Zhao Jincheng was furious, but it was utterly useless.
Not only did he fail to hit Zhao Rui, but he also got an earful from his own father.
His expression all but said it: ’How did I raise such a good-for-nothing? Your son is way better than you!’
Once his father had spoken, Zhao Jincheng took the excuse to back down gracefully. Everyone sat back at the table, once again talking and laughing.
It wasn’t that he actually wanted to beat Zhao Rui; the truth was, he was just scared for him in hindsight.
Swords have no eyes, and firearms even less so.
If he’d gotten so much as a scratch, it would have been too late for regrets.
What parent wouldn’t worry about or ache for their own son?
His outburst was, in a way, also a substitute for voicing his wife’s grievances. ’After all these years of you looking down on our family with scorn and sarcasm...’
’...in the end, my son is the one who saved you. Have you no sha!’
The intrigue and scheming between the brothers and their wives didn’t get in the way of the rry feast.
The drinking, however, had nothing to do with Zhao Rui and the other mbers of the younger generation.
The kids had finished their dinner long ago and had since disappeared into the adjacent west room to play gas on a tablet.
The dim, orange glow of a tungsten bulb shone through the peeling, ancient window fra, casting a tiless silhouette across the courtyard.
Inside the old family ho, the boisterous conversation of the adults mingled with the gleeful shouts of the children, the sounds weaving together and drifting out into the night.
The night was crisp and cold under a bright, hanging moon. Across the vast expanse of the land, countless hos were lit up. Then, suddenly, the sound of firecrackers erupted from all sides, thundering to the heavens as brilliant fireworks burst forth, illuminating the world below.
...
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Rui’s family returned to Lin City, after stopping for a visit at his maternal grandmother’s house.
Zhao Rui’s family had always been close with his maternal grandmother’s side. Since they were all ordinary people and Zhao Rui was their only Martial Arts Student, he was naturally held in particularly high regard.
Needless to say, it was a lively affair.
The reason they returned so early was simple: Zhao Jincheng had to be back at work on the fourth day of the New Year.
He only had a three-and-a-half-day holiday in total.
After returning ho and resting for two days, it was suddenly the sixth day of the New Year.
It was a busy day. For one, Huasheng Club had reopened, and he had a class to teach in the afternoon.
His student was a middle-aged woman who had signed up at the end of the year. She was attractive, with the distinct allure of a young married woman. But alas, ti waits for no one; neither the texture nor the firmness of her skin could compare to a young girl’s.
And how did Zhao Rui know all this, you ask?
Do you think a coach only teaches with his words?
Secondly, it was also the day of his high school reunion. The enthusiasm was palpable; the group chat had been buzzing with activity right after the New Year.
They could hardly wait for the sixth to arrive.
It was their first year after graduation, so the desire to get together was understandably strong. That feeling would gradually fade over ti.
After lunch, Zhao Rui headed to the Huasheng Martial Arts Competition Club.
The woman had arrived early and was already waiting for him, dressed in a light, form-fitting workout outfit.
The mont she saw Zhao Rui arrive, her bright, captivating eyes locked onto him and never left.
’Her stare is making my skin crawl. If I’d known this woman was so openly lusting after , I never would have agreed to be her instructor.’
"Sister Shen, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year, Xiaozhao. I brought you a gift. See if you like it."
As Sister Shen spoke, she pulled a square box from her handbag.
Her slender hands gently opened the box. A brilliant gleam of light flashed from within, catching the eye.
"A Bai Feili watch. Do you like it?"
"..."
’Zhao Rui’s expression was a complicated ss. This thing is worth over two hundred thousand! I never knew my face was this valuable. I have Sister Shen to thank for this validation. And for this generous gift package. I’m so unworthy!’
"Sister Shen, I can’t accept this."
Zhao Rui quickly refused.
"Xiaozhao, don’t read too much into it. It’s just a small token of my appreciation. I think of you as a little brother."
’Little brother, my ass.’
Zhao Rui looked at her delicate act and couldn’t help but shake his head. ’If only she were twenty years younger...’
"I said no, and I an no. Sister Shen, if you insist, I’ll have to stop being your instructor."
Zhao Rui said, his tone firm and righteous.
"Okay, okay. If you won’t take the watch, then let treat you to dinner tonight. I heard a new Western restaurant just opened, and it’s supposed to be quite good."
"I have a high school reunion tonight. I’m sorry, Sister Shen. Let’s just start the class."
With that, Zhao Rui adopted a ready stance and looked at her.
"A high school reunion?"
Sister Shen paused, then asked with curiosity, "Where is it being held?"
"I’d rather not say. Sister Shen, I’m making my move."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Rui launched a straight punch.
At this, Sister Shen gave a seductive smile and quickly parried his attack. The two began to spar, trading blows in a lively exchange.
’Thousand Willow Brush Sleeve Skill copy progress: 80%...’
As ti passed, the progress bar in Zhao Rui’s mind slowly filled.
He made this sparring session exceptionally long, spending nearly the entire class trading techniques and deliberately giving her no chance to speak.
"Alright, Sister Shen, that’s all for today. There are several issues with your techniques. I’ll do so research and help you analyze and correct them next ti."
The mont the class was scheduled to end, Zhao Rui eagerly announced it was over.
"Oh, Xiaozhao, you’ve made sore all over. You’re such a clueless boy, with no idea how to be gentle with a lady."
"..."
Even with the mories of an older man from a past life, Zhao Rui was still completely flustered by the woman’s advances and beat a hasty retreat.
After leaving the Martial Arts Hall, his heart still pounding, he took a mont to compose himself before getting on his bike and heading for the Pullman Hotel.
This reunion had been organized by none other than his old classmate Wang Han, the genius Martial Arts Student who was infamous for hitting on their teacher back in the day.
The guy ca from a powerful family and was footing the entire bill for the dinner at the Pullman—a very flashy display of wealth.
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