This kind of scenario—Lin Yu was all too familiar with it!
That’s how it always played out in novels.
Except today, the one playing the underdog who’d turn the tables happened to be him.
Nervous? Sure.
But there was also a tiny thrill of anticipation.
What young man didn’t dream of a "one-battle fame" moment?
Once they finished their taunting,
Lin Yu would just need to drop a line like: "Done talking? Then I’m gonna hit you now!"
Tsk tsk tsk…
After crushing the four martial arts instructors one by one,
The final boss would be Director Xia, who was now walking over slowly.
"Master Z, you’re right on time."
"Maomao’s still in the lounge. My master’s here today too."
"I hope you’re as good as Weiwei says. Don’t let everyone down."
Xia Xiashan’s arrival injected soul into Lin Yu’s fantasy moment.
Oh ho?
Behind the director, there was even a "reclusive old monster" observing the fight.
Classic!
"Director Xia, just call me Lin Yu."
"Lin as in forest, Yu as in feather."
"With so many people around today, calling me Master Z… feels a bit awkward."
Lin Yu introduced himself casually.
From the moment he decided to drag Maomao into the apartment, he never imagined he’d have to hide his name.
Whether he said it now or later, they wouldn’t know anyway.
Might as well be upfront—it made him seem more confident.
Xia Xiashan listened to Lin Yu’s introduction, her eyes flashing with appreciation.
"Straightforward. I like that."
"Don’t worry, aside from the few of us at the dinner table, no one knows your identity."
"Today, everyone just thinks… an outsider’s here to challenge the dojo!"
When she said "challenge the dojo,"
Her tone grew heavier.
Clearly, she couldn’t wait to beat Lin Yu up.
At Xia Xiashan’s signal,
The four martial arts instructors quickly approached Lin Yu.
Xia Xiashan made the introductions…
Little Mei: "So Instructor Lin is really this handsome, huh?"
Da Zhuang: "Welcome, welcome! Our daily classes are so dull. Having someone to spar with is a real honor."
Lang: "Instructor Lin, can I get your WeChat later? Regardless of how the match goes, it’s always good to have more friends in martial arts."
Xiao Shuai: "I’m probably closest to Instructor Lin in age. When I visit other cities, I also like checking out other dojos. Mind if I add you? More connections in the field never hurt."
Lin Yu: "???"
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!
In novels, they were supposed to—
First, mock and belittle him, looking down their noses;
Then, arrogantly attack and get wrecked;
Finally, collapse in defeat, leaving the whole room stunned.
That’s how it always went in stories!
Total scam!
There was no disdain or sarcasm. The instructors were so polite and friendly that Lin Yu almost felt like bowing to them in apology.
Turns out, real-life martial artists weren’t so different from office coworkers when it came to socializing.
Lin Yu quickly ditched the "stereotypical expectations."
No grandstanding, no face-slapping.
Just an ordinary—if slightly unusual—day.
For example…
"Hey, damn!"
"Isn’t this the ‘Chariot-Horse-Cannon’ kid?"
A vaguely familiar voice cut through Lin Yu’s workplace socializing.
He turned to see a slightly hunched old man ambling into the crowd.
"Master Zheng!"
"Master Zheng’s here!"
"The match hasn’t started yet. Didn’t you want to rest more?"
"…"
The instructors greeted him respectfully.
Xia Xiashan, however, stayed silent,
Instead eyeing Lin Yu in confusion.
From the old man’s tone, it sounded like he knew Lin Yu?
How did these two, who should’ve had zero connection, even cross paths?
Lin Yu was just as shocked.
Wasn’t this the chess-playing old man?
Judging by everyone’s reaction…
He was Xia Xiashan’s master?!
Was Pingchuan really this small?
"Master Zheng, what a surprise…"
"You’re actually Director Xia’s master!"
Master Zheng chuckled, hands behind his back.
"Didn’t expect my top disciple’s challenger to be you, kid."
"What a coincidence, huh?"
He glanced at Xia Xiashan and explained:
"Back in my neighborhood, Xiao—Lin, was it?"
"We played chess together. His skills were impressive. Hard to forget."
"Lin, did you bring two phones again today?"
This old man was stubborn!
Still hung up on the "two phones" thing!
Xia Xiashan spoke up:
"Lin Yu, so you already knew my master."
"Saves us the introductions."
"My master, Zheng Zhihua, is the 12th-generation inheritor of Southern Xingyiquan."
"He’s quite renowned in the martial arts world."
Lin Yu’s inner thoughts:
Obviously. Dude’s famous.
Bitter sand~ stinging my face~
Lin Yu shook hands enthusiastically. "Of course, long admired, Master Zheng."
Zheng Zhihua waved it off. "Eh, just a reputation… Xiashan, make sure you hit him hard later."
Xia Xiashan: "???"
Lin Yu: "???"
Did this old man just blurt out his inner thoughts?
Lin Yu was standing right there!
If you want your disciple to go all out, at least say it privately!
Two chess games, and you hold this much of a grudge?!
Lin Yu: "Old man, I swear I only have one phone!"
Zheng Zhihua waved again. "Eh, you think I’m that petty? It’s not about that."
Xia Xiashan: "Master, I get it. You want me to defend the dojo’s honor!"
Zheng Zhihua: "You get nothing. I said it’s just a reputation. Not about that either."
Xia Xiashan: "…"
Lin Yu: "…"
This only confused Lin Yu more.
Not about chess, not about the dojo…
Then what?
He and the old man had no other history!
Zheng Zhihua didn’t explain further, just let them chat while he headed to a resting chair.
Xia Xiashan hurried after him, whispering:
"Uncle, do you really have some personal grudge against Lin Yu?"
Zheng Zhihua clasped his hands behind his back, muttering:
"Never thought it’d be this kid…"
"Cheating at chess is one thing!"
"But then he and some girl chased a stray dog around the neighborhood!"
"What did that dog ever do to them?"
"And after harassing the dog, he even groped the girl’s butt!"
"Damn it!"
"Disgusting. I couldn’t even watch—had to turn away!"
"Just tell me this…"
"How could anyone use a phone to cheat an old man at chess?!"
Xia Xiashan: "…"
Her uncle (and master) and Lin Yu’s history… was complicated.
Not far away.
Lin Yu, with his exceptional hearing: "…"
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
villain is the number one simp for the book's leading female protagonist, Shen Wan'er. As expected, he later becomes a tool for the main character to show off and slap faces, ultimately meeting a tragic end with his family ruined and his life in shambles. Fortunately, he awakens the [Universal Pure Love System], which allows him to earn points by performing acts of pure love. To change his fate, Gu Yan makes a decisive choice to seek warmth and companionship with the book's biggest villain—Cold Qingqiu. ........... My name is Leng Qingqiu. To find the murderer who killed my parents years ago, I deliberately blinded myself so that everyone would lower their guard around me. Just as I was secretly accumulating power and capital according to my initial plan, a man walked into my world. "Lengleng, Qingqing, Qiuqiu, which nickname do you prefer?" I don't like any of them. You'd better leave quickly! "Why aren't you saying anything? How about I call you my baby wife?" Leng Qingqiu thinks to herself, this man is truly annoying! (Stubborn pure love warrior + single female lead + true pure love + 1v1)
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
