98 The Competition Is Approaching - The Champion’s Personal Documentary

"Dad, Mom."

In our country, people often express their feelings in a reserved and restrained manner. In many ways, the new era has ushered in better times, yet Ye Chen's generation, much like his parents', still embodies the rural traditions that make overt displays of affection—like meeting and hugging—almost unimaginable.

Ye Chen's parents regarded him with a mix of relief, longing, and a tinge of sadness—perhaps just a swirl of complex emotions that would challenge even a seasoned actor to convey.

"Xiaochen, come down quickly," his mother urged, her mind already on Catwoman. As if on cue, Catwoman adjusted her demeanor in the car before stepping out.

"Hello, Uncle, Auntie..." Catwoman greeted them with a rare display of shyness, her tone respectful yet quiet. Though her Daxia dialect wasn't perfect and sounded somewhat awkward, it remained understandable. Ever since learning she would return with Ye Chen, Catwoman had been pestering him daily for lessons in basic Daxia phrases. Even during the two days Ye Chen had to lend a hand to Gazi for training, she had recorded phrases to study with unwavering determination.

"*7,*7..."

Ye Chen's parents exchanged surprised glances, nodding in response while casting a curious glance at Ye Chen.

"I taught her," Ye Chen explained, causing their eyebrows to raise in realization. They had never expected Catwoman to greet them in the local dialect.

Uncertainty hung in the air, and it was Ye Chen who decided to break the tension. "Mom and Dad, let's head back now; otherwise, everyone will come to watch later."

"Ah, yes, yes..." his parents quickly nodded in agreement.

It was time to take care of the luggage, with each of them dragging a box toward their home.

As Ye Chen's mother leaned in, her voice hushed, she remarked, "This girl looks like someone stepped right out of a painting. She's even prettier than what we saw on TV that day."

"Keep your voice down. If others overhear, we'll come across as ignorant," Ye Jianguo cautioned, darting an uneasy glance around.

"Is there a problem appreciating beauty? Have you ever witnessed something so stunning?" she retorted.

"That's true, but I don't know what a painting looks like."

"Look at yourself! You dress like a pig every day. I got you a new outfit this morning. What's that smudge on your pants?"

"Alright, alright, I'm listening," Ye Chen interjected, a chuckle escaping him as he overheard his parents' banter.

Catwoman, however, stared at Ye Chen with confusion. She could grasp some basic Daxia, like phrases about eating or going for a walk, but the dialect his parents spoke eluded her.

"Did you talk about me? What did you say? Did I greet you correctly earlier?" she asked, her voice colored with anxiety as she unloaded luggage from the car.

Ye Chen shook his head and grinned, "340 mentioned you look weird."

"Impossible," she protested, glancing away, though her confidence in her looks was unwavering. No matter how varied tastes might be, she refused to accept "weird."

Her brief moment of realization was cut short as she playfully swatted Ye Chen. "If you tease me again, just watch out; I'll beat you to a pulp."

Just as they were preparing to enter the house, a voice halted their pause.

"Xiaochen?"

Ye Chen turned to find Yang Wenlong, staring at them in surprise from his doorstep.

"Wenlong, I said I would come to see you later," Ye Chen replied, briefly waving the bag in his hand.

Catwoman followed him out, eager to greet Ye Chen's friend, since they were neighbors and familiar faces. After exchanging pleasantries, she retreated into the house.

Yang Wenlong examined Ye Chen, his surprise evident. "You've changed a lot! Has it really been two years since we last saw each other?"

"Yeah, you too! How are you doing lately?"

"It's the same old same. You've become incredible! This female star is gorgeous. I've watched her movies, but I never imagined I'd meet her in person. And how's your English so good? You graduated from junior high while I'm a high school grad!"

Although they grew up together, a strong bond allowed for easy conversation, even in the face of time apart. Yang Wenlong's joke about their educational backgrounds served as a reminder of their shared past, but he found himself lost on some of Catwoman's greetings—translating as Ye Chen spoke.

