I Like Sparring Too

Yinghai was a chain brand with three gyms in Fallen Blossom City.

Its largest flagship location stood near the downtown plaza, covering nearly ten thousand square meters. Its imposing presence was no less impressive than the commercial complex beside it.

At that moment, Li Qingshan and Zhao Hongzhou were inside the flagship store.

"Qingshan, I knew from the start that you were no ordinary man."

"Sure enough, the moment you entered the Martial Arts Class, you soared straight to the top."

The balding middle-aged manager smiled warmly, acting as though they were old acquaintances.

"Manager Zhou, you're too kind. I still have to thank you for looking after me back then."

Li Qingshan smiled and reached out to shake his hand.

Zhao Hongzhou stood frozen in place, his gaze shifting back and forth between their smiling faces.

Manager Zhou was the flagship store's HR manager.

When he and Li Qingshan had worked here before, they had only crossed paths a few times. They did not know each other at all.

While Zhao Hongzhou was still dazed, a bottle of low-grade nutrient solution was shoved into his hand.

"Zhao Hongzhou, you did well this time. You can bring more outstanding classmates over in the future," Manager Zhou said, patting Zhao Hongzhou on the shoulder.

"Yinghai is more than willing to provide a platform for these rising martial artists and help pave their martial paths."

"Manager, I..."

Zhao Hongzhou's face immediately reddened. He nervously glanced at Li Qingshan and was about to refuse.

He had not brought Li Qingshan here for a reward.

Seeing Zhao Hongzhou about to hand back the nutrient solution, Li Qingshan quickly interrupted him.

"What are you looking at me for? Thank Manager Zhou."

"No need, no need."

Manager Zhou waved a hand and got to the point.

"Qingshan, as the top student of this year's Martial Arts Class, how about I set your lesson fee at 1,500?"

"1,500?" Li Qingshan was taken aback.

Were there really that many suckers these days?

"If you think it's too low, I can raise it a little more!"

"No, no, I'm not saying it's too low."

Li Qingshan hurriedly waved his hands and asked,

"Manager Zhou, I just entered the Martial Arts Class. Will anyone actually buy my lessons?"

At 1,500 per lesson, two hours a day would be enough for him to buy a bottle of nutrient solution.

Of course, that was assuming anyone bought his lessons.

"Hehe, you're underestimating the value of being first in the Martial Arts Class."

Manager Zhou waved his hand, full of confidence.

"Don't worry. Your lessons will definitely be in high demand, and Yinghai won't take a single cut."

These days, truly talented martial artists were all in the New Continent.

As for the martial artists who remained in the Old Continent,

to put it bluntly, aside from martial arts teachers scattered across the country, the rest were all weaklings.

Under such circumstances, publicity gimmicks mattered far more than actual strength.

Li Qingshan did not know how the other party planned to make money, but a win-win arrangement was naturally for the best.

"Pleasure doing business with you!"

Just then, a burst of noisy shouting came from the front desk.

"I don't care! You have to change my coach!"

"I bought lessons to learn martial arts, not to practice radio calisthenics somewhere else!"

Someone causing trouble?

Li Qingshan turned his head to look.

He saw a chubby child with a backpack, around twelve or thirteen years old, clinging to the front desk counter and refusing to back down.

Manager Zhou's expression changed, and he hurried toward the front desk.

Li Qingshan nudged Zhao Hongzhou with his elbow and asked,

"How's your 'client'? They're not all as hard to deal with as that little fatty, are they?"

"My client is a little girl. She's very obedient."

Zhao Hongzhou looked toward the front desk helplessly.

"Besides, that little fatty is one of a kind even in this store."

Li Qingshan raised a brow, intrigued.

"How so?"

"His name is Cao Shaoyu. He just started middle school this year, loves fantasizing about being a hero, and gets into fights every day."

"He's already changed coaches several times and hasn't been satisfied with any of them."

Clearly, this was not the first time such a scene had played out.

"That's pretty interesting."

Li Qingshan shrugged, folded his arms across his chest, and watched the show.

Whether Cao Shaoyu came from an influential Household or Manager Zhou simply had excellent professional ethics,

Manager Zhou kept bowing and nodding with a placating smile.

But Cao Shaoyu was having none of it.

"A refund? Did I come here asking for money? I came here to learn martial arts!"

Cao Shaoyu's face flushed red with anger. He raised a chubby swollen finger and pointed at the sign on the wall.

"Is this how Yinghai does business? You don't even have a decent coach?"

"I don't want a refund. I'll pay more. If 1,000 per lesson isn't enough, then make it 1,500... no, 2,000!"

"Find me a coach worth 2,000 per lesson to teach me martial arts!"

Zhao Hongzhou shook his head as he watched, speechless.

