You Are Really No Match For Me [Fighting] - Chapter 24

During the intermission, a waitress with a nametag reading “Suxi” passed by their seats. Chen Xin bought a Coke and a beer, while the rich guy and the young master ordered mixed cocktails.

 

Tong Xinying gulped down a mouthful of Coke, her eyes glued to the cage.

 

The second round began quickly.

 

Every time Zheng Ru launched herself into a flying clinch, commentator Xiaobai shrieked:

 

“Another takedown attempt! Another one! Can Zheng Ru replicate her opening from the last fight?”

 

But Jin Yu’s defense was ironclad—she countered each and every attempt with ease.

 

“Unbelievable!” Liang Yu exclaimed. “That’s already the seventh clinch she’s neutralized this match. Her core strength is simply—”

 

Even through the screen, Tong Xinying could feel Zheng Ru’s decline—her gaze was starting to scatter. Still, she stubbornly kept pressing forward, only to eat a brutal punch to the head from Jin Yu.

 

Just watching made Tong Xinying’s cheek throb faintly.

 

The match devolved into a long stalemate. Zheng Ru’s punches grew slower, and against Jin Yu’s fresh stamina and terrifying power, she could only circle along the cage’s edge, defending and waiting for a counter. The two tangled back and forth against the fence…

 

The third round began. Jin Yu struck first. Zheng Ru blocked a left hook with her mechanical arm and tried to sweep, but Jin Yu deflected in an instant. Then came a savage spinning back kick followed by a right hook straight to Zheng Ru’s temple. A left elbow smashed viciously into her face.

 

Zheng Ru collapsed with a crash, propped up on her trembling mechanical arm.

 

The referee began the count:

 

“One! Two! Three—”

 

The crowd joined in the countdown. Zheng Ru, half-conscious, silently mouthed along, but she never stood back up.

 

The referee waved it off.

 

Commentator Xiaobai shrieked in excitement:

 

“It’s over! Another TKO finish!”

 

A shiver of electricity raced down Tong Xinying’s spine.

 

The cheers drowned out everything else. The young master had already begun distributing chips, while the man called Jin Mu accepted his winnings without even lifting an eyebrow. Her boyfriend Chen Xin muttered in regret, his voice lost in the roar:

 

“Should’ve bet the whole rent money…”

 

But Tong Xinying couldn’t hear a thing. She was transfixed by Jin Yu in the cage—her triumphant fist raised high, the dazzling gleam in her eyes, the playful smile she wore when she blew a kiss to the crowd.

 

Tong Xinying pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing wildly, her vision swaying in dizziness.

 

So this is what fighting is!? She suddenly understood why people loved it, and why everyone loved Jin Yu.

 

Sensing her unease, Chen Xin quickly asked what was wrong. She shook her head.

 

“I’m fine, just… moved.”

 

Zheng Ru’s refusal to give up until the very last second, Jin Yu’s calm and ferocious counterattack against the odds… Her poise, her composure, her everything. Suddenly, Tong Xinying realized—inside that cage, it wasn’t only about fists. It was about courage, and resolve.

 

On the other side, Jin Mu saw the notification of his winnings hit his account. He strolled toward Jin Yu, only to find her swarmed—countless hands reached for handshakes and photos. Jin Yu obliged every request with patience. Standing at the fence, Jin Mu found himself smiling unconsciously.

 

This is probably the highest return-on-investment of my life.

 

Jin Yu caught sight of him standing alone while Xiaobai and Suxi busied themselves with the photos.

 

“Jin Mu! Come take a picture!”

 

Her shout pierced the noise and reached him.

 

He chuckled and walked over.

 

It turned out the one wanting a photo was the grade-schooler who had placed a bet earlier. Recognizing Jin Mu, the boy beamed as Jin Mu snapped the photo and quickly printed it out for him. The child nearly jumped with excitement.

 

Jin Yu ruffled his hair, reminding him:

 

“Make sure you study hard in school. And no sneaking off to matches on school days. If I catch you here again, no more photos.”

 

The boy nodded furiously, too thrilled to speak. Then Suxi’s voice cut in:

 

“Xiaoyu, over here!”

 

The college couple from earlier squeezed in next, one on either side of Jin Yu, the girl staring in awe as Suxi clicked the shutter.

 

Only when the photoshoot wrapped up did the group retreat backstage.

 

The moment Xiaobai entered the lounge, he flopped onto the sofa. Suxi sank into a beanbag chair. Jin Mu resigned himself to the only hard chair.

 

When the shower stopped running, Jin Yu emerged toweling her hair, glancing at her sprawled-out companions.

 

“Why are you all just loafing around? Don’t you have jobs?”

 

Xiaobai, the cameraman-commentator, waved lazily:

 

“Worked all day, not moving.”

 

Suxi, the bartender-waitress, sank deeper into her beanbag:

 

“Worked all day, not moving.”

 

Jin Mu, the investor-coach, crossed his legs:

 

“Worked all day, not moving.”

 

Jin Yu narrowed her catlike eyes:

 

“Then… how about I treat you guys to dinner?”

 

Instantly, three “salted fish” leapt to their feet.

 

“Yes! Where are we going?”

 

They piled into the Maserati that was supposed to be a prize and headed to SEG Plaza. Jin Yu handed each of them an ice cream, licking her own cone with crescent-moon eyes.

