Chapter 5 Challenges

"That's too much!" the two men exclaimed in unison

Hu Tailai glanced over and immediately stood up, saying: "It's Chen Jing—it's time for us to get to work!"

Wang Xiaojun said: "The Iron Palm Gang has rules; only the gang leader has the authority to buy and sell gang assets. That courtyard should be worth several million. If I were the gang leader, I would sell that courtyard and use the money to travel around the world."

I did attend elementary school, and it wasn't as you described.

"Shut up!" Sister Pili angrily said, "Aren't you a top student? Don't you know how to read?"

After the meal, the two men were picking their teeth—this leftover hard rice was the easiest to get stuck in their teeth. They did not feel satisfied; Hu Tai looked as if he hadn't had a full meal in a long time, while Wang Xiaojun had only eaten the food he cooked himself for quite a long period. Now, a bowl of steaming hot rice was a delicacy for him. It is easy to imagine that such a plate of exquisite fried rice merely ignited their hunger.

Hu Tailai expressed his frustration: "How did it turn into me being the one to find a solution? Clearly, it was a commitment made by both of us together"

Wang Xiaojun said: "I have learned a few sets of palm techniques, and when I was young, I practiced horse stance for a couple of months, but I know that is not martial arts. If you were to ask me to fight someone now, I would just be an ordinary person. However, you are different; I am not flattering you, but there are probably not many people in the country who can match you in a fight."

But you can't hit a woman, can you

"Did you attend middle school here?" Hu Tailai asked

The moment these two girls appeared, Wang Xiaojun knew something was wrong! The reason he was willing to meddle in this matter was that he thought Chen Jing was encountering just a typical thug, and that it would be enough to teach them a lesson with Hu Tailai. He never expected that the ones causing trouble for Chen Jing would actually be girls. He looked towards Hu Tailai and saw that the other party's expression was equally filled with frustration.

Hu Tailai said: "If she hadn't arrived later than me, just based on what she said, I would definitely have thought that you had done something to her"

Wang Xiaojun humorously remarked: "I didn't expect you to be such a sharp-tongued person. Don't just talk about me—have you been practicing martial arts all these years instead of going to school? Doesn't your master know about the nine years of compulsory education?"

Hu Tailai suddenly grabbed Wang Xiaojun's hand and said: "How about this, I won't take a single cent of the money promised by Chen Changting; it is all yours. You handle this matter. Our Black Tiger Fist is not a crooked path; I cannot bring myself to hit a woman!"

27

After sending off Chen Changting, Wang Xiaojun and Hu Tailai were able to return to the "battlefield." Out of politeness, Wang Xiaojun picked up a plate to serve Tang Sisi first, but she merely waved her hand. Thus, Wang Xiaojun unceremoniously shared it with Hu Tailai, each taking half. A few grains of rice scattered at the edge of the bowl, and Wang Xiaojun instinctively sucked them into his mouth. Then he was stunned—what a delightful flavor it was! Each grain of firm rice was infused with a magical aroma, intertwining between his tongue and palate. Those few grains of rice seemed to provide Wang Xiaojun with a taste education, and for the first time in his life, he realized that fried rice could be this delicious!

Wang Xiaojun said with a wry smile: "That old fellow Chen Changting! Only now do I understand why he offered such a high price to invite us out of retirement. If it were an ordinary thug, he would have reported it to the police long ago. It is precisely because the situation is tricky that he sought out a 'hero' like you!"

Pili Jie blushed and raised her hand to slap Chen Jing, saying: "You are being evasive! Now the whole school knows that I handed my love letter to the teacher. How am I supposed to face everyone in the future? You have to give me an explanation!"

Tang Sisi said with a hint of pride, "So, is it still good to eat?"

Wang Xiaojun was taken aback and exclaimed, "Our Iron Palm Gang is also a reputable and righteous sect, alright?"

Hu Tailai shuddered: "The more we talk, the less it makes sense, betraying our teachers and ancestors!"

Hu Tailai: "What should I do about the woman?"

Hu Tailai, in a daze, said: "Is it true that your Iron Palm Gang no longer passes on the skills? Did you not learn martial arts when you were young?"

No wonder, I am 21, and there is a generation gap between us

Wang Xiaojun immediately raised a hand and said, "It is my own business that I have a thick skin, do not involve our Iron Palm Gang!" After a moment of tension, he grinned and said, "Feel free to say what you want, actually I don't care either."

