Yama Reborn

[Slept In]

Chapter Eighty-Three [Is It Enough to Spend?]

「The next day.」

In the early morning, Teacher Jiang, dressed in his martial arts training jacket and cloth shoes, started by performing a set of punches for Zhang Linsheng.

Zhang Linsheng stared with wide eyes, watching closely.

After completing the set of punches, Teacher Jiang blew out a breath, looked at his silly apprentice, and said, "Okay, stop dawdling. Now it's time to correct your stance. Practice the moves you learned yesterday. Do you still remember them?"

Zhang Linsheng actually wanted to say, I don't really remember.

But in the end, he didn't dare to say that.

When Teacher Jiang taught Chinese class at school, he was quite refined and easy-going.

But when teaching boxing, he really would beat people with a stick!

Really beat them!

Having taught for half his life, Teacher Jiang could read his students' faces like a book. He sighed inwardly, though it did not show on his face, and continued, "All right, start from the first move."

He paused for a moment and glanced back towards the edge of the grove.

"That dog... COUGH, COUGH, that kid Chen Nuo, how come he didn't show up today?"

"I don't know, Teacher Jiang. I don't have a cell phone."

ZzzzzZZZzzzzZZZZZ

Chen Yanluo was lying in his bed at home, sleeping and drooling.

Chen Nuo, who had only returned home early that morning, felt drained of spiritual power. He threw himself onto the bed without even changing clothes and fell asleep.

In his dreams...

It seems like I forgot something?

Well, never mind. I'm so sleepy. Keep sleeping...

「A moment later...」

Teacher Jiang was staring at Zhang Linsheng, dumbfounded!

Brother Haonan relied on his memory to piece together the movements one by one.

This was a basic set of boxing techniques, relatively simple with nothing complicated, but it emphasized several fundamental movements: bending the waist, sinking the shoulders, kicking the legs...

Zhang Linsheng finished the set of movements. Actually, many parts were performed incorrectly...

But Teacher Jiang was shocked!

There was none of that rusty mechanical dance feel from yesterday!

Although it was far from smooth as flowing clouds and water, at least it was much more fluid to watch. The joints that seemed rusty and the movements that were stuck like a jammed disc suddenly became much smoother!

It looked like some of the movements were outrageously wrong, which Zhang Linsheng had concocted on the fly relying on memory.

But overall, it already had the semblance of proper form.

Teacher Jiang was moved.

Did this kid... practice all night after going home yesterday?

It's fine to be a bit slow. Being a dolt is okay too!

With this perseverance and persistence, he should be able to achieve something, right?

Having been a teacher for half his life, a touch of emotion suddenly surged in Teacher Jiang's heart.

What kind of student does a teacher like most? It's precisely this type: simple-minded and willing to put in hard work!

A noticeably warmer smile appeared on Teacher Jiang's face, and once Zhang Linsheng completed the set of punches, he said cheerfully, "Come here, several movements are not quite right. Let me adjust them for you."

As noon approached, Chen Nuo woke up.

He sat up in bed, his mind still a bit groggy.

Hmm, it had been a long time since I'd allowed myself to sleep so deeply. The sensation of depleted spiritual power was one I hadn't felt for many, many years.

Well, that's because my strength hasn't returned to its peak yet. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so exhausted just from showing Brother Haonan a few breathing techniques.

But... the feeling of deep sleep was indeed very comfortable.

He got up, brushed his teeth, and washed his face.

He glanced at the time. It was already too late for morning classes.

So there's no need to hurry. I might as well not go.

Hmm... maybe... I won't go in the afternoon either?

After washing up, Chen Nuo looked at himself in the mirror.

He was an eighteen-year-old youth, with soft wisps of a mustache and fuzz on his upper lip and chin—very soft and not dense.

The body I obtained after rebirth is growing, little by little.

Just as he was pondering, the door was knocked on.

