Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Maybe Tonight I Can Show You
This scene suddenly reminded Zeng Shen of a similar moment from a few days ago. Back then, he hadn't given it much thought.
About forty minutes later, Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong appeared outside the Gathering Spirit Building.
Li Yuqing was still dressed in her golden-threaded red hanfu with a wooden sword in hand, exuding an ethereal presence like a celestial swordswoman descending from the mountains.
Liu Tongtong, wearing a pink dress and nine white fox tails, was dressed as the alluring Su Daji, her enchanting demeanor irresistibly captivating.
The two of them held hands as they walked to Zeng Shen's camper, opened the door, and got in.
Sitting in the passenger seat and fastening her seatbelt, Li Yuqing said, "Let's go, hubby. Tongtong and I didn't sleep well, so after we finish shooting, we'll come back and take a nap."
Didn't sleep well? More like exhausted from playing early in the morning.
Zeng Shen thought to himself as he drove towards the park square, taking the opportunity to collect some survival points along the pedestrian street and commercial area.
Before long, they arrived outside the park entrance. Zeng Shen parked the car and led Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong out, attracting attention and photos from bystanders as they walked towards the park entrance.
"What do you plan to shoot?"
"Hubby, we plan to shoot a short video of the Celestial Maiden chasing Su Daji to test the waters. If it goes well, we'll shoot another video where the Celestial Maiden gets captured by Su Daji and taken to the abandoned hospital to drain Zixia Fairy's energy."
"Sounds good."
"Hehe, hubby, we want to use the park square's center as the first scene."
"The park square center?" Zeng Shen thought of Master Ma and said, "There seems to be a group practicing Tai Chi there every day."
"Exactly, that's the background we want. There's always a Tai Chi master teaching a group of elderly ladies there. We'll use them as the background while I chase Tongtong with my wooden sword, running past them," Li Yuqing explained.
Liu Tongtong added, "Later, Shen, could you edit them to look like Taoist priests in robes, reacting with shock because of our appearance?"
"I can give it a try."
Zeng Shen replied, not entirely sure but leading the two women into the square.
It was a weekend, and there were more people than usual exercising at the park square by 9:30.
In the center, Master Ma was diligently leading his Tai Chi group. His eyes occasionally flickered towards the square entrance, and upon seeing Zeng Shen approaching, he calmly addressed the elderly group with practiced ease, "That's it for today, I have matters at the martial arts club."
"Hubby, look, it's that old man. They're practicing Tai Chi, let's hurry over."
As Li Yuqing spoke, she noticed the old man glance over, then dismiss the group and head towards the park entrance.
She was momentarily stunned.
"Why did they suddenly disperse?"
"Yu Qing, it seems he saw us and decided to end the session," Liu Tongtong remarked, slightly furrowing her eyebrows.
Seeing Master Ma turning to leave, Zeng Shen understood why. He was avoiding a sparring session with Zeng Shen to save face in front of the elderly ladies.
"Wait for me, I know Master Ma. I'll ask him for help; it should be fine."
Li Yuqing snapped back, "Hurry then, hubby."
Zeng Shen nodded, activated an agility boost for double speed, and quickly caught up with Master Ma, much to the amazement of the two women.
"Master Ma, why do you always run when you see me?" Zeng Shen smiled.
Master Ma stammered, "Who, who said I was running? I'm just heading back to clean the club."
"But the last sparring session was postponed. How about we continue it now?"
"Another day, another day," Master Ma waved his hand in refusal.
Zeng Shen chuckled internally and said, "Another day, then. But I actually need your help today."
"What is it?"
"My girlfriend wants to shoot a video and hopes you can lead your Tai Chi group as the background."
"I'm busy." Master Ma waved dismissively.
"Busy? Then let's spar now. I want to test the skills I've been practicing at the club."
Zeng Shen clenched his fists, moving slightly towards Master Ma.
"Ah, no, don't come closer. With your speed, my skills are no match for you." Master Ma was startled, his old legs trembling as he stumbled to the ground.
[Host demonstrates unmatched valor, suppressing a Tier 3 Fire Deity, survival points +100.]
Hearing the notification, Zeng Shen was amused and continued pretending to insist on sparring, "How will you know unless you try?"
"Fine, fine, I'll help you."
"Master Ma, you should have said so from the start."
Zeng Shen grinned, helping the sweaty Master Ma to his feet, and led him to the center of the park square.
Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong stood in the square's center, surrounded by the elderly ladies who hadn't left.
"Young lady, you look beautiful in that hanfu. Are you shooting a movie?"
"It's probably for a short video," one of the ladies guessed.
"Short videos are really popular on Dou Yin."
"Hehe."
Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong politely dealt with the curious ladies.
"Hey, Master Ma, you're back. Oh, the young man is here too. Are you two going to spar?"
An elderly lady asked upon seeing Master Ma and Zeng Shen approach.
Hearing "spar," Master Ma quickly said, "Another day, another day. I need your help today."
"What do you need, Master Ma?" An elderly lady asked, leading a few others forward.
At that moment, Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong turned, seeing Zeng Shen bringing Master Ma over.
The two women approached.
"This is Master Ma, and he's agreed to help us," Zeng Shen introduced.
Li Yuqing addressed Master Ma, "Thank you, Master Ma."
"Mm," Master Ma reluctantly agreed, then told the elderly ladies, "This young man and his girlfriend want to shoot a short video with our Tai Chi practice as the background. They hope we can help."
"Oh, we'll be in the background? Then we'll be famous too."
"Yeah."
The elderly ladies chatted excitedly but quickly organized into their Tai Chi formations under Master Ma's guidance.
Li Yuqing and Liu Tongtong began their chase scene, running past the Tai Chi practitioners.
Zeng Shen picked up the camera and started filming.
They repeated the shoot three times.
Only then did Zeng Shen call it a wrap and approach Master Ma, pulling him aside and whispering, "Master Ma, I thought about it. How about we spar anyway, so I don't have to come looking for you every day?"
"Didn't you say no sparring today?"
"But I noticed you don't seem to need to return to the club."
"Who said that? I'm heading back right now." Master Ma stammered and turned to flee through the park's back gate.
[Congratulations, host! Successfully repelled a Tier 3 Fire Deity, survival points +100.]
Satisfied with the notification, Zeng Shen left the park square with the two exhausted women.
Outside the Gathering Spirit Building.
"I have something to do in the north of the city this afternoon, so I won't be going up," Zeng Shen said.
Yawning, Li Yuqing wrapped her arms around Liu Tongtong and leaned against her, "Alright then, hubby, you handle the video editing. Tongtong and I will go catch up on some sleep."
"Okay, I'll sen
d it to you in a few days when it's done," Zeng Shen said, then remembered the skilled mechanical maid Xiao Ai and added, "Maybe I can show you tonight.