“I never thought you were so impressive!” Yang Xue patted me as we walked, smiling.
“I am just average, just third best in the world!” I grinned back.
Yang Fan chuckled beside us. “This time we really showed off! Let that Lin Youchen keep acting cool. I wonder how many will join our club now!”
“Dream on if you think anyone’s joining!” I shot Yang Fan a look.
He froze. “What do you mean?”
“You think a fight will bring people? Our club doesn’t even have basic funds!” I told him.
Yang Fan slapped my shoulder, smug. “We can collect membership fees. Funds solved!”
“You said it yourself—fees! The karate club doesn’t charge and even pays monthly! Which would you pick?”
Lin Youchen’s terms were tempting. Money blinds too many people. Plus, he’s handsome, young, and rich, drawing plenty of girls, which naturally pulls in guys like Pan Jun. No way our martial arts club can compete with karate.
“I’d join ours. Learning real skills matters!” Yang Fan said earnestly.
I wanted to slap him but held back, grumbling, “That’s ‘cause you’re an idiot!”
“You—you called me an idiot!” Yang Fan, stunned, turned to Yang Xue. “Senior, he called me an idiot!”
“Xia Tian’s right…” Yang Xue shook her head helplessly.
Yang Fan was floored. “Even you think I’m an idiot?!”
“Stop freaking out like an idiot! I didn’t mean you’re an idiot. Xia Tian’s point stands—we can’t recruit anyone right now,” Yang Xue snapped at him. Though, it kinda sounded like she still called him an idiot…
“Then why’d we challenge them today?” Yang Fan sulked.
Yang Xue nudged her chin at me. “Ask our hero Xia.”
“Me? I just had an itch to fight!” I laughed it off.
Back at the martial arts club, the empty room hit me hard. My first day, and not only did we not gain members, we lost some.
“Today was just to get you familiar. Our club’s small, so we can’t get funds for events,” Yang Xue said, resigned.
I comforted her. “No worries. Our club will rise one day!”
“Hope you’re right,” she smiled faintly, probably doubting it.
I glanced at Yang Fan, then Yang Xue. “You’re both named Yang. Relatives?”
“No relation, just coincidence!” Yang Xue laughed, shaking her head.
Yang Fan gave a wry smile. “Today’s win didn’t gain us much, but seeing Lin Youchen’s sour face made my day!”
“Then… should we celebrate?” Yang Xue suggested.
“Hell yeah!” Yang Fan cheered.
Yang Xue looked at me. “Got time to dine with a lady, hero Xia?”
“Absolutely!” I agreed instantly.
Lin Youchen tried threats and money, but never got Yang Xue to dine with him. I didn’t even ask, yet she invited me. If he knew, he’d be livid. Proof not all women chase gold!
Just then, my phone rang. My old brick-moving phone broke, so I’d switched to Qin Shousheng’s !Phone. It was my first time using it.
It was Qin Shousheng. I turned to Yang Xue. “Senior, I’ll take this call.”
She nodded with a smile, silent.
“Uncle Qin, Xia Tian here. What’s up?” Qin Shousheng rarely contacts me, so this was odd.
He chuckled. “I’ve sent your protection target’s info to your email. Check it out.”
“D*mn! Now? I thought you dropped this deal!” I groaned. Sending the target’s info this late? Total scam!
Qin Shousheng sighed. “There’s a reason it’s late. I explained in the email. Check it on a computer now.”
“I’m out, but I’ll head back!” I hung up, sheepishly telling Yang Xue, “Senior, sorry, urgent matter. Gotta go. Dinner’s off.”
“No problem. Looks important. We’ll eat another time!” Yang Xue wasn’t upset.
“Thanks for understanding, Senior. I’m off!” I headed out.
As I left, I heard Yang Fan whisper, “Senior, we still eating out?”
“Eat what? I’ve got a box of instant noodles at home. Help yourself!” Yang Xue snapped.
Wow, Senior Yang Xue flips faster than the weather!
I unlocked the apartment door and saw Tang Shuyao watching TV alone.
She glanced over. “Narcissist’s back? Cook already, I’m starving!”
“Where’s everyone?” I asked, seeing only her, not Mei’er or the others.
“Sister Mengdie’s upstairs reading, Ziyan’s at work, Mengxin and Mei’er are grocery shopping. We’re waiting on you to cook!” Tang Shuyao munched chips, grumbling, “I’m practically dead from hunger!”
“When Sister Lin and Mei’er return, I’ll cook.” I headed to my room.
In my bedroom, I opened my laptop, logged into my email, and found an unread file. I clicked it.
A passage caught my eye first:
[At the start of the semester, those assassins will strike. We didn’t let you protect directly to avoid drawing their attention, which could prompt them to send more people. Please understand…]
[But I’m gambling with the target’s life. It’s not simple. Involving you makes me guilty, but someone has to do it.]
[Older mercenaries would alert the assassins, so I chose you, a student. Your name reminds me too much of an old friend. I almost gave up several times.]
[In the end, I steeled myself to train you for our contract. Master Long, a revered martial arts elder, trained you. I hope you’re ready for the task.]
[While protecting your target, Uncle Qin hopes you protect yourself too…]
[Below is your protection target’s info. Delete after reading!]
I was about to scroll down when Sister Lin’s voice rang out.
“Come help me and Mei’er! We’re exhausted!”
As always, Sister Lin’s timing was perfect. I closed the laptop and headed out.