7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPw3kLAsvUMartial Youth
Some Things Had Begun to Change
Aji put away his staff and looked at Yeqing, his brows slightly furrowed.
“Didn’t I tell you to go straight home after school?”
He paused. His gaze swept across the street. White light spilled out through the glass doors of the convenience store. The electronic sign at the bus stop kept changing the arrival times. A few students with backpacks crossed from the other side of the crosswalk, while the sound of motorcycles slid one after another into the evening street from the distance.
“Why are you still hanging around here?”
His tone was not harsh, but there was a hint of nagging in it.
Yeqing froze for a moment.
“I…”
Before she could finish, hurried footsteps suddenly came from the distance.
Lin Hao rushed over from the street corner. His school jacket was ruffled by the wind, and before he could even catch his breath, he shouted, “Yeqing!”
When he saw that she was still standing there, he came to an abrupt stop.
In that instant, it was as if the breath that had been trapped in his chest finally loosened. But in the next moment, it tightened again from lingering fear.
Aji glanced at him and said calmly, “So this is how you look after someone?”
Lin Hao froze and looked at Yeqing.
Images flashed through his mind.
Blade light.
Dark shadows.
Her gone from where she should have been.
His chest clenched hard.
He said nothing. He only stepped forward and stood in front of Yeqing.
The movement was almost instinctive.
Even he himself had not thought about it.
Yeqing looked at his back and said nothing.
Aji looked at the two of them and sighed.
“Next time you want to flirt, make sure no one nearby is holding a knife first.”
Lin Hao immediately turned around.
“Who’s flirting?!”
Yeqing lowered her head and did not argue.
Only the tips of her ears turned faintly red.
The clubroom was very quiet.
Light from outside slowly fell in through the windows, spreading over the wooden floor and across the old wooden posts, sandbags, and neatly stacked protective gear in the corner. During the day, this room looked like an ordinary club space. But by evening, it carried a stillness that was hard to describe.
Lin Jing sat in the corner with her eyes closed. Her breathing was steady, and her whole body seemed completely still.
The door opened.
Gu Chengyuan walked in.
“Teacher.”
Lin Jing did not open her eyes. She only said lightly, “Why not figure it out yourself?”
Gu Chengyuan smiled.
“Coming straight to the answer is faster.”
He paused, then added:
“And didn’t you say that if I learned how force moves, I could go on a date with teacher?”
The air fell silent for a moment.
Only then did Lin Jing open her eyes and look at him.
She did not respond.
Nor did she scold him.
She simply stood up, walked over to the wooden post, and stopped.
“Watch carefully.”
In the next instant, she moved.
There was no loud sound.
No exaggerated burst of power either.
Her hand only touched the wooden post, as if she had lightly tapped it.
The wooden post did not move at all.
Gu Chengyuan frowned.
Did she miss?
Lin Jing withdrew her hand and said calmly, “Look again.”
She extended her hand and lightly tapped the surface of the wooden post with her fingertip.
The next moment, a faint cracking sound came from inside the wood.
The cracks did not burst open from the outside.
They slowly seeped outward from within, as if some force had already drilled deep into the wood and was now splitting it apart from the inside.
At last, the entire wooden post broke apart.
The clubroom fell completely silent.
Gu Chengyuan’s eyes changed.
He finally understood.
It was not about striking the surface.
It was about going directly inside.
Lin Jing looked at him, her tone calm.
“Force is not outside.”
She paused.
“It goes in.”
Gu Chengyuan said nothing more.
For once, he did not immediately make a joke.
Nor did he use a smile to brush the subject away.
He simply stood there, looking at the wooden post that had split open from within.
As if he had truly taken those words in.
Afternoon light spilled into the classroom.
Lin Hao was still looking at his own hand.
Gu Chengyuan leaned nearby and said lazily, “No matter how long you stare at it, you won’t get stronger.”
Lin Hao replied, “If I don’t look, I definitely won’t.”
Gu Chengyuan laughed.
“Fair point. Still nonsense, though.”
“Enough.”
Lin Jing’s voice cut them off.
Both of them stopped at the same time.
She looked at them and said flatly, “If you think too long, your brains will get dull. Especially the two of you.”
Gu Chengyuan clicked his tongue.
“Teacher, that was very targeted.”
Lin Hao nodded.
“And very true.”
Yeqing stood nearby and added softly:
“You weren’t that smart to begin with. Thinking more will only make it worse.”
The air went silent for one second.
Gu Chengyuan sighed.
“I really want to leave now.”
Lin Hao nodded.
“Me too.”
Yeqing could not help laughing softly.
Lin Jing turned around and closed the folder in her hand.
