Busy Making Money

Chapter 30: Busy Making Money

With a shared small goal, the two communicated more smoothly.

Zhao Rui wasn't a rigid person; his tutoring focused on being relaxed and effective.

They studied for a whole morning like this, and it was surprisingly effective. Regardless of how much was learned, at least Yaru felt that way.

As long as the employer is satisfied, that's all that matters!

Around 11 AM, the male head of the household, Tian Muhao, returned home escorted by his driver.

Upon hearing that his daughter had found a tutor, Tian Muhao immediately went into the study to meet Zhao Rui.

After a brief exchange and understanding, he didn't say much more, essentially acknowledging Zhao Rui's status as a tutor.

After all, Zhao Rui had no flaws in his appearance, academics, or background; he was the typical "good student" type.

The tutoring session continued until noon, lasting a total of three hours and earning him six hundred yuan. One hour was spent on academics, one hour playing games, and one hour chatting.

The schedule was extremely reasonable and relaxed.

At noon, Ms. Song and her family strongly invited Zhao Rui to stay for lunch, but he politely declined.

He only earned six hundred yuan; it wouldn't be appropriate to eat two large hairy crabs there for lunch.

He'd wait until they were more familiar with each other.

Thinking of the taste of hairy crabs, Zhao Rui, as he cycled away from Yaru's house, couldn't help but swallow.

The last time he ate hairy crabs was in his previous life.

In this life, he hadn't eaten them at all.

Money, money!

Zhao Rui was very pragmatic; he didn't have the stubbornness of those crazy martial arts fanatics who were solely focused on the Martial Way and had no distractions.

He wasn't like that; he was just a common man who wanted to enjoy food, drink, and fun.

Doing as he pleased was his true meaning of the Martial Way!

It was past noon, and he didn't feel like going home, so he bought a jianbing from a roadside vendor, adding two strips of pork and an egg. He was contentedly full.

He had to go to the martial arts hall in the afternoon; he still had several students to spar with today.

Wende Martial Arts Hall had strong recruitment capabilities and good student quality. According to the coach, at last year's city-wide youth martial arts competition, Wende produced a fourth-place finisher and a tenth-place finisher.

The results were quite good.

The fifth-place finisher was the genius young man Zhao Rui met on his first day.

According to unofficial sources, to keep this genius young man, Wende Martial Arts Hall not only waived his fees but also gave him ten thousand yuan a month for living expenses and covered all his martial arts training costs.

Things like medicinal herbs for auxiliary cultivation and nutritional supplements for strengthening the foundation.

Of course, besides these, the most important thing was to invite renowned teachers for him and expand his future martial arts path.

The martial arts hall spared no expense for this student, fulfilling his every wish.

However, such a small investment was insignificant compared to the publicity effect of a fourth-place finish.

To be honest, Zhao Rui was quite envious of these martial arts prodigies. In just one month, that student's strength had improved by leaps and bounds.

He was already close to becoming a Level Four Martial Artist, just needing a breakthrough to transform from a dragon into a real dragon, reaching a level that ordinary high school graduates couldn't achieve.

He was only thirteen years old!

However, Zhao Rui wasn't jealous. His current strength had already surpassed Level Five. Although he hadn't tested it, he was pretty sure.

Moreover, he had already learned the young man's Taiyi Light Splitting Sword technique, which the martial arts hall had carefully selected and acquired with significant financial resources and connections.

Thinking of this, Zhao Rui felt his old face flush with "guilt."

To alleviate his guilt, he could only work harder, spar more, uh, steal more knowledge...

Forget it, how can martial arts matters be considered stealing? This is called embracing all rivers, the Martial Way is boundless!

Upon arriving at the martial arts hall, Zhao Rui put down his backpack, changed into his martial arts uniform, and leisurely sat in the resting area by the side of the field, drinking "free" beverages.

"Zhao Rui, Shao Jie will be here shortly. In a couple of days, he has the Three Cities Five Regions Youth Martial Arts Exchange Competition to compete in, so spar with him a couple more times!"

"No problem, Coach!"

Speak of the devil, Shao Jie was the genius young man Zhao Rui sparred with on his first day. His full name was Xu Shaojie!

It had been almost two weeks since they last met. Just as he was thinking of him, he arrived.

Not long after dealing with a little brat and "grossing" two hundred yuan, Xu Shaojie arrived with his parents.

This was the first time Zhao Rui had seen Xu Shaojie's parents. Their clothing looked quite luxurious, but their overall attire felt somewhat mismatched.

"Coach Zeng, your martial arts hall always talks about buying more essence potions for my son, but why is there only thunder and no rain? If this continues, we'll switch to another martial arts hall!"

As soon as they entered the martial arts hall, Xu's mother frowned, her face displeased, and questioned the coach who greeted them.

"We'll buy it now, we'll buy it now! Please calm down, our martial arts hall has been a bit tight on funds recently..."

