Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

She smiled apologetically at Jia Dongming, her voice tinged with embarrassment: "Brother Dongming, I'm so sorry... I've made you laugh."

Jia Dongming waved his hand and said in a gentle tone, "Xiao'e, don't take it to heart."

Da Mao is a genuine person, and he's easygoing at the dinner table, which is a good thing.

Looking at Xu Damao's appearance, Liu Haizhong on the other side chuckled and slowly said, "Is this all the drinking you can manage? Last time you were yelling about 'drinking etiquette'."

No wonder, the factory always includes him when entertaining guests—probably because he can pour drinks quickly and efficiently.

Jia Dongming didn't respond to that, his gaze fell on the limp Xu Damao, and then he turned to Lou Xiao'e and said, "We can't let him lie here all night."

Xiao'e, let me help you. Let me help him inside to lie down.

Lou Xiao'e quickly expressed her gratitude.

The two men, one on each side, lifted Xu Damao and moved him into the inner room to settle him in.

After a brief farewell, Jia Dongming left the Xu family's house with Liu Haizhong amidst Lou Xiao'e's repeated thanks.

The first rays of dawn broke through the darkness; it was exactly seven o'clock.

A crisp "ding!"

The message rang deep within Jia Dongming's mind, clearer than any alarm clock: "Daily check-in complete, confirm?"

The emotionless notification tone completely pulled him out of his lingering dream.

He didn't open his eyes, but his mind stirred slightly: "Sign in."

"Ding! Check-in successful."

Acquisition: God-level shooting skills; ten bags of milk powder; ten cans of tea; ten cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes; ten bottles of Moutai liquor; ten yuan in cash.

The item has been stored in the designated space.

Should I immediately integrate the 'God-Level Shooting Skill'?

"Integration".

The moment the command was issued, a massive amount of detailed information flooded into his mind like water bursting its banks.

The structure of firearms, the calculation of ballistics, the shooting correction in different environments, and even the most subtle control techniques of muscles... countless knowledge and instincts are intertwined and infused into it.

The process lasted less than two minutes. When he regained his sense of control over his body, he felt an absolute sense of control—hitting a target from a hundred paces away was no longer a problem.

Having completed the skill fusion, Jia Dongming didn't delay any longer. He quickly got up, dressed, and went out.

Outside the door, a chubby-faced boy darted out of the main room, nearly bumping into him.

The child looked up, grinned, and said, "Uncle! Good morning! My mom asked me to wake you up. You're already up?"

Jia Dongming casually ruffled the boy's hair and smiled, "Good morning, Bang Geng."

"Have you washed your face? If not, you'll go with your uncle."

"I already showered!"

Bang Geng puffed out his little chest, "My mom has already made breakfast and is just waiting for you to come over and eat."

After washing up, Jia Dongming entered the main room.

As soon as he entered, Madam Jia, who was sitting at the dinner table, immediately spoke up: "Dongming, I went to Matchmaker Wang's place yesterday and told her about your situation."

"I asked her to find me a good girl; I should hear from her in the next couple of days."

Jia Dongming sat down at the table and picked up a steamed bun: "Mom, I've only been back for a few days, there's no rush."

"Aren't you in a hurry?"

Madam Jia frowned immediately. "You're already twenty-eight! Look at your younger brother Dongxu. When he was your age, Banggeng and Xiaodang were already running all over the yard."

I've been hoping you'd settle down and start a family soon, so you can add a member to our Jia family. Don't you understand my intentions?"

In those days, it was common to get married in your early twenties, and being single at twenty-eight would inevitably attract gossip.

Jia Dongming didn't argue further and silently ate his breakfast.

After the meal, he first rode his bicycle to take Bang Geng to school, and then turned towards the security department of the steel rolling mill.

Just as I sat down in the office, Zhang Guoping from the logistics section followed me in and handed me a slip of paper: "Section Chief, good morning."

Here are your meal tickets for this month.

Jia Dongming took it and, remembering today's plans, said, "Guoping, I'm planning to go for a stroll in the back mountain today and try my luck at hunting some wild game."

I'll give this meal ticket to my sister-in-law; she can come get lunch.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Guoping's face: "Section Chief, your sister-in-law...is also from our factory?"

