Hello, the Sharpshooter Episode 4 Recap
> Hello, the Sharpshooter Recap
Shen Qingyuan sat dejectedly on the training ground, holding catnip in one hand and a stopped pocket watch in the other. Shi Xiaoci approached him, confirming that Coach Zhang had spoken with both of them. She relayed the coach's message that if Shen Qingyuan were to date anyone, it should be her. However, Shi Xiaoci dismissed the idea, acknowledging that such a relationship was impossible as they both prioritized shooting above all else.
Observing the items in his hands, Shi Xiaoci noted their symbolism, suggesting the catnip represented emotional turmoil while the watch represented calmness. Shen Qingyuan then asked if she had ever encountered something as irresistible as catnip—a factor that could potentially interfere with her shooting. Shi Xiaoci admitted that only shooting held such importance for her and confessed she wouldn't know how to choose if such a powerful, interfering factor ever appeared in her life.
Tang Xin wandered aimlessly until Du Lingfeng drove up and offered her a ride. As she looked distraught, he urged her to get in, but hastily told her not to cry in his car, concerned that photos of the scene would lead to misunderstandings. Assuming her distress was due to the online backlash, Du Lingfeng took her to a bar.
When Tang Xin accused him of lying about his identity, he retorted that he never lied about being an ordinary person; she was just gullible for believing it, a point she sadly conceded. Though Du Lingfeng advised her not to worry about the fleeting news cycle, Tang Xin found the strong wine surprisingly sweet and lamented that finding a solution wasn't as simple as he made it sound.
Heartbroken, Tang Xin scattered candy wrappers on the table, murmuring, "Like a whirlpool, we sink together." Dismissing her words as superstition, Du Lingfeng took a picture of the scene and posted it on social media. Jiang Yitian saw the post and rushed to Shen Qingyuan, showing him the photo and worrying that Tang Xin was unsafe with a playboy like Du Lingfeng.
Shen Qingyuan arrived at the bar and pulled a visibly upset Tang Xin away from Du Lingfeng, who jokingly told "Ice-cube Face" to get her home safely. As Shen Qingyuan tried to escort her, Tang Xin tearfully pleaded with him to stop, asserting that his actions were blurring the very line he had insisted on drawing. She told him to stop showing her affection if he was truly committed to keeping his distance, as it only gave her false hope.
Tang Xin confessed that while she knew she shouldn't have approached him, his periodic gestures of concern made her waver every time. She admitted she had been foolishly hoping he would apologize and take back his harsh words. In response, a pained Shen Qingyuan explained that while he normally eliminates anything that interferes with his shooting, he couldn't bring himself to do so with her, admitting he was afraid of his uncontrollable feelings.
Tang Xin told him to stop looking at her and simply focus on his own brilliance, letting nothing else matter. As Tang Xin walked away, Jiang Yitian found Shen Qingyuan and asked if he had found her, but Shen Qingyuan deflected, curtly stating he had gone to practice shooting instead. Later, concerned about Shen Qingyuan's poor mental state, Coach Zhang contacted Dr. Ding.
The coach noted that Shen Qingyuan's ammunition usage was abnormal and his accuracy was unstable, a state he had never seen before. Dr. Ding confirmed his muscle state was not relaxed, attributing it to his psychological condition. She recalled a past conversation where Shen Qingyuan admitted that his love for shooting forced him to stay constantly tense to maintain control and avoid caring about wins or losses.
Dr. Ding concluded that this tension suppressed his deep-seated emotions and that resolving his internal conflict was paramount. The coach then took her to Shen Qingyuan's room, revealing he sometimes slept under his bed when under extreme pressure. There, they found a torn page from his notebook with the single character "Tang" written on it, confirming the source of his distress.
Coach Zhang formally introduced Du Lingfeng to the team as the honorary General Manager of Lingda Group and the project manager for their new sponsorship. Chen Hai immediately questioned his qualifications, asking if he'd ever competed. Du Lingfeng retorted with a mocking reference to Chen Hai's recent four-ring shot, then confidently stated that actions speak louder than words. Meanwhile, Zhou Zuguang summoned Tang Xin to the office for a crisis: Rui Live's entire team was about to be replaced.
He showed her news that Lingda Group was sponsoring the Haiya Shooting Team, with an interview where Du Lingfeng announced plans to change the livestream platform. With both the team and Du Lingfeng ignoring his calls, Zhou Zuguang was desperate. Tang Xin volunteered to speak with Du Lingfeng, revealing she knew him, and was immediately sent to the shooting range. Upon arriving, Tang Xin spotted Shen Qingyuan and hid, texting Du Lingfeng to meet her outside.
Shen Qingyuan discreetly followed and overheard their conversation. Tang Xin questioned Du Lingfeng's decision to pressure Rui Live. He explained that the sponsorship was a long-term plan and that he intended to replace Rui Live simply because he found her boss, Zhou Zuguang, unscrupulous and "an eyesore." Their conversation was cut short when Shen Qingyuan called out that Coach Zhang was looking for Du Lingfeng.
After he left, Shen Qingyuan stood inside a doorway, separated from Tang Xin by a glass wall. They both pretended not to see each other until Shen Qingyuan walked away, after which Tang Xin finally answered a call from Zhou Zuguang and left. As Du Lingfeng officially joined the team as a substitute, with Coach Zhang explaining his status as a transient student, his rivalry with Chen Hai continued. During practice, Du Lingfeng's steady 10.
2 shot surpassed Chen Hai's performance. As a frustrated Chen Hai was about to walk off, Shen Qingyuan intervened, proposing a new challenge: a single-leg balance competition. Du Lingfeng, initially confident, repeatedly lost the balance test. Coach Zhang observed that while Du Lingfeng had quick reflexes, his poor endurance would be a liability in a long competition. He told Du Lingfeng that while his talent was impressive for an amateur, in a high-level team, it was merely a "stepping stone."
Team members began researching Du Lingfeng and discovered his impressive past. Six years prior, he was a star shooter at a U. S. university, winning runner-up in a national college competition and holding significant achievements in the International Practical Shooting Confederation. While the team wondered why he had faded from the scene, Du Lingfeng smugly enjoyed the attention. Shi Xiaoci approached to collect his personal details for the team records. When she asked him to report (bà o) his stats, he delightedly misheard it as an offer for a hug (bà o).
