Chapter 37: Good news and bad news

Translated by: kevin1782

Edited by: Isalee

Tribo stared blankly at Gao Yang and only managed to mumble after a while. Impossible, right? This rifle looks very new.

Gao Yang was so furious that he was at loss at what to say. He finally bursted out in rage: You dumbass, Dragunovs from where? Even if you cant recognize the real Dragunov, at least you can see that the words engraved on her arent Russian right? This is m*therf*cking Iraq Tabuk-Aokade sniper rifle! Look properly, the gun clearly states that its an imitation model. A rip-off, get it? This guns pretty good if she could fire two thousand rounds, and you still use this bullsh*t to train your marksmanship, how the f*ck did you train without any freakin bore-lines?

Hare wanted to cry, but there were no tears for him to do so. He inspected the gun on his legs, then he suddenly patted his head hard before furiously muttering, I was wondering why it wouldnt hit no matter how well I aimed after three hundred meters. I always thought it was my problem. After wasting half the time, its cause this guns sh*t.

Pff, just this guns problem? The SVDs ammo is the 7N1, which are specifically sniper rifle rounds and your broken gun cant even hit those. See what rounds you fire? Theyre 7.62 X 54R rounds, for GPMGs. You think you can hit accurately?

Tribo took the round from Gao Yangs hand and looked at it before sighing heavily, Its really scary without any civilization. I like this sniper rifle but I didnt research the Dragunov, I just liked to research bolt-action gun mechs. I didnt get even a glimpse of any half or full semi-auto sniper rifle info handouts man. I didnt have any good impressions of that old dudes SVD. If not for the dearth of options, I wasnt gonna buy the Dragunov man, so thats why I didnt recognize that she was fake. Second, isnt this the first time Ive touched a real gun, how the hell do I know that the borelines out man? The gun seller told me it was brand new, so I used it like it was brand new.

Gao Yang also knew that Hare wasnt to blame since Tribos gun knowledge was all theory without any practical applications. If it werent for the shooting training hed endured last time, he wouldnt have seen that her boreline was so severely worn out. There were just some things that had to be hands-on and experiential.

Got it, say nothin else. You still wanted to be a merc? Youd be dead without knowing why. Go back China with me, dont say any more crap son.

Hare dejectedly nodded and didnt have any intention of talking back. Gao Yang saw that he wasnt so resolute on staying behind to be a mercenary. He heaved a sigh of relief deep down in his heart. In order to prevent Tribo from developing any thoughts of staying, he didnt dare to hook up anymore words from Tribo. Instead, he started to speak with Grolev in English since Tribo didnt understand English anyways.

Grolev, its really nice to know you, were gonna go back China, whats your next move? Are you going to stay?

Grolev was sitting shotgun. He turned his head smiled at Gao Yang and said, Of course Im gonna stay. You know, these few years could be considered world peace since theres almost no more merc jobs. Even if there is, itd be big companies like Black Waters. Now that theres finally chaos brewing, its time for money-makin.

Hah, yall probably are the group of people who hope to have war in this world the most eh? What are you going to do? Find a merc corp to join?

Grolev was silent for a moment before he nodded and said, I gotta thank you, its because of you thats why I got a good boss, two grand a day, its a really high price. I think after this mission, Im probably gonna find a merc corp to join since, I admit, its too hard not having reliable comrades on my side.

Gao Yang nodded and replied, Thats right, if you intend to stay a merc, its best to find a few trustworthy comrades. But do you really intend on staying as one? Ever considered washing your hands off that? Im just saying, you havent considered your retirement?

Grolevs face sank and he heaved a long sigh before bitterly grinning, I know nothin else apart from war, and Ive got a wife and kid to bring up. I havent gotten much these few years, not even enough for daughters school fees. Ive got to work hard while theres money to be made till the day I die on battlefield. Yeap.

Gao Yang shook his head before saying, Your daughters fees must be really costly.

After mentioning his daughter, Grolevs face was like on cloud nine. He resolutely nodded his head and said, Yeah, my daughters talented in music, I could even say that shes a prodigy. I think I could buy a good piano for her. The one shes currently using is too old, and furthermore, it aint tuned accurately. Also, I want to let her get into the best musical schools, eitherTchaikovsky Conservatory[1] or St. Petersburgs[2]. But those two music schools fees are really expensive, I gotta work real hard for it.

After saying all that in high spirits, Grolevs face was full of yearning. That smile on his face that looked like he was floating off into a reverie It lasted for a long while before Grolev spoke while looking troubled: Dont know how tall my girls now, she must be a great beauty by now, or have a boyfriend probably. Hmm, if her boyfriend bullies her, Id shove my GPMG up his an*s and fire! No, nope, tis too violent. Alright, if her boyfriend bullied her, Id give him hooks and uppercuts to teach him a lesson, yeap, thats it!

