Dad, Please Try a Little Harder

Gong Xuanzhu didn’t refuse.

Qian Quan turned his back to face the center of the room.

T he smile on Gong Xuanzhu¹ s face vanished, and his expression became stern. T he aura around him seemed to contract.

Quietly, he lifted his right foot, extending it forward stealthily like a snake. His body wavered as if he was about to fail, but he silently approached Qian Quan, who seemed unaware.

Everyone else was engrossed in the game, a playful game reminiscent of childhood games, their expressions tense.

Zhao Baiyu, in particular, stared intently at her Master’s footwork and body movements.

Gong Xuanzhu was now within a foot of Qian Quan. He could easily touch his shoulder with a simple hand movement. Bur his palm hovered in the air, swaying slightly, seemingly waiting for the right moment.

As everyone else looked on in confusion, suddenly, Gong Xuanzhu’s hand shot down.

In the blink of an eye, everyone saw a figure move and realized that Qian Quan had shifted two meters away.

Gong Xuanzhu’s strike met only air.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

“Well done!” Although Gong Xuanzhu missed his target, he wasn’t disappointed. On the contrary, he was thrilled. “The younger generation is rising, and it s time for us old-timers to gracefully retire.”

Qian Quan replied honestly, “Sorry, it wasn’t that 1 was ‘unaware’. 1 dodged using the skill of listening. This round doesn’t count as my win.

Gong Xuanzhu dismissed it, “Same outcome, different paths. In a few years, you’ll reach that level. Now, it’s my turn.”

Excited, Gong Xuanzhu turned around.

Qian Quan stepped back a few paces and said, “No offense,” then stood still, observing Gong Xuanzhu’s silhouette.

After a few seconds, Qian Quan took a step to the left and seemed to be thinking of moving backward.

But in rhe next moment, he dashed forward, leaving a blurred afterimage.

When everyone looked again, his hand was resting lightly on Gong Xuanzhu’s shoulder.

Gong Xuanzhu laughed heartily, “I’m getting old, indeed! 1 need to accept it.”

Qian Quan said, “You sensed it. I took advantage of my youthful speed. This round isn’t your loss.”

Gong Xuanzhu chuckled, “Sensing danger but unable to avoid it, isn’t that even more of a failure?”

Qian Quan didn’t respond, but he felt that he still had room for improvement and mustn’t become complacent.

At the very least, he should practice the Wudang Secret Circulation Skill given by Zhang Xiang’er more diligently.

Later, Gong Xuanzhu and Qian Quan compared their stick-fighting skills.

Wing Chun Six and a Half Pole was simple in its movements, with no unnecessary embellishments. It could be summarized with seven key actions: scrape, jab, lift, circle, rag, sweep, and flick. The emphasis was on delivering power through the tip of the pole while maintaining unity between the practitioner and the pole.

Qian Quan, being a grandmaster, naturally had excellent skills. But as he sparred with Gong Xuanzhu, he found himself at a disadvantage.

His stick was tangled, and he narrowly avoided a strike to his foot.

“The pole fears the skilled master” wasn’t just a saying.

Lucidly, Qian Quan quickly recalled various combat techniques with the stick, rallied his spirits, repelled Gong Xuanzhu’s long stick, and launched a series of counterattacks.

T he two sparred without causing harm, and the match ended in a draw.

Gong Xuanzhu was panting slightly from age, and Qian Quan was sweating but still had some energy left.

“That was exhilarating!” Gong Xuanzhu exclaimed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had such an exhilarating spar. Mr. Qian, shall we have another match sometime?”

Td be honored.”

After sparring with Gong Xuanzhu, it was time for Qian Quan to return to school.

Zhao Chunjia gave his friend, Gu Shuntang, a glance. And Gu Shuntang nodded in understanding.

“You’re heading back to Seacoast Normal University, right?” Gu Shuntang inquired.

“Yes.”

“I have some business there too. Let’s go together.”

“Alright.”

Qian Quan bid farewell to the Zhao family and rode back to the university in Gu Shuntangs car.

The journey wasn’t long, just half an hour.

When they reached the university entrance, Gu Shuntang stopped the car and handed Qian Quan a paper bag from the passenger seat, “Mr. Qian, here’s a small gift. Chunjia asked me to give it to you. Please accept it.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not anything extravagant. Just a membership card and some leftover shopping cards from our company’s event.”

Qian Quan declined, “We’ve already had a meal and drinks, no need for gifts.”

Gu Shuntang explained, “Compared to your guidance for Baiyu, this gift is insignificant. Originally, Chunjia wanted to gift you a Rolex and some gold bars, but Mr. Huang felt that was too ostentatious.

“So he decided on a black membership card for Funing One and some shopping cards. If you still refuse, 1 fear Chunjia might send over the gold bars and the watch after all.”

“Alright then,” Qian Quan reluctantly took the bag, “He’s already given me a membership card.”

“Yes, that red card allows for three free visits. You can give it to a friend. This black card offers a lifetime of free services and comes with some exclusive perks for elite members. You can discover them over time.”

Qian Quan thought to himself, “Isn’t this gift just as extravagant as the watch and gold bars?”

After bidding Gu Shuntang farewell, Qian Quan stepped out of the car.

He quickly checked the contents of the bag. There was a finely crafted metal box, likely the Funing One black membership card.

Beside the metal box was an envelope stuffed with cards.

Qian Quan opened the envelope to find a thick stack of shopping cards, each with a value of 5,000.

He counted them- twenty cards in total!