Chapter 25

The camera slowly zoomed in on the target that Xing Xiaochi had hit.

The numbers displayed on the livestream shocked the viewers.

The referee announced: “6.3 rings, 1 point.”

【Holy crap!】
【The little guy actually hit it!】
【666666666!】
【Why are you all so excited over a 6-point shot? Isn’t this something you could hit with your eyes closed?】
【Exactly, just pure luck.】

Even Ruan Xizhi was surprised—she hadn’t expected Xing Xiaochi to have such talent.

She gave him a quick reminder: “Control your stance, keep your back straight, and stay calm.”

To encourage him further, she patted Su Tongtong’s small shoulders. “Cheer for your brother.”

Su Tongtong bounced excitedly. “Go, brother! You’re the best!”

Xing Xiaochi’s morale skyrocketed.

His learning ability had always been stronger than others’. He could remember anything he read and sometimes even apply it creatively. But crying and throwing tantrums always got him more attention.

Even when he told his grandparents he had learned something new, they didn’t seem to believe him. Over time, he stopped showing off this side of himself.

In his mind, it was like having a small TV that could replay anything he had memorized with precision.

He carefully replicated the stance Ruan Xizhi had demonstrated earlier. With her reminders, his posture became even more stable.

Ruan Xizhi raised an eyebrow.

Looks like she had underestimated this little guy.

No wonder he was a future big villain.

With this kind of talent, her dreams of slacking off for the rest of her life were well within reach.

The sight of serious, focused Xing Xiaochi—so different from his usual mischievous self—had the viewers practically drooling.

【It doesn’t matter if he hits or misses, just please keep looking this cool!】
【So young, yet he already has CEO vibes. I swear he looks just like your dad. Hand over your father!】
【Suddenly, I’m jealous of Ruan Xizhi. Not only does she get to be a mom effortlessly, but she also has a handsome husband.】
【Sorry, but starting now, I am officially Xing Xiaochi’s mom.】

The viewers were completely absorbed in his charm, repeatedly taking screenshots. Just as they were about to lose themselves in admiration—

Swoosh!

Pa!

A crisp sound echoed as Xing Xiaochi turned to the camera, flashing a peace sign.

The referee announced: “8.2 rings, 2 points.”

【You’re supposed to be a mini CEO! Stop doing peace signs!】
【Wait, are you secretly a trained professional?!】
【He’s on fire, everyone! Our little CEO is on a roll!】

At first, everyone thought it was just luck—until the third shot.

The referee: “8.9 rings, 3 points.”

Xing Xiaochi was getting the hang of it. His small frame, standing on the stool, suddenly seemed a lot taller.

This feeling… it had been a long time since he last felt it.

The last time was when he was learning Chinese characters, and Grandma used to praise him.

Every time he fired a shot and looked back at Ruan Xizhi, she was giving him a thumbs-up.

His heart felt warm—like something was filling him up.

Honestly… he didn’t dislike Ruan Xizhi that much.

At least she had been with him these past few days.

Grandma and Grandpa, on the other hand, might disappear the next morning, leaving for work and not coming back for days.

He wanted Ruan Xizhi to keep giving him thumbs-ups. He wanted to be even more accurate. So, every shot, he took seriously.

Pa!
Pa! Pa!
Pa! Pa! Pa!

“Xing Xiaochi, 2 points… 2 points… 3 points… 3 points… 3 points…”

The entire audience was stunned.

The director shot to his feet.

The livestream chat was filled with question marks.

Then, the referee made the final announcement: “Xing Xiaochi, 15 shots, total score: 39 points.”

【Who said this was just luck?! This, my friends, is skill!】
【I’m sorry for existing—I’m just here to make up the numbers.】
【I thought Xing Xiaochi was just a little troublemaker, but turns out, the real loser is me.】
【Are all celebrity kids this competitive? Three-year-olds are out here doing shooting competitions, while I… should just go back to bed. 】
【I just saw Ruan Xizhi constantly giving reminders on the side… Could it be that she’s the one who taught Xing Xiaochi?】

That one comment was a wake-up call for everyone. With only 15 shots left, they were all eagerly anticipating Ruan Xizhi’s turn.

