Chapter Thirty-Four: A Legend Known as Chen Feng

Morning!

Chen Feng sprang out of bed with a swift turn. The sky was still dark, but every inch of his body brimmed with boundless energy. These days, Chen Feng no longer needed lengthy sleep; two or three hours of deep rest were enough to power him through the day. That brief period was all he required to maintain his vigor.

He patted his cheeks, then headed outside to jog around the neighborhood. Afterwards, he practiced Wing Chun, moving through its forms with discipline, until the first hints of dawn colored the sky. Returning home, Chen Feng showered and caught sight of himself in the mirror. Even he found it hard to believe—just a month ago, he was a completely different person.

The fat had vanished, replaced by lean, solid muscle. Unlike the explosive physique of a typical American superhero, Chen Feng’s body, shaped by Wing Chun, was compact and dense, built for powerful bursts. His skin glowed with a healthy bronze, radiating a masculine vitality.

His parents were still asleep. Chen Feng stretched, then went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Last night, he had gained the culinary prowess of Stephen Chow’s legendary chef character. Now, he couldn’t wait to test his new skills. As he entered the kitchen, his eyes scanned the shelves, quickly locating what he needed.

“Rice.” Chen Feng picked up a handful, rolling it between his fingers. A slight disappointment flickered across his face—the quality wasn’t ideal, but it would suffice. Searching through the kitchen, he soon gathered all necessary ingredients.

He set to work with practiced ease. Though he’d rarely cooked before, the kitchen felt as familiar as if he’d spent centuries immersed in its art. He rinsed the rice, opened the gas valve, and prepared the seasonings, waiting patiently.

About forty minutes later, Chen Feng brought out a pot of nourishing porridge just as his parents woke up. As they entered the living room, a delicate aroma greeted them, instantly stirring their senses. With just a whiff, they felt their spirits lift.

“Son, are you cooking?” his mother, Xiao Sufen, asked in surprise, seeing Chen Feng tidying up the dishes.

“Yes,” Chen Feng smiled at her. “Mom, try this—it’s a health porridge I made. You and Dad work so hard every day. Have a taste!”

“Oh? Chen Feng, when did you learn to cook?” his father, Chen Ze, looked at him in astonishment. After so many years together, Chen Ze had never known his son to cook. His words carried a hint of guilt—he and his wife were often busy with work, leaving little time to care for Chen Feng. Thankfully, their son was mature and understanding, easing their worries.

Lately, though, Chen Ze had noticed many changes. The most striking was that Chen Feng had slimmed down. He’d thought his son would be burdened by weight forever, but in just a month, Chen Feng had not only lost fat but gained muscle. His personality had grown brighter, shedding the old gloom, and now he’d even learned to cook.

Chen Ze tasted the porridge. With just one sip, a profound comfort spread through him, prompting him to take several more. Amazement lit his face. “This is delicious!”

“If you like it, have some more!” Seeing his father’s smile, Chen Feng felt a deep happiness. His parents had spent their lives working for him—their joy meant more than any personal achievement.

Breakfast was especially warm and pleasant. Though Chen Feng hadn’t prepared much, Chen Ze and his wife still felt reluctant to stop eating; the flavors lingered, unforgettable.

“Dad, Mom, there’s a match at the city sports center today. Can you come?” Chen Feng asked his father after breakfast.

“Are you playing?” Chen Ze hesitated, then shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I can’t afford to miss work today.”

Chen Feng was a little disappointed. He wanted his father to share this moment of excitement, but he understood—some things were beyond their control. His parents were thinking of his future.

Letting out a breath, Chen Feng silently resolved to find a way to earn money soon.

He wheeled his bicycle out and paused, surprised to see Fang Yue waiting by the roadside.

“Fang Yue, what brings you here?” Chen Feng asked, a bit taken aback. He sighed inwardly—last night’s events had clearly brought them closer. Truthfully, he didn’t mind Fang Yue, but he didn’t feel much romantic attraction toward her yet.

“I’m coming to watch your basketball game!” Fang Yue smiled brightly.

“All right.” Chen Feng nodded, and together they pedaled toward school. The ride was quiet; Fang Yue’s sudden confession the night before had left Chen Feng at a loss, and now the atmosphere between them was awkward.

They arrived at school without drawing much attention. Even as high schoolers, couples were common, especially among the basketball team—many girls liked boys who played.

As Chen Feng brought Fang Yue in, Lin Hang gave him a long, thoughtful look, then lowered his head in silence.

Chen Feng noticed Lin Hang’s odd behavior lately but didn’t dwell on it. They were never close, and Chen Feng didn’t care about his change.

The school bus departed.

Once again, the city sports center awaited.

“Chen Feng! Chen Feng!”

As he entered the court, cheers erupted. Chen Feng had gained a measure of fame; he’d accumulated a small group of fans. Most importantly, shedding his old appearance, he now looked handsome—many girls admired him.

Hearing the crowd, Chen Feng only smiled. Repeated matches had built his confidence; the timid boy he once was had faded, replaced by a bright, self-assured presence.

The game began!

Suddenly, the referee’s whistle sounded, and the basketball soared into the air. Pang Chenghao leaped, hooked the ball with his right hand, and sent it straight to Chen Feng. With the ball in hand, Chen Feng dashed toward the opposing defense.

“Stop him! Stop him!” The captain of the Thirteenth High basketball team roared, but it was futile. Chen Feng moved like lightning, reaching the basket in the blink of an eye.

Now, slimmed down, Chen Feng was stronger, faster, and jumped higher—far more formidable than before.

He leapt and dunked.

A thunderous crash echoed, startling everyone like a bolt of lightning. Fang Yue clenched her fists, excitement written on her face.

She truly felt that Chen Feng was handsome.

Indeed, athletic boys were the most endearing.

Opening with a dunk, Chen Feng instantly ignited the crowd. Throughout the game, First High dominated Thirteenth High with overwhelming force. The match was hopelessly one-sided; in skill and momentum, Thirteenth High couldn’t compete.

One person led the entire team.

Years later, across Jiangzhou’s high schools, a legend persisted—

The legend of Chen Feng.

(This story isn’t a sports novel, so I won’t delve further into basketball. It's a wish-fulfillment tale—if you insist on nitpicking, there’s nothing I can do. Chapters 28–31 have been slightly revised; some readers were right, letting Luo Wenhao off so easily was too generous, so I made adjustments. I hope you’ll be satisfied, and I continue to ask for your support!)