Chapter Twenty: Another Study Period and a Part-Time Job

“Songshan Martial Arts Club is recruiting a sparring partner. Beginner sparring partners earn 3,500 yuan per hour, intermediate sparring partners earn 5,000 yuan per hour, and advanced sparring partners earn 10,000 yuan per hour. Requirements for beginner sparring partners: strong physique, calm temperament, some foundational experience in martial arts preferred. Intermediate sparring partners must have over one year of training experience, strong physique, calm temperament, and be able to follow instructions. Advanced sparring partners must have at least three years of experience in martial arts, be proficient in jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, ground techniques, or mixed martial arts—those skilled in any of these fields are welcome to apply and may receive additional compensation based on expertise. For details, please call XXXXX or visit Songshan Martial Arts Club. Club address: XXXX (details omitted).”

Aoki Shin’s eyes widened; it was as if a beam of hope suddenly pierced through the gloom before him. Without a thought for the ongoing lesson, he raised his hand at once.

On the podium, the English teacher, a frail, bespectacled middle-aged man, hesitated for a moment at the sight of Aoki Shin’s raised hand before cautiously asking, “Aoki, is there something you need?”

“I’d like to use the restroom,” Aoki replied, slipping his phone into his pocket, his expression calm.

The English teacher nodded almost without hesitation. “Alright, please go.”

Feel free not to return! The teacher recalled seeing Matsushita Ichiro slumped over his desk in the office earlier, appearing to sob, and felt a surge of anxiety—could it be that this troublemaker had beaten up Matsushita?

Unaware that his reputation was rapidly deteriorating in the teacher’s mind thanks to Matsushita’s appearance, Aoki Shin, once permitted, strode out of the classroom, ducked into a restroom stall, and dialed the number.

“Hello, Songshan Martial Arts Club,” answered a gentle female voice.

“Is the sparring partner position I saw online still open?” Aoki asked, excitement making his legs tremble.

The voice was like music from heaven: “Yes, our club was recently established, and there are vacancies for fitness coaches, martial arts instructors, and sparring partners. If you’re interested, you can come to our facility for an interview.”

Aoki’s lips curled into a smile. “Can I come anytime?”

“We’re open from seven in the morning until eleven at night. You can visit during those hours for consultation and interview. Our address is XXXX. Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

“No, that’s all!” Aoki hung up, his fists pumping in the air as he celebrated inside the restroom.

He wasn’t confident about much, but being a sparring partner was a breeze given his physical prowess—especially since he still had two skill slots empty!

Five thousand yuan!

He pictured himself soon making a fortune, buying a computer for his room, enjoying unlimited data on his phone each month, and sampling signature dishes at various gourmet restaurants...

As for the requirement of a year’s martial arts experience—even if he didn’t have it, Aoki would claim he did. With his fierce appearance, who would doubt his ability to fight?

Aoki had finally found the perfect use for his intimidating face. Satisfied, he pocketed his phone and returned to the classroom, sitting at his desk and hugging his English textbook as he listened to the teacher.

Ah! Even English had become more interesting!

Maeda Tora watched Aoki’s focused demeanor, clenched his fists, and, staring at the incomprehensible English before him, muttered fiercely, “Boss is always the boss... I have to work hard in class! I can’t give up just like this!”

Both Maeda Tora and Aoki Shin gazed at the teacher with longing for knowledge, determined not to miss a single word.

On the podium, the English teacher trembled under the intense, studious gaze of Aoki and Maeda, feeling cold sweat trickle down his spine.

It’s over, it’s over. Am I going to be beaten up like Mr. Ichiro?

“Um... Let’s turn this English class into self-study!” The teacher snapped his textbook shut and, without further explanation, dashed out of the classroom, his face slick with sweat.

Aoki and Maeda’s eyes widened simultaneously. “Huh?!”

---------

As rumors spread like fire on dry grass, time flew by. When school ended, Aoki skipped kendo practice and dashed out of the gates, letting his phone’s navigation guide him. In half an hour, he arrived at the entrance of Songshan Martial Arts Club.

He stood before the vast, three-story club building, secretly awed. Pushing open the door, he was greeted by two beautiful young women with gentle features who bowed politely. “Welcome to Songshan Martial Arts Club. We offer professional martial arts courses, specialized training, fitness and swimming classes. Please proceed inside.”

Their enthusiastic hospitality, unaffected by his charm rating and accompanied by radiant smiles, made Aoki feel a wave of capitalist professionalism wash over him—how much must it cost to cultivate such impeccable work ethic?

He hesitated briefly before speaking, “I’m here to apply for a sparring partner position.”

The two hostesses paused, surprised that the bald youth before them, who didn’t appear particularly robust, was here to apply. Recovering quickly, they replied, “Please take the elevator on your left to the third floor; there you’ll find the martial arts training area. The coaches will assist you.”

“Oh, alright.”

Aoki nodded and boarded the elevator. When the doors opened, he was greeted by a bustling training scene. The spacious gym housed two full-sized Octagon cages and two boxing rings, along with an abundance of training equipment.

Some were skipping rope with flair, others fighting fiercely in the cages, while on the boxing rings came heavy thuds. Though not packed shoulder-to-shoulder, the crowd was substantial—far from what one would expect at a newly established gym.

“Hey, young man.” A deep voice caught Aoki’s attention. Turning, he saw a burly, bald man with tattoos smiling and waving.

The man stood at least six-foot-three, his arms thicker than Aoki’s thighs, adorned with colorful tattoos. His muscles bulged under a tight black shirt, making him intimidating at first glance.

Am I in a mob training ground? Aoki wondered, but outwardly remained composed as he approached. “Hello, I’m here to apply for the sparring partner job.”

The burly man raised his brows in surprise, eyeing Aoki’s not-so-muscular frame and student uniform. He grinned. “Kid, being a sparring partner isn’t easy. Don’t let the high hourly wage fool you into applying recklessly. Our beginner and intermediate sparring partners don’t get insurance. With your build, one match might cost you half your wages in medical bills.”

Aoki nodded calmly. “I understand. I’m applying for the intermediate sparring partner position.”

The man studied him for a moment. This bald youth seemed shrewd, not like someone who’d rush in on impulse. Deciding to give him a chance, he said, “If you want to be an intermediate sparring partner... do you prefer free-fighting or boxing? We’re also recruiting sparring partners for unlimited combat—like the Octagon over there. That pays even better.”

“Unlimited combat, then,” Aoki decided after a moment’s thought.