Chapter 96: Invitation
Looking at Instructor Kang's amiable smile, Zhang Beixing realized the situation was developing somewhat differently from what he had envisioned. Initially, seeing the other's stern expression, Zhang Beixing had thought Instructor Kang was coming to pick a fight. He figured that after Instructor Kang finished teaching those sports students a lesson, it would be his turn.
But unexpectedly, once those sports students had left and Zhang Beixing turned back around, Instructor Kang's expression had completely changed. Not only was he smiling at him, but he also proactively reached out to say hello.
"Instructor Kang, hello. I've long admired your reputation. My name is Zhang Beixing."
As the saying goes, you don't hit a smiling face. Instructor Kang showed Zhang Beixing respect, and naturally, Zhang Beixing couldn't maintain a grim expression. So, he extended his hand, shook Instructor Kang's, and stated his name.
Hearing this, Instructor Kang's smile grew even wider. He sized up Zhang Beixing and said with a laugh, "Student Zhang, your physical condition is truly impressive. I saw you keeping up with this bunch of rascals all day and still had energy to spare. Were you a track and field athlete before?"
"Not really," Zhang Beixing shook his head, feeling rather puzzled. He was nothing more than a sports enthusiast, driven by his interests. But whether it was Sophia Zhou, a sports student, or Instructor Kang, the head instructor, their first question upon approaching him was always, 'Are you an athlete?' WTF? Is the relationship between these two so inseparable?
"Instructor Kang, why do you ask that?"
Upon hearing his question, Instructor Kang didn't hide anything and stated directly, "Because your abilities are just too good! You have strength, endurance, and explosive power when needed. Each of your abilities is outstanding; you have no weaknesses. Achieving this level without professional training is very difficult, which is why I asked if you were a sports student."
Having laid out the situation clearly, Zhang Beixing finally understood. To put it bluntly, he was just too damn strong now—so strong that it was beyond what a normal person should be capable of. That's why they couldn't help but think of him as an athlete. Sigh! Can't be helped; sometimes being too excellent is like this.
With his confusion dispelled, Zhang Beixing felt a lot more clear-headed. He smiled at Instructor Kang and asked, "Speaking of which, Instructor Kang, besides asking me about this, was there something else you came for?"
"Of course!" Upon hearing Zhang Beixing's words, Instructor Kang smiled slightly and then revealed his purpose for seeking him out. "I want to hire you as a training partner."
"Ah?" Zhang Beixing was momentarily stunned by this. He raised an eyebrow and sized up Instructor Kang. He really couldn't tell. Instructor Kang, over thirty years old, still possessed the desire to keep getting stronger. But... are you sure that having someone like me, who isn't even an athlete, accompany you, a former national-level athlete, in training will actually help you? Zhang Beixing's expression became somewhat odd as he looked at Instructor Kang.
Instructor Kang naturally noticed this and immediately realized Zhang Beixing had gotten the wrong idea. So he spoke up, explaining, "Student Zhang, you've misunderstood. I want to hire you as a training partner, not to train with me, but with the students I'm training!"
"Oh, oh, so that's how it is!" Zhang Beixing suddenly realized. He thought as much. As a former national-level athlete, Instructor Kang wouldn't ask someone like him, who wasn't even considered a sports student, to be his training partner. It turned out he wanted to hire him to be a training partner for this group of sports students.
"Although I've never tried group... multi-person instruction before, it shouldn't be too difficult, but..." As he spoke, Zhang Beixing rubbed his fingers together, his meaning perfectly clear—he needed more money!
After all, there were over thirty people attending the training camp at Shi University. Zhang Beixing wouldn't only have to train with these thirty-odd people, but he would also need to help them identify their weaknesses and refine their training plans. The workload was far too immense to be described simply as 'large.' Even the donkeys on the production team wouldn't be this exhausted. If they didn't give him a raise, well, then there was nothing more to discuss. The conversation would end right there, and as for the future... there would be no future. Those kinds of cursed scoundrels don't live long. Best case scenario, they'd walk out the door and get hit by a semi-truck with full insurance. Worst case, they'd be struck by lightning and damned for eternity, never to be reborn! Just like that cursed boss from Zhang Beixing's previous life. He was always rambling on about 'blessings' and 'contributing to the company.' But the moment salary increases or paychecks were mentioned, he'd conveniently disappear. And he absolutely loved calling emergency meetings just minutes before the end of the workday. He'd insist on dragging out trivial matters that could be resolved with a single sentence for what felt like two excruciating hours. As employees, we had to provide feedback; if we didn't, he'd just repeat himself. When it was finally time to leave work, eh, it was as if he had an old camera trained on you. Whether you were out with friends, tucked into bed, or starting a game, his messages would come flooding in. And therefore, Zhang Beixing, during his time working in his past life, constantly wished that old bastard would just drop dead. But alas, he himself died of liver cancer before that could happen. That scoundrel remained untouched.
