Chapter 24

Chapters 4-5: A Picture of Beauty

"Come on!"

Wen Liang took a step back, firmly planted his feet on the ground, and extended his right hand to shake with the burly man. This kind of arm wrestling from a distance was more strenuous and difficult than having a support point, but the advantage was that it allowed the use of full body strength, from the feet to the hands, to apply and counteract force.

Just by the strength alone, even someone with cataracts could see the huge gap between the two. However, what the crowd didn't know was that Wen Liang had made some progress in learning internal martial arts. As long as his lower body was stable, his upper body could continuously replenish strength, making him top-notch in terms of endurance.

"Down!" The burly man shouted, the veins on his wrist and arm bulging, his face turning red in an instant. It was clear he wanted to break through with one blow.

Wen Liang felt an immense squeezing force coming from his hand, spreading rapidly through his fingers and wrist like an electric shock, making his right hand both painful and numb, almost unable to exert any strength. His face turned from white to green, then red, and finally a ghastly gray, as if covered with a thick layer of lime powder.

"Good!" Hong Hou and Hou Qiang immediately clapped and cheered. Mu Shan's voice was low and menacing, "Burly man, cripple his hand, and the bonus will double!" Of course, "cripple" didn't mean to actually disable the hand; he wished it, but the burly man wasn't Dongfang Bubai. Mu Shan's intention was for him to use his maximum strength, and if Wen Liang's hand hurt for a week or two, it would be considered a success. After the slap from Zuo Yuxi, Mu Shan didn't want to make things too big. What he wanted to do now was to torment Wen Liang both mentally and physically, which was why he proposed the bet that the loser would call the other "grandpa." Hitting someone in the face was an undeniable principle!

Wen Liang secretly shouted, and the two months of hard training finally paid off. He pressed his feet down and pulled them back, keeping his right hand steadily upright in the air, not collapsing under the burly man's fierce attack.

The burly man was greatly surprised. He never expected his unbeatable killing move to fail against this seemingly weak young man. Remembering Mu Shan's promise, he became anxious and, without hesitation, twisted his waist and stepped forward, using all his strength to press down like a mountain.

The crowd booed again. Was this still arm wrestling? This was clearly using his body weight and full strength to bully someone, but the rules were always in the hands of the majority. Mu Shan didn't speak, and no one dared to say it was unfair. If you wanted, you could do the same.

Wen Liang narrowed his eyes, knowing the opportunity had come. Taking advantage of the burly man's unstable stance, he gently pulled his right hand back and then suddenly pressed it in the opposite direction. This move was the result of two months of hard training, a full and unreserved counterattack. The burly man, who was pressing all his strength onto Wen Liang's right hand, suddenly found himself off balance as his strength went to waste. His body lurched forward due to inertia, and a powerful force suddenly hit him, causing his right hand to involuntarily draw an arc and strike his own chest. In an instant, it felt like being hit by a high-speed train, and the burly man's body softened, his feet slipped, and he fell to the ground.

To the onlookers, the burly man used all his strength against Wen Liang's one hand but was easily knocked down with a casual arm movement. The strength gap was so obvious that it was embarrassing. Especially after the boasts of the black and red monkeys and Mu Shan's increased stakes, the outcome was so unsatisfactory. Even the smiles on their faces hadn't faded when the fight ended. What else could this be called but a slap in the face?

If it were the internet era, the onlookers would have thought: "This is what happens when you try to act cool and end up looking like an idiot, right?"

The burly man got up, unable to face Mu Shan's surprised expression, and hid behind the crowd in shame, naturally not mentioning the bonus.

Wen Liang clapped his hands, a hint of disdain clear on his face. He was too lazy to argue with Mu Shan. If there were fewer people, he wouldn't mind saying a few harsh words to express his contempt, but with so many people around, it would be pointless to lower himself to the same level as the other side.

"Strength alone is useless. Let's bet on table tennis. Liang Bo, you're up." Mu Shan's eyes blazed with anger. The more calm and composed Wen Liang appeared, the angrier he became.

A bespectacled boy stepped forward, waving his finger at Wen Liang arrogantly and saying, "11-0!"

An old-timer from the second year gasped, and a nearby onlooker asked, "What, is Liang Bo that good?"

"Do you not know Liang Bo? You must be new here. Old Liang is a celebrity in the second year, sweeping through the Qingyi High School with his paddle. He's our famous ball king! What, you don't understand 'ball king'? It means he dominates the table and never comes down... like an emperor!"

Table tennis was extremely popular in high schools in the early 1990s. During breaks and after school, the most bustling place besides the basketball court was the table tennis area. Qingyi High School had built nearly 30 table tennis tables on the side of the playground, but they were still in high demand. Often, when two people were playing, a dozen others would be waiting in line. This led to a system: the "banker"! In an 11-point match, the two players would compete, and the loser would step down, with the next in line taking over. To prevent novices from taking advantage, anyone who wanted to play had to pass a test first. The "emperor" would serve a ball, and if you won, you could start the match.

