In the locker room, the atmosphere was much livelier than usual.
Many colleagues were surrounding Fang Cheng, talking and laughing.
Chen Xiaohai was vividly describing the previous test scenario, using both hands for gestures, and recounting the shocked reactions of coaches and students.
It was as if he was the one assessed on the field, enjoying the admiration and cheers of everyone.
Fang Cheng sat quietly among the crowd, wiping his damp hair with a towel.
About his wish to become a sparring partner, and his exceptional performance during the assessment.
It could be said that almost all the staff at the club were aware.
Just now, after taking a shower and returning to the locker room.
Two ladies from the marketing department even waved their fists at him, cheering him on.
At the moment, the noise around his ears made the locker room feel like a bustling market.
Colleagues from other departments kept running over, looking at him as if he was a rare animal.
After all, it was unprecedented for a regular club employee to transition into a sparring partner role and break the assessment records.
This left Fang Cheng somewhat speechless.
Honestly, he didn't like the feeling of being overly noticed.
As 1 o'clock passed, and the lunch break ended.
People gradually returned to their positions, leaving a moment of peace.
Because the Sanda department had no classes scheduled until three o'clock.
And immediately after, there was a large group class for Karate.
So Fang Cheng followed Chen Xiaohai to training hall number 2 to familiarize himself with the environment.
Perhaps his incredible performance earlier had left a deep impression on the students.
Seeing Fang Cheng approach, they whispered to each other or saluted with focused gazes.
Especially some professional fighters practicing their punches looked at Fang Cheng with eager eyes.
As if implying, "This kid is good, definitely a faultless choice for a sparring partner in the future."
"If that's really what they think, then that's a good thing..."
Fang Cheng slightly smiled, secretly adjusting his mindset to adapt to his new role.
Chen Xiaohai walked ahead, talking nonstop.
Mainly introducing some permanent equipment in the second hall, and the special rules of the Karate area.
While talking, he suddenly paused, his gaze drifting towards the entrance.
"Ah Cheng, quick, look, it's him!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiaohai's hushed shout, Fang Cheng immediately followed his gaze.
He saw a man stepping towards them.
Broad and sturdy in build, with a striking bald head and a face full of horizontal flesh, his eyes looking straight ahead, appearing quite fierce.
Following behind him were two men wearing suits and ties, looking like assistants.
Helping with carrying two heavy black outdoor training bags.
Obviously containing various specialized protective gear and fitness equipment.
"It's that Karate master from Japan, Shijima Gorou..."
Chen Xiaohai lowered his voice again.
Seeing the person walking closer, he quickly stepped aside as if avoiding something perilous.
The Japanese player didn't even deign to give them a proper look, his expression cold and full of attitude.
He walked straight to the middle of the ring, changed into a black-belted dojo uniform in public, and began training.
Chen Xiaohai had his own job to attend to.
Fang Cheng simply stayed, watching the other's training with great interest.
He first practiced a set of highly expansive "kata," as a warm-up routine.
Equivalent to the set practices in traditional martial arts, it included various fixed attack and defense techniques.
With each punch and kick, exhaling loudly, every gesture and step displayed immense strength.
After completing the kata, he moved on to strength training.
The main activity was doing fist push-ups, 50 in one set.
In total, he completed four sets, showing he still had plenty of stamina.
Fang Cheng had yet to start practicing advanced moves like fist push-ups.
Watching this scene, he couldn't help but compare himself with the other.
After continuously kicking a sandbag and breaking wooden boards with palm strikes, Shijima Gorou began sparring with training partners.
Fang Cheng watched intently from the side.
This time's training partner was a new face.
Seemingly a professional Karate player recently recruited by the club.
Unlike Fang Cheng, who mainly served as a "human target" as a junior sparring partner.
He could also provide advanced services of offensive and defensive drills with the employer.
Overall, the movement techniques were pretty, but there was a lack of physical strength.
Every confrontation always put him at a disadvantage, being relentlessly kicked away by Shijima Gorou or subjected to throwing techniques.
