Sparring

Liu Chang'an bought a small amount of dried chili powder at the market. It's easy for the vegetables to get damp this season, so it's not suitable to buy too much. He also bought a loofah and three yuan's worth of meat... Only familiar vendors would cut these prices. With prices soaring in recent years, Liu Chang'an misses the days when meat cost only one yuan, but there's no doubt that rising living standards are a common phenomenon.

If we were to go back to the 80s and 90s, would we find it difficult to adapt? After all, internet applications are now ubiquitous.

There shouldn't be any problem... Liu Chang'an thought for a moment and confirmed. People should always look forward to the future to maintain a more joyful and peaceful healthy mindset. If he were to constantly dwell on the past, Liu Chang'an should find a hole and bury himself; he has plenty of time and history to quietly reminisce about.

Of course, if there really were a chance to travel through time, it would be an exciting and unforgettable experience. The only question is whether it would be possible to change the past and what impact it would have on the future. Liu Chang'an and Xu Zhancheng had discussed this question, but they hadn't reached any meaningful conclusions.

Back in the residential area, Liu Chang'an took a few steps and came to Zhou Dongdong.

Zhou Dongdong was tapping and breaking up coal ash with a small hammer before throwing it into a muddy puddle. Her shirt pockets were bulging, filled with broken firecrackers she had collected that morning. It had rained last night, and many of the firecrackers were covered in mud and water, making her pockets dusty and dirty.

"Brother Chang'an, I'll give you firecrackers, will you help me with the chores?" Zhou Dongdong grabbed a handful of broken firecrackers.

"No."

Zhou Dongdong was greatly disappointed and continued to drag a small basket of coal ash to fill the mud pit.

"Are you studying **?" Liu Chang'an asked.

"I jumped in the puddle again today and got my clothes dirty. Mom made me wash them myself and then filled in all the puddles." Zhou Dongdong held the firecrackers and looked at Liu Chang'an expectantly.

"You're busy, goodbye."

Zhou Dongdong watched Liu Chang'an leave. She planned to set off firecrackers at his door after she finished her work, but not let him set them off, so he would be jealous.

Zhou Dongdong was called back to dinner by Zhou Shuling before she finished filling the puddle.

Liu Chang'an made a dish of loofah cooked in lard, which was derived from radish cooked in lard. First, he stir-fried the loofah in lard, then added the three yuan's worth of minced pork he bought. After it was cooked through, he took it out of the pot, sprinkled it with chopped green onions, and the color was as crisp as jade.

Pigs are good things; every part of a pig is good. Few animals are as helpless as pigs, with no one to sympathize with them and despising them as inedible. They are endlessly born and slaughtered, while simultaneously promoting industrial and agricultural development and improving living standards.

After finishing his meal, taking a shower, and changing into his standard four-piece suit for middle-aged and elderly people, Liu Chang'an was about to head to the mahjong parlor for a game when he received a message from a cute young girl.

"I saw you liked my Weibo post today. Looks like you haven't been so busy lately?"

Wishing you great success in the college entrance examination.

"Hehe, I did pretty well on the test today, it's just that I didn't sleep well at noon."

"My son also did well on the exam; he didn't sleep well at noon either."

"I hope it didn't affect his exam... I think your child must be a very diligent student. And guess what? That annoying Liu Chang'an in our class, he was actually late for his college entrance exam today!"

"Late? That's ridiculous."

"Yes, I used to only see people like that in the news."

Liu Chang'an sat on the recliner, chatting happily. Zhou Dongdong's going downstairs to set off firecrackers didn't make him envious. It wasn't until a young man in a black kung fu shirt came up in front of Liu Chang'an that he looked up.

"My name is Gao Cunyi, and I practice martial arts." The young man cupped his hands in greeting to Liu Chang'an.

There's nothing flashy or aggressive about it; it's solid and well-built, a testament to diligent practice and improvement.

"Is something the matter?"

"My master heard that you could kill a 120-pound dog with one punch. He didn't expect there to be such a master in Junsha. He wants to spar with you," Gao Cunyi said earnestly and sincerely.

"I won't fight," Liu Chang'an said, then continued replying to messages.

Gao Cunyi was taken aback for a moment, but fortunately his master had instructed him on what to do if the other party refused. So he continued, "My master is a renowned figure in the martial arts world of Junsha, and he is famous throughout China. If you lose, you will suffer no harm; if you win, you can become famous overnight."

"I won't fight," Liu Chang'an said with a smile.

"My master cherishes talent, and this move will only benefit you. Why do you refuse?" Gao Cunyi asked, puzzled.

"Your master just heard that someone could kill a fierce dog with one punch, and he's already making a big fuss about holding some kind of martial arts competition. I find it all baffling, and I really have no interest." Liu Chang'an waved his hand. "Go back. Let your master go find Xu Xiaodong; he'll definitely be interested."

Gao Cunyi's cheeks flushed slightly. He glanced at Liu Chang'an, then quickened his pace and left.

If you hide and act timidly, no one will pay attention and you'll avoid a lot of trouble. But life won't be as pleasant that way. If you act according to your wishes, you'll inevitably surprise passersby and cause some trouble, but you'll feel much more at ease and comfortable. There are gains and losses in everything, and nothing in this world is perfect.

Gao Cunyi left the residential area, hurriedly found a bicycle, and rode very fast. The wheels splashed water on the ground, and a girl's skirt was lifted up with a scream, spilling a lot of dirty water. Gao Cunyi quickly stopped the bicycle, bent down and apologized. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, can I pay you for the laundry?"

"No... no need." The girl shook her head. "It's alright. You seem to be in a hurry, so go ahead."

"Okay, I'm sorry to have troubled you." Gao Cunyi apologized again, then rode his bicycle to the Octagon Pavilion Teahouse.

The Octagon Pavilion Teahouse is built on the rooftop at the entrance of the pedestrian street. Originally, it was just a decorative little building. Later, someone rented the rooftop and built an open-air garden. The little building was then converted into a teahouse. Although it is not very quiet and elegant, it is still a nice place to find a small haven in the bustling city and cultivate one's mind to find tranquility amidst the noise.

Gao Cunyi arrived at the teahouse and stood at the door, respectfully calling out, "Master."

"Is everything taken care of?"

Gao Cunyi then raised his head. His master was named Pu Shougeng. For someone in his forties to be described by Gao Cunyi as a "renowned master" and "well-known" meant that he must have some real skills. He was about 1.8 meters tall, with a dignified appearance and full of energy in his eyes. He was at the perfect balance of physical strength, spirit, and mind.

"He said you should go find Xu Xiaodong." Gao Cunyi accurately conveyed Liu Chang'an's meaning.

A soft laugh rang out, and a young woman sat in the seat above her master. Her eyes held a hint of coquettishness, and her expression exuded an indescribable elegance and allure. She quickly suppressed her laughter, her eyebrows instantly lifting. The captivating woman from before seemed to have vanished into her skin, revealing her sharp true face, a cold smile playing on her lips.