THUMP THUMP THUMP. THUMP THUMP THUMP...

Chen Nuo frowned.

The person knocking on the door did so very urgently, even somewhat rudely.

He went to open the door.

Standing at the door was a middle-aged man.

He had very short hair, was gaunt, and his eyes were slightly swollen.

He smelled strongly of alcohol and tobacco.

He was not tall and wore a cheap-looking suit. His gaze was brazen as he scanned Chen Nuo, who was clearly annoyed, and then looked past him into the room.

"Chen Nuo?"

Chen Nuo raised his eyebrows. "Hmm? Who are you?"

"Gu Kang." There was a strange expression on the middle-aged man's face. "We met once a few years ago."

Gu Kang?

With a moment's thought, Chen Nuo recalled the name.

Someone from the Gu Family!

Chen Nuo smiled coldly. "I remember now. Gu Kang, right? So, you're out?"

Looking at the youth in front of him, it was clear this kid had not a shred of respect for him... This wasn't the kind of restraint one would expect from a youth when speaking to an adult.

"Where is my daughter, Gu Xiaoye?"

Gu Kang, a member of the Gu Family, was also the man Chen Nuo's mother, Ou Xiuhua, had remarried.

He was also the man who dragged Ou Xiuhua down, leading her to embezzle public funds to cover his gambling debts, culminating in their joint incarceration.

Ironically, Ou Xiuhua, because she was the actual perpetrator of embezzlement, ended up receiving a heavier sentence than this Gu Kang.

"What, you're not letting me in? Let's talk inside," Gu Kang said, a rascally look on his face.

It was unclear whether he had always been this way, or if he had picked up these traits during his two years inside.

Chen Nuo smiled and stepped aside to let him pass.

Gu Kang swaggered into the room, glanced around at the household decorations, furniture, TV, sofa, air conditioner...

After seemingly giving it some thought, he carelessly sat down on the sofa and looked at Chen Nuo. "Seems like you're living a good life, huh? Is that TV a new model, and there's even a DVD player. Yo, that air conditioner is not cheap, is it?"

Gu Kang directly took out a pack of Red Jinling cigarettes and lit one for himself, taking two drags.

"I can't believe it... In the past few years, your mom had to secretly take money from my house to help you and your grandma. I must say, I was pretty generous. Your mom secretly took money for you every year. I clearly knew about it, but I didn't stop her. That was pretty considerate of me, wasn't it?"

At this, Gu Kang raised an eyebrow. "How come, not even an 'Uncle Gu' from you? Not even a glass of water for me?"

Chen Nuo ignored his remarks and walked over to sit directly opposite him.

"When did you get out?"

"...Three days ago."

Chen Nuo deliberately sniffed. "It seems you've had quite the time these three days, reeking of cigarettes and alcohol. Hmm, your hair isn't greasy, and your face looks pretty clean, looks like you've had a wash... Did you find your cronies as soon as you got out, go on a spree, and then have a full-body massage? Been living it up for three days?"

The brazen words of the young man made Gu Kang feel embarrassed—because Chen Nuo had hit the nail on the head!

Gu Kang's face turned a bit awkward as he glared and said, "Chen Nuo! How can you speak to your elder like this!"

"Do you even know what kind of life your daughter Xiao Yezi has been having at your brother's house? If you had gone straight to the kindergarten to wait and see your daughter after getting out, I would have thought you still had some conscience. But no, you went straight off to enjoy yourself for three days after getting out. What, got tired of playing and now you've come looking for Xiao Yezi at my place?"

Chen Nuo paused, then slapped his forehead dramatically. "Ah, I get it. You must have visited your brother's house, right? You know what's been going on. That scumbag brother of yours, and that worthless old hag of a mother, did they tell you that Xiao Yezi was taken by me?"

Gu Kang was stunned.

He looked at the young man in front of him, whom he certainly recognized but felt utterly unfamiliar with.

