Chapter 17: Coach Zhou, Do You Know You're Quite Adorable?

Zhou Le couldn’t take his eyes off her.

It was the first time he had ever seen Liu Yifei alive and moving.

Although Zhou Le had admired her work since childhood, seeing her in person now still felt like witnessing a celestial being.

Even with a mask on, Zhou Le could recognize her instantly.

Those eyes—they were ethereal beyond words.

But soon, worried that his gaze might be too obvious and cause him to lose composure, he glanced around and realized everyone else was just as captivated.

In fact, he was relatively restrained.

“Let me introduce everyone. This is Teacher Liu Yifei. She’s actually fond of shooting herself. She’s here today not only to experience the atmosphere of our range but mainly just to have some fun with guns,” Wu Yun explained.

Then he turned to Liu Yifei’s team. “Teacher Yifei, here are all our coaches. They’re all quite skilled. Take a look and see whom you’d like to have as your instructor. Honestly, I’ve only been managing these past years; otherwise, I’d volunteer myself. It would be an honor to practice shooting alongside Teacher Yifei.”

“Manager Wu, you’re too polite. Are we free to choose any coach? Or maybe you could recommend someone for me?” Liu Yifei asked.

Wu Yun smiled. “Just go with your instincts. These are all my brothers. If I were to pick, the rest might hold a grudge. But if you choose, it’s different—those not selected simply lack the fortune.”

Zhou Le stood at the very back.

“Not only good-looking but also with a pleasant voice. Hah, maybe I can get a signature and take a photo later,” Zhou Le thought to himself.

Yet, glancing at the coaches ahead, each one stood tall, puffing out their chests and striking what they believed to be their most handsome poses, like ducks waiting to be picked.

Feeling a mix of pity for their lack of promise and maintaining a composed demeanor, Zhou Le quietly stood straighter, carefully wiping the barrel of his air rifle, which was connected by a steel cable.

Focused and earnest.

Soon, Liu Yifei began to survey the coaches herself.

She was indeed a shooting enthusiast but didn’t practice often. Her interest had sparked during a trip to Thailand, where she tried it once and grew fond of it.

She thought shooting looked cool.

This time, she wanted to keep a low profile. Having some basic skill already, she just wanted someone to accompany her. There was no need for an overly professional gold medal coach.

After scanning the group, her eyes suddenly landed on a very young coach at the back—so young he didn’t even look like a coach, more like a gun-cleaning assistant.

Her eyes lit up.

“That one,” she said, pointing.

The coach in that direction thought she meant him.

“Me?” he asked.

“No, the handsome young man at the back. I’m just here to have fun, so anyone’s fine. But thank you all the same for coming,” Liu Yifei said, bowing slightly.

Only then did everyone realize she had chosen Zhou Le.

Zhou Le was stunned. “Me?”

He had actually been picked?

Sure enough, the aura he exuded earlier was so strong that even a goddess like Liu Yifei noticed him in the crowd.

Looks really do have their advantages.

Wu Yun was also dumbfounded; he had never imagined Zhou Le would be the choice.

But Zhou Le had worked there for some time, and they often went out to eat together. Wu Yun knew Zhou Le’s biggest admiration was for Liu Yifei, so after a moment’s thought, he said,

“Coach Zhou Le, you’ll accompany Teacher Yifei then.”

“Okay, Brother Wu,” Zhou Le replied.

Wu Yun added, “Teacher Yifei, Coach Zhou is our youngest and most gifted instructor here. Were it not for his occasional lack of focus, he’d at least be at the provincial team level.”

“Wow, so impressive?” Liu Yifei looked at Zhou Le, finding it hard to imagine such talent.

Liu Yifei then went to wash her hands while Zhou Le prepared the bullets.

“Xiao Zhou, make the most of this chance. Didn’t you say you want to break into showbiz? Maybe you can build some good connections here. She’s a superstar—just a little bit of attention from her is enough for you,” someone teased.

Zhou Le was thrilled. “Thank you, sir. This kindness is like being reborn. I’ll kowtow to you right now.”

But Manager Wu quickly stopped him.

After getting ready, Zhou Le brought his gear to the range.

By then, Liu Yifei was ready.

She took off her mask, and Zhou Le felt his heart stop.

Though young Gulnazar was also a beauty who could rival her, Liu Yifei was in a league of her own.

How many hearts had she captivated as the ultimate white moonlight?

However, Liu Yifei was obviously not one for silence.

Loading her bullets, she asked, “I heard from your manager that you’re a bit undisciplined. Otherwise, you could be a professional athlete. Are you just working here part-time?”

Zhou Le nodded. “Yeah, I mostly do background roles. Coaching here is just to make some extra money.”

“You’re a background actor?” Liu Yifei was even more surprised. “With your skills, you should be playing killers or something like that, right?”

Zhou Le smiled. “Killers don’t really need to be great with guns unless it’s a ‘King of Guns’ role. But those productions are way out of my league—I can’t even get through the door.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Liu Yifei raised her gun and fell silent, beginning to shoot.

She fired several rounds, the scores were not ideal.

“Your stance is a bit off,” Zhou Le said, taking the gun and demonstrating.

“Keep it more parallel. Stretch your body and relax.”

“Oh, sorry. I haven’t practiced in a while and got a bit nervous. Mainly because that sound is so loud. Coach, if I’m doing anything wrong, please tell me.”

“Okay.” With her approval, Zhou Le grew more confident.

When it was time to get hands-on, he stepped up.

After some practice, Liu Yifei decided to take a break and let Zhou Le have a few shots.

Each shot scored a perfect ten.

“Coach Zhou really is impressive. But if you’re this good, why not focus on this full-time? Maybe you could even make it to the Olympics,” she said.

“I’ve never thought about it. I just like acting,” Zhou Le replied, firing another nine.

“What are you acting in now? If you want, I can help you get better roles—not just background parts, maybe some minor supporting characters.”

Zhou Le finished the remaining bullets.

“Thank you, Teacher Yifei. I’m actually part of a crew now, playing the third male lead. Soon, I’ll have another third male lead role.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Not really. Mostly the director’s favor. But Teacher Yifei, maybe others’ inspirations in film were ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ ‘Flipped,’ ‘Forrest Gump,’ or ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ Believe it or not, mine was the Little Dragon Maiden you played in ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes.’”

“The Little Dragon Maiden? That was a long time ago—I was only a teenager, over ten years back,” Liu Yifei smiled, clearly unsurprised by Zhou Le’s fondness for that role.

“Yeah, I was just a kid then. When I saw that Yin Zhiping... he... I was so angry I didn’t eat for a day and a half,” Zhou Le said, eyes reddening.

Liu Yifei found this coach amusing—so professional just now, yet nearly brought to tears by that scene.

There was something endearing about him.

“All right, all right. But why a day and a half?”

Zhou Le wiped his eyes. “Later, my great-grandfather passed away. I went to the funeral banquet at noon that day and forgot all about it.”