"Um."

Jia Dongming nodded. "My younger brother, Jia Dongxu, was a fitter in the second workshop. He died in a work injury last year."

His wife, Qin Huairu, took over his job and is now also working in Workshop Two.

Zhang Guoping was naturally familiar with the name Qin Huairu.

Ever since this attractive female worker took her late husband's place at the factory last year, she has become a topic of conversation among many male workers.

Although he was the section chief of the security department, he still heard plenty of these rumors.

Upon learning that Qin Huairu was Jia Dongxu's sister-in-law, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Guoping's face. He quickly said, "Section Chief, I know Comrade Qin Huairu—she's the apprentice of Master Yi, the eighth-grade fitter in Workshop Two."

I never imagined she had this kind of relationship with you.

Jia Dongxu wasn't surprised by this.

Qin Huairu was known as the "pretty widow" at the steel rolling mill.

Given his reputation, it's common for him to be recognized.

He then instructed Zhang Guoping: "Guoping, if this trip into the mountains yields good results, I will call the department."

"Go to the transportation department and coordinate a vehicle to transport Dongxi back to the location I told you about."

Zhang Guoping immediately understood and nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, when the convoy comes to collect the meat at noon, I will tell their captain to reserve a vehicle in advance."

After giving his instructions, Jia Dongxu went to the armory, retrieved a Garand semi-automatic rifle and a hundred rounds of ammunition, then hopped on his bicycle and rode straight to the door of Workshop Two.

"Section Chief Jia! What brings you here today?"

Upon catching a glimpse of the figure at the door, Liu Jianshe, the director of the second workshop, quickly came out from the inner room to greet him, his face beaming with a warm smile.

Jia Dongxu smiled and explained his purpose: "Director Liu, could you please call Qin Huairu? I need to speak with her about something."

Liu Jianshe was slightly taken aback at first, then waited for "Jia Dongxu".

The name lingered in my mind for a moment, and my expression shifted from surprise to realization, even taking on a hint of caution.

He tentatively asked, "Section Chief Jia, if I may ask—you and Comrade Jia Dongxu are…?"

"He is my younger brother."

Jia Dongxu answered frankly, "Qin Huairu is my younger brother's wife."

Liu Jianshe had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth, but he didn't expect that Jia Dongxu was actually a blood relative of the head of the security department.

Thinking of the workers in the workshop who always seemed to be hovering around Qin Huairu—especially that Guo the Great—a cold sweat broke out on his back.

It's time to give them a warning, lest someone, unaware of the danger, cause trouble.

His mind raced, but his smile grew even more eager: "Look at my keen eye! I should have thought of that sooner."

"Please wait a moment, I'll go and call her right away."

The sight of the two talking at the doorway had already attracted the attention of many workers who were looking in their direction.

Qin Huairu looked up and saw Jia Dongxu's figure. Remembering her instructions from the morning, she immediately turned off the power to the machine tool and walked towards the door.

Just as Liu Jianshe was about to turn around, he saw her approaching, and his expression instantly softened to one of kindness and gentleness, his tone becoming more gentle as well: "Huairu, Section Chief Jia is your uncle, why didn't you tell the director about this sooner?"

Qin Huairu is not highly educated, and she has been working as an apprentice under Yi Zhonghai in the factory for many years, so her skills have not improved much. Liu Jianshe does not treat her well.

If it weren't for the fact that Yi Zhonghai was an eighth-level worker, she probably would have been transferred elsewhere long ago.

Hearing Liu Jianshe's sudden change in tone, Qin Huairu felt the "relationship" so clearly for the first time.

The weight of those two words.

She lowered her eyes and answered humbly, "Director, although my uncle is a section chief, I don't want to publicize it everywhere, for fear of causing him trouble."

When Liu Jianshe heard her say this, he recalled his past cold treatment and secretly rejoiced: Luckily, he didn't make things too difficult for her because of Master Yi, otherwise he would have really offended her.

He quickly replied with a smile, "Huai Ru is sensible."

Section Chief Jia wants to see you. Go quickly.

Qin Huairu nodded and quickened her pace toward the door.

After leaving the workshop, she asked softly, "Uncle, did you come all this way to give me some instructions?"

