Big Data Cultivation

Chapter 212: The So-Called Fate

Wang Haifeng’s memory was indeed correct; he had never turned his back on Feng Jun.

But it must be pointed out that this was because Feng Jun had never taken advantage of their friendship to make any excessive demands.

For example, if he had asked Wang Haifeng for money without good reason, Coach Wang wouldn’t just turn his back—he might even slap him: I indeed am not short of money, but it is my money, why on earth should I give it to you?

Moreover, this had always been the way Wang Haifeng operated; he didn’t mind spending money, but it had to be on his own terms.

Therefore, Feng Jun didn’t believe that, just because they were friends, he was obliged to teach the other party the Cultivation Technique—it had to be something he was willing to do.

Seeing that Wang Haifeng remained silent, he smiled, “Alright, off you go. In the future, we can still hang out, eat, drink, and be merry. Any problem that money can solve is no problem at all. But let’s drop the matter of learning martial arts… no need to spoil our friendship.”

Wang Haifeng looked at him with a strange expression, “You can’t even take a joke now?”

“I will explain one last time,” Feng Jun shook his head, speaking resignedly, “I am under no obligation to teach you, just like back in Hongjie, we got along well, but you were under no obligation to give me money for no reason, understand?”

“Alright,” Wang Haifeng sighed, standing up, “You have your reasons, but I really can’t accept this change in you.”

With that, he turned and left the villa.

Seeing that the door had closed, Xu Leigang could only laugh bitterly and shake his head, “That guy is truly… so immature. Any random person who borrows money has to have a good attitude, let alone learn a skill that money can’t buy.”

Feng Jun laughed nonchalantly, “If you ask me, he’s not any sillier than the average person. He’ll figure it out sooner or later.”

“Figure it out?” Xu Leigang’s eyes rolled as he asked tentatively, “Will you continue to teach him if he does?”

“Heh,” Feng Jun laughed again, “If he could figure it out today and come back to apologize, I might consider it. But after today, he shouldn’t get his hopes up… However, I feel he doesn’t need to wait until after today, he’ll be back very soon.”

He paused for a moment before giving Xu Leigang a meaningful glance, “People choose their Cultivation Techniques, and likewise, Cultivation Techniques also choose their people… If fate doesn’t bring them together, then it’s just a missed opportunity, don’t you think?”

Wang Haifeng left with a surge of anger. Because he couldn’t get a taxi in the Peach Blossom Valley Community, as he slowly walked to the entrance, he couldn’t help being annoyed—people really shouldn’t succeed. Once they do, they don’t recognize their old friends.

That’s what he thought, but for some reason, the phrase “But you were under no obligation to give me money for no reason” kept popping into his head.

At first, he’d dismiss it with disdain: Am I learning your Cultivation Technique for nothing? I’m going to guard your door.

But even to himself, this excuse felt awkward. Anyone could do the job of guarding the door; what Feng Jun required was reliability. Even with this requirement, the exchange wasn’t equal.

Wang Haifeng walked slowly, but there was a faint throbbing in his ankles and hips, reminding him that he had been injured today.

Xiao Feng’s skills, unlike in the past, were now incredibly different; and his healing techniques—without any exaggeration—were truly remarkable.

When he was halfway to the gate, he stopped—not only because he needed a rest but also because he decided to make a call to Sister Hong to ask about the money for the goods—Feng Jun may not care about our friendship, but I am a man who does.

Sister Hong quickly answered the call, “You didn’t come this afternoon again; tell me… can’t you focus a bit more at work?”

“I got hurt a bit and need to rest for a couple of days,” Wang Haifeng responded with a wry smile, “I was over at Peach Blossom Valley this afternoon.”

“So you went to see Master Feng,” Sister Hong’s voice turned cold, “Why did you call me?”

“Huh?” Wang Haifeng was genuinely surprised, “How come you’re also calling him Master? I thought that was a nickname others had for him.”

“I don’t know why he is called Master,” Sister Hong didn’t seem interested in the topic, “I just heard a bunch of people from the capital calling him that, seems like they were asking for his help… You can ask Fatty Xu; he knows more about it.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Haifeng was stunned.

It was only then that he realized—Fatty Xu’s odd expression when he had intended to ambush Feng Jun said it all—they had no faith in him, yet he had refused to listen and stubbornly sought out humiliation.

In other words, Fatty Xu was fully aware of Feng Jun’s capabilities, which is why he was extremely respectful, while he, Wang Haifeng, kept using an old viewpoint to judge others, assuming they should interact with him like they used to do.

It would have been fine if it were just about interacting; Feng Jun said that was no problem. But Wang Haifeng wanted to maintain a friendship while also learning the Cultivation Technique. No wonder the other party had asked such a question: Why should I?

If people from the capital were traveling to Funiu to specifically seek assistance from Master Feng, doesn’t that say something about Master Feng’s worth?

It’s indeed my own issue! Wang Haifeng finally admitted to himself.

