It was Friday lunchtime. As usual, He Wei and I headed to the cafeteria together. Halfway there, we bumped into Chen Jiayi. She waved first, flashing the purest smile. No wonder she’s my little angel—my heart nearly melted at her smile… Too bad she already has a boyfriend.

A few steps later, He Wei suddenly froze. His breathing turned ragged, like an ox panting hard. He’d spotted something unbelievable. I followed his gaze. Xu Wanyou walked toward us alone. But she ignored the hippo who’d confessed to her before. Instead, she spoke directly to me: “Wu Tong, got a minute? I need to talk.”

Under the hippo’s murderous glare, Xu Wanyou led me to the empty northern playground—perfect for a quiet walk.

“Wu Tong, you really know ancient martial arts? You didn’t flinch at a knife. Knocked out a thug with one punch. What style do you practice?”

“Uh… how’d you find out?”

“Don’t underestimate girls’ gossip networks. I just know.”

Fine. Since she pushed, I made something up: “I did train. But it’s a secret passed down in the Wu family. Not for outsiders.”

“Relax, I’m not stealing your moves. You’re just really strong, right?” Xu Wanyou stopped walking. Her bright eyes held a trace of pleading. “Wu Tong… help me with something?”

Turns out, Xu Wanyou’s older sister, Xu Wanqing—a junior at a local university—had started taekwondo last summer. Her coach became obsessed. He flooded her with love texts, camped outside her dorm with flowers, even shouted declarations under her window at midnight. She was fed up.

Problem was, he was a pro taekwondo fighter. When some male classmates tried ganging up on him? He left them bruised and unrecognizable. Hearing I practiced “ancient martial arts,” Xu Wanyou wanted me to teach him a lesson.

I shook my head firmly. “I can’t help with this.”

I knew my limits. Why pick a fight with a pro?

“C’mon! We’re classmates!” Her voice turned soft, almost coquettish.

Pretty girls make men weak. For a second, I almost agreed. But sense kicked in: “We ancient martial artists stay low-key. No meddling in trivial matters. Find someone else.”

“Cold-hearted! Are you even a man?” Her face twisted in mock sorrow.

I just wanted a normal high school life. I ignored the cheap provocation. Seeing her cute act fail, Xu Wanyou’s eyes gleamed. She waved at someone behind me: “He Wei! Come here!”

*Huh?* That hippo had been spying this whole time? At her call, he trotted over like an eager puppy, tongue practically out: “G-Goddess Wan… what d-do you need?”

Xu Wanyou jabbed a finger at me, cheeks puffed. “Your friend’s heartless! I begged and begged—he won’t help!”

“What?!” He Wei’s voice cracked. His eyes burned red as he glared at me. “Old Wu! Wanrou’s my goddess! Her problems are mine! You *will* help—or I’m cutting ties after five years!”

*Five years of brotherhood… shattered by one sentence. My heart ached.*

Silence only made him wilder. “Old Wu, I’m begging you! Help Wanrou! I’ll do anything—kowtow right here—”

“No! Fine, I’ll do it!”

I grabbed his arm before he hit the ground. Bitter and sweet churned inside me. *Aren’t friends like limbs, women just clothes? Yet this hippo would chop off his own limbs for a piece of fabric. Lust truly makes fools of men…*

Xu Wanyou’s lips curled into a sly, triumphant smirk. “Thanks, Wu Tong! Tomorrow’s Saturday. I’ll take you to meet my sister first…”

---

The next afternoon, inside a café, I met Xu Wanqing—and a wild guess struck me: *Are beautiful girls’ sisters always beautiful too?*

Compared to Xu Wanyou, Xu Wanqing radiated mature charm. Her curves were fuller, and she wore black stockings with a short skirt—a deadly combo for otaku like me. My eyes kept drifting under the table.

“This shrimp is your ‘invincible ancient martial artist’?” Xu Wanqing sized me up, skeptical.

“Sis! Never judge by looks! TV’s full of unassuming old masters!” Xu Wanyou defended me eagerly. “Wu Tong, relax! Introduce yourself!”

“Uh… I’m Wu Tong. Wanrou’s classmate.”

“Xu Wanqing. Her sister.”

“Pleasure…”

I offered my hand. She ignored it completely. My arm hung awkwardly mid-air. Her nose twitched slightly, as if puzzled.

Xu Wanyou shot me an apologetic glance, then tugged her sister’s sleeve. “When’s that creep showing up?”

As if on cue, a rugged, muscular man strode in. Spotting Xu Wanqing, his face lit up. “Wanqing! You asked me here—you’ve finally come to your senses?”

She scoffed. “Dream on. *He’s* another suitor. He’s sick of your stalking. Says he’ll ‘teach you a lesson.’”

The man’s smile vanished. Eyes narrowed. A murderous glint flashed in his gaze. “Who are you?”

No turning back now. I forced a martial artist’s bow. “Wu Tong. Practitioner of China’s ancient martial arts. I challenge you to a duel.”

“Zhang Ting. National-level taekwondo athlete.” His tone dripped disdain.

Xu Wanqing fanned the flames, deadpan: “Coach Zhang, you always say only the strong deserve me. But this kid? He claims he could take ten men like you. With one hand.”

*When did I say that?!*

Zhang Ting’s simple mind snapped. Rage exploded in his eyes. He glared at me like prey. “Brat! Ancient martial artist? Let’s settle this at my dojo—*now*!”

“Go ahead!” Xu Wanqing answered for me again.

*Sis… you’re really trying to get me killed, huh?*