{Chapter: 149 Cui Susu asks to teach her Tai Chi!}
Early the next morning, Lin Yuan drove to Ma'anshan Park with a clear goal in mind—to acquire "The Ink Plum Blossom."
This famous painting was currently in the hands of Cui Yunrong, a man of great influence. Cui Yunrong was a high-ranking figure in the Cui family of Yanjing, one of the most powerful families in the country.
So how could Lin Yuan possibly meet Cui Yunrong in Jiangbei?
Logically speaking, such an encounter should have been impossible. Not only for Lin Yuan but also for Ye Feng—the so-called protagonist of the novel he had once read.
But then again, this world was governed by the logic of an urban "Xiao Baiwen" novel, a genre where reality bends, perfection is sculpted at the whim of the narrative, and coincidences become the backbone of fate.
In this world, Chi Qian was not just an extraordinary woman—she was the embodiment of unattainable flawlessness. A goddess veiled in mortal skin, a being whose every aspect was perfection personified.
Her talent? Limitless.
Her beauty? Ethereal.
Her background? Impeccable.
Her wealth? Beyond imagination.
She was a woman sculpted by destiny itself, untouched by natural flaws that should come with such power and privilege.
Did logic matter in a world like this?
No.
Logic was an afterthought—an inconvenience discarded in favor of a grand fantasy.
That's why Lin Yuan wasn't surprised when he recalled how Cui Yunrong originally met Ye Feng in the novel here.
According to the story, Cui Yunrong had grown weary of life in Yanjing. Seeking a change of scenery, he brought his granddaughter to Jiangbei for a short vacation.
Why not visit Yanjing's top-tier resort areas instead? Why not go to the famous Hailan Island for better views?
No explanation was ever given. The story simply decided that Cui Yunrong must be in Jiangbei—so there he was.
While staying in a luxurious high-end community in Xiling District, Ma'anshan Community, Cui Yunrong developed a habit of taking his granddaughter for morning exercises at Ma'anshan Park.
It was there, on an ordinary morning, that Cui Yunrong first laid eyes on Ye Feng.
At the time, Ye Feng had been practicing Tai Chi, but it wasn't just ordinary Tai Chi—it was a form of martial arts capable of killing people.
Intrigued by the young man's skills, Cui Yunrong took an interest in him.
And just like that, their fateful encounter was set in motion.
Ye Feng, ever the protagonist, smoothly latched onto this powerful "big thigh", securing an influential backer that would later help him dominate Yanjing.
But this time… Lin Yuan was here to intercept that encounter.
Though his primary goal was only to buy the painting, he couldn't ignore the opportunity to block Ye Feng's rising fortune.
As he arrived at the park, he was greeted by the sight of a large group of elderly women performing their usual square dance routine.
The scene was oddly energetic for the early morning.
Watching these enthusiastic aunts move in perfect synchronization, Lin Yuan couldn't help but admire their endurance.
"Truly, the older generation is strong," he mused, shaking his head in amusement.
Today, he had chosen not to bring Shi Shengnan too close, leaving her stationed 500 meters away with a clear task—to watch for a specific vehicle: a Yanjing Jeep 212.
This car was a commemorative vehicle from Cui Yunrong's time in the military, a vehicle he remained attached to and always drove.
Lin Yuan leaned back in his seat, taking his time. There was no need to rush.
As he casually ate breakfast in his Lamborghini, he watched the lively square dance performance unfold before him.
---
About ten minutes later, Shi Shengnan's voice came through his phone.
"Master! I see the Jeep 212 you asked me to watch for!"
Her tone carried a hint of tension.
"Do you want me to block its path? Are the people inside a threat to you?"
Having spent the past few days constantly shadowing Lin Yuan, Shi Shengnan had developed a heightened sense of alertness.
She now prioritized his safety above all else—sometimes to the point of paranoia.
Like mistaking the shadow of a bow for a snake, she often overreacted to potential threats.
Lin Yuan sighed and replied speechlessly:
"No need. Just tell me what you see from your position."
---
After confirming the situation, Lin Yuan finally stepped out of his car.
He casually walked toward the other side of the park square and, without hesitation, began practicing Tai Chi.
It was a rare sight to see a young man performing Tai Chi in a public park.
Naturally, many eyes turned to him.
Some of the older ladies, still mid-dance, snickered at first, prepared to mock him.
But as soon as they got a good look at him—his tall, straight figure, his handsome face, his graceful yet powerful movements—the teasing died in their throats.
Their rhythm faltered for a moment.
Their eyes lingered.
Some of them suddenly thought of their daughters, their granddaughters…
"Such a fine young man… If only my niece hadn't broken up with her last boyfriend…"
Meanwhile, a few elderly uncles—who considered themselves Tai Chi experts—also noticed Lin Yuan.
Seeing his fluid movements and calm, composed aura, they felt a sense of crisis.
