Chapter Sixty-Seven: Kung Fu Panda

Chu Dong demanded that Luo Feiyu treat him to a meal as compensation, and Luo Feiyu agreed. However, not everyone at the sub-bureau was happy about it.

Gao Jun had been transferred to the Development Zone Sub-bureau a few years earlier. He was a good-looking young man with real ability. The captain of the detective squad was getting on in years and was set to retire at the end of the year. Everyone believed Gao Jun was the heir apparent, his future bright as day. He took particular care of Luo Feiyu, the lively and headstrong newcomer, and anyone with half an eye could see he liked her. But Gao Jun was a reserved man, so he kept his feelings to himself, and no one teased him for it. Besides, Luo Feiyu was not without connections—the director of the sub-bureau was her uncle. Everyone liked this fearless, ever-laughing wild girl, so nobody saw fit to break the unspoken understanding.

"Asking for payment in return for a favor—people really are pragmatic these days," Gao Jun remarked, picking up Chu Dong's file with a sneer.

"Oh? And who do you think you are? Standing so tall and straight—a fine specimen, must be well fertilized," Chu Dong shot back, his tongue as sharp as ever. So what if he was on Gao Jun's turf? He wasn't breaking any laws. Cooperation between police and citizen, that was all. If not for Luo Feiyu, they wouldn't even have managed to invite him here.

"Who do you think you're talking to? Didn't hit you hard enough last time, did I?" Gao Jun was already in a foul mood; anyone could see his feelings for Luo Feiyu, but she herself seemed clueless. He'd tried to invite her several times, always to be brushed off. Yet today, this newcomer shows up and she immediately agrees to treat him to a meal—how could he feel anything but bitter? Chu Dong’s words were the final straw.

"Heh, you think I'm afraid of you? Maybe I'm not your match, but here and now, what can I do? If you suddenly turn around and accuse me of attacking an officer, no amount of explaining would save me. Tell you what, let's pick another time and place, just the two of us—settle it man to man?" Chu Dong didn't back down. He wasn't about to let himself be bullied just because Luo Feiyu had roughed him up earlier. If not for her scent in the air, he wouldn't have held back at all.

Chu Dong’s challenge was exactly what Gao Jun wanted. Now, with the chance to teach Chu Dong a lesson, he was delighted. "At least you have some guts. We’ve got a training room here for workouts. You seem to have some skills—let me see for myself?"

"Maybe next time, I’m a bit hungry today," Chu Dong, so brash a moment before, suddenly backed down when he heard they might spar right away.

Luo Feiyu had meant to intervene. She knew her senior was not to be trifled with—his prowess in sparring was famous within the bureau. Chu Dong didn’t look like he’d had any formal training, and in Gao Jun’s hands, he’d probably be tossed around like a noodle. After all, Chu Dong was helping her out and had already taken a beating. If Gao Jun pummeled him half to death, she would feel guilty. But before she could say a word, Chu Dong was already backing out at the right moment, making her smile sweetly—so sweet, in fact, that Chu Dong, a grown man, was nearly stunned.

Gao Jun, eager for action, felt toyed with. Seeing Luo Feiyu smile at Chu Dong only poured oil on the fire. "If you’re a man, stop making excuses. Otherwise, tuck your tail and slink off. Give me a straight answer."

"Senior, what’s your problem? Haven’t you caused enough trouble already? There was a complaint last time—if something happens again, not even my uncle can help you," Luo Feiyu said, clearly annoyed. She knew Gao Jun’s temper was quick to flare. Last time, he’d been reported for excessive force during an arrest. If he assaulted a civilian without cause again, he’d be out of uniform for good.

"Feiyu, stay out of this. This is between me and him," Gao Jun replied, not daring to contradict her, but today Chu Dong really rubbed him the wrong way.

"If the officer is so eager to spar, I can't act too cowardly. If I refuse, you could probably throw me in lockup for jaywalking. Fine. I was only being considerate so as not to hurt you, but since you insist on a memento, I’ll oblige you." Chu Dong stood up, stretching, his words needling Gao Jun deliberately—he could see the man was jealous.

"What are you two doing? Can’t find anywhere else to spend your energy?" Luo Feiyu was getting angry, feeling utterly invisible as the two men ignored her.

"Little Rain, stay out of this. This guy feels off to me—could be in cahoots with those other suspects," Gao Jun whispered, standing between Chu Dong and Luo Feiyu.

"Impossible. I’m not a child—I can judge for myself," Luo Feiyu retorted, her brows knitting in obvious disapproval.

"Little sister, just give him the chance. Otherwise, who knows who he’ll take it out on next," Chu Dong said with a cheeky grin, showing no sign of impending doom.

