Chapter 29: You Are a Martial Arts Student
Due to Zhao Ke’s situation, Xue Wenhui took a week off work to stay home and accompany her son.
Zhao Ke had suffered a severe mental blow from the incident and had become taciturn at home. Naturally, his family avoided mentioning what had happened.
This emotional setback left Zhao Rui helpless, especially since he was the “trigger” for the whole affair. It was better for him not to appear too often in front of his younger brother Zhao Ke.
After returning home, Zhao Rui ate a simple meal and then retreated to his room to practice martial arts and meditate.
Although he could use the system panel to cheat and directly boost his internal energy cultivation, power resides in the person. No matter how strong one's inner strength is, if cultivation is neglected, it will be sluggish and impair performance.
After completing two small cycles of energy circulation, Zhao Rui opened his eyes to find two missed calls on his phone.
He got out of bed, picked up the phone—which he had set to silent during training—and saw that one call was from his second senior brother, and the other from Yang Fan.
He returned the call to his second senior brother first.
“Senior Brother, what’s up?”
“Zhao Rui, when does your school start?”
Instead of answering Zhao Rui’s question, the second senior brother asked first.
“I haven’t received any notice yet. I think in about twenty days, I should report back.”
“Oh, that’s good timing. Here’s the thing: I have a friend whose daughter attends the same school as you. Her grades are average, and she’s looking for a tutor who just finished the college entrance exam and did well...”
The second senior brother briefly explained the situation and asked if Zhao Rui had time to work as a tutor for a while.
The pay was good—two hundred yuan per hour—and the hours were flexible, mornings, afternoons, or evenings.
Hearing this, Zhao Rui had no reason to refuse. The morning training sessions were usually free.
He could definitely take on another job!
They agreed to visit the employer’s home together tomorrow morning. Zhao Rui hung up and then called Yang Fan’s phone.
“Brother Rui, good news! I’ve been admitted to Jeju Institute of Engineering and Technology. From now on, we’ll be together again.”
Yang Fan’s voice was full of joy.
Unlike those idlers who didn’t want to study, he was interested in school, as long as no one pressured him about his performance.
“Really? Great, now I have another big expense!”
Zhao Rui chuckled.
“Damn!”
The two laughed for a while before ending the call.
***
The next morning, shafts of gentle light filtered through the gaps in the tree branches overhead, like ribbons of color, shining straight onto Zhao Rui’s face.
They revealed the fine fuzz on his youthful skin.
Exhaling, he concluded his meditation, picked up his backpack from the ground, tidied his clothes, then mounted the bicycle leaning against the tree and headed to the neighborhood they had agreed on last night.
Half an hour later, in front of the entrance to a high-end residential complex, Zhao Rui saw his second senior brother sitting in the driver’s seat, leaning out to smoke a cigarette.
“Senior Brother!”
Zhao Rui pushed his bike forward and greeted him.
“You’re here! Let’s go!”
The second senior brother flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, crushed it with his foot, then closed the door and led Zhao Rui into the complex.
Security was tight, and they were only allowed in after the employer arrived following a call.
The employer was a woman in her thirties named Song, a delicate beauty with long, sleek black hair tied in a bun.
The second senior brother clearly knew her well; after exchanging greetings, Mrs. Song looked toward Zhao Rui with mild approval.
“Young junior brother is quite handsome!”
“You can’t expect less from someone I recommend. Not only is he good-looking, but he’s also a good student!”
The second senior brother praised him generously.
“Senior Brother!”
Zhao Rui blushed; it felt strange for family members to praise each other so openly.
“Haha, I’ve known your senior brother for years. Come on, let’s go home first.”
The lady smiled and took the lead, guiding them through a plaza framed by lush greenery to a row of connected villas.
“Money really does make life easier!” Zhao Rui thought to himself.
Following Mrs. Song through the villa’s gate and climbing the steps into the house, they entered a spacious entrance hall. Turning from the hall, a large, expansive living room appeared.
A crystal chandelier cast dazzling star-like lights, resembling a wall of stars gazing down on the world.
“You two sit here; I’ll call Yaru out. Aunt Wang will serve the tea.”
Mrs. Song said, then left the room.
