Chapter 113: I, Jiang, Am a Man of My Word

"That wasn't really kung fu; the guy was just a weakling," Jiang Zheng said.

"Fine, let’s say he was a weakling. But how does the senior plan to explain this video?" Pei Xin pulled out her phone and waved it in front of Jiang Zheng, looking like a cunning little fox.

Jiang Zheng took a closer look and realized it was the video of him getting into a fight on the day they went out to eat after school started. This video had once caused quite a stir, and being someone who kept up with the internet, Jiang Zheng was well aware of it. However, because everyone in his dorm was afraid of attracting trouble, they had all maintained a collective silence about the incident. The video wasn't particularly clear and had been pixelated, making it difficult for anyone to identify him, even those who knew him in real life. Jiang Zheng hadn't expected Pei Xin to bring it up; clearly, she knew the person in the footage was him.

"This... um... you’ve mistaken me for someone else," Jiang Zheng said.

"How could I possibly mistake the senior for someone else?" Pei Xin said with a smile. Her smile was beautiful, but at this moment, Jiang Zheng found no joy in it; he felt it was filled with craftiness.

Jiang Zheng was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, I admit that’s me, but I really don't know kung fu."

"But you’re very good at fighting, Senior. You took on so many people at once. That’s so impressive," Pei Xin remarked. Her tone sent a chill down Jiang Zheng’s spine. He had previously thought of her as a cute junior, but now he felt he needed to revise that opinion. She wasn't a cute junior at all, but a cunning fox.

"Even if I can fight, I don't know kung fu, so I can't teach you," Jiang Zheng said, wanting nothing more than to escape.

"That’s fine. As long as you can fight, it doesn't matter if it’s kung fu or not. Just teach me how to fight, Senior," Pei Xin replied.

Jiang Zheng was stunned. He hadn't expected to hear such words from a girl, especially one who looked so petite and adorable. "Why... why do you want to learn how to fight?" he asked, looking at her guardedly.

"Don't worry, Senior. I definitely won’t be getting into fights with others. But don’t you think a girl who knows how to fight is super cool?" she said.

"I don't," Jiang Zheng shook his head.

Pei Xin pouted. "Well, I think so. Just teach me, Senior. I can pay tuition."

"Sorry, I don't teach people how to fight, and I don't think fighting is cool at all." With that, Jiang Zheng prepared to leave.

"Aren't you afraid I’ll tell everyone that the person in this video is you, Senior?" Pei Xin suddenly asked.

Jiang Zheng looked at her, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous glint flashed through them.

Pei Xin continued on her own, "This video is so popular, yet no one knows the protagonist is you. Presumably, you don't want others to know. This is a great opportunity for fame, so why hide it? Are you afraid this might be classified as a street brawl rather than a heroic act?"

It had to be said that her analysis was spot on. Jiang Zheng didn't know if she had thought of this herself or if someone else had suggested it. They stared at each other in silence.

"Senior, think about it. As long as you agree to teach me, I guarantee I’ll keep your secret," Pei Xin said, looking quite pleased with herself. She felt she had him cornered; her analysis seemed almost certainly correct.

Just as she was feeling triumphant, Jiang Zheng suddenly laughed. Pei Xin was confused; she thought he should be feeling pressured to agree to her terms, so why could he still laugh?

"Go ahead and release it if you want," Jiang Zheng said. "Like you said, I could use it to get famous, maybe even become an influencer and make some money. As for it being classified as a brawl, I don't think so. Public opinion won't allow it, and in matters like this, public opinion can be the deciding factor."

Pei Xin was instantly rendered speechless. Upon reflection, she realized he was right. Jiang Zheng’s actions could be called a brawl or a heroic act, depending on the definition, and since the boundary was blurred, public opinion leaned heavily toward heroism. She realized she had no way to threaten him. Feeling thwarted, she felt a bit dejected.

"Senior, please, just teach me! I beg you," she said, her voice sounding almost like a pout. If this had been yesterday, he might have softened, but he now saw that she wasn't as innocent and cute as she appeared. All the pouting and begging were just a facade. Jiang Zheng remained unmoved, and in fact, he almost wanted to laugh.

"I, Jiang, said I wouldn't teach, so..." Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

"Junior, why beg him if you want to learn kung fu? Come to our Martial Arts Club. We have everything here—swords, spears, staves, and hand-to-hand combat. We have it all."

A man wearing the loose uniform of the Martial Arts Club walked over, dressed in white from head to toe, looking somewhat like a martial artist from a period drama. Pei Xin glanced at him, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes. What she wanted to learn was real, practical combat, not flashy, superficial moves. Neither the Martial Arts Club nor the Taekwondo Club met her requirements. While there were masters of traditional martial arts, the school club certainly didn't have any. As far as she could see, they were all show. In comparison, Jiang Zheng, with his terrifying track record, was the one she truly wanted.

Before Pei Xin could speak, the newcomer said to Jiang Zheng, "I don't care what tricks you used to fool the junior, but let me tell you, don't try to show off in front of our Martial Arts Club." He raised a finger, waving it gently in a classic gesture. "When it comes to teaching kung fu, you're not up to the task."

Pei Xin spoke up, "Senior, don't listen to him. What were you saying just now?"

Jiang Zheng’s expression turned peculiar. "I, Jiang, said I would teach, so I will. I’ve decided to teach you today. Follow me, Junior."

"Okay, Senior!" Pei Xin immediately replied with feigned obedience.

She followed Jiang Zheng as he walked away, leaving the man standing there, his face turning shades of blue and white. After walking a short distance, Pei Xin said, "Senior, I just saved your reputation, so you should keep your word."

Jiang Zheng glanced at her. "Don't be so calculating at such a young age. I said I'd teach you, and I’ll keep my word."

Pei Xin muttered under her breath, "Someone just said they wouldn't teach... so much for keeping their word."

"What did you say?" Jiang Zheng asked in a deep voice.

"Nothing, nothing at all! You must have misheard, Senior. I didn't say a word," Pei Xin said, opening her eyes wide and lying through her teeth.

Jiang Zheng ignored her muttering. He hadn't intended to change his mind, but a mission had just come in.