CHAPTER 131: CHAPTER 126: ENCOUNTER! STRENGTHENING PHYSICAL EXERCISE IS GREAT

Li Qiang and Zhang Lei watched helplessly as Liu Haofeng laid the blame squarely on them, and a bitter feeling gnawed at their hearts. They exchanged a glance, each seeing the discontent and helplessness in the other’s eyes regarding Liu Haofeng, despite how they always affectionately called him Brother Feng.

Upon hearing Liu Haofeng back down, Feng Jiaqi snorted. "At least you know your place. Chuanchuan, let’s go."

"Alright."

The pace of events had far exceeded Chen Pingchuan’s expectations, moving along as smoothly as flowing water. He paused for a moment, pondering. Since the task has been successfully accepted, there’s no reason for me to stay at the school anymore.

Thus, Chen Pingchuan stood up. Together with Feng Jiaqi, they ignored the strange looks from the others. One with his hands in his pockets, the other holding onto his arm, they walked out of the classroom as if no one else existed.

Just as they were about to step through the doorway, a cool, detached female voice drifted from behind them.

"Don’t forget what you promised me."

Chen Pingchuan’s steps came to an abrupt halt. At the same time, Feng Jiaqi’s grip on his arm unconsciously tightened, her slender fingers seeming to dig into his bicep.

"Don’t worry. I won’t go back on my word."

With that, Chen Pingchuan left without a backward glance, Feng Jiaqi in tow.

Ye Luo didn’t know what had just come over her. They clearly had no relationship, yet seeing Chen Pingchuan act so intimately with another girl left her with a swirl of mixed emotions, which led to her ill-timed question.

After leaving campus, Chen Pingchuan and Feng Jiaqi walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Feng Jiaqi mulled over Ye Luo’s words, sensing their relationship wasn’t so simple, but she couldn’t guess what Chen Pingchuan was truly thinking. As for Chen Pingchuan, he began to consider the upcoming trip to the energy crystal mine, unsure of the dangers that might await him. He could only do his best to enhance his own abilities.

They took the magnetic levitation train and soon arrived before an old-looking martial arts hall—the same Black Tortoise Martial Arts Hall Chen Pingchuan had visited before.

When Feng Jiaqi’s gaze fell upon the hall’s worn-out sign, her brow furrowed slightly. She was just about to tell Chen Pingchuan that she knew of a very famous martial arts hall with much more advanced equipment.

But his next words formed an invisible barrier, making her swallow what she was about to say.

"This martial arts hall is empty, um... there’s just a little girl at the front desk."

Feng Jiaqi’s expression turned odd. Chen Pingchuan saw her expression and knew she had misunderstood. Many aristocrats had the vile habit of pedophilia, but those were beasts, not him.

He pinched Feng Jiaqi’s cheek and explained helplessly, "What are you thinking? I just wanted to find a quiet place, um... a place where I can be alone with you, because that helps me relax."

A man’s words are a devil’s lies.

Chen Pingchuan was gradually transforming from the straightforward boy he once was into a silver-tongued, cold-hearted, professional scoundrel. Especially since heaven had blessed him with a handsome enough face, which, combined with his perverted talent for befriending women, gave him what seemed like a unique Magic Power. He only needed to lightly deploy his "charm" to effortlessly capture their attention and affection every single time.

"You’re terrible." Feng Jiaqi playfully raised a small fist and tapped lightly on Chen Pingchuan’s chest. The touch was so gentle it felt like a feather brushing against him. Her eyes held a hint of shyness and mischief, a sweet smile gracing her lips. Chen Pingchuan returned her gaze with a doting look, a warm smile spreading across his face. Soon, their eyes met and locked. Hand in hand, they walked briskly into the martial arts hall.

A familiar voice rang out once more. "Welcome to the Black Tortoise Martial Arts Hall! This hall is dedicated to inheriting ancient Daoist culture and strives to use ancient martial arts to unlock the body’s infinite potential. Choosing the Black Tortoise Martial Arts Hall is the first step toward success! We are now offering a supreme newcomer’s gift package for only 8,888..."

"Hehe, Chuanchuan, this martial arts hall is pretty interesting," Feng Jiaqi giggled.

"Yeah, it is." Chen Pingchuan was in high spirits. He chose this place because he saw an extraordinary light in the little girl, a confidence that radiated from within. Her eyes shone with determination and longing, as if all the beauty of the future was beckoning to her. That pure and fervent anticipation was something he could never learn. Even with a simulator that could strengthen him and alter the timeline, giving him the power to change his destiny, he realized he had lost that pure version of himself somewhere along the way.

"Big Brother, you’re here! Oh, and you brought a beautiful big sister!"

Seeing that the receptionist was indeed a girl under the age of ten, just as Chen Pingchuan had said, her face radiating the unique innocence of her age, a flicker of surprise crossed Feng Jiaqi’s face. She slowly crouched down, took the little girl’s soft hand, and said affectionately, "Little Sister, am I really beautiful? No lying, now."

The little girl blinked her big, watery eyes and replied without hesitation, "Beautiful! So, so beautiful! Just as beautiful as my big sister." Her gaze was clear and bright, without a hint of impurity, and her sincere demeanor was truly endearing.

