Chapter 119 – Misfortunes

“What, gramps? Are you going to take me as an apprentice?”

I was quite inquisitive. I didn’t expect a scene from a wuxia novel to occur to me.

Gramps shook his head.

“No, I don’t accept disciples. Don’t ask me for my name. I’ll only teach you a few moves. You can learn as you like. Don’t call me master, you can still call me gramps.”

Regardless of whether this old man actually had some hidden skills, his attitude was really like that of a master.

“Then, gramps, I can understand if you don’t want me to ask your name. But are you not interested in who you are teaching? Although we are not friends, at least let me tell you my real name?”

Gramps raised a hand filled with calluses to prevent me from continuing.

“You don’t have to say anything. Even if you become successful in the future, I don’t expect you to mention me. If you broke the law and went on the news, it would also save me a lot of troubles.”

He pointed to the radio that was placed on the bench. “I have always listened to the news from the radio. If someone with your appearance got on the news, it would be hard not to recognize you.”

“Okay, I won’t do big cases, so I’ll try not to get on TV… No, wait! Gramps, don’t throw me in the ditch! Usually when you teach me Kung Fu, shouldn’t you have something to call me?”

“Well, tell me your surname.”

“Okay, my surname is Ye…”

“Ye from tree leaves? Then I’ll call you Xiao Ye Zi!” (TN: Ye means leaf in this case, and Xiao Ye Zi is little leaf nickname)

“Uhh… can’t you change the name? Just call me Xiao Ye!”

Gramps stared at me while fuming.

“Nonsense! You should be glad I’m willing to teach you! You’re lucky your surname is Ye, if it was Huo, I would have have kicked you into the lake!”

“Huh? Gramps, do you have some feuds with people who have the surname Huo? Did your ancestors have a past with Huo Yuanjia?”

Gramps snorted and was obviously unwilling to continue with this topic.

Forget it, it’s fine if gramps wants to call me Xiao YeZi. Anyway, it’s not like no one has called me that before. Although the old man was energetic with a head of white hair, based on his age, he could be at least 80 years old. Maybe he is really a martial arts master, if he can teach me the Kamehameha, or turn into a Super Saiyan, my life would be fulfilled.

I still had to go to school. I was afraid that I would be late, so I said goodbye to gramps for the time being.

Before I left, I wanted to make a sign of respect from ancient times.

I had a brain fart and entered wuxia film mode and said “goodbye”:

“Amitabha, old benefactor, this humble self shall now take my way…”

Gramps was mad to the point that his eyes started twitching.

“That’s why people say, ‘Meeting is not as good as knowing’ and ‘distance creates beauty’. Usually, when I see you, you seem pretty clever, but I didn’t expect you to be such a dunce!”

“Hurry, head to school, wait until your arm has healed, and I will consider whether or not to teach a fool like you.”

After being scolded, I laughed bitterly and ran away.

It’s a bit late today. It’s better to just run one lap then head home to get my bag.

I ran another 400 or 500 meters, and was already halfway home. My head was filled with thoughts about how to deal with the language homework, but suddenly I spotted a bumblebee car parked on the side of an avenue.

My head couldn’t help but think: This car is very similar to the Auntie Ren’s car! There can’t be this much of a coincidence?

It seems like what you’re afraid of always comes. 50 meters in front of me, an adult woman wearing a black suit and a yellow sports jacket was leaning on the railings, looking at the scenery towards the center of the lake.

In the morning, Dongshan Lake was as flat as a mirror. I wasn’t sure what there was to look at, but Auntie Ren looked attentively while appearing sullen. The expression of anger also appeared on her white face from time to time.

How… how frightening! Although I was very familiar with Auntie Ren since I was a child, I have always paid special attention to Auntie in various movie magazines, but after so long, if I had to talk to her face to face, I’m so nervous!

Wait, if you think about it, would Auntie Ren recognize me? I am totally different from my younger self. She would only treat me as an ordinary, somewhat fierce passerby.

So I slowed down and hoped that I wouldn’t alarm Auntie Ren when I walked by.

When I passed by, I secretly took a glance at Auntie Ren.

She wasn’t that different from my memories, she was still valiant and formidable-looking, and young and beautiful.She was worthy of being a world champion, even if she retired, it would not erase the presence of a king.

Her slightly curled hair carried a slight natural red color and was bundled in a ponytail behind her head. It looked neat and tidy, and was in line with her status as a martial arts director. Because of her regular exercise, Auntie Ren had a very good figure, she didn’t at all look like someone who had a child.

With her appearance and figure, she can definitely act as a Bond girl in the ‘007’ series. I once read a review where a small editor lamented the fact that it was a waste to have Auntie Ren as a martial arts director. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, it would actually be a waste of talent if they cast Auntie Ren as those flowery girls, reading those stupid lines.

I suddenly thought, after Xiao Qin grew up, how similar would she be to Auntie Ren?

First of all, she can’t compare with Auntie Ren in terms of height. Auntie Ren and I were similar in height. Xiao Qin was a head shorter than me. She should lose her dream of being a tall beauty in this life.

In terms of skin, Xiao Qin’s skin was white and soft because she spent most of her time at home. However, her white and soft skin was exchanged with her abnormal lifestyle. In contrast, I feel that Auntie’s skin was healthier.

There was quite a few similarities in terms of eyebrows, but only the appearance was similar, it had a totally different aura. It’s a bit like the difference between Shu Sha and her brother.

Even if Auntie Ren kept a low profile, and was extremely reserved, it was unavoidable that her every gesture showed her power, and made the villains hiding in the shadows afraid of making a sound.

Xiao Qin, besides flashing her eyes, she could only laugh foolishly and reveal and appear brainless.

It’s hard to imagine a day when Xiao Qin would mature, I feel like she will never grow up.

At this time, Auntie Ren was facing away from me, looking at the water ripples in the center of the lake.

Maybe it was because of boredom, she took out a can of beer and started drinking while staring at the scenery.

Drinking in the morning! Did something bad happen?

Forget it, it’s already difficult to protect myself, I lowered my head and tried to quietly pass by.

I didn’t go far before Auntie Ren called out and stopped me from behind.

“Hey you, stop!”

I trembled, my feet stopped involuntarily. I turned halfway to look at Auntie Ren.

Auntie Ren held the beer in one hand and leaned on the railing with the other and said to me half-squinting:

“You, throw a punch!”

“Huh? Punch?” I pointed to my left arm. “But I’m hurt!”

Auntie Ren raised her brows, “Don’t you still have a right hand? Stop wasting time! Throw a punch and let me see!”

Based on the tone of her order, I couldn’t defy. I took a deep breath and made a jab into the empty space in front of me.

“Hmph, amateur!”

Auntie Ren took a big gulp of beer and then commented disdainfully.

I know that my pathetic skill is nothing in Auntie Ren’s eyes, but don’t be so ruthless! This is what I learned from watching multiple boxing matches!

“You, show me a kick!”

I couldn’t help it, since it felt pretty dumb kicking empty space, I kicked the willow tree by the lake, and the branches shook violently.

“Oh, it’s got quite a bit of strength, but the timing is off, most of the power was offset by yourself!”

Auntie Ren finished the remaining beer in one gulp and tossed the empty can into the air. She stood still with only her right leg raised, then she slammed kick the can, sending it straight up into the clouds, where it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye.

After a full two minutes or so, the beer cans fell back down from the sky, and Auntie Ren swept her right leg again. The beer can changed directions, and like a bullet, it shot into the garbage bin, it went into the bin marked “recyclable garbage”.

The force of the beer cans did not dissipate, and the garbage bin shook loudly.