Chapter 83: Chapter 69: Kidnapping
"Master! Happy New Year! This is my New Year’s gift to you! Quick, open it and see if you like it!"
Lin Yi took the heavy suitcase, a little surprised, and asked uncertainly:
"This is...?"
"Just open it!"
Zhou Meng urged, her face beaming with joy.
Lin Yi did as she said and opened the case.
Inside lay a neatly folded, jet-black Martial Arts Uniform of superb quality, with dark silver, streamlined patterns on the collar and cuffs.
"A Tank 300-model Martial Arts Uniform?"
Lin Yi froze for a second, recognizing the famous piece of equipment.
This type of Martial Arts Uniform was a Tier One defensive Spiritual Weapon.
Compared to offensive Spiritual Weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds, the refining process for defensive ones was far more complex, and the cost was terrifyingly high.
His Owl Dragon Long Spear only cost a few hundred thousand, but this Tank 300 had a market price of at least five million!
Not only did it possess astonishing physical and energy Defense Power, capable of effectively blocking a Martial Artist’s attacks, but it also had features like keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer, self-adjusting to body shape, super-elasticity, and even a self-cleaning function.
It was the kind of personal armor every Martial Artist dreamed of owning.
"This is too valuable! Meng Meng, I can’t accept this!"
Lin Yi immediately closed the case and resolutely pushed it back.
This gift was far beyond his expectations; it was simply too precious.
Zhou Meng pouted, but then her face broke into a smile, a little smug and insistent:
"Master! I got first in my class and third in the entire school on my final exams! My dad was so happy! And I heard you’ve officially become a Martial Artist. How can a Martial Artist not have a decent Martial Arts Uniform? This is a gift from your apprentice’s heart!"
Afraid that Lin Yi would refuse again, she acted like a startled little rabbit, shoving the case into his arms and turning to run.
"Master, my dad won’t let me stay out too long. I’ll come pay you a proper New Year’s visit later! Bye-bye!"
Before her voice had even faded, she had already dashed back to the car.
Before opening the car door, she didn’t forget to turn back and wave vigorously at Lin Yi.
Then she quickly ducked into the car.
The dozen or so bodyguards also boarded their vehicles with practiced speed. Just as they had arrived, the five bulletproof cars quietly and swiftly drove away from the villa district.
Lin Yi stood there, holding the valuable black suitcase, watching the departing convoy with a heart full of helplessness and a trace of warmth.
He carried the case back to the training room on the second floor.
Zhang Quan was polishing his long spear. When he saw the case in Lin Yi’s hands, his eyes swept over the logo on it, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? A Tank 300? Not bad, kid. Spending this kind of money right after becoming a Martial Artist? Pretty extravagant."
Lin Yi shook his head with a wry smile and set the case aside.
"Teacher Zhang, please don’t tease me. I didn’t buy it. It was a New Year’s gift from a student I used to tutor, Zhou Meng of the Zhou family. She just dropped it off."
"A gift from your student?" Zhang Quan’s hands paused, a surprised look on his face. "TSK TSK TSK. Now that’s a student who knows how to show appreciation! So respectful of her master! Unlike some students I’ve had..."
He drew out his last words, shooting a pointed glance at Lin Yi with a mischievous smile on his lips.
Lin Yi’s face instantly darkened.
’Is he calling me out?!’
He gave an awkward cough and quickly changed the subject.
"Ahem... Teacher, let’s get back to spear practice!"
Under Zhang Quan’s guidance, Lin Yi spent the rest of the morning practicing basic spear techniques with single-minded focus.
Every thrust, lift, sweep, and jab was executed with the aim of being standard, stable, and filled with power.
Just as Zhang Quan had said, drilling the fundamentals again had indeed given him a deeper, more subtle understanding of the spear’s power trajectories and how to coordinate them with his Qi and Blood.
「After lunch.」
Lin Yi returned to the guest room Zhang Quan had arranged for him to rest.
He had barely laid down when the communicator on his wrist rang again.
This time, it was Luo Qian.
The moment the call connected, Luo Qian’s cheeky voice came through:
"Hehe, Lin! So? Did you get your Valentine’s Day gift? Are you surprised? Are you shocked?"
"What Valentine’s Day gift?" Lin Yi was utterly confused. "Are you getting me a gift? If so, I’ll have to thank you properly!" he teased.
"Play dumb! Keep playing dumb!" Luo Qian was cracking up on the other end. "Don’t tell me that little girl, Zhou Meng, didn’t come scampering over to find you!"
At the mention of this, it finally clicked for Lin Yi. He sighed, his tone complicated.
"You mean the Martial Arts Uniform? I got it. It’s too valuable. I was just thinking about finding a chance to visit the Zhou family and return it in person."
"Return it?!"
Luo Qian’s voice immediately jumped an octave.
"Lin, have you lost your mind? How old is that little girl? She’s very innocent. Right now, you’re the most amazing idol in her eyes! If you return this gift, won’t she cry her eyes out? It’s just a Tier One Martial Arts Uniform. To you, it’s a fortune, but to Uncle Zhou, it’s nothing more than the cost of buying his little girl a toy. You think he cares about that little bit of money?"
Luo Qian rattled off this torrent of words, leaving Lin Yi speechless.
Before Lin Yi could argue, Luo Qian dropped another bombshell.
"Besides, did you know that Zhou Meng almost got into serious trouble this morning while picking out that uniform for you?"
"What happened?" Lin Yi’s heart suddenly clenched.
"She was almost kidnapped!" Luo Qian’s voice grew heavy.
"Kidnapped?!" Lin Yi instantly sat bolt upright, a chill rising from the bottom of his heart.
"But don’t worry!" Luo Qian quickly added. "The bodyguards Uncle Zhou hired are no joke. They reacted fast. Zhou Meng didn’t lose a single hair on her head, she was just a little shaken up."
Lin Yi then recalled the larger-than-usual contingent of bodyguards around Zhou Meng that morning. It turned out there was a reason for it.
He breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart grew even heavier.
"So, you see, Lin!" Luo Qian said in a heartfelt, serious tone. "That little girl took such a huge risk, putting all her thought into picking a gift for you. How precious is a sentiment like that? Just accept it with peace of mind. Don’t go breaking the little girl’s heart. If you really return it, forget Zhou Meng being sad—even I will look down on you!"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter
