Chapter 254: An Apprenticeship?

The match concluded with Xiang Ri transforming into a superhero-like figure, delivering a spectacular solo performance that sealed the score at 132:84. Gaoda University claimed a resounding victory over Haida, with Xiang Ri single-handedly contributing the majority of the team's points. 

Naturally, the students of Gaoda were thrilled by this triumph. Once, Haida's basketball team had dominated the university circuit, but now they had been utterly crushed—by none other than their own school team. As members of Gaoda, this was a moment of unparalleled pride. 

On the other hand, Haida's side was left in utter dismay. By halftime, the stands had already emptied, leaving only a smattering of loyal supporters to witness the bitter end. The humiliation was unbearable—a school they once dismissed as a joke had risen to surpass them in such spectacular fashion. 

Regardless, the beasts of Haida arrived with arrogance and departed with grace, leaving behind nothing but a silent reminder of their defeat, like a breeze brushing away without a trace. 

Back at school, Xiang Ri quickly changed his clothes, unwilling to be mobbed by the ecstatic crowd. Once he donned his regular attire, put on his glasses, and concealed his right hand in his sleeve, no one could recognize him as the hero of the match. 

The mysterious Number Seven had once again vanished like smoke, leaving the spectators marveling. They soon gathered in small groups, excitedly recounting the match's most thrilling moments. 

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the campus, Xiang Ri handed his jersey and sneakers back to the team's manager. "Here, returning them to their rightful owner." 

"No need," Ren Dayun replied with a peculiar expression, waving her hand dismissively. "These were meant for you. Why return them?" 

"Well, I'd feel a bit guilty keeping them," Xiang Ri admitted, though he was reluctant to owe anyone a favor. While he deserved the gear for playing the match, he had already profited from a far more enticing bet. Greed was not his style. 

"There's nothing to feel guilty about," Ren replied coolly. "Besides, it was your money that paid for them." 

"My money?" Xiang Ri was momentarily taken aback. 

"Have you forgotten the million you donated to the basketball team?" Ren's tone was calm, yet her words carried a hint of amusement. 

"Oh, that?" Xiang Ri finally recalled. He had indeed made such a donation, though it had been intended for a woman he had once wronged. She had refused to accept it, and thus, it had ended up here.

Later, seeing the manager's utterly money-minded demeanor, Xiang Ri casually handed her the funds, claiming it was a donation to the school's basketball team. If not for her mention of it now, he would have completely forgotten about the matter. 

"You, the wealthy young master, naturally wouldn't care about such a trivial sum, but for us commoners, it's a different story," Ren Dayun remarked, her words layered with hidden meaning. 

Her heart, however, harbored a tinge of resentment at the man's lack of appreciation. The cost of tailoring the jersey and purchasing the sneakers hadn't come from the million he donated to the basketball team. She had paid for it out of her own pocket. 

Yet, to her dismay, her well-intentioned gesture had been outright rejected by him. Unsurprisingly, bitterness welled within her. 

Xiangi Ri let out a wry smile. It was just a jersey—was the sarcasm really necessary? Nonetheless, while he thought one thing, he acted otherwise, leaving the gear where it was. "If that's the case, I'll accept it without further ceremony." 

"Oh, you're familiar with the concept of being polite? That's a first!" Ren shot him a peculiar glare. If he truly knew the meaning of courtesy, would he have made such a harsh bet with her in the first place? 

Without waiting for his response, she turned and strode away. Over her shoulder, she called out, "Alright, I'm off. Don't forget about our meeting next week. If you don't show up, don't blame me for breaking my word!" 

Watching her slender figure disappear into the distance, Xiang Ri fell into a moment of reflection. Deep down, he had already begun to sense her feelings for him. After all, would she have made such a wager with someone she felt nothing for? It seemed utterly impossible. 

"Sigh…" Xiang Ri exhaled deeply, unsure whether he should go through with the upcoming meeting. 