"Just learn," Ye Chen encouraged. "Otherwise, foreign teachers in training will leave you confused."

Yang Wenlong sighed, "It's clear why you've found success. You were always talented—while I was getting bullied, you led the pack. You were always first in everything."

"Are you just here to praise me? I found myself in detention daily..."

After about ten minutes of catching up, Yang Wenlong said, "Okay, head back. We need to reconnect soon."

Understanding the importance of family time, Ye Chen nodded. "Just a moment; I brought something for you."

Given that Yang Wenlong could only stay home due to his health issues, Ye Chen decided on a mobile phone and additional gifts suited for someone his age. While Yang Wenlong may have money now, genuine friends often hesitate to just accept cash. A gift would suffice. Observing his old friend made him feel a little uneasy, leading him to carry on like before, ensuring nothing contrasted too starkly.

"Are you giving me this?"

Yang Wenlong shook his head, holding up the broom he'd been cleaning with. "Really, I don't need gifts as a grown man."

"Men still appreciate gifts!" Ye Chen countered before he turned and rushed into the house, quickly reappearing with a bag full of goodies.

"Whoa! Why so much? And a mobile phone? Isn't that a bit excessive?" Yang Wenlong was taken aback.

"It's fine. Most things come from UFC. I can't use them, and my parents wouldn't know how."

The phone was a generous gift from Annie's fans, along with various other items. It seemed a shame to let them gather dust instead of putting them to good use.

Ultimately, Yang Wenlong accepted the gift, even if he seemed unconvinced by Ye Chen's rationale.

...

Back at home, Ye Jianguo sat beside the bed while Ye Chen's mother busied herself attempting to appear welcoming. She pushed fruits towards Catwoman, who sat quietly on the sofa. The atmosphere tasted of formality.

As Ye Chen walked in, his mother immediately asked, "Have you eaten? Should I get started on dinner? I'm unsure what you like to eat or if you've already eaten."

And so, time drifted over the next three days. Though circumstances could shift easily, true nature was harder to change. Catwoman began more reserved, but each day saw her become increasingly relaxed.

Now, she paid no mind to whether Ye Chen's parents grasped her mix of Daxia dialect and English. Whenever his parents struggled, they'd tap Ye Chen to translate. Although they were not particularly verbose, Catwoman's liveliness infused the home, filling it with laughter—especially when her attempts at Daxia were humorously mismatched.

Word of their return spread through the village, drawing curious visitors eager to meet the "foreign star" and see Ye Chen's championship belt. Among them was the village chief, who led a group to set off firecrackers and hang red banners to honor the return of a world champion. They even discussed hosting a banquet in town; everyone busily prepared.

Ye Chen was taken aback but comprehended why; his village had never seen celebrities.

It was also the day of the highly anticipated match between Wu Siman and Hua Zi. Due to time zone differences, it was nighttime for them. In Daxia, the main event wouldn't begin until noon.

Ye Chen focused on watching the event unfold live. As anticipated, Wusman dominated the fight, avenging his previous defeat and reclaiming his championship title.

Post-fight, Dana announced a new schedule, emphasizing, "Ye Chen has returned to China and is gearing up to fight Dustin Poirier in Daxia."

This news rocked the fighting community, fueling vigorous discussions among fans worldwide. When the news reached China, media outlets buzzed, prompting inundating inquiries about Ye Chen's sudden return.

Curious fans clamored online, asking, "Where has Ye Chen been?"

Glancing through the responses, Ye Chen noted the fight was less than four months away—an ample span for some peace at home, so he paid little mind to those private messages.

...

In the following days, Ye Chen committed to running in the mountains tirelessly. Running the hills was strenuous, the winding paths challenging his endurance. Inspired by Makhachev's wrestling focus, he prioritized physical training.

On the first day of running, Catwoman insisted on joining him, but by the second day, she appealed for mercy, refusing to follow him any longer.

