Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 6 - 4 The Joy of Growing Up
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
Curtains swayed lightly, permitting a narrow ray of sunlight to slip inside.
A breeze turned the wall calendar's pages, producing a soft rustling sound.
From afar, the steady drip of a faucet echoed.
All at once.
A sharp "ding-ding-ding" alarm shattered the calm morning air.
The bathroom's sliding door slid open forcefully.
Shirtless, Fang Cheng dried his hands with a towel, walked out in slippers, and rushed to silence the alarm.
He checked the clock.
7:30.
He narrowed his eyes at the sunlight pouring through the window, drawing in a long breath.
What a thrill it would be to enjoy a cool shower post-exercise?
Regrettably, the cramped rental lacked a shower, forcing him to settle for a hasty wipe.
This realization prompted Fang Cheng to reopen the Skill Panel, admiring the results of his early workout.
[Push-ups Experience +18]
[Boxing Experience +3]
[Concentration Experience +2]
......
[Skill Panel]
[Speed Reading lv1 (28/250)]
[Concentration lv1 (65/250)]
[Cooking Skill lv0 (34/100)]
[Cleaning lv0 (75/100)]
[Boxing lv0 (64/100)]
[Push-ups lv0 (51/100)]
[Potential Activation (23:09:12)]
Two days flew past, bringing clear advances to all skills.
"Push-ups" especially, where he'd invested most of his time—the progress bar had passed the middle point.
Keeping this momentum, leveling it to lv1 wouldn't demand much longer.
Once his sweaty chest and back were dried.
Fang Cheng soaked the towel once more, rinsed it clean, twisted out the excess water, and draped it over the rack.
Standing before the mirror, he probed his face with his fingers.
Maybe it was wishful thinking, yet his skin seemed more vibrant, and his arms appeared slightly toned.
Examining the Attributes Panel revealed no shifts in the figures.
Anticipating major bodily enhancements from mere days of practice proved unrealistic.
Nevertheless, careful inspection showed a slim progress indicator beside each attribute.
By concentrating and tapping it, an additional screen emerged.
It brimmed with a display of notification texts.
......
[You practiced boxing for 3 minutes, Constitution increased by 0.001]
[You practiced boxing for 4 minutes, Strength increased by 0.001]
[You practiced boxing for 5 minutes, Agility increased by 0.001]
[You mopped the floor for 10 minutes, Constitution increased by 0.001]
[You carried heavy objects for 5 minutes, Strength increased by 0.001]
[You walked 1000 steps, Constitution increased by 0.001]
[You walked 1200 steps, Agility increased by 0.001]
[You slept for 7 hours, Spirit increased by 0.001]
[You slept for 8 hours, Constitution increased by 0.001]
[You did push-ups 5 times, Strength increased by 0.001]
......
Scrolling reached the end below.
Scrolling upward failed to uncover the initial entry.
Similar to skills, physical attributes advanced via 'experience accumulation.'
Gains accumulated gradually from every action or exertion.
Yet to curb overload and interruptions, these stayed concealed.
"Each alert in here, every incremental rise, stands as evidence of my dedication..."
Fang Cheng muttered softly, his gaze alight with anticipation, akin to a tiller eyeing sprouting yields.
Though advances crept forward, persistent buildup promised eventual breakthroughs.
Particularly with Constitution approaching 99% fullness.
Thrills welled within him, prompting tight fist clenches.
"Hiss—"
Evidently too sudden a motion strained a tender spot, causing Fang Cheng to draw in chilly air sharply.
Vigorous sessions yielded gains, yet post-effort restoration posed nagging challenges.
Across these two days, soreness plagued his arms, shoulders, and chest, leaving them limp.
Absent the Concentration Skill's aid, enduring would have proven arduous.
This had notably hampered his practice efficiency.
Thankfully, the panel tallied repetitions alone, ignoring pace averages.
Fang Cheng thus could moderate his speed, extend recoveries, to fulfill quotas.
As outlined in his routine, the 100 push-ups quota split across 10 rounds.
Morning after rising, he sought completion in under ninety minutes.
Should stamina falter, he avoided pushing and compensated via workplace pauses.
Post-shift each night, if arriving promptly, he'd append one or two rounds for bonus drills.
That 100 push-ups tally loomed substantial.
Distributed however, it remained feasible.
Primarily due to his subpar foundational fitness.
Fang Cheng ground his teeth, dismissed the ache, and briskly arranged the bathroom.
He loaded his perspiration-drenched briefs and odorous socks into the rickety antique washer.
In student days, immersed in academics without much activity, his gym marks lingered at the class's tail end.
Work's manual demands alone nudged his vigor upward marginally.
Prolonged comfort fosters reliance.
Settled in, individuals coast through, deeming existence unchanging.
Laziness, urges, fatigue buildup, pleasure hits...
Path to fortitude brims with obstacles fiercer than foreseen.
"Grit through it. 'Potential Activation' refresh should ease this soon."
"Moreover, tomorrow's drill might reveal a novel skill..."
Such notions, despite lingering discomfort, rekindled Fang Cheng's determination.
He donned clothes rapidly and proceeded to the sleeping area.
Ahead lay his dawn learning and review period.
Post-"Push-ups" unlock, Fang Cheng sensed a profound shift within.
To escape nocturnal habits and tardy risings, his resolve hardened unprecedentedly.
From 5 a.m. till 7:30 a.m., exercise, recuperate, cleanse.
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., graduate entry prep.
Thereafter, prepare meal, consume, board 9:05 a.m. ride for timely duty.
Morning lays foundation for the day.
