This year’s shooting competition broke from tradition. The fixed targets were replaced with moving ones, the distances were increased, and contestants could even choose their own shooting range.

The moment this rule was announced, everyone grew restless.

"Why the sudden rule change? The stationary targets in previous years were tough enough. Are they treating us like we’re special forces?"

"Exactly. I have no idea what the Director was thinking."

Director Guo felt wronged. He had only changed the competition rules after listening to Hu Shaojie. But who would have thought that shameless bastard had his own agenda—to poach people from him? He clicked his tongue and looked toward the shooting range, still unsure of how things were going today. He was worried his men would perform poorly and bring shame to the Public Security Bureau, making others think they had no talent.

Today, the order of participation was decided by drawing lots. Xue Xingzhou drew a high number, so he watched as the others went up one by one.

The moving targets were considered quite difficult, but the first few contestants all chose closer distances and did reasonably well.

Just then, someone from Team Two went up and declared a distance of 30 meters.

The leaders on the viewing platform all focused their attention on him.

Xue Xingzhou watched the man as someone next to him whispered, "That’s Zhao Gazi. He’s considered Team Two’s sharpshooter. He won first place in shooting at the last major competition."

Xue Xingzhou’s eyelids twitched as he watched intently.

After the gunshots, the results were quickly reported back: all hits.

The sound of applause filled the air, and Team Two erupted in cheers. Zhao Gazi wasn’t ready to step down yet. He raised his hand, indicating he wanted to challenge the 40-meter target.

Although this was against the rules, he had shot from the furthest distance so far, so the leaders agreed.

The result wasn’t perfect—he missed two shots. Still, he earned a huge round of applause, proving he truly deserved the title of sharpshooter.

Hu Shaojie nodded as well, making a note of the man’s name.

The contestants who went up after him boldly declared 30 meters, not wanting to seem too far behind Zhao Gazi. Unfortunately, they all put on a poor showing. Ming Wei, however, did pretty well; he also declared 30 meters but missed one shot.

Finally, it was Xue Xingzhou’s turn. The captain of Team One clapped his shoulder. "Xiao Xue, all of Team One’s hopes are riding on you today."

Xue Xingzhou nodded and walked up.

When Hu Shaojie saw Xue Xingzhou come up, his eyes lit up, and he watched him with rapt attention.

Xue Xingzhou went up and declared 40 meters.

Down below, Zhao Gazi shifted his feet. The captain of Team Two told him, "Don’t worry. Even if he got first place in yesterday’s combat competition, it doesn’t mean he’s any good at shooting."

Zhao Gazi didn’t say anything, just clenched his fists and watched Xue Xingzhou.

BANG! BANG! BANG! Xue Xingzhou fired.

Then he stood still, waiting for the report from the target line.

"Whoa—! We won—!"

Seeing the hand signals from the other end indicating that Xue Xingzhou had hit all three shots, the members of Team One erupted in cheers.

The captain of Team Two gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

Director Guo shot to his feet in excitement, pointing at Xue Xingzhou and saying, "Excellent! Truly excellent!"

Xue Xingzhou smiled and was about to step down.

"Try fifty meters."

The entire venue fell silent. Xue Xingzhou stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the leaders’ platform.

Even Director Guo looked at Hu Shaojie, momentarily unsure of what he was planning this time.

Hu Shaojie said to Xue Xingzhou, "Do you dare to challenge fifty meters?"

After a brief pause, Xue Xingzhou nodded. "I can try."

Hu Shaojie smiled and nodded. "Then give it a try."

Everyone watched nervously as Xue Xingzhou raised his gun and aimed at the already moving targets.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A minute later, the results came back from the target line. All hits again.

This time, the venue was eerily silent, then erupted into a thunderous round of applause.

Hu Shaojie nodded and began to applaud as well.

After Xue Xingzhou came down from the stage, the captain of Team One lifted him up and spun him around. He was so excited he looked like he was about to kiss Xue Xingzhou, which startled Xue Xingzhou into giving him a wary look. The captain just laughed heartily. "Good kid! You really didn’t let us down."

Ming Wei also said to him, "I’m really not as good as you. You’re something else."

The corners of Xue Xingzhou’s mouth curved up slightly as he accepted everyone’s praise. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

No one had much interest in watching the contestants who went up after him, and none of them did anything particularly impressive.

Team One stole the show in this competition. Xue Xingzhou, in particular, had become a celebrity in the Public Security Bureau. Everyone who mentioned him spoke with a tone of admiration. Even at lunch, when the cafeteria cook saw Xue Xingzhou, he specially gave him extra portions of the good dishes. This made others even more green with envy.

The awards ceremony was in the afternoon.

Who would have thought the grand prize was actually a motorcycle?

"My god, the bureau really splurged this time! Wasn’t it always just radios and thermoses before?"

Someone said, "They changed the rules and increased the difficulty this year, so it’s not surprising the prizes got an upgrade too."

"Dammit, a motorcycle! I’ve been dreaming of getting one, but I could never afford it. And it’s just going to that kid, Xue Xingzhou?"

"What do you expect? The guy’s an all-around talent, so of course the leadership thinks highly of him. This is nothing. He probably has a bright future ahead of him."

Xue Xingzhou looked at the motorcycle, which still had a red ribbon on it, and his eye twitched. ’Last time, I was complaining about how loud He Lang’s motorcycle was. Now it’s my turn.’

Still, it was an item worth several thousand yuan, so he was quite pleased with it.

After receiving his award, Xue Xingzhou was summoned by Hu Shaojie.

Once inside the office, Hu Shaojie said to Xue Xingzhou, "Have a seat."

Xue Xingzhou looked at him, momentarily unsure of the reason he’d been called here. Although he had never met Hu Shaojie before, he could tell he wasn’t low-ranking, especially since he seemed very familiar with Director Guo.

"My name is Hu Shaojie, Section Chief of the Intelligence Section at the National Security Bureau," he introduced himself, then asked, "Have you heard of the National Security Bureau?"

A glint flashed in Xue Xingzhou’s eyes as he nodded.

Hu Shaojie said, "I came to the Public Security Bureau this time mainly to select talent, to add to the strength of National Security. I’ve carefully reviewed your performance in all areas. Are you willing to come to National Security and join us?"

Xue Xingzhou looked at Hu Shaojie but didn’t agree right away. "Does our director know about this?"

Hu Shaojie fell silent. He clearly hadn’t gotten Director Guo’s approval yet.

"As long as you agree, I’ll be the one to talk to Director Guo."

Xue Xingzhou replied, "Thank you for your high regard, Section Chief Hu. But I was specially recruited by the Public Security Bureau and have received a lot of preferential treatment here. I’ve been here for less than a year. I can’t be ungrateful."

The moment Xue Xingzhou finished speaking, the office door was suddenly thrown open.

"Well said! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you, kid." Director Guo strode in, first praising Xue Xingzhou, then turning to look at Hu Shaojie. His expression changed in an instant.

"You old fox! Back when we worked together, you were always pulling fast ones on me. And now you’re coming right to my turf to poach my people!"