Seeing Grolevs face that was brimming with a look of yearning, Gao Yang burst into a roar of laughter. Why dont you ask your daughter? Technologys so advanced now that you could even video-chat her instead of a phone call, why imagine all that by yourself?

After Gao Yang said that, he suddenly found Grolevs face grow dim again. Or rather, his face was full of sorrow.

Nope, I cant get in touch with them, Ive already not seen them for eight years. Forget it, not gonna continue.

After saying that with a face of bereavement and desolation, Grolev didnt have the mood to continue. He turned his head back and looked at the scenery outside the window, dazed, nobody knew what he was thinking.

Gao Yang was little guilty for unravelling, although unintentionally, Grolevs sad memories. Then he found out that he had gotten two people into brooding mode. He figured that he wasnt a good candidate for conversation at all.

Seeing that Grolev was down and spiritless missing his family, Gao Yang couldnt take it either. He was reminded of his parents, and as soon as the Gate of Longing was opened, he could no longer close it even when he wanted to. His head was full of his parents. He was on the verge of tears at this point. He was just silently praying that he could get home safe and sound.

When the fast-rolling car suddenly stopped, Gao Yang got out of that reverie he floated off to earlier finally. He saw that theres a building not far from him in front. He knew that they had finally reached the airport.

After getting out of that car, he saw Morgan and Bob excitedly walk over. Morgans face was full of hard-to-compress excitement, he almost couldnt hold it in. After seeing Gao Yang, Morgan excitedly patted Gao Yangs face twice,

before saying, Gao, youre really my angel, with you always comes good news. You know what, I can leave this God-damned place, Im gonna go with yall.

Gao Yang was glad as long as he could get the heck out of there. But after knowing that Morgan also could, he was still really glad for him as well.

Thats really good news, congratulations!

Morgan laughed twice and twisted his head towards Gao Yang, saying, Lets go, theyve already arranged the runway for us. We should get going and take off!

Hearing that Morgan was going, Grolevs face changed and his voice sunk, Sir, you said youre hiring me till you leave, now seems to be the time.

Morgan nodded and said, If you want to leave, I can take you too. If you want to stay, Im going to give the ten days worth of money to you. You can take it that Im hiring you to enjoy the life here on my behalf. What youre gonna do is up to you. Alright, come aboard to get the money.

Grolev shook his head and replied, Thank you for your kind intentions, but I still gotta refuse. I have personal pride in this, cant accept your donation and charity.

Gao Yang quickly nudged Grolev and said, Dont do this, you said you need the money very much now. Think of it this way: the one grand is your pay, and the twenty grand the tip for your service. The tip is a commendation for your labor, and you know how Americans give tips on a habitual basis. Morgan wouldnt care for this amount of money.

Morgan shrugged and smiled, You can take it that way. I am always grateful to people who have helped me. Or you can take it as business is business, the negotiated deal cant be shortchanged, but tips are fine.

Grolev grinned and said, It seems like I really met a good boss, alright, thank you for your generosity, out of career ethics, in the next ten days, you can ask me to do anything. Doesnt matter if youre here or not.

Morgan slapped his hands really hard and bawled in laughter, Alright, thats it, lets board the plane.

The airport was already controlled by the Resistance, and Gao Yang followed Morg to the hangar without going through the checkpoint. All the planes couldnt fly at this point of time. Only Morgans private jet was on the runway.

The plane was ready to take off. When Gao Yang and the group reached the plane, Morgan waved to his bodyguard. He went up the plane swiftly and came down with a suitcase.

Morgan took the suitcase and took four stacks of notes from it. He then passed two stacks to Grolev and the other two to Hare. Seeing Hares puzzled look, Morgan smiled, Take it, I know youre Gao Yangs friend, not a merc, but theres no other way for me to profess my thanks.

After Gao Yang translated what Morgan said, he told him in Mandarin, Take it, its free so why not? You deserve this much anyways.

Tribo wasnt overly polite and took the notes. He just shoved them into his pockets without much care. While shoving the money into his pockets, his phone simultaneously rang.

He was shoving the money into his pockets with one hand and he took the phone call with the other. But just after saying Hello, he riveted to the floor. Even the shoving of cash stopped. a

After talking in Arab for a few sentences, he hung up and looked at Gao Yang in disbelief and dazedly said a sentence.

Bro Yang, Maliks dead, Fedor too. Theyve been killed.

Translators notes: