Early in the morning, Xiao Chen drove Su Qing to her office. Warm sunlight streamed through the windshield, making the ride feel cozy.
When he recalled Yao Qihuang's reaction last night after seeing the Yin Yang Medical Code, Xiao Chen couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"
Su Qing looked up from the news on her phone, puzzled.
"Hehe, nothing. Just remembered a funny old man," Xiao Chen replied.
"Oh. After you drop me off, head back and stay with Xiaomeng. I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone."
"You're not going to the company today?"
"No."
"Alright then."
"And Xiao Chen… Xiaomeng speaks and acts without thinking sometimes. Don't take her too seriously."
"Heh, she's still a kid. Why would I bother arguing with her?"
Su Qing smiled. Although she still felt something odd about Xiaomeng's attitude toward Xiao Chen, the tension between them had eased a lot. There shouldn't be any more major conflicts.
After arriving at the company, Xiao Chen stopped by the security department, made a few quick arrangements, and then drove back to Tulip Villa.
"Xiaomeng, what's the plan today?"
When he walked inside and saw Su Xiaomeng already dressed up, his eyes lit up.
Loose white T-shirt, denim shorts, fresh bare face, ponytail—she radiated youthful charm.
"There's a race tonight."
"And during the day?"
"You want to follow me during the day too?" Xiaomeng shot him a look.
"Of course. Your sister practically issued an imperial decree. If I don't follow you, she'll chop off my head!"
"…Fine. It's annoying to have a tag-along, but since my sister insists, you can come." Xiaomeng agreed reluctantly.
Xiao Chen twitched his mouth. This brat had no idea—people lined up begging him for protection, and he never bothered with them!
"But, Xiao Chen…"
"What did you call me?" Xiao Chen glared. This girl was getting sassier by the day.
"Fine, Brother Chen… Can you change into something more stylish? Ever heard the saying, 'Clothes make the man'?" Xiaomeng looked him over critically.
"A handsome man doesn't rely on clothes; clothes rely on him. That saying is for people who aren't good-looking—people who need brand-name outfits just to look decent. I am the type who makes the clothes look good," Xiao Chen said confidently.
"Tch. You look like a street vendor even in designer brands."
"…"
"Forget it. Wear whatever you want. Let's go." Xiaomeng checked the time and headed outside with her small backpack.
Xiao Chen shrugged and followed.
"Keys." Xiaomeng held out her hand.
"What keys?"
"The car keys. I'm driving."
"…Do you even have a license?"
"Of course. Don't underestimate me."
"No, no…" Xiao Chen handed her the keys and got into the passenger seat.
Xiaomeng climbed into the driver's seat, clearly excited, started the engine, and floored the gas. "I'll show you my skills!"
"Please don't. Let's stay safe, okay?"
"Hmph, you just don't believe in my driving." She pouted. Then her eyes lit up slyly. "Brother Chen, can you teach me how to race? If I learn properly, you won't need to step in during future races."
"Racing is dangerous. I used to have a friend who was obsessed with it. People called him the 'God of Cars.'"
"Oh? Then?" Xiaomeng leaned closer, suddenly interested.
"Then? The grass on his grave is probably half a meter tall by now."
"…"
"So, better stick to normal driving. Racing is too risky."
"Then why did you race?"
"I didn't want to! You tempted me and insisted that I—"
"What did you just say?! I tempted you?!"
Before Xiao Chen could finish, Xiaomeng snapped. Her hands shook, and the car nearly crashed into a roadside tree.
"Ah! No, no, I was wrong—it was a misunderstanding! A beautiful misunderstanding!" Xiao Chen panicked. Damn, he forgot she was the one holding the wheel—too thrilling!
Xiaomeng gritted her teeth hard enough to crack them. She sincerely wanted to end both their lives right then.
Feeling her murderous aura, Xiao Chen shut up immediately and began playing with his phone instead.
