After Punching Her Way Through The Entertainment Industry [Ancient-to-Modern] - Chapter 10

On her way home, Meng Shi passed a bus stop and immediately spotted Meng Jiu getting off the bus.

On a sudden whim, she decided to tease her. She walked up behind Meng Jiu, tapped her on the shoulder, and snatched away her handbag while she turned around.

“Th—”

Meng Jiu was about to shout when she saw Meng Shi standing before her with a grin, swinging the bag in her hand.

“You little brat!”

Meng Jiu sighed in relief and snatched the handbag back.

“Did you put rocks in this bag? Why is it so heavy?”

Meng Jiu rolled her eyes at her.

Why was this girl so happy today? In the past, she would run away the moment she saw Meng Jiu.

“Where have you been fooling around again?”

Meng Jiu had only intended to ask what had made her so happy, but the words sounded accusatory as soon as they left her mouth.

Meng Shi shrugged.

“Working.”

“Working?!”

Meng Jiu’s face immediately filled with delight, followed by confusion and concern.

“You found a job? What kind of job?”

Meng Shi scratched her head. She had no intention of explaining the details.

“A job I really like. It’s reliable, and the owner is a good person.”

“Is it a legitimate company? Where is it? I’ll go have a look this weekend.”

Meng Jiu was worried that her foolishly trusting younger sister might have been deceived.

“Don’t worry. I’m already an adult. I know what I’m doing.”

“I’m only telling you because I hope you won’t push yourself too hard. I’m here to help support this family too.”

Meng Jiu felt that this was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever heard in her life.

She had grown up.

This troublesome younger sister had truly grown up!

“Hey!”

Before Meng Shi could react, Meng Jiu suddenly threw herself at her and pulled her into a bear hug.

Meng Jiu was wearing high heels, making them nearly the same height. She wrapped her arms around Meng Shi’s neck and patted her head, just as she had when they were children.

“Could you stop hugging me? It’s too clingy.”

Meng Shi’s face showed clear disgust, but inwardly, she enjoyed it immensely.

She did not understand what was happening to her.

In her previous life, she had hated excessive physical closeness. Aside from her mother and Yan Qing, almost no one had ever touched her body.

Yet now, when Meng Jiu embraced her, she felt no dislike at all.

Instead, she felt a little…

Happy?

“I haven’t even complained about you being covered in sweat.”

Meng Jiu glared at her in dissatisfaction, then wrapped an arm around her waist as the two walked home together.

…

Meng Shi’s life gradually settled into a regular rhythm.

She left early and returned early every day, working steadily and seriously.

Seeing her so energetic each day, as though she had been injected with chicken blood, Meng Jiu was also happy for her.

She planned to visit Meng Shi’s workplace the next time she had a day off.

Meng Shi’s work at the boxing gym had also been going smoothly.

She got along reasonably well with her colleagues, and Xiang Xiaoyan genuinely took good care of her.

She rarely made Meng Shi work as a sparring partner. Most of the time, she had Meng Shi serve as an instructor and teach the customers.

One day, Meng Shi was teaching a teenage boy how to box when a customer entered the gym.

At first, Meng Shi did not pay much attention.

However, the atmosphere inside the gym suddenly became tense.

The others, who had been laughing and talking, immediately fell silent.

Meng Shi turned around and saw them looking at the newly arrived customer as though she were a plague god.

Meng Shi examined the short-haired young woman.

Her steps were steady, and her expression looked fierce. Her gaze was sharp, and she unconsciously radiated an imposing aura.

She was undoubtedly a trained fighter.

The young woman did not seem to be visiting the gym for the first time. She entered the changing room as though she knew the place well.

“Why is she here again…”

Yuan Xiaobai muttered miserably.

Xiang Xiaoyan’s expression also became somewhat unpleasant.

She patted Yuan Xiaobai.

“Prepare yourself properly. Be extra careful.”

After she spoke, the young woman emerged from the changing room.

Her strong, muscular body was extremely striking.

