"Please come in," Qing Chen said calmly.
Into the room strolled Jiang Xiaotang, who nonchalantly took a seat on the sofa not far from Qing Chen, "I hadn't expected that just yesterday you two were fighting to the death, and today you've become friends."
"We're hardly friends," Qing Chen replied earnestly.
This remark left Huang Zixian startled, but he quickly found the other's forthright manner of speaking somewhat comforting.
On any given day, there were plenty who would call you brother, acting like blood relatives before trouble struck, only to vanish without a trace once something went wrong.
For some reason, Huang Zixian found he actually preferred the company of people like Qing Chen.
At that moment, Jiang Xiaotang cracked a smile, "You're quite direct, so I'll be straightforward too. Sign a management contract with me; let me be your agent."
Qing Chen was somewhat taken aback.
Seeing his astonishment, Jiang Xiaotang continued, "You don't even know what I do for a living, do you?"
Huang Zixian interjected, "Boss Jiang is the owner of Begonia Boxing Gym, but she is also the most famous agent in the Fourth District. She only handles the toughest Land Cruise boxers."
The implication was clear, boxers below the Land Cruise Grade weren't qualified to sign with her.
Qing Chen inquired, "What's in it for me?"
"I can line up the best opponents for you," Jiang Xiaotang replied, leg propped up confidently, "and I guarantee to plan the fastest route to fame for you. Just like I arranged Huang Zixian for you yesterday, your rise to fame will be completely genuine, making you the biggest money-maker of my Begonia Boxing Gym."
This woman exuded elegance and grace even when casually sitting with her leg propped up.
"Why me?" Qing Chen asked.
"Handsome face, perfect physique, and a passionate fighting style," Jiang Xiaotang listed on her fingers, "Your kind of boxer is the easiest to attract female spectators, especially those rich aunts who spend lavishly. They would bankrupt themselves for you."
Qing Chen looked steadily at the woman before him, understanding her intentions.
While boxing matches were predominantly watched by men, there were exceptions. In fact, a significant portion of female viewers watched the fights, but they focused on specific boxers and were incredibly fanatical. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire
Just last year, a young boxer with a pleasing appearance was adored by women, but unfortunately lacked skill. Because other boxers resented his habit of wearing make-up before matches, they cruelly beat him to death in the ring.
That incident made the news on Hope Media last year, and it was said that a certain street in the Fourth District was carpeted with flowers laid by mourning women…
With two months until the first anniversary of the boxer's death, there were already women organizing a memorial service for him.
Qing Chen shook his head at Jiang Xiaotang, "I'm not interested in any of that."
The ring was merely a place for him to learn techniques and address his weaknesses; he did not intend to become famous there, nor did he plan to make a living from it.
Perhaps, once Qing Chen could honestly defeat Land Cruise boxers, he would decisively leave.
He had more important things to pursue.
Jiang Xiaotang seemed unsurprised by Qing Chen's response, "If you sign with me, no one would dare to kill you in the ring."
"Without the risk of death, the ring loses its appeal," Qing Chen shook his head again, "Thank you for your offer, Boss Jiang, but my ambition lies elsewhere."
Huang Zixian was somewhat worried for him, knowing too well Begonia Boxing Gym had its ace fighters in the Tiger Grade, ruthless individuals who would dispatch boxers who disobeyed Jiang Xiaotang on the ring!
Jiang Xiaotang looked at Huang Zixian with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "I know what you're thinking, but I wouldn't do that. How could I bear to see such a handsome young man die? Even if he doesn't sign with me, he can still make quite a bit of money for my Begonia Boxing Gym. Alright, I won't disturb your match-viewing any longer."
With that, Jiang Xiaotang rose and walked towards the door, then turned back to Qing Chen, "By the way, I'm leaving this suite for you to use. Feel free to watch matches here anytime. Plus, though you haven't signed with me, I'll still give you the Tiger Grade Boxing King's share ratio."
Qing Chen said sincerely, "Thank you."
VIP001 suite was the closest to the Octagon cage, offering the clearest view.
And indeed, the share of a Boxing King was quite tempting.
By now, Huang Zixian was utterly dumbfounded, almost thinking Boss Jiang had become a fan of Qing Chen!
It wasn't uncommon for gym owners to be fans of certain boxers, but when talking about Jiang Xiaotang, known as Viper, it still felt somewhat surreal.
"Get well soon," Jiang Xiaotang said with a light laugh, "You don't look too good today."
Qing Chen subconsciously touched his cheek, swollen like a loaf of bread…
"Also, you don't have to call me Boss Jiang. If you call me 'sister,' I could increase your share to the Land Cruise Grade level," Jiang Xiaotang said with a light-hearted chuckle.
Qing Chen was momentarily stunned.
But before he could respond, Jiang Xiaotang had already left the room, "Just kidding."
That night, Qing Chen was driven home in the nanny car, with Uncle Li Dong still nowhere to be seen.
He silently reviewed the day's gains, feeling that just this one day had significantly increased his experience. If he were to face Huang Zixian again, he would likely be able to fend off his attacks more effectively and not end up in as sorry a state as the day before.
Qing Chen needed every step he took to be utterly solid.