Sun Chengyi, being a martial arts expert himself, naturally didn't bring any bodyguards. It was clear that he and his friends were just having some fun.
Although there were quite a few onlookers around, no one dared to say a word at this moment; they all cleared a path.
Xu Zhengyang and Qi Yunfei walked out of the gym, one in front and one behind.
Not far from the gym, hurried footsteps approached from behind. Looking back, Xu Zhengyang saw that it was Zhang Yao who had followed them.
"Wait!"
Zhang Yao ran up to them, covering her chest and catching her breath.
"Hmm?"
Xu Zhengyang looked at her with some impatience.
Seeing Xu Zhengyang's expression, Zhang Yao felt even more frustrated and a surge of unnamed anger rose within her.
As a stunning beauty, she felt that it was beneath her to chase him out like this, and yet he seemed impatient!
However, she suppressed her discomfort and said, "You've broken his hand like that; even if it heals, he probably won't be able to practice martial arts again. The Sun family won't let this go easily."
"And then?"
Xu Zhengyang asked, puzzled.
Zhang Yao frowned. What did he mean by "and then"?
"Although you have some skill, you shouldn't overestimate yourself. The Sun family has recently acquired a powerful expert with external strength. If they take action, you have no chance of winning."
Zhang Yao said with some displeasure.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Xu Zhengyang interrupted her impatiently. "Say what you need to say, or get to the point. If you keep talking nonsense, I'm leaving."
"You!!"
Zhang Yao was nearly driven mad by Xu Zhengyang. Qi Yunfei also secretly gave a thumbs up. This was truly a prime example of why someone was single.
If Xu Zhengyang wasn't so wealthy, Qi Yunfei seriously doubted whether he'd be able to find a partner.
"My point is, there will be a larger martial arts tournament soon, and our family will participate. I hope you can join our side."
She said, pulling out a business card from her small bag and handing it to Xu Zhengyang.
Xu Zhengyang did not take it. Instead, he asked with a faint smile, "Since the Sun family won't let this go and you think I can't beat their experts, why are you asking me to fight for your family? Isn't that openly opposing the Sun family?"
Zhang Yao was momentarily speechless.
She stood there, holding the card, feeling both embarrassed and angry.
"I guess it's because you dislike the idea of marrying into the Sun family, so you're trying to recruit their enemies to make their family unable to accept you. This way, your family won't be able to force you into the marriage anymore."
Xu Zhengyang tilted his head and looked at her.
Zhang Yao's face turned pale. She hadn't expected Xu Zhengyang to guess her intentions so accurately!
That was indeed her plan.
While she was stunned, Xu Zhengyang took the card and casually asked, "Will there be many other powerful families participating in this tournament?"
"Yes! I want to clarify that I didn't mean to undermine you earlier. While I suggested you not overestimate yourself, I also didn't underestimate you. My family is also a traditional martial arts family, and I can see that you're a level above Sun Chengyi. So I believe you have a chance in battle, at least not weaker than some of our family's experts."
Zhang Yao said seriously.
"Alright, then I'll join your family's team. Just contact me in advance before the event."
Xu Zhengyang nodded and took out his own business card, handing it back along with Zhang Yao's.
Zhang Yao was furious. So many people wanted her contact information and couldn't get it, and yet she had offered it to Xu Zhengyang, and he had rejected it!
Was he so disdainful of associating with her?
Xu Zhengyang agreed because it didn't matter to him. He definitely planned to participate in the tournament. If there were advanced traditional martial arts families, he needed to get to know them and gather clues about his mother. So he agreed to join as an external aid to a family.
As for Zhang Yao, he had no real interest in getting to know her; her demeanor was rather off-putting.
Zhang Yao gritted her teeth and took the two business cards.
"Fine, I'll call you when the time comes."
"Hmm."
Xu Zhengyang replied and turned to leave.
Zhang Yao watched Xu Zhengyang and Qi Yunfei for a while, then stamped her foot in frustration and turned back into the gym.
She seriously questioned her own charm, or whether she hadn't put on makeup today.
On the way back, Qi Yunfei, somewhat incredulously, said, "Master Xu, you're really hiding your talents. I didn't expect you to be a martial arts expert!"
"Martial arts expert? Haha, I don't know martial arts."
Xu Zhengyang chuckled helplessly.
Qi Yunfei was left speechless.
Hmph, Chang Wei said the same thing…
As soon as Xu Zhengyang returned to the Flying Eagle Reconnaissance Team's base, Zhang Yu called him.
"Hello, Yangzi, my mom is here."
"Lin Auntie is here?"
Xu Zhengyang was delighted. Since he lost his mother a long time ago, besides spending New Year's with his brother, Lin Auntie was the only one who needed him to pay New Year's greetings.
"Where are you?"
"I'll send you the location. We're at the Old City Bone Soup Restaurant. We're having braised bones!"
"I'll be there right away!"
When Xu Zhengyang arrived at the bone soup restaurant, he saw Zhang Yu's wild horse from a distance. He wondered what Lin Auntie's reaction would be upon seeing her son driving a sports car.
Xu Zhengyang walked into the restaurant with a smile, scanning around.
"Over here!"
Zhang Yu waved and called out. Xu Zhengyang quickly walked over.
"Auntie Lin!"
Lin Auntie, in her forties, had not taken good care of her skin and had weathered many hardships, but her demeanor and grace were very gentle and kind. She was very amiable.
Her soft and nurturing personality had managed to raise Zhang Yu alone, which was truly commendable.
At this moment, she was looking at Xu Zhengyang with a maternal smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling with affection.
"I said I would cook for you, but he insisted on eating at the restaurant. How much does this meal cost?"
Pulling Xu Zhengyang to sit down, Lin Auntie said quietly, reproachingly.
"Zhang Yu didn't want to tire you out, and besides, he's driving a wild horse now. I heard he's joined a big company, so it's time for him to spend a little!"
Zhang Yu was surprised by the latter part. When had he joined a big company?
Xu Zhengyang gave him a knowing look.
Zhang Yu was Xu Zhengyang's closest brother. If Xu Zhengyang had a business under his command, Zhang Yu would definitely be a trusted aide. He also had the ability; it was just that he had been underestimated.
Zhang Yu nodded in understanding.
At this time, the large pot of braised bone soup that Zhang Yu had ordered was served.
Lin Auntie hadn't seen Xu Zhengyang for a long time and chatted with concern, inquiring about their recent circumstances.
Just as Xu Zhengyang was in a good mood, a child from the neighboring booth stood on his seat and looked over at them.
The child, about eight or nine years old, peeked through the flower pots placed on the divider and grinned at Xu Zhengyang and Zhang Yu.
While Xu Zhengyang was frowning, the boy unexpectedly spat a large mouthful of saliva into their pot.
The saliva even splashed onto Lin Auntie's hair, dirtying it.