Chapter 11: The Boxing Match
After staying in the hospital for two days, during which time Gu Yulàn came to visit him, he was discharged on the third day. Yán Xiānsheng had not yet returned, so he spent the whole day at home. Gu Yulàn bought him some suppressants, and when Gu Qīnglán asked him where he bought them, Gu Yulàn just said, "It's a secret."
Uncle Kūn called Gu Qīnglán, saying they were still short one boxer for the match tonight and wanted him to fill in.
Gu Qīnglán agreed to go, as it would be a good chance to try out the suppressants his brother had given him. Surely nothing bad could happen. He had been lazy as a bodyguard these days and hadn't boxing in a long time, but his hands were itching to fight.
The boxing gym was rather secluded. As soon as Gu Qīnglán arrived, a hand wearing boxing gloves came around and grabbed him: "Lánzi, you're here."
The sweaty scent and pheromones wafted out, but Gu Qīnglán silently shifted to the side and muttered, "Oh...haven't you heard about something?"
Ālmǐ opened his eyes in confusion: "What?"
At the boxing gym, Ālmǐ was the only one who had a friendship with Gu Qīnglán.
But he was an Alpha, so Gu Qīnglán didn't dare get too close. He changed into a tank top, and the dopey Ālmǐ suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Little Gu, your skin has suddenly become so good..."
Gu Qīnglán laughed awkwardly: "Oh, really? Maybe it's because I've been eating better lately."
Ever since he presented as an Omega, Gu Qīnglán had also discovered this annoying phenomenon - his skin seemed to become increasingly delicate due to the hormonal changes, which he disliked as an Omega.
The boxers at the gym had changed quite a bit in the past two years. He heard a new challenger had come to take on the old boxers, scaring them all, which is why Uncle Kūn thought of him.
The opponent glanced sideways, seeing Gu Qīnglán's low-key muscles and handsome face, but didn't seem to look down on him.
Gu Qīnglán was startled, as the muscular man's body seemed to twitch and flex with each movement, reminding him of that green giant on the screen.
You're so cruel, Uncle Kūn...
Uncle Kūn enthusiastically pounded his chest from below: "I have faith in you!"
In this underground gym, the rules weren't as strict. Gu Qīnglán put on his gloves, and as soon as they touched gloves, he knew how formidable his opponent was. The big guy's size didn't hinder his movements - his breathing was steady, and his punches and kicks transitioned smoothly and swiftly, a true master. A power-type fighter that was truly intimidating.
He admitted his strength couldn't match the opponent's, but Gu Qīnglán had deep experience in this area. His inner strength was solid, having mixed it up in the ring for many years. His movements were swift, and he didn't fall behind, even managing to narrowly win one move, though it didn't really hurt the opponent. The reason Gu Qīnglán could make a name for himself at the gym was because he fought with everything he had.
In the second round, Gu Qīnglán lost again in terms of brute strength, as the opponent managed to grip his head, and he couldn't break free. This guy had immense strength.
During the break, Gu Qīnglán was still panting heavily, the bruises on his neck quite visible.
Uncle Kūn below was a bit anxious: "Don't hold back, kid! If you win this round, I'll give you double the prize money!"
He couldn't hold back, Gu Qīnglán had a conflicted expression - this guy was like a bronze wall and iron tree.
"You weren't so timid before! Bring out that fighting spirit of yours!"
Gu Qīnglán rolled his eyes. Before, it was for his brother's tuition fees that he had no choice. But now, he and his brother both had bright futures ahead.
The bell rang, and they resumed the intense battle. Both parties were exerting their full strength, determined to knock the other down. Sweat was spraying, the hot breath evaporating the fine dust in the air, like two bulls locking horns. The audience was in an uproar, the deafening cheers not allowing the two to rest.
Gu Qīnglán's techniques were formidable, but the opponent's brute strength could suppress any technique. He was pinned down by the big guy, the rowdy fellows around them shouting thunderously.
