Chapter 106: The Young Legendary Sniper

"I'm not hurt, Uncle Victor, no need to worry!"

Carter shook his head at the words. To be honest, as someone who grew up in peacetime, Carter had no concept of gunfire at all. Even when Victor pulled him down, in the dark and amidst overlapping gunshots, Carter didn't even realize that someone had fired a second shot besides himself.

If there was any injury at all, it was the pain from hitting his head on the ground when Victor pulled him down. As for the thrilling experience or the scare during the gunfire, Carter didn't feel any of it. He hadn't even noticed that a bullet had grazed past him just moments ago.

"Thank goodness, sir, it's really great that you're okay! I'm really sorry, I almost hurt you."

Seeing Carter shake his head to confirm his well-being, Wayne's psychological burden was lifted. With that out of the way, it was time for damage control.

"Chris! Come over here and apologize to this gentleman!"

Perhaps due to Wayne's exemplary behavior in handling the aftermath, Chris, though visibly scared, walked up to Carter and bowed slightly:

"I'm sorry, sir! I fired at you without properly confirming, I'm really sorry."

"Gentlemen, I'm offering $2000 in compensation for mental distress. And if you need to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up, I'll cover the expenses."

After Chris apologized, Wayne tentatively proposed a compensation plan. With Carter and his companions relatively unharmed, Wayne's nerves eased. The compensation offered, whether the $2000 for mental distress or the full medical check-up, was quite generous considering the circumstances. In other words, Wayne's sincerity left little room for Carter to find fault.

With only a slight scare and a bit of relief, Carter nodded in acceptance of Wayne's proposed compensation plan. At the same time, he frowned at the small boy not far away:

"Mr. Wayne Kyle. A check-up isn't necessary, but I have to say. Even though I was lucky this time and wasn't injured, how old is your child? Five? Or six? Allowing such a young child to handle real firearms seems rather inappropriate, doesn't it? What if something similar happens in the future?"

"You're right, I won't let him touch real guns again! But, I suggest you still get checked, for peace of mind. You don't need to worry about saving me money. I work at the American Telegraph and Telephone Company, and while life isn't luxurious, I think I can afford these expenses. It's important to get checked in case you're scared or get injured, timely examination and treatment to avoid future problems."

"No! Dad, it's not my fault this time. It was just bad luck, we just happened to encounter each other. And besides, they really looked like wild boars just now, I didn't mean to aim the gun at people!"

Hearing his father threaten to take away his gun-playing privileges, the little boy immediately protested. His fair face was full of grievance, and in the light provided by the illumination lamp, Carter could even see the glint of tears in his eyes.

This damn, tough Texan spirit was truly eye-opening for Carter.

Ignoring the uncles earlier, now looking at the little boy who dared to handle real guns at such a young age, Carter couldn't help but wonder. In his childhood, he was still playing with toy guns at this age. After all, the national conditions were different, and there was no comparison. But even in other parts of America, there were few kids this age playing with such things.

And it seemed like he was really enjoying it. Now that he heard his father forbid him from playing again, he was on the verge of tears.

"Chris! Christopher! I haven't settled the matter with you tonight, why did you shoot without waiting for me to confirm? Huh? Go lie down on that rock over there, you must pay for your mistake!"

"I didn't, I didn't mean to shoot, I saw a snake nearby and I got nervous and pulled the trigger, wuwuwu, I didn't mean it, I don't want to be beaten."

Seeing his father start to undo his belt, the little boy didn't understand what he was about to face. Well, no more playing with guns and now he's going to be beaten, the double grievance and double stimulus completely broke the little guy's psychological defense, and he burst into tears.

But interestingly, it seemed like he was used to being beaten. While crying, the boy obediently walked to the rock, ready to accept the imminent, mountain-like love from his father.

Compared to some unruly kids Carter had seen before, this little boy named Chris was already quite sensible and obedient.

Wait, what did he say?!

Chris, Christopher? And then, what Mr. Wayne said.

"Wait a minute!"

Carter was suddenly startled, Chris Kyle.

The future legendary sniper of America, unofficially recorded to have killed over 255 enemy combatants on the Iraqi battlefield, officially recorded with 160 enemy kills, the most lethal sniper in American military history, Chris Kyle?!

"What's wrong? Mr. Carter, you don't have to pity him. We Kyle's always insist, if you make a mistake, you must be punished. No matter what he did, once he did it, this is the punishment he deserves. I'm not deliberately trying to manipulate the child's sympathy in front of you to gain your inner remorse. In fact, when we get home, he will also receive the punishment he deserves. It's just that because of what he just said, I decided to do it a little earlier."

The Kyle family. The Kyle family.

Echoing in Carter's mind were the words of Wayne Kenneth Kyle. Carter looked at the little boy not far away, who was crying while obediently lying on the rock, his brows twitching crazily.

It seemed like in the autobiographical movie "American Sniper," Chris Kyle was from Texas. So this little boy who dared to handle real guns at the age of five or six, was very likely the future legendary figure.

With a mixture of admiration for the living legend and a slightly dark worry, Carter initially wanted to speak up to stop Wayne's actions. If this little devil were to hold a grudge because of this beating, Carter felt like he wouldn't even be able to sleep in the future.

Being targeted by a gunman was already dangerous enough, but if he were to be targeted by such a legendary sniper, Carter felt like not even having nine heads would be enough to endure. Don't think that children won't hold grudges; some children are often more vengeful than adults.

At least Carter himself was such a person. When he grew up, he had some reason and understood what compromise was and what was unnecessary. Over time, any dissatisfaction would dissipate. But in his childhood, those kids who bullied him, Carter remembered them very clearly.

Comparing himself to others, it was better to instill the correct values in him beforehand.

And whether it was the description in "American Sniper" or what he saw now, it indicated that the Kyle family's upbringing was excellent. Punishment for mistakes, taking responsibility, there was nothing wrong with that! Thinking about this, Carter pointed to the leather belt in Wayne's hand and said:

"I mean, Chris is still a child after all, Mr. Wayne, could you go a little lighter on him? Let him learn from this mistake, understand that it was wrong, and take it as a lesson. Isn't this a bit too much?"