Coach Zeng said with a fawning smile.

"I don't care, all the other martial arts halls are giving us four nutrient solutions a month..."

Mother Xu snorted coldly and walked straight into the coaches' office.

Father Xu smiled sheepishly at everyone behind her and pulled his son along into the office.

This little interruption had nothing to do with Zhao Rui; it was all about interests, and there was no right or wrong.

After adjusting his breathing by sitting cross-legged for a while, Xu Shaojie, who had changed into a martial arts uniform, walked out of the office accompanied by everyone.

Then, without a word, he walked to the arena, placed one hand on the edge of the platform, and with a flipping motion, landed on the stage.

Coach Zeng quickly shouted at Zhao Rui, "Zhao Rui, Zhao Rui, hurry up, hurry up, don't waste time!"

Zhao Rui grunted, grabbed a folding fan from his side, and with a single step, leaped onto the arena.

Seeing Zhao Rui approach, a calm yet arrogant expression appeared on Xu Shaojie's young face.

"I'm already level four, you don't need to hold back!"

"So soon?"

Zhao Rui was slightly surprised; his progress was faster than expected.

"Okay!"

Zhao Rui readily agreed. He had to satisfy this request!

Xu Shaojie drew his long sword, formed a sword seal, and instantly surged forward. The sword light split into three, aiming directly for Zhao Rui's head, throat, and chest.

The sword light was like stars breaking through the dawn, its reality hard to discern!

"Light Splitting Shadow Stealing!"

Zhao Rui was too familiar with it. What you can do, I can do too. I'll beat you at your own game!

He calmly pointed his folding fan diagonally at the Waiguan acupoint on Xu Shaojie's wrist.

He completely ignored the illusory sword lights.

Seeing this, Xu Shaojie hastily retracted his elbow and withdrew his sword, causing the sword lights that filled the air to vanish into nothingness.

"You..."

Xu Shaojie stood with his sword, his eyebrows furrowed, and asked in astonishment.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's go again!"

Xu Shaojie drew his sword and attacked again, stepping with the Tiangang footwork and swinging his sword to stir the surrounding air currents, which gradually converged on Zhao Rui's vital points.

Zhao Rui remained unhurried. Instead of retreating, he advanced. His folding fan turned into a sharp blade, thrusting straight for the vital spot.

Xu Shaojie almost choked on his True Qi and had to withdraw his sword to defend. The air currents filling the sky vanished again, and he could no longer muster any offensive momentum.

"You..."

This was the second time he had said this, but the words stopped at his lips.

Mother Xu, watching from below, asked in confusion, "Son, what's going on? Why are you stopping and starting? Are you not feeling well?"

Xu Shaojie, already agitated, retorted angrily, "Mom, I'm in a fight, why are you distracting me!"

"Mom won't say anything, won't say anything! Train well!"

Mother Xu immediately quieted down and obediently shut her mouth.

"Again!"

Xu Shaojie refused to believe it and attacked again, his long sword displaying various moves like Mystic Light Waves and Afterglow Radiance.

But without exception, all of them were met with Zhao Rui's precisely targeted blocks, preventing any follow-up combos.

Xu Shaojie narrowed his eyes, his sword moves changing rapidly. In an instant, he broke free from conventional forms and wasn't bound by techniques. Although there was a slight hesitation, his varied and unpredictable attacks already had a hint of "formless defeating form."

Damn, is this what a genius looks like?

Zhao Rui wanted to curse.

Fortunately, he had already opened up the vital acupoints in his arm. His Cloud Hand Plucks Stars was no longer comparable to its past self, and he was already intimately familiar with the Taiyi Light Splitting Sword technique.

In just a moment, he regained the initiative, pressing Xu Shaojie so hard that he couldn't advance a single step!

"I'm not fighting anymore!"

Xu Shaojie seized an opening, swept his sword horizontally, then jumped out of the circle. He looked at Zhao Rui, panting heavily, and said.

"It's not time yet!"

"You owe me!"

Xu Shaojie said irritably, then jumped off the arena. He ignored the coaches and parents who had gathered around and went straight into the changing room.

Mother Xu hurried over but was driven out by Xu Shaojie's words, "Don't bother me."

"Zhao Rui, what happened?"

Coach Zeng understood what he saw, but he wasn't a participant and didn't know the oppressive feeling Xu Shaojie experienced when his sword moves were thwarted.

I thought Zhao Rui had somehow offended him.

"I don't know either, maybe he's just tired!"

Zhao Rui said casually. Geniuses needed more tempering, otherwise how could they stand out.

"Who are you? If there's anything wrong with my son, I'll find your boss!"

Although Mrs. Xu didn't understand Martial Arts, she saw her son's displeased expression. She had hidden in the changing room and refused to come out, knowing he must have been wronged.

She immediately complained indignantly to Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui shrugged, too lazy to bother, and returned to his seat to drink his beverage.

