Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four: Met Yesterday, Embraced Today?

Thump thump thump

Tang Chong maintained his calm breathing, running lap after lap around the playground at his unique frequency.

Unlike the noisy and bustling daytime when countless people trampled on it, the large playground in the early morning was like a newborn baby or a sleeping maiden, quiet and fragile, making one afraid to step too heavily and disturb their sweet dreams.

When Tang Chong had run three laps, the sound of 'thud thud thud' footsteps came from behind.

Without turning around, just by the sound, Tang Chong already knew who the owner of these feet was.

She's here again!

Sure enough, she first ran past Tang Chong at an extremely fast speed, then slowed down at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and continued to run at her own pace, always maintaining that distance between them.

Tang Chong smiled, not minding it at all.

Having a sexy and slender girl leading the way was only a positive influence on him.

Watching her long legs move swiftly and her full, firm buttocks sway from side to side was truly a feast for the eyes.

Jiao Nanxin was a very adventurous girl. If not, she wouldn't have traveled all over the country during her holidays, carrying a backpack, even before she turned eighteen.

She climbed many famous mountains and rivers, saw many scenic spots, and even challenged several 'Death Zones' selected by National Geographic magazine.

"I see, I conquer." She liked the words of that short general.

Because of this 'barbaric' hobby, she developed an excellent physique. Getting up at six every morning to run and practice boxing was a must for her.

She originally thought that getting up so early would mean the playground would be empty.

However, she didn't expect to encounter a student who was even earlier on her first day out. Moreover, from the look of that guy, he had already run several laps.

Not wanting to fall behind was her nature, so she quickly rushed to the front of Tang Chong.

She liked being first, she liked challenging limits, and she liked running ahead of others—perhaps one day she would also like sitting on top of others.

She wanted to lead the way, not follow behind a boy like a little tail.

Moreover, she wanted to exhaust that boy if he kept following her.

She was very confident in her stamina. She had no confidence in those boys who spent all day reading novels and playing games, lacking any exercise.

Moreover, Tang Chong's appearance and the ugly large glasses on his nose were the epitome of a 'nerd.'

One lap, two laps, three laps... ten laps, eleven laps...

No matter how many laps she ran, that guy always followed her, neither too close nor too far, never giving up.

In the end, she was the one who gave up.

Because she had spent too much time and energy running, she couldn't even perform her 'Mighty Fist' routine, which she used to defend against wolves and thieves—she was simply too exhausted to move.

Today, Jiao Nanxin decided to change the competition method.

When she reached the tenth lap, she stopped voluntarily. Then, she walked to the center of the playground's grass, made a starting gesture, and began to practice her boxing routine.

The Mighty Fist was taught to Jiao Nanxin by a comrade of her father, a 'family secret' passed down by Uncle Zhen.

Because of its fierce and expansive movements, it was called the Mighty Fist, full of tension and aggression.

Most girls didn't like such violent and ungraceful things, but Jiao Nanxin was fascinated by it.

After learning it, she practiced daily and actually developed some skills. During one 'backpacking trip,' a black backpacker tried to sneak into her tent and was beaten to his knees, bleeding profusely.

"He can't do this, right?" Jiao Nanxin thought to herself.

Sure enough, Jiao Nanxin's movements caught Tang Chong's attention.

He stopped, stood on the track, and watched the girl who was leaping and practicing her boxing, her movements full of vigor.

She had a wheat-colored complexion, sharp and aggressive eyes, and practicing such a dominant boxing style made her look very cool.

After finishing the Mighty Fist routine, she beckoned to Tang Chong with her fingers.

Tang Chong looked back; it was still early, and there were only the two of them on the playground.

When a woman acts cute for no reason, she's either asking for money or help.

Tang Chong ignored her and continued running.

"Hey," Jiao Nanxin called out.

Tang Chong turned to look at her.

"Coward," Jiao Nanxin said disdainfully.

Tang Chong stopped, walked into the playground, and stood in front of Jiao Nanxin, saying, "This boxing routine is fierce and powerful, but it's not suitable for girls to practice. No matter how hard you try, your physical limitations will prevent you from achieving maximum effectiveness."

Jiao Nanxin was shocked.

When she first asked to learn the Mighty Fist, Uncle Zhen had said the same thing. But he couldn't resist her persistent requests and eventually taught her. He thought she would give up after a while, but she had persisted for so many years.

"Your insight is so sharp, which means you must be skilled too, right?" Jiao Nanxin didn't deliberately contradict Tang Chong. If something was right, she wouldn't deny it.

However, Tang Chong's words had stirred her competitive nature. Her gaze towards him became unfriendly.

Tang Chong waved his hand and said, "I'm just good at talking. I know nothing about martial arts."