“Tomorrow, the four of us are going out together.”
Gu Chengyuan froze.
“Huh?”
Lin Hao and Yeqing glanced at each other but said nothing.
Still, a faint, indescribable anticipation rose in both of their hearts.
That night.
Lin Hao lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
The sound of a motorcycle passing outside drifted in through the window. Far away, the light from a convenience store sign leaked through the gap in his curtains, drawing a small patch of brightness on the wall.
Going out tomorrow.
Such simple words.
Yet they made him toss and turn, unable to sleep.
Yeqing’s appearance kept surfacing in his mind, completely beyond his control.
A white top.
A thin jacket.
A short skirt.
A high ponytail.
Every image was painfully clear.
What would she wear?
Lin Hao turned over and buried his face into the pillow.
“…What am I even thinking?”
He said that aloud.
But he still could not sleep.
The next day, the weather at the street corner was good.
The electronic board beside the bus stop showed the time for the next bus. Students went in and out of the convenience store entrance, while delivery motorcycles passed one after another along the roadside. The traffic lights at the intersection flashed, and the huge screen on the department store wall was playing an advertisement. The whole street was bright, nothing like the quiet mountain path of Qingxuan Gate.
Lin Hao had arrived early.
He stood outside the convenience store, not knowing where to put his hands. He looked even more nervous than when he was stepping onto a ring.
Gu Chengyuan slowly walked over. His clothes were casual, his headphones hung around his neck, and his hair looked as if he had just woken up.
Lin Hao glanced at him.
“You’re just wearing that?”
Gu Chengyuan replied, “What else should I wear?”
“We’re going out today.”
“So?”
Lin Hao fell silent for a moment.
“…Never mind.”
Gu Chengyuan looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“You nervous?”
Lin Hao immediately replied, “No.”
Gu Chengyuan lowered his head and glanced at the ground near Lin Hao’s feet, where marks had already been worn in from pacing back and forth.
“You’ve walked around here at least ten times.”
Lin Hao frowned.
“Are you that bored?”
Gu Chengyuan said calmly, “I just have eyes.”
Lin Hao was about to argue when Yeqing appeared from the street corner.
Her outfit today was simple: a white top with a dark short skirt, and a thin jacket over it. Her wine-red high ponytail looked soft under the sunlight. It was not especially flashy, but once seen, it was hard to look away.
Lin Hao looked at her and froze for one second.
In the end, he only managed one word.
“Oh.”
Yeqing looked at him.
“What?”
“…Nothing.”
Lin Hao turned his face away, his ears slightly red.
Yeqing walked over to him and deliberately asked in a soft voice:
“Does it not look good?”
Lin Hao stiffened completely.
“No!”
Yeqing looked at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
“Then what is it?”
Lin Hao took a deep breath.
“It looks really good.”
The smile in Yeqing’s eyes became clearer.
“Oh.”
This time, Lin Hao was the one who could not say anything.
Not far away, Lin Jing had arrived too.
Today, her hair was let down, and she wore a simple blouse with a long skirt. Her presence was completely different from when she stood at the podium. Usually, she was calm and sharp, like she could instantly see through whichever student was slacking off. Today, however, she carried a quiet softness. Even standing among the crowd, she was hard to ignore.
Gu Chengyuan had originally been about to keep teasing Lin Hao, but when his gaze swept over, his whole body paused.
Lin Hao frowned.
“What’s with you?”
Gu Chengyuan did not answer.
He only looked at Lin Jing.
For the first time, he did not speak right away.
Lin Jing came closer and glanced at the three of them.
“Everyone’s here?”
Gu Chengyuan came back to himself.
“…Yeah.”
His tone had lost a little of its usual ease.
Lin Jing glanced at him but did not expose him.
The shopping district was crowded.
LED screens played advertisements. People lined up outside coffee shops. Someone was playing guitar at a street corner. The glass display windows reflected the shadows of the four of them. A row of event posters covered the roadside walls, and several students held flyers while discussing where to go next.
Lin Hao and Yeqing walked in front.
At first, they were only side by side.
Later, because there were too many people, their shoulders occasionally brushed against each other.
The first time they touched, Lin Hao quickly shifted aside.
The second time, he moved away again.
By the third time, Yeqing finally looked at him.
“Why do you keep dodging?”
Lin Hao froze.
“I’m not.”
Yeqing looked at him.
“You are.”
Lin Hao was silent for a moment, then said quietly:
“I’m afraid of touching you.”
Yeqing went quiet for one second.
People passed by them. The white light of the convenience store, the electronic signs of the shopping mall, and the traffic on the road all blended together.
