Chapter Thirty-Two

Zhou Yu was completely baffled by Nian Yu’s question. “What do you mean, ‘how much do I owe you’?”

Nian Yu looked at Zhou Yu’s bewildered expression and said, “Are you still going to pretend? What’s all this about Bajiquan and free fighting? What’s going on?”

This time, Zhou Yu wasn’t confused, just surprised. He asked, “How do you know about that?”

Nian Yu replied, “Zhao Yan told me.”

Zhou Yu looked at her, suspicious. “There’s no way he could know. I’ve only ever used military combat techniques in front of him. There’s no way he’d know about the others.”

Nian Yu said, “Well, I told him.”

Zhou Yu pressed, “And how did you know?”

At this point, Xiao Jie couldn’t watch them struggle through the conversation any longer. “You two make everything so complicated. Here’s what happened: after you two passed out, Nian Yu wanted to be able to help you in the future, so she went to Zhao Yan to practice. Nian Yu doesn’t know how to fight, so she just used the moves you showed off when the three of us were together and you were messing around with your friend.”

Finally, Zhou Yu understood. “Oh, so that’s what happened.”

Nian Yu said, “Come on, explain yourself to me.”

Zhou Yu replied, “There’s really not much to explain. I know these things because I taught myself.”

Nian Yu, exasperated, said, “Nonsense. Who teaches themselves killing techniques? Xiao Yan said those moves are all lethal.”

Zhou Yu shrugged. “Look at you, getting all worked up. If I didn’t teach myself, who did? Am I supposed to be an assassin? Do I look like an assassin to you? How could an assassin be as broke as I am?”

Nian Yu thought for a moment, then said, “You’ve got a point. You, an assassin? You can’t even beat me—who could you possibly kill?”

Zhou Yu said, “Remember when I told you I used to be a bully when I was a kid? I started working out so nobody would mess with me.”

Nian Yu nodded. “I remember. When I first met you, you were a real troublemaker. You mentioned this before. But what does that have to do with you learning all these techniques?”

Zhou Yu smiled. “Silly girl, do you think it’s all about physical strength?”

Nian Yu replied, “Isn’t it?”

Zhou Yu just smiled and looked at Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie understood the cue. “Darling, if you got into a fight with those two men outside, could they beat you?”

Nian Yu answered confidently, “Of course not! I have predictive skills, you know.”

Xiao Jie continued, “But do you think they’re in worse shape than you?”

Nian Yu said, “Are you kidding? They’re both much stronger than I am.”

Xiao Jie concluded, “Exactly. Fighting isn’t just about strength—it’s about skill.”

Nian Yu asked, “But why did Zhou Yu have to learn killing techniques?”

Xiao Jie replied, “That I don’t know. You’ll have to ask your husband.”

Nian Yu pouted and mumbled, “Acting like he isn’t your husband, too. Who was it that said, ‘If you die, I’ll die with you’?”

“Um...” Xiao Jie hadn’t expected to be teased in return and was left speechless, her face flushed as she lowered her head and fell silent.

Zhou Yu said, “Alright, stop teasing Xiao Jie. You know she’s sensitive.”

Nian Yu said with a touch of jealousy, “Oh, I see how it is. You’ve got yourself a little wife now, so you don’t want this old lady anymore?”

Zhou Yu replied, “Come on, sweetheart, don’t be jealous. I’d never leave you. Be good.”

Nian Yu protested, “Stop changing the subject—explain yourself.”

Zhou Yu said, “Haven’t you ever heard the saying: ‘The soft fear the hard, the hard fear the ruthless, and the ruthless fear those who have nothing to lose’? Only if you’re tougher than they are will they be afraid of you, will they take you seriously. That’s why I learned these things.”

He went on, “After I met you, life settled down and I stopped practicing. I got a bit rusty. But it’s been a while since I got into a fight. You and Zhao Yan must have had a tough time sparring these past couple of days. Let me go vent some frustration for you.”

With that, Zhou Yu got up and left.