Chapter 16: Difficult Family

Ling Chen immediately remembered Yang Sheng; weren’t they Yang Sheng’s lackeys who came to cause trouble that night?

"Is Yang Sheng's influence big?"

"He's been in the Old City the longest; his influence is the greatest. Now he's started to learn to do business, operating bars and restaurants, trying to go legit."

"No matter how big his influence is, they're just a bunch of street thugs. I’ll teach you a few moves in a bit, guaranteed to make them cry for their mommas."

Ling Chen said this with confidence. Although it was just a few simple moves, they were the essence condensed from his personal experience.

These few moves were simple and easy to learn. In less than half an hour, everyone almost got the hang of it; even Nanrong Hao could mimic them decently.

"Jiang Hao, you guys remember, street fighting is all about three words: fierce, ruthless, fast. As long as you are more fierce, strike more ruthlessly, and react faster than others, no one can beat you."

After listening to Ling Chen’s earnest instructions, everyone memorized it firmly.

Just then, the ringtone of Jiang Hao’s phone went off. He answered the call, and after a few words, his face darkened.

"Damn it, that bastard Yang Sheng really dares." He cursed fiercely.

"Chen, Yang Sheng’s people have already arrived at Five Miles Street; they’ve smashed several shops."

Ling Chen grinned and said: "Perfect, I’ve only taught you theory; only through real combat can you truly master the essence. Since some people have come for you to practice, don’t be polite."

"Chen’s right. Brothers, let’s go, screw them up."

A group of people charged furiously to Five Miles Street, where more than thirty thugs were wielding iron rods, smashing game centers and pool halls, which were Jiang Hao’s territories.

Without saying a word, Jiang Hao picked up a brick and charged forward, followed closely by the others.

Ling Chen crossed his arms and watched with interest from the side, offering pointers now and then.

"Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Kick his lower body."

"Right, that punch was good, just the angle was a bit off."

"You... yes, you, what are you using those legs for? Won’t you kick him?"

As the young master, Nanrong Hao had never seen a real street brawl; his eyes shone brightly, his blood boiling, eager to join in.

Ling Chen couldn’t help but say: "If you want to fight, just fight; what are you hesitating for like a woman?"

Seeing him speak up, Nanrong Hao hesitated a little, then rushed into the melee.

Bang!

A punch was thrown, and a thug’s nose started bleeding immediately.

In no time, with the help of others, Nanrong Hao had taken down several thugs.

Ling Chen was quite surprised. He didn’t expect this guy to be so fierce; even some of the thugs couldn’t match his ruthlessness. Moreover, Nanrong Hao had good potential; he had already mastered the few moves Ling Chen taught him and could apply them well in real combat.

With everyone’s concerted efforts, it didn’t take long to drive away that group of thugs.

"Haozi, you are really awesome."

"If it hadn’t been for Haozi’s help, we alone probably couldn’t have managed."

Jiang Hao put his arm around Nanrong Hao’s shoulder and laughed: "Haozi, I always thought you were a sissy, but you’re so brave when it comes to fighting. In my opinion, you might as well follow me and forget about being some useless young master."

"If that’s the case, my sister would probably kill me." Nanrong Hao smiled bitterly.

"Chen, how did we do just now?"

Everyone eagerly watched Ling Chen, hoping to receive his approval.

"Acceptable, keep working hard; I’m heading back first."

Taking a few steps away, Ling Chen turned back and said, "Haozi."

Nanrong Hao scurried over to him and asked, "Chen, is there anything else?"

"Do you really want to learn kung fu?"

"Of course, is that even a question? Chen, are you..."

"Less talk, follow me."

Leaving Five Miles Street, the two arrived at an empty lot where no one was present.

Standing in the center of the field, Ling Chen glanced at Nanrong Hao.

"Watch carefully; I will do it three times."

With that said, his fists moved rhythmically, generating a fierce force; his movements shifting between quick and slow, powerful when fast and gentle as flowing water when slow. He performed the set of moves three times continuously without any pause, all in one go.

Nanrong Hao didn’t dare to even blink, fearing he might miss any detail.

"Did you see it clearly?"

Nanrong Hao nodded and then shook his head, somewhat confused.

"Come find me at this time tomorrow, and we’ll see how much you’ve grasped."

Leaving Nanrong Hao alone, Ling Chen went straight home.

Judging from Nanrong Hao’s prior performance, his aptitude wasn’t bad. Although he started a bit late, it didn’t matter. What Ling Chen wanted to know now was the degree of Nanrong Hao’s aptitude before considering whether to teach him further.

The reason he was willing to teach Nanrong Hao was primarily because he thought Nanrong Hao was a decent person, without the airs of a wealthy family. Moreover, his willingness to lower himself and make friends with Jiang Hao and the others showed he was someone who could be considered a friend.

Arriving home, Ling Chen carried a chair out to the balcony, planning to enjoy the cool breeze and finish off the two bottles of beer he had at home.

Upon getting to the balcony, he saw Tang Shiyun standing on the neighboring balcony, her hands supporting her cheeks, her eyes red as if she had just been crying.

"Girl, what’s the matter? Who bullied you?"

Tang Shiyun, seemingly not noticing his arrival until his sudden words startled her, quickly turned away to wipe her tears.

"Girl, tell me what’s wrong."

Tang Shiyun bit her lip, and thinking of some distressing matter, tears involuntarily started flowing from her eyes again.

Ling Chen, who hated to see women cry, urgently said, "Tell me, who bullied you? I’ll go beat them up."

"Nobody bullied me."

"Then why are you crying?"

"I..."

After much questioning, it took Ling Chen a while to understand what had happened.

Tang Shiyun’s family was of average means; her parents were from another place, and their hometown was impoverished, which is why they came to work in East Sea City, struggling to earn money to finance Tang Shiyun’s education.

A few days ago, Tang Shiyun received an admission letter from East Sea University, which should have been a happy occasion. However, unforeseen circumstances plunged their family into difficulty.

Tang Shiyun’s father, due to overwork, was not in good health and had been neglecting to visit the hospital to save money for his child’s education. Yesterday, while working, he collapsed on the construction site due to cumulative fatigue and was fortunately rescued in time at the hospital. According to the doctors, his treatment would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan.

For a financially struggling family, tens of thousands of yuan was not a small amount. Initially, Tang Shiyun’s parents had saved some money for her university fees, but now it had all gone to the hospital, and they had also incurred more than twenty thousand yuan in debt.

With just over a month until school started, and with tuition fees amounting to more than ten thousand, this situation was truly adding insult to injury for their family.