"Son!"

After Mrs. Xu shouted at Zhao Rui, she unleashed a torrent of abuse on the Coach, and was about to go to the changing room to confirm things with her son.

But the Coach grabbed her and said, "He doesn't want to come out right now, don't force him. This is something martial artists must avoid!"

Hearing the Coach's words, Mrs. Xu stopped in her tracks, but still grumbled, "If anything happens to my son, I'm not done with you!"

Coach Zeng could only plaster on a smile and say some comforting words, signaling her to calm down.

Many of the young students learning nearby watched the scene with various expressions, full of curiosity.

Zhao Rui kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, sitting cross-legged as if nothing was happening.

He could probably guess why Xu Shaojie was angry. It wasn't just that he thought he had broken through to Level Four, reaching the same tier as his past self, and expected to have a proper match with Zhao Rui.

But not only did he not fight well, he was far worse than before.

This sense of disparity was something his ego as a self-proclaimed genius youth couldn't accept.

Sigh, he's been praised too much!

Zhao Rui sighed inwardly.

After about five or six minutes, the changing room door suddenly opened. Xu Shaojie, who had been hiding inside, scanned the room with sharp eyes before fixing his gaze on Zhao Rui and walking over.

"Son, where do you feel unwell?"

"Tell me, Mom will find their boss!"

Mrs. Xu followed him closely, her face full of concern, examining her son as if afraid he had some problem.

"Mom, I'm fine!"

Xu Shaojie replied faintly, then walked up to Zhao Rui.

Seeing this, Zhao Rui stood up and looked at the half-grown boy who was shorter than him.

"Brother Zhao, thank you!"

The young man actually bowed to Zhao Rui.

"..."

This action stunned everyone around.

Zhao Rui's old face also flushed.

"Brother Zhao, without your stern words, I might still be lost in the illusion of my improved strength. Thank you!"

The young man's eyes became clear as water, and the fighting spirit within them did not dissipate but instead became even more fervent.

Zhao Rui couldn't help but feel speechless. Is this what a genius is like?

Turning failure into the power to strive, both in talent and mindset, he was far beyond ordinary people.

"You're welcome. Since I accepted your job, I naturally did my duty. A Sparring Partner not only tempers your martial skills, but also your mindset, which is an important part of it!"

Zhao Rui shamelessly took all the credit.

"Okay! I'll go back and digest this first. I'll come back tomorrow to ask you about the weaknesses in my techniques!"

After speaking, Xu Shaojie bowed to Coach Zeng again and said, "Coach, I've caused you trouble!"

"It's nothing, nothing! It's great that you have this awareness."

Coach Zeng was filled with pride, wishing he could call the boss immediately to say their money was well spent.

His son's actions made the previously aggressive Mrs. Xu freeze on the spot, feeling a bit hot in the face.

Fortunately, no one held it against her. When her son left, she immediately followed him without a word and left the martial arts hall.

As soon as they left, the surrounding young students who had been watching swarmed forward.

"Brother Zhao, can I book a Sparring Partner for tonight?"

"Brother Zhao, me too!"

"..."

What could Zhao Rui say? He accepted the jobs. This damned charisma!

He could also understand the thoughts of these young students. Even the most formidable genius in their group recognized Zhao Rui so much, what else was there to consider?

If you want to improve, find Brother Zhao!

However, the actions of these little guys also made him realize one application of the System's abilities.

That would be combining Sparring Partner sessions with tutoring. As long as a student's Martial Arts hadn't reached the Proficient level, after he secretly learned their Martial Arts from the System panel, he could offer guidance and help from a superior vantage point.

This was far more profound than pure Sparring Partner sessions!

As for the price...

Cough cough, one shouldn't be too greedy for money. The Way of Martial Arts is vast, profound, and endless.

How could he always be thinking about this.

Zhao Rui decisively hid this idea in his heart, planning to go home tonight and mull it over properly.

The sun rose and set, and without realizing it, over a week had passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Rui had been extremely busy during this period, working as a tutor in the mornings and acting as a Sparring Partner for a bunch of young students in the afternoons and evenings.

He could only practice his own Martial Arts after returning home.

Although it was a bit busy, he was earning a lot of money.

As for Xu Shaojie, after experiencing Zhao Rui's unintentional blow, it instead ignited his calm and introverted mindset.

Not only did he drop his impatience, but he could also settle down and analyze his Martial Arts weaknesses with Zhao Rui, making improvements.

A few days later, at the Tri-City Youth Friendship Competition, Xu Shaojie lived up to expectations, breaking into the top ten and stopping at eighth place.

He returned with regret.

But this result had already greatly exceeded the expectations of everyone at the martial arts hall, delighting everyone from top to bottom.

The boss personally spoke, awarding Zhao Rui an additional two thousand yuan as a "tutoring" fee!

It was a small amount, but even a mosquito's leg is still meat!

Zhao Rui was very content.