If it were as he had originally thought—a simple arrangement with no strings attached—he wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest. But now, aware of her emotions, could he still treat the bet as though it were just another game? 

When he returned home, he was surprised to find Miss An and his apprentice, Shi Qing, seated on the living room sofa, waiting for him. Even more unexpected was the presence of another individual—the aloof beauty, the very picture of an ice queen. 

The latter merely glanced at him with an expressionless face before shifting her focus back to the television screen. 

Miss An, however, was staring daggers at him, making Xiang Ri wonder if he had somehow offended another woman and his indiscretion had reached her ears. 

Fortunately, her next words dispelled his concerns. "Xiang Kui, I never knew you were so skilled at basketball. That was my first time seeing you play. Shouldn't you feel honored?"

Although he couldn't detect any jealousy in Miss An's tone, Xiang Ri dared not let his guard down. A faint sense of danger lingered in the air. 

Miss An's words were clearly laced with sarcasm. Was she blaming him for humiliating her school's basketball team so thoroughly, leaving them in such a sorry state? Or perhaps— 

A sudden thought struck Xiang Ri. He realized the issue: Miss An was subtly protesting that he had concealed his exceptional basketball skills from her, a veiled complaint against his secrecy. 

Xiangi Ri felt his head begin to ache. He recalled how, when Miss An had asked if he was hiding anything from her, he had confidently replied, "No." And now, here he was, caught red-handed with a rather significant omission. It was no wonder she greeted him with such pointed remarks. 

But could he really be blamed? If he hadn't played in this game, Miss An might never have discovered his talent for basketball. 

After some thought, Xiang Ri decided to handle things as they came. 

"An An," he called out with feigned intimacy, opening his arms as though to embrace her, hoping to divert her attention. 

Miss An, however, was not so easily fooled. She grabbed a large cushion and hurled it at him. "You're drenched in sweat from the game! Don't hug me—go hug a pillow instead!" 

Catching the cushion, Xiang Ri chuckled dryly. "How could a pillow compare to my dear An An's warm embrace?" he teased, winking playfully at her. 

Miss An's cheeks flushed as her thoughts involuntarily drifted to that compromising "woman on top, man on bottom" pose from that morning. Embarrassed, she shot him a fierce glare. 

"Hurry up and shower! We're starving—finish up and get cooking!" she barked, throwing another cushion his way for good measure. 

Grateful for the reprieve, Xiang Ri dashed toward the bathroom, relieved that Miss An had dropped the matter—for now. 

Unbeknownst to him, it wasn't that she had truly let it go, but rather that she was too embarrassed to pursue the topic in front of the others. She resolved to question him thoroughly later when they were alone. 

After his shower, Xiang Ri headed straight to the kitchen. Luckily, it hadn't been ravaged by Miss An's whims today, and the pantry was well-stocked, sparing him the embarrassment of being unable to cook due to a lack of ingredients. 

Meanwhile, in the living room, the women were deep in conversation. 

Shi Qing, ever the devoted admirer of her "beastly" teacher, spoke up in his defense. "An An, do you think it's really fair to make him cook alone?" 

"Well, let me tell you, Qing Qing, you can't spoil him too much," Miss An retorted, clearly annoyed at Shi Qing's constant defense of the man. "The more you coddle him, the more complacent he gets. We need to curb that arrogance before it grows out of hand. Otherwise, what if he starts bringing other women home?" 

At the mention of this potential threat to her happiness, Shi Qing fell silent, ultimately agreeing with Miss An's reasoning. 

Miss An continued, turning her attention back to Shi Qing. "And another thing, could you please stop calling him 'teacher'? It gives me goosebumps. Sure, I know you enjoy those thrilling, forbidden teacher-student romances, but at least spare us the discomfort, won't you?" 

Shi Qing's face turned bright red. She hadn't expected Miss An, despite appearing more open-minded now, to still speak so bluntly. 

Fortunately, Miss An didn't press the issue further. Instead, she turned to the aloof beauty silently watching TV. Seeking to include her in the conversation, Miss An asked, "What about you, Wen Wen? Any thoughts to share?" 