She put on her gloves by herself, climbed into the boxing ring, and threw several punches into the air.

Each one produced a sharp rush of wind and carried considerable power.

She pointed at Yuan Xiaobai.

“Come.”

Yuan Xiaobai deliberately chose two extra-thick focus mitts. After putting on protective gear and a helmet, she stretched briefly and climbed into the ring.

However, before Yuan Xiaobai was ready, the young woman raised her leg and launched a powerful side kick.

Yuan Xiaobai hurriedly lifted her arms and barely blocked it.

Even so, the kick made her stagger.

Before she could regain her balance, a straight punch flew directly toward her face.

Yuan Xiaobai raised her arms in a panic and barely blocked it.

After only two moves, her opponent had already disrupted her rhythm, and defending became extremely difficult.

Under the young woman’s fierce assault, Yuan Xiaobai could no longer endure after only five minutes.

Even though she wore protective gear and held focus mitts, she was still struck several times across her body.

Hearing the solid sounds of fists and feet hitting flesh made Xiang Xiaoyan ache on her behalf.

Everyone watched anxiously.

Suddenly, the young woman spun and launched a roundhouse kick directly toward Yuan Xiaobai’s chest.

Yuan Xiaobai raised both arms to protect herself, but she was still unable to withstand the enormous impact.

The kick sent her stumbling several steps backward before she fell onto the floor.

The young woman immediately stepped closer.

She raised her right leg high above her head, and a ruthless expression flashed across her face.

The leg came crashing down toward Yuan Xiaobai’s shoulder!

Yuan Xiaobai’s face instantly turned pale.

There was no time to evade.

“Xiaobai!”

Xiang Xiaoyan cried out in alarm.

A figure suddenly flashed past her.

Smack!

A sharp sound rang through the gym.

“Ugh…”

Meng Shi let out a muffled grunt.

Yuan Xiaobai had believed her arm was about to be ruined.

She kept her eyes closed for a moment, but the expected pain never came.

When she opened them, she froze.

Meng Shi was crouched halfway in front of her, her right arm raised high.

She had directly blocked the young woman’s vicious kick!

【Xiang Xiaoyan: Holy crap, that was so cool!!! But… this is dangerous! You reckless child, get down from there!!!】

Yuan Xiaobai stared at her in confusion.

“You…”

She could not find the words.

Meng Shi’s expression was serious as she met the young woman’s gaze.

The fighter looked slightly surprised by Meng Shi’s sudden appearance.

Then excitement filled her face, and she lowered her leg.

Meng Shi also withdrew her arm.

That kick had truly held nothing back.

Pain pulsed through her wrist, which had become faintly numb.

Meng Shi helped Yuan Xiaobai to her feet, took the focus mitts from her, and strapped them onto her own arms.

“Sister Xiaobai isn’t feeling well today. I’ll practice with you instead.”

Meng Shi assumed her stance.

However, the young woman did not move.

“You forgot your protective gear,” she reminded her kindly.

“I don’t need it.”

Meng Shi was not being arrogant.

She simply was not accustomed to wearing the equipment. Sometimes it even interfered with her movements.

She found it more comfortable to fight lightly equipped.

Hearing this, the young woman’s lips curved slightly.

She abruptly threw a left hook.

Meng Shi narrowed her eyes and calmly stepped backward.

The fist swept past, almost brushing the tip of her nose!

The young woman followed with a side kick.

As though she had predicted it, Meng Shi raised her arm in advance and blocked with all her strength.

No matter how fierce the young woman’s attacks became, Meng Shi’s rhythm remained completely undisturbed.

After failing to land several blows, the young woman only grew more excited.

Meng Shi felt the same.

It had been a long time since she had exchanged moves with someone so satisfyingly.

The people watching from the side were the ones who suffered.

Xiang Xiaoyan’s eyelid twitched violently.

Every time Meng Shi narrowly avoided being struck, her heart rose into her throat.

“Watch out!”

Xiang Xiaoyan suddenly shouted.

