Chapter 28: Do you want to spar with me? Come on. (Part 2)

“Hurry and contact the supporting female character! Tell her to stop acting! What is she doing?!”

Ruan Nian was almost in tears.

Seeing her like this, the system remained silent for a while, hesitating to speak.

As an artificial intelligence, it couldn’t fully comprehend Ruan Nian’s obsession with her external appearance.

From a logical standpoint, these were all reversible changes.

If her skin lost its radiance, she could restore it through skincare, exercise, or even medical treatments.

These were all things that could be fixed.

The system could even devise a dozen different skincare plans for her.

As for her body shape, the changes were minor unless someone knew her extremely well, they wouldn’t even notice.

If Ruan Nian was concerned, she could simply follow a fitness plan and quickly return to her ideal state.

Charm Points were always about gains and losses.

Since she could increase them, losing them was equally natural.

They were external attributes how could they last forever?

Although the system adored Ruan Nian and indulged her every whim, it still couldn’t fully understand her way of thinking.

Extreme irrationality was a fascinating paradox for a machine both a disaster and a source of intrigue.

[Don’t worry, Nian Nian.

You can get them back.

These changes aren’t that serious.

It’s not a major loss.]

The system comforted her, but Ruan Nian couldn’t hear it at all.

“Oh my god, I don’t even want to imagine how I’ll look on camera today! What if someone asks me, ‘Weren’t you naturally beautiful? Why do you look so bad today?’ How am I supposed to answer? Do I have to ruin my own public image?”

Ruan Nian couldn’t bear the thought and desperately begged, “Please contact the supporting female character! I beg you! Don’t punish me anymore!”

The system remained silent.

It wanted to tell her that this wasn’t a punishment just a natural game mechanism.

She had gained these points through effort, so naturally, they could also be lost.

It was fair.

Besides, what she was losing now wasn’t something she originally had, so it couldn’t be considered a punishment.

A situation only becomes punishment when you perceive it as such.

Just like what that supporting female character once said she never considered her scars something to be hidden.

They weren’t ugly flaws, but rather a mark of honor.

For her, those scars weren’t punishments but medals of pride.

Most of the time, whether we feel confident or miserable about something is defined by ourselves.

That female character, whom the system still didn’t fully understand, seemed to have reclaimed her own narrative from societal norms and expectations.

But in the end, the system still gave in to Ruan Nian.

[Alright, Nian Nian.

Once I gather enough energy, I’ll contact her.]

As soon as she was about to say hello, several figures sprinted out from behind Coach Gao in a well-trained formation, standing in two neat rows.

They even had red welcome ribbons draped across their chests, which were stretched tight by their muscular builds and broad chests.

Finally, an old man came rushing down the stairs, legs splayed wide as he ran.

He clutched a red tube in his hands, fumbling with it anxiously.

After taking a few quick steps down, he yanked the fuse forcefully.

Pop!

A shower of golden powder and colorful ribbons floated down.

Gu Zhaoping’s eyebrows twitched, and she closed her eyes with restraint.

The deafening voices around her roared

“Welcome! Welcome! Miss Gu, welcome!”

Gu Zhaoping remained silent for a moment.

She said, “There’s no need for the ceremony.

Let’s go up and take a look.”

Coach Gao nodded repeatedly, respectfully extending his hand to guide her.

Just as he was about to lead her upstairs, the head of the dojo, Gao, squeezed him aside and quickly positioned himself next to Gu Zhaoping, even more eager to show the way.

“Miss Gu, this way, this way! This is our dojo!”

The cameraman, standing behind Gu Zhaoping, twitched the corner of his mouth.

He was here to document her daily itinerary and had heard she was considering acquiring a Jiu-Jitsu dojo.

That excited him immediately.

Wasn’t this perfect material?

Coach Gao glanced at the man carrying the camera.

Knowing Miss Gu’s status, it was only natural that she would bring someone to film the property.

She might even review the footage later.

He became even more enthusiastic.

“Come, come, take your time, no rush.”

After heading upstairs, the space turned out to be quite large, with an actual usable area of about 200 to nearly 300 square meters.

Apart from the training room, the changing room and equipment room were well-equipped.

Everything had been renovated, with some clever design elements that made the place look high-end.

It aligned well with their target market clean, well-maintained, and seemingly providing good service.

It was quite suitable for a Jiu-Jitsu dojo catering to young professional women.

The question was whether they could attract customers and sustain new memberships.

Gu Zhaoping glanced at the coaching team

The majority were female instructors, which was a good sign.

Female instructors always made female clients feel more at ease.

She strolled around the waiting area, observing the honor certificates and course descriptions displayed on the wall.

Their course details were thorough, with clear pricing and no hidden charges.

There was even a designated area for socially anxious beginners, ensuring they wouldn’t have to face other students directly or worry about not executing moves correctly.

Gu Zhaoping sat in the waiting area, and the receptionist immediately served her a drink.

