Chapter 266: Pride Comes Before a Fall

“Mm.” Yan Aohan nodded, seemingly pleased that Zhu Yanyi did not refuse.

After running a lap, they arrived at a nearby square. There were few people in the morning; mostly, it was occupied by elderly men and women practicing Tai Chi. Upon reaching the square, Zhu Yanyi began by kicking her legs a few times, then stretched her waist. She then clasped her fists and started her forms.

Zhu Yanyi practiced Tai Chi. She had learned the authentic Zhang-style Tai Chi, and her movements were as smooth as flowing clouds and water—very fluent and naturally beautiful. After finishing one set of Tai Chi, she performed a set of Five Animal Frolics, followed by Baguazhang. Only then did she finish her forms and relax.

She noticed that many of the elderly men and women nearby were watching her, their eyes shining with intense interest, like hungry wolves spotting a piece of cake. Zhu Yanyi was startled. She looked at Yan Aohan beside her, her eyes full of confusion.

Yan Aohan smiled. “Your martial arts are fluent and beautiful. The grandpas and grandmas are mesmerized.”

“Yes, little girl, your forms are so authentic! Who taught you?” an old man asked curiously.

Zhu Yanyi did not want to mention Elder Chun, so she smiled. “I learned from my grandfather and my master. Actually, I am not very good. They are the ones who are truly skilled.”

“You are already very good, little girl. How about you teach us? We old folks learned from Tai Chi diagrams nearby, just copying what we saw. We don’t have a proper teacher, and some of our movements are not standard,” the old man invited.

Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment and nodded. “Okay. Let me look at your diagrams first. Then I will demonstrate according to them. What do you think?”

The elderly men and women in the square nodded with smiles, all agreeing.

Zhu Yanyi calmed herself slightly, adjusted her focus, and looked at the diagrams. Fortunately, the diagrams were also for Zhang-style Tai Chi. Therefore, Zhu Yanyi demonstrated the forms based on the diagrams, explaining as she went. By the time she finished, it was nearly seven in the morning.

Zhu Yanyi checked the time and realized it was getting late. She bid farewell and hurried home. As soon as she returned, she took a shower and changed clothes. She still needed to catch a ride to the Capital Hospital, so she did not have time for breakfast. She planned to buy two steamed buns on the way to solve the problem.

Walking out of the alley, she saw a military jeep parked there. Yan Aohan was leaning against the car, seemingly lost in thought. Seeing Zhu Yanyi arrive, he opened the passenger door. “Get in. I will drive you to the Capital Hospital.”

Zhu Yanyi looked around. Thinking that she needed a ride anyway, she nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.” She then got into the car.

Yan Aohan sat in the driver’s seat and handed a food box to Zhu Yanyi. “Breakfast. Beef porridge and soup dumplings. Eat while there is still time.”

Zhu Yanyi thanked her and, without being polite, opened the food box and started eating. “You are really fast.” She had only taken a shower and changed clothes, yet she had prepared everything.

Yan Aohan looked ahead. “While you were busy teaching people martial arts, I predicted you would have no time for breakfast. So, I asked Zhang Haifeng to buy some. I also bought some for Uncle Shun Yao and the others.”

Zhu Yanyi realized then. “Little Zhang still owes me a meal. Now that I have eaten breakfast, I feel embarrassed to ask her for it.”

“Ask him. He has plenty of money.” Yan Aohan was always skilled at digging holes for others.

Zhu Yanyi widened her eyes. “Is that not inappropriate?”