"Enough with the talk. If you’re not afraid, come with me," Gao Jun sneered, turning to leave.

"I’m coming too," Luo Feiyu insisted, worried for Chu Dong’s safety. She regretted letting him tag along in the first place.

Before Gao Jun could say anything, Chu Dong stopped her. "I’m afraid you’ll distract me. Just wait here. I want to have a big meal when I get back," he said with a sly grin, following after Gao Jun.

Still uneasy, Luo Feiyu trailed after them but was stopped outside the training room.

"Don’t worry. He just admires my makeup today and is dying of envy. My skills may not match yours, but I can't refuse his request. Wait and see what I can do," Chu Dong called through the iron door.

"Shut up. Let’s see who’ll be begging for mercy soon. Since you’re so tough, you won’t need gloves, right? Don’t worry, I’ll go easy—your bones will stay intact," Gao Jun replied coldly, irritated by Chu Dong’s nonchalance.

"Actually, I should say that to you. Tell you what—since you’re a cop, you might have weapons. I’ll take off my shirt first. You do the same, for fairness," Chu Dong said, stripping off his T-shirt and tossing it on the gym equipment.

Gao Jun curled his lip, unimpressed by Chu Dong’s bravado. But he played along, removing his shirt to reveal a military-green T-shirt beneath. He took off the shirt and started to pull off the T-shirt too, wanting to match Chu Dong. But just as his head was covered and his arms trapped, Chu Dong struck—fast and without warning.

There was no pretense of fairness—Chu Dong grabbed him in a headlock and rained punches down, catching Gao Jun completely off guard. His vision was blocked and his arms tangled; he could only flail defensively.

"That’ll teach you! All talk, aren’t you? Keep pretending…" Chu Dong taunted, unleashing a storm of blows to Gao Jun’s head and ribs—wherever was convenient.

Gao Jun gritted his teeth, holding his breath and toughing it out. He couldn’t call foul with Luo Feiyu outside; she'd think he was begging for mercy. Inwardly, he cursed, "You bastard, just wait till I get loose…"

Chu Dong had one strength—he knew his limits. Accepting a challenge when he might not be the stronger, he’d already prepared his strategy. He didn’t care about rules; winning was what mattered, not how he got there. Yet Gao Jun was tough, refusing to go down. Eventually, Chu Dong was spent, but before Gao Jun could get his shirt off, Chu Dong kicked him hard in the chest, finally knocking him to the ground.

"That’s enough, I’m done playing with you," Chu Dong gasped, slumping onto a treadmill, too tired to move.

Gao Jun had never suffered such humiliation. He was boiling with rage but couldn’t let up on defense. Arms wrapped around his head, he waited for a chance to retaliate, but his arms went numb before Chu Dong tired out. In the end, that last kick sent him down for good; he was so winded and furious he blacked out.

When there was no movement for a long time, Chu Dong pulled on his T-shirt and, without daring to check on Gao Jun, staggered to unlock the training room door.

"You—you’re all right?" Luo Feiyu had been pacing anxiously outside, listening to the violent sounds within. When the noise died down but no one emerged, she was about to kick the door open, convinced Chu Dong was done for.

To her astonishment, it was Chu Dong who walked out.

With a mischievous smile on his face, eyes ringed in purple like a panda, he looked like he’d just gone toe-to-toe with a master and walked out unscathed. Luo Feiyu’s wide eyes sparkled with disbelief. She knew how formidable Gao Jun was—even two top fighters from the bureau couldn’t take him on together. How had Chu Dong, who’d barely been able to fight her off, come out smiling?

And what about Gao Jun…

"Gao Jun! Gao Jun…" Luo Feiyu called, but there was no response. She ran inside.

The spacious training room floor was padded thickly. Gao Jun lay awkwardly on the mat, his posture all wrong. Luo Feiyu was startled—even if Gao Jun couldn’t beat Chu Dong, he shouldn’t have ended up like this.

She pulled the shirt off his head, revealing panda eyes even more dramatic than Chu Dong’s. His face was swollen, his nose smeared with blood, jaw clenched so tight she almost felt like kicking him herself.

After pinching his philtrum and calling his name loudly, Luo Feiyu finally brought Gao Jun around.

As for the instigator, Chu Dong swaggered in, found a seat, and lounged like he had nothing to do with it.

"Hey, Panda, come give me a hand," Luo Feiyu said, half-amused by Chu Dong’s smugness. She didn’t know if he’d played dumb or used some unsavory trick, but he’d actually managed to take Gao Jun down.

"Panda?" Chu Dong was momentarily confused. Turning around, he realized she was addressing him. He stood, gesturing, "Pandas know kung fu too!"

PS: Only one chapter today, 3,000 words for you!