Although Bai Cheng postponed her fitness class the next day due to her sore wrist, she felt much better when she woke up in the morning, so she decided to go to the gym and train on her own.
When Bai Cheng arrived at the gym, she started warming up in the open area. She noticed that Ling Xiang was sparring with a girl in the boxing ring, so she walked over to watch up close.
Both fighters on the ring were quick and decisive, delivering powerful punches. After a few rounds, the girl landed a hook and won the match against Ling Xiang. With the winner decided, both of them removed their boxing helmets and hugged.
After letting go of the girl, Ling Xiang noticed Bai Cheng standing below.
“Miss Bai, you’re here for class?” he greeted her cheerfully.
Bai Cheng nodded and gave him a thumbs up. “Impressive.”
Ling Xiang raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment. He turned to the girl beside him and introduced her to Bai Cheng: “This is Bai Cheng, Miss Bai, a friend of Brother Luo.” Then, to Bai Cheng, he said, “This is Lin Fei, also a member of Brother Luo’s team.”
Just as Bai Cheng was about to greet Lin Fei, Lin Fei spoke first: “Bai Cheng, right? I’ve seen you before. Didn’t you bring Pharaoh to the station once? I’ve seen you at the police station twice. I remember you a little, but I’m guessing you don’t remember me?”
Bai Cheng shook her head apologetically, “I’m sorry, I really don’t remember. I haven’t been to the station that often…”
“No worries, I get it. Has your trainer arrived yet?”
“I originally took the day off because I wasn’t feeling well, but I woke up feeling fine, so I came on my own to train.”
“I see. Well, why don’t we train together?” Lin Fei jumped down from the boxing ring. “I’ve finished my boxing for the day and was about to do something else. We can chat and get to know each other.”
Bai Cheng nodded, and they hopped onto the treadmills, jogging slowly while chatting. By the end, they even made plans to go shopping and grab a meal together sometime.
The next day during their shooting lesson, Bai Cheng brought up Lin Fei to Luo Tian, saying she thought Lin Fei was a bit like Zheng Xing but not exactly the same. Zheng Xing was like an unquenchable fire, while Lin Fei was more like a small sun—both were warm and intense, but Zheng Xing’s intensity had a wild beauty, while Lin Fei’s warmth felt more safe and secure.
“A little sun? She’s more like a walking energy bomb, always chattering and making a fuss,” Luo Tian commented.
“We’ve already made plans to go shopping and eat together next time. Be careful, or I’ll tell her you’re badmouthing her,” Bai Cheng teased.
“Go ahead, I say it to her face at the station too—she’s a big loudmouth. If she weren’t a cop, she’d probably get swindled out of all her money. She can’t keep a secret at all.”
“But she’s pretty good at boxing. She even beat Ling Xiang.”
“Her boxing skills are average at best. Ling Xiang let her win.”
“I want to learn boxing too; it looks so cool.”
“You can’t rush these things. Focus on building your foundation first. Now, let’s continue with today’s lesson—trigger control,” Luo Tian said, handing Bai Cheng the same pistol she used last time.
“Stand properly, grip the gun, and aim,” Luo Tian instructed.
Bai Cheng followed his directions and assumed the shooting stance.
Luo Tian stood behind her, wrapping his hands around hers as she gripped the gun. He bent his knees slightly to be at the same height as her, pressing his head against hers, and placed his index finger over hers on the trigger.
“Don’t move. Let me pull the trigger so you can feel the force and sensation of firing.”
Bai Cheng stayed still, focusing all her attention on the feeling of the trigger under her finger. As Luo Tian squeezed the trigger, Bai Cheng felt the pressure and the motion of the trigger being pulled, followed by the sound of the bullet being fired.
Instinctively, Bai Cheng closed her eyes. Because Luo Tian was controlling the gun, the recoil was much less than last time, but she still took a small step back.
Her step wasn’t large, and since Luo Tian was standing right behind her, she ended up being tightly enveloped in his embrace. Once she regained her balance, Luo Tian released her and asked, “Did you feel the pressure and stability just now? Practice more like that.”
Bai Cheng continued her practice while Luo Tian stood nearby with his hands on his hips, watching her. When he got tired of standing, he sat on a bench to observe, occasionally getting up to give pointers and corrections.
Bai Cheng was a quick learner, picking up both combat and shooting techniques rapidly. After a month, her progress surprised both Luo Tian and Ling Xiang. She and Lin Fei also became good friends over time.
