Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1774 - 976: Vented Resentment

'Martial arts action games are difficult to profit from, but they can indeed build a reputation.'

Shang Zhengyu chuckled, 'You enjoy playing games too?'

Dong Qingfeng responded, 'I play on all platforms—Nintendo, PS, Xbox, I play them all.'

After a brief conversation, Shang Zhengyu discovered they shared several common interests.

Dong Qingfeng remarked, 'Brother Shang, your surname is quite uncommon. There happens to be a girl in our class with the same surname as you.'

Shang Zhengyu's heart gave a slight lurch, 'Which middle school are you from?'

'Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School, of course.' Dong Qingfeng spoke with evident pride about his alma mater, noting how Fourth Middle School, though perhaps not what it once was, was currently experiencing a surge in popularity.

Discussing the girl, Dong Qingfeng continued with unreserved candor, 'That girl is quite reserved, almost like a transparent presence in our class. Her eyes are incredibly beautiful, like a little deer’s, always darting away, full of shyness, truly endearing.'

Shang Zhengyu quietly clenched his fists, his suspicion now nearly a certainty, yet he maintained an outward composure.

Dong Qingfeng, observing Brother Shang presenting gifts to the young woman earlier, surmised he must also be a romantic soul.

Surely, they were kindred spirits!

He added, 'I noticed she looked quite thin and frail, so I brought her some breakfast. Unfortunately, I was rather busy at the time, attending to a few other female classmates; otherwise, I would have certainly been more attentive.'

Internally, Shang Zhengyu was already erupting with fury: 'Damn you!'

However, he managed to restrain himself this time.

Shang Zhengyu fixed his gaze upon Dong Qingfeng, then suddenly proposed, 'Don't you wish to have a spar? Want to spar with me?'

Coach Du chimed in with a smile, 'Qingfeng, President Shang is remarkably skilled, standing right on the threshold of professionalism.'

Dong Qingfeng considered this, thinking the more formidable the opponent, the better the challenge!

He declared, 'Coach Du, if I fought you, you would undoubtedly hold back. But facing Brother Shang, he would surely demonstrate the disparity in our strength.'

Eagerly, Dong Qingfeng donned his gloves and leg guards.

The two stood poised in the ring, and Dong Qingfeng called out, 'Brother Shang, please don't hold back!'

Shang Zhengyu suppressed his mounting anger, stating in a low, resonant voice, 'Rest assured, I will give this my absolute all.'

Coach Du offered praise, 'Qingfeng possesses considerable talent, a very promising future ahead.'

Following this, he officially signaled the commencement of the bout.

This marked Dong Qingfeng's inaugural experience in a genuine match. He adopted a suitable stance, fists held forward, with subtle shoulder movements.

Shang Zhengyu remained perfectly still.

Dong Qingfeng mused, 'Perhaps he's underestimating me. If I manage to defeat him, it will cement my status as a genius!'

'Forget about that promising prospect! '

With a swift and decisive leg strike, Shang Zhengyu connected with Dong Qingfeng's shin guard. The sheer force of the impact sent Dong Qingfeng's legs flying upwards, culminating in a jarring fall to the mat.

Dong Qingfeng initially felt a wave of numbness, which quickly gave way to sharp pain, forcing him to clench his teeth.

Coach Du stared in astonishment. Had he truly held nothing back?

Shang Zhengyu looked down at Dong Qingfeng sprawled on the ground and declared with a shake of his head, 'You are far from ready, and your talent is merely average.'

These words landed like a harsh blow.

Dong Qingfeng's face contorted with sudden fury. He forced himself to rise, shouting, 'Again!'

This time, he launched an uninhibited assault, completely disregarding any boxing techniques he had learned, throwing wild, retaliatory punches at Shang Zhengyu.

Years of rigorous training had ingrained Shang Zhengyu's distance management and defensive skills into his very being. He artfully sidestepped twice, seized a momentary opening, and landed a precise punch directly on Dong Qingfeng's jaw.

With a dull thud, Dong Qingfeng collapsed instantly.

A sense of profound relief washed over Shang Zhengyu.

For a professional fighter, confronting an ordinary individual was akin to facing a child; even a robust 200-pounder would fall unconscious from a well-placed jaw punch.

Coach Du swiftly rushed over and helped the dazed Dong Qingfeng to his feet.

Shang Zhengyu, his expression filled with disdain, reiterated, 'I have now confirmed it; you truly lack talent.'

Dong Qingfeng, still struggling to regain his senses, pleaded, 'Coach, help me up!'

...

As dusk settled.

A visibly bruised Dong Qingfeng appeared at the doorway of Class 8. Cui Yu and his companions, engaged in a civilized game session, were taken aback by his appearance. 'Qingfeng, did you get beaten up by the boyfriend of some girl you've been flirting with too much?'

Dong Qingfeng had always presented a debonair image previously.

With a crestfallen expression, Dong Qingfeng replied, 'I took a fall while walking.'

He then walked directly into the classroom, intending to speak with Meng Zi Yun, only to discover she was not present.

Dong Qingfeng's mood soured considerably. He randomly selected a classmate to inquire, 'Hi, have you happened to see Meng Zi Yun?'

The individual merely offered a dismissive glance before returning to their book.

It was then that Dong Qingfeng realized he had inadvertently addressed Cao Kun.

Perhaps, after being pummeled by Shang Zhengyu, he felt overwhelmed by defeat and simmering anger.

Or perhaps it was Meng Zi Yun’s prior critique of Cao Kun's numerous flaws—his arrogance, his boastfulness—that had fostered Dong Qingfeng's negative perception of him.

Dong Qingfeng abruptly placed a hand on Cao Kun's shoulder, asking, 'Hey man, haven't you been looking a bit unhappy lately?'

Cao Kun retorted sharply, 'Don't touch me!'

A man's ego can be severely wounded when his female companion is taken by another; in extreme cases, it can breed a lifelong distrust of the opposite sex. As such, Cao Kun found himself in rather poor spirits.

Dong Qingfeng inquired, "What's the matter with you?"

Cao Kun retorted, "I have no desire to exchange words with you. Can you just keep your mouth shut?"

Dong Qingfeng observed, "You've changed. I've noticed that ever since I got together with Meng Zi Yun, your smiles seem to have vanished."

Cao Kun felt an overwhelming urge to strike Dong Qingfeng again!

Dong Qingfeng turned and departed, the turmoil in his heart gradually subsiding as he walked away.

He felt both anger and understanding towards Cui Yu.

...

On the balcony.

Cui Yu and Guo Kunnan were engrossed in watching a match.

Yun Tingting, in particular, seemed to radiate an even more dazzling aura today. Clad in form-fitting athletic wear and wielding her vibrant red racket, she captivated the attention of those on the second, third, and fourth floors, causing a frenzy.

Cui Yu proposed to his friends, initiating a plan: "Later, let's all shout, 'Yun Tingting, I love you!'"

This suggestion ignited the boys' enthusiasm, and Liu Chuandao and the others eagerly agreed, keen to participate.

"Three, two, one!"

A unified cry erupted: "Yun Tingting!"

The multitude of voices blended, creating an overwhelming sound that drew Yun Tingting's gaze upwards from below. The boys on the upper floors caught a fleeting glimpse, even imagining they saw hints of her fair skin.

Guo Kunnan, mistaking the unified event for a general outpouring of affection, felt compelled to join in. He mingled with the crowd, raised his right hand high, and exuberantly shouted, "I love you, I love you!"

It was only after he had finished shouting that he realized he was the only one proclaiming