[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups":3,"chapter-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},231491,282,"Chapter 16 - 14 Life’s Winners","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>In the rainy weather, the whole city quietens down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are very few pedestrians on the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sound of rain gently echoes, muffling the honks of passing vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng, with a backpack slung over his shoulder and carrying a bag,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xiumei raises both hands, holding an umbrella both for herself and for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walk side by side, very close to one another, yet with different expressions on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has the murder case Uncle Zhou is investigating still not been cracked?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng makes small talk, asking casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xiumei nods slightly and explains softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The murderer seems to be a serial killer. The chief is pressing hard, so my dad is in a bad mood and rarely talks about it at home...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stops there, not continuing her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment of silence lasts for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Zhou Xiumei lifts her eyes and seriously looks at Fang Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Cheng, you often work late. You must pay attention to your safety and never interact with strangers on the street.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard from Aunt Zhang downstairs, there are many gangs now, specifically targeting young men with the scam of the chop shop...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the nickname rarely used, and seeing her start talking freely, Fang Cheng can't help but smile wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he jokes like they did when they were kids:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should be careful yourself. A girl as pretty as you, selling at a night stall alone, that's something many people would covet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As their gazes meet, Zhou Xiumei can't help but lower her head again, deflating from her earnest demeanor in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng looks up into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus station in the rain seems enshrouded in grey fog, slightly gloomy and unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he switches to a more solemn tone and continues:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiu Mei, if you ever need help with anything, just come to me. We've been friends since childhood after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiumei's cheeks instantly flush with redness, and she becomes inexplicably nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowers her eyelids, not daring to look at the man beside her, who's too familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain threads fall like satin ribbons, wetting her sleeves and shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly there's a feeling that this road might be too long, yet also too short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.........\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Global Elite Fighting Club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lunch break, changing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chilly rain pours outside, while inside the air conditioning is turned up to the max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air is mixed with the smell of cigarettes, sour sweat, boxed lunches, and the raucous noise of card games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this noisy environment, only one gaunt figure stands out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stands alone in the corner, back against the wall, doing Deep Squat exercises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tight abdomen, straight back, head slightly lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each squat and stand, it's as if more strength and confidence are being infused, appearing exceptionally stable and rhythmic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left of the changing room, a group of people are gathered, playing cards with frequent shouts and hollers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, are you cheating? How many games have you won in a row now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, just lucky, pay up, pay up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiaohai, who just completed a 'win against all', smiles with a mouth so wide it seemingly can't close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he counts his money, he glances over and sees the one practicing Deep Squats, the misfit figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on his face subsides a bit, then he comments:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look, Fang Cheng works out so hard every day, trying to catch a rich widow and settle for life, that's the pursuit of a real life winner!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others hear and burst into laughter, instantly jesting along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young people are smart indeed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Practicing Deep Squats is great, when women do them men can't handle it, when men do them women can't handle it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder the ace from the law department didn't become a lawyer and came to our place to work; seems like there was a plan since long ago...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These jokes, perhaps offhand comments to the speakers, but the listeners take them to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You should know, it's clearly stated in the club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staff is not allowed to have private contact with students, and especially forbidden to harass female students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng doesn't respond, nor does he show any intention to justify himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze is serene, and his head is held high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still going my own way, repeating the knee bends and standing straight up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no reaction from him, Chen Xiaohai let out a few bored chuckles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his expression seemed casual, his mind was churning so much that he got distracted during cards, playing the wrong one, and lost a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logistics department's Supervisor Qiu was already in his fifties, nearing retirement age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager planned to promote someone to be his deputy to eventually take over the department's management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiaohai considered himself a tenured employee with good performance and pleasant relationships up and down the hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was dead set on getting a promotion and raise and felt no one could compete with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a few days ago, hearing Fang Cheng's conversation with Old Qiu by chance, he suddenly became wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng had applied to the supervisor for a position change, saying he wanted to learn more under other coaches to enhance his work experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This clearly showed a certain ambition!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Fang Cheng was currently an intern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with jobs hard to come by for college graduates, who knows, he might choose to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his education, plus his recent excellent performance, frequently being praised by the manager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This inevitably gave Chen Xiaohai a sense of crisis which led to intentionally plotting against his competitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what colleagues might think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Fang Cheng might have taken workplace gossip and fame to heart, but now he had become more open-minded and tolerant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wins and losses of life aren't about inconsequential matters along the way but are about focusing on the distant scenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he just maintained his concentration, immersing himself in the satisfaction brought by exercise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You completed 10 standard Deep Squats, Skill Experience +1]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You completed 10 standard Deep Squats, Skill Experience +1]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You completed 11 standard Deep Squats, Skill Experience +1]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three prompts appeared before his eyes one after the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng's eyes showed a flicker of thoughtfulness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Deep Squat skill was gradually hitting a plateau; it was time to increase the difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having this thought, he chose to put his feet together and slowly performed the knee bending motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, his arms extended forward to maintain balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the thighs met the calves, the muscles tensed, and he couldn't squat any lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This movement is called the Close-Stance Deep Squat, an advanced version of the standard squat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the standard position, it puts more pressure on the knee joint and requires greater body balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also more effectively targets the front thigh quadriceps and activates the glute core muscle group, maintaining knee stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If continuing to increase the difficulty, there would be moves like the Single-leg Half Squat, Single-leg Squat, Frog Jump Squat, and Tornado Squat, etc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even gradually adding barbells or other weights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng rose slowly, deliberately slowing down the pace of the exercise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While adjusting and correcting his posture, he counted silently, striving for standard performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he counted to \"9\", a new prompt finally appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You completed 7 Close-Stance Deep Squats, Skill Experience +1]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The effect is quite good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng showed a trace of satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the changing room door was suddenly pushed open, and the sounds of card playing and conversation inside came to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A balding middle-aged man stood outside the door, waving and calling out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Cheng, come with me, the manager is looking for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the logistics department's Supervisor Qiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the call, Fang Cheng's eyes flashed sharply, instantly snapping out of his concentrated state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the progress of his Skill Experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Concentration lv1 (81\u002F250)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Deep Squat lv0 (65\u002F100)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stood up unhurriedly, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and strode outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two figures recede, the others in the changing room couldn't help but grow curious and started discussing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does the manager want with Fang Cheng?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A raise, I guess. Haven't you seen how the Boxing Department has the most students and its performance rises rapidly? Even Brother Cheng's Karate Department can't compare!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps, Manager Li hopes Fang Cheng will stay as a regular employee, offering conditions to win him over...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words of the crowd revealed envy and jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Chen Xiaohai's face was filled with tension, almost to the point of shouting, \"I do not agree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1456,"2026-05-29T15:13:17.559Z","2026-06-01T04:29:35.325Z",1,"novelbin.me","6ec0b6dd4b03c02eae679760346b3791c123a49a408c87ad1eae18c0164c4d31","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-17","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-15",1278,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-cover.jpg"]