Exercise demands no vast quotas or ideal poses.
Essence lies in unwavering daily commitment, vanquishing slothful, fretful, downcast impulses.
......
Chop chop chop.
Break two eggs into bowl, warm oil in wok.
Blade zips over board, mincing scallions, cucumber, carrots, chicken breast finely.
Incorporate add-ons, flavors progressively, then add remnants from rice vessel.
Fry to thorough blend, coating each rice kernel in seasoning.
Extinguish fire, remove vessel, portion onto dishware.
[Cooking Skill Experience +1]
Breathing the appealing fried rice scent, Fang Cheng displayed pleased expression.
Identical to prior day, straightforward egg fried rice.
"Grad exams aside, operating a morning eatery seems viable. Starvation's off the table for life..."
Exertion sharpened Fang Cheng's hunger keenly, devouring three bowls successively.
He polished the vessel spotless, appetite lingering.
Past breakfasts sufficed with dual buns and soy pouch.
Meal dispatched swiftly, he scoured cookware, tools, workspace.
8:49.
Fang Cheng slipped into black insulated coat, donned Warrior athletic footwear, shouldered pack, departed for shift.
Traversing passage, he beheld Auntie He from opposite unit unlatching door precisely then.
Infant's wails intertwined with persistent rebukes.
"Xiumei, these pair include spice, others exclude chili, rice positioned deepest, ensure soup stays contained!"
"Understood."
Auntie He, clad in floral quilted nightwear, hovered at entry, issuing precise directives to offspring.
Glancing upward to spot Fang Cheng nearby, she grinned warmly.
"Ah Cheng, Sunday overtime duty?"
"Indeed, your destination?"
"Uncle Zhou's squad tackles homicide, sleepless through night. Xiu Mei's conveying warm broth for their comfort."
As words flowed, a abrupt "clang" resounded indoors, resembling shattered crockery, trailed by elder's hacking coughs.
"Oh mercy, my darling heir, you're ending me... Mother, I urged gradual sips, gradual, yet you disregard..."
Portal sealed.
In corridor, Fang Cheng preceded Zhou Xiumei sequentially.
No evident urge for dialogue.
Fang Cheng advanced briskly, reaching steps.
Zhou Xiumei lingered within shadowed hall.
She sported white insulated outerwear and knit leggings, blue fabric tie atop head, woolen wrap encircling throat.
Voluminous attire spared her mother's stoutness; sluggishness defined her instead.
Delicate digits clutched dual sizable synthetic carriers, caution etching her creased forehead.
Carriers doubtlessly bore numerous sealed repast containers.
Evident burden taxed her evidently.
Fang Cheng peered rearward.
Observing plight, he retraced steps, assumed the carrier.
"I'll transport it to transit point."
Upon digit contact, Zhou Xiumei's frame tensed briefly, nearly retracting.
"Unnecessary..."
Raising view, encountering Fang Cheng's vivid stare, she averted swiftly like timid creature, gaze shifting aside.
"Appreciated."
Her tone whispered like insect hum, scarcely registering with Fang Cheng.
Nonetheless, face bore dawn-like flush, lobes veiled by tresses burned hotter.
Fang Cheng spared little heed, sensing merely gentle compassion for adjacent fragile maiden.
In truth, from arrival day, acquaintance bloomed, youthful frolics shared.
Primary through secondary schooling, joint pathways to academia and return habitual.
Divergence dawned in initial high school term.
Subsequently, East Capital University acceptance for him, Zhou Xiumei's scholarly hiatus for ailment, solitary exchanges rarefied.
Solar beams filtered via lofty edifices flanking avenue, alternating gloom and gleam.
Emerging from cylindrical structure, Fang Cheng emerged from contemplation, regarded trailing female half pace aft.
Her pale-shod feet navigated uneven soiled pools, pursuit muted.
Luxuriant locks draped shoulders gracefully, diffusing subtle cleanser aroma.
Gust swept through, elevating locks, softly stroking pristine brow, gem-carved nostrils.
Concealing obsidian-lustrous orbs, plus persistent facial rosiness.
Though bus haste pressed, Fang Cheng paced leisurely beside her.
Thoroughfare constricted, vendors arrayed bilaterally.
Steamed doughs, omelet flats, sticky treats, lard-infused shrimp dumplings—diverse savors permeated atmosphere.
Belated arising locals ventured in footgear and padded wraps, settling curbside to satiate.
Navigating this decade-stagnant byway beside Zhou Xiumei,
Fang Cheng perceived juvenile incarnation, beside plaited-haired lass, gathering vessels for confection funds.
Fang Cheng grinned, head shaking.
Many evoke youth for unburdened spirits.
Yet he differed, unwilling to cling to bygones evading present.
For duties demanded his forward embrace.
Quitting Old Factory Lane, transit halt neared bend's turn.
Route 13 vehicle, festooned with enhancement promo, arrived aptly.
Clubward and station-bound diverged oppositely.
Fang Cheng restored carrier to Zhou Xiumei, cautioned:
"Proceed cautiously en route, heed transit perils, I depart for labors."
Zhou Xiumei's stare wavered.
Their accord felt long-absent warmth.
Swiftly, bashful dip of head, tender reply:
"Very well, take care yourself..."
Fang Cheng offered modest grin, pivoted toward approaching transport.
Zhou Xiumei elevated visage, lips ajar as though more lingered unspoken.
Ultimately, mere observation of his vanishing form ascending ride, voiceless.
Beneath bent sunrays, her sight gleamed tenderly, shrouded in subtle vapor.
She perpetually sensed Fang Cheng bore subtle alterations...