She did not look at him.
She only moved a little closer to his side.
“It’s not like you can’t touch me.”
Lin Hao froze completely.
“…Oh.”
The corner of Yeqing’s mouth moved slightly.
“What are you saying ‘oh’ for?”
Lin Hao looked ahead, his ears a little red.
“I don’t know.”
Yeqing could not help laughing.
They stopped in front of an accessory shop.
The display window was filled with small charms: animals, little blades, boxing gloves, and several keychains made in an old-style knotted design. The lights inside the store were warm, and the glass reflected the two of them together.
Lin Hao stopped and looked at one of the small boxing glove keychains.
“This one looks good.”
Yeqing asked, “Do you know how to use it?”
“No.”
“Then why are you looking at it?”
“It looks good.”
Yeqing could not help laughing.
“You really are simple.”
Lin Hao replied seriously, “That’s a strength.”
“That’s a problem.”
She lowered her head, glanced at the display, and picked up the little boxing glove keychain.
“This one suits you more.”
Lin Hao froze.
“For me?”
Yeqing took it to the counter to pay.
“Mm.”
Lin Hao stood there, not quite knowing how to react.
When Yeqing handed the little boxing glove to him, he took it, and his fingers brushed against hers.
Just once.
Very briefly.
But both of them paused for an instant.
Lin Hao lowered his head and looked at the little boxing glove, his voice slightly quiet.
“Then I’ll buy one for you too.”
Yeqing looked at him.
“You don’t have to.”
“I do.”
He turned and walked back to the rack, choosing for a long time.
Yeqing stood beside him and watched.
Usually, Lin Hao did things directly. He fought directly. He even spoke directly.
But now, he was choosing a charm with the seriousness of someone thinking through a battle plan.
In the end, he picked up a small fox charm.
When Yeqing saw it, her eyes moved slightly.
Lin Hao handed the charm to her.
“This is for you.”
Yeqing took it and looked down at the little fox.
“You think I’m like a fox?”
Lin Hao thought for a moment.
“Mm.”
She raised her head.
Lin Hao added:
“But it’s pretty.”
Yeqing looked at him.
After a few seconds, she smiled softly.
“Then I’ll accept it.”
When the two little charms rested in their palms, they lightly touched each other.
The sound was very small.
But both of them fell silent for half a second.
On the other side, Lin Jing and Gu Chengyuan walked behind them.
The big screen outside the shopping mall cast light down, sweeping over the crowd in shifting blocks of brightness and shadow. Lin Jing walked at an unhurried pace. Gu Chengyuan did not deliberately move closer, but he always kept a distance from her that was just right.
Not close.
Not far.
Gu Chengyuan looked ahead and suddenly said:
“Teacher, you don’t usually look like this.”
Lin Jing asked calmly, “What’s different?”
“Your aura.”
“Which one is better?”
Gu Chengyuan had been about to make a casual joke, but when the words reached his mouth, he suddenly stopped.
He looked at Lin Jing’s reflection in the glass window beside them.
Today, she was not standing in front of a podium. She was not looking at people with eyes so calm they made others afraid to move recklessly.
She was simply walking through the crowd, lit by the lights of the shopping district.
Quiet.
And beautiful.
Gu Chengyuan was silent for a moment before saying:
“Both are good.”
Lin Jing looked at him.
Gu Chengyuan smiled slightly, his voice a little lower than usual.
“But today’s version makes people want to look a few more times.”
Lin Jing did not reply immediately.
After a while, she said lightly:
“You’re talking less today.”
“I’m afraid if I talk too much, I’ll ruin the mood.”
The corner of Lin Jing’s mouth moved very faintly.
“That’s rare.”
In the plaza, street music suddenly began to play.
At first, it was only a performance by a few people. Soon, a crowd slowly gathered around them. The sound system, applause, and laughter of passersby mixed together, making the whole plaza lively.
Lin Jing paused.
Her steps unconsciously followed the rhythm.
At first, it was very slight.
Only the tip of her foot tapped gently.
But very soon, her movements became natural. She did not deliberately perform, nor did she make any exaggerated movements. She simply followed the music for a short distance. Her wrists, shoulders, and steps were clean like flowing water.
Gu Chengyuan stood to the side and watched her without speaking.
The music grew faster.
When Lin Jing turned, her hair lifted lightly with the movement, making her look completely different from usual.
Gu Chengyuan stepped forward and held out his hand.
There was no joke in it.
No extra tone either.
Lin Jing looked at his hand.
She paused.
Then she placed her hand on it.
When Gu Chengyuan held her hand, his fingertips visibly hesitated for an instant.