"What martial arts? This little brat just wants to fight!"

He was tempted by the 2,000 lesson fee too, but he did not have the ability to teach him.

"Well, isn't that convenient?"

A soft chuckle sounded.

Before Zhao Hongzhou could react, Li Qingshan had already walked straight toward the front desk.

"I'll take this job."

"Qingshan, this..."

Manager Zhou rubbed his hands together, hesitating.

"Don't talk!"

Cao Shaoyu impatiently cut him off. He looked up at Li Qingshan with suspicion.

"Can you really teach me martial arts? The real kind of martial arts!"

As he spoke, Cao Shaoyu gestured with both hands, looking rather comical.

"Whether it's real martial arts, I don't know."

Li Qingshan smiled, reached out, and lightly tapped Cao Shaoyu's forehead, where a bluish bruise was visible.

"But at the very least, I can teach you how to fight."

"Ah!"

Cao Shaoyu covered his forehead and shrank his neck, but his face lit up with delight.

"Alright, alright, Coach. I'll learn martial arts from you from now on."

The deal was settled, and the trouble had been resolved, yet there was not much joy on Manager Zhou's face.

After hesitating slightly, he leaned close to Li Qingshan and lowered his voice.

"Qingshan, why don't you reconsider? Cao Shaoyu's case is a little troublesome."

"Teaching a little brat is nothing." Li Qingshan shook his head casually.

"If he's still dissatisfied, we can just refund his money."

"The trouble I mean isn't this little brat!" Manager Zhou's expression tightened, and his voice rose considerably.

"Who are you calling a little brat, Zhou?"

Cao Shaoyu immediately jumped up, protesting.

"It wasn't easy for me to find a coach. Don't ruin it for me."

Manager Zhou ignored Cao Shaoyu. Looking at Li Qingshan, he said seriously,

"The coach Cao Shaoyu wants to replace is named Yu Zhuo. He's a second-year student in the Martial Arts Class—your senior."

Each Martial Arts Class lasted three years.

In the first year, any high school senior could apply, so their strength varied greatly.

But to remain for the second year, one needed to be at least at the Body Tempering Third Stage.

"A senior?" Li Qingshan raised his brows, becoming much more serious.

"Is Yu Zhuo very strong? But I'm not exactly stealing his client, am I?"

"Yu Zhuo is at the Body Tempering Third Stage. As for whether he's strong..."

Manager Zhou glanced at Li Qingshan, leaving the implication unspoken.

Although the Body Tempering Third Stage was merely the threshold for the second year, it was still not something Li Qingshan, a freshman who had only entered the Martial Arts Class a month ago, could compare to.

At the end of the day, being first among freshmen was only a gimmick.

However, Manager Zhou noticed that Li Qingshan did not seem to understand what he meant. There was not the slightest hint of nervousness on his face.

"Even if you aren't stealing his client, Yu Zhuo has always been domineering. Once he finds out, he'll probably come looking to 'spar' with you," Manager Zhou said earnestly.

"Our store has no authority to interfere with private 'sparring' between martial artists. Even the Patrol Bureau won't get involved as long as no one is seriously injured."

"And you're both in the Martial Arts Class. When the time comes, you won't even be able to avoid him."

Earlier, they had decided to refund Cao Shaoyu's money not only because the little fatty was troublesome, but also because of Yu Zhuo.

There were only so many personal trainers in the store. No one else would provoke Yu Zhuo over a single client.

"Coach Yu is a little scary..."

After hearing this, Cao Shaoyu shrank his neck, but he had made up his mind to change coaches.

"At worst, I won't ask for a refund on the remaining lessons with Coach Yu."

Cao Shaoyu shouted loudly, while his gaze swept toward Li Qingshan. He was afraid this new coach would be scared off by Yu Zhuo and refuse to take him on.

"Is this about whether you get a refund?" Manager Zhou shook his head helplessly.

"You're still young. You don't understand the adult world. This is about pride."

Cao Shaoyu had paid Yu Zhuo 1,000 per lesson, then immediately switched coaches and raised the lesson fee to 2,000.

To Yu Zhuo, would that not be a slap in the face?

Cao Shaoyu did not understand. He irritably rubbed his hair.

"I just want to change coaches. Why is it so troublesome?"

"Actually, it's not troublesome at all. Manager Zhou is just overthinking it."

Li Qingshan found it amusing and reached out to smooth his hair.

"I'm not Yu Zhuo's father. Why should I worry about saving his face just to take a client?"

Li Qingshan turned to Manager Zhou and casually asked,

"Is Yu Zhuo in the store right now?"

"He is." Manager Zhou nodded blankly, not understanding why.

"Lead the way. I happen to like 'sparring' too."