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: "…"
lan, the Luo family, tracked him down - along with the babies in their arms. Mo Xuan stared pensively at the paternity test results from over a dozen top institutions, both domestic and international, showing a 99.99% match between himself and the two baby girls. At 23, Mo Xuan, a doctoral student, had become the father of two three-year-old children. The kicker? The mothers weren't even the same person! He gradually realized he was being lured step by step into an elaborate trap designed by these two yandere sisters. "Be good, little Xuan. Sister's life belongs to you entirely." "Brother, if you try to run away, I'll have no choice but to tie you up." Mo Xuan: "Do whatever you want, ladies. I give up."
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
n] Top-tier player Zhou Yi died and was reborn into the body of a hopeless simp who shared his name. His first love callously dumped him for a rich heir, his childhood sweetheart saw him as an embarrassment, the ice-cold campus beauty looked down on him—every woman he ever loved treated him like a pathetic doormat. But later, his ex came crawling back in tears: "Yi, I was wrong. Please take me back." His childhood sweetheart became hopelessly devoted: "Yi, just one more glance from you is all I ask." The aloof campus belle blushed as she handed him a love letter: "Zhou Yi, I was blind before. Will you accept my feelings?" To all of them, Zhou Yi just smiled. "Sorry, too late. I’m done with love." Oh, and he also gained a system—every time he earned a woman’s affection, his looks improved and his bank account grew. Soon, he became the nation’s most eligible bachelor, with socialites and heiresses begging for his attention...
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
