Chapter 74 Practicing Martial Arts

Chapter 74: A Fight

Cheng Feng had taken two punches to the face and several kicks to the back. The pain made him grimace, but in a one-on-one fight, he could hold his own. He landed a solid punch on Zhao Jin's face and followed up with a couple of kicks, nearly knocking the other guy's teeth loose.

Both sides ended up battered and bruised. If it weren't for the distant shout of "The teacher's coming!", they probably would have kept fighting.

Hearing that, Cheng Feng grabbed Shang Shaohao and Zhang Yuantao and took off running. The three of them, covered in injuries, hobbled away as fast as they could.

They didn't stop until they reached the area near the swimming pool building, where they collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.

Zhang Yuantao wiped the sweat from his face and gave Cheng Feng a thumbs-up.

"Not bad! You really went at that bastard Zhao Jin, each kick harder than the last!"

Shang Shaohao, with half his face swollen, covered his cheek and groaned for a while, couldn't get a word out.

The three of them staggered to the infirmary together. As soon as they pushed the door open, they froze—Zhao Jin and his crew were already there, grimacing as they applied medicine.

The two groups locked eyes instantly, sparks flying, but no one dared to start something in the infirmary. Everyone knew that if a fight broke out here, it would be reported to the dean's office immediately, and parents would be hauled in.

Shang Shaohao's face was badly swollen on one side, one eye almost shut. He leaned close to Cheng Feng's ear and mumbled,

"About today..."

Cheng Feng said, "Brother Hao, I live at the older young master's house. I can't hide these injuries; he'll definitely ask."

"Then... then why don't you stay at my villa for a couple of days? Just avoid Butler Liu."

Cheng Feng fell silent. He didn't want to hide things from Shang Xu, but seeing the pleading look in Shang Shaohao's eyes—it was the first time the younger young master had ever begged him like that. He and Shaohao got along well; they were practically brothers.

Besides, he was scared too—scared that Shang Xu would be disappointed in him if he found out about the fight. After hesitating for a long while, he finally nodded.

As soon as school ended in the afternoon, the three of them got into Zhang Yuantao's family car, sent the driver home first, then grabbed a quick dinner at a nearby small restaurant before heading back to Shang Shaohao's villa.

They sneaked into the villa like thieves, tiptoeing up to the second floor, avoiding Luo Jun and another maid who were cleaning.

Once inside the room, they quickly stripped off their dirty clothes and went to shower and change.

Shang Shaohao's wardrobe had clothes in all sizes. Since he was at an age where he was still growing, Butler Liu always prepared them in advance. Cheng Feng, who was almost a head taller than him, actually managed to find something that fit.

After changing, the three of them sprawled out on the big bed, whispering.

Cheng Feng's mind was racing with anxiety, and he couldn't help asking,

"Brother Hao, what if the older young master comes looking for me?"

Shang Shaohao patted his shoulder, his swollen cheek making his speech slurred.

"Don't worry, tomorrow's the weekend. My brother definitely has things to do and won't be home. Just tell him tonight that you're playing at my place and won't be back. It's just one day off; he won't say anything. If he asks, just say I insisted on keeping you. He dotes on me the most; he'll definitely agree."

Cheng Feng was still on edge, but he could only nod. If Shang Xu asked him, he wouldn't even know how to explain.

Just as they were talking, Butler Liu called.

"Xiao Feng, why aren't you back yet?" The voice on the other end was gentle.

Cheng Feng gripped the phone, his palms sweating.

"Uncle Liu, I... I'm playing with the younger young master. I'm staying at his place tonight. He insisted..."

He was never good at lying, stumbling over his words.

Butler Liu was silent for a few seconds, then chuckled.

"Alright, tomorrow's a day off, so have some fun. Don't always bury your head in books; you'll turn into a bookworm. The young master probably won't be back tonight, and he has to go to school tomorrow. Think of it as a mini-vacation. We'll figure things out for the day after."

Cheng Feng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied,

"Okay, Uncle Liu, I understand."

After hanging up, he reached up and touched his bruised cheek, muttering softly, "Will this injury be better by the day after tomorrow?"

Zhang Yuantao shook his head. "Doubtful. But it's not too serious, just some bruising. If Shang Xu or Uncle Liu asks, just say you fell. We didn't do anything wrong; it was self-defense. Don't worry. If we don't say anything, it's just to avoid worrying the adults. Otherwise, they'll definitely nag us."

