To Be A Star - ZhanYi

Chapter - 4

Xiao Zhan was handed a black T-shirt to wear during his work hours, which made him snort at the memory of the shirts bought by Tang Jia.

Despite the presence of at least seven coaches in the fitness center, Xiao Zhan still remained unsure of his role there.

Tang Hao, Tang Jia's uncle, with his booming voice, directed one of the men to guide Xiao Zhan. The man introduced himself, but his name slipped from Xiao Zhan's mind almost as soon as he heard it.

The man proceeded to introduce Xiao Zhan to the names of the various equipment, making him feel like a kindergartener being introduced to his classmates.

First, there was the treadmill. Xiao Zhan couldn't help but wonder why people would choose to run on a machine when there were plenty of parks available for jogging. Then there was the stair mill, which seemed absurd to him since most people opt for elevators instead of stairs. Yet here they were, paying to use a machine that imitated something they could access for free in their own apartment buildings.

Next came the full rack, squat rack, dumbbells, barbells, and battle ropes. Xiao Zhan let out a sigh, his mind overwhelmed with the names of the equipment, their proper usage, and his own thoughts on how they could be replaced with natural alternatives. It was exhausting to have his mind fried with so much information.

During lunch, Xiao Zhan sat with the trainers and introduced himself. They were all professional trainers with numerous certificates like NSCA-CPT and NSCA-CSCS, although Xiao Zhan had no idea what those abbreviations stood for.

They assured him that he would receive sufficient training to obtain those certificates as well. Still, Xiao Zhan couldn't comprehend why Tang Jia had brought him to a fitness center instead of recommending him for a job in a restaurant or some other establishment. The purpose behind this choice eluded him. Why a fitness centre?

When he voiced his question to Tang Jia, the latter replied, "ZhanZhan, it's about expanding your horizons and connecting with new people. Open your eyes and observe what's happening around you. Don't limit yourself to a simple goal; broaden your perspective."

Goal? Xiao Zhan pondered, Do I even have a goal?

That night, Xiao Zhan explored the neighborhood and came across a few people lying on the roadside. He convinced them to collect scrap papers and other discarded items before the street sweeper could clean them up. They agreed, and for Xiao Zhan, it marked the completion of one task.

The next challenge was to immerse himself in the world of fitness. It wasn't an easy journey. As he delved into studying fitness, he discovered hidden facets of himself—his resilience, courage, focus, and newfound confidence. He delved into analyzing muscle strength, body function, and even delved deeper into understanding individual postures and the specific exercises needed for each person, recognizing that these requirements varied from one individual to another.

The daily commute to the fitness centre consumed thirty minutes of Xiao Zhan's morning routine. He would wake up early, hasten to catch the transit, and squeeze into the overcrowded coach alongside fellow commuters heading to their workplaces. In this sea of rushing bodies, he encountered stern gazes and judgmental expressions, seldom witnessing a morning smile.

Before arriving at the centre, Xiao Zhan would make a quick stop at a small food stall near the transit. Some days, he would indulge in youtiao and congee, while on others, he would settle for baozi alone. It was a modest yet satisfying breakfast that provided him with enough energy to start his day.

Xiao Zhan was tasked with training the trainers and occasionally assisting clients who were already under the guidance of professional trainers. With a sense of accomplishment, he congratulated himself. Satisfied with his performance, Xiao Zhan couldn't resist patting himself on the back for a job well done.

During lunchtime at the fitness center, Xiao Zhan not only enjoyed his meal but also seized the opportunity to learn about proper diet plans. The trainers, all older than him, treated him like a younger brother, creating a comfortable and supportive environment.

In the evenings, he would meet with the individuals he had assigned to collect scrap, and he was pleasantly surprised to find that their combined efforts yielded a greater amount of scrap than he could collect alone. Xiao Zhan gained a deep understanding of the importance of business strategy and teamwork.

Once the scrap was gathered, Xiao Zhan would distribute the money, which Tang Jia had credited to his account, among the collectors. He would then carefully package the scraps in cardboard boxes and arrange for their shipment to Fengxian, where Tang Jia's recycling mill was located.