Without shifting her gaze from the screen, the ice queen delivered a sharp question. "Is his cooking even edible?" 

Miss An and Shi Qing exchanged glances before nodding in unison. "Yes, it is!" 

"Oh," she replied flatly, falling silent once more. But no one noticed the fleeting, enigmatic glimmer in her eyes. 

Confident in his culinary skills, Xiang Ri spared no effort in preparing the meal, especially with such a special guest in attendance. Subconsciously, he wanted to leave a good impression. 

By the time he placed the dishes on the table, the women's stomachs had been grumbling for ages. They quickly gathered around without needing an invitation, even the usually reserved ice queen joining at Miss An's insistence. 

Shi Qing took a bite and immediately noticed something. "It seems even better than usual today!" 

Miss An shot her a knowing look, her tone tinged with implication. "Probably because there's someone special here today?" 

The woman in question maintained her composure, calmly eating her meal as though oblivious to the remark. 

Xiangi Ri gave an awkward smile, inwardly marveling at Miss An's sharp intuition. She had hit the nail on the head. 

He glanced nervously at the ice queen, not wanting her to think he had cooked so elaborately just to impress her—even though that was pretty close to the truth. 

Sensing his discomfort, Shi Qing changed the subject. "Teacher, when do you think Chuchu will come back?" 

"Oh, about that." Xiang Ri quickly caught on. "I called her on my way back. She said she can't make it today and told us to attend class tomorrow as usual. She'll meet us there straight from home."

Before anyone could respond, Shi Qing was preempted by the icy beauty, whose unexpected intervention took everyone by surprise. Her gaze unreadable, she asked almost nonchalantly, "Chuchu? Does someone else live here as well?" 

Xiang Ri was about to reply when the sudden screech of brakes shattered the moment, the piercing sound jolting everyone at the dining table, forcing them to cover their ears instinctively. 

"What on earth?" Xiang Ri stood abruptly, irritation flashing across his face. Someone had evidently parked a car right at his doorstep with an audacity that bordered on provocation. 

"It sounds like a car," observed An An with a familiarity born of her days as a street racer. The sound, though disruptive, carried a certain nostalgia for her. 

Yet, nostalgia could only go so far. Interrupting her meal was unforgivable. Rising with a huff, she headed for the door. 

"Wait, I'm coming with you," Xiang Ri called after her, hastening to follow. A sudden thought struck him—could it be? Yesterday, he had placed an order for a car through General Chen. Could it have arrived ahead of schedule? The prospect thrilled him. 

The remaining women, their appetite for food replaced by curiosity, also abandoned the table and followed. 

As expected, a car was indeed parked outside. 

But this wasn't just any car—it was a masterpiece of luxury. Its sleek, silver-gray body exuded elegance and prestige. Even the untrained eye could recognize the unmistakable emblem adorning its hood: a Rolls-Royce. 

An An's reaction was the most dramatic. She froze, her gaze locked on the vehicle. It was identical to the one her family owned, down to the last detail. Yet… 

Her expression grew complex as she cast a sidelong glance at Xiang Ri. Though not an expert in luxury cars, she knew enough to surmise that such a vehicle wasn't easily acquired. Her brother's confidence in Xiang Ri's inability to procure an identical model had been absolute. And yet here it was, standing before her barely a day later. 

What puzzled her even more was that Xiang Ri had displayed no behavior suggesting he had gone out to purchase a car—or made any preparations, for that matter. Just how had this vehicle come to be? 

Suspicion flared within her, compelling her to reassess the enigmatic man beside her. He seemed to harbor more secrets than she'd anticipated. Tonight, she resolved, those secrets would be unearthed. 

Meanwhile, Shi Qing and the icy beauty, though less versed in cars, weren't oblivious to the sheer extravagance of the scene before them. Born into privilege, they immediately recognized the caliber of the vehicle. But their astonishment stemmed from a different question—why was such a world-class luxury car parked here? 

