“Everyone, train seriously! No slacking off! There are only four slots left for the competition. Whoever performs best will represent the school!”

In the gym, Guo Xiangyuan had dropped his usual lenient approach, now strictly supervising the team’s training.

The final exams had just ended and in mid-summer break, the Martial Arts Team would face the most important competition of the year.

This martial arts competition was jointly hosted by eight middle schools in the district.

It was scheduled for August 1st.

So, in the month leading up to the competition, Guo Xiangyuan gathered the team back for intensive training at school.

Based on their performance during training, four players would be chosen to represent the school.

While Guo Xiangyuan supervised the seven teammates in grueling training, Lin Zichen—already guaranteed a competition spot—trained Shen Qinghan on the side.

Since Shen Qinghan had decided to attend the Martial Arts Class in high school, Lin Zichen created a summer training plan to improve her physical fitness.

To avoid affecting her growth, the plan wasn’t too intense. Each day’s training included only:

A 3000-meter jog to build stamina.
One hour of martial arts techniques to improve fighting skills.
Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, pull-ups and other muscle training, just ten or so reps each, enough to toughen the body slightly.

That was all.

But even so, Shen Qinghan, whose body was on the weaker side, found it difficult.

Just after training, she collapsed on the ground, panting heavily and drenched in sweat.

“Hanhan, well done. You’ve completed today’s training task too.”

Lin Zichen twisted the cap off a sports drink and handed it to her, affirming her effort.

Shen Qinghan took it and drank a few gulps, still breathing unevenly, “Xiao Chen, training is so tiring, much harder than studying.”

“Of course, it makes you sweat.” Lin Zichen laid out a yoga mat, knelt beside it and said, “Come, lie down and spread your legs a bit. I’ll relax your muscles.”

Obediently, Shen Qinghan lay down, spreading her slender legs slightly.

Seeing this, Lin Zichen began massaging her muscles skillfully.

Maybe because he pressed too hard, stimulating the sore muscles too much, Shen Qinghan let out shy muffled sounds, gripping the mat tightly, her face showing strain.

Sometimes, unable to endure it, she begged him to be gentler.

But he couldn’t.

To quickly flush out the lactic acid, force was needed, otherwise it wouldn’t work.

He massaged her calves, thighs, then arms, going over almost her whole body in just ten minutes.

Feeling it was enough, he handed her a clean set of clothes from his bag, “Go shower. After that, let’s head home.”

“Mm, I’ll be quick.” Shen Qinghan, feeling refreshed, got up, took the clothes and went to the changing room.

After training, she always enjoyed Lin Zichen’s massages. Though painful during, afterward she felt relaxed and comfortable.

* * *

A month later.

Training ended.

The five competitors were decided.

The outspoken Zhang Kai didn’t make it.

Disheartened, he quit the team entirely after hearing the result, not even bothering to watch.

No one paid much attention; life went on.

The next morning, Guo Xiangyuan drove the school bus, taking the team to the city gymnasium for the competition.

Shen Qinghan tagged along, saying she’d cheer for Lin Zichen from the stands.

Lin Yansheng and Zhang Wanxin also made time to come support their son.

As for Xu Meng and Shen Jianye, the couple was busy teaching their senior-year classes at school, unable to leave. But they asked Shen Qinghan to record Lin Zichen’s matches to show them later.

* * *

City Gymnasium, players’ rest area.

Competitors from the eight schools lined up to draw lots for opponents.

The rules were simple: school versus school, three rounds decided the champion.

One round a day, finished in three days.

Soon, the results were out.

Shanhai Middle School, Lin Zichen’s team, unfortunately drew the strongest—Shanhai No.1 Middle School.

Guo Xiangyuan’s face immediately darkened.

The four other teammates looked grim too, convinced they’d be eliminated in the first round.

Li Shutong even surrendered before fighting, “We’re screwed. I heard No.1 has a guy who can sprint 100 meters in under 9 seconds. We’re going to be crushed!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? With Zichen here, the outcome isn’t certain.” Guo Xiangyuan glared at him.

But even as he said it, the coach himself wasn’t confident.

Lin Zichen was strong, yes, but he was still only a first-year. Against someone running 100 meters in under 9 seconds, he would probably be crushed.

Sigh… he just hoped Zichen’s mentality wouldn’t collapse.

The team’s banner for the next two years depended on him… Guo Xiangyuan worried.

Lin Zichen, the one involved, remained calm and unbothered.

Nine seconds for 100 meters was fast, but compared to his own 4.61 seconds, it was nothing—like crushing an ant.

* * *

Not long after, the first round began.

The first match was Shanhai Middle versus Shanhai No.1.

“Which of you four will go first?”

Guo Xiangyuan looked at the others, excluding Lin Zichen.

None of them spoke, all too timid to go first.

Shanhai No.1 had been last year’s champion and this year they were even stronger. Being first up basically meant being first to be beaten.

At their age, pride was everything. None wanted to be humiliated first.

“No volunteers?”

Guo Xiangyuan frowned, then said, “If no one’s willing, we’ll draw lots.”

He reached for pen and paper.

But before he could, Lin Zichen spoke, “Coach, I’ll go first.”

Guo Xiangyuan refused immediately, “No, you’re our ace. You must go last to maximize our advantage.”

Going last meant observing opponents, learning habits and ensuring victory.

But Lin Zichen didn’t need that.

What he needed was to defeat as many opponents as possible to advance his achievement task and claim rewards.

So he said seriously, “Coach, I want to go first.”

Guo Xiangyuan fell silent, hesitant.

But seeing the determination in Lin Zichen’s eyes and the reluctance of the others, he finally gave in, “Alright then, Zichen, you’ll go first.”

* * *

Once both teams chose their starters, the first round’s first match began.

The opponent was a boy over 1.9 meters tall, muscles covering his body like a mountain. His presence was overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Lin Zichen hadn’t developed fully yet, not even 1.7 meters tall, looking like a fragile chick next to him.

“Junior from Shanhai, I saw your name on the roster. A first-year making it to the Eight School League stage—not bad, you’ve got talent.”

On the stage, the big boy grinned.

Seeing his honest smile, Lin Zichen thought he seemed decent.

But then, the boy’s tone suddenly shifted, his gaze turning scornful, “But I want to say, this isn’t a place for first-years. Especially not for shorties under 1.7 meters.”

As he spoke, he flexed his huge chest muscles, striking a dramatic pose, “In a moment, I’ll show you what size difference means, what power difference means!”