This system created the table tennis culture at Qingyi High School. Unfortunately, this culture gradually disappeared in the new century due to the impact of the internet.

Wen Liang smiled and took the paddle offered to him. Back in the day, when he and Tan Yu dominated the table tennis scene in various university gyms, these guys had probably forgotten how to hold a paddle. Especially now, with his improved coordination, control, vision, and speed, he was confident that no matter how good the ball king was, he wouldn't be a challenge. So...

The outcome was already decided.

11-0, the bespectacled boy's prediction was accurate, but he got the winner wrong. Wen Liang's unpredictable spin, clean and crisp paddle movements, and dazzling smashes took only three minutes to finish the match!

The old-timer from the second year rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his mouth wide open as if he could swallow a penguin. The clueless classmate who had been misled poked him and said, "Bro, is this the emperor who never steps down? More like a quack, stuck there and can't get off!"

These words spread, and a ripple of laughter echoed through the crowd. The Chinese have a tendency to sympathize with the underdog, and Wen Liang's unexpected victory under unfavorable conditions won him the favor of the crowd. Although they didn't dare to openly support him, a few laughs to add to Mu Shan's frustration were still acceptable.

11-0, an incredibly embarrassing score. Liang Bo looked as if he were dead, never having thought he would lose so thoroughly. Mu Shan's explosive face only added to his despair. The promised reward was out of the question, and he had no time to care about the others' ridicule. His only hope was that Mu Shan wouldn't hold a grudge... He had friends in Mu Shan's circle and knew how ruthless he could be.

Mu Shan's face turned blue, and the bespectacled boy didn't dare to look up, slinking over to the burly man for comfort. Wen Liang threw the paddle aside, walked up to Mu Shan, and said with a faint smile, "Kid, best two out of three, bow and call me grandpa!"

Mu Shan glared at Wen Liang, his rough face almost touching Wen Liang's nose. After a long pause, he spat out, "It doesn't count!"

Wen Liang laughed, stepped back a few paces, and pointed at him, saying, "Rookie will always be a rookie, and dog meat will never be on the table... Fine, let's settle it in one match, as you said, a one-on-one basketball game!"

Mu Shan was shocked by Wen Liang's performance in the first two matches. His eyes darted around, and he said, "A one-on-one doesn't show skill. If you're good, let's do a 3v3!"

Wen Liang glared at him coldly. Even though Mu Shan was shameless, he knew he had lost face multiple times today. He said, "What, scared?"

"Fine, I'll take another step back, 3v3. But I don't have teammates now. One week from today, right here, I'll be waiting for you to call me grandpa!"

Mu Shan, unwilling to lose face, said fiercely, "Grandpa will be waiting for you!"

He didn't believe that a timid and weak middle schooler, a ridiculed and despised incompetent, could find suitable teammates in just one week. Basketball wasn't a one-man sport.

Mu Shan left with his subordinates, as arrogant as ever, and those who didn't know better might have thought they had won a great victory.

The crowd gradually dispersed, some excited and others bored. Wen Liang turned around and saw two people standing side by side on the steps at the edge of the playground, their skirts fluttering, the young man in white, the sunset casting a warm red glow from behind, making them look like a celestial couple, a picture of poetry and beauty.

Ji Su and Gu Wenyuan.

The best combination of this era, without a doubt!

Wen Liang stood there for a moment, then walked up the steps to Gu Wenyuan and said with a light smile, "Sorry, I disappointed you, but I still won in the end!"

Gu Wenyuan looked puzzled, first giving a bitter smile and glancing at Ji Su, as if he didn't understand why Wen Liang was talking to him. Then he said in an extremely calm tone, "The outcome doesn't matter to me; I was just watching."

He slightly turned his head, and in an angle where Ji Su couldn't see, he let his mocking gaze and sarcastic smile show.

"Kid, no matter how good you are, you're just a performer in the arena. Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter; I'm just watching!"

Wen Liang's hands, hanging by his sides, tightened imperceptibly, a flash of light appearing in his clear eyes. He stared at Gu Wenyuan's handsome face and suddenly laughed, "Not bad, not bad, a biting dog doesn't bark... Let's take them one by one, and one day, we'll make this world dog-free, ha ha!"

After saying this, Wen Liang immediately left, afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would punch Gu Wenyuan in the face.

Gu Wenyuan shrugged, indifferent, and turned to Ji Su, saying, "I hope my patience doesn't make you think I'm weak."

Ji Su watched Wen Liang's confident back as he walked away, her eyes thoughtful. She smiled, "Of course not, why bother with someone like that..."

This smile was charming and captivating, the innocence and allure of a 17-year-old girl, and Gu Wenyuan was lost in this fragrant smile, unable to pull himself away.

Ji Su, I must have you!

Rumors spread faster than anything else in the world.

