The surviving bodyguards retreated to their quarters, while the bodies of the fallen were prepared for burial. Muchen received a call from Li Qiang, summoning him to the mansion. As he approached Li Qiang's room, a sense of unease settled in his stomach like a heavy stone.
Muchen knocked on the door, his knuckles barely making a sound against the heavy wood. When permission was granted, he stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the scent of sandalwood incense hanging in the air. "You called for me, sir?"
Li Qiang's eyes bore into him, cold and unyielding. "You know, as a bodyguard, you shouldn't call anyone to take care of your master. That's one of the rules."
Muchen's heart skipped a beat. "But Master Xin is close to me," he replied, his voice steady despite the tension. He could feel the sweat forming on his palms.
Li Qiang's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Are you gay? I've been wondering all this time. For a male to look like a cutie, it only means you are, and to fall for a fragile male," he chuckled darkly, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
Muchen bristled. "Mr. Gou, Master Xin is a master martial artist. He has won numerous championships and awards," he boasted, his pride evident. The words felt like a lifeline in the oppressive atmosphere.
Li Qiang's expression changed, but Muchen couldn't read it. "That's all I needed to know."
"Huh?" Muchen blinked, confused.
"You can leave," Li Qiang ordered, his voice cold and final.
Muchen walked out, scratching the back of his head, the encounter leaving him unsettled and perplexed about his boss's true intentions. The hallway felt colder, the shadows longer.
Li Qiang called the head of the bodyguards, instructing him to investigate a person named Xin Yi.
That night, Xin Yi lay in her bed, her hair fanned out on the pillow. She blinked repeatedly, struggling to sleep. The room was silent except for the distant hum of traffic. With a sigh, she sat up and looked at a picture of her mom and dad. "I miss you both," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness. She sighed again before collapsing back onto her pillow and turning to her side. Exhausted, she finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Xin Yi had an important match. Disguised as a male, she wore her gi with a black belt and walked confidently to the competition venue. The crisp morning air filled her lungs, and the distant chatter of the crowd reached her ears.
As she entered, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowd, especially among the female fans who believed she was a man. Her coach approached her, whispered something in her ear, and she nodded in response. Even her coach was unaware of her true identity.
What Xin Yi didn't realize was that the wealthy brat she had saved the previous day was also at the venue, accompanied by Muchen and three other bodyguards.
Xin Yi's opponent entered the ring, and they both stepped forward as the whistle blew. Immediately, they began fighting. Xin Yi kicked at her opponent, who blocked it with his arm. The impact reverberated through her leg. Without missing a beat, Xin Yi jumped, her other leg coming up to deliver a powerful kick to her opponent's head. This time, he couldn't defend, and he fell to the floor but quickly scrambled back to his feet.
"GO MASTER!" Muchen shouted, his voice filled with encouragement.
Li Qiang narrowed his eyes, watching Xin Yi carefully, scrutinizing her skill and technique. The air was thick with anticipation.
Xin Yi executed a double kick, but her opponent countered with a swift punch to her stomach. She winced, holding her breath to manage the pain. The taste of iron filled her mouth.
Muchen stood up, worry etched on his face. Her fans, too, watched with bated breath, anxious for their beloved competitor.
Xin Yi bit her lip, managing to defend herself as her opponent aimed a punch at her face. She leaped into the air, executing a whirlwind kick that struck her opponent three times before she landed back on the floor. Her opponent collapsed, unable to continue, and Xin Yi won the match.
After a brief rest, the second round began with another opponent. Xin Yi held her stomach, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The new opponent started with a donkey kick that hit Xin Yi in the stomach, knocking her to the floor. She groaned but quickly stood up, retaliating with a powerful mule kick. She then used her leg to sweep her opponent's leg, causing him to fall and injure his knee. Let's add more sensory details and emotional depth to bring this part of your chapter to life:
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Unable to stand, he groaned in pain, and Xin Yi won the second round. Her fans, along with cheerleaders, erupted in cheers, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement.
The third round started without delay and ended with another victory for Xin Yi. She breathed heavily, holding her stomach, as her award was handed to her. The weight of the trophy felt like a small victory against the throbbing pain. She smiled happily, despite the pain, and was soon surrounded by journalists, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust forward.
Seeing her discomfort, her coach quickly intervened, dragging her away from the reporters. Xin Yi scrunched her face in pain, still clutching her stomach.
"Are you alright?" her coach asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm alright," Xin Yi replied, though her voice was strained. She walked to the locker room, where several men stood, their backs turned to her. She muttered to herself, "I wish I could ogle their backs, but my visitor came unexpectedly, and that bastard hit my stomach."
"MASTER XIN!!!" her teammates cheered as she entered. She smiled and thanked them before heading to her locker to retrieve her phone. The locker room smelled of sweat and victory, a mix of exhaustion and triumph hanging in the air.
"Muchen, I need your help. Can you get me a pad and some pain-relieving drugs?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. Muchen agreed without hesitation.
After ending the call, Xin Yi went to the bathroom to wait for him. The cold tiles under her feet did little to soothe her discomfort. Fifteen minutes later, she finally heard a knock on the door. She opened it, and Muchen handed her the items in a discreet nylon bag.
Muchen waited patiently outside until she was done. When Xin Yi emerged, she was dressed in boyfriend jeans, a white baggy top, and a black jacket. The casual attire contrasted sharply with the fierce warrior she had been moments ago.
"Thanks, Muchen," Xin Yi said, smiling gratefully.
"Anything for my master," he replied with a respectful nod. "Uh, master, my boss wants to see you for saving the young master."