 

Xiaobai muttered “Matcha rules,” while Suxi attacked the chocolate tip. Jin Mu stood by, watching their antics with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

 

“Hey, Jin Mu—” Jin Yu suddenly held her cone up to him. “Eat before it melts.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

He wasn’t fond of sweets, but since everyone was eating, he took a bite. Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad.

 

After ice cream, Jin Yu treated them to skewers. With three days before the next fight, she even indulged in a few bites herself.

 

---

 

Meanwhile, Zheng Ru was carried toward the garage on Liang Yuanchun’s back, still dazed.

 

“She’s nothing like the videos…” Zheng Ru murmured in his ear. “The real her is faster, stronger, more ferocious…”

 

Her younger brother Zheng Li cut in:

 

“Sis, losing to her isn’t shameful. That woman’s not even human.”

 

Zheng Ru punched in frustration.

 

“The guillotine choke could’ve worked!”

 

Only then did she realize she’d been pounding on Liang Yuanchun’s back—not her brother’s. Even with her mental toughness, her face flushed scarlet. Zheng Li, perceptive enough, jogged ahead to start the car, leaving the two of them alone.

 

Liang Yuanchun’s deep, magnetic voice rumbled comfortingly:

 

“Don’t be discouraged. If it were me in there today, I wouldn’t have beaten her either.”

 

“How could that be?” Zheng Ru’s breathing quickened.

 

He shook his head.

 

“I know my own level. If it were just fists, maybe I could match her. But she’s more than that.”

 

Zheng Ru’s eyes lit up:

 

“Exactly! Her combinations have the torque of Muay Thai, but her footwork looks like Baguazhang… And on the ground, I couldn’t pin her at all. She doesn’t look that muscular, so how does she have that kind of strength? And those escapes—where does she come up with that stuff?”

 

She sagged with a sigh.

 

“I swear her brain’s wired differently.”

 

Liang Yuanchun smiled gently.

 

“Maybe it’s talent. Just like yours.”

 

Zheng Ru gave him a playful punch, cheeks flaring pink.

 

“Truly, in every generation, new talents rise…” she sighed.

 

“She’ll soon be a shining star,” he said softly. “On the bright side—we’ll have witnessed her rise.”

 

“A few months from now is the Global Augmented Combat Championship. I really hope to see her there.”

 

“Want to go together?”

 

“Yes, yes, yes! Maybe we’ll even team up. She’d shock the whole world.”

 

He chuckled, the vibration of his chest clear against her back.

 

“Seems you’ve got a lot of faith in her.”

 

“Of course! She beat me so badly. If we team up, her fists can smash other people for a change—ow!” She licked bl00d from her split lip and groaned. “Damn, are her knuckles made of titanium?”

 

“She really does hit hard,” Liang Yuanchun said. “Come on, I’ll patch you up. Gently, I promise.”

 

What’s with him tonight? Did he take the wrong medicine? Why’s he suddenly flirting nonstop?

 

Is he hinting at something? He must be hinting at something!

 

His voice dipped low, warm as mulled wine:

 

“Xiao Ru… be my girlfriend. Please?”

 

She felt herself floating, only to suddenly remember her bruised, swollen face. She forced a pout.

 

“Hey, who confesses when the girl’s nose and face are a mess?”

 

He set her down, turning to face her directly. His gaze was steady, burning.

 

“I never found the right moment. But today, watching you fight so bravely—never backing down no matter how strong the opponent—I realized how weak I’ve been. You like me, but I kept quiet out of fear, out of inferiority. I’m sorry. I made you wait too long. Be my girlfriend, Xiao Ru.”

 

Her lashes trembled. A sharp sting rose in her nose.

 

“You even know I’ve been waiting for you…”

 

He pulled her into his arms.

 

“I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

 

Listening to his pounding heartbeat, hers quickened too. She tried to sound calm.

 

“Fine. From today, you’re my man.”

 

His eyes burned as he whispered:

 

“I like you so much, Xiao Ru. You’re the most beautiful, the cutest woman I’ve ever seen.”

 

She slapped her hands over her face.

 

“Really? You’re praising my looks now? Are you doing this on purpose!?”

 

He kissed her forehead, holding her tight as if to merge her into his embrace.

 

“Remember when we first met? I’d just gotten my prosthetic. I could barely walk and fell over. You were the one who helped me up. Not just from the ground—you pulled me out of the darkness.”

 

Before Zheng Ru could reply, Zheng Li’s exasperated cry rang out:

 

“I’m dying! Who talks this cheesy!? My ears are filthy, I need to wash them out!”

 

The bubble burst instantly.

 

Zheng Ru stomped her foot.

 

“And I heard you bet on me losing before the fight! Is that true?”

 

Her brother’s eyes darted nervously.

 

“Huh? Did I? I don’t recall…”

 

Liang Yuanchun gently pulled her attention back, smiling softly.

 

“I bet on you to win. I lost money… but I won you.”

 

Damn. A man who’s awakened to romance is a whole different beast.

 

Is this really the same straight-laced blockhead from before?

 

In her heart, Zheng Ru whispered: Me too. I may have lost the fight, but I won you.

 

Zheng Li, unable to stomach any more sugar, threw up his hands.

 

“That’s it! I’m out! You two can take the other car home yourselves!”