New fic dropping soon! Don't let your library miss out on the fun!
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{Chapter: 126 Put a fresh flower in cow dung? Do you want me to teach you?}
Lin Yuan didn't bother to explain further.
He led Chen Yu directly into the Hope Cake Shop.
The moment they stepped inside, Xiao Lian and Xiao He immediately rushed over, their eyes wide with curiosity and mischief.
"Wow! Master, you're too much!" Xiao Lian exclaimed. "You left for a bit and came back with a beautiful lady! What about our manager? Where does that leave her?"
"That's right!" Xiao He chimed in, nodding vigorously. "There's already a stunning store manager, and yet you're still out there finding more beauties to bring here? This is too much! Just because you're handsome, you think you can do whatever you want!"
The two of them spoke in perfect harmony, their voices filled with playful complaints.
Qiu Wanxi, who had been busy inside, noticed Lin Yuan's arrival and turned toward him. The sight of him bringing in another woman made her heart clench for a brief moment. A trace of jealousy flickered in her eyes, but she quickly pushed it aside and walked over with a bright, welcoming smile.
She had given everything to Lin Yuan and expected nothing in return. Even if he only showed her the tiniest bit of affection, it was more than enough for her. As long as he gave her warmth, she was happy and satisfied.
Lin Yuan, ignoring the teasing remarks from Xiao Lian and Xiao He, waved them away. "Go, go. Stop causing trouble."
Then, turning to Qiu Wanxi, he said, "This is Chen Yu. She's my new bodyguard. I've arranged for her to live here with you and ensure your safety. I won't let anything bad happen to you again."
"Oh, so that's how it is." Qiu Wanxi's smile widened in relief. "Thank you, Young Master."
Although she had tried not to let it bother her, she was still pleased to learn that Chen Yu and Lin Yuan were not romantically involved.
"Hello, Sister Chen Yu," Qiu Wanxi greeted with a sweet and gentle smile.
Chen Yu, caught off guard by Qiu Wanxi's warmth, hesitated for a moment before responding. "Hello."
Her voice was slightly stiff. She wasn't used to casual conversations—her interactions with others were usually through the blade of her sword. Other than Xue Yufei and Lin Yuan, she barely spoke to anyone.
Yet, as she looked at Qiu Wanxi's sincere and lovely expression, something stirred inside her. The girl's presence was soft and comforting, a stark contrast to the cold world she was used to. Almost instinctively, Chen Yu felt a good impression forming in her heart.
Perhaps, protecting this girl wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
Qiu Wanxi, still feeling guilty, turned to Lin Yuan. "Bodyguards must be expensive… I'm sorry, Young Master. I failed to help you earn money, and now I'm making you spend even more."
Lin Yuan chuckled softly, pulling her into a gentle embrace and patting her head. "It's fine. Chen Yu is very cheap. Not expensive at all. I'll see you again tomorrow."
Chen Yu's expression darkened instantly. Cheap?!
She was one of the most sought-after assassins, with people willing to pay hundreds of millions for her services. And yet, Lin Yuan had gotten her for a mere one yuan and had the audacity to call her cheap?!
The more she looked at him, the more annoying he seemed.
On the other hand, Qiu Wanxi, with her kind heart and endearing smile, was growing more and more pleasing to Chen Yu's eyes. It felt like a fresh and delicate flower had been carelessly placed next to a pile of cow dung.
After ensuring everything was settled, Lin Yuan left the cake shop.
Despite Chen Yu's bloody history, he knew she wouldn't harm innocent people without reason. Her hatred was solely directed at the Chen family. Plus, judging by her attitude, she seemed to like Qiu Wanxi, which was a relief.
That meant he wouldn't have to worry about Qiu Wanxi's safety at all.
Once inside his car, Lin Yuan turned to Shi Shengnan. "Shengnan, can you drive?"
"Yes, Young Master," she replied with a nod.
She had received professional training in the Bloody Tavern. While close combat was her specialty, she also possessed solid driving skills.
Lin Yuan shifted his gaze to Long Wu. "You can continue working in Xiling District. Shengnan will drive me from now on."
"Understood, Young Master." Long Wu nodded and exited the car without hesitation.
Shi Shengnan took the driver's seat and turned toward Lin Yuan. "Where are we heading, Young Master?"
"WuShi Fighting Club," Lin Yuan stated firmly.
As she glanced at the location he marked on the map, Shi Shengnan's eyes flickered with understanding.