In just two days, Wen Liang became a sensation among the freshmen. Whether it was his introduction on the podium, the famous quote when he was moved to a new seat, or his confrontation with Mu Shan on the small playground, his name quickly spread throughout Qingyi High School. But the one who became even more famous was Ji Su, who was always in a passive position.

Whether it was the rumor that Ji Su had failed to pursue Wen Liang, or the gossip that Mu Shan and Wen Liang fought over her, in an era of extreme entertainment deprivation, these stories could cause long-lasting attention and debate, especially since Ji Su was such a bright and beautiful girl, causing even greater excitement.

The direct result was that the number of people loitering outside Class 1-3 during breaks increased to a terrifying level. They poked their heads in, asked around, and came in all shapes and sizes. But they had two things in common: one, after seeing Ji Su, they felt it was worth the trip; two, after seeing Wen Liang, they all cursed, saying he was worse in person than in reputation.

Teacher Ye Yuting, after driving away several groups of people, asked in confusion in the classroom, "What's going on? Why are so many people visiting?"

The class burst into laughter, but no one wanted to explain to Teacher Ye, as they all saw that Wen Liang wasn't a good person and it was better not to offend him.

After school, as Wen Liang walked out of the school gate, he saw Xu Yao sitting on the railing of the sidewalk, swinging her legs. He couldn't help but tease her, "Little girl, did you get lost from your mom? Don't worry, come, Uncle will take you to see the goldfish."

The reputation of "Uncle Goldfish" hadn't been established in this era, and although Xu Yao didn't understand, she knew the lewd connotation and jumped off the railing, kicking him.

"Be proper, be proper," Wen Liang dodged and lectured, "Girls, it's not beautiful to be so aggressive, especially when you're wearing a skirt. Be careful, you might show your legs if you lift them too high..."

This remark had a decisive effect. Xu Yao stopped, smoothed her hair and skirt, and extended her index finger, beckoning. Wen Liang turned, his buttocks sticking out.

Smack!

Xu Yao pretended to kick lightly and then moved to a nearby alley before the other students noticed. "Hey, are you crazy? You clearly won today, why did you agree to compete with them? Where are you going to find two teammates in a week for a basketball game?"

It turned out this little girl also knew about it. Since the reservoir trip, they hadn't been in touch. Xu Yao was in Class 1, and this was their first meeting since school started.

"Not bad, you're not out of touch with the times. You know the hottest topics at school!"

"Pah, shameless, who talks about themselves like that?"

After laughing and joking for a while, Wen Liang suddenly became serious, leaning against the wall. He thought about the resentment and frustration that had plagued him in his previous life. In this life, he would repay it tenfold, so no matter what, he couldn't lose the game in a week and had to win beautifully.

Xu Yao looked at Wen Liang's profile. The 16-year-old boy had the same youthful innocence as his peers, but he also had a unique maturity that only adults possess. His sharp features were firm yet gentle, his eyes calm, his nose slightly upturned, and a hint of self-mockery on his lips. From this angle, he was quite attractive.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?"

Xu Yao's face turned red, and she swatted away Wen Liang's hand, which was waving in front of her. "I was thinking, if someone would call me 'sister,' maybe I could help find a basketball coach for him..."

Wen Liang was overjoyed and immediately clasped his hands together, "Please, sister, Xu sister, Yao sister..."

"Stop, stop, stop... You're so silly, can't you stop being disgusting?"

At a restaurant on Construction Road, when Wen Liang met the basketball coach, he was speechless, pointing at her, "You... you..."

"What do you mean, 'you'? This is the basketball coach I told you about, and my best friend. Silly boy, I didn't lie to you, she's really a beauty..."

Wen Liang hung his head, dejected. Yes, she was indeed a beauty, but that wasn't the point. Could she tell him why the girl with the hooked nose he saw at the award ceremony was here?

"Hello, I'm Wen Liang, a friend of Xu Yao. The incident last time... was a misunderstanding..." Wen Liang, usually eloquent, didn't know what to say.

Xu Yao rarely saw Wen Liang in such a flustered state and burst into laughter, "Who made you talk so fast? You brought it on yourself!"

Wen Liang realized he had been tricked by Xu Yao. She was friends with the girl and pretended not to know, setting a trap for him. Just as he was about to mock her, the girl suddenly spoke, "Have you played basketball before?"

Wen Liang was taken aback and shook his head.

"Rash! What are your strengths? Speed, strength, height... forget about height!"

Wen Liang was speechless and shook his head again.

"Useless! Why did you agree to compete with them, to show off, to be competitive?"

Wen Liang thought for a moment and nodded.

"Immature! Yao Yao, I have something to do, bye."

The girl stood up, her long legs in jeans immediately drawing attention, her tall and perfect figure clearly visible. She didn't even look at Wen Liang, turned, and left.

Wen Liang sat in his seat, watching the girl's retreating back, and after a while, he raised his thumb and said, "Impressive!"

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