37: Chapter 37 Good News and Bad News 37: Chapter 37 Good News and Bad News Cui Bo stared blankly at Gao Yang for a long time before murmuring to himself, “Can’t be, right?
This rifle looks pretty new.”
Frustrated beyond words, Gao Yang finally couldn’t help but curse, “You dimwit, where is the Dragunov made?
Even if you can’t recognize what a real Dragunov looks like, can’t you at least tell whether the letters on this gun are Russian?
This damn thing is made in Iraq, an Aokade knock-off—read the damn writing clearly there on the gun.
It’s an Iraqi imitation, a knock-off, got it?
This crappy gun would be lucky to shoot two thousand rounds, and you’re using this piece of junk to practice shooting?
The rifling’s gone, what the heck are you practicing for?”
Rabbit had a look of wanting to cry but having no tears, he glanced at the gun resting on his lap, then suddenly slapped his forehead and said with a grimace, “That explains why I can’t hit anything accurate beyond three hundred meters, even with good aim.
I always thought it was my fault, turns out it’s this darn rifle that’s no good.”
“Pfft, it’s just the rifle’s fault?
A SVD shoots 7N1 rounds, specialized sniper bullets.
Your piece of crap can’t even fire specialized sniper rounds, you can only shoot these bullets.
Look at your ammunition, what is it?
It’s 7.62x54R, machine gun rounds.
You think you can hit anything accurate with them?”
Taking the bullet from Gao Yang’s hand, Cui Bo sighed heavily and said, “Ignorance is really scary.
I like sniper rifles, but never really studied the Dragunov.
I’ve only been into those with rotating bolt actions, barely looked into semi-automatic sniper rifle specs.
I have no love for the old Russian’s SVD, wouldn’t have bought one if I had any choice, so I didn’t realize this was a knock-off.
Plus, this is the first real gun I’ve ever handled, how would I know what worn rifling looks like?
The arms dealer told me it was new, so I just took his word for it.”
Gao Yang knew it wasn’t Cui Bo’s fault.
Cui Bo’s knowledge about guns was all theoretical.
If it hadn’t been for Gao’s own shooting practice, he wouldn’t have been able to tell whether the gun’s rifling was worn out severely or not.
Some things just can’t be learned without hands-on experience.
“Enough, no more talking, you being a mercenary with this kind of knowledge, you won’t even know how you died.
Come back home with me, cut the nonsense.”
Cui Bo nodded dejectedly, without any intention to argue.
Seeing Cui Bo no longer insisting on staying to be a mercenary relieved Gao Yang, and to prevent Cui Bo from getting any ideas about staying, he didn’t dare provoke him any further and started speaking with Glolov in English, since Cui Bo didn’t understand it anyway.
“Golov, it’s really been a pleasure to know you.
We’re about to head back home, what are you planning to do?
Are you staying here?”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Glolov turned his head back, smiled at Gao Yang, and said, “Of course, I’m staying.
You know, these past few years you could say the world was at peace, hardly any work for mercenaries.
And even if there was, only big companies like Blackwater would do.
Now that things are finally getting chaotic again, it’s time to make some money.”
“Hah, you guys must be the group of people who wish for wars the most in this world.
So what are you planning on doing next?
Joining a mercenary group?”
After a moment of silence, Glolov nodded and said, “I have to thank you.
Thanks to you, I got a good employer.
Two thousand dollars a day is a high rate.
I think after this job, I’ll probably join a mercenary group.
Going it alone without reliable comrades is just too tough.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “That’s right.
If you plan to keep being a mercenary, it’s best to find some comrades you can entrust your life to.
But do you plan to be a mercenary forever?
Haven’t you thought about quitting, I mean haven’t you considered when you might retire?”
Glolov’s face fell, and after a long sigh, he said with a bitter smile, “I can’t do anything but fight.
Plus, I have a wife and kids to support.
I haven’t earned much over the years, not even enough to cover my daughter’s tuition.
I need to take advantage of this opportunity to earn money while I can, until the day I die in battle, I suppose.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “Your daughter’s tuition must be very expensive.”
Talking about his daughter brought a spark back to Glolov’s face.
He nodded firmly and said, “Yes, my daughter is immensely talented in music; I’d even say she’s a genius.
I think this time I can buy her a good piano.
The one she’s currently got is too old—the tone isn’t quite right.
Also, I want her to attend the best music academy, Tchaikovsky Music Academy, or St.
Petersburg Music Academy isn’t bad either.
But those two are expensive, I’ll have to work hard to make money.”
After speaking fervently, Glolov, with a wistful look and a dazed smile on his face, remained lost in thought for a while before slowly saying, “I wonder how tall my daughter is now.
She must be quite a beauty by now, and maybe she even has a boyfriend, who knows.
