Chapter 20 - 20 20 Teacher (Seeking Recommendations)

Words : 1455 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Teacher (Seeking Recommendations) Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Teacher (Seeking Recommendations) Looking at Zheng Fa, the curly-haired old man had an expression that was hard to describe: It was a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and awkwardness. Clearly, he had recognized Zheng Fa too. He glanced at the tree branch above Zheng Fa’s head, measured a height above his own head with his hand, and cautiously said to Zheng Fa: “Young hero? Is this kung fu?” “No! I’m practicing high jump!” “Young hero, don’t lie to me... I’ve practiced high-jumping!” The old man said with a bit of pride: “When I was young, I even won the first prize in athletics at our city’s sports meeting! Your movement, that’s definitely not high jumping!” “...I was just messing around.” “I get it! Young hero, it’s a secret not passed down, a hidden sect!” The old man had an understanding expression: “But look at me, I practiced Qigong when I was young too!” “You sure have a wide range of interests, sir...” “Isn’t that the truth? My master back then really favored me, had it not been for an accident, I might have made a name for myself in the martial world by now.” “Accident?” “Oh, he was arrested, they said he was a fraud.” Zheng Fa: “...” The old man looked at Zheng Fa, his wrinkled face squeezing out a flattering expression: “Young hero, I think my master wasn’t lying about my potential, could I... possibly learn your skills? I am willing to become your disciple!” Zheng Fa was a bit overwhelmed. “Sir, there is no such thing as kung fu in this world! We should believe in science!” “Nonsense! Science isn’t so shallow. Seeking truth from facts is scientific. If kung fu exists in the world, then science should study kung fu!” The old man said sternly: “Isn’t that what I am trying to research scientifically?” Zheng Fa had to admit, the old man made some sense. “How do you plan on researching? Slices?” The old man’s expression became a bit weird, sizing up Zheng Fa from top to bottom: “I just want to try practicing it myself, but if you need it, though I’m not professional in that area, I can still find someone to slice you.” “Don’t! You know, in my sect, the teachings are not lightly passed on.” “Hey!” The old man even started complaining: “That’s the problem with you people, cherishing your old brooms as treasures, that’s why it’s all declining now!” “Yes, yes, yes!” Zheng Fa listened to his lecture while moving further away. The old man probably saw that Zheng Fa really had no interest in discussing this with him, so he stayed where he was, although his gaze lingered with a bit of reluctance. ... By the afternoon, the atmosphere in the class became somewhat restless. Qingshui Middle School seniors don’t have weekends off. Zheng Fa and his classmates took two days off every two weeks, starting from Friday night off to Sunday night when they return for evening self-study. Friday evenings were the most exciting times for the students, many day students chose to play a while before going home. “Zheng Fa! Play basketball after school?” Wang Chen invited Zheng Fa. Zheng Fa’s basketball skills weren’t great, but he was tall, and having worked on the farm all year, his physical strength was good, not dragging his class’s boys down. “No, I have plans with someone.” Zheng Fa glanced at Tang Lingwu in front of him. “Plans with someone? Who?” Wang Chen was stunned. Since childhood, he hadn’t seen Zheng Fa have any other closely knitted friends. Following Zheng Fa’s gaze, he looked towards Tang Lingwu. “Tang Lingwu!” Zheng Fa had never seen such an array of expressions on Wang Chen’s face before. To put it mildly, it was a gritted kind of blessing. “A few days ago I saw nothing happening, and then you play this big?” “...She asked me out.” “Adoptive father, I want to learn this!” Seeing him even calling out ‘adoptive father’, Zheng Fa knew this kid really believed... “Believe me, girls love this!” Outside the milk tea shop, Wang Chen persuaded Zheng Fa confidently. “Let me explain again, I just want to express my gratitude.” Zheng Fa tried to explain. Speaking of which, since Tang Ling Wu was willing to take him to meet her teacher, Zheng Fa was morally and reasonably obligated to thank her. But he hadn’t really interacted much with girls his age in this world. He asked Wang Chen, and Wang Chen took him to the milk tea shop at the school gate. This shop was indeed very popular, especially on Fridays, many girls bought milk tea here. However, Zheng Fa had never been here before. A cup of milk tea costing over ten yuan was a bit extravagant for Zheng Fa. “Get me a cup of the most popular one in your shop.” Since he didn’t know which one tasted good, he said that to the clerk. Turns out, he didn’t know if it was popular or not, but it was probably one of the more expensive kinds of milk tea in the shop, costing twenty-eight yuan, which made Zheng Fa feel a bit ripped off. Tang Ling Wu and Zheng Fa agreed to meet near the family building. Zheng Fa arrived first, and it was nearly half an hour later when Tang Ling Wu showed up. “Sorry, my family needed me for something.” As soon as she saw Zheng Fa, Tang Ling Wu apologized. “No worries, I haven’t been waiting long.” Zheng Fa indeed noticed that a black sedan was following Tang Ling Wu from behind the corner. He didn’t know much about cars, but from his simple aesthetic, this rather conspicuous car seemed to be expensive. “Let’s go this way.” Tang Ling Wu led the way, and Zheng Fa took out the milk tea in his hand and handed it over to her. “This is for you.” Tang Ling Wu silently shot him a question mark. “It’s just for bringing me here.” Tang Ling Wu nodded, indicating that she understood, but she put her hands in front of her chest and waved them: “I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t want the milk tea.” “Ah?” “I don’t drink milk tea, it’s unhealthy.” Zheng Fa felt a bit regretful, wasting twenty-eight yuan! If only he had asked Tang Ling Wu earlier. But since she didn’t want it, he didn’t try to force her, and just thought to drink it himself later. There are eight teaching buildings at Qingshui Middle School. Tang Ling Wu led Zheng Fa to one of the more remote buildings, and as soon as they entered the hallway, Tang Ling Wu stopped and extended her hand towards Zheng Fa. Zheng Fa looked at her five slender fingers. Then looked at the milk tea in his hand. Silently, he placed the plastic bag in her hand. Tang Ling Wu didn’t move on but stood there in the hallway, eagerly taking a big sip. “Isn’t it unhealthy?” “Are you stupid? My mom is watching from the car!” Tang Ling Wu gave him a look: “I don’t drink it because my mom won’t let me!” Understood. The hand-waving was just your acting. “Wait for me, I’ll finish this then we can go up!” It was evident that Tang Ling Wu was experienced in these skirmishes. While happily gulping down the milk tea, she explained to Zheng Fa: “The teacher who coaches me in competitions is probably a distant grandfather, a friend of my mom, and he mustn’t see me drinking milk tea.” “Is he also a teacher at our school?” Thinking that he also lived at Qingshui Middle School. “No, his daughter works at our school, and he is already retired.” The large cup of milk tea was quickly finished by Tang Ling Wu in just a few gulps, and she still seemed to want more: “He used to be a university professor and was apparently a member of the Olympiad problem-setting team before.” “That sounds pretty impressive.” “Yeah, my mom had a hard time finding connections to talk to him, although he’s called a distant grandfather, we actually didn’t have much contact before.” Tang Ling Wu paused as she said this. Zheng Fa looked at her face, an unspoken sentence lingering. It was evident, your family is also quite impressive.

Chapter 20 - 20 20 Teacher (Seeking Recommendations)

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