Chapter Forty-Two: Martial Arts

The next day, everyone rose early.

Under the watchful eye of the camera, the group could be seen bustling about their rooms.

“Hurry up and get ready for breakfast!” Huang Kang called to everyone.

Still in his pajamas, Chen Chi shuffled to the table, half-awake. Yang Ying appeared in adorable pink pajamas, her eyes bleary with sleep. Meanwhile, Jiang Yun was beneath the camera’s gaze… practicing martial arts.

“Jiang Yun, you know kung fu?” Deng Xin exclaimed in surprise.

“Just a bit of boxing, enough to keep fit,” Jiang Yun replied.

The six of them gathered around the table to eat.

“Guess what I just saw?” Deng Xin said mysteriously.

“What is it?”

“Come on, don’t leave us hanging!”

“Alright, alright!” Deng Xin leaned in, still playing up the suspense. “I just saw Jiang Yun practicing boxing!”

Jiang Yun shook his head with a smile. So that’s what Deng Xin wanted to say.

“Jiang Yun, I didn’t know you could box!” He Ling said. “You have to teach us sometime.”

“Hey, why not give us a demonstration now, since it’s still early?” Yang Ying suggested.

“Yes! Show us some kung fu moves, Jiang Yun!” the others chimed in.

“Let’s see it, let’s see it!” Even the crew joined in the teasing.

Unable to refuse their enthusiasm, Jiang Yun relented. “Let’s eat first; I’ll show you after breakfast.”

“Right, right! Let’s eat first!” He Ling quickly agreed.

So, eager for the demonstration, the five of them wolfed down their meal.

After breakfast, they gathered in the open space in front of the Mushroom House to watch Jiang Yun perform.

Jiang Yun steadied his breath, then suddenly unleashed a powerful punch—forceful and commanding—a set of Xingyi boxing. Next, his elbow shot forward in a Bajiquan sequence. His arms moved like whips, rolling like wheels—a routine of Tongbei boxing. Then, shifting his stance to horse and bow, his style softened, and he flowed into a set of Tai Chi.

Exhaling slowly, Jiang Yun came to a standstill.

“Bravo!”

Everyone applauded, including the director and crew.

“Jiang Yun, your boxing is so impressive to watch!” He Ling said, joining him. “Your form is so graceful and powerful. You must have practiced for years, haven’t you?” Huang Kang added.

Jiang Yun merely smiled. Years? If only they knew—half a month ago, he knew nothing about any of this.

“How about in a real fight?” Chen Chi piped up. “I’ve always wanted to learn some real combat!”

“Why don’t you two give it a try?” Huang Kang suggested.

“That might not be a good idea,” Jiang Yun protested. “If someone gets hurt, it won’t be worth it.”

“Nonsense! Don’t underestimate me,” Chen Chi huffed, feigning indignation. “You think you could actually hurt me?”

Jiang Yun shrugged. Since Chen Chi insisted, perhaps a little lesson wouldn’t hurt.

Jiang Yun nodded.

With time short and no protective gear on hand, Chen Chi strapped two pillows to his chest for padding.

The two faced off.

“Begin!” someone called.

Jiang Yun lunged forward with a swift step, driving his elbow into Chen Chi’s chest. Chen Chi was sent flying ten feet back.

Coughing, Chen Chi clutched his chest, struggling to get up.

Everyone was stunned—he’d been sent flying so far in one blow. He Ling was first to react, hurrying to Chen Chi’s side. “Are you alright, Chi Chi?”

Chen Chi struggled to catch his breath. “Cough, cough… I’m… I’m fine!”

The others gathered around.

Jiang Yun was puzzled. He hadn’t used much force. How did that happen?

He went over to Chen Chi. “You okay?”

“You nearly killed me!” Chen Chi gasped, still holding his chest.

“But that was hilarious!” Deng Xin joked. “Chen Chi was airborne for half a minute!”

“Alright, enough. Let’s head to the orchard!” He Ling called.

So, tools in hand, the group headed for the apple orchard.

Standing on the slope, gazing at the orchard full of apple trees, they couldn’t help but marvel, “It’s beautiful!”

Several farmers were already waiting and gave them instructions. The group dove into work with enthusiasm.

Each person carried a large basket on their back, picking apples and returning to the central area to unload them.

After a while, the five of them sat down for a break—the baskets grew heavier and the trek back and forth was tiring.

Jiang Yun, however, seemed tireless. He moved from one end of the orchard to the other, quickly filling a huge basket.

He unloaded his apples onto the electric cart and went right back to picking.

“Jiang Yun, aren’t you tired? Come rest a bit!” He Ling called.

“I’m not tired, I’ll rest in a bit,” Jiang Yun replied, though he kept to himself that his military training made all this a breeze.

After another round, Jiang Yun finally sat down.

“You must be from the countryside, aren’t you, lad? Used to farm work?” one of the farmers asked, making conversation.

Jiang Yun just smiled.

By noon, the six had picked apples from two acres of trees.

“Let’s go home for lunch!”

Full of energy, the six made their way back to the Mushroom House.

On the way, Jiang Yun drove the electric cart, carrying the other five as they swayed along the path.

“The three-cup chicken and sizzling squid Jiang Yun made yesterday were amazing. You’re cooking again today, right?” someone asked.

“Let Mr. Huang cook! I’ll just help,” Jiang Yun replied.

After all, everyone had their own role: Jiang Yun was the jack-of-all-trades, but only when needed. If he competed with Huang Kang in the kitchen, it would be stealing the spotlight.

Lunch was a simple home-cooked meal, since the menu-choosing was only for guests on their first arrival.

That afternoon, they went back to the orchard to help the farmers pick more apples.

By evening, Jiang Yun could no longer resist the requests from Yang Ying and the others, so he joined Huang Kang in the kitchen.

“Spicy chicken with green peppers, coming up!”

“Five-spice dried tofu, ready!”

“Spicy lamb hearts, here they come!”

…

Jiang Yun and Huang Kang prepared six dishes and a soup.

Everyone dug in heartily.

“I’m so full!” Yang Ying slumped in her chair, patting her stomach. “Every meal since I started filming here, I’ve eaten way more than usual.”

“Me too!” Chen Chi echoed, patting his belly.

“You don’t count! Even if you didn’t overeat, you’d still be chubby!” Yang Ying teased.

Chen Chi bristled. “Chubby? I’m just adorably plump, thank you!”

Yang Ying burst out laughing. “Oh, please! A grown man calling himself adorably plump—have some shame!”

“Hey, what’s wrong with that? Why can’t a man be adorably plump?”

The two started bickering again, while the others smiled and watched.

“Alright, let’s tidy up. We’ll have tea and chat afterward!” He Ling called.

Once again, dishwashing fell to Chen Chi and Deng Xin.

“Remember to wash the outside too!”

The others settled in the living room, sipping tea while waiting for the dishwashers to finish.

By the time Deng Xin and Chen Chi were done, it was already half past nine.

“Whew, washing dishes is exhausting!” Chen Chi said as he entered the living room, peeling off his gloves and apron.

“If you think washing dishes is hard, imagine how tiring it is to cook!” Yang Ying retorted.