Chapter Twenty-Three

The end of the workday arrived quickly. After Rain Grain bid them farewell, the two of them walked home together, simply because it was on Lin Zimo’s way.

The walk was awkward. Lin Zimo regretted his earlier question about whether someone liked her—he wanted to slap himself. What business was it of his, anyway? It was her own affair. Yet, Lin Zimo confided only in her, never mentioning such things to anyone else.

After a long silence, Lin Zimo finally spoke. “Yuguo, I don’t think I’m cut out for relationships.”

“What happened now? Are you upset by something?” she asked.

“No, I just wonder… could anyone really like a tomboy like me?”

Yuxingyue shook her head and laughed. “That’s only how you see yourself. In other people’s eyes, you’re still a gentle girl. They don’t really know you, but that doesn’t mean you should lose confidence.”

Lin Zimo pondered this for a moment. “So, I should be confident in myself?”

“What do you think, silly? Romance is all about fate.”

“Then… what’s going on between you and Rain Grain?” Lin Zimo asked.

“Oh, we’re just friends. She calls me her brother, and I see her as a little sister,” Yuxingyue replied.

Lin Zimo relaxed visibly. “Good, I was overthinking things.”

“You were thinking about our relationship? What do you make of us?” Yuxingyue pressed.

“Uh, well…” Lin Zimo stammered, embarrassed. She hadn’t known about the sibling-like bond between Yuxingyue and Rain Grain until just now, and her earlier thoughts were all based on her own wild guesses about Yuxingyue’s supposed playboy ways.

Yuxingyue grinned mischievously. “So, this is what you’re like? Zimo, I misjudged you!”

“What, you want to punish me or something? Go ahead, try!” Lin Zimo retorted.

“Relax, I’m just joking. If you ever want to win my heart, you can forget it—I’m a gentleman, after all.”

“You’re the one who’s overthinking now,” Lin Zimo replied, turning her head away to hide her blush. Was this flirting? ‘If you want to win my heart, forget it. I’m a gentleman’—what kind of line was that?

Where did he learn to talk like this? He’s gotten cheekier.

Lin Zimo quickened her pace. Yuxingyue didn’t follow; they had already arrived home. Watching Lin Zimo’s flustered retreat, Yuxingyue burst out laughing once she was out of earshot. “Hahaha, Zimo’s awkwardness is just…”

He chuckled all the way back to his apartment complex.

…

At eight o’clock that evening, Xiao Jian called someone—it was none other than his senior, Yuxingyue. He was calling to fulfill Zhang Yi’s wish: to meet the founder of Scattered Quick Kicks, his revered senior.

“Hello?” Yuxingyue answered.

“Brother Yu, it’s me, Xiao Jian.”

“What is it, Xiao Jian? Your tone sounds different.”

“Does it? You must be hearing things. Brother Yu, I have a favor to ask.”

“Are you in some kind of trouble that you need my help with?” Yuxingyue asked.

“Well, Zhang Yi wants to meet you.”

“Zhang Yi wants to see me? Don’t we see each other every day?”

Xiao Jian hesitated. “No, he wants to meet the founder of Scattered Quick Kicks—my senior, you.”

“What?!”

Zhang Yi wanted to meet Yuxingyue, but since they saw each other daily, he was confused. After Xiao Jian explained, he realized Zhang Yi wanted to meet Xiao Jian’s senior—the founder of Scattered Quick Kicks—so Xiao Jian was asking for Yuxingyue’s help.

There was silence on Yuxingyue’s end, and Xiao Jian panicked, “Hello? Brother Yu, don’t hang up!”

“I’m not hanging up, just thinking how quickly you’ve given me away.”

Xiao Jian replied, “He doesn’t know who you are; he just really admires you, Brother Yu. Please help me out.”

Yuxingyue paused for a moment. He wondered how Zhang Yi would react if he found out he was the senior from the former Tianyuan team. On the other hand, if Zhang Yi didn’t believe it after meeting, that would be best—less trouble.

Finally, he said, “All right, we can meet, but on one condition: after meeting me, you must keep it secret and not tell anyone else.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Yu. I’ll tell him right away. Let’s leave it at that.”

“Goodbye.”

Yuxingyue hung up, tossed his phone aside, and idly sat at his computer, acting as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jian was chatting with Zhang Yi, telling him that Yuxingyue had agreed to the meeting. Zhang Yi was so excited he dropped his phone. Finally, he would meet the legendary senior Xiao Jian spoke of!

His roommate, Huang Feifan, was woken by the commotion. The two shared a room, and Zhang Yi had tiptoed out to avoid waking him, but his excitement ruined that plan.

Huang Feifan complained, “Zhang Yi, what’s up? Why so noisy?”

“Sorry, I got too excited,” Zhang Yi apologized.

“What’s got you so worked up?” Huang Feifan picked up Zhang Yi’s phone, curious, and read through his conversation with Xiao Jian.

“What? Xiao Jian’s taking you to meet that legendary senior?” Huang Feifan got excited, too.

Zhang Yi laughed at his reaction. “Yeah! Senior Xiao agreed, but he said we have to keep it secret and not tell anyone else—he doesn’t want trouble.”

