Chapter 354
: Exclusive Interview
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhang Zian first went back to the bedroom to put on his gray Chinese tunic suit. In fact, such a tight and inelastic suit was not suitable for practice, during which process the crotch might be split open at any second. But he looked more handsome in this suit…he had seen clearly that there were several beautiful and young foreign girls among the crowd.
He opened the door again. Having been prepared this time, he immediately displayed the fist-palm salute like a gentleman.
Another round of cheers and applause burst out. It was like this quiet neighborhood was enjoying Halloween again. Almost everyone raised their cell phones to take photos or record videos of him. Zhang Zian even noticed that there was a very professional reporter and a videographer.
The television industry in the United States was well-developed. There were so many television stations that even individuals could apply for television licenses. Judging from the shabby looks of the reporter and the videographer, who didn’t even have a special van with them, they probably were not from a national television station. Strategically, Zhang Zian disdained them; yet tactically, he still quietly straightened his suit…
As soon as she saw him, the female reporter immediately extended her microphone to him.
Hello, my name is Jane. I am a reporter from a local television station. I heard that you are a Kung Fu Master from China, is that correct? Can you accept our brief interview?
The female reporter was speaking very fast, but Zhang Zian was able to understand the gist of what she was saying. Although he had only been in the United States for a few days, he felt that his English proficiency had already improved greatly. After all, he was surrounded by English speakers, and such an immersive learning atmosphere was not replicable in China.
For the first time in his life, Zhang Zian was being interviewed by a reporter, a female reporter, so he was somewhat clumsy and restless. However, he was not responsible for speaking to her. Richard was not nervous at all, for it had previously been interviewed many times.
I am the Master. What do you want to ask? But please make it quick, I’m in a hurry.
said Richard, and Zhang Zian synchronized himself with its speaking.
Jane was relieved,
OK, how long have you been in the United States? How do you feel about it?
She wore a grey professional suit. She was mediocre-looking, but was full of enthusiasm and vitality.
A few days. The neighbors are very nice— they are very warm and hospitable, and I enjoy the life here.
Richard responded very well.
It is said that you practice Kung Fu here every morning, right? Will you practice it today?
Jane asked, her tone full of expectation. After all, she came here not only for the purpose of interviewing. If she could also record the Kung Fu practicing, it could help her gain appreciation from the boss of her television station—for no other peers in the industry were here currently. In other words, she had gotten an exclusive interview!
Exclusive interview! What a rare opportunity.
Of course,
said Richard affirmatively.
Hearing this, the spectators, who were worried that the show wouldn’t be performed, were finally relieved.
Great, can we shoot the whole process? I notice that everyone is looking forward to your performance, so it must be brilliant!
said Jane.
No, you’ve got it wrong,
rectified Richard, imitating the pretentious tone of Zhang Zian,
I’m not practicing Kung Fu for entertainment. I’m just following where my heart leads me to. Through mindful breathing, I can balance the five elements in my body, and absorb the Qi of the universe for my own sake. Through practicing martial arts, I can achieve the realm where I have become an integral part of nature.
Jane could barely understand what he said, but at least she learned that the Kung Fu Master was powerful. As for whether what he said was true or not, she didn’t care. She just wanted to attain a piece of big news.
Since it was early in the morning, Zhang Zian figured that the CFA Tournament could not have started so early. So, he walked slowly to the center of the lawn, closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and breathed mindfully.
Someone suddenly screamed,
Look there! Look at the lawn in front of the Master!
Following the sound, people looked at the lawn. The videographer also adjusted the focus, aiming at a patch of green grass in front of Zhang Zian.
Today’s weather was very good, without a bit of wind, but as Zhang Zian’s chest was heaving up and down, the patch of lawn seemed to be swaying back and forth—when Zhang Zian inhaled, the grass waved towards him; and when he exhaled, the grass waved towards the opposite direction.
The audience, including Jane, was stunned. In their eyes, it was Zhang Zian’s breathing that had caused such an abnormal phenomenon. In fact, it was Richard, who was fanning its wings…
Did you get it?
Jane asked the videographer nervously.
The videographer replied with an
OK
gesture.
What the hell was that? Magic? Supernatural powers? Aliens? Jane whispered inside her heart. When she went to Chinatown, she had seen some Chinese people perform martial arts, and sometimes even saw the monks from China perform the Hard Qigong by throwing a needle to shatter glass, but no one could make the grass a few feet away sway by breathing alone…
As the rising sunshine shone on the solemn face of Zhang Zian, and most importantly, with the people in his presence being in awe of him, he looked somewhat holy and pure.
After breathing for a few minutes, Zhang Zian jumped up, and put out all his efforts to perform a set of Wing Chun fighting methods.
Tim and Lauren also came out of the house, looking at their own lawn in distress—with Zhang Zian’s steps and his twisting body punching, kicking, and poking fingers, a string of clear footprints had been left on the lawn, and the snapped, broken leaves had been squashed into the mud. It seemed that mowing the lawn a few days ago was a waste of effort…
Finishing his practice, Zhang Zian retreated his fists to his sides and stood still. The applause and cheering he received were several times louder than that of yesterday.
It was getting late. He waved to Jane and the crowd, indicating that was it for today.
Richard said,
Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, I still have something to do. I need to go to the CFA competition. If I don’t leave now, it will be too late.
Zhang Zian asked Fina to come over, and took her into Tim’s minivan. He sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine, and Fina leapt to the passenger’s seat.
The audience felt very regretful and they reluctantly dispersed. There were people asking Tim and Lauren whether the performance would continue tomorrow. The couple said they were not clear.
Wait a minute!
Jane chased the vehicle, knocking on the window with her knuckles.
Zhang Zian rolled down the window glass,
What happened?
What did you say? CFA?
Jane curiously asked. She didn’t raise cats and had no idea what CFA was. Seeing that the Kung Fu Master from China was driving away immediately, she had no time to look it up herself— she could only come over and ask him directly.
Richard explained a little.
Jane ‘s pupils dilated. With her keen intuition as a journalist, she thought this may be a good subject—the multiple identities of the Chinese Kung Fu master? It seemed that it was a topic worthy for a follow-up and for her to delve further into.
Sir, do you mind if we go with you?
she asked.
I am also very interested in this race, and I promise I will not disturb you.
Of course, she was not interested in the cat game, she just said that to win the favor of Zhang Zian, so that he would agree to let her interview him about the whole process. The magical performance of Zhang Zian just now was really eye-opening to her, so she also had a strong curiosity about the truth, wanting to know more about this mysterious Chinese man. She had made up her mind that she would drive to follow him regardless of whether Zhang Zian agreed or not. She must not miss this rare opportunity, or she would be blamed severely by the boss when she returned to the television station.
Zhang Zian thought for a moment. He was fine with her following him. He was not sure whether CFA would agree to let her shoot, but it was not his business.
He nodded in agreement and pointed to the map that Tim had given him. Richard said knowingly,
Of course I don’t mind. I’m not familiar with the neighborhood, so if you can, please drive in front of me and I’ll follow you. Just go to the place marked on the map.
Jane took over the map and glanced at it, recognizing that the
x
was a stadium in the neighboring county.
No problem! Leave it up to me! I’ll go get my car!
Jane took the map and went to whisper with the accompanying videographer. The photographer, though somewhat dissatisfied with the extra work, was persuaded by her, at the cost of her buying lunch for him today.