As the week progressed, memes began circulating in China, showcasing a duality comparing the "goddess" before and after her village return. One netizen shared a glamorous photograph of Catwoman in elegant attire adorned with jewels, exuding radiance. The juxtaposed image captured her joyfully holding hands with Ye Chen's mother in the market—suddenly, the internet went wild with empathy.

Additionally, Ye Chen had a house in the county town waiting for him. Although classified as a purchase, it had been gifted by the developers along with local authorities. A car was included too, an unspoken reminder that nothing was entirely free.

Moreover, news of their village icon had transformed into an in-house promotion—a disguised way to advertise itself through Ye Chen's fame. It fulfilled his parents' long-standing wish—a dream completed that no previous generation could ever realize.

After spending about a month in his hometown, Ye Chen decided to take Catwoman on a journey of exploration, visiting renowned and lesser-known destinations alike. During that time, he also engaged in media interviews; self-promotion had become beneficial.

Alas, the drawbacks of his fame also emerged; he found himself enrolled in endless interviews featuring the championship belt. His social media pages morphed into travel-centric promo content, capturing moments of joy with Catwoman through various short videos.

Tension began to rise, especially as the fight closed in. Fans exchanged predictions about the upcoming battle against Dustin Poirier. Some questioned whether Ye Chen was taking things too lightly, while others expressed unwavering support, hoping he remained grounded and focused despite the limelight.

With just about a month to go before the competition, Ye Chen and Catwoman continued to explore, culminating in their arrival at the Magic City. After two months of leisure, Ye Chen's daily routine refocused on training.

The essential preparations took place within training simulations, where he trained exhaustively. After all, amidst the excitement, he recognized that a champion's journey remains unyielding.

Two days post-arrival, Ye Chen rejoined the Elite Training Center—previously a sparring venue for Gazi. However, witnessing the advanced methodologies of top foreign gyms revealed deeper gaps within domestic training approaches. Plenty of promising newcomers lacked the drive or talent. Without rigorous training, persistence alone wouldn't suffice.

Ye Chen had considered starting his own training center, yet the timing felt misaligned. He was still on the rise, unprepared to dilute his focus with distractions. Now was not the time to trade his reputation for a venture that wasn't genuinely feasible.

Time slipped by ever so quickly.

UFC promotions ramped up ahead of this unprecedented event, making waves in China as the most significant publicity effort for a fighting event ever. With twenty days remaining until the match, UFC personnel, including various fighters, arrived for logistics.

The UFC booked the massive 80,000-seat Magic City Stadium as the venue, and promotional material was plastered all over. With Ye Chen prominently featured in bold posters holding his championship belt, it fueled an increasing buzz—one that amplified his reputation but felt surreal since he had never truly interacted with his upcoming opponent.

Amidst the swirl of announcements, people witnessed enthusiastic advertisements around the Magic City, and even the Yangshi Sports Channel devoted days to hype the match.

As Ye Chen strived to balance training and weight management, he regrettably watched his weight spike to 93 kilograms after a few days of revelry with Catwoman.

He soon found himself subject to vigorous promotional efforts, working on his first documentary since claiming the title. When he returned to his hometown for filming, urgency surrounded the production. Originally, they planned the filming for after he enjoyed the win, but following his escape with Catwoman, they needed to adapt.

They sought to chronicle interviews with professional fighters who trained with Ye Chen, like boxing champion Zou Shiming, Gazi, and Fang Pian. Lin Long, fresh off signing with UFC, was also involved.

By the time the camera crew reached Lin Long's training center, they filmed supporting footage while asking various questions pertaining to Ye Chen's potential and talent.

"Did you realize early on that Ye Chen had extraordinary potential?" a crew member queried while they set up.

The head coach nodded, affirming, "Absolutely. I knew back then that Ye Chen was destined for greatness. Look at him now, achieving so much and earning the first men's championship in Asia. We've been seeking ways to collaborate with him again..."