“That senior sounds mysterious. Can I meet him too?” Huang Feifan asked.

“I think so; he didn’t say you couldn’t come.”

“That’s great!” Huang Feifan was so excited he nearly jumped for joy. Zhang Yi felt the same—the night was sleepless for both, as they anticipated meeting the legendary founder of Scattered Quick Kicks, Xiao Jian’s senior.

Early the next morning, Xiao Jian called Zhang Yi to arrange the meeting. Zhang Yi woke Huang Feifan, and the two quickly dressed and went to meet Xiao Jian.

About ten minutes later, they all met up. When Xiao Jian saw Huang Feifan, he scolded Zhang Yi for bringing someone else. Huang Feifan hurried to explain that he just wanted to meet the senior too, and since no one said he couldn’t, Xiao Jian didn’t argue—it was his oversight.

Soon, Yuxingyue arrived. Seeing both Zhang Yi and Huang Feifan, he frowned. Wasn’t it supposed to be just Zhang Yi? What’s going on?

Xiao Jian’s helpless glance said it all—he hadn’t expected Huang Feifan either.

Zhang Yi, seeing Yuxingyue, said, “Xingyue, you’re here to meet the senior too?”

Yuxingyue smiled, “Something like that. When is Xiao Jian’s senior arriving?”

Xiao Jian forced a smile, “Brother Yu, enough with the jokes.”

“So when is he coming? Is he here yet?” Huang Feifan looked around expectantly.

Xiao Jian slowly walked over to Yuxingyue and, with great ceremony, introduced him, “This is my senior.”

“Senior Xiao, stop messing with us,” the two protested, thinking it was a joke.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Xiao Jian said seriously.

Zhang Yi, seeing his expression, realized he wasn’t kidding. If Xiao Jian was telling the truth, then the person standing beside him—Yuxingyue—was…

“I heard you wanted to meet me. What’s the occasion?” Yuxingyue asked coolly.

“Xingyue, you’re… you’re Senior Xiao’s senior?” Zhang Yi stammered, trembling all over. Even Huang Feifan was shaken.

“Yes, Brother Yu is the legend you wanted to meet,” Xiao Jian said with a smile.

“I don’t believe it—unless you show us the Scattered Quick Kicks techniques you created,” Huang Feifan challenged. If he was the real deal, he should know all the moves, and Huang Feifan wanted to see the full set.

Xiao Jian grew annoyed, but Yuxingyue stopped him, full of confidence. Since they didn’t believe him, he’d give them a demonstration that would leave no doubt.

“All right, but please stand back. I don’t want anyone getting hurt,” Yuxingyue warned. These techniques required plenty of space.

The three of them backed far away, eyes full of anticipation, especially Xiao Jian, whose emotions ran high at the thought of seeing the full Scattered Quick Kicks.

Once ready, Yuxingyue performed the first form: “Scattering Beyond Scatter!”

This form relied on simple side kicks, spinning kicks, and axe kicks. Xiao Jian himself had started learning Scattered Quick Kicks from these basic moves—though simple, they demanded great effort to flow seamlessly into the next technique.

Huang Feifan and Zhang Yi watched in awe.

Then came the second form: “Scattered Sand Easily Swept!”

This series focused on front kicks, axe kicks, side kicks, and push kicks.

Huang Feifan was left utterly stunned.

Yuxingyue continued to demonstrate: “Breaking With Scatter,” “Scatter to Heaven and Earth,” and more…

The essence of Scattered Quick Kicks could be summed up in one word: “scatter.”

The beauty of scatter was its unpredictability, which could confound any opponent—it was the ultimate strategy.

Having witnessed every move, Huang Feifan’s admiration for Yuxingyue soared. He and Zhang Yi were now convinced that Yuxingyue was truly the legendary senior. Xiao Jian, meanwhile, was moved to tears—he finally understood, thanks to his senior’s demonstration, why he could never reach such speed himself.

In his heart, Xiao Jian shouted: This is the real scattered fighter—Brother Yu, you’re incredible!

Unable to contain himself, Xiao Jian cheered loudly, startling both Zhang Yi and Huang Feifan.

After the full demonstration, Yuxingyue was exhausted. Xiao Jian rushed to support him, well aware that performing Scattered Quick Kicks always wore his senior out—he’d pushed his body past its limits.

“What’s wrong with Xingyue?” Huang Feifan asked with concern.

Xiao Jian explained, “It’s the downside of Scattered Quick Kicks—a kind of negative buff, especially for Brother Yu. He’s so thin, and showing you those moves was bound to tire him out.”

“Let’s help him to a bench to rest,” Zhang Yi suggested.

Xiao Jian and Huang Feifan helped Yuxingyue to a nearby bench. Zhang Yi bought him a bottle of water, and after Yuxingyue drank it, some color returned to his face. “Thanks, I almost kicked the bucket just now.”

Zhang Yi’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Xingyue… or should I call you Senior?”

Yuxingyue smiled, “Just call me Yuxingyue. ‘Senior’ sounds strange.”

“So you really are the legendary senior. But why did you choose to be the medic for our new team?” Huang Feifan asked, puzzled.

“Yeah, why?” Zhang Yi echoed.