C5 You Only Have This Much Energy

"Director Zhao, right? Since you're the head of this gym, are you aware that your words are irritating the customers here?"

The slender figure was Liu Hsing, shielding Tang Xiaomin behind him, his eyes burning with anger at Director Zhao. Despite Director Zhao's intimidating build, which could instill fear in many, Liu Hsing saw this as possibly his final opportunity to make a good impression on Tang Xiaomin.

"Kid, this is my gym, and I'll do whatever I please. How is it any of your business?"

Tang Xiaomin was taken aback to see Liu Hsing standing up for her. No one in the gym had ever dared to confront Director Zhao before, not even the coaches, who were all quite intimidated by him. And Liu Hsing, with his slight frame...

"Director Zhao, we've all paid our fees, which means we're consumers. As the gym owner, it's your duty to meet our needs to the best of your ability, not to prattle on and invade the personal space we're entitled to. If this continues, I have every right to report you to the Consumer Association."

Director Zhao was momentarily taken aback by Liu Hsing's argument, then he fixed a furious gaze on him.

"Kid, cut the crap. If you like training here, then train. If not, get out. Keep spouting nonsense, and believe me, I can take you down."

Liu Hsing nervously swallowed, eyeing Director Zhao's formidable muscles, fully aware that one punch could knock him out. But for Tang Xiaomin's approval, the Hangda contract, and his mother in the hospital, he would not back down.

"Big man! Don't think your size scares me. We live in a society governed by laws. Deceiving and threatening consumers is illegal. You'd better apologize for your earlier remarks, or I assure you, I'll take legal action."

Tang Xiaomin was both shocked and intrigued by Liu Hsing's visibly tense yet defiant stance. She wondered what kind of bravery empowered him to provoke Director Zhao, the man known as Black Bear.

"Damn it, kid! I've been patient with you, haven't I? This gym isn't like other places. If you're so brave, step up and fight me. If not, stop your whining and get out, now!"

"Director Zhao! This is too much! He's just a beginner! And you, a T City fighting champion, want to challenge him?"

Tang Xiaomin's indignant voice cut through Black Bear's bluster. She had watched Liu Hsing's clumsy attempts at the punching bag and it was clear he was a novice. Yet, this former street fighting champion was actually challenging Liu Hsing.

"Xiaomin, I've been more than courteous to him. Normally, this fool would have been thrown out by me already. Besides, this is a boxing gym. If he's too scared to step up and fight, that's on him. How am I in the wrong?"

Black Bear's gaze returned to Liu Hsing, challenging him with his stare.

"Kid, do you have the guts or not? If not, then scram and stop trying to act tough in front of me."

Tang Xiaomin's eyes flashed with anger at Black Bear. She didn't know Liu Hsing, but his actions hadn't made her dislike him. However, Black Bear's words and behavior were repulsive to her.

Liu Hsing took several deep breaths, maintaining his defiant stare at Black Bear. Gathering his courage, he spoke deliberately.

"Fine, I'll fight you!"

"What? Have you lost your mind?"

Tang Xiaomin was the first to react, unable to believe that Liu Hsing would actually accept Black Bear's challenge. It seemed tantamount to suicide.

"Hahaha! Kid, I've got to hand it to you for your bravery. Get up here!"

Black Bear laughed heartily and leaped onto the sparring platform.

"Don't worry, beautiful," Liu Hsing reassured Tang Xiaomin with a smile, signaling her not to worry.

But the cold sweat on his forehead and his pallor betrayed the anxiety and fear he felt inside.

Tang Xiaomin watched Liu Hsing ascend the platform, confused. Initially, she had pegged him as just another unremarkable suitor, but now, she couldn't fathom what he was trying to accomplish.

Even though the fight involved two men who had nothing to do with her, the whole situation had started because of Tang Xiaomin.

Despite her cool demeanor, she was not unkind. Frankly, Liu Hsing was standing up for her, and that's why he was squaring off against Black Bear.

"Come at me, big guy!"

Liu Hsing stood on the stage, eyeing Black Bear, who towered over him by at least three sizes. With a defiant roar, he charged first.

"Hmph! You're in over your head!"

Black Bear's right fist powerfully swatted away Liu Hsing's incoming left jab. Liu Hsing's punch veered off course, and with a slight sidestep, Black Bear easily dodged it and hooked a fierce punch into Liu Hsing's abdomen.

"Thump!"

A dull thud echoed as Liu Hsing felt like he'd been struck by a locomotive, his body soaring backward like a kite with its string cut.

Despite wearing protective gloves, Black Bear's strength was undeniable. As a former champion known for his power, it was a force Liu Hsing couldn't match.

With a single punch, Liu Hsing was sent flying off the five-to-six-meter-long stage, rebounding off the ropes and collapsing to his knees on the ground.

