Chapter 111: Watch Out, Ling Xiao

Now that Ling Xiao’s “illness” was no longer a cause for immediate worry, Zhang Xiaolan found herself with some leisure time and asked Li Rui to teach her horseback riding during their free moments.

When Li Rui was away, she would spend her days in the study, passing the time by practicing painting and reading. Li Rui often offered guidance, teaching her calligraphy and painting techniques as well.

After a period of diligent practice, Zhang Xiaolan had made considerable progress. It seemed she had fully adapted to life here, filling each day with lessons and tasks to keep herself occupied.

Today, she hoped Ling Xiao would teach her martial arts—ideally something like the agile skill of scaling walls and leaping across rooftops. However, Ling Xiao explained that such techniques required a foundation built from childhood training and wouldn’t be mastered quickly. It was clear he thought she was too old to start now.

Indeed, as the saying goes, once past this village, there would be no more shops like this. She lacked the perseverance to begin from the basics—squatting horse stances, binding sandbags, running drills—so it seemed her dream of becoming a heroic lady warrior would remain unfulfilled.

Still, Zhang Xiaolan recalled the few taekwondo lessons she had taken long ago. Though she hadn’t advanced beyond the beginner belts, she decided to seize the opportunity to show off a little.

“Look out, Ling Xiao!” she declared, ready to surprise him with a sudden move intended to topple him.

But her attempt was futile. Ling Xiao stood firm, unmoved, like a mountain.

“That’s no fun! How are you so steady as Mount Tai? I’ve taken down several big men before!” Zhang Xiaolan complained, frustrated.

Yet it was inevitable—trying to flaunt a blade before Guan Yu himself. As the greenhorn among novices, how could she possibly unbalance Ling Xiao? Even if she insisted she had succeeded before, it was only in cooperative practice sessions.

“Your move is full of flaws. I only needed to use a little of your own strength to trip you up,” Ling Xiao said seriously, analyzing her earlier “technique.” He wondered who had taught her such kung fu.

“Hmph! I don’t believe you,” Zhang Xiaolan retorted, unwilling to accept the verdict. Perhaps Ling Xiao was simply prepared for her attack, which was why it failed. She still held onto a shred of confidence in herself.

“What are you two discussing here?” At that moment, Li Rui appeared, curious about their conversation.

“Big Brother Li, watch this!” Zhang Xiaolan said eagerly, quickening her pace toward him as she prepared to execute a surprise back throw.

Li Rui, having trained in martial arts since childhood, possessed muscles and reflexes finely tuned for such encounters. Though he saw her coming, intent on a back throw, he instinctively countered without hesitation.

“Ouch!”

Zhang Xiaolan ended up on the ground with a thud, sitting hard enough to elicit a cry of pain. Li Rui’s heart tightened in concern as he hurried to help her up.

“Are you alright, Lanlan?”

“You two really underestimate me—one steady as a mountain, the other so quick you sent me sprawling!” Zhang Xiaolan grumbled, brushing dust off her clothes and pouting in displeasure. Clearly, it was her own overestimation that caused her fall, yet she blamed them instead.

It felt a bit like being unfairly accused. Both men simply exchanged resigned looks, well accustomed to Zhang Xiaolan’s spirited nature.

“I didn’t mean to. As soon as you came at me, I instinctively neutralized your move,” Li Rui explained. Had she not attacked so unexpectedly, he might not have needed to push her down at all.

His reaction was purely instinctive, nothing more. He could never bear to hurt her, and was grateful he had responded quickly enough not to strike too hard.