19 Ehm… There’s No Need For This...” (1/2)
As the saying goes, one could be carried away by the success of a small achievement.
There was another saying—after you are healed from your scars, you forget the pain.
That was how Zhang Yang felt.
Just because he performed well, he thought so highly of himself! Not only did he say that he was going to stand up for Hong Xiaofu, he even waved to all the students who were watching him to thank them. Did he really think he was some kind of superstar?
Watching how cocky Zhang Yang was, Zhao Ming, who was standing at the side, quietly came forward and said, ”Do you know what you are saying? Brother Fu needs your help? He depends on himself to earn his living expenses. What are you compared to him?”
”Me?” At that moment, the barbell was brought in. Zhang Yang became even more full of himself as he replied, ”You will soon know what I am. Are you looking at me? It would not be a problem to even lift five hundred pounds!”
Just as he finished speaking, he was done assembling the barbell. Since he was trying to impress Han Feng, he started with a total weight of 260kg.
The students were shocked. 260 kg! That was crazy!
”260 kg! That is scary!”
”Yup, the world record holder of weightlifting, Kianoush Rostami of Iran, competed in the 85kg event and lifted 220kg. Zhang Yang is starting off with 260kg, he is going to beat the world record!”
”Can he do that? Is his body strong enough?”
Even Han Feng expressed his concerns and asked, ”Zhang Yang, are you sure you are fine with a weight of 260 kg? Weightlifting is unlike running or high jump, you could be injured very easily.”
Could he say no at such a time? Of course he couldn't!
Zhang Yang was full of confidence. He smiled and replied, ”Don't worry Director Han, I'm usually able to lift 260 kg. If my condition is good, I can even lift 280 kg!”
No one knew how true that was. Everyone guessed there was a high chance that he was just boasting.
With everyone looking at him, Zhang Yang applied powder onto his palms and everyone took a few steps back. Hong Xiaofu and Su Ying stood beside Han Feng, observing him closely.
”I'm starting now.” Zhang Yang announced. He held the bar and adjusted his grip as he breathed heavily for some time. Then everyone saw Zhang Yang take a deep breath in firmly. His chest bulged up and he gave a loud shout.
He instantly raised the barbell with 260 kg of weights to his neck almost effortlessly.
The next steps were crucial ones. Everyone held their breaths as Zhang Yang shouted again. He raised both his hands up fiercely and held the barbell above his head.
He had really raised it! He had broken another record!
The students cheered and applauded him. However, in that moment Zhang Yang felt sudden numbness at the back of his knees in both legs. He lost his balance—he could not stand straight.
Thump.
He was on his knees again!
It wasn't clear whether that had been a pure coincidence, but he happened to be facing Hong Xiaofu directly.
The atmosphere on the tracks changed at once. It was awkward. Zhang Yang was kneeling on both knees while holding the barbell up. He stared blankly at Hong Xiaofu.