Wang Xiaojun scoffed, saying: "It's just talk; even if he was 40 when he taught you, he is now 60. Are you going to hit him as if it's a game?"

Hu Tailai said earnestly: "I want to know where the limits of human physical ability lie"

Wang Xiaojun shrank his neck and said: "My goodness, in your words, we can be considered as fellow practitioners of the martial arts world, but my grandfather never mentioned such strange expressions; they do appear in old Hong Kong films, though"

Hu Tailai suddenly appeared troubled and said: "Do you think it is appropriate for us to accept their money?"

Did you have a partner at that time, like a girlfriend

Wang Xiaojun nodded, his gaze remained unfocused, becoming somewhat vague.

Wang Xiaojun then chuckled and said, "As a great hero, are you also this gossipy?"

Tang Sisi shot him a glance and said, "The rice that has just been steamed cannot be used for fried rice. Haven't you seen 'The God of Cookery'?"

Chen Jing lowered her head, seeing no way out and not resisting, allowing the blue-haired person to poke and prod her without saying a word

Hu Tailai simply shut his mouth

Can't you tell? Wang Xiaojun probably also understands Hu Tailai's feelings, and said frivolously, "I am also a literary youth with grand ideals."

After a moment of speechlessness, Hu Tailai said in a faint voice: "You members of the Iron Palm Gang..."

Chen Jing looked even more beautiful than in the photo, dressed in a school uniform and canvas shoes, with a neat haircut. As she walked, she seemed lost in thought, as if still pondering a math problem. Such children are usually the favorites of teachers and regarded as academic achievers by their classmates. They may not have many friends, but it is unlikely that anyone would deliberately make things difficult for them. Therefore, Wang Xiaojun was also very curious about who would harass her. He and Hu Tailai followed closely behind Chen Jing, secretly praying that she would not turn around, otherwise the sense of panic they would cause her might exceed that of an ordinary small-time thug. Such children are usually the favorites of teachers and regarded as academic achievers by their classmates. They may not have many friends, but it is unlikely that anyone would deliberately make things difficult for them. Therefore, Wang Xiaojun was also very curious about who would harass her. He and Hu Tailai followed closely behind Chen Jing, secretly praying that she would not turn around, otherwise the sense of panic they would cause her might exceed that of an ordinary small-time thug

How old are you this year

The blue-haired individual shouted: "What about the 5,000-word apology letter you were supposed to write?"

Chen Jing said: "I didn't recognize a single word he wrote."

Wang Xiaojun said: "I find it quite fitting to think of you when you were living under someone else's roof without a penny to your name"

Tang Sisi spat and returned to her room

Looking at Hu Tailai again, he was also lost in a trance as he frantically shoveled food into his mouth. Wang Xiaojun kept pace with him, and a large plate of egg fried rice was instantly devoured under their whirlwind assault.

Hu Tailai asked: "What does it mean?"

In the late summer afternoon, around 5 o'clock, the small northern town had gradually become cooler. Wang Xiaojun and Hu Tailai were sitting on the curb of the small square opposite the First Middle School. Wang Xiaojun took out a photo of Chen Jing and showed it to Hu Tailai: "Remember this face—let me confirm, our task is really not to take her out, right?"

The tall and imposing "Pili Sister" spoke with a serious tone, saying: "Chen Jing, I have been blocking you for two days. Do you think that by not speaking, we can just let it go? No way! Is it really that difficult to apologize?"

Traveling the world? Hu Tailai was somewhat surprised. "Traveling the world" was originally a very ordinary ideal, but he did not expect it to come from Wang Xiaojun's mouth. The boy in front of him, who exuded a sense of worldly triviality, seemed somewhat mismatched with these words. He would have found it more acceptable if he had said something about spending money on food, drink, and entertainment.

Wang Xiaojun sighed and said, "Let me think about it some more"

Wang Xiaojun hurriedly said: "I haven't given you any unpleasant looks; I am also going through a low point. If it weren't for the two of you coming, I would have gone to seek refuge with my senior brother this afternoon."

Lan Mao also said: "The reason for asking you to write an apology letter is not for Pi Li Jie to see, but to clear her name and restore her reputation"

Wang Xiaojun patted his shoulder and said, "I understand how you feel right now—regretting not having gone to school, right?"