Jia Dongxu took out a cafeteria voucher from his pocket and handed it over: "I'm going to the countryside in a little while."

Keep this coupon. Take two lunchboxes to the security office's canteen at noon and get two servings of braised pork.

Qin Huairu took it and asked, "Around when will you be back from this trip?"

Jia Dongxu estimated: "If all goes well, I can get back by evening."

If things get delayed, it might be seven or eight o'clock in the evening.

Qin Huairu softly hummed in agreement.

He murmured, "Then I'll leave it at that."

Uncle, please be careful on the road.

The conversation outside the workshop gate quickly became the focus of attention for the workers.

The men who usually secretly peeked at Qin Huairu stopped what they were doing and all looked toward the door.

"Who is that man at the door?"

One worker nudged his colleague, "Looks unfamiliar."

His companion squinted at the two people chatting and laughing outside the door, then shook his head hesitantly: "Who knows... judging by their enthusiasm, maybe Widow Qin has found someone to rely on again."

"Nonsense!"

Someone nearby immediately chimed in, "If they were really lovers, would they dare to speak so openly and brazenly at the factory gate?"

Guo Dapiezi from Workshop Two had long had his eye on Qin Huairu.

Over the past few months, he had subtly conveyed many messages, but it was like punching cotton – there was never any response.

Seeing Qin Huairu laughing and talking with a strange man in broad daylight, a surge of anger rushed to his head, and he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for! I've offered you so many ways out, and you didn't even lift an eyelid. Turns out you already had someone else!"

"Guo the Great Peeker".

A steady voice suddenly came from behind.

Guo Dapizi stiffened, turned around and saw workshop director Liu Jianshe standing there with no expression on his face.

"If you're tired of living, you can shout even louder."

Liu Jianshe's voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

Guo Da Piezi forced a dry laugh: "Director, I was just saying it offhand..."

"The one at the door,"

Liu Jianshe interrupted him, "It's Jia Dongming, the new head of security at the factory."

Jia Dongxu's older brother, Qin Huairu's uncle.

These words were like a block of ice thrown into a pot of boiling oil.

Guo Da Piezi's eyes widened: "What? This...this is impossible! Jia Dongxu has never mentioned having an older brother!"

Believe it or not.

Liu Jianshe glanced at the workers around him who were listening intently. "If you're not afraid of getting into trouble, then feel free to come forward like you always have."

Don't say I didn't warn you later.

An elderly worker from a short distance also came over.

He and Jia Dongxu were quite close, and he looked completely bewildered: "Director, are you sure there's no mistake? I've known Dongxu for so many years, and I've never heard him mention having an older brother."

"It's written in black and white on the security department's roster."

Liu Jianshe said confidently, "If you have any doubts, go and find out for yourself."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment; the only sound in the workshop was the monotonous roar of the machines.

At this moment, Jia Dongming was riding a slightly worn bicycle, traveling along the winding dirt roads of Mentougou.

He found a secluded spot outside the commune, retrieved his car from where no one could see him, and headed straight for the Western Hills.

The "Eagle Eye" granted by the system

It has quietly begun.

This ability is not mythical, but it allows him to see clearly in any light—the blazing sun, the deep night, and the thick fog cannot obstruct his eyes.

The outline of the Western Hills gradually became clear in the field of vision.

Jia Dongming stopped at the foot of the mountain, his gaze slowly sweeping over the layers of trees and rock walls.

Under the eagle's eye, the faint hoof prints among the bushes, the traces of fallen grass, and the fine hairs along the rock crevices all became clear clues.

He watched quietly for a while, then took out a long knife from his person, gripped it tightly, and followed the marks into the depths of the forest.

The babbling of the stream was the first sound to reach Jia Dongming's ears. He pushed aside the last clump of bushes, and the view suddenly opened up before him.

Beside the clear stream, three roe deer were sipping their drinks, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

A silent smile crept onto his lips as he raised his reliable companion.

There was almost no aiming process; the finger had already pressed down.

boom! boom! boom!

The sound echoed through the valley, crisp and clear.

The roe deer by the stream didn't even have time to raise its head before it collapsed, leaving a few spots of crimson stains on the stream stones, which were then gently carried away by the flowing water, leaving behind a faint trace of rouge.