Their expressions darkened as they cursed silently in their hearts:
"wdnmd! (What the f*!)"**
Lin Yuan, on the other hand, remained completely unfazed.
He had long since grown accustomed to the horror of having 200 points in charm.
Still, as much as he preferred mature women, the enthusiastic glances from these dancing aunts were… difficult to handle.
Shaking his head, he focused on his Tai Chi movements.
Soon, the real target of today's encounter would arrive.
Lin Yuan's Tai Chi was at an advanced level, and his movements looked remarkably refined and controlled. His execution carried an effortless grace, exuding an aura of calm confidence. Even to the untrained eye, it was clear that his practice was not just for show—there was true skill behind each motion.
Of course, his performance was further enhanced by the fact that he had an undeniably handsome face and a naturally elegant bearing. The square-dancing aunts, who had initially been more focused on their routine, found themselves distracted, their attention slowly drifting toward Lin Yuan.
Some of the bolder ones exchanged glances, as if silently encouraging each other. A few even entertained the idea of approaching him, perhaps under the pretense of asking for Tai Chi lessons or, at the very least, striking up a conversation.
Seeing their movements from the corner of his eye, Lin Yuan could practically read their thoughts. Without breaking the flow of his practice, he subtly adjusted his position, shifting his stance just enough to distance himself from any potential "accidents." He had no desire to suddenly become the center of attention among a group of overly enthusiastic aunts.
Just as he repositioned himself, Lin Yuan spotted his true target.
An old man with neatly combed gray hair, dressed in a traditional blue Tai Chi uniform, was approaching. Walking beside him was a young girl with delicate features, her bright eyes filled with curiosity as she scanned the park.
Despite his age, the old man carried himself with dignity and had a commanding presence. There was something about him—an air of authority and refined composure that set him apart from the ordinary elderly men one might find practicing Tai Chi in a public park. Lin Yuan immediately recognized him as Cui Yunrong.
Of course, Lin Yuan did not make his recognition obvious. Instead, he maintained his composed facade, keeping his gaze neutral and his focus seemingly on his own Tai Chi practice.
However, just as Lin Yuan had noticed Cui Yunrong, the old man had also taken notice of him.
It was difficult not to. A young man practicing Tai Chi so seriously in broad daylight was an unusual sight. Most people Lin Yuan's age would be doing high-intensity workouts at a gym or engaging in modern fitness routines—not practicing a traditional martial art that many dismiss as slow or outdated.
What intrigued Cui Yunrong even more was that Lin Yuan's Tai Chi was genuinely impressive. Though not yet at a master's level, his form was fluid, and his control over his breathing and energy flow was commendable. However, Cui Yunrong also noticed certain areas where Lin Yuan's technique was lacking—subtle mistakes that could be corrected with proper guidance.
"A rare talent," Cui Yunrong thought to himself. "A good seedling that needs careful cultivation."
Before he could step forward to speak, his granddaughter, Cui Susu, suddenly dashed toward Lin Yuan ahead of him.
She stopped right in front of Lin Yuan, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Big brother! Why are you practicing Tai Chi here so early in the morning? You were amazing! Can you teach me?" she asked, looking up at him with admiration.
Her voice was filled with enthusiasm, and there was an almost childlike eagerness in the way she spoke.
[Ding! Cui Susu has requested to learn Tai Chi from you! Please make a choice!]
[Choice 1: Agree to teach her Tai Chi! Reward: Advanced Chess Proficiency!]
[Choice 2: Refuse to teach her Tai Chi! Reward: Advanced Cooking Skills!]
Lin Yuan was momentarily taken aback by the system prompt and the sudden turn of events.
Cui Susu was Cui Yunrong's granddaughter and appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. She had an undeniably lovely and delicate appearance, with a sweet charm that could easily attract attention. By conventional beauty standards, she would easily score over ninety points.
But something wasn't adding up.
Lin Yuan distinctly remembered that in the original novel, when Ye Feng was practicing Tai Chi, Cui Susu had been completely unimpressed. In fact, she had outright mocked him, assuming that he was nothing more than a fraud trying to impress her grandfather.
At that time, only Cui Yunrong had recognized Ye Feng's talent and invited him into their circle.
Yet now, standing in front of Lin Yuan, Cui Susu was behaving entirely differently. Instead of looking down on Tai Chi, she seemed genuinely fascinated and even wanted to learn from him.
Why?
What had changed?
And then, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head, Lin Yuan suddenly understood.
He and Ye Feng were not the same person.
Their circumstances might have similarities, but there was one glaring difference between them.
It all came down to appearance.
Face value was the problem.
Lin Yuan's outstanding looks, combined with his refined temperament and calm demeanor, had altered the entire interaction. The same Cui Susu young girl, who had once ridiculed Ye Feng, was now looking at him with admiration instead of contempt.
Lin Yuan almost wanted to laugh.
So, this was the power of an attractive face?
*****
Important Update Regarding Subscribestar
A Small Creator's Dilemma… I Need Your Thoughts
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