Chapter 13: The Taekwondo Challenge

The Taekwondo Coach stood nearby and blew the whistle.

“It’s time for our semiannual showdown. As always, the first-place winner gets a five-hundred-yuan prize of their choice, while second and third place receive special gifts from the venue. Let the competition begin!”

Everyone lined up neatly and drew lots as instructed by the Coach for their one-on-one bouts.

Lin Zheng Ran watched as Heqing took down one opponent after another.

She was nothing like the girl who used to get bullied years ago.

Her presence, strength, and gaze had all transformed fundamentally.

[Fairy He in her pre-departure arena duel, wielding the immortal sword like a lone warrior conquering thousands, exuded immense power! It seems she’s reminding you of the time you spent together, the days of training side by side, and now her formidable aura proves it.]

[Yet, just before the final victory, you spotted a strange hesitation in her expression, which might affect the outcome.]

Heqing had made it to the final round, with only four fighters left.

After facing the second-to-last boy, she suddenly got thrown to the ground, though she still managed to win.

Heqing clearly felt the pain from it.

The Coach asked if she was okay, and Heqing shook her head, saying she was fine.

After checking and confirming no serious harm, the Coach blew the whistle: “Take a break, then it’s the final match! Heqing versus Xiao Long!”

During the break, Lin Zheng Ran walked over to her, and Heqing pursed her lips to report her wins: “I won again.”

Lin Zheng Ran checked her over and asked what happened.

“You did win, but why did you suddenly zone out mid-fight? What were you thinking?”

Heqing always spoke in a soft, whiny tone around Lin Zheng Ran, half-lowering her head: “Nothing much, just about when we were in kindergarten…” The rest of her words came out in a mumble.

Lin Zheng Ran looked puzzled: “What are you muttering about?”

Heqing rubbed her arm and mustered her courage, her face flushing red: “Do you still remember what you said to me in kindergarten when we pinky promised…”

“I thought it was something serious. Of course I remember,” Lin Zheng Ran said with a sigh: “You’re talking about how I told you to stick with me forever, right?”

Heqing’s eyes widened in surprise, shimmering with emotion: “You actually haven’t forgotten?”

Lin Zheng Ran gently tapped her on the head.

Heqing closed her eyes and let out a soft “Ouch.”

Lin Zheng Ran said with mild annoyance: “I’ve only ever pinky promised you that once. I wouldn’t forget it that quickly. Besides, this is a competition! You zoned out over something so unimportant and almost got hurt!”

Heqing thought to herself that it wasn’t unimportant at all, but she timidly glanced at him and explained: “I’m sorry, I don’t know why it just popped into my head and I lost focus. I promise it won’t happen next round.”

Lin Zheng Ran felt a bit worn out but didn’t say more or keep scolding.

He reached out and, to Heqing’s shock, patted her head.

It was the first time.

“Go for it. Beat Xiao Long, and today’s championship is yours. I know you can win.”

Heqing had never felt such clear encouragement before; her face turned bright red, and goosebumps rose all over. In her memory, Lin Zheng Ran had never cheered her on like this.

Her heart raced as she nodded vigorously: “Okay! I’ll definitely win!”

Right then, Heqing was unstoppable, her energy twice as strong as usual.

Once on the stage, even the stocky Xiao Long was taken aback: “What’s with that look on your face?”

Heqing kept her lips pursed, channeling a powerful aura while remembering Lin Zheng Ran’s advice from before the match.

When facing Xiao Long, don’t smile, don’t show any emotion—just stare him down until he feels uneasy!

That way, you’d dominate the mental game!

Even after a month of intense training, Heqing still hadn’t mastered looking fierce.

Lin Zheng Ran watched from the sidelines as Heqing’s cute and clumsy expression made him cover his eyes in embarrassment.

But under that adorable facade,

When Xiao Long landed a hit on Heqing’s arm, her unchanging cute expression—lips pursed and face set—left him stunned.

Her cuteness made the chubby Xiao Long blush and lose his composure.

He thought to himself, She’s so cute… how can she be this adorable?

Heqing tried to act tough, her voice soft and sweet: “Come on!”

Xiao Long attacked with flushed cheeks, but Heqing noticed his punch was suddenly weak and sloppy.

Seizing the moment, she flipped him over with a back throw and won as the Coach blew the whistle.

Heqing was amazed, while the downed Xiao Long blushed deeply: “I lost. You’re so cute and tough.”

“I won?” Heqing exclaimed, raising her hand: “I won!”

She excitedly waved at Lin Zheng Ran in the audience, her eyes sparkling as if to say, Your trick really worked.

In the second half, he completely lost his fight. What a brilliant strategy.

Lin Zheng Ran saw exactly why she won so quickly and just shook his head.

Even if Xiao Long hadn’t been charmed by Heqing’s cuteness, she still would have won—the girl’s aura in that final push was overwhelming; Xiao Long never stood a chance.

After the match, Heqing claimed her reward as promised.

She mentioned the place and led the Coach to the mall.

The dessert shop assistant spotted Heqing from afar and waved: “Hey, little sister, back again? It’s nearly the end of the month—are you just browsing or taking something?”

Heqing was thrilled: “I want to buy it!”

“Oh? So you really won?!”

“Yep!”

The Coach pulled out his phone to pay, and the assistant packed the item and handed it to Heqing: “Here you go, customer. That’s four hundred and ninety-nine yuan total. Come again soon!”

“Thanks, sister!”

Heqing cradled the chocolate treat carefully, her face beaming with happiness.

As night fell, Heqing and Lin Zheng Ran sat on the steps of the residential building, the evening sky casting a dim glow around them.

She placed the chocolate cake on her lap.

“Lin Zheng Ran, this is the champion’s prize!”

“Chocolate?” Lin Zheng Ran shrugged: “It’s really a kid’s reward.”

Heqing held out the cake with both hands: “For you.”

“For me?”

“Yeah, I got this just for you. Last time, Dad gave me chocolate and you didn’t take it because you saw I wanted it. So this time, I picked a nice one as compensation.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked stunned, his expression shifting to a wry smile.

“You’re something else—your head must be full of ideas. That chocolate was spoiled back then; why would I take it?”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t turn down the gift; he simply unwrapped it.

He broke off the swan’s wing and handed it to Heqing, then ate the other wing himself.

“Here, let’s share it.”

Heqing took it with her small hands and waited for Lin Zheng Ran to start eating before she did.

It was sweet.

She chewed the chocolate happily, her little feet kicking up and down, her ponytail bouncing along.

Lin Zheng Ran asked: “Are you really planning to come back for junior high? There’s not much here, is there?”

Heqing swallowed her chocolate: “Mainly to see you. Oh, and when I go back home, can I call you?”

[Fairy He won the match and unexpectedly gave you a heartfelt piece of exquisite premium Black Blood Ointment. Sharing it with Fairy He grants you Strength +3, Charm +2, and Level +1.]

Lin Zheng Ran replied: “Whatever you want. Call if you feel like it, but I might not always answer.”