NOVEL NEXT Chapter 272: Mind Shaken
The waiting area.
Huang Jun was stretching his muscles in every part with the help of his partner to prevent cramps when posing on stage.
While he was bending over to stretch his back, a shadow loomed over his head.
He looked up in confusion to see a tall, burly man with narrow eyes standing beside him.
"Wang Xiao?"
Wang Xiao was one of Huang Jun's main rivals, and Huang Jun and his coach had specifically analyzed Wang Xiao's condition. So even though he had never met Wang Xiao before, he recognized his face immediately.
"Mr. Huang Jun, I've heard a lot about you."
Wang Xiao smiled slightly, his already narrow eyes curving into two arcs, revealing a sharp glint.
Though Wang Xiao seemed to be smiling, it inexplicably made Huang Jun uncomfortable.
Seeing Wang Xiao reaching out his hand, Huang Jun stood up, extended his hand, and shook Wang Xiao's hand politely. "Hello."
Wang Xiao glanced at Huang Jun's muscles and condition, noticing the sharply defined lines due to low body fat, squinted his eyes slightly, and said, "You look better in person than in your videos."
"Those videos are from half a month ago."
Huang Jun explained with a smile, "I've been doing a final sprint for the past half month, so of course, I'm in better shape now than half a month ago."
"Is that so?"
Wang Xiao smiled lightly, "That's really a pity then."
With that, he turned and prepared to leave.
But seeing Wang Xiao leaving such a cryptic comment, Huang Jun couldn't help but frown and ask, "Pity about what?"
Wang Xiao turned back to look at Huang Jun, still maintaining a slight smile, "Pity that you can only get second place because I'm going to be first."
Hearing this, Huang Jun's eyebrows shot up, his previously gentle aura instantly transforming as if a wild beast was about to burst out from within.
He then slightly raised the corners of his mouth, his eyes gradually exuding a confident and strong air, "Is that so? I think I'm going to be first."
"You think?"
Wang Xiao looked at him like a child who had never seen the world, with a mocking smile in his eyes, shook his head, and said, "It's not what you think, it's what the judges think. You'd better stick to being an internet celebrity. It's best not to participate in competitions of this scale."
With that, Wang Xiao seemed to disdain continuing the conversation, turned around, and walked to the other side.
As Huang Jun stared at Wang Xiao's broad back, he suddenly spoke again, laughing loudly, "What is it? Are you afraid that if I participate, you'll never win the championship again?
To be honest, I don't think you're really up to the challenge."
As his words fell, Wang Xiao paused, and those around who noticed the tension here all turned their heads, settling into a silent 'watch and see' mode.
For a moment, the entire waiting area grew much quieter.
After a brief silence, Wang Xiao slowly turned his head, still smiling, but the sneer and animosity in his narrow eyes were now undisguised.
He slowly curled his lips, his dry skin wrinkling into lines, and coldly said, "Really? If in this competition, you place after me, I hope you bring your camera and come to my gym to bow and apologize."
"I won't apologize."
"Afraid? Don't dare to bet?"
"No, because I won't lose to someone weaker than me."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao's face darkened, almost unable to restrain the anger surging within him.
If Huang Jun were weaker than him, Wang Xiao could ignore his teasing.
But if Huang Jun were stronger, what he said would be true, and the truth always hurts the most.
Huang Jun's words shredded Wang Xiao's pride and dignity like countless hands.
But fortunately, Wang Xiao knew it wasn't the right time to cause trouble. After struggling to calm his anger, he nodded coldly,
"Alright, alright, I hope you can maintain this confidence after the competition."
Watching Wang Xiao leave, Huang Jun withdrew his strong, dominant air, sat back down, and closed his eyes to rest.
He didn't care about Wang Xiao's words because, from the bottom of his heart, he truly believed he wouldn't lose.
But his partner behind him, witnessing this, showed a conflicted expression, hesitated to speak, and eventually could only sigh helplessly, saying nothing more.
Although he didn't say anything, the others around began discussing animatedly.
"Wang Xiao and Huang Jun directly clashed in the waiting area, amazing! Damn, I forgot to record it. If I had, it would definitely go viral."
"Even though both are strong contenders for the championship, Wang Xiao will probably secure a top three spot, but barring any surprises, Huang Jun should be first.
His condition is incredible, no wonder he was trained by a foreign coach. I heard he spent nearly one million preparing for this competition."
"So what if he spent nearly one million? Wang Xiao's mentor, Hu Li, is one of the judges. You know what Hu Li is like, famous for being biased. If Huang Jun hadn't fought for the championship with Wang Xiao, it would have been fine. But now, I bet one hundred percent that Hu Li will be biased."
"Damn? Hu Li is a judge? That's a tricky situation. Jun God's championship is probably gone, and that one million is wasted... The professional bodybuilding industry is really tough."
"Hu Li?"
Hearing the discussions around him vaguely, Huang Jun suddenly opened his eyes wide, turned to look at his male companion beside him, "Is what they're saying true?"
His companion wore a troubled expression, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly nodded, "Yes, Brother Shun was afraid of affecting your mindset, so he didn't let me tell you."
Seeing the nod, Huang Jun's pupils trembled slightly, his chest heaving up and down.
Just as Zhou Shun had anticipated, his previously unshakeable confidence was now faltering.
It's not that his mindset wasn't strong enough, but in this circle, Hu Li had done similar things multiple times before.