Breaking Through the Encirclement 3

So now it must be done—there is no other way! Yu said nothing more, simply picked up the gun. He nodded to Xiao, then focused all his attention on preparing to shoot. Xiao watched Yu, so earnest and determined; after all these years, this was their first true collaboration, and the stakes were nothing less than their lives!

Yet she felt no regret. In her heart, Yu had always been like an older brother to her, someone she trusted unconditionally. With that thought, Xiao turned to look outside. She stretched her body, scanned the surroundings, and quickly moved to the doorway. Instantly, all enemy fire converged upon her.

Xiao was as delighted as if she were playing a game. She waved outside, calling, “Come on, shoot! Aim for the head!” Then, with an air of joy, she darted between the door and the pillar, shaking her hips and making faces. Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, the gunfire intensified severalfold.

The instructor outside witnessed the scene with both anxiety and anger. How could this child be so reckless? If she were hit, her life would be forfeit! He shouted into the radio, “Request immediate reinforcement in sector 318! Shooters are gathering—there are too many!”

Headquarters replied quickly, “Reinforcements are on their way. Hold out for five more minutes!”

Five minutes! The instructor thought, if they wait until the reinforcements arrive, it won’t be to rescue them—it’ll be to collect their bodies! He wanted to throw the radio away in frustration, but worried that if he did, he wouldn’t know what to do when help finally came. So, suppressing his rage, he hurried to evacuate the other students to safety.

Xiao, stone in hand, moved as she aimed and threw at the enemy. To her delight, her throw landed perfectly—a sharp crack echoed as the stone hit a gunman’s eye dead on. The shooter collapsed, clutching his eye and groaning in pain.

It was, without doubt, the greatest humiliation the gunman had ever suffered. He had lost his ability to shoot because of a mere stone! The other shooters watched their wounded companion with chills running down their spines. If it had been them who were struck, they would have been the ones blinded. Such explosive strength—from just a single stone, one shooter was eliminated. Clearly, they needed to watch out for those stones.

Seeing the effect she had hoped for, Xiao secretly reveled in her victory. Now, it was Yu’s turn. She turned and signaled to Ouyang Xianyu, who nodded in understanding.

Xiao moved again, drawing the shooters’ eyes. Now, the shooters had been conditioned by her; whenever she threw a stone, their fire instinctively focused on it. Yu seized the opportunity, gun in hand, and joined Xiao at her side, firing upon the shooters.

Bang, bang, bang! True to his reputation, Ouyang Xianyu didn’t miss a single shot—each gunman fell where he stood. Xiao looked at Yu with delight, while Yu kept his gaze fixed on the enemy.

Chaos erupted on the other side. Now was their chance! “Go!” Yu grabbed Xiao and dashed out the door.

Bang, bang, bang! Gunfire followed them, but Yu kept Xiao close and pulled her clear of the ruined building. They were safe for the moment, but now faced even greater firepower.

Now they were like prey, exposed to the hunters’ gaze—one misstep and it would all be over. But there was no other choice. The instructor saw them emerge; it was both a blessing and a curse.

—Extra Note—

Exams are ongoing, and my writing energy is depleted… I urgently need everyone’s encouragement for Bowstring! (┬＿┬)