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Chapter 34: Dad, hang in there, don’t let Lu Li die

As soon as school ended, Chu Zining went to Class 4 to thank Lu Li.

However, she arrived a step too late; Lu Li had already mounted his beloved little bicycle, humming a tune as he headed for the Martial Arts Club.

What Lu Li did not yet know was that a quarrel about him had just erupted inside the Martial Arts Club.

“Old Shao, have you lost your mind? How can the new martial-arts instructor and coach be a high-school kid, even younger than I am?” Xu Feng roared at Shao Kang in the lounge.

Xu Feng, 22 this year, was the seed athlete of the club, and Shao Kang pinned all hopes on him; whether they could win the national martial-arts championship this year depended entirely on Xu Feng’s performance.

Shao Kang frowned and said, “There is always someone better; although he is only a high-school student, he has deep insights into traditional combat and is a genuine expert. This year’s martial-arts tournament is highly unusual: apart from the 18-to-22 age group, there are no separate divisions; all the major schools will compete together, and you will face opponents from every lineage, so you urgently need a coach’s guidance.”

“I do need an instructor, but I don’t need someone weaker than I am! A high-school kid… ha, what caliber is that?” Xu Feng crossed his arms and sneered.

Shao Kang frowned again and said, “An instructor is there to instruct; as long as he knows enough, he doesn’t have to beat you.”

In the martial-arts field Shao Kang had a sharp eye; in yesterday’s spar he had seen that Lu Li had some real skills, but only some real skills.

He had also noticed that Lu Li’s constitution was weak and his stamina poor.

Stamina is crucial for a fighter; on the competition stage, poor endurance can be fatal.

A good fighter can easily exploit an opponent’s weakness, and with Lu Li’s frail constitution he could forget about chasing the title… he could not even beat the Xu Feng in front of him.

Xu Feng slammed the table. “Let me make it clear: if he is weaker than I am, that is unacceptable! Martial arts is a stage for the strong; there is no seat for the weak. If you use him, I quit!”

Holding his head, Shao Kang felt a wave of pain; for the moment Xu Feng was far more important than Lu Li, and hiring Lu Li as coach was precisely for Xu Feng’s sake.

Moreover, what Xu Feng said was true: martial arts is a stage for the strong, and the size of one’s fists decides one’s say.

But how could he explain this to Lu Li? Although he could afford the penalty, signing Lu Li yesterday and firing him today would be sheer mockery.

And then there was his silly daughter… how would he explain it to her…

Xu Feng chuckled. “Hey, Old Shao, don’t feel troubled; I’m not the unreasonable type. How about this: let me fight him once; if he wins I won’t say another word and will call him master on the spot, but if he loses, ha, he packs up and leaves!”

A pro challenging a high-school coach… how was that not unreasonable?

Yet since Xu Feng refused, Shao Kang could not force him.

Shao Kang sighed. “Fine, when Lu Li arrives I’ll tell him myself.”

As soon as Xu Feng left the lounge, Hao Xin’s big-headed boyfriend Zhang Cheng hurried over. “Cousin, how did it go?”

Xu Feng lifted his chin. “Piece of cake; I’ve already found a proper excuse to fight him, just watch!”

Zhang Cheng was overjoyed; he had come to ask Xu Feng to teach Lu Li a lesson, and by coincidence Xu Feng was already angry that the new coach was a high-schooler.

They compared notes and found their anger aimed at the same man, so the brothers decided to deal with Lu Li thoroughly.

Thus the scene of Xu Feng berating Shao Kang had been staged.

This way Xu Feng could both beat Lu Li up with good reason and get him fired… two birds with one stone!

“Cousin, be careful; that Lu Li is still pretty tough,” Zhang Cheng reminded, rubbing his swollen left cheek.

Xu Feng snorted. “I’ve trained eight years in martial arts… if I can’t handle a high-school kid, I might as well bash my head into a wall and die!”

While they were speaking, a figure walked into the Martial Arts Club.

Zhang Cheng pointed at once. “Cousin, that’s Lu Li!”

Xu Feng greeted him with a cold smile.

…

Inside the lounge.

“That’s roughly the situation,” Shao Kang explained to Lu Li helplessly.

“So I’m to fight this professional fighter, right?” Lu Li nodded to show he understood.

Although a coach’s job description didn’t include sparring with pros, Lu Li wasn’t angry at the request.

He had figured from the start that the 5,000-yuan monthly pay wouldn’t be easy money.

Seeing Lu Li silent, seemingly hesitating, Shao Kang gently said, “This really puts you on the spot; if you refuse I can fully understand. Although you’re still on probation, we’re breaching first, so I can compensate you with one month’s salary.”

Shao Kang felt quite embarrassed.

Afraid Lu Li might bolt, Xu Feng crossed his arms and taunted, “Kid surnamed Lu, if you don’t dare fight, get lost; I’ve seen plenty of nobodies like you who don’t know their own weight!”

Shao Kang glared at Xu Feng. “Can’t you talk properly? Did you chew on bullets?”

Lu Li also found it baffling; even if he was young and lacked authority, Xu Feng was being absurdly rude.

“Student Lu, here’s the breach-of-contract payment; please accept it.” Shao Kang pulled a red envelope from the drawer and slid it to Lu Li.

Lu Li waved his hand. “You’re too kind, but I won’t take the penalty money.”

Shao Kang frowned slightly. “Student Lu, people meet and part; why take offense?”

In his mind he felt he had given Lu Li enough face and compensation for his daughter’s sake; Lu Li’s refusal seemed rather ungrateful.

“You misunderstand.” Lu Li chuckled, glanced at Xu Feng, and narrowed his eyes. “I mean I accept the challenge.”

“Oh?” Shao Kang froze, his breath catching, and hurriedly said, “Student Lu, I know you’re upset, but acting on impulse is unwise. Xu Feng isn’t like Shen Huan or Shen Tan; he’s hard to handle. In a pro bout it’s difficult to hold back, and if you can’t defend yourself you might suffer irreparable injury.”

In other words, I could end up crippled… Lu Li mocked inwardly, then nodded. “Rest assured, I’m not acting on impulse… I know exactly what I’m saying.”

I also want to test the limits of my minor-accomplishment-level martial-arts realm.

“But… ”

While Shao Kang still tried to dissuade him, Xu Feng snapped, “Old Shao, sweet talk won’t stop someone who wants to die. Cut the crap… bring out the waiver so we can sign; I want a proper bout with this guy.”

Taking a deep breath, Shao Kang finally asked, “Student Lu, are you really going to fight? This is no joke!”

Lu Li nodded firmly.

“All right, then.” Shao Kang produced the waiver; as he watched them sign, he secretly pulled out his phone to text his daughter.

“Linlin, your little sweetheart is about to duel Xu Feng. He’s set on dying and Dad can’t stop him! If you’re late, you’ll only be able to collect his corpse!”

Cutest Linlin in the World: (￣△￣；)

Cutest Linlin in the World: (；￣△￣)

Cutest Linlin in the World: (⊙ˍ⊙)

Cutest Linlin in the World: Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

Cutest Linlin in the World: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

Cutest Linlin in the World: Dad, I’m on my way! If necessary you must rush in and take a couple of punches for Lu Li… hang in there and don’t let him die!

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