C114 I Am Back!

Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat in shock.

Before he could process his thoughts, he was enveloped in a cocoon of warmth.

"Little brother, did you miss me?" A melodious voice rang out.

Zhang Chen paused, momentarily taken aback.

Was Third Sister back?

He stepped back and caught sight of Su Mang's exquisite features.

"Third Sister, what brings you back?" Zhang Chen exclaimed with joy.

It had been days since he'd seen her, and he had missed her dearly.

Su Mang's smile was self-satisfied as she playfully remarked, "If I didn't return, who would gift you a car to make a splash?"

That's when it dawned on Zhang Chen.

That explained it.

He hadn't anticipated Su Mang would immediately check up on his affairs upon her return.

But he was curious—how did Su Mang know they were talking about cars?

With a hint of reproach, Zhang Chen inquired, "Third Sister, where have you been these past few days? Why didn't you send any word?"

Su Mang affectionately tousled Zhang Chen's hair, responding with a hint of resignation, "I've been busy, too. How else am I supposed to make money to take care of you?"

Zhang Chen shook his head, a wry smile on his face.

He understood Su Mang had been working hard, so he held back any further complaints.

To his surprise, Su Mang expressed her amazement, "I never thought you'd become so formidable. You've even bested a ninth-degree black belt in Taekwondo."

"Looks like you'll be able to protect me from now on."

She knew about that?

Zhang Chen's eyes widened.

But then, remembering the surveillance, he felt a sense of relief.

"I'm not quite there yet. When I can take down Loong San, then I'll be able to protect you," Zhang Chen said with a grin, though he meant it in jest.

Su Mang's eyebrow arched as she called out, "Loong San."

At her summons, Loong San stepped into the room.

Zhang Chen was taken aback.

With a beaming smile, Su Mang said, "You two spar. I want to see just how strong my little brother has gotten."

Her tone was laced with pride.

Zhang Chen's lips twitched.

Was she really checking his strength? It seemed more like she was testing his resilience.

Loong San's deep voice affirmed, "Yes."

He spoke and then positioned himself in a spacious part of the room.

A resigned expression crossed Zhang Chen's face. With no other choice, he stood and made his way to where Loong San was waiting.

Su Mang propped her legs up in a casual cross and leaned back on the sofa, looking every bit like she was settling in for a show.

Zhang Chen forced a smile. "Take it easy on me, will you?"

These past couple of days, Zhang Chen had grown a bit wary of Loong San's fists.

Loong San gave a nod of assurance. "Don't worry," he said.

With that, he adopted a combat stance.

Zhang Chen wasted no time in getting ready for the confrontation.

The next instant, Loong San's fist came hurtling towards him.

Zhang Chen's heart clenched, but without a moment's hesitation, he contorted his body and evaded the strike.

He was performing at his peak.

Relief washed over Zhang Chen after he sidestepped the punch.

But then, the whoosh of another punch cutting through the air reached his ears.

Zhang Chen's brow furrowed. Again, with no second thought, his body twisted nimbly to dodge.

He braced himself, ready for the impact.

Yet, after a tense wait, no pain came.

What was happening?

Zhang Chen opened his eyes, bewildered, and turned to Loong San.

He saw Loong San quietly watching him with a smirk.

Had Loong San pulled his punches?

"You've dodged the second punch," Loong San said in his deep voice, breaking the silence.

Zhang Chen was astounded.

He hadn't even seen the second punch coming. He had dodged purely on instinct. Had he really evaded it?

"Sometimes, you don't need to see the punch to dodge it—you have to listen," Loong San continued.

Zhang Chen's frown deepened as he pondered in silence.

After a moment, a look of realization dawned in his eyes.

Su Mang burst into applause, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're incredible!"

She was the picture of a starstruck fan, a far cry from her usual poised CEO demeanor.

Loong San spoke up once more. "Combat is the key to strengthening your abilities quickly. Your fight today with Hee Jiahua has been very beneficial."

Zhang Chen was taken aback.

So it wasn't Loong San who had been holding back?

A surge of excitement filled Zhang Chen's heart, and he called out with fervor, "Let's go again."

This time, he dodged not one, not two, but three punches!

Soon, the villa echoed with the sounds of agony once more.

An hour later, an exhausted Zhang Chen slumped onto the sofa.

Not an inch of his skin was left unscathed.

Loong San had departed.

Su Mang remained seated on the sofa, her face brimming with satisfaction.

Zhang Chen, visibly annoyed, rolled his eyes and said, "What kind of sister are you? You're actually happy to see me get beaten up."

With a smile, Su Mang replied, "It shows that my little brother is growing up. Naturally, I'm happy about that."

Zhang Chen pursed his lips but held back any further comment.

Su Mang rose to her feet and commanded, "Lie down."

Zhang Chen hesitated, but instinctively heeded Su Mang's command and gradually lay down.

Su Mang then straddled Zhang Chen's thighs.

Zhang Chen inhaled sharply from the pain.

But Su Mang paid him no mind, lifting the shirt from his back.

"Third Sister, what are you doing?" Zhang Chen asked, bewildered.

"You're too chatty," Su Mang said as she lightly slapped his waist.

Wincing, Zhang Chen fell silent.

Soon, Su Mang's cool hands began to tap rhythmically across his body.

It dawned on Zhang Chen that Su Mang was about to massage him.

Before he could ponder further, Su Mang's soothing voice filled the air. "Little brother, you need to push yourself harder now. We're running out of time."

Us?

Confused, Zhang Chen echoed, "What do you mean?"

Su Mang elaborated, "You have your mission, and I have mine. Since you haven't passed Master's trial yet, there are things I can't reveal to you."

A sense of urgency gripped Zhang Chen.

Of course!

There were many things that only he was unaware of.

As she massaged, Su Mang said, "I can only help you so much. From here on out, during your training phase, you're on your own."

Zhang Chen's brow furrowed as a wave of nameless pressure rose within him.

He was aware that Su Mang and Lau Qingyue's assistance had its limits. If not, Su Mang, with her wealth, could easily hand him billions.

Ultimately, it was up to Zhang Chen himself.

The training phase.

What was he truly training for?

His master hadn't taught him anything. Did his master expect Zhang Chen to surpass all six of his elder sisters?

Zhang Chen shook his head with a sigh.

Su Mang went on, "I'll be even busier moving forward. I must complete my task quickly, and likely won't have much time to come back and see you."

Zhang Chen gave a nod, a vague sense of loss unexpectedly surfacing in his heart.

As Su Mang massaged him, she gazed at Zhang Chen with adoration, her face etched with an expression of concern.

However, it was at that moment that someone exclaimed in astonishment, "What are you two up to?"