Wang Xiaojun slapped his forehead

Wang Xiaojun chuckled at himself and said: "After graduating from high school, I spent a few years at a vocational school in another city, merely passing the time. When it was time to find a job, I was called back. With such a large courtyard, it can't be left unattended, and opening a mahjong parlor is just a reckless endeavor."

Hu Tailai quickly waved his hand: "I cannot say that, my master said that the greatest taboo in martial arts is to view the sky from the bottom of a well"

Wang Xiaojun snapped his fingers and said, "Forget it, they did indeed suggest sharing a room with me, and it was I who declined."

Hu Tailai said: "According to what should be expected, you have just graduated from high school, so how is it that you have opened a mahjong parlor?"

Tang Sisi curled her lips and said, "As men, you two are really too poor—" Then she chuckled and added, "But fortunately, you both still have the ability. Alright, this afternoon, you two go earn some money for me to spend."

Hu Tailai nodded slightly: "With such a large courtyard, your family must be quite wealthy"

Hu Tailai : " ... ... "

Hu Tailai chuckled and said, "To put it in a literary way, this is my own choice. I have been active since childhood, always eager to engage with others. My master honed my skills for ten years, and it was not until I was 17 that he officially accepted me as his disciple. Our Black Tiger Fist is renowned locally, but my master has said that on a national scale, our school is merely an inconspicuous minor player. This year, I consider myself to have completed my apprenticeship, and I come bearing my master's mandate to meet with martial artists across the country, sincerely seeking to learn from you all."

At that moment, two girls of similar age to Chen Jing quickly blocked her path. One of them, a girl with a streak of blue in her hair, pushed Chen Jing with a forceful shove and said in a hostile tone, "Trying to run away?" Both girls were also wearing school uniforms. The other girl was tall and strikingly beautiful; she crossed her arms and coldly stared at Chen Jing. The girl with the blue hair pressed her hand against Chen Jing's shoulder and scolded, "Do you think you can just walk away after offending Sister Pili?"

Wang Xiaojun and Hu Tailai exchanged glances for a long time, and finally Wang Xiaojun said: "When did the relationship among the three of us become so trivialized?"

Wang Xiaojun said, "Who did you learn your cooking skills from?" Although Wang Xiaojun is not good at cooking, he is undoubtedly a talented foodie. He knows very well that being able to turn ordinary fried rice into something like this is not just a matter of skill; this girl is remarkable

Hu Tailai took the photo and noticed that Wang Xiaojun was gazing deeply at the school across from him. This was a rare moment of tranquility for him since he had come into contact with Wang Xiaojun.

Wang Xiaojun asked after half a day: "What is the purpose?"

Hu Tailai sighed and said, "How can one not bow their head when under a low eave?"

I will stew ribs for you in the afternoon, as long as you buy the ribs

Wang Xiaojun looked somewhat perplexed at the opposite side of the road and said, "Hey, that girl looks familiar, as if I have seen her somewhere before"

You also think that courtyard is quite nice, don't you? Our Iron Palm Gang has only that courtyard left, but unfortunately, I am not the leader of the gang

Hu Tailai expressed with a sense of entanglement: "That is indeed what is being said"

Hu Tailai could not help but flatter Tang Sisi, saying: "Sister, could you bring another pot?"

Wang Xiaojun analyzed while resting his chin on his hand: "The sequence of events is as follows—Chen Jing mistakenly submitted someone else's love letter intended for Pili Jie to the teacher, and Pili Jie believed she had been wronged, which led to the conflict between the two."

Chen Jing still kept her head down and said: "I didn't know that was a love letter from a boy in another class. I thought it was a prank by someone, and it wasn't my fault to hand it to the teacher!"

Hu Tailai scratched his head and said: "I am a country boy, having followed my master since childhood. During the day, I work at the lumber mill, and at night, I learn martial arts from him. I have not received much formal education, so I am very curious. I have heard that children nowadays start dating as early as middle school."

Hu Tailai was furious and said: "Who asked you to analyze? What should we do now? If we don't take action soon, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Chen Changting."

You only occupy the two characters of 'youth' in that string you mentioned

"Nonsense!" Wang Xiaojun said, "Children with normal physical development all start from the fourth grade of elementary school!"

Wang Xiaojun's eyes first lit up, then dimmed again. He pinched his shriveled pocket and said, "Well... it is undeniable that we cannot afford braised ribs for the time being, but it seems that it won't be long before we can."