The young woman gathered her strength, turned, and launched a roundhouse kick!

Naturally, Meng Shi saw it coming.

She raised her right arm before her and concentrated her strength into it.

“Ha!”

The young woman roared and delivered a heavy kick.

Bang!

Her leg struck the focus mitt with tremendous force.

Meng Shi took the kick head-on.

She retreated two steps to disperse the impact before steadying herself.

The young woman was also forced back two steps by the recoil of Meng Shi’s block.

The two stared at each other.

Then the timer rang with a clear ding.

Time was up.

Xiang Xiaoyan released a long breath and wiped the sweat covering her forehead.

Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought she had been the one sparring with the young woman…

“Very good.”

The young woman nodded at Meng Shi.

Meng Shi gave her a polite smile and climbed down from the ring.

After returning to the changing room, Meng Shi used a towel to wipe away her sweat.

It had been a long time since she had sweated so heavily or enjoyed a fight so much.

She sat on the sofa and closed her eyes, replaying the exchange in her mind.

It would have been even more enjoyable if she had been allowed to fight back.

When Xiang Xiaoyan entered the changing room, she saw Meng Shi sitting with her eyes closed and brows slightly furrowed.

Then she noticed the obvious redness and swelling around Meng Shi’s right wrist.

She hurriedly searched for the first-aid kit.

Meng Shi was resting with her eyes closed when she sensed someone beside her.

She opened her eyes and saw Xiang Xiaoyan, then hurriedly began to stand.

“Sister Xiaoyan, I’ll return to work now.”

“Hey, hey! Sit down.”

“Do I really look like an evil boss who exploits the working people?”

Xiang Xiaoyan was so annoyed that she laughed.

She pulled Meng Shi’s hand toward her.

Meng Shi instinctively started to withdraw, but when she saw Xiang Xiaoyan holding a medicinal spray and applying it to her wrist, she remained still.

“That kick looked very heavy. You didn’t injure the bones or tendons, did you?”

Xiang Xiaoyan asked with concern while carefully applying the medicine.

Seeing how practiced her movements were and knowing she meant well, Meng Shi allowed her to continue.

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Mm. Tell me immediately if it feels uncomfortable. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“Don’t ignore it and end up with a lasting injury.”

“Thank you, Sister Xiaoyan.”

Meng Shi smiled.

She could tell that Xiang Xiaoyan was genuinely concerned about her.

【Yan Qing: Then why the hell can’t you see that I’m also genuinely concerned about you?!】

“It was fortunate you were here today. Otherwise, there’s no telling how badly Xiaobai would have been injured.”

Xiang Xiaoyan sounded helpless, melancholy, and somewhat worried.

In truth, running a boxing gym meant that opportunities and challenges existed side by side.

There were easygoing, generous customers like Li Liang who happily gave them business.

Naturally, there were also people like the young woman today who came to cause trouble.

Calling it troublemaking was not entirely accurate.

Anyone who dared to open a boxing gym had to be mentally prepared for this kind of situation from the beginning.

As for Yuan Xiaobai, it could only be said that her skills were inferior.

However, Xiang Xiaoyan was not currently worried about Yuan Xiaobai.

She was worried about Meng Shi.

She had taken such good care of Meng Shi because she wanted her to remain at the gym and work there comfortably.

Today was the first time Meng Shi had truly witnessed the dangers of this profession.

Xiang Xiaoyan was afraid that she might become discouraged and decide to quit.

After all, she was still only a child…

“Mm. If something like this happens again, you can simply ask me to take over.”

Meng Shi moved her arm and spoke without the slightest concern.

Xiang Xiaoyan froze, believing she had misheard.

“Huh?”

“Although I’m better at taking a beating, it would be even better if I were allowed to fight back.”

Meng Shi looked slightly aggrieved.

Not being able to retaliate today had made her feel truly miserable…

【Xiang Xiaoyan: I! Found! A! Treasure!】

【Yan Qing: Mine! She’s mine!!】