Cheng Feng pursed his lips and nodded.

"Alright."

That evening, Shang Shaohao and Zhang Yuantao were bugging him to play games, but Cheng Feng wasn't in the mood. He just wanted to rest.

Before long, Luo Jun knocked on the door, saying he was there to help the little young master bathe. Shang Shaohao sent him away, saying he didn't need any help.

Cheng Feng was so exhausted that he took out his phone and read some English articles for a while before his eyelids grew heavy.

The game sounds next to him were loud, but he was so tired that he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Shang Shaohao and Zhang Yuantao played until one in the morning before yawning and crawling into bed.

The next morning, Cheng Feng woke up first.

Lying next to Shang Shaohao, he turned his head and saw the other two sleeping in what could only be described as disastrous positions.

Shang Shaohao had one foot planted on Zhang Yuantao's face, while Zhang Yuantao had a foot on Shang Shaohao's stomach. Both were twisted in awkward sleeping poses.

Suppressing a laugh, Cheng Feng got up and quietly slipped into the bathroom.

In the mirror, the boy had a bruise under his eye. It wasn't too obvious, but it was still noticeable.

He reached up and rubbed it, wincing at the pain.

He tiptoed out of the room, not wanting to wake the other two. As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Fang Xuran, who was mopping the floor.

Their eyes met, and Fang Xuran's widened instantly. "Xiao Feng? What are you doing here? What happened to your face?"

Cheng Feng didn't plan to hide it from him. Fang Xuran was tight-lipped and wouldn't snitch. Besides, lying to him was just too exhausting.

Fang Xuran pulled him aside for a closer look, asking urgently,

"Did you put any medicine on it? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Cheng Feng shook his head. The two chatted for a bit in the hallway. Before long, Cheng Feng's stomach growled. After saying goodbye to Fang Xuran, he headed to the cafeteria to eat.

After finishing his meal, Cheng Feng shouldered his backpack and headed back to the villa.

Just as he reached the entrance, he saw Shang Xu getting out of a car.

Cheng Feng's heart sank. Oh no! Why is he back today? Wasn't he supposed to be away?

Shang Xu saw him and paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Where were you last night? Why are you only coming back with your backpack now?"

Cheng Feng tightened his grip on his backpack strap and said softly, "I slept over at the young master's last night."

Shang Xu looked down at him.

Cheng Feng's heart instantly leaped into his throat, pounding wildly.

Sure enough, Shang Xu's eyes fell on his face, and he asked, his tone flat, "What happened to your face?"

"I had a fall," Cheng Feng replied quietly.

Shang Xu didn't ask any more questions and turned to enter the villa.

Cheng Feng breathed a sigh of relief. He later found out that Shang Xu had only come back to pick up some things and only stayed in his room briefly before leaving.

Though his anxiety eased, Cheng Feng still felt uneasy. Even though they hadn't done anything wrong and were just defending themselves, hiding the fight from the eldest young master made him feel guilty.

Cheng Feng returned to his room and started studying. For the next two days, Shang Xu didn't come back. However, he returned that evening, bringing back a box of ointment and gave it to Cheng Feng.

Holding the ointment, Cheng Feng looked up at Shang Xu and whispered, "My injury is almost healed. It's nothing serious."

"Take it to Shao Hao and have him apply it too," Shang Xu's voice was so calm it betrayed no emotion.

Cheng Feng's heart skipped a beat. The eldest young master... knew everything after all.

He lowered his voice further. "Eldest young master, I'm sorry for hiding it from you."

Shang Xu glanced at him, his tone steady. "From now on, set aside an hour every day to practice martial arts. Bring Shao Hao along too. You two will train together. Don't always end up losing fights and just getting pummeled. You didn't do anything wrong, so I won't punish you. There's no need to be so on edge."

How could he not be afraid?

The man before him was the eldest young master, whose word was law!

He usually came off as cold and unapproachable, and was most intimidating when silent. Only when teaching him to play the piano did his expression soften a little, but that was only during those lessons. At other times, Cheng Feng didn't dare act presumptuously. He knew his place.

In the dance studio.

Cheng Feng and Shang Shaohao changed into their martial arts uniforms and stood together. Opposite them stood an exceptionally tall and burly man, at least two meters tall, powerfully built, with sharp eyes.

Cheng Feng was terrified just at the sight of him.

Was this their martial arts teacher?

His muscles were so well-developed!