Despite its name, the WuShi Fighting Club wasn't just a place for martial arts. It was a fully equipped combat training facility, offering everything from hand-to-hand combat to firearms training and more.
Lin Yuan's visit today had a clear purpose: he wanted to hone his fighting skills and sharpen his proficiency with firearms.
Although his combat abilities weren't weak, he had never fully tested his potential in real-life combat situations. And when it came to fighting and survival, there was a vast difference between knowing a skill and mastering it in high-stress situations.
Lin Yuan understood this well. Experience and psychological preparation were just as crucial as raw skill.
Take, for example, a person who had trained in martial arts for years versus a seasoned street thug who had been in countless fights. Under similar conditions, the thug would often have the advantage—not because of superior technique, but because of their ruthlessness and real-world experience.
Lin Yuan wasn't about to let himself fall behind. He didn't just want to defeat Ye Feng—he wanted to crush him in every possible way.
Even though he had a bodyguard as skilled as Shi Shengnan, he refused to place his safety in the hands of anyone else.
The only person Lin Yuan fully trusted to protect himself—was himself.
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Soon, Shi Shengnan drove steadily through the streets of Jiangbei, eventually arriving at the WuShi Fighting Club. As the car rolled to a stop in front of the imposing building, Lin Yuan stepped out, his sharp gaze sweeping across the club's exterior. The establishment exuded an air of exclusivity, its dark-tinted windows and reinforced doors suggesting that it catered to only a select clientele.
Lin Yuan and Shi Shengnan entered together, immediately drawing attention from the few people present in the lobby. Unlike ordinary fitness centers, the WuShi Fighting Club was not open to the public. Only individuals with significant influence or power had the privilege of training here. The staff, trained to recognize key figures in Jiangbei's elite circles, were quick to assess new arrivals.
The moment Lin Yuan stepped inside, the supervisor behind the counter immediately recognized him. His eyes lit up, and he quickly hurried over, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Young Master Lin Yuan?" the supervisor asked respectfully, his posture slightly bowed to convey deference.
Lin Yuan nodded casually. "Yes."
The supervisor, maintaining his pleasant demeanor, quickly continued. "Master Lin Yuan, you must be interested in combat training and firearms. Would you like to become a member? We offer various membership tiers, each providing access to different facilities and resources. Our top-ranked diamond membership allows unrestricted access to all combat areas, training programs, and firearm ranges."
Lin Yuan listened attentively, then without hesitation, opted for the highest-tier diamond membership, which required an annual fee of one million. This membership granted him full access to all available firearms, training sessions, and private instructors within the club.
After finalizing the paperwork, Lin Yuan was led into the main training hall. Though not overly crowded, the club housed several individuals, all of whom exuded strength and discipline. Despite their focused routines, Lin Yuan's entrance did not go unnoticed. Many turned their heads, sizing him up with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. Among them, several women cast lingering glances, their interest piqued by his striking appearance and undeniable presence.
Ignoring the attention, Lin Yuan made his way to the sparring area, where he quickly put on handguards and turned to Shi Shengnan. "Let's begin. I want to focus on close combat training today."
Shi Shengnan nodded and took her stance. Despite her towering strength and combat experience, she hesitated, her movements noticeably restrained. Lin Yuan quickly picked up on her hesitation and frowned.
"You're holding back," he stated flatly. "I need real combat experience. If you don't go all out, this training is pointless."
Shi Shengnan bit her lip, looking slightly apologetic. "Master, I... I rarely train by sparring with others. My experience is in real combat, and I lack control when holding back. More importantly, I fear hurting you. I don't want to injure the Master... and also, I just finished fighting that guy earlier. My body hasn't fully recovered."
Lin Yuan's gaze shifted to her right shoulder, noticing the swelling and bruising. Although she had emerged victorious against Max, the battle had clearly taken a toll on her body. It was understandable that she would be hesitant to engage in another intense fight so soon.
"I see," Lin Yuan said after a moment. "Then rest for now. Once your injuries heal, we'll train again in a few days."
Shi Shengnan looked down, ashamed. "Thank you, Master. I'm truly sorry."
Lin Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. Your health comes first."
Just as he was about to turn and seek out another sparring partner, a clear and melodic voice cut through the air.
"Do you want to practice close combat? Do you want me to teach you?"
*****
New fic dropping soon! Don't let your library miss out on the fun!