“How is it? Jealous?” the second senior brother laughed, glancing at the grand living room and the exquisite furniture.
“Definitely jealous,” Zhao Rui nodded earnestly.
“Haha, if you’re jealous, then train hard. When you break through to a level ten martial artist, someone will naturally come bearing money!”
The second senior brother joked.
“Sure, then I’ll save a sofa for you!”
Zhao Rui replied.
Hearing this, the second senior brother laughed and scolded him teasingly before saying, “Your daughter, Mrs. Song’s, might not be easy to get along with, but just give it a try.”
Zhao Rui nodded and took a sip of the tea brought by the servant.
Soon, Mrs. Song came dragging a reluctant young girl along.
“You’re about to be assigned to a class, but you’re not taking it seriously!” Mrs. Song chided as she led her daughter into the living room.
***
“This is my daughter Yaru. Uncle Li, you’ve met her before. This is his junior brother. Mom hopes he can—”
Before she finished, the girl’s pretty eyes widened slightly as she looked at Zhao Rui and asked in surprise, “Are you Zhao Ke’s brother?”
Zhao Rui was taken aback. Upon closer look, he found the girl somewhat familiar.
“I do have a younger brother named Zhao Ke.”
“That’s right, that’s right. I saw you at the start of school, and we even talked!”
The girl giggled, displaying a lively personality.
“So you know each other. That’s even better. Yaru, how about having Zhao Rui as your tutor?”
Mrs. Song smiled at her daughter.
Yaru’s delicate brows furrowed slightly but then relaxed, nodding, “Okay!”
Seeing her agree, Mrs. Song smiled broadly and gestured for her daughter to show Zhao Rui around the study.
“Alright then!”
Yaru shrugged and led Zhao Rui further into the villa.
“Actually, I don’t want a tutor, but my mom won’t agree. So, Brother Zhao, how about a deal?”
A sly grin appeared on Yaru’s baby-faced features.
“A deal?”
“Yes. You tutor me, but don’t actually supervise me. You earn your money as usual. We know each other, right?”
“Well…”
“Don’t worry, my grades aren’t that bad; I just don’t want to study!”
“We’ll see,” Zhao Rui said cautiously. He wasn’t clear on her intentions, and he believed that if he was paid, he should do the job properly.
“You’re nothing like your brother. Zhao Ke listens to me!”
“Cough, cough!”
Zhao Rui felt like he’d just overheard some secret about his brother.
As they spoke, they entered a study room larger than Zhao Rui’s own master bedroom.
Inside, a massive desk sat near a peachwood bookshelf filled with all sorts of books.
To the right and behind the bookshelf was a door of unknown purpose.
“This is my dad’s study. I also study here sometimes. I won’t take you to my own room.”
“Oh.”
Zhao Rui nodded.
“You can play with your phone here. Just don’t disturb me!”
Yaru said, then went to the desk and turned on the computer.
Zhao Rui looked at her in surprise and amusement.
Yaru began typing rapidly on the keyboard, seemingly engrossed in some game.
Her focused gaze showed how seriously she was playing.
“Ah, I lost! I lost!”
After about ten minutes, Yaru slammed the keyboard in frustration.
“What are you playing?”
Zhao Rui asked.
“War God Chronicles! I’ve been stuck on this level for two days.”
Seeing Zhao Rui’s indifference, she explained.
“Let me see!”
Zhao Rui laughed and approached, and a fresh fragrance wafted from Yaru as he drew near.
“You play this too?”
“Yeah.”
Zhao Rui nodded.
“Your turn!”
Just as Zhao Rui was about to sit, he suddenly stopped and said, “Your mom’s coming!”
Then, as fast as lightning, he grabbed a book and placed it on the desk.
At the same time, he opened a notebook and swiftly scribbled some calculations.
The entire sequence was seamless and completed in the blink of an eye.
Yaru stared dumbfounded at the sudden appearance of the book, still processing when the door opened.
Mrs. Song and the second senior brother entered.
“Junior Brother, I’m heading off. Call me if you need anything!”
“Got it, Senior Brother!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t bully your junior brother!”
Mrs. Song laughed.
The second senior brother nodded toward Zhao Rui, then turned and left the study.