Xing Xiaochi’s performance today had exceeded all expectations, but his opponent wasn’t just for show.

Huang Village was rich in resources and located by the sea, so many villagers had long mastered various survival skills. The middle-aged man stepping up to compete had plenty of hunting experience, making him an excellent marksman.

Even though he was up against a child, he didn’t go easy. Apart from missing the first shot, his accuracy was nearly flawless.

Final score: 42.

However, Xing Xiaochi was not satisfied. He had assumed he had outscored his opponent, so when he realized he hadn’t, the ever-competitive little boy pouted and burst into tears.

Ruan Xizhi had been about to praise him, only to be dumbfounded by his sudden crying.

“What’s wrong?” She panicked, thinking he was hurt. “Does something hurt?”

Xing Xiaochi sobbed, his tears dripping down as he choked out, “I… I lost. My score isn’t higher than Uncle’s.”

Ruan Xizhi: “……”

Just how competitive is this kid?

But she understood. Competitive children often lacked attention and security. They feared that if they didn’t do well, they wouldn’t be noticed.

Ruan Xizhi felt a pang of sympathy for Xing Xiaochi.

No mother around, a father who doesn’t care…

She gently pinched his little cheek. “I haven’t gone yet, so how could you have lost? Don’t forget, we’re on the same team.”

Xing Xiaochi blinked his tearful eyes. “I didn’t lose?”

… His obsession ran deep.

Ruan Xizhi patiently reassured him. “Nope. We’re going to win.”

Xing Xiaochi thought about how she had held the gun earlier in the house. He nodded and mimicked her tone from yesterday, “Mhm. You hafta win. Otherwise, I’ll lose face.”

Ruan Xizhi: “……”

“This ‘face’ of yours is really something.” She gave his cheek another pinch before stepping onto the field.

The moment she did, the livestream exploded.

After all, everyone had already witnessed her insane survival skills on the deserted island.

And from the way she had been coaching, she clearly knew what she was doing.

Even the middle-aged opponent visibly straightened up, taking this match seriously.

【Go go go, Sister Zhi! Show us what you’ve really got!】

【If she could pull off that crazy Monkey Steals the Moon move, shooting should be a piece of cake.】

【Wait… why does it feel like she’s copying Xing Xiaochi? No—wait, their movements are actually identical. Even their expressions are exactly the same!】

【Xing Xiaochi was already so accurate, so Sister Zhi will be even better!】

As the audience chattered excitedly, Ruan Miaorui, watching from the sidelines, grew nervous.

She clearly remembered Ruan Xizhi being terrible at sports. So why…?

Could she have been faking all along?

Pretending to be weak and innocent?

She turned to look at Ruan Xizhi.

Back straight, sharp yet effortless gaze, lips curled slightly in quiet confidence—Ruan Xizhi looked like she was born to win.

Her slender fingers gently pulled the trigger.

“Whoosh—”

“Bang—”

Crisp and clean.

Even without checking, everyone knew the score wouldn’t be low.

Ruan Miaorui clenched her fists nervously as the referee announced:

“Off target. 0 points.”

Ruan Miaorui: “???”

The audience: “???”

【Wait, I definitely heard it hit the target!】

【Same! Did the ref mess up?!】

【Is this a scam? Referee, you monster!】

Then, the camera zoomed in on Ruan Xizhi’s target.

It was completely clean—not a single bullet hole.

The camera then shifted to the opponent’s target, which now had an extra hole… even though he hadn’t fired yet.

The meaning was obvious.

The chat exploded.

【DID SHE JUST SHOOT OFF TARGET… ALL THE WAY TO THAILAND?!】

【Xiachi, you might as well disown this stepmother.】

【At this point, I trust three-year-old Xing Xiaochi more than her.】

【Return Xiaochi to us!】