Lin Jing did not pull away. Instead, she followed his hand and turned one step. The distance between them closed, and their rhythm slowly matched.
The world around them was noisy.
Yet between them, it was strangely quiet.
Neither of them led.
Neither of them backed away.
It felt like the first time.
And also not like the first time.
Near the shopping district, a newly opened store suddenly set off firecrackers.
Yeqing was startled by the sound and instinctively covered her ears.
Lin Hao froze for half a second, then immediately reached out to shield her.
The distance between them suddenly became very close.
So close that Yeqing’s shoulder was almost leaning against his chest.
Lin Hao stiffened completely.
The firecrackers were still going off. The street was noisy with people, motorcycles, and advertisement music blending together. But all he could feel was Yeqing beside him.
Very close.
So close he did not know whether he should put his hand down.
The sound of the firecrackers slowly stopped.
Lin Hao asked quietly:
“Is it still loud?”
Yeqing did not answer right away.
She raised her eyes and looked at him.
“It’s not loud anymore.”
But she did not move away.
Lin Hao did not move either.
After a few seconds, his hand slowly lowered, and his fingertips touched hers.
Yeqing did not pull away.
She only hooked his fingertips very, very lightly.
Lin Hao looked at their touching hands, and his ears instantly turned red.
Yeqing saw it, but did not expose him.
She only said softly:
“Let’s go.”
Lin Hao nodded.
“Mm.”
But their hands did not separate.
In the evening park, the wind was a little cool.
The four of them sat together. Behind them were the lights of the shopping district, and in the distance were the sounds of traffic and people.
Lin Hao and Yeqing sat at one end of the bench, neither too close nor too far.
Lin Hao lowered his head and looked at the little boxing glove charm in his hand.
On Yeqing’s bag, the little fox was already hanging.
The two charms were not placed together.
But both of them knew they had been bought on the same day.
Lin Hao moved his hand slightly, then stopped.
Yeqing glanced at him and said softly:
“Take your time.”
Lin Hao nodded.
This time, he gently held her hand.
And did not let go.
Yeqing did not avoid him either.
She simply sat quietly beside him, as if this was something that had always been allowed to happen.
After a while, she asked softly:
“Are you nervous?”
Lin Hao looked ahead.
“A little.”
“Why?”
Lin Hao was silent for a moment, his fingers tightening slightly.
“Because I’m afraid that if I let go, you’ll disappear again.”
Yeqing’s eyes moved slightly.
She did not laugh.
Nor did she tease him.
She only placed her hand more steadily into his palm.
“Then don’t let go yet.”
Lin Hao looked at her.
“Mm.”
At night, the restaurant lights were warm.
Steam slowly rose from the hot soup on the table. Outside the glass window was the night view of the shopping district. Neon lights, car lights, and passing crowds all reflected against the glass.
Gu Chengyuan suddenly said:
“You still owe me one.”
Lin Hao frowned.
“You’re really annoying.”
Yeqing smiled and said:
“He just wants you to pay.”
Gu Chengyuan spread his hands.
“I’ve been seen through.”
Lin Jing added calmly:
“The loser pays.”
All three of them froze at the same time.
“Huh?”
Gu Chengyuan immediately pointed at Lin Hao.
“Him.”
Lin Hao was unconvinced.
“You ate too.”
Yeqing smiled and said:
“Then pay together.”
Lin Hao and Gu Chengyuan replied at the same time:
“No.”
The air was silent for one second.
Then all four of them laughed.
Lin Hao sighed.
“Fine. I’ll pay.”
Gu Chengyuan nodded in satisfaction.
“Finally, some sincerity.”
Yeqing looked at him and smiled softly.
Lin Jing did not speak. She simply watched everything quietly.
Gu Chengyuan tilted his head and looked at her.
“Teacher, you’re smiling.”
Lin Jing replied lightly:
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“You saw wrong.”
The corner of Gu Chengyuan’s mouth lifted.
“Then I saw wrong many times today.”
Lin Jing glanced at him but did not argue.
Outside the window, traffic moved slowly past.
Neon reflected in her eyes.
And in his.
That day, they did not become stronger.
They did not defeat anyone.
Nor did they learn some earth-shattering new technique.
But in Lin Hao’s pocket, there was now a little boxing glove keychain.
On Yeqing’s bag, there was now a little fox.
Lin Hao held Yeqing’s hand, and this time, he did not rush to let go.
Gu Chengyuan sat beside Lin Jing, and he no longer used jokes to carry the topic away.
The four of them sat under the warm light.
No one said it aloud.
But no one wanted to leave either.
There had been no battle that day.
But some things had already changed quietly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dBTvR3tLm
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