Xiang Ri, however, paid little heed to their reactions. His focus was riveted on the elderly man standing beside the Rolls-Royce. 

The man appeared to be in his sixties—or so his outward appearance suggested. Clad in an immaculate white Tang suit, he stood with hands clasped behind his back, his face adorned with a benevolent smile that radiated warmth and kindness. 

At first glance, one might have assumed him to be a kindly elder. But Xiang Ri's instincts screamed otherwise. Beneath the façade of affability lay an aura of danger, an invisible force that set his nerves on edge. It was a sensation he hadn't felt since his days under the sniper's scope—a visceral awareness of mortal peril. 

"Ah, my dear grandson!" The old man's eyes lit up upon seeing Xiang Ri, and he stepped forward with open arms, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. He seemed oblivious to the presence of the three women standing nearby. 

Caught off guard, Xiang Ri froze just long enough for the old man to envelop him in a bear hug. Despite his unease, Xiang Ri chose to hold his tongue, recognizing the man's connection to General Chen. Out of respect, he opted not to expose the stranger's charade and awkwardly replied, "What brings you here, sir?" 

In a whisper audible only to the two of them, he added, "May I ask your name, elder?" 

"Zhang. Just call me Old Zhang. But for now, be a good grandson, won't you?" The old man's grin widened as his arms tightened suddenly, locking Xiang Ri in a vice-like grip. 

An immense, inhuman strength surged from the old man's limbs, squeezing Xiang Ri with alarming force, as if intent on snapping him in two. 

"Damn it, old man!" Xiang Ri cursed inwardly, stunned by the sheer power emanating from someone who seemed well past his prime. He had anticipated danger, but this level of strength was outright monstrous.

Despite his inner thoughts, Xiang Ri mustered his strength and began to resist. 

Meanwhile, the women, who had momentarily felt irritated by the interruption, had long cast aside their grievances the moment the elderly man in the Tang suit spoke. Watching Xiang Ri embrace the amiable old gentleman with apparent affection, they immediately concluded that the two must share a grandfather-grandson relationship. 

Though the disruption to their meal had been unwelcome, none dared reveal their displeasure. After all, this was someone's grandfather, and any display of discontent could leave a poor impression. Sweet smiles graced their faces, each vying to appear amiable. 

Even the icy beauty, whose expression rarely softened, made a visible effort to lower her aloof demeanor, striving to look more like a regular woman. 

Little did they know, the touching scene they perceived as a long-awaited family reunion was, in truth, an invisible duel from start to finish. 

The so-called "Old Zhang" had already exerted sixty percent of his strength, yet the seemingly unassuming young man before him remained unyielding. Finding himself at an impasse, the old man reluctantly released Xiang Ri. 

Before letting go, however, he murmured in a low voice, "Not bad, kid. You've got some strength in you." 

Of course, he hadn't chosen to relent out of goodwill. Any further exertion would have risked revealing his true intentions to the women nearby. He'd already noticed the concrete beneath his feet beginning to crack under the strain. Continuing would only result in an embarrassing scene. 

Moreover, he had realized that Xiang Ri wasn't even using his full strength—just as he hadn't. The old man decided to save the competition for another time. 

Xiáng Ri, maintaining his composure, retorted with a curt "Likewise," while inwardly mocking the old man. 

Though he respected the elderly, that respect had to be earned. The old man's earlier attempt to overpower him clearly aimed to establish dominance. However, despite his overwhelming strength—far exceeding anything Xiang Ri had encountered before—the young man's current abilities had grown exponentially. 

The old man, impressive as he was, simply didn't measure up. Xiang Ri concluded this without hesitation. 

"Ah, my dear grandson! It's been so long since we've seen each other. What have you been up to all this time?" The old man, having failed to best him physically, shifted to verbal jabs, his tone dripping with faux warmth. 

Without waiting for a reply, he turned his attention to the women. "And these must be my dear grandson's wives, yes? Wonderful, wonderful! They're all so lovely. My grandson certainly has an eye for beauty!" 