He had seen him before. But back then, the young man had always kept his head down, speaking in muffled tones, seemingly timid and introverted, barely daring to speak.

But now, this guy has the audacity to look at me and say these sarcastic words?

It wasn't the raging fury of an impulsive young man.

Rather, it was a kind of effortless, condescending mockery.

Gu Kang, masking the guilt in his heart, took several puffs of his cigarette and scoffed, "It seems like you've grown up, kid. You've got guts now, to talk to me like that, huh? The fear you had when taking money from your mom, that's all gone, is it?"

Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow.

Gu Kang continued, "I'm not going to waste words with you. Where is my daughter?"

Chen Nuo scrutinized Gu Kang carefully. "What do you plan to do?"

"What do I plan to do? She's my daughter. Of course I'm going to take her away."

"Take her away to where? The Gu Family's place? Do you know that your brother and sister-in-law have been abusing your daughter?"

"What abuse? Don't talk nonsense. What's wrong with disciplining a child when they misbehave? Why are you, a mere kid, meddling in other people's family business?"

Misbehave? Disciplining a child?

Chen Nuo laughed.

"You just got out. Do you have the ability to take care of Xiao Yezi? Or are you planning to go out and indulge yourself, leaving your daughter at home while you drink and get massages? Or maybe continue to leave her with your brother, that scumbag? Or that worthless old hag of a mother of yours?"

"Hey! Kid, watch your mouth!" Gu Kang was furious.

Chen Nuo spoke very calmly. "Enough with the nonsense. Just say what you want."

Gu Kang glared, his eyeballs darting around. "Kid, I've heard from my family about the trouble you caused in my brother's house! Don't you pull that with me! My brother is a working man, but I'm not! Your dirty tricks won't work on me."

Chen Nuo waved his hand impatiently. "Just cut to the chase. What do you want? Stop beating around the bush."

Gu Kang smiled, thinking the young man in front of him must have softened. "I am Xiao Yezi's dad," he said. "Legally recognized. Her mom's still inside, but I'm out! I am the child's only and legal guardian! Do you understand the law?"

"Mhm, I understand. Go on," Chen Nuo chuckled.

"Good to hear! Right now, one phone call and the police will have to deal with this! I can take my daughter away from here, and no one can stop me! That's the law!"

"Okay, enough talk. Just tell me what you want."

Gu Kang smiled.

He felt he had the upper hand.

The family also said this kid was tough and fierce... A mere kid, could he really turn the world upside down?

Truly fierce people—I've seen them while I was locked up!

What could a child possibly do that's so impressive?

"Three thousand."

Gu Kang smiled. "Three thousand, and I'll be on my way. Xiao Yezi can continue to stay with you. I won't come to pick her up, won't cause you trouble... Let's keep everything as it was!"

Chen Nuo sighed inwardly. As expected, it was still about this.

Thinking of the Gu Family... really, that whole Gu Family is scum.

Was my nominal mother, Ou Xiuhua, blind to have fancied such a man?

Chen Nuo nodded. "Three thousand, right?"

"Three thousand," Gu Kang repeated with a smile. "You seem like you're not short on money, right? Your household seems quite well-off! That air conditioning unit must've been expensive, right? How come? When your grandmother was alive, you lived so frugally that your mom had to secretly take money from me to help you out? How come your days suddenly got better? Oh, your grandmother passed away, so you spent all her retirement and savings, right? Looking at how you're living now, you must not be short on cash. Three thousand, you should be able to afford it."

Actually, on the way here, Gu Kang had planned to ask for one thousand.

But upon entering and noticing the young man's decent home setting, he raised the price on the spot.

Chen Nuo nodded but then suddenly smiled.

"Uncle Gu, three thousand... is that enough?"

"...Huh?"

[You guys are amazing! Alliance achieved! On the third day of being online last night, a hundred Alliance Hierarchs have joined. I am thoroughly grateful! I'll write more today!]