Liu Hsing's mind was a blank slate, his insides felt twisted from the punch, his face flushed red, and his eyes bloodshot.

"Black Bear! That was too hard of a hit!"

Tang Xiaomin leaped onto the stage with agility, reaching out to steady Liu Hsing.

"Are you okay?"

Her scent wafted into Liu Hsing's nose, but he was too winded to enjoy the pleasant aroma, gasping for air.

"Kid, beat it! This isn't a place for someone like you! Scram!"

"Enough! Where's your sense of decency as a former champion? He's just a regular guy!"

Tang Xiaomin rubbed Liu Hsing's back, helping him catch his breath, while shooting a furious look at Black Bear.

Meanwhile, Black Bear was fixated on their physical contact. He had long lusted after Tang Xiaomin, yet now she was intimately close to an unknown like Liu Hsing.

"Waste of space! Is that all you do, hide behind a woman?"

Liu Hsing started to recover. Despite taking a punch from Black Bear, the gloves had protected him, sparing his organs from serious damage.

Supported by Tang Xiaomin, Liu Hsing struggled to his feet.

"Thanks... thank you, beautiful. I'm okay."

Liu Hsing attempted to flash a smile at Tang Xiaomin, but the pain was causing his facial muscles to twitch uncontrollably.

"Are you sure you're okay? Get out of here fast! Stop fighting with Black Bear—he's a street fighting champion. You can't beat him."

Tang Xiaomin earnestly tried to dissuade him, yet Liu Hsing just shook his head. If he left now, that punch would have been for nothing.

"I haven't given up yet, and I haven't been down for ten seconds, so I haven't lost, right?"

Tang Xiaomin grew increasingly worried as she saw Liu Hsing's determination to continue the fight. She couldn't understand what he was trying to prove. Was it really necessary to decide a winner under these circumstances?

"But..."

"Don't worry, beautiful. I'm not going to die."

With gritted teeth, Liu Hsing pulled away from Tang Xiaomin's captivating presence.

"Black Bear, big fella, is that all the strength you've got? Feels like you're just tickling me. Come on, let's continue!"

Liu Hsing bellowed at Black Bear and, despite the pain, charged at him once more.

The showdown between Liu Hsing and Black Bear had captured the attention of everyone in the venue, including the coach who had just taught Liu Hsing some basics.

"Holy smokes, is someone actually challenging Black Bear?"

"That guy, I just showed him a few basic punches and defenses. He said he wanted a real fight with Tang Xiaomin, and now he's taking on the gym owner! Does he not realize the owner is a martial arts champion?"

The coach who had been instructing Liu Hsing was now visibly concerned.

Meanwhile, Black Bear smirked contemptuously at the advancing Liu Hsing.

With a slight sidestep, he effortlessly avoided Liu Hsing's jab. Then, with a powerful swing of his right fist, he landed a heavy blow on Liu Hsing's left cheek.

Liu Hsing's jaw felt like it was about to break, and his head nearly lost all sense of awareness.

Sent flying by Black Bear's punch, Liu Hsing hit the ropes and rebounded, only for Black Bear to squat down slightly, curve his left arm, and embrace Liu Hsing's waist. With a slight exertion of force, Liu Hsing was hurled through the air.

Liu Hsing found himself back at square one, his body recoiling from the protective rope before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Damn, that punch packed a wallop!"

"Is this guy going to pass out on the spot? He's definitely not getting up."

The coaches spectating from below observed Liu Hsing's pitiful condition and shared their commentary.

"Pfft!"

Prone on the mat, Liu Hsing was nearly unconscious, spitting out a mouthful of blood along with his mouthguard, which shockingly still held a tooth.

"Black Bear! Are you trying to kill someone?"

Tang Xiaomin was truly furious this time. She could see that Black Bear hadn't used his full strength, but the blow was still more than Liu Hsing could handle.

"Hey, Xiaomin, that's not fair. This loser was the one who wanted to fight me. What, should I just stand here and let him punch me? Xiaomin, we've been through so much together. You can't turn your back on me now!"

"Have you no shame? Who has any feelings for you? I'm warning you, apologize to him now, or I won't hesitate to put you on the ground as well!"

Black Bear was taken aback. No one had ever spoken to him like that in all these years. Even though Tang Xiaomin was formidable, he was the undisputed sanda champion, the top fighter in this gym.

His gaze lingered on Tang Xiaomin, and Black Bear flashed an insinuating smile.

"Xiaomin, lying down is fine by me. Just say the word. Heh, after all this time, I've finally realized you like being on top. You should've mentioned it sooner!"

Black Bear's provocative remarks pushed Tang Xiaomin over the edge. She was determined to knock this repulsive man down.

But as she prepared to strike, Tang Xiaomin noticed that Liu Hsing had somehow managed to stand up, slumped against the ropes with one arm draped over them and the other wrapped around her.