Luo Yang didn't intend to attract all the girls present, it was just that he was too charming. With every gesture exuding a gentlemanly grace and approachability, he naturally became the object of the girls' affection.
An Yuying was certainly a bit jealous, but there was nothing she could do.
The most awkward ones were the other boys. They seemed superfluous here, as the girls were only interested in one boy, Luo Yang.
A tall tree catches the wind.
Once Luo Yang became the focal point of all the girls' attention, the boys started to see him as a common enemy.
Xu Zhiping, as the spokesperson for the rich second generation, exchanged glances with a few boys and prepared to take on Luo Yang.
After squeezing his way into the crowd and seeing Luo Yang, he found that he couldn't get a word in edgewise. The beauties around were all eager to talk to Luo Yang, one sentence after another, leaving Xu Zhiping just standing there awkwardly.
When he finally got a chance to speak, Xu Zhiping quickly said, "Does anyone have an interest in joining my Taekwondo club?"
However, no one paid any attention, which left Xu Zhiping feeling embarrassed, so he reluctantly asked Luo Yang, "Brother, are you interested in learning Taekwondo with me? I'll take you on as a disciple for free."
If he hadn't added the phrase "I'll take you on as a disciple for free," Luo Yang would have let it slide for Pang Yifang's sake.
With a light smile, Luo Yang dismissively said, "Taekwondo? Is that the gymnastics where you have to shout incomprehensibly before making a move? I can twist and turn and look better than that."
As soon as he said this, laughter erupted.
Xu Zhiping couldn't save face, and his expression stiffened. He sneered, "Hey, you're not qualified to talk like that. Once you've truly seen Taekwondo, you'll know how powerful it is."
He already held a bias against Luo Yang in his heart, and now, looking at him, his gaze was filled with hostility.
Seeing Xu Zhiping getting angry, Luo Yang thought he should give Chen Jie some face, so he calmly said, "Perhaps, but I'm not interested. Our country's own martial arts are quite good, too. I prefer traditional culture."
Xu Zhiping persisted, "So you're saying you've practiced martial arts? You look like a big bluffer, probably know some superficial moves, right?"
Those were hurtful words; even Pang Yifang couldn't stand to listen.
"Did you eat gunpowder or something? To talk about someone like that," Pang Yifang glared at Xu Zhiping.
She would have been better off not speaking, because as soon as she did, Xu Zhiping's jealousy intensified.
Initially, it was because Pang Yifang seemed quite affectionate with Luo Yang that made Xu Zhiping profoundly jealous. Now, seeing his girlfriend siding with Luo Yang made him even angrier.
"You women, always liking those who boast about worthless nonsense. I haven't slandered him. If he really had trained in martial arts, he would know how powerful Taekwondo is. Still blowing his own trumpet. Hmph. Don't believe me? Let him compete with me, and I'll use Taekwondo to teach him a lesson!"
Xu Zhiping's words became increasingly unpleasant, provoking Luo Yang to the edge.
"In front of so many people, I really don't want to knock you down, but you seem eager to hit the ground, so I'll grant you that opportunity. I'll give you a chance to do gymnastics," Luo Yang sneered.
"Gymnastics?! When I knock you down, you'll realize whether it's gymnastics or not! Come on!" Xu Zhiping raged.
The other boys were eager to see Luo Yang make a fool of himself, and they all moved back, forming a large circle.
Pang Yifang tried to dissuade Luo Yang, "Don't fight with him. His Taekwondo is a fifth Dan Black Belt, one kick could injure you." Then, turning to Xu Zhiping, she scolded, "It's my birthday today, what do you mean by bullying someone here?!"
If Xu Zhiping had not said such nasty things, Luo Yang really wouldn't want to embarrass him.
"It's not that I want to bully him; it's that he's boasting. If he's really skilled, he won't get injured by me. What are you worried about?" Xu Zhiping retorted coldly.
The number of people who had witnessed Luo Yang's real strength was very few among those present.
Chen Jie didn't want to see her cousin's boyfriend lose face, so she advised, "Zhiping, listen to me, don't fight him. You're not his match."
This advice was well-intentioned, but to Xu Zhiping, it sounded entirely different. He thought that all the beauties were siding with Luo Yang, and it was only out of concern that Luo Yang might get hurt that they said such alarming things.
"If I can't take down a useless piece of trash, I'm not a man! Stop wasting time, I guarantee I'll knock him down within 10 seconds! Watch my performance!" Xu Zhiping declared, his mouth corners raised.
"Enough talk! I'm going to show him that there are skies beyond skies, mountains beyond mountains," Luo Yang waved his hand, signaling the persuaders to step back.
Both men were eager to spar, so the others could only stand back.
As a result, the majority were startled to see Xu Zhiping knocked down within 3 seconds, their mouths agape, unable to close.
Xu Zhiping first reached out to test and strike, taking 1 second, then delivered a standard side kick aimed at Luo Yang, intending a one-strike victory. But, just as he was about to hit Luo Yang, his vision blurred, and he kicked at air.
Without even getting a clear view of Luo Yang's figure, he felt a mighty force sweeping his left foot, which he used for support. Unable to react in time, he fell to the ground with a thud, grimacing in pain.
Luo Yang stood gracefully beside the fallen Luo Zhiping, looking down at him with a smile, "Your gymnastic performance is over. From now on, if you practice gymnastics, just stick to it, and don't brag about it so much. I nearly believed you."
Xu Zhiping, enduring the pain, scrambled up furiously and said with a flushed face, "You took advantage of my carelessness! That doesn't count, let's go again! Watch how I deal with you!"
Before the echo of his words faded, he delivered another standard pushing kick.
Luo Yang drifted aside effortlessly, already beside Xu Zhiping, hooked his right leg with his right hand, and lifted forcefully, flipping him over. Xu Zhiping fell and sat on the ground, unable to get up immediately.
If it weren't for Chen Jie's sake, Luo Yang could have delivered an elbow strike that would have made him spit blood.
"Do you still want to perform? Your gymnastics consists only of lifting your leg to kick; it's a bit monotonous. If we talk about winning and losing, you've lost, and you should be the useless one," Luo Yang said coldly.
Xu Zhiping's face turned ashen, trembling as he sat on the ground, his expression a mix of rage, shock, and fear. He had never imagined Luo Yang could fight so well. Today, he truly felt he had lost face in the worst way.
No one went to help Xu Zhiping. Even Pang Yifang was annoyed with him and let him sit there, dazed.
In the spacious floor, filled with hundreds of people, there was a silence so profound one could hear a pin drop.
The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
"I plan to open a martial arts school in the county town in the future. Friends who are interested can sign up," Luo Yang said with a smile.
As he spoke, the atmosphere instantly enlivened. The female students all responded eagerly.
"I want to sign up!"
"I also want to sign up! Where do I register?"
"Count me in!"
...
...
The beauties, vying with one another, crowded around Luo Yang to sign up for martial arts lessons, chattering excitedly as if none of the unpleasantness had ever occurred.
All was as usual.
Xu Zhiping got up and left with a belly full of dissatisfaction and anger, looking dejected.
This day was Pang Yifang and Zhu Li's birthday, and Luo Yang really didn't want to fight, only compelled because Xu Zhiping was too arrogant and kept insulting others endlessly, so much that not responding would have been unmanly.
Pang Yifang was still quite reasonable. She apologized to Luo Yang, "He's too conceited; just think of him as stupid."
Luo Yang said apologetically, "I made him lose face, he might not be able to walk out of this shadow for a long time."