Hmm, if her boyfriend dares to mistreat her, I’ll stuff a machine gun up his ass and pull the trigger.
No, no, that’s too violent.
Alright, if her boyfriend dares to mistreat her, I’ll give him a good beating with my fists.
That’s the way to do it!”
Seeing Glolov’s dreamy expression, Gao Yang chuckled and said, “Why don’t you just ask your daughter?
With today’s technology, not only could you make a phone call but you could also video chat with her.
Why guess when you don’t have to?”
After Gao Yang finished speaking, he suddenly noticed Glolov’s face sinking again, or rather, a look of sorrow overtaking him.
“I can’t contact them, I haven’t seen them for eight years.
Let’s drop it.”
Having spoken in a downcast tone, Glolov clearly lost his enthusiasm, turned his head back, and stared blankly at the scenery outside the window, lost in his thoughts.
It seemed that Gao Yang had unintentionally touched on a painful subject for Glolov, and he felt a bit apologetic.
Then he realized he had made both of them melancholic, and suddenly, Gao Yang felt that he was not a good choice for making conversation.
Seeing Glolov saddened by the thought of his loved ones, Gao Yang also felt uncomfortable.
He thought of his own parents, and once the gates of longing were open, they couldn’t be closed.
Gao Yang’s mind was flooded with images of his parents, and he nearly burst into tears.
All he could do now was silently pray, hoping he could return home safely this time.
Only when the speeding car came to a sudden halt did Gao Yang snap out of his homesickness.
Looking ahead at the towering building not far away, he knew the airport had finally been reached.
After getting out of the car, Gao Yang saw Morgan and Bob walking towards him, beaming with excitement.
Morgan’s face was flush with excitement, and upon seeing Gao Yang, he gave him two hearty pats on the shoulder, said, “Gao, you’re really my angel.
There’s always good news when I’m with you.
You know what?
I can leave this damn place now.
I’ll be leaving with you.”
Gao Yang was happy just to be able to leave, but knowing that Morgan could too made him genuinely happy for him.
“That’s great news.
Congratulations,” he said.
Morgan laughed heartily and jerked his head towards Gao Yang, said, “Let’s go.
They’ve arranged a runway for us.
We can take off right away.”
Upon hearing that Morgan was leaving, Glolov’s expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, “Sir, you said you’d hire me until you left.
It seems it’s time now.”
Morgan nodded and said, “If you want to leave, I can take you with me.
Of course, if you want to stay, I’ll give you ten days’ pay in full.
You can consider it as me hiring you to enjoy life here on my behalf.
The choice is yours.
Now, let’s go to the plane to get your money.”
Glolov shook his head and said, “Thank you for your kindness, but I must decline.
I have my own dignity, and I can’t accept your charity.”
Gao Yang quickly nudged Glolov and said, “Don’t be like that.
You said you needed the money right now.
You can think of it this way: the thousand is salary, and the twenty thousand is a tip, an appreciation for your work.
You know Americans are accustomed to tipping, and Mr.
Morgan doesn’t care about the money.”
Morgan shrugged and smiled, said, “That’s one way to look at it.
You can think of me as always being grateful to those who’ve helped me, or you can see it as business is business; the agreed price cannot change but tipping is allowed.”
Glolov smiled and said, “It seems I’ve truly found a good boss.
Well then, thank you for your generosity.
Out of professional ethics, for the next ten days, you can ask me to do anything, whether you’re here or not.”
Morgan smacked his hand loudly and laughed, “Alright, that settles it.
Now let’s head to the plane.”
The airport was now under the control of the opposition.
Gao Yang followed Morgan back into the airport without going through the terminal building.
All the planes were grounded except for Morgan’s private plane.
The plane was ready for takeoff.
As Gao Yang and his companions approached it, Morgan gestured to his bodyguard, who quickly boarded the plane and then came back down with a briefcase.
After receiving the briefcase, Morgan took out four bundles of cash and gave two to Glolov.
He intended to give the other two to Cui Bo.
Seeing Cui Bo’s puzzled expression, Morgan laughed and said, “Take it.
I know you’re Gao’s friend, not a mercenary, but I have no other way to express my thanks.”
After translating Morgan’s words, Gao Yang said to Cui Bo in Chinese with a smile, “Take it.
It’s free money, and you deserve it, after all.”
Cui Bo was not shy.
After taking the cash, he casually stuffed it into his pocket.
Just as he was doing so, his phone rang.
With one hand shoving money into his pocket and the other answering the phone, Cui Bo was startled after just a greeting.
His hand stopped moving, and after a few excited words in Arabic, he hung up the phone.
Then, with a look of disbelief, he turned to Gao Yang and muttered.
“Brother Yang, Malik is dead, Fedor too.
They’ve been killed.”