199: Staying up late to practice shooting

“Yes, thank you, Teacher Zhao. However, as you know, I practice Bajiquan, and to enrich the performance, I’d like to ask you to teach me a set of spear techniques.”

Although he knew Six Harmonies Spear, he had already shown in the legend of fong sai-yuk crew that he didn't know spear techniques, so he could only temporarily hide his skills. He planned to find a teacher later and pretend to practice hard at home to improve his strength.

Zhao Guohua nodded, “You know Sanda and Bajiquan, and you practiced spear and staff techniques for a while in the legend of fong sai-yuk crew, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You have a martial arts foundation and have practiced spear and staff techniques, so it shouldn’t be a big problem. But time is limited, so we’ll try to choose movements with strong visual impact. I’ll design a simple set of Shaolin Spear forms that look more aesthetically pleasing and cool. Four days should be enough to master it.”

Hearing Zhao Guohua constantly emphasizing aesthetics, Chen Fang said, “Teacher Zhao, I hope it can be both beautiful and practical, trying not to reduce its practicality, to make it feel more real.”

Zhao Guohua’s brow furrowed slightly, and he sighed softly, shaking his head with a smile, “Teacher Chen, I understand your desire as a martial artist to promote Traditional Wushu, and that’s very good. But if we count today and Saturday as one day, that’s only four days, and you have live broadcast work before 3 PM every afternoon. We have to make choices, and I suggest we focus on enhancing the visual effect.”

“Teacher Zhao, should we start by practicing basic spear movements?”

Zhao Guohua chuckled.

He could tell that Chen Fang was changing the subject; he just wanted practical combat.

It was normal for young people to have ambitions and ideals.

He wouldn't argue with him about this for now; he would let him practice the basics first. After experiencing the hardship, he would realize that even just having ornamental value was not a simple matter.

Following his words, Zhao Guohua first discussed the basics, “Yes, you practiced spear-holding postures and the core movements of blocking, seizing, and thrusting in the crew, ensuring correct force application, right?”

“I did.”

“Then I suggest you consolidate tonight, and start learning simple spear flourishes tomorrow. If you practice well, we can then discuss whether the routine style can lean towards practical combat, how about that?”

“Okay, thank you, Teacher Zhao.”

...

After discussing most things, the training officially began.

Under Zhao Guohua’s guidance, Chen Fang began to practice the basics—the spear-holding methods of Shaolin Spear and the three stage starting poses: “holding the spear,” “dragging the spear,” and “raising the spear.”

Time passed by minute by minute.

10:30 PM.

Xie Yunxuan had just completed the task of cleaning the kitchen and living room assigned by Bai Wenbin in the past hour. This Bai Wenbin was a shrewd judge of character; he felt uncomfortable ordering the three girls around, was afraid Liang Yan would mess up the two bedrooms, and thought Chen Fang was not to be trifled with, so most of the cleaning cards ended up on Xie Yunxuan. How infuriating!

After Xie Yunxuan returned to his room to shower, he saw Bai Wenbin still watching the soccer game, so he sat down too, glancing around the first floor. “Has Chen Fang come back?”

“You two share a dorm, don’t you know?” Bai Wenbin stared at the TV screen.

Xie Yunxuan, already resentful from being enslaved by him all evening, snorted coldly when he saw that Bai Wenbin didn't even lift his head. “You’ve been sitting here watching the game since you got back, guarding the front door. Don’t you know?”

Bai Wenbin turned his head.

What did he mean? Was he calling him a doormat? Was he trying to start a fight late at night?

Since Xie Yunxuan was being unkind first, he wouldn't be blamed for being unjust.

Bai Wenbin took a deep breath, sighed meaningfully, and looked at Xie Yunxuan, “Calm down, don’t get worked up.”

Xie Yunxuan glanced at Bai Wenbin, who was acting like a good guy.

Bai Wenbin patted Xie Yunxuan’s shoulder and continued, “Little Xie, calm down a bit. You also have strengths compared to Chen Fang. Don’t compare your practice time with him. Get some rest early, go to bed.”

