Chapter 469: Weight Loss Interlude

Chapter 469: A Weight-Loss Episode

Meng Fan wanted to lose weight!

Like a wild stallion snapped clean of its reins, this news violently trampled its way into the hearts of everyone at the Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Judo Administration Center, shattering their nerves to pieces.

What on earth was this about?

Why on earth was he shedding weight when everything was going so well!

Everyone knew that in the heaviest weight classes of those three disciplines, Meng Fan’s physical weight gave him absolutely no natural advantage—even if he already wielded undisputed dominance across them all. He was already at a disadvantage in mass, and now he wanted to lose even more; it was simply beyond comprehension!

Could he be planning to drop down a weight class?

It was possible, technically, but it just felt entirely wrong.

To possess absolute dominance in the heaviest class, only to insist on competing in a lighter one—was this not just sheer absurdity?

As for the notion that he could drop to the second-heaviest class and still match his heavyweight records, the officials at the center fully believed Meng Fan had the talent to pull it off. But what bloody use was that? Was that what they were after?

And what about the side benefit of snatching the world records for the second-heaviest class while he was at it? Well... okay, that part admittedly held some allure.

"Let him make a scene, let him! Just let him have his way!"

In the end, swallowed by a wave of helplessness, Directors Zhou and Xiong could only hold their noses and consent. However, they had Dean Zhan carry back a single stipulation: Meng Fan was not to take the weight loss too far, lest his strength evaporate along with his mass, leaving him unable to bulk back up when he needed to!

Furthermore, there was a strict time limit. Various World Championships loomed next year, and in the months leading up to them, they absolutely had to ensure that Meng Fan’s competitive performance remained stable.

"Have you all lost your minds?"

Compared to the officials at the administration center, Ye Liwei was even more distraught upon hearing the news. Weightlifting, wrestling, and judo were divided by weight classes, but throwing events were not. The javelin was somewhat forgiving, but the shot put heavily relied on sheer mass. You might spot a relatively leaner physique on the javelin field, but the shot-putters were universally built like lumbering bears!

Upon learning that the administration center had actually greenlit Meng Fan’s frantic whim, Ye Liwei lost his temper completely. Meng Fan was acting wild, but in his eyes, the people at the center were the ones who had truly gone mad!

It was one thing for the "child" to throw a tantrum, but what kind of madness had possessed you "parents" to go along with it!

"What is all this shouting about!"

Director Xiong blew gently on his teacup, took a sip, and then glared at Ye Liwei past the floating tea leaves. "Do you know what it means when the emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuchs are panicking? He doesn’t have a damn thing to do with your Track and Field Administration yet, so why are you storming into my office to glare and gnash your teeth at me!"

Director Xiong was typically a very amiable man who met everyone with a beaming smile, and he was usually exceptionally polite to Ye Liwei. Today, however, he simply could not bring himself to be courteous. It wasn't just because of Ye Liwei's interrogation; at its core, it was because Ye Liwei was trying to "poach their talent."

Good grief, was Meng Fan giving them that much of his time to begin with? Why did this guy have to come along and meddle!

"Am I not just anxious? I’m thinking of your interests too!"

Ye Liwei hurried to apologize. Putting aside which administration held higher status within the General Administration of Sport, just on the matter of "leasing" Meng Fan, he still had to bow to the whims of the Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Judo Administration Center. How could he dare truly offend them? Yet he still couldn't help but add, "Old Xiong, it's true the athlete is exceptional, but we can't just keep spoiling him forever! Regarding this matter—"

Before Ye Liwei could finish, Director Xiong cut him off, his expression turning thoroughly grave. "Coach Ye! With an attitude like yours, I believe our center needs to reconsider this whole arrangement! What do you mean by spoiling him! Meng Fan has done nothing to harm the national interest, he hasn't violated any disciplinary rules, and thirdly, he has made such monumental contributions to the country. Why shouldn't we support his decision? Besides, this isn't spoiling him; at most, it's doting on him! Coach Ye, if you can't get your attitude straight, I’ll put it bluntly: even if Meng Fan himself is willing to agree to your terms, I will find a way to block it!"

