suddenly added, “Hey! You should at least open the safety for her before handing it over!”

The Second Company soldiers burst into laughter.

Gu Ning took the gun, skillfully opened the safety, then smiled at Zhai Jun, “No need. Thank you.”

Then she walked to the shooting position and lay down, imitating the posture of the others.

Zhang Yueguo couldn’t help but smile at Gu Ning’s prone position, “Hey, Old Xie, you should at least teach your niece the proper shooting posture.”

Gu Ning was too focused to pay attention.

She concentrated on aiming at the target a hundred meters away.

In reality, human vision isn’t sharp enough to clearly see a target a hundred meters away. But in Gu Ning’s eyes, every ring of the target was crystal clear.

Amid the noisy chatter and pointing from Second Company, and the tense silence from