Fortunately, he was wearing a full set of protective gear, otherwise he probably couldn't last even a few minutes.
Looking at Shijima Gorou again, his movements were fierce, his expression ferocious, he was simply a fighting maniac.
Gradually, the sparring partner was clearly running out of stamina and signaled with his hand that he needed a pause to rest.
But Shijima Gorou ignored this, continued to stride forward, and suddenly grabbed the other's belt.
He even directly lifted him up with both arms, attempting to execute a "Waist Back Strike."
Seeing such a dangerous move, Shen Haoming, who was on guard at the side, hurriedly shouted to intervene.
He quickly took a step forward like an arrow, leaped onto the ring, and with a momentum, he collided and embraced to interrupt the opponent's action.
Shijima Gorou staggered from the impact.
Although he dropped the person he had lifted, he counteracted by grasping the neck and head of Shen Haoming, who embraced him.
With force in his arms, his facial muscles twisted and his eyes bloodshot and reddening.
It was as if he harbored deep hatred against Shen Haoming, intending to strangle him to death with the "Guillotine" move.
Shen Haoming gasped for air, relentlessly twisting Shijima Gorou's wrists, continuously punching his abdomen, but it seemed to have no effect.
"Does this guy have a mental problem?"
Fang Cheng, watching from the side, frowned slightly, somewhat surprised.
Chen Xiaohai said that Shijima Gorou had participated in KFC, apparently disqualified due to failing a drug test, and was indefinitely banned from competition.
"I also think he's not normal. If this guy has a wife, he's definitely a domestic abuser!"
Just as someone was being thought of, that person's voice suddenly came from the side.
It turned out that the group class over there had already ended, so he finally had time to come over and watch the drama.
"How about it, scared? You can still back out now."
Chen Xiaohai, with a slightly teasing tone, looked at Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng did not answer, but instead questioned:
"Between Coach Shen and Shijima Gorou, who is stronger?"
Chen Xiaohai pursed his lips: "See for yourself."
The chaotic brawl on the stage lasted for a dozen seconds.
Finally, with the full effort of two assistants and another coach, Shijima Gorou was forcibly made to let go.
He stood there dazed, panting heavily.
As for Coach Shen, he lay on the ring like a salted fish, eyes rolling back, almost fainting.
Fang Cheng shook his head, then asked Chen Xiaohai again:
"How long has Shijima Gorou been ?"
"Since he came here, but it seems that the frequency of his manic episodes has increased recently."
A sudden shout interrupted the private conversation between the two.
Fang Cheng looked up, the voice came from the ring.
Shijima Gorou, with an angry point and fierce gaze, was looking over here, his mouth babbling.
He resembled an untamed beast still possessing brute force, nowhere to unleash it.
Fang Cheng didn't understand Japanese.
Due to work reasons, Chen Xiaohai did know a few sentences, so he roughly explained.
Someone told Shijima Gorou that Fang Cheng was a new sparring partner, hence Shijima Gorou asked Fang Cheng to come up quickly and spar with him.
Hearing this, Fang Cheng was stunned.
He indeed was quite eager to match up with this Japanese player to enhance his Skill Experience.
However, since a formal contract had not been signed yet.
In the event anything happens during the period, it's unclear who would be responsible, so it's better not to act recklessly.
"Xiao Hai, translate this for me."
After considering for a moment, Fang Cheng then had Chen Xiaohai relay a message:
"Tell him not to hurry, his wish will soon be fulfilled."
After saying that, Fang Cheng lost interest in continuing to watch.
He turned and left Training Hall 2, completely ignoring the shouting behind him.
Chen Xiaohai was stunned, not understanding the intentions, but still translated faithfully.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps of large skyscrapers, casting beams on the venue floor, forming several pale areas.
As Fang Cheng passed by here, he raised his head to look at the cityscape outside the window.
A pale blue screen appeared in the air, making his eyes especially bright and piercing.