“The child’s mother got angry and went back to her maiden home, leaving the child to me and even intentionally giving the nanny time off.”
“What a mess this is. I have to rush to Gangcheng to negotiate a business partnership; how would I have time to look after a kid? I am truly out of options, brother, help me out.”
Before Shen Yanbin could even reply, Luo Tao glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. “I really do not have time, I have to catch a flight.”
“That is your Taekwondo dojo, you know the address. I am leaving first.”
Luo Tao grabbed his luggage and disappeared into the elevator.
Leaving behind a half-asleep, utterly bewildered Shen Yanbin, along with a similarly clueless little fellow, staring blankly at each other.
After washing up, Shen Yanbin brought his close friend’s son, Luo Zhuang, and drove his Rolls-Royce to the Dewu Taekwondo Dojo.
After getting out of the car, he looked up at the sign overhead, feeling somewhat dazed.
It was indeed the dojo he had invested in and built.
It seemed he had not been here once since the ribbon-cutting ceremony, so it felt rather unfamiliar. Luo Zhuang had to lead the way inside.
The dojo was unusually quiet, lacking the usual shouts and cheers of training.
Arriving at the spacious training ground, Shen Yanbin saw a circle of people wearing white uniforms surrounding a few individuals in the center.
They appeared to be having a match.
Among the onlookers, people were whispering and placing bets.
“Hey, hey, who are you betting on this time?”
“It has got to be Hu Lulu.”
“But Brother Feng wins every time.”
“It is not Qian Feng every single time; he lost twice last month. I think Qian Feng is not in the best shape today, so his chances of winning are a bit low. Look at how full of vigor Hu Lulu is.”
“Brother Feng has incredible explosive power, so he still cannot be underestimated. Anyway, I am backing Brother Feng to win.”
“The rougher the waves, the more expensive the fish. I will bet five hundred on Hu Lulu winning.”
Shen Yanbin was quite tall, so even standing on the outer perimeter, he could clearly see everything happening in the center of the field.
The man standing beside the ponytail girl had a somewhat familiar back view.
Shen Yanbin guessed that he must be the Brother Feng everyone was talking about.
Shen Yanbin had no interest in watching.
He handed his close friend’s son over to the staff at the dojo and intended to leave.
Suddenly, with an unconscious glance, he caught sight of Brother Feng’s profile.
Shen Yanbin’s sharp gaze immediately recognized him as the resident singer who had splashed him with dirty water the previous night.
To think he was also a student here at the Taekwondo dojo?
No. Listening to the discussion among the crowd, he seemed to be a coach.
Shen Yanbin raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise and could not help taking a few extra glances at Brother Feng.
This hot-tempered kid was not very tall, visually estimating him at around 179 centimeters. Of course, given Shen Yanbin’s own height of 192 centimeters, anyone looked short to him.
Although Brother Feng was not tall, his body proportions were exceptionally good, especially those long, slender legs.
Even wrapped in white training pants, those long limbs immediately caught the eye.
As a Taekwondo coach who exercised frequently, one did not need to lift his clothes to know his muscles were tightly toned.
Shifting his gaze upward, Qian Feng happened to turn his head as well, though he did not notice him.
Shen Yanbin continued to appraise him uninhibitedly.
The hot-tempered kid had handsome facial features and a fringe-layered haircut.
His whole person exuded a prickly, ruffian-like aura, and just like his name, he carried a wild, handsome edge.
“Ooh.”
At that moment, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.
Only then did Shen Yanbin realize that the girl named Hu Lulu had kicked down two wooden boards.
The onlookers started discussing again.
“Brother Feng is definitely going to lose this time.”
“It is touch-and-go, really touch-and-go.”
“Ah, if I had known, I would have bet on Lulu to win.”
“I heard Brother Feng also made a bet with Sister Lulu. The loser has to scrub the toilets for two months. Do you think Brother Feng is currently regretting it so much his intestines are turning green?”
Shen Yanbin’s gaze involuntarily landed on Qian Feng once more.
He saw the hot-tempered young man curve his lips into a lazy, casual smile, gracefully applauding Hu Lulu alongside everyone else.
There was not a single trace of regret in his relaxed demeanor.
Shen Yanbin could not help crossing his arms, looking forward to his upcoming performance.
New wooden boards were set up on the training ground.
Everyone’s attention turned to Qian Feng.
Qian Feng prepared himself, staring fixedly at the wooden boards. He reined in his smile, his gaze turning considerably more serious.
Three seconds later, he charged forward like a cheetah, leveraged a jump, remained suspended in the air for a few seconds with a spin, and kicked down all three wooden boards with a series of heavy bangs.
“Wow.”
“A whirlwind triple kick, awesome!”
“So cool, my Brother Feng!”
The scene erupted into applause even more enthusiastic than before, with cries of admiration rising one after another.
Even in the depths of Shen Yanbin’s eyes, a look of stunned amazement could not be concealed.
His landing posture was simply too handsome, resembling a martial arts master from a television drama.
Every boy harbored a martial arts dream, and Shen Yanbin was no exception.
Never had he expected to witness such a cool move in real life, and he was almost dazzled out of his wits by it.
However, the next second, Shen Yanbin could no longer smile.
Qian Feng seemed to have noticed him and was walking straight toward him.
“Aren’t you that guy from last night? What are you doing in our dojo?”
“Brother Feng, he is Zhuangzhuang’s parent,” someone nearby explained.
“Oh.” Qian Feng dawned with realization, smiling craftily. “So it is Zhuangzhuang’s dad. Come, come, let us talk about Zhuangzhuang’s progress.”
Shen Yanbin had a gut feeling that this kid was up to no good.
Yet, he followed Qian Feng into the office as if under a spell.
Inside the office sat three white desks, topped with computers and some documents.
Qian Feng walked over and sat down in the middle office chair.
Ignoring Shen Yanbin, he first picked up a water cup from the desk, tilted his head back, and took several large, ferocious gulps of water.
His posture was utterly unrestrained.
He truly possessed the flavor of a wandering martial arts hero.
Qian Feng screwed the lid back onto his cup, finally finding time to address Shen Yanbin. Without inviting him to sit, he launched into a scolding verbal assault:
“Zhuangzhuang’s dad, I have never seen you around before. Is this your first time at the dojo? It is not that I want to criticize you, but you are far too irresponsible as a parent.”
“Do you have the slightest demeanor of a father? You probably spend all your time on your career, busy deducting your employees’ wages, right?”
Shen Yanbin knew he was using public office for private revenge and making sarcastic insinuations.
He did not get angry; a gentle, mild smile remained on his face as he was about to explain that he was not Zhuangzhuang’s father.
Qian Feng raised a hand to stop him and continued his lecture:
“Zhuangzhuang is either brought here by his mother or by the nanny every time. The child lacks paternal love. Do you have any idea how much psychological damage that inflicts on a child? What on earth are you doing as a father?”
Shen Yanbin was standing a bit tiredly, so he pulled over a chair, preparing to sit down opposite Qian Feng while maintaining his gentle tone.
“Coach Qian, I will convey these words.”
“Did I tell you to sit down?” Qian Feng’s voice turned somewhat chilling as he barked, “Stand up!”
Shen Yanbin pressed his lips together, pushed the chair away, and obediently stood straight.
Qian Feng clearly noticed that Shen Yanbin’s scholarly, courteous smile faded slightly, the eyelashes beneath his gold-rimmed glasses drooping as if he were somewhat displeased.
Hmph!
Your displeasure is the greatest joy for me, Qian Feng.
Two thousand!
Do you have any idea what two thousand means to me?
Falling into my hands today, consider yourself unlucky!