Xiang Ri seethed inwardly. It was bad enough for the old man to take verbal liberties with him, but now he was extending that audacity to the women. This was beyond shameless. 

Yet, the old man's charm had the women completely fooled. 

An An, in particular, was utterly enchanted. Sweetly calling him "Grandpa," her enthusiasm was enough to spark a twinge of jealousy in Xiang Ri. 

Shi Qing, though less effusive, wasn't far behind. 

Only the icy beauty seemed unaffected, her expression inscrutable, leaving Xiang Ri wondering what thoughts lay behind her cool façade. His curiosity about her deepened. 

"Ah, didn't you have something to say to me, elder?" Xiang Ri shot the old man a piercing glare, determined to put an end to his antics before things spiraled further out of control. 

"Ah, yes, yes, of course!" The old man feigned realization, though the sharpness in Xiang Ri's eyes had clearly warned him not to push too far. 

Turning to the women, he said cheerfully, "My dear granddaughters-in-law, why don't you head inside for now? I have some things to discuss with my grandson. I'll join you later for some fun."

The young ladies, realizing the grandfather and grandson intended to discuss private matters, obediently filed into the house, closing the door behind them with a thoroughness that demonstrated their respect for the "grandfather's" instructions. 

The moment they disappeared inside, Xiang Ri's demeanor shifted abruptly, and he glared at the elderly man in the Tang suit, teeth clenched. "What exactly are you plotting, old man?" 

"Old man?" The elder froze momentarily, then burst into laughter. "Not bad, not bad. I like your spirit! Kid, you're starting to grow on me." 

"Save it. If you're not going to explain, I'll go back to having dinner with my wife. Don't bother staying; the door's that way," Xiang Ri retorted, wasting no time issuing an implicit order for him to leave. 

"Oh? So, you're not interested in this car?" The old man gave the vehicle beside him a deliberate pat, his words laden with implications. 

"Interested! Who said I wasn't? It's already here, isn't it?" Xiang Ri's expression tightened, and he strode over quickly, his nerves on edge. He could tell the old man was making a veiled threat. 

"Heh, well, that's not guaranteed. Since I drove it here, I could just as easily drive it away," the elder replied, his smile growing even more sinister. 

Xiang Ri ground his teeth in frustration but knew better than to lash out. After all, the man had been sent by General Chen to deliver the car, likely someone of considerable influence. As a mere civilian, how could he challenge such a figure? Reluctantly, he conceded, "Fine. What do you want?" 

Only then did the elder allow himself a smug grin. "Oh, nothing much. Just curious—who's your master?" 

"Master?" Xiang Ri blinked, momentarily stunned. He genuinely didn't know what the man was talking about and replied honestly, "I don't have a master." 

The old man, however, refused to believe him, suspecting Xiang Ri was merely protecting his sect's secrets. Feigning disappointment, he moved as if to climb back into the car. Alarmed, Xiang Ri called out, "Wait…!" 

"What's this? Ready to confess now?" The elder's grin widened. 

But Xiang Ri swiftly doused his smugness. "I told you—I really don't have a master." 

The elder stumbled slightly, his face darkening. "You dare make a fool of me?" His tone turned icy, carrying a palpable threat as though he might dismember the young man on the spot. 

"If you don't believe me, feel free to take the car back," Xiang Ri replied helplessly. Yesterday, he'd dealt with a lunatic who could emit electricity; today, he was faced with a crazed elder. Was this what people meant by misfortunes never coming alone? 

Seeing that Xiang Ri's demeanor seemed genuine, the old man wavered, his skepticism softening into uncertainty. "Extend your hand. Let me take a look." 

"Here you go." Despite his curiosity, Xiang Ri obliged, suspecting the elder wanted to verify his claims. 

The moment the elder touched Xiang Ri's wrist, his expression grew grave, shifting to one of astonishment. "Hmm? This doesn't feel like inner strength… Scattered, unrefined, overwhelmingly forceful yet lacking suppleness. Strange… truly strange." 