Whatever the center thought of Meng Fan's weight loss internally was one thing, but to the outside world, they would absolutely shield him at all costs!

Furthermore, the Track and Field Administration had long faced heavy public criticism for how they handled certain matters regarding a certain soaring hurdler. From a personal perspective, Director Xiong felt a duty to guard Meng Fan against such pitfalls and give the man a stern warning!

Of course, back then, Ye Liwei hadn't been the head coach yet. If it had been the old leadership structure, the center certainly wouldn't have been this accommodating, and Dean Zhan wouldn't have personally escorted Ye Liwei to find Meng Fan; they would have hidden Meng Fan away entirely!

"Oh, Old Xiong, that's not what I meant at all! What I meant was—well, whatever I say now won't clarify things!" Ye Liwei wanted to weep, secretly slapping his own face a few times. Why did he have to run his mouth? He hadn't meant it that way, but with Director Xiong cutting him off like that, his words had been twisted into something ugly regardless. He immediately shifted his stance, declaring, "We won't spoil him, we’ll revere him! We’ll revere him like a deity, how about that! I’ll give you my word right here: if we fail to do so, you won't even have to ask—I will personally deliver this great Buddha back to you!"

Seeing that Ye Liwei had thoroughly grasped his meaning, Director Xiong's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Well, it shouldn't be put quite like that. After all, we are acting as his parents here; if he truly violates organizational or disciplinary rules, we must certainly intervene. But if he touches neither, then as his parents, we absolutely must support him, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely!"

Having rushed in with an impatient temper only to suffer a thorough rebuff, Ye Liwei dared not utter another word. He could only obediently slink back and wait for the notice. As for whether Meng Fan’s weight loss would affect his competitive edge, he certainly couldn't control that for the time being—in fact, even when Meng Fan eventually joined the track and field team, they probably wouldn't have the power or the courage to interfere anyway.

Meng Fan's weight loss was progressing with visible speed. Especially after resuming his training for a while, once the numbers began to drop, they practically cascaded downward. Given such an immense volume of physical exertion coupled with highly rational and scientifically tailored targeted training, it would have been a miracle if he didn't lose weight.

Meng Fan's weight loss was primarily focused and directed on shedding fat. The most obvious manifestation of this change on his body was that as his body fat plummeted, his muscles emerged—distinct, sharply defined muscles. To put it plainly, Meng Fan’s physique was finally beginning to match the handsome quality of his face.

His powerful arms and trim, athletic waist went without saying, while his pectoral muscles were increasingly taking on the appearance of sculpted armor. Moreover, what delighted Meng Fan most of all was that his abdominal muscles had finally unveiled their true form. Previously, he could only feel them by pressing down hard with his fingers; now, a mere sweep of his palm across his stomach revealed a clear, undulating ripple. Of course, if he truly wanted them sharply delineated enough to serve as street lines for giving directions, it would still take a bit of time.

Snap, snap.

Ever since his abs began to take on defined edges, Meng Fan couldn't resist taking photos in front of the mirror after every shower, sending them over with a chuckle to Wu Tong, who had gone back to the Palace Museum in the capital to restore paintings.

After sending the pictures and exchanging a few playful lines, he went out to eat. Just as he sat down, Lao Hei arrived with a sly grin, bringing a guest along. As this guest walked through the venue, people greeted him left and right, even eliciting a few squeals from the female students at the Peak Martial Arts Dojo.

"Uncle Fifteen, how did you know I was here?"

Seeing that it was Shi Shiwu, Meng Fan quickly waved him over to sit down, asking, "Have you eaten yet? Want to grab a bite first?"

"I happen to be starving. Let's eat and talk."

This time, Shi Shiwu had returned to Blue Whale TV to record a show. Furthermore, all the tracks for Meng Fan’s album had finally been gathered. A portion had been written by himself and Jin Xiaowen, while another portion had been commissioned from others, totaling nearly twenty songs for Meng Fan to choose from.

His main purpose in seeking out Meng Fan this time was to finalize the schedule for recording the tracks.

(End of Chapter)