Chapter 42: Is Your Father Liu Changning?

Early the next morning, Zhang Ze was awakened by the spirited sounds outside.

“Fatty, you—”

He was about to curse, then remembered that Fatty was still in Mengyang County. Besides, the energetic noises outside didn’t sound at all like him.

After a brief wash, Zhang Ze stepped out and saw a young man swinging a long staff in the small training yard.

The young man wore a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and tight training pants, looking quite fresh and lively.

Recognizing him as the other person who hadn’t joined them for karaoke the previous night, Zhang Ze took a moment to recall his name—Jia Zhengyi.

…

“Ze bro, you’re awake?”

As Zhang Ze entered the training yard, Peng Fei called out quietly.

Though they’d returned late last night, Peng Fei had risen early as usual. Zhang Ze was just getting up at ten, whereas Peng Fei had already been practicing horse stance for over two hours.

Joining Peng Fei, Zhang Ze quickly assumed the horse stance himself.

He asked, “He’s the other one who arrived with you guys, right? Jia Zhengyi?”

Now that they were familiar, Peng Fei spoke smoothly without stammering.

“Yes, that’s Jia Zhengyi. He said he wanted to go back and train last night, so he didn’t join us.”

“Jinlong and the others said he’s also a student at First High School of Heyue City, and apparently he’s quite well-known there.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ze’s interest was piqued.

“The 191S cell strength, that’s pretty good.”

He checked Jia Zhengyi's stats through the system.

…

All morning, Zhang Ze and Peng Fei continued practicing their horse stance.

After lunch, the two trained in the fist-forming and foot-thrust techniques in the small yard, while Jia Zhengyi went off to a corner to practice horse stance again.

From start to finish, Jia Zhengyi focused solely on his training, paying no attention to Zhang Ze and Peng Fei.

Without dwelling on it, Zhang Ze’s afternoon practice was interrupted by a call from Liu Qianqian.

“Ze bro~”

“Spit it out if you’ve got something to say; my orientation’s just fine!”

“Even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be interested in someone as lewd as you!”

Zhang Ze replied irritably.

“Oh, come on~”

“I gave you all the pills, didn’t I? When are you going to Snow Qing’s house to sound out her mother for me?”

“I never said I wouldn’t go; why are you scolding me?”

“...”

On the other end, Liu Qianqian was baffled, thinking, “When did I scold you?”

“Send me the address. I’ll go this afternoon,” Zhang Ze said before hanging up, not giving her a chance to reply.

“Peng, let’s go propose marriage for you~”

…

Taking Peng Fei along, Zhang Ze contacted Snow Qing with the information Liu Qianqian had given him, and they headed to her home.

“Golden Community~”

“Looks like this is the place.”

Muttering, the two stepped through the gates of the community.

“Ze bro, are you really going to propose for me?”

“If Qianqian finds out I beat him to it, won’t he kill me?”

Zhang Ze was speechless, but Peng Fei’s earnest expression made it hard to scold him.

“What are you thinking? Do you actually want to do it?”

Bantering as they walked, they soon arrived at Snow Qing's building.

“My mom’s at home now. She’s thrilled to hear my friends—especially martial artists—are coming!”

Meeting Snow Qing downstairs as she was about to head to work, Zhang Ze laughed in response, “No worries, I’ll just mention to her that Qianqian is about to break through.”

“Alright, then I’ll head off to work.”

After a few words with Zhang Ze, Snow Qing rode away on her e-bike.

As her figure receded, Peng Fei called after her, “Sis, need a ride?”

“I’ll buy a sports car on the street, it’ll be quick!”

At his words, Snow Qing nearly lost control of her e-bike.

“Smack~”

Zhang Ze slapped Peng Fei on the back of the head, muttering, “Do you even have a license? Buying a sports car—at best you could pedal a tricycle to give her a lift.”

“So what if I don’t have a license? I can afford the fines!”

Peng Fei’s retort nearly made Zhang Ze burst out laughing. “Stop messing around; Qianqian and Snow Qing are already planning their wedding.”

…

Knocking on the door, Zhang Ze and Peng Fei were soon welcomed in by Snow Qing’s mother.

Seeing the two energetic young men, and noticing they brought gifts, her smile widened.

Of course, the main reason was that both were martial artists; Snow Qing’s mother was already considering them as potential sons-in-law.

After some pleasantries, Zhang Ze gradually steered the conversation toward the main topic.

“Auntie, you might not know, but we’re actually here at Master Liu’s request.”

“Master Liu?”

“Which Master Liu?”

Snow Qing’s mother didn’t react at first, thinking, “Aren’t you two here to pursue my daughter?”

Noticing her confusion, Zhang Ze nudged Peng Fei with his knee.

Though he was reluctant to raise Liu Qianqian’s status, Peng Fei hadn’t done anything inappropriate.

Reluctantly, Peng Fei said, “It’s Liu Qianqian, the young master of the Liu family. Isn’t he dating your daughter?”

“Master Liu is about to break through, so we’re here on his behalf to pay our respects.”

As Peng Fei finished, Snow Qing’s mother’s expression soured.

“Oh~”

“So you two are that kid’s friends.”

“I thought you were here for my Snow Qing.”

Hearing her change in tone, Zhang Ze cursed Qianqian silently, “How did he offend his future mother-in-law?”

Still, he kept his smile, but was interrupted by the doorbell before he could speak.

“I’ll see who’s here.”

…

Snow Qing’s mother stood up to answer the door.

“I don’t know, this doesn’t look good~”

“Seems the future mother-in-law isn’t too fond of our Master Liu~”

Peng Fei seized the chance to wink at Zhang Ze.

“But you better not mess around. I’m warning you, don’t make Liu Qianqian want to beat you up!”

“If he does, I won’t stop him!”

“Oh—”

“What brings you here?”

As the two chatted, they heard Snow Qing’s mother’s delighted voice.

Soon, a dignified middle-aged figure entered their view.

He was well-built, and though appearing in his forties or fifties, his many years of training made him look vigorous.

“Wasn’t her father supposed to be dead?”

Peng Fei kicked Zhang Ze lightly, whispering.

Having chatted with Snow Qing’s mother, they knew she was a single parent. Now, with a middle-aged man’s sudden appearance and her mother’s joy, Zhang Ze’s mind conjured up a dramatic scene.

…

“Oh~”

“They’re Qianqian’s friends!”

Snow Qing’s mother said quietly to the middle-aged man.

He squinted slightly, “Qianqian’s friends?”

“By the way, Auntie~”

“We’ve got some matters to attend to, so we’ll be leaving now.”

Before the man could speak, Zhang Ze and Peng Fei quickly slipped out.

“Changning, what brings you here at this hour?”

Standing in the hallway for a bit, they overheard the conversation inside.

“Changning?”

“Liu Changning?”

Peng Fei muttered beside him.

“What’s up?”

Before Zhang Ze could ask further, his phone rang.

“Hello~”

“Qianqian, you’re not doing so well; your future mother-in-law doesn’t seem too fond of you. But I have some explosive news—I think you’ll want to hear it…”

Zhang Ze answered with a laugh.

Qianqian quickly interrupted, “Ze bro, Jinlong and the others have gotten into trouble. Come over quickly.”

Peng Fei, not hearing the call, whispered to Zhang Ze, “Ask Qianqian if his dad’s name is Liu Changning~”