The Blue Dragon Bar was notorious.
Inside, there was a mix of all kinds of people. No one dared to cause trouble there, naturally because the bouncers and security were not ordinary people. The last person who dared to cause trouble there couldn’t even be found now.
The bar was crowded, but few had seen the higher-ups.
It was said that the Dawson family was behind it.
Today was the first time people saw internal staff of the bar.
The surrounding people’s gazes unconsciously fell on this quiet young man, with black bangs cut at his forehead, a simple white jacket, clean and beautiful, not looking like someone from a bar.
Sister? Who was he calling? Chief Chen and Chen Jingyu were also looking around to see who this person might be calling “Sister”.
As they watched, they saw this quiet, seemingly shy young man stop in front of them, “Sister, why are you here?”
He called out again.
With this call, Chief Chen and Chen Jingyu finally realized that there were few women who dared to walk in Black Water Street, and the few who did were all very capable, with daggers visibly stuck in their knees.
And on their side—
Chief Chen and Chen Jingyu’s gazes unconsciously turned to Bai Lian, as she was the only girl around.
Bai Lian hadn’t taken off her earphones yet. She casually crossed out a word and looked up at Xiao Qi, “Watching the match.”
With this explanation, Xiao Qi understood.
She came to watch Mao Kun’s match.
Behind him, the silver SUV stopped for a moment before continuing forward.
Xiao Qi’s appearance was too deceptive. He had delicate features, especially those pitch-black eyes. Looking carefully, from a certain angle, one could find the same calmness as Bai Lian.
Chief Chen came to his senses and greeted Xiao Qi, “You are…?