The cup was covered with a disposable lid, with a straw inserted, and two slices of lemon floated inside.

A small plate held a few snacks.

These were typical setups in beauty and hair salons, but they had incorporated them here.

Turning her head, Gu Zhaoping observed the eager smiles on the faces of Coach Gao and his father.

Not bad.

Understanding customer needs was everything.

Instead of clinging to tradition, they had racked their brains to attract and retain clients.

As she walked, arms folded, she eventually sat at the innermost table and casually asked,

“Has the former owner arrived?”

Coach Gao was momentarily stunned before quickly responding,

“Not yet, not yet! He should be here soon.”

Gu Zhaoping nodded.

“When he arrives, bring him to see me.

We’ll sign the contract.”

Coach Gao froze.

The head of the dojo froze.

The instructors waiting cautiously behind them also froze.

For a moment, they couldn’t believe it.

What?

She had already decided to buy it?

She was ready to sign the contract?

She was asking Tan Li to find her?

The head of the dojo felt his legs go weak and collapsed onto a chair in a daze.

He hesitantly asked, “Miss Gu… do you think our dojo is okay?”

Gu Zhaoping nodded.

“It has potential. It can be developed.”

The dojo fell silent for a moment.

Then suddenly

A firm and resounding voice erupted from behind the head of the dojo.

“Master Gu!”

Coach Gao instantly changed his tone, his expression serious and resolute.

“From today onward, you are the head of our dojo!

Whatever you say, we’ll do.

Whatever terms you want in the contract, we’ll sign.

However you want to arrange our coaching team, that’s how it will be arranged!”

The head of the dojo, still in shock, had barely reacted when his son snatched the title of “head instructor” right out from under him.

The head of the dojo was furious.

How could this happen so fast?

How could this be so sudden?

How could his son change sides without a second thought?!

With firm determination, he turned around and cupped his hands.

“Master Gu!”

“From now on, your word is law.

Whatever you say goes.

We will have no objections!”

How could his son call her “Master Gu” before him?!

“If anyone dares object, we’ll gang up on them!”

Gu Zhaoping twitched her brow.

“No need for such arrangements. Just continue running the dojo as usual.”

She leaned lightly against the table and suddenly noticed something.

The table was packed with an assortment of breakfast items steamed buns, porridge, soy milk, fried dough sticks, mixed noodles, tofu pudding, coffee, croissants…

Seeing this, she paused for a moment.

She turned around.

“You even provide breakfast for your students?”

Coach Gao: “…”

Gu Zhaoping: “Not bad. Very thoughtful.”

Coach Gao: “…Thank you, Master Gu.”

How was he supposed to explain that some fool had intended to give all this to Miss Gu as a welcome gift?

Just as Coach Gao, grinning ear to ear, went inside to retrieve the contract, the sound of commotion erupted outside the dojo.

Tan Li had slept well and stepped out feeling refreshed.

The moment he arrived, he knocked loudly on the dojo’s door, swaggering inside.

“Have you made up your minds yet?

Are you buying my property today or not?

If not, have you packed your belongings?”

Tan Li laughed heartily, spinning once as he stepped into the dojo

Only to come face-to-face with a row of Jiu-Jitsu instructors standing at the entrance, arms crossed in perfect formation.

His laughter instantly caught in his throat.

He almost choked.

What was with this formation?

Why were these guys standing like a scene straight out of a gangster film?

Coach Gao coldly smirked.

For so long, dealing with Tan Li had left him frustrated and powerless there was no way an ordinary person could win against a thug.

But now, looking at Tan Li, all he felt was overwhelming satisfaction like watching a doomed toad croak its last cries.

With a sneer, Coach Gao suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

“Tan Li, you were my father’s disciple, but now you’ve forgotten your roots!”

Tan Li’s expression darkened, and he scoffed, “Forgotten my roots? My family has always run a Jiu-Jitsu dojo.

This has nothing to do with your father.

I could’ve learned from anyone!”

“Unlike you

You can’t even compete anymore and came back to be a coach.

Regret it now?

Even if you’re a coach, it’s useless.

You can’t afford this dojo on your salary.

You should’ve kept competing.

Now, you’ve lost everything both career and money!”

Tan Li smirked, but in the next second

Coach Gao laughed coldly.

“Being a coach is great.

I love being a coach.

Do you know how enjoyable it is?”

Coach Gao sneered, then stretched out his hand.

“Come, let’s discuss the sale contract.”

Tan Li’s smirk froze.

What?

Buying the property?

They were really going through with it?

His jaw dropped as he turned his head

Only to see a familiar woman standing at a table, calmly reviewing documents.

His pupils shrank.

Gu Zhaoping?!

Wait…

Was she really here to buy the dojo?!

She had been convinced by this guy?!

No way.

How could this be?!

Then, he heard her voice.

“To be the head instructor here, I need to spar with you first?”

She removed her white blazer and rolled up her sleeves.

In absolute silence, she calmly raised her hands into a fighting stance.

“Come.”