บท 80: Chapter 80: Girl's Dream
Taylor's cheeks were flushed, her breathing a bit erratic. Hardy held her gently, leaning in to whisper, "Learn to concentrate."
"Yes, Mr. Hardy," she replied, trying to steady herself.
Hardy guided her hands on the gun, demonstrating how to aim. "Now, let's try shooting together."
"Okay," Taylor said, her fingers trembling slightly as she prepared to pull the trigger.
"Boom!" The shot rang out, and Taylor's body jerked back slightly. Hardy supported her to absorb the recoil.
"My hands feel a little numb," Taylor admitted.
"That's normal if you're not used to it. Practice will make it easier," Hardy reassured her.
Taylor nodded and continued to shoot, though one of her shots missed the target. Hardy reloaded the gun and took a turn, showing her how it's done.
"Watch closely," Hardy said as he took aim. "Feel how it should be done."
"Bang, bang, bang, bang!" The shots hit the target precisely.
Taylor's eyes widened in admiration. "Mr. Hardy, you're amazing! You shoot just like a sharpshooter in the movies."
Hardy chuckled, "This is nothing. I used to be a soldier. Good marksmanship was a survival skill."
"Have you ever been on a battlefield?" Taylor asked, curiosity evident.
"Yes, I've been through many battles," Hardy replied.
Taylor's eyes widened. "Have you ever killed anyone?"
Hardy nodded. "I fought in the Marine Corps during the war with Japan. I've taken the lives of more than thirty Japanese soldiers."
Taylor looked astonished. "Were you scared during the war?"
"At first, yes. But the fear faded as the fighting continued. I focused on avenging my fallen comrades," Hardy explained.
"Have you ever been hurt?" Taylor asked.
"Many times. The worst was last year at Iwo Jima. I was shot in the chest. It took months to recover, but I survived," Hardy said, pointing to his chest.
Taylor was taken aback. "Mr. Hardy, you're so brave. I really admire you!"
Hardy smiled, touched by her admiration. "Let's keep practicing. Matilda in the movie needs to learn to handle guns too."
"Yes, Mr. Hardy, I'll work hard," Taylor said, determined.
The afternoon was spent exploring various types of guns. Later, Hardy took Taylor out for a fun day in the mountains, which ended with him dropping her off at home.
In the car, Hardy asked, "How was your day?"
Taylor's face lit up. "I've never felt so relaxed before. It was so much fun, and it felt freeing without my mom's constant rules. I really enjoyed spending time with you."
"I'm glad to hear that," Hardy said, smiling. "I'll pick you up again tomorrow."
"Great!" Taylor beamed.
Upon arriving home, Taylor's mother, Sara, noticed her short haircut. "Taylor, what happened to your hair?"
Taylor explained with a smile, "Mr. Hardy took me to get it cut. Matilda in the movie has a similar style."
Sara, though surprised, said nothing more. She was more focused on the fact that Taylor seemed happy and energized.
As Taylor drank from her cup, Sara commented, "Remember to use proper manners."
Taylor looked at her mother and said, "Mr. Hardy said that Matilda's character is from a rough background and drinks like this. He's helping me get into character."
Sara was at a loss for words but couldn't argue with Taylor's enthusiasm. She knew how rare and valuable this opportunity was.
"So, what did you do today?" Sara asked.
"In the morning, Mr. Hardy taught me to shoot. The heroine in the movie learns to use guns for revenge. Mr. Hardy was incredible. He hit every target, and I missed quite a few," Taylor said, admiration clear in her voice.
"In the afternoon, we went to the mountains, and Mr. Hardy explained more about the role and let me have fun while practicing," Taylor continued.
Sara was pleased to hear that Hardy was supportive of Taylor's training. It meant a lot that he was investing time in helping her prepare for the role.
"Mr. Hardy said I should relax and experience life like Matilda to better understand her character," Taylor added.
Sara was concerned but recognized the importance of Taylor's role. She knew how crucial this opportunity was and decided to trust Hardy's judgment.
"Alright, Taylor, just do what Mr. Hardy asks. It's a rare chance," Sara said.
Excited, Taylor ran upstairs to shower, her mind racing with thoughts of the day. As she lay in bed, she reflected on Hardy and the experiences they shared. The thought of him holding her during their shooting practice made her cheeks flush with warmth.
That night, Taylor dreamed a dream unique to her—a vivid, enchanting dream inspired by her aspirations and newfound experiences.
The next day, Hardy arrived to pick Taylor up again. She was dressed casually in shorts, boots, and a fluffy shirt, with her hair tousled.
As she jumped into the co-pilot seat of Hardy's car, she greeted him cheerfully, "Good morning, Mr. Hardy!"
Hardy noticed her brightened demeanor, a stark contrast to the more polished image she had previously.
"Today, I'm taking you to see life in the slums. Are you ready?" Hardy asked.
Taylor nodded confidently. "I can handle it."
They drove to the rundown area of Xiacheng. Upon arriving, Hardy instructed Big Ivan to keep an eye on the car.
As they walked through the slum, Taylor was struck by the squalor and poverty. The ground was filthy, and the smell was overwhelming. She saw children fighting over scraps of food and people living in dire conditions.
Hardy explained, "This is the kind of environment Matilda grew up in. It's harsh and unforgiving."
Taylor understood better now. The reality of the slum was a far cry from her previous life. As they continued, she saw the harsh realities of the environment—beggars, dirty streets, and hungry children.
She was deeply moved by the stark contrast between her own life and the life of those in the slums. Taylor realized how crucial it was to immerse herself in the character of Matilda to truly portray her struggles and resilience.
As they passed a grocery store, a group of young men eyed Taylor with interest. Hardy, aware of the situation, stood firm beside her, protecting her from any potential trouble.
The experience in the slum was eye-opening for Taylor, deepening her understanding of Matilda's world and preparing her for the role she aspired to play.
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