Chapter 78

Song Haowen lay on the kang, unable to fall asleep for a while. He began to worry that his fights yesterday and today might bring him new troubles.

As the ancient saying goes, “A master is more afraid of a master among masters.” Currently, he was just showing off in front of those who didn’t know martial arts.

If he were to encounter a real martial arts expert, he could be in danger.

With these thoughts, a strong desire to improve his martial arts skills urgently emerged in Song Haowen’s heart.

However, with his proficient in Tai Chi, it seemed to be challenging making significant progress in a short time.

He needed to find a new path, a martial art that could rapidly enhance his skills. Unable to sleep for the moment, he started practicing Exercises according to the routines he learned in his past life.

After an unknown amount of time, Song Haowen fell into a deep sleep. When he opened his eyes, it was already daylight. Not wanting to be scolded as a “lazy bum” by the two female classmates, he overcame his fatigue and got up.

He thought he was waking up early, but when he looked in the living room, the two girls had already gotten up and were nowhere to be seen, probably having gone to buy breakfast.

Song Haowen quickly washed up, and seeing the two girls hadn’t returned yet, and there was still some time before school, he went to the courtyard to practice Tai Chi.

After finishing his practice, the two girls returned, bringing three steamed buns for him. After eating the buns, he went to school with the two girls. When they reached the university gate, two young men in blue sportswear walked towards them and called out to Song Haowen.

Not knowing what was happening, Song Haowen stopped to look at them. After confirming Song Haowen’s identity, they pointed to the words on their clothes and said they were athletes from the national martial arts team.

They wanted Song Haowen to visit their training ground for a martial arts exchange.

Song Haowen immediately refused, stating that he knew nothing about martial arts and was just using some random moves, not suitable for formal occasions.

However, the two were patient, persistently trying to convince him. Ren Hua couldn’t stand it and walked over to push the two away, saying, “He has already said he won’t go. Are you still going to insist? If you don’t step back, we’ll be late.”

Helpless, the two athletes had to let Song Haowen enter the school gate. After two classes, when Song Haowen followed his classmates out of the building, intending to do some exercises on the square in front of the building, someone grabbed him.

Turning around, he saw the two athletes who had stopped him at the school gate in the morning, and his expression immediately darkened.

One tall and thin, over 180 cm, with a long face and big eyes; the other slightly chubby, around 170 cm, with a large head and round face.

The taller athlete, wearing a smile, led the displeased Song Haowen to a corner of the stairs where they couldn’t be seen by the students assembling on the square.

“What’s going on with you two? Didn’t I say I won’t go?” Song Haowen said with some anger.

“Sorry, Brother Song.” The slightly shorter athlete hurriedly explained, “It’s like this. My name is He Hu, and he is Zhao Meng. We are indeed athletes from the national martial arts team, both winning the martial arts championship at last year’s national games in Beijing.”

“Oh, excuse me, excuse me!” Song Haowen respectfully greeted them. “Since you both have won championships, your level must be exceptional. If I perform in front of you and spar, it would be like showing off in front of experts, wouldn’t it?”Top of Form

Zhao Meng awkwardly explained, “To be honest, Brother, we mainly practice competition routines, standardized moves. We still have shortcomings in actual combat. Next month, a boxing delegation from the United States is coming to China for a friendly competition with our martial artists. Both of us are national champions, so we need to prepare for the match. However, we learned from the embassy that these athletes claim to be amateurs, but their skills are not far from professional athletes. The most formidable among them, named Benjamin, once fought a full ten rounds against a professional heavyweight champion before losing. We’ve never competed in a professional match and have no confidence in winning against him.”

Song Haowen recalled a famous international martial arts friendly match in his past life around this time. The result was 2:3, with the Chinese team losing one round more.

There seemed to be a black athlete named Benjamin in the US team, who later became a boxing champion but ended up with a notorious reputation, involving biting, drug abuse, indulgence, rape, brawls, and eventually dying in the arms of two women.

He Hu continued, “This competition is highly regarded as it involves national honor. In addition to assembling our national team, they are also opening the door to martial arts experts from the civilian population for the first time.

These days, there are rumors everywhere in Beijing about you defeating more than ten people alone. We are curious about your skills and want to witness it firsthand.”

Song Haowen immediately declined, saying, “My meager skills are not suitable for such occasions. Thank you for valuing me, but I don’t want to go, and I don’t have the time.”

