I'm A Baller - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Training for Daily Etiquette
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the 1st of August, a Saturday. The weather was partly cloudy, and the highest temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was a rare cool day, and Wang Yan woke up early, at six. The air wasn’t humid like before.
He was feeling happy and chirpy!
After stretching, Wang Yan took a glance at the system out of habit and was stunned.
There was a new notification!
[After a night of uninterrupted sleep, you have gotten enough rest and unlocked a secret reward.]
[Fresh and rejuvenated: a positive reward. Your presence will allow people to feel at ease, and your eyes will look crystal clear.]
[The amount of time that this reward will be applicable: until you obtain the next reward.]
What the heck!
What kind of luck was this?
Wang Yan didn’t unlock the secret reward for Glutton even though there was a four percent possibility, yet he had unlocked the secret reward for sleep with just a one percent possibility?
Whatever it was, it was pretty useful, so he was glad!
Even if the system didn’t provide clear explanations, Wang Yan could understand the value of this reward.
A person’s appearance was very important.
More often than not, a good rest could allow one to be in a good state of mind and look as if he or she was glowing.
On the contrary, staying up all night at the internet cafe would just make one look as dull as a dead fish.
Hence, this was a very useful reward that could be used to increase his correspondences and charms.
Wang Yan suddenly remembered that he hadn’t used the Habit Incubator in quite some time. He vaguely recalled that there was a course of study that was compatible with the new reward.
He went to find it immediately.
“Training for Daily Etiquette.”
The description was simple, and the content was also not complicated. Wang Yan decided in an instant, “This is it!”
The bulk of it was as follows:
1. Steps: When walking, your steps should be steady and your back straight. Your head should be in the correct position with your shoulders relaxed. Swing your arms naturally and your walk will seem steady.
2. Sitting posture: The way you sit should be relaxed and steady with no redundant movements.
3. Eye contact: When you look at something, there should be a fixed focal point, and your glance should be firm instead of shifting gazes. This way, you will not look hesitant and timid.
Smiles: Laughing out loud with your mouth open is too vulgar. When you smile, be polite and refrain from additional limb movements.
Eating: In public spaces, eat with your mouth closed and do not stuff your mouth with food. When your mouth is full, do not talk. Avoid slumping over the table when eating as well.
Other than what was mentioned above, as long as his movements were sophisticated, he was allowed to eat in whatever manner he pleased.
The five aspects weren’t difficult to comprehend, but to put all of them into practice wasn’t an easy task either.
It required a long-term commitment and perseverance so that it would become an instinct. As a result, he would look graceful and charismatic.
The etiquette training wasn’t teaching people to act. Instead, it was to cultivate a healthy and proper attitude to portray a confident image to others.
As the saying went, “One must have a graceful carriage, knowing how to stand and sit properly.” This was to teach people to practice their behavior. Sitting upright and still, with a straight back, could reveal a serious attitude, while being relaxed and laidback would deliver a different signal.
Wang Yan was unable to do this well in the past, as he lacked awareness and parental guidance.
Why were girls who had been learning dance since they were young so elegant?
Why were timid men considered losers?
It all stemmed from their bearings.
Although Wang Yan was a high school graduate that didn’t know much, he could still differentiate the good from the bad. He knew what he could do to improve himself and signed up for the course immediately.
Wang Yan felt the contrast immediately after the lessons he put into practice were becoming more instinctual.
He stood up straight and tall with his shoulders pulled backward. His stomach was tucked in naturally, following the natural curve of his spine.
While walking, his head was in line with his shoulders, and his movements were natural and steady.
He didn’t seem hasty when he was walking anymore. It was as if all his muscles were reorganized.
What the heck!
“Am I reborn?”
Wang Yan knew that the Habit Incubator was awesome, but he hadn’t expected it to be this awesome.
This was like a Dream Incubator, was it not?
There was only one last habit left, so he decided to just choose his remaining course.
Courses like exercising, going to sleep early, and typography all looked great, but Wang Yan didn’t choose any of them.
Those courses could be learned and cultivated on his own with discipline, but there was one thing that couldn’t be achieved easily, even with hard work.
Under the “Manner of Speech” category, there was a course on how to “Speak with Discretion.”
The description was fairly simple, as usual:
1. Before talking, run through the phrases in your head, then pick the most logical and casual way to express those thoughts in sentences.
How was it possible to learn these kinds of things?!
It was a demonstration of character and emotional intelligence.
Some people just didn’t know the art of talking. They might have a good character and no ill intentions, but their commentaries could still make others uncomfortable.
Wang Yan used to be one of those people who spoke without thinking.
The past week had made him realize he had problems in this aspect, and this was the perfect course to improve himself.
Once the new habit was in place, he realized there were no obvious changes. However, Wang Yan believed that new habits were already in place.
At that point, the Habit Incubator became invalid and disappeared from the system.
‘Bye, and thank you!’
Filled with gratitude, Wang Yan waved goodbye to the air.
Next, he had to pack to leave!