Actually, he had been having some doubts for a while, but he was unwilling to accept it in his heart. Now, Sister Hong’s words indirectly confirmed this point: Feng Jun had really changed, and Wang Haifeng indeed hadn’t properly acknowledged his own standing.

As he was pondering, Sister Hong on the other end of the line was getting impatient, “Xiao Wang, what are you doing? Hey, hey… is the signal gone?”

“Uh-huh, the signal is back now,” Wang Haifeng quickly adjusted his train of thought and said with a chuckle, “It’s nothing, I just heard that Master Feng wants to buy a plot of land, and the funds aren’t quite ready.”

“Oh,” Sister Hong’s voice remained as calm as ever, “So what’s the point of you calling me then?”

Wang Haifeng suddenly found himself at a loss for words, but thankfully he was quick-witted and didn’t drag Feng Jun into this, “I get the impression from Fatty Xu that perhaps… there might still be a little room to squeeze?”

Sister Hong paused noticeably before responding languidly, “That’s between me and Master Feng.”

Wang Haifeng was taken aback, but at least he got an answer, so he replied with a smile, “Master Feng’s business, how would I dare to inquire? Just mentioning it off the cuff.”

“Oh,” Sister Hong hummed indifferently, “Anything else?”

“No, that’s it,” where else would Wang Haifeng dare to say more? “Sister Hong, my main reason for calling was to say that I won’t be able to do any strenuous exercise at work for the next week… I really am injured.”

“Just take care of yourself,” Sister Hong hung up the phone very decisively.

Wang Haifeng held the mobile phone in his hand, standing there for a while, before putting it back in his handbag and turning to walk back toward the villa.

Feng Jun hadn’t misjudged him at all; Coach Wang was inherently a man who knew how to make choices.

He wasn’t particularly fond of his beloved, but when his father’s business ran into trouble and needed his father-in-law’s help, he married her without hesitation—and to be fair, this choice did not mistreat him.

To be a bit selfish: isn’t it the pursuit of most people to marry someone who loves you, and to make the one you love your lover?

Similarly, to prevent his elder brother’s career from being affected, he chose not to work in the family’s company but instead worked at the Hongjie Clubhouse.

Being able to choose a job that involved fitness, something he liked, was indeed not bad, but if he could work in the company and have everyone at his beck and call, who would want to lower themselves to serve others?

Admittedly, Coach Wang was an exceptionally gifted individual, which allowed him to regard most people with a superior perspective.

But he really wasn’t a fool; as the saying goes, it wasn’t difficult to make him change his mind—just give him a reason.

Once he realized that his self-assessment was indeed inaccurate, he immediately made the decision to go back and apologize.

Of course, he could apologize another day, but Wang Haifeng would not be so insensitive as to not understand this simple propriety. Now that he had decided to apologize, the sooner, the better; if he delayed too long, even preserving the friendship would become difficult, let alone asking to become a disciple.

Xu Lei was just talking to Feng Jun when the doorbell rang. He looked at the small monitor and saw Wang Haifeng standing outside, continuously gesturing towards the camera, “Master Feng, I’ve come to my senses, I truly was in the wrong.”

Fatty Xu didn’t wait for Feng Jun to speak and opened the gate—that moment was not the time to ask Feng Jun whether to open it or not, as being overheard by Wang Haifeng would only introduce discord into the two men’s friendship.

Xu Lei was very clear that Wang Haifeng was actually an old friend of Master Feng’s, while he had only recently come into contact with the Master. Even though he had been quite close and knew more, he still lacked a certain depth of relationship.

When Wang Haifeng walked in, his emotions were completely readjusted, and he gave Feng Jun a bow before speaking seriously.

“Master Feng, we have known each other for more than a day or two. You know me, I tend to be impulsive, not think things through, and like to joke around. You’re completely right; if I want to become a disciple and learn the real Cultivation Technique… I must have the correct attitude.”

Feng Jun just looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, not saying a word.

After looking for a while and seeing that Coach Wang was still calm without becoming agitated, Feng Jun turned to glance at Xu Lei, “Was I not right? Some people are just born with a bit of fortune.”

Actually, deep down, Wang Haifeng felt a bit awkward. In the past, he was the one scrutinizing others with that evaluative gaze, but now it was his turn to be scrutinized.

Just then, he heard Xu Lei speak with a chuckle, “Indeed, people choose their Cultivation Technique, but the Cultivation Technique also chooses its person. If you miss it… then it’s just that the opportunity wasn’t meant for you.”

Coach Wang was momentarily dumbfounded: Damn, could today’s events also be interpreted like this?

At that moment, he truly started to believe that Feng Jun had mastered something extraordinary—it’s not common for someone to have the gall to describe their own actions as another person’s opportunity.

With that thought, the last bit of resentment in his heart miraculously vanished.

What replaced it was deep curiosity, along with… a slight tinge of anxiety about possibly missing out.