Xiaomeng ignored him. Tempt? As if! She wasn't blind. It was just a beauty trick… even if it didn't work, it was still a beauty trick—not seduction!
Half an hour later, the Maserati stopped in front of a building.
"We're here, Xiaomeng?" Xiao Chen plastered on a flattering smile. "You practice Taekwondo in such a fancy place? Is your coach a handsome Korean oppa?"
"It's Song Zhongya!" she snapped.
"Song… Zhong Duck? Some famous roast-duck chef?"
"…"
Xiaomeng almost tripped. Impossible to communicate with this idiot.
They took the elevator to the 13th floor. Before even entering, they heard rhythmic shouting from inside.
Inside, hundreds of students in Taekwondo uniforms were practicing—little kids to adults in their twenties—shouting dramatically with each kick.
"Heh, pretty large. Looks impressive," Xiao Chen said, though his eyes held nothing but disdain. Taekwondo? Fancy showmanship. Not as practical as Sanda, not as fierce as Muay Thai, and far inferior to ancient Chinese martial arts. Pretty moves, nothing more.
"Xiaomeng, you're here!"
A young man wearing a white uniform with a black belt hurried over.
"Coach Park, I'm not late, right?"
"No, no, even if you were, I can tutor you one-on-one." His gaze slid toward Xiao Chen. "And this is…?"
"I'm Xiaomeng's friend," Xiao Chen replied before she could. "Nothing to do today, so I came to experience Taekwondo."
"Oh, Xiaomeng's friend… I'm Park Zeren, sixth-degree black belt."
"No idea what 'sixth degree' means, but it sounds impressive. Xiaomeng, go practice. I'll just watch."
Su Xiaomeng didn't argue and headed to the locker room.
Once she was gone, Park's smile disappeared. "Are you her boyfriend?" he asked coldly.
Xiao Chen raised his brow. So this Korean guy liked Xiaomeng?
"Yeah. Why?"
Park's face hardened. His hand clenched, cracking softly. Xiao Chen felt the hostility and sneered internally. If this guy dared lay a hand on him, he'd show him what real Chinese Kung Fu was.
"Coach Park, we can start," Xiaomeng called.
Park gave Xiao Chen a cold look. "Didn't you want to experience Taekwondo? Watch closely."
"Hehe, sure." Xiao Chen smiled calmly.
Park turned away, already planning how to humiliate Xiao Chen later.
Xiao Chen shook his head. Stick… lucky you didn't try anything earlier, or I'd have shattered the little stick beneath your belt…
"Hey-ha!"
"Kiya!"
The practice hall filled with the shouts of trainees.
Bored, Xiao Chen approached a cute little girl in a tiny white uniform.
"Little sister, why are you learning Taekwondo?"
"My mama said—if weird uncles like you come talk to me, I can beat them up." The little girl answered seriously.
"…"
Xiao Chen's face turned dark. Weird uncle? Me? I'm this handsome and you call me weird?
"Little sister, I'm not a bad uncle… Call me big brother and I'll buy you candy."
"No. I may be small, but I'm not easy to trick. Mama said suspicious uncles always use candy!"
"…"
Xiao Chen's veins bulged. Where is your mother? Let me show her who's really suspicious here!
"You won't eat children, right? Too scary. I'm staying away!" The girl ran off.
Xiao Chen could only stare after her. But he smiled despite himself. If he ever had a daughter like that, he'd spoil her as the happiest princess in the world.
"Now, everyone, watch Coach Park demonstrate Taekwondo kicking techniques!"
Park stepped into the center and performed several elaborate kicks. The crowd applauded, especially the girls, screaming about how handsome he was. Even Xiaomeng clapped—these were moves she would be learning.
"Bring the board!"
Two assistants carried out a wooden board.
Park shouted, leaped up, and kicked straight through it with a crisp crack.
Cheers erupted.
Xiao Chen, however, only looked on with disdain. Those moves had at least three flaws. With one kick, he could crush that Korean's eggs.