A Bit Cute

Xia Yueshan nodded, finally setting aside his prejudice against the "Monkey Steals the Peach" move and asked earnestly:

"Brother Lin Yu, what should I do?"

"Simple."

"There are only two key points to the 'Monkey Steals the Peach' move."

"First, be fast!"

"Second, be precise."

As he spoke, Lin Yu glanced around. Soon, his gaze settled on a thick roadside tree. Without turning his head, he said to Xia Yueshan:

"Follow me."

The two of them walked to the tree one after the other. Looking at the five- or six-meter-tall tree, Lin Yu compared the position and then used a lighter to burn a black mark on a specific spot.

"From now on, practice aiming at this mark."

"Remember—be fast, precise, and ruthless."

"Once you’ve mastered this move and built a solid foundation, I’ll teach you some acupressure techniques."

Lin Yu, worried that Xia Yueshan might slack off, decided to dangle a carrot in front of him first.

"Acupressure?"

Xia Yueshan’s eyes lit up at the prospect, and he eagerly asked:

"Is it like the kind in TV dramas?"

"The 'Sunflower Acupressure Hand,' where a few quick taps can freeze someone in place?"

No.

That kind of thing isn’t possible with acupressure.

If you want that kind of ability, you’d have better luck wandering the streets—maybe you’ll stumble upon a pocket watch with a special function (time stop).

Lin Yu silently scoffed in his mind. Afterward, he explained to Xia Yueshan:

"No."

"The acupressure I’ll teach you can’t freeze people like that."

"But once you master it,"

"a single finger strike can knock someone unconscious."

"Mm-hmm!"

Xia Yueshan nodded without a trace of doubt, already convinced that Lin Yu was a hidden master living among ordinary people.

"Besides, your physical fitness needs to keep up."

"Starting today, you’ll do horse stance for half an hour every morning and evening, run to and from school, do a hundred push-ups, and five hundred squats daily. If you can’t finish them all at once, split them into sets—just don’t hurt yourself."

Lin Yu carefully instructed.

Xia Yueshan nodded repeatedly like a pounding garlic pestle.

"For now, this is enough. Once your stamina improves, I’ll increase the intensity of your training."

"Got it!"

"Master Lin Yu!"

"Alright, start practicing."

Lin Yu clasped his hands behind his back and turned to leave.

Xia Yueshan straightened and slightly bent the fingers of his left hand, poised to practice the "stealing peach" technique. But just as he was about to begin, his motion abruptly halted. He looked at Lin Yu, who hadn’t fully turned away yet, and asked in confusion:

"Brother Lin Yu."

"You’re teaching me this move to protect my sister?"

"What exactly is my sister’s calamity?"

"Is it caused by people?"

Lin Yu turned back and gave Xia Yueshan a meaningful nod, his tone grave:

"Your sister’s forehead has a faint pinkish tinge hidden within darkness—a clear sign of rotten peach blossom luck."

"And the darkness dominates."

"She might be at risk of assault."

...

Xia Yueshan silently stared at Lin Yu. After a moment, he nodded heavily and said solemnly:

"I understand."

"I’ll protect my sister well."

Lin Yu nodded in deep satisfaction and turned to leave again.

"From now on, no man besides you will get close to my sister!"

Hearing the resolute declaration from behind, Lin Yu stumbled mid-step, nearly falling.

Damn it.

From the looks of it, didn’t he just end up becoming exactly the kind of person Xia Yueshan had initially imagined him to be?

"Remember, don’t tell your sister about this!"

Lin Yu strode away, waving a hand dismissively.

"Got it!"

...

"Brother Long, what happened to your hand?"

A student passing by Lin Yu stopped and leaned in to ask.

"Tired from writing homework!"

Lin Yu snapped irritably, tucking his heavily bandaged right hand further into his sleeve.

Damn it all!

Turns out, just knowing the technique for splitting bricks and wood isn’t enough—a hand tempered through relentless practice is the real deal!

Lin Yu wanted to cry but had no tears. Still, he felt a sliver of relief.

At least he’d managed to split that wooden board back then—otherwise, the embarrassment would’ve been unbearable.

Looking down at his injured hand, Lin Yu couldn’t help but overthink.

Given his usual personality,

he’d definitely avoid Xia Yueshan in the coming days to hide this injury and prevent mockery.

But...

What if this was exactly what that elusive "fate" wanted?

Did it want him to stay away from the second female lead, Xia Muzhu, so the second intimate plot could unfold without interference?

No way!

Lin Yu’s brows furrowed. He resolved that even if Xia Yueshan laughed at him, he’d keep visiting Xia Muzhu’s house during this time.

He absolutely had to stop the second intimate plot from happening!

...

Lin Yu stopped walking and looked at the girl in front of him—her eyes darting nervously, hands tightly gripping her pants—and asked helplessly:

"Do you need something?"

Tang Manman hesitated before mustering the courage to meet his gaze. She gave a timid nod.

"Speak up if you have something to say. I’m busy."

Lin Yu replied in his usual impatient tone.

"You..."

Tang Manman's eyes drifted to Lin Yu's bandaged hand before lifting back to his face. Her soft voice carried a hint of probing:

"Since your hand is injured now... do you need me to help you with your homework?"

Hearing this, Lin Yu nearly laughed out loud.

This Tang Manman...

was really kind of adorable.

This time, there was no golden sunset filter, no refreshing breeze as a backdrop.

Yet, standing in the shadows, Lin Yu watched the girl—her cheeks slightly flushed, eyes shining like a deer’s, brimming with shyness—and felt his heartbeat accelerate uncontrollably. A long-buried thought sprouted green tendrils once more...

"No need. My girlfriend will help me with my homework."

Crunch!

The green sprout was stomped into oblivion by the pure love warrior in Lin Yu’s heart.

"Oh, okay."

Tang Manman nodded, her spirit crushed, and walked away dejectedly.

Lin Yu watched her retreating figure and let out an almost imperceptible sigh before turning toward the direction of Xia Muzhu’s neighborhood.