Finding the little girl more adorable by the second, Feng Jiaqi simply picked her up. "Why are you watching the shop all by yourself?"

"Because there are no customers."

"Where are your parents?"

"They’re at work."

"And they just let you watch the shop alone?" A sense of pity welled up in Feng Jiaqi as she looked at the girl, who seemed like a mature little adult.

"No, my family told me not to come. They say running a martial arts hall isn’t profitable. But I know that even though our facilities are simple, as long as the door is open, there’s a chance to make money. Besides, the last time I opened up, I met Big Brother, and he gave me lots and lots of money." At this, the little girl turned to Chen Pingchuan and asked cautiously, "Big Brother, you’re not here to ask for the money back, are you?"

Hearing this, Chen Pingchuan burst out laughing. He deliberately put on a fierce look. "That’s right! I’m here for my money."

"Boohoo... I’m sorry, Big Brother! I shouldn’t have tricked you into buying a membership, but the money you gave me... it’s all spent! Boohoo..." As she spoke, the tears in the little girl’s eyes burst forth, streaming down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

Feng Jiaqi shot Chen Pingchuan a reproachful glare, then comforted the girl. "Your big brother is just teasing you. It’s okay, I have money. Sign me up for ten memberships. I’ll come and keep you company often from now on."

"Really?" The little girl’s crying stopped mid-sob as she looked at Feng Jiaqi with wide, innocent eyes.

"Of course."

"But... isn’t ten a bit too much?"

This little girl is great, except for one thing: she’s not like a child at all,

Chen Pingchuan thought, shaking his head. Feng Jiaqi can’t see through her little schemes, but how could I not? I just can’t be bothered to expose her.

Of course, he didn’t want to be the bad guy, either, especially since this small amount of money meant nothing to him. So he said aloud, "Alright, we’re not here for your money. We’re here to be customers, and we want you to be our exclusive attendant. As long as your service is good, we’ll buy the memberships. Everyone’s happy." He paused. "Now, take us to the training grounds. I need to get started."

After some brief pleasantries, Chen Pingchuan began with the most basic exercises. Although the equipment in this hall wasn’t technologically advanced, strength was often forged through the simplest forms of training.

One thousand sit-ups, one thousand push-ups, one thousand squats, and one thousand jumps per set, he planned. Let’s see how many sets I can do today.

Thanks to the intuitive attribute panel, Chen Pingchuan could monitor his condition effectively. He knew exactly which exercises restored which physical stats, when to stop, and when to push forward. Lunch was a lavish spread that Feng Jiaqi had brought from outside, with a portion for the little girl as well. Chen Pingchuan gobbled his down without any pretense of savoring it. For him, food wasn’t about taste; it was about replenishing his body’s energy. Watching the values on his attribute panel steadily climb, he was filled with confidence, certain he could return to his peak state within a week.

Feng Jiaqi and the little girl sat quietly to one side. At times they would huddle together, whispering like two little sparrows sharing secrets, then erupt in giggles over some amusing topic, their silvery laughter echoing through the hall. They would occasionally glance toward the hard-training Chen Pingchuan, but they never disturbed him, content to simply keep him company.

After a series of intense workouts, even with his current physique, Chen Pingchuan was drenched in sweat. He casually stripped off his loose school uniform, revealing a powerful, sculpted physique. Every muscle seemed like a meticulously carved work of art, radiating an allure of strength and beauty under the lights.

Feng Jiaqi’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to him. The more she looked, the more captivating she found him. His dominant aura, like that of a fierce tiger, carried an invisible pressure that made her blush and sent her heart pounding like a cornered fawn—an indescribable flutter of attraction. She tried to look away but felt as if she were held by some mysterious force, unable to escape her immersion in his physical appeal.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the sun began its slow descent. The blood-red sunset cast a dreamlike hue over the world.

"Time to go home." Looking at his attribute panel, Chen Pingchuan was very satisfied with the day’s progress. After a simple farewell to the little girl, he took Feng Jiaqi’s hand and walked out of the Black Tortoise Martial Arts Hall. His silhouette appeared even taller and straighter in the twilight, while Feng Jiaqi stood quietly beside him, a shy look in her eyes and a blush still lingering on her cheeks.

Time flies so fast, she mused.

Just as they were leaving, Ye Luo’s cool, aloof figure approached from a distance, and they met head-on. At the same time, the little girl’s voice called out from behind them.

"Sister, you’re back!" The little girl turned to Feng Jiaqi and chirped, "Big Sister, look! See? Aren’t you just as pretty as my sister?"

Feng Jiaqi’s expression soured. She subtly glanced at Chen Pingchuan, trying to read his face for any clue.

In contrast, Chen Pingchuan’s brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes revealing a complex mix of confusion, doubt, and a barely perceptible trace of anxiety. How can this be such a coincidence? he thought, his mind racing. In a city this large, we just happen to meet here? And from what the little girl said, it seems Ye Luo is the sister she was talking about. Rather than fate, I’m more inclined to believe an invisible hand is pulling the strings behind the scenes.