Damn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. If his company weren't already bankrupt, I'd damn well take a cab over there and beat the living daylights out of that son of a bitch! Let him taste the iron fist of communism and string him up on a lamppost!
Remembering the incredibly frustrating experiences from his past life, Zhang Beixing's face darkened. His darkening expression wasn't a big deal in itself, but it caught Instructor Kang, who was standing opposite him, completely off guard.
What's going on? Why did your face suddenly fall when we were talking just fine? Instructor Kang didn't understand the situation. He pondered for a moment before asking, "Uh, Student Zhang, what's... what's the matter?"
"It's nothing, just thought of something rather unpleasant. Don't worry about it. Let's continue. Instructor Kang, what's your offer?"
"Five hundred! Five hundred yuan an hour," Instructor Kang said. The fact that a former national athlete like him was recruited as the head instructor for the intensive training showed that the city leaders were taking the provincial competition at the end of the month very seriously. Consequently, they had granted Instructor Kang considerable authority, and using this money to hire Zhang Beixing was well within his budget.
Hearing the price he named, Zhang Beixing's eyes gleamed, and he agreed without a second thought.
Seeing this, Instructor Kang didn't dilly-dally; he immediately booked Zhang Beixing for a full three-hour training session for the day.
Looking at the 1,500 yuan that had just been transferred to his account, Zhang Beixing chuckled, put away his phone, and began the training. This was his first time training so many people at once. It was inevitable that there would be some hiccups, but thankfully, they were minor issues that Zhang Beixing quickly resolved on his own.
After bustling back and forth across the field for an hour, Zhang Beixing had mastered the technique of training multiple people simultaneously. In the subsequent training sessions, he handled everything with increasing ease.
「At one in the afternoon」
After finishing the day's training sessions, Zhang Beixing, as was his custom, went over to Lin Siqi's cart and casually took out a sports drink. He then leaned against the cart and started guzzling it down.
Although only three hours had passed, the amount of exercise during those three hours surpassed his usual full day's workout. This was evident from the three weight-bearing suggestion tasks he had completed. Now, his available Ability Points had recovered from 14.3 to 15.8. If he continued earning Ability Points at this rate, he could recoup all three Ability Points he had invested in the Northern Sect's Eight Pieces of Brocade by tomorrow.
...
Casually tearing open a bag of bread and stuffing it into his mouth to quiet his grumbling stomach, Zhang Beixing leaned against the small cart, remarking to Lin Siqi that earning five hundred yuan an hour wasn't exactly easy.
Just then, Instructor Kang walked over from outside the field, carrying a meal. He had bought this specifically for Zhang Beixing. Though the portion was smaller, only about a quarter of what Zhang Beixing usually ate, something was better than nothing.
Zhang Beixing took the meal from Instructor Kang and thanked him. Without caring about appearances, he headed straight for the stands, removed the plastic lid, bent his head down, and began to wolf it down.
Only after he had devoured all the food did Zhang Beixing look up, only to find that Instructor Kang had been standing beside him the entire time he was eating, just watching him.
Something's not right! Zhang Beixing wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and tossed the chopsticks into the food container. Looking at Instructor Kang, he asked, "Instructor Kang, is there something else you need?"
"Hey, it's nothing much. I was just observing your incredible stamina and wanted to ask if you've ever thought about becoming an athlete?"
While Zhang Beixing was training the sports students earlier, Instructor Kang had been watching him the entire time. Because of this, he had gained a more precise understanding of Zhang Beixing's strength and physical condition.
It was no exaggeration to say that with Zhang Beixing's current condition, if he were to apply to become an athlete, he would be deemed Entry Level right from the start. After professional training and about a year and a half of development, becoming a first-class athlete wouldn't be difficult. If he put in a bit more effort, it wasn't impossible for him to even reach the Olympic Games stage in the future and win glory for the country!
Instructor Kang had practically written Zhang Beixing's future script for him.
But...
"No. I'm just a sports enthusiast who does it for fun. I have absolutely no interest in becoming an athlete!" Zhang Beixing didn't hesitate at all. After hearing what Instructor Kang said, he replied immediately.
Upon hearing his words, Instructor Kang was completely befuddled. He even thought he might have misheard. So, he looked at Zhang Beixing and said again, "Uh, Student Zhang, I was talking about becoming an athlete, not just a sports student. Are you sure you're not interested in that at all?"