“Strengths compared to him? Like what?”

“If you go to sleep now, at least you’ll get more sleep than Chen Fang.”

Xie Yunxuan narrowed his eyes. Bai Wenbin, oh Bai Wenbin, once you use that rebound card, I’ll definitely make you clean the first-floor public restroom!

...

On the other side, Zhao Guohua stood with his hands behind his back, observing Chen Fang’s movements, nodding slightly.

In front of him, Chen Fang was repeatedly practicing straight thrusts to build muscle memory. His right arm was taut, his back foot pushed off the ground, and the long spear thrust straight out; his movements were very standard.

Finally, 100 spear thrusts were completed.

Chen Fang took a towel from a crew member and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Zhao Guohua praised, “You are very talented! You quickly found the right feeling, and your muscle memory seems a bit faster than ordinary people.”

Chen Fang knew that Zhao Guohua and director Director Yuan Lang were good friends, so he deliberately said, “Thanks to Teacher Zhao’s excellent guidance, and also thanks to a little practice I had in the legend of fong sai-yuk crew before.”

“Haha, Director Yuan Lang is really lucky to have met you. That’s enough for tonight, or would you like to do another 30 linking exercises? It’s all the same to me, since I don’t have to get up early for filming, it’s up to you.”

“Then I’ll be thick-skinned and trouble Teacher Zhao for a little longer, how about 30 more linking exercises?”

“Don’t be so polite! Let’s do it.” Zhao Guohua stepped back three paces, clearing the space for him.

...

Outside the training ground, Song Yu, with a dozen small red envelopes in his pocket, led two people carrying an insulated box towards the entrance of the training ground.

Chen Fang finished training late, which meant the program staff had to work late, so he had just gone to prepare late-night snacks and thank-you money for the program staff.

As he reached the entrance, he saw a familiar nanny van drive over and slowly stop.

Song Yu said to the people behind him, “You two go in first and hand out the late-night snacks, I’ll be right there.”

The two people behind him walked into the training ground first.

Song Yu went to meet the car, and the door opened just as Yue Qingzhu, wearing a baseball cap and with her hair tied in a high ponytail, stepped out.

“Hello, Teacher Yue.”

“Hello,” Yue Qingzhu looked towards the door, only seeing spear equipment. “Is Chen Fang still practicing?”

“Yes, Teacher Zhao Guohua is guiding him in spear practice. Is there anything you need, Teacher Yue? I can pass on a message for you.”

Yue Qingzhu glanced inside the door.

Would going in now disturb him?

And with Teacher Zhao Guohua there, if she went in now, Teacher Zhao might think Chen Fang wasn’t focused, right?

Yue Qingzhu looked at Song Yu, “How much longer until he finishes?”

“I’m not sure, maybe half an hour to an hour.”

“I see. I happen to need to write something on my tablet, so I’ll wait for him in the car.”

Song Yu smiled sincerely, “No, no, it could be an hour! Teacher Yue, if there’s anything you need, I can convey it to him.”

“As an artist from the same company, I’m here to look after him, to bring him some electrolyte drinks and muscle relaxation equipment. How about you tell me when he takes a break, and then I’ll go in?”

“We’ve prepared all of those things. Thank you for your kindness, Teacher Yue and Sister Liu Lu. You can go back now.”

Yue Qingzhu narrowed her eyes and stared at Song Yu for two seconds, wishing she could kick him away.

What was this? Chen Fang 2.0? What a solid wall.

She shoved a bottle of electrolyte drink into his hand, “Help me give this to him, and remember to tell him it’s from me.”

After saying that, she turned around and walked back to the car door, fuming, then looked back at Song Yu, “Tell him after he finishes practicing, don’t interrupt him midway.”

“Understood. Teacher Yue, take care.” Song Yu grinned.

Yue Qingzhu got into the car, then poked her head out again, “Remember to tell him, but don’t say I repeatedly reminded you.”

“Got it, you can rest assured when I handle things!”