The burly man's fists fell like raindrops, and I could only dodge awkwardly.
"Bang!" Another heavy punch landed, and I was slammed against the iron cage.
"Huo Han!" I shouted in his direction, "Are you just going to watch me die?"
He finally reacted, slowly rising to his feet. The entire arena fell silent.
" sister Hong," he spoke, his voice still cold, "I will take over this match."
sister Hong ’s expression changed. "Master Huo, this..."
"I'll offer ten million."
"Deal!" sister Hong ’s eyes lit up.
The burly man was called off the stage, and Huo Han took off his suit jacket, revealing his muscular arms. He jumped onto the arena, standing in front of me.
"Long time no see," he said.
I scoffed, "Yeah, long time no see. Back then you said you were going to compete, but you disappeared for five years. Now you’ve become the Underground Boxing King."
"I can explain."
"No need for explanations." I assumed a fighting stance. "Come on, let me see what new moves you've learned over the years."
He sighed, "You're still as stubborn as ever."
I struck first, throwing a straight punch aimed at his face. He easily dodged and grabbed my wrist with a reverse grip.
"Let go!"
"I won't," he said, pulling me closer. "It's been five years. Do you still remember the moves I taught you?"
Of course I remembered; how could I forget?
When I was seventeen, he was the Teaching Assistant at the martial arts school. Every morning, he would teach me martial arts. We watched the sunrise together, practiced diligently, and shared laughter.
Until one day, he said he was going to participate in a competition and then disappeared.
"Bang!" I attempted a shoulder throw to toss him away, but he countered and pulled me into his embrace.
"Your fundamentals have regressed," he whispered in my ear. "Haven't you been training properly all these years?"
I struggled to break free, but he held me even tighter.
The audience below erupted in cheers, and sister Hong frowned.
"Master Huo, keep it within limits."
Huo Han released me and stepped back two paces. "Tonight's match is over. Miss, I've protected you."
"I don't need your protection!" I charged forward with another punch.
He caught my fist, his eyes filled with complexity. "Mu Xue, trust me just this once."
"Why should I trust you?" My eyes reddened. "For the past five years, I thought something had happened to you. I searched every competition venue and inquired at all the boxing clubs. And here you are, as the Underground Boxing King!"
"I wanted to tell you," he said softly, "but some things are beyond my control."
I wanted to say more, but suddenly felt dizzy. The punches I had taken earlier finally caught up with me.
In the last moment before losing consciousness, I heard Huo Han's anxious voice calling out, "Mu Xue!"
I woke up in an unfamiliar room, the pain in my body reminding me that everything from last night was real.
"You're awake?" Huo Han stood by the bed, his gaze complicated.
I propped myself up to get up, and he reached out to help me, but I flinched away.
"Don't touch me."
His hand froze in mid-air before he finally withdrew it.
The room fell silent for a moment. I looked out at the night view and suddenly laughed. "How ironic. Five years ago, you disappeared without a word, and now you show up as the Underground Boxing King."
"Mu Xue..."
"Do you know how I've spent these five years?" I turned to look at him. "My dad was hospitalized, my mom remarried, and the Lin Family Martial Arts School went bankrupt. And you? You vanished without a trace when I needed you the most."
His eyes darkened. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" I scoffed. "Is that all you have to say?"
"I don't want to leave either." He stepped closer. "But I have to go."
"Why?"
"Because..." He hesitated.
I mocked, "Are you going to say it's to protect me? Huo Han, your excuse is still so pathetic."
"Do you think I want this?" He suddenly grabbed my shoulders. "Do you think I don't know Uncle Lin is seriously ill? Do you think I want to watch you get tricked here by Yao Yuxin?"
I was startled by his sudden outburst.
"Then why didn't you come back sooner..."
"Because I don't deserve to!" He released me, his voice hoarse. "A man who can't protect you has no right to stay by your side."
I was left speechless.
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