With just a minute left, the sweat rolling into his eyes, his lungs burning, Gu Qīnglán admitted he was no match. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar face in the dim crowd, a face full of vitality that stood out from the surrounding frenzy.
Yán Xiānsheng was standing below, wearing a well-fitted Chinese-style white shirt, his broad shoulders casting a lantern-like shadow, the scar softened by the light and shadow. His brow was slightly furrowed with a serious expression, and Gu Qīnglán could have sworn his tightly pursed lips moved slightly, as if a whisper of encouragement.
Gu Qīnglán paused for a moment, doubting if his eyes were playing tricks on him. The big guy was crushing him, his bones creaking, his ears ringing. If he lost, Yán Xiānsheng would surely be disappointed.
Gu Qīnglán tried to get up, drawing on every ounce of strength from the core of his body. He pushed up with his elbows, and the audience's cheers were high. The big guy seemed momentarily taken aback, apparently not expecting this small guy to still have the strength to resist, though of course this resistance was easily suppressed again.
Gu Qīnglán was pressed back to the ground, the dust puffing up, and the crowd hissed in disappointment.
The big guy sneered in his ear, "You're a weakling. Go home and have babies."
This kind of insulting language was common in the boxing gym, no matter if you were an O or an A. But to Gu Qīnglán at this moment, these words ruthlessly struck his soft spot, reopening his wounds.
"Shut up!" Gu Qīnglán's eyes were like nails.
The big guy then punched him, and Gu Qīnglán's head hit the ground, but he didn't even groan.
Yán Xiānsheng remembered the last time Gu Qīnglán fell off the sofa, also silent.
Apparently, this kind of pain was nothing to him, or he had long since become numb to it. Yán Xiānsheng parted the crowd and stepped forward.
Gu Qīnglán saw Yán Xiānsheng approaching, getting closer and closer, but he didn't know why. Maybe it was to stop him from getting hurt, or maybe just to get a closer look at the match - this kind of low-class place could easily harm Yán Xiānsheng.
Gu Qīnglän's heart raced, and suddenly the big guy no longer felt heavy. He felt a surge of power coursing through his body, like a tornado had struck. He didn't want to lose this match in front of Yán Xiānsheng. This incredible feeling made him desperately full of vitality.
His spine was like a cornered beast, brimming with strength. The big guy was caught off guard as Gu Qīnglán broke free, and Gu Qīnglán struck the man's neck with an elbow. The man was completely unprepared and was knocked to the ground, the crowd erupting in cheers.
In the final ten seconds, a comeback victory - it was a spectacular match.
Uncle Kūn gave him double the prize money and patted his shoulder: "Not bad, kid!"
Gu Qīnglán rubbed his bruised cheek, and when he took the money, he couldn't find Yán Xiānsheng in the crowd below.
This time, it was Uncle Kūn trying to keep him: "You've really come into your own, kid. We'll definitely be seeing more of you from now on!"
Gu Qīnglán raised an eyebrow: "I've already said I have a job!" and turned to leave.
Uncle Kūn coughed a couple times: "Cocky little brat!"
Gu Qīnglán rushed out to the street, where a black sedan was parked. Yán Xiānsheng was leaning against the car. In the dark night, with only the dim streetlights, his long shadow swayed in the breeze, the collar of his shirt slightly ruffled - if he were smoking a cigarette at that moment, the scene would have been even more poignant.
But Yán Xiānsheng didn't seem to have the habit of smoking, which was a bit disappointing.
Gu Qīnglán paused his steps and slowly walked over: "Mr. Yán."
Yán Xiānsheng responded calmly: "Were you a little tiger? I left you in the hospital, and when I came back, you were in the ring."
Gu Qīnglán, with his bruised left eye, had a bit of a pleading tone: "This is just a side job, it shouldn't violate the company's rules...haha."
Yán Xiānsheng was silent for a moment: "Perhaps the salary I offered was too low."
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