Chapter 31 - Write Me an IOU

Chapter 31 Write Me an IOU

Although Han Ya’s training had been rushed, its effects were obvious.

Chen’an’s Agility was now worth 9 points, but his running speed fell short of what it should have been. This was what Han Ya meant by ‘buried talent’. With her training, Chen’an could feel his body gradually becoming stronger. His attributes remained unchanged, but he was making steady progress.

After that Wednesday morning when Han Ya had dragged him out of bed, Chen’an was never late again.

All things considered, their training sessions presented an excellent opportunity for him to admire Han Ya’s figure with no one around. What was one hour of lost sleep compared to that? Even if this was a honey trap, he deserved to be her first target-considering how early he slept and rose!

And so began Chen’an’s routine of waking up before 4:30am every morning, after which he would meet with an already-waiting Han Ya to commence the day’s training. When it was almost 6am, they would stop training and go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Naturally, Han Ya would treat him; Chen’an could order whatever he wanted. There was no need to stand on ceremony.

Their daily breakfasts together stirred the jealousy of several boys.

“Who’s that guy? Why is he sitting so close to Ms Han?”

“Who knows? When I woke up this morning, I saw Ms Han guiding that guy in his training.”

“Oh? Is he some sort of outstanding sports student?”

“Maybe. Unfortunately, I’m not good at sports, so I can’t get close to Ms Han.”

Every time Chen’an followed Han Ya to the cafeteria for breakfast, several male students’ gazes would follow them. Fortunately, Chen’an was shameless at heart; instead of withering under their scrutiny, he happily filched some beef from Han Ya’s bowl of noodles.

“Go away. You have so much meat in your bowl. Must you steal mine?” Han Ya batted his chopsticks away with her own.

“I’m still young, Master, and you’re a full-grown adult. It doesn’t matter if you eat a little less.”

“Yes, it does,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Without the meat, I might as well have ordered plain noodles.”

“Alright, you can have my meat, then.” He picked up the beef from his bowl and placed it in Han Ya’s.

“Why would I want meat that your saliva has already touched?” She tossed the beef back in his bowl in disdain.

The students watching nearby, who had already finished their meals, looked uncomfortable. Was this a public display of affection? Wasn’t that a little inappropriate between a student and teacher?

But Chen’an and Han Ya remained unbothered.

While they had been chatting during training, Chen’an had realized that Han Ya was only four years older than him! He was 18, so that made her 22. If not for their relationship as master and disciple, Chen’an would have no problem calling her ‘Sis’.

However, how he addressed her was one of the few details that Han Ya was particular about. Once, he had playfully addressed her as ‘Sis’ and received a blow to the head for it. She had nearly cracked his skull open; her strength wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

Needless to say, he only ever dared to call her ‘Master’ from then on.

*

*

*

In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday afternoon.

As usual, Chen’an had completed some of his homework during last evening’s self-study, so he could leave his bag in the classroom without any worries. He was scheduled to attend kickboxing class with Han Ya this afternoon.

According to Han Ya, she was a coach at the club they would be attending, and had won the most gold medals out of them. She had come in first runner-up in kickboxing in Shangke City when she was just 18, so the top coaching position belonged to her.

It made Chen’an curious about what the kickboxing club was like; he wondered if Han Ya was telling the truth. If she had been exaggerating about the number of female trainees there, could he pull out of the classes?

After declining Lu Gang’s invitation to visit the internet cafe together, Chen’an found Han Ya waiting in a parking lot outside the school gate. “You’re too slow. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” she said with a frown.

“Master, you’re too impatient. I only took a little longer than expected.” He shrugged helplessly.

“Cut the crap. Get in the car. I’ll take you to class today, but you’ll have to go alone next time,” Han Ya instructed as she got into the driver’s seat. Chen’an said no more and obediently got into the passenger seat.

The scene happened to be witnessed by Lu Gang, who had just walked out of the school gate. Shock filled his face.

“Chen’an is really amazing. I have to work harder!”

He took out his phone and dialed Uncle Li’s number. “Hello, Uncle Li? Which parking lot next to the school are you at? … Yes, do you mind sending me somewhere…?”

***

Han Ya’s car raced through the congested city, and Chen’an understood for the first time what it was like to be speeding so fast that one was forcefully pressed back into their seat.

He stole a glance at her beautiful side profile before silently fastening his seatbelt beside him and grabbing the armrest of the car with his right hand.

“Can we go slower, Master?”

“Spare me your nonsense. If you distract me and I mix up the brakes and accelerator, will you take responsibility for anything that happens?” she replied without turning her head.

Chen’an fell quiet, wondering if it was too late to get out of the car. He didn’t want to die

yet!

A large Pentium G car was headed straight for them.

“Dammit! We’re going to crash!”

Chen’an prayed that Han Ya’s insurance would be enough to cover them. Just as he thought a collision was imminent, Han Ya swerved the steering wheel and righted herself at lightning speed.

The Pentium G’s honk blared out. As it passed by them, Chen’an vaguely heard the driver cursing.

However, Han Ya didn’t stop, instead continuing to speed along the city road at 50 yards an hour. Finally, she pulled into a parking lot in front of a bank.

Chen’an was dizzy from all that shaking. He disembarked, holding the car door for support. When he finally caught his breath, he was puzzled to see the bank in front of him.

Han Ya noticed his confusion and pointed to a small door beside the bank. Above it was a sign that read ‘Jin Yu Freestyle Fight Club’. He looked above the bank. Sure enough, a row of advertisements was displayed prominently around the fourth floor.

“Go up first. I’ll withdraw some money from the bank.”

“Huh? For what, Master?” Chen’an asked, puzzled.

“The lesson fees, of course. Do you think you can learn kickboxing for free?” Han Ya rolled her eyes and walked to the ATM in one corner.

Chen’an was embarrassed. He had thought that his kickboxing classes under Han Ya would be free, but she actually had to fork out money on his behalf. To be honest, although Han Ya was Chen’an’s master in name, he hadn’t seen her as such-until now, when she was fulfilling her duty out of the sincerity of her heart.

“By the way, I know you can’t pay me back yet, so you’ll just be in my debt for now. Remember to write me an IOU later.”

Well. Never mind.