After a long pause, he fixed Xiang Ri with an incredulous look. "It seems you really haven't trained in anything." 

"Why would I lie about this? For a free meal?" Xiang Ri's tone was dismissive, though inwardly, he pieced together clues from the elder's mutterings. Inner strength? Did the old man think he was some kind of martial artist from a wuxia novel, capable of scaling walls and leaping rooftops? 

But how had the elder known about his abnormal strength? The thought struck him, and almost instantly, the answer emerged. Yesterday, when he'd punched that electrified lunatic into submission, the ice-cold beauty who'd witnessed it must have spread the word. 

And now, this elder had come looking for him, likely suspecting they were cut from the same cloth. Judging by the elder's formidable strength and cryptic remarks, he must have practiced some kind of inner martial arts himself. 

Though the elder was disappointed not to find what he'd hoped for, he understood the principle that only the one who tied the knot could untie it. His eyes gleamed as he regarded Xiang Ri. "Then where does your strength come from?" 

"I was struck by lightning once, and afterward, my strength increased," Xiang Ri lied without batting an eye, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. 

"What?" The elder was momentarily stunned but found the explanation plausible. He'd seen the bandages on Xiang Ri's right hand and noted the evidence supporting the story. 

Based on the reports, Xiang Ri had shattered some "electric lunatic's" lightning shield with his bare fist. Although his right hand was bandaged, the exposed areas suggested only minor injuries. 

Yet that lightning shield, while wielded by someone otherwise insignificant, had carried a deadly voltage. Even the elder himself wouldn't dare break it without channeling inner strength. 

And yet, this young man had done so with his bare fist. Moreover, his informant had emphasized there were no visible signs of protective abilities at play during the act. 

Unbeknownst to the elder, Xiang Ri had actually relied on his left hand and knee to break the shield. The bandaged right hand had merely served as a ruse. 

Misled by incomplete information, the elder concluded that Xiang Ri's supposed lightning strike must have granted him a resistance to electricity. 

Muttering to himself, the elder failed to notice Xiang Ri observing him closely. 

Xiang Ri leaned in and was startled by what he heard. 

"I need to get struck by lightning too… I need to get struck by lightning too…" the elder repeated, as though possessed.

Xiang Ri was utterly speechless. Never before had he encountered such a peculiar individual. However, considering that if this old man genuinely attempted such a thing, it might lead to his demise, making Xiang Ri an indirect accomplice, he stepped forward, patted the elder on the shoulder, and roused him from his reverie. "I'm not opposed to you wanting to be struck by lightning, but you should at least consider your limits. If something happens to you—" 

Before Xiang Ri could finish, the old man, now bristling with indignation, interrupted. "If a brat like you can endure it, do you think I, an elder, cannot?" 

With that, as if in a huff, he turned to leave. Yet after taking only a few steps, he paused, turned back, and declared, "Hold on, boy. You almost managed to fool me. The strength you possess is far too dangerous. You must accept government supervision and oversight." 

The elder hesitated momentarily, his eyes flashing with a cunning glint, then continued, "However, I also understand that you're currently surrounded by a group of charming young ladies. You must be reluctant to subject yourself to such restrictions. Let me offer you a way out—it's up to you to decide. If you agree, kneel now!" 

With that, he adjusted his collar and stood ramrod straight, exuding an air of self-importance. 

Xiang Ri was stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Kneel? Old man, have you lost your mind?" 

"Of course not!" the elder replied with haughty confidence. "How can one take a master without performing the rite of kneeling? Where in the world would you find such an easy apprenticeship?" 

"Did I ever say I wanted to take you as my master?" By now, Xiang Ri was certain that this old man was utterly deranged. 

The elder, as though anticipating his response, chuckled darkly. "If you don't want to kneel, that's fine. Then sign this instead." 

With a flourish, he produced a sheet of paper from some hidden pocket. The document was densely packed with terms and conditions, all detailing a slew of restrictions.