Zhao Meng persuaded, “If you have real skills, I hope you can overcome difficulties and challenge yourself. After all, such opportunities for this kind of competition are rare. If you win, it would bring glory to our country.”

Song Haowen shook his head like a rattle drum. “No, I’m not a professional. I don’t even have confidence in winning against your teammates, let alone bringing glory to the country. Please don’t force me to embarrass myself. You’d better find someone else.”

After saying this, he went straight back to the classroom, leaving Zhao Meng and He Hu stranded there.

However, Zhao Meng and He Hu were not giving up. They planned to convince Song Haowen during lunchtime.

Seeing that they were still waiting outside when he noticed them, Song Haowen slipped out from another gate, decided not to eat lunch at school, and went directly back to the business store.

In the afternoon, Song Haowen simply skipped classes and stayed busy at the store until 3 p.m. Then, he rushed to the music room.

When they arrived at the music studio, only Su Yan and the female assistant were in the office; Tian Nana had not finished school yet.

Su Yan spoke first to Song Haowen, “From now on, you stay here and don’t let outsiders see you. No matter what happens in the small theater tonight, don’t go there. Otherwise, it will never end.”

Song Haowen, still feeling uneasy, replied, “I think it’s not just for tonight. In the coming days, I might not be able to show up.”

Su Yan laughed, revealing a row of white teeth. “You’re worrying too much. I reckon as long as you stay resolute today and don’t show up, no one will make a fuss tomorrow. After all, you are a legitimate singer, not a street performer. Playing with guns and sticks, boxing and kicking, those are not your specialties.”

Song Haowen looked troubled. “Auntie, I might have gotten into a big trouble.”

Su Yan was startled, her face immediately changing color. “Child, what are you saying? Don’t scare me.”

Song Haowen then explained the encounter with the national martial arts team athletes.

Upon hearing this, Su Yan immediately jumped up from her chair. “Good for you. Child, you are not an athlete. Never agree to them, even if you have the ability. You are a singer, relying on your face and voice for a living. Boxing is about the face, whether you win or lose. If you get injured or damage your vocal cords, your career as a singer will be over. It’s not worth the risk!”

Feeling the weight of her words, Song Haowen nodded. “Auntie, I’m afraid they won’t give up and might come here again. You have to help me fend them off.”

Su Yan sneered. “Of course, you don’t need to tell me. I’ll handle it. Don’t worry too much about it. You just relax here, have some tea. I’ll go check the preparations for the evening performance.” She left the office with her assistant, locking the door behind them.

Sighing, Song Haowen thought, “I’ve really brought this trouble upon myself.” But facing those arrogant thugs, if he didn’t step up, it would be embarrassing and detrimental to his image.

As Song Haowen was internally struggling with regret in the office, Tian Nana arrived. She handed him a newspaper with a complicated expression, saying, “Your heroic deeds are in the news.”

Opening the newspaper, the freshly printed “Beijing Evening News” featured an article about him.

The entire third page was filled with his story and performance photos. The headline read, “Young Pop Star Displays Martial Arts Skills, Takes Down Dozens of Thugs in an Instant.” Journalist Gu Ziwei, through the perspectives of police officers and onlookers, objectively narrated the events, vividly recreating the thrilling fight scenes.

Additionally, the article covered Song Haowen’s scientific talent, musical achievements, and the exciting moments of his martial art competition with the audience at the theater, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of Song Haowen.

“Gu Ziwei is really talented. After such a short interaction with us, she managed to write such a substantial article, and it’s quite authentic. Impressive,” Tian Nana praised.

“I remember her camera was broken, right? Where did the photos in the newspaper come from?” Song Haowen asked in confusion.

“Hehe, the camera’s outer shell was broken, but it doesn’t mean the film inside was damaged. As long as the film wasn’t exposed, it’s still usable,” Tian Nana explained.

Song Haowen smiled wryly. “With Gu Ziwei’s report, it seems like I’ve gained another halo as an action star.”

Tian Nana gazed at him, smiling slightly. “Having an extra halo isn’t a bad thing, is it? Many people dream of having even one halo.”

Song Haowen felt troubled and sighed deeply. “Nana sister, you know I don’t want to be famous. Fame can be both good and bad. Now, I’m facing a dilemma. What do you think I should do?” He then explained the situation with the invitation from the national martial arts team.

After listening, Tian Nana’s eyes lit up, and she immediately said, “Oh, this is a good thing. Why are you worried?”

Song Haowen was puzzled. “What good thing? I think it’s a big trouble.”