Mrs. Song glanced at the desk, nodded with satisfaction, then closed the door and went to see the second senior brother off.
“Phew, are you a martial arts student?”
Yaru looked at Zhao Rui excitedly, then smiled happily.
“You looked so cool just now!”
“I’m actually better at studying!”
Zhao Rui smiled. “Let’s focus on the game first.”
“Okay, okay!”
Hearing this, Yaru hurriedly got up and made room.
Zhao Rui took the keyboard and mouse, operating them skillfully.
His fingers flew across the keys, creating dazzling illusions that left one mesmerized.
“Awesome, awesome!”
Yaru clapped excitedly beside him.
In just a few minutes, Zhao Rui stopped, looked at Yaru, and said, “Cleared it!”
“Wow! How can your hands be so nimble?”
“Maybe it has to do with the martial arts I practice!”
“Um…”
Yaru was momentarily confused and pouted, “If you cleared it, what am I supposed to do?”
“Study!”
Zhao Rui placed a book in front of her, a smile lighting his handsome face.
“Hmph!”
Hearing Zhao Rui’s encouragement to study, Yaru crossed her arms and slumped onto the opposite sofa.
Her slender arms pressed against her still-developing chest.
“Actually, studying is negotiable. You should also respect my work!”
Zhao Rui said.
Yaru’s mischievous eyes twinkled, and she said, “Then you have to teach me some martial arts that don’t require internal energy!”
“No internal energy?”
“Yeah!”
Zhao Rui thought for a moment and agreed. He had some Wing Chun martial arts techniques that didn’t rely on internal energy and could teach her a few moves.
“Deal!”
Yaru stood before Zhao Rui and high-fived him to seal the promise.
“I’m not that unwilling to study; it’s just boring. My mom nags all day and won’t let me go anywhere. I just don’t want to listen to her!”
Perhaps because they were acquaintances, Yaru soon opened up.
“By the way, why doesn’t Zhao Ke practice martial arts? Are you really brothers?”
“Of course. You don’t practice either, right?”
“Yeah, I don’t.”
Her pretty face darkened slightly as she sighed.
“The classes are about to be divided. Martial arts students will be separated into their own class. I envy those who can fly around freely.”
“Maybe they envy you for being pretty!”
Zhao Rui said casually.
“My mindset is okay! By the way, why hasn’t Zhao Ke been going to school lately?”
“He’s been feeling unwell. He’ll go in a couple of days.”
“Oh. Could it be…”
Yaru raised her delicate brows and spoke hesitantly.
“What?”
Zhao Rui narrowed his eyes. “What do you know?”
Yaru’s heart raced as Zhao Rui’s gaze flashed intimidatingly. She quickly said, “Your eyes were scary just now!”
“Sorry!”
“I heard he hung out with some bad martial arts students and bought those Qi-inducing pills!”
“I’m just repeating what others said; it might not be true!”
Hearing this, Zhao Rui’s eyes narrowed further, and anger surged within him.
Those pills were hard to come by. Without someone instigating, how could a high schooler like Zhao Ke have gotten them?
“Thanks; I understand.”
Zhao Rui replied before saying, “Let’s study. Afterward, I can teach you some self-defense moves!”
“Okay, that sounds good!”
Perhaps influenced by Zhao Rui’s intense gaze earlier, Yaru didn’t object but sighed and obediently sat at the desk.
An hour later, after reviewing a chapter, Yaru stretched, her petite chest pressing freely against her clothes as she relaxed.
“Is Zhao Ke better?”
Yaru casually asked.
“He’s fine. The medicine wasn’t very effective. How many classmates know about this?”
“Actually, several students in our class haven’t been attending. Everyone knows what’s going on and is anxious about the class division.”
Yaru spoke with some helplessness.
“Do you know who they are?”
“Yes, but I’m not close to them. They’re martial arts students who often bully others. We stay far away.”
Yaru told Zhao Rui what she knew.
He nodded and said, “Study hard for a few days, and I’ll try to get permission to take you out for a walk!”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Great! Don’t worry, I can secretly tell you who they are!”
Yaru’s quick mind immediately understood Zhao Rui’s intent. She wanted to get out for a break, so they were perfectly aligned.