Chapter 28 - Spring Flower Noodle House
Ten minutes later.
After Lu Yuan demonstrated the basic fist techniques, basic leg techniques, and basic footwork to Lin Zhiqin, the eagerness in Lin Zhiqin's eyes rose another degree.
"Not bad, not bad at all. I should say very good."
Lin Zhiqin looked at Lu Yuan with great appreciation, not stinting on his words of praise.
"There are few students in the intermediate class who can practice these three basic skills to your level."
"In just one month, you were able to master what I taught to this extent. It is sufficient to prove that your martial arts talent is excellent, very good, seemingly born for martial arts."
With Lin Zhiqin's current expression, these words really gave off the vibe of a self-help guru hustling people.
But Lu Yuan had also achieved his goal.
This was precisely the effect he wanted.
That's right, I'm a genius.
Weren't you looking down on us beginners' class, Lin Zhiqin, always telling us to practice freely?
Today I'm going to show you that even with free practice, I can reach the level of the martial arts school's formal disciples!
Doesn't this count as a subtle slap in the face to Lin Zhiqin?
"Then the signing..."
Lu Yuan glanced at the application form that Lin Zhiqin had casually placed on the tea table.
"Oh right, I almost forgot."
Lin Zhiqin let out a cheerful laugh, his demeanor a complete 180 from before.
"I'll sign for you now."
He took a pen from the pen holder on his desk, sat down in front of the tea table, picked up the application form and was about to write his name in the coach approval signature column.
As Lu Yuan stared at the pen in Lin Zhiqin's hand, he also looked up at the digital clock on the wall.
It was now 11:08 am, past the martial arts school's off work time.
They had delayed for so long here, he wondered if he could still submit the application form after going back.
Just as Lu Yuan was thinking this, he suddenly saw Lin Zhiqin stop halfway through signing his name.
Lin Zhiqin looked up at the time on the wall, then unexpectedly said to Lu Yuan:
"It's about time for lunch too, why don't we go eat first?"
"Uh..."
Lu Yuan was dumbfounded, not knowing what Lin Zhiqin was up to this time.
It only takes a few seconds to sign, is that going to delay your lunch?
Can't you sign first then eat?
"Instructor Lin, the people downstairs collecting the forms are still waiting for me."
Lu Yuan showed an embarrassed expression on his face, "The people downstairs collecting the forms are still waiting for me."
"No worries, I can help submit it for you afterwards."
Lin Zhiqin waved dismissively and got up to usher Lu Yuan towards the door.
"Let's eat first. I know a decent restaurant nearby, let's go now."
Lu Yuan reluctantly allowed himself to be led out by Lin Zhiqin, watching helplessly as the application form lay alone on the office tea table, finally disappearing from his view as the door closed.
"What kind of bullshit rule is this, requiring the coach's signature to approve the assessment application!"
"What a bullshit coach, not only failing to teach well usually, but also deliberately making things difficult for his students at critical moments!"
On the way to the small restaurant that Lin Zhiqin mentioned, Lu Yuan cursed the martial arts school's procedures and Lin Zhiqin in his heart.
Of course, on the surface he still had to pretend to be "honored by the coach's treat" and obediently follow behind Lin Zhiqin.
Lin Zhiqin seemed to be in very good spirits.
His mouth held a smile the entire way.
"We're here."
After leaving the martial arts school and walking just a few steps, Lin Zhiqin brought Lu Yuan to the restaurant he mentioned.
"Spring Flower Noodle House."
It was a hole-in-the-wall joint tucked away in an alley next to the martial arts school.
A red-on-white signboard, and a pitch-black grimy entrance covered in oil fumes.
Judging solely by its exterior, there was nothing remarkable about this noodle shop.
Following Lin Zhiqin through the glass sliding door at the entrance, a cool breeze immediately hit their faces.
"The air conditioner is running quite strong."
Lu Yuan silently remarked to himself.
It was a small shop, with only seven or so small square tables arranged in the hall.
A few customers were inside eating noodles.
Lu Yuan saw a menu posted on the wall beside them.
In addition to noodles, they also served some common home-cooked stir-fried dishes, and the prices were quite affordable.
"Instructor Lin is here!"
Soon after they entered, a middle-aged woman who looked around the same age as Lin Zhiqin, wearing an apron, came out from the kitchen.
Seeing Lin Zhiqin, she smiled and greeted him - clearly they were familiar with each other.
"Instructor Lin brought a student to eat?"
The middle-aged woman smiled kindly at Lu Yuan.
"Yes."
Without even glancing at the menu on the wall, Lin Zhiqin directly ordered: "Waist flowers, pork ribs, chicken, how's today's fish?"
"They just came in this morning, still alive."
"Then add another whole fish. The upstairs private room is empty right?"
"Nobody there, just go on up yourself."
Lin Zhiqin ordered four or five dishes in a very experienced manner, then led Lu Yuan upstairs via a staircase next to the kitchen that was only a bit over half a meter wide.
The second floor also had a few small square tables, with a small door next to them.
Pushing the door open led to a private room of just seven or eight square meters.
"The bathroom is next door, you can see it as soon as you step out."
Lin Zhiqin sat down at the small table in the private room and reminded Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan acknowledged.
Not long after sitting down, the middle-aged woman from earlier came in carrying a tea pot and small plate of melon seeds.
"Have some water first, the dishes will be ready soon."
After placing a set of bowl and chopsticks for each of them, the woman left.
Out of habit, Lin Zhiqin took out his cigarette case from his pocket, opened it, glanced at Lu Yuan and put it away again.
Instead, he grabbed some melon seeds to nibble on.
With nothing to do, Lu Yuan used the water from the tea pot on the table to rinse his and Lin Zhiqin's bowls and chopsticks, then poured two cups of water, handing one to Lin Zhiqin and slowly drinking from the other.
"Don't be reserved, this is just a casual meal."
Lin Zhiqin pushed the small plate of melon seeds towards Lu Yuan, who politely grabbed a handful.
"What do your parents do?"
Lin Zhiqin suddenly asked.
Lu Yuan was startled for a moment, then replied after thinking: "My family runs a small grocery store, and my dad also delivers goods for people."
"Are you the only child in your family?"
"I also have an older sister, she just graduated college this year."
"You should be in 10th grade this year right? I have a nephew around your age..."
Lin Zhiqin began asking about Lu Yuan's family and personal circumstances, occasionally inserting some things about himself as well.
Up until now, Lu Yuan still did not understand why Lin Zhiqin had randomly treated him to a meal.
After sitting down, he also figured it out.
Lin Zhiqin deliberately refused to sign, likely with ulterior motives.
He was just waiting for Lu Yuan to ask about it.
"Why did you sign up for the martial arts school's combat class?"
As they chatted, Lin Zhiqin suddenly changed topics, turning it towards the martial arts school.
Lu Yuan knew the main event was about to begin.
"For the college entrance exam."
Lu Yuan calmly replied: "The college entrance exam has a specialty requirement for the athletics category, so I chose combat which has the lowest score requirement."
Lin Zhiqin nodded thoughtfully.
Then he continued asking: "Then why do you want to become an official disciple of the martial arts school?"
Lu Yuan looked at Lin Zhiqin.
To answer:
"For money."
He said seriously to Lin Zhiqin: "I want to earn back the tuition my dad paid for me to enroll."