“Bang!”
“Bang!”
“Bang!”
Lu Zheng first defended, then launched small, controlled attacks, stopping short of contact to test Lin Wan’s reactions and responses.
Their sparring looked intense, with shouts and swift moves, but neither aimed to win.
“Not bad, this guy’s definitely an agility fighter. Even Lin Wan can’t beat him,” someone remarked.
Lü Tieling nodded, “Lin Wan’s quick too, barely giving him an edge.”
“Leader, can you tell what he’s trained in?”
“Hmm, a bit like Tongbei Fist, maybe some Piguazhang elements.”
“Leader, you’re amazing, spotting his style so fast!”
“Hahaha!”
…
Twenty minutes later, Lin Wan, panting, waved to stop, “Can’t keep going!”
“Wanwan-jie, you’re awesome!”
“So cool!”
“Come rest!”
Lu Zheng held the ropes open for Lin Wan to step out, then followed.
Seeing them leave the ring, Lü Tieling eagerly brought two water bottles, offering one to Lin Wan first.
Lin Wan thanked him, took it, and passed it to Lu Zheng, “Drink.”
“Thanks,” Lu Zheng nodded, twisting the cap and sipping.
Lü Tieling, “…”
He handed the second bottle to Lin Wan.
“How was I?” Lin Wan took a swig, her eyes sharp on Lu Zheng.
“Pretty good!” Lu Zheng nodded.
Lin Wan rolled her eyes. Had she not seen his instinctive moves, she might’ve bought his flattery.
A young, strong Liu Leng sent flying, an international assassin knocked out cold…
“Lin Wan’s obviously skilled, the best amateur I’ve seen,” Lü Tieling chimed in cheerfully.
Amateur?
Though Lin Wan’s main job was as a detective, she likely didn’t appreciate being called an amateur.
“Don’t patronise,” Lin Wan ignored Lü Tieling, focusing on Lu Zheng. “Where should I improve?”
Stared at by her bright eyes, Lu Zheng instinctively licked his lips.
“Well,” he paused, “everywhere needs work.”
Lin Wan: (ノ°ο°)ノ
Am I that bad? I thought I was pretty good!
“Big talk!” Lü Tieling’s eyes narrowed, jumping in. “You didn’t dominate her in the ring, and you say she needs work everywhere? Ridiculous!”
“Mate, that’s too much!”
“Yeah, Wanwan-jie’s so strong, she nearly had you a few times!”
“Bro, this isn’t how you impress a girl. That’s PUA, you know?”
Lu Zheng became the target of criticism, utterly confused. What did he say?
He only said Lin Wan needed improvement everywhere. It wasn’t a lie. Her skills were strong for a regular person, but to avoid trouble against experts, she needed work across the board.
Take that wanted criminal he’d knocked out, for instance. One counterstrike from him, and Lin Wan wouldn’t have blocked it.
“What are you lot on about?” Lin Wan stepped in to defend Lu Zheng. “We were testing my weaknesses in the ring!”
Lü Tieling waved a hand, “Lin Wan, I’ve sparred with you. Your techniques are solid, just lacking experience and strength, maybe footwork at most.
Where’d you find this guy, spouting nonsense? And you believe him?”
Lin Wan sighed.
Lü Tieling was just an amateur fight enthusiast who’d trained with pros due to his passion. His size, experience, and reflexes made him a top amateur, with an edge over lighter fighters like Lin Wan.
But his insight and theory were amateur-level, far below Lu Zheng’s skill, which he couldn’t even recognise.
Lin Wan had never revealed her job or played teacher to avoid unwanted attention, so she’d never argued with anyone here.
She’d only brought Lu Zheng to a familiar place to spar, not expecting this drama.
“Mate, fancy a round? Show me what a ‘master’ looks like!” Lü Tieling challenged.
“I’m next.”
“Will I get a turn?”
“Enough!” Lin Wan snapped. “I asked Lu Zheng to teach me. What’s it to you?”
She’d hoped sparring would bring her closer to Lu Zheng, but this backfired. If it fell apart and strained things with him, what excuse would she have to see him?
“Lin-jie—” Jiang Lingling grabbed her arm, surprised at her outburst.
The crowd paused.
Lu Zheng waved it off, “No big deal…”
How’d this escalate to a row?
But Lü Tieling pressed on, glaring at Lu Zheng, “You’ve got some nerve. If you’re so great, face me in the ring. Win, and I’ll shut up. Lose, and stop bragging!”
Lü Tieling was heated.
He’d been rejected by Lin Wan for dinners and offers to coach her, and now she’d brought this pretty boy to teach her.
Wasn’t that a clear snub?
“No need for Lu Zheng to…” Lin Wan started.
Lu Zheng cut her off with a wave.
He saw it now—Lü Tieling was blinded by jealousy, obsessed.
He could ignore it and train with Lin Wan elsewhere, but that’d leave him labelled a coward who only brags, and Lin Wan might not feel comfortable here anymore.
He didn’t care, and likely neither did she, but why bother?
When everyone’s acting foolish, seeing each other as clowns, what’s the point?
These weren’t bad people. If one punch could settle it, Lu Zheng wasn’t stingy.
“No problem, let’s go!” Lu Zheng nodded.
“Lu Zheng!” Lin Wan said, seeing him take the fall for her mistake.
She’d chosen the wrong place, caused trouble, and now Lu Zheng was cleaning up.
Glaring at Lü Tieling, she calmed down, her expression cold, “Don’t go too hard, teach him a lesson!”
Tch, she was telling Lu Zheng to toy with Lü Tieling, not knock him out like Liu Leng or that criminal.
Back to her familiar ice-cold detective mode.
Ruthless, I like it!
“Got it!”
“Hmph!” Lü Tieling snorted, grabbing gloves and a helmet from Old Du, pulling the ropes open, and stepping into the ring.
He beckoned Lu Zheng, “Come on!”
