Cultivating through increasing my stats in America-Chapter 131 - 130 Homeroom Teacher (Two in One, 5000 Words - )
Slipping out of grip, aside from occasions when it’s truly unintentional, is actually a technique in Arm Wrestling.
It’s often a deliberate move by the person at a disadvantage during the contest to end that round and secure some time to catch their breath and adjust their state.
In order to prevent this from happening repeatedly, competitors usually have their wrists bound together with straps after a slip in the next round.
However, today’s situation clearly didn’t necessitate this.
Li Ang pretended to be fatigued as he shook his wrist, saying to Griffin:
"I’m too worn out from today’s training. I’ll seek you out next time when I’m in better shape for learning and competing."
The implication of these words seemed like he was making excuses for himself, and coupled with his recent slip, it was an acknowledgment of his slight inferiority to Griffin today.
Griffin appeared stunned for a second, then quickly agreed.
"Of course, no problem. You also have tremendous talent. Being able to reach this level on your first try at arm wrestling, you could definitely compete in official matches after a bit of training."
Having said this, Griffin was evidently embarrassed, but he didn’t have the courage to admit that Li Ang’s strength had overwhelmingly surpassed his own.
Because only he knew that even when Li Ang was not exerting his full strength, he had completely immobilized him. Griffin had exerted all his might yet couldn’t move Li Ang’s wrist in the slightest.
And when this young man began to exert force, it felt to him as though he was wrestling against a machine. The sensation was as if it wasn’t a human he was arm-wrestling with, but rather a hydraulic press.
Indifferently advancing towards its set direction, completely unaffected by his strength.
This feeling was indeed hopeless, and even reminded him of the frustration he felt when he first started participating in this sport, being easily controlled by others.
Although Li Ang aimed for the championship in every competition, that was only in the case of prize money being involved; failing that, at least his fame would grow, so of course, he had to do his best.
But this was a friendly sparring between gym buddies – naturally, social etiquette mattered. Defeating Griffin would earn Li Ang a few exclamations of "awesome," but nothing beyond that.
However, such a defeat could hurt Griffin’s confidence, causing him to lose face. It would be quite rude to learn techniques from someone and then immediately trounce them.
The official competitions that Griffin mentioned also piqued Li Ang’s interest.
"If possible, could you keep an eye out for relevant competitions for me? I’d like to try participating as well."
Griffin agreed very readily to Li Ang’s request.
After all, Li Ang had just provided him with much face-saving, and Griffin was surely willing to help with such a small favor.
Moreover, even if this hadn’t been the case, he would have been eager to help Li Ang enter competitions.
Arm Wrestling was a niche sport, and when a talent emerges, it’s crucial to cultivate it.
Having agreed with Griffin and seeing that dinner time was approaching, Li Ang also packed up his things, preparing to head home.
The weather today was mediocre, perhaps due to the smog, as the sun never came out.
The gloomy weather was somewhat muggy, causing an irresistible dip in one’s spirits.
Just as he reached his parking spot, Li Ang suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
It was a beautiful woman in front of him, wearing a gray dress, carrying a bag of groceries, arguing with a man – wasn’t she his high school homeroom teacher?
In his memory, this teacher was always very stern, feared by the students in class. Only Li Ang, academically gifted and from a tragic background, was critiqued by her less often.
Li Ang had intended to just get in his car and leave, but mid-turn, something came to his mind. After placing his belongings in the car, he approached them directly.
"I want to emphasize once again, we are divorced now. It doesn’t matter if you starve to death, it’s none of my business anymore, stop asking me for money!"
"Enough, Sofia, stop putting on a show with your temper..."
As the two quarreled and tugged at each other, it was the usual drama of marital discord.
"Hey, Mrs. Sofia, are you having some trouble?"
Li Ang’s sudden interjection immediately attracted the attention of both, causing the previously noisy duo to fall silent.
Before Sofia could speak, her ex-husband, a slender white man in a floral shirt, preemptively challenged:
"Kid, who are you? I advise you not to meddle in other people’s affairs!"
"Hey, please be polite to my student."
Sofia glared at him with annoyance, then turned to Li Ang with a bit of surprise:
"Teacher does have some family issues, but it’s okay, I can handle them myself."
If Li Ang hadn’t spoken up, Sofia would have had no idea who this student was.
Just one summer had passed, and the changes in him were drastic.
In her memory, Li Ang was a frail, well-behaved boy with black-rimmed glasses, who spoke softly and smiled shyly without speaking when he saw his teacher.
Now, he seemed like a different person; not only had he grown taller, but he was also much more robust, and his whole demeanor had drastically changed from before. He was unrecognizable.
"Teacher, if you encounter any problems, feel free to tell me. Didn’t you say before that teachers and students should be friends?"
