Chapter 2: Time limit

Zhu Lang woke up early, his eyes still heavy with sleep. He stretched and got dressed, mentally preparing for his gym session. As he walked into the gym, his trainer, Yan Jing, immediately noticed his expression.

"Hey, what's with that face?" Yan Jing asked, raising an eyebrow.

Zhu Lang hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "I, uh… I signed up for the new Wenchi Tournament."The trainer noticed he looked suspicious saying that.

"What's wrong Zhu lang?"

" The problem is that, i just have 2 months to train..."

Yan Jing's eyes widened in shock. "You signed up for a tournament with only two months to train?! How are you going to win training on that period of time?" He shook his head in disbelief and grabbed Zhu Lang by the ear. "Do you know how tough this tournament is? You think two months is enough?"

"Ow, ow!" Zhu Lang winced, trying to pull away. "I know, I know! That's why I'm here, to train harder."

Yan Jing released his grip but gave him a stern look. "Today, you're not getting off easy. We're pushing you to the limit."

After a grueling workout, Zhu Lang could barely walk. His legs trembled as he made his way home, and he was lost in thought. "Maybe I shouldn't have told Yan Jing about the tournament," he muttered to himself.

Later, as he finally sank into a chair, he remembered another pressing problem: his mother's debts to the loan sharks. If they couldn't pay a good Amount of money soon, those men would come after her. "I need to find a job," he sighed, pulling up job listings on his phone. He found a shop about 2 kilometers away offering weekly pay. It was his best option.

He put on his best clothes – not that he had many – and walked to the shop. Upon entering, he approached the manager at the counter.

"Excuse me, are you hiring?" he asked.

The manager looked at him, recognition flashing in his eyes. "Aren't you that new prodigy fighter I've heard about?"

Zhu Lang put his hand on his hair and smiled:" i wouldn't say i'm a pro..."

The manager instantly said: "Then you're hired."

Zhu Lang blinked, caught off guard. "Wait… why?"

The manager leaned closer, glancing out the door. "This area has been crawling with dangerous thugs lately. I need someone who can defend the store if things go south."

Zhu Lang laughed and shook the man's hand. "Thank you, sir! I won't let you down."

"You start tomorrow," the manager replied, giving him an approving nod.

He was walking home thinking that finally he is going to be useful. He was hyled so he ran home but he was só happy that he forgot his legs were crying for help. One of the legs ghad no more strenght so he fell face down.

When he got home his mom desinfected his woud. He tried to tell her that he could do it but she wanted to take care of him or else She would feel a useless mom. When she finish he remembered to tell her the good news. " Mom, i have good news."-"What happend?" She said smiling-" I got a job finally"-" You didn't need to do it. Now you are going to be exhausted"-" Don't worry about it mom" He kissed her head and hugged her."Now let's have dinner".

That night, lying in bed, Zhu Lang stared at the ceiling. "I'll have to train harder than ever if I want to keep up with the other fighters…"