Jiao Nanxin didn't believe him and said, "You run so well, which means you must be a martial artist, regardless of your skill level. Men are always stronger than women, right? Come on, let's spar."

Tang Chong shook his head and said, "If I only have brute strength, wouldn't I just get beaten up? Even though your boxing routine can't achieve maximum effectiveness, three or five men wouldn't be a match for you. We have no grudges, and I don't want to be bullied. If you don't want me to follow you running, I won't. If you prefer running alone, I'll go to another playground."

"You..." Jiao Nanxin was furious. She hoped this guy would be provoked into a fight, not retreat so weakly.

Tang Chong waved at her and said, "I still have two more laps to run. Goodbye."

He was about to turn and leave.

Jiao Nanxin bit her lip and shouted from behind, "Take this!"

She deliberately shouted first to warn Tang Chong.

Then she launched herself, punching towards Tang Chong's back.

Tang Chong turned 180 degrees and punched back.

Jiao Nanxin felt the punch growing larger, getting closer to her eyes...

Bang!

Her left eye socket hurt, and she couldn't open her eye.

"Ah!" she cried out in pain.

Her body fell heavily to the ground, causing her to scream again.

"Are you okay?" Tang Chong quickly ran over and asked, looking at the girl lying on the ground.

"..." Jiao Nanxin didn't respond.

"I'm not trying to hurt you," Tang Chong said apologetically. "I just reacted naturally. When I heard you shout, I thought you were already close, but I didn't expect..."

Jiao Nanxin still didn't answer, her face buried in the grass, her body trembling.

"Classmate, let me help you up?" Tang Chong reached out to grab Jiao Nanxin's shoulder, trying to pull her up from the grass.

"Don't touch me," Jiao Nanxin shouted loudly.

"The grass is wet with dew. Lying here too long will make you catch a cold," Tang Chong firmly pulled Jiao Nanxin up. His expression was momentarily unnatural but quickly returned to normal.

"Classmate, are you okay?" Tang Chong asked with concern.

"Fine," Jiao Nanxin gritted her teeth. How could this be called 'knowing nothing about martial arts'? Someone who knows nothing could turn around instantly and punch her away?

"Can you walk?" Tang Chong asked.

Jiao Nanxin refused Tang Chong's help and tried to get up on her own, but her calf ached sharply as soon as she moved.

"Damn," Jiao Nanxin's face changed. Her calf was sprained.

"Does it hurt?" Tang Chong asked cautiously.

Jiao Nanxin just glared at Tang Chong with a murderous look, clenching her teeth without speaking.

"I'll take you back," Tang Chong squatted down, indicating for Jiao Nanxin to climb onto his back.

Jiao Nanxin didn't move.

Joking, how could she be so intimate with a man at her age?

Tang Chong thought she was embarrassed, so he turned around, picked her up in a princess carry.

"What are you doing?" Jiao Nanxin shouted fiercely.

"I'm taking you back," Tang Chong said. "It's still early, and no one is around. If you keep shouting, I won't be responsible for the consequences."

Jiao Nanxin thought for a moment and realized this was the only option. She quietly gave her dorm number.

Being carried by a strange man, Jiao Nanxin felt very uncomfortable.

She thought, those romance TV dramas are all lies.

Where is the electric shock feeling? More like goosebumps all over.

The aunt at the entrance of the girls' dormitory was turning to tidy up the room when Tang Chong quickly rushed in through the window.

Following Jiao Nanxin's directions, Tang Chong quickly ran to the third floor and pushed open the dorm door with his foot.

A girl in a red, sexy nightgown lifted her sleepy head, saw a man enter, and screamed, "Ah! There's a pervert!"

Her scream woke up the other two roommates.

They looked at Tang Chong in shock and tightly wrapped themselves in their blankets.

Jiao Nanxin, embarrassed, lifted her head from Tang Chong's arms and said, "Xixi, it's me."

The three girls were shocked!

Xixi, surprised, said, "Nanxin, you two are moving too fast. You just met yesterday, and today you're hugging?"

"No, we're not like that," Jiao Nanxin quickly explained. "I hurt my leg. He's taking me back."

Tang Chong smiled awkwardly, placed Jiao Nanxin on her bed, and said, "Rest well. I'll go now."

Without waiting for Jiao Nanxin to speak, he rushed out of the girls' dormitory.

"Your eye, Nanxin," Xixi asked cautiously.

"What about my eye?" Jiao Nanxin took a mirror from the bedside table, looked at it, and shouted, "Tang Chong, you bastard!"

In the mirror, her once beautiful, lively eye was now a purplish-red, like a panda's.

PS: I have some things to handle today, so I can only update two chapters. Please understand.