He carried his Louis Vuitton duffel bag, which contained underwear to change into, a book, and a power charger for his phone.
He placed his debit card and identification card into his Sac Plat pouch and stuffed it in his travel bag as well.
After changing into a clean set of clothing and the canvas shoes that he regretted buying, Wang Yan was satisfied with his outfit, finding it pleasing to his eyes.
‘You’re a really handsome young lad!’
After bearing the heat and going from place to place for an entire week, Wang Yan’s skin tone was a shade darker. He was now far from a pretty boy.
However, his eyes were gleaming bright, and he was confident. Furthermore, the effect of the reward made him extremely attractive.
He was exuding confidence.
Before he left the house, Wang Yan suddenly remembered something and ran to the bathroom. He took out the free gift that he received after purchasing the underwear and placed it in his bag.
What was the item?
It might not have seemed useful, but as boys who were going through puberty, they needed to be prepared at all times. Who knew when his hormones would be raging again?
In senior year, the graduating students had a special privilege—the freedom to do whatever they wanted during the holidays. Thus, Wang Yan merely called to inform his parents that he was going out for a few days.
Everything was ready. It was time to set off!
…
Wang Yan found everything to be interesting, since it was his first time traveling alone.
He kept his spirits high and felt like everything in life was perfect.
After printing his tickets, he ate a bowl of noodles and waited for the train at the platform.
He managed to look friendly by making eye contact with strangers and smiling without looking guilty or suspicious.
As he was in line preparing to board the train, he saw a pretty lady not far away from where he was.
Wang Yan examined the lady’s side profile in awe and thought to himself, ‘She’s so pretty. She could easily compete with He Meng.’
The lady glanced over at Wang Yan upon sensing his gaze.
Wang Yan would have pretended to look away in the past.
However, Wang Yan, who was now exuding confidence, held her gaze calmly and smiled politely.
The lady averted her gaze after a few seconds and tucked her hair behind her ears. She didn’t look offended.
Why would anyone be angry when others were looking at them in admiration?
They would be happy, as it meant that they were good looking.
Right before they boarded the train, the lady turned to look at Wang Yan discreetly.
Of course, that wasn’t because she liked or admired him. It was more out of pure curiosity. Nonetheless, that was enough to prove that Wang Yan had left a great impression on her.
Wang Yan was over the moon when he noticed her subtle gazes. He finally understood the importance of confidence.
He also knew why girls avoided him in the past. He must have looked extremely lethargic due to his slouching posture.
Women were usually more sensitive and would therefore usually notice people’s glances. If people were to steal glances and avoid a girl’s gaze immediately once they were caught, the girls would only treat them like losers.
On the other hand, if someone held her gaze confidently without making her feel uncomfortable, it could leave a good impression on her. There was even the possibility of getting to know her further.
It was so simple!
‘Why could I not understand this in the past?’
Wang Yan was annoyed, but at the same time, he was glad that he finally understood it.
Honestly, it would be of no use even if he had understood it earlier.
Appearance, talent, and money were the factors that boosted a man’s ego. He needed to acquire at least one of the above-mentioned factors to have the confidence to approach ladies.
It wasn’t too late. He was only 18, meaning there was enough time for him to improve his personality.
‘Prince charming?
‘I’m not too far from becoming one.’
…
After boarding the train, Wang Yan realized that he was in the same cabin as the lady, but they were too far apart. It was a pity.
Wang Yan didn’t give it much thought before he picked up a book to read.
‘The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve’ was an interesting book. The author was able to explain complicated theories in simple terms, allowing readers to ponder over the true value of money. It was really an eye-opener.
Wang Yan was still captivated by the book even when it was time to leave the train.
While he was waiting at the platform, and after he transferred to the train heading towards the capital, he was still reading his book.
While he was lost in the book, he heard a melodic voice say, “Hello there. Do you mind helping me lift my luggage into the overhead bin?”
Wang Yan had yet to lift his head when another young man jumped from his seat and grabbed her luggage.
“Let me help you, beautiful!
“Ah… Thank you so much!”
Wang Yan finally saw the lady who approached him for help after someone else had volunteered to help her. It was the same lady that he had seen at Gujiao!
Since both of them had bought their tickets at Gujiao, it might have been a coincidence that they were sat in the same cabin. However, it must have been fate that brought them together, putting them in seats next to each other.
The lady was astonishingly beautiful, now that he took a closer look.
She tied her hair up into a bun, revealing her perfectly sculpted forehead and her coyly curved neck which further extended down to her prominent collarbones.
She was extremely fair, and her face was flushed red as a result of the heat. Her forehead was beaded with sweat.
By visual estimation, she looked around five feet four inches tall. She wasn’t tall, and she was incredibly slim, which made her appear smaller than she already was. Her small frame would make anyone want to cuddle her like a little kitten.
Despite her small frame, she had impressive proportions. Her long legs were accentuated even when she was just wearing flats and trousers. Her waist was of the width of a piece of paper.
The lady was slim and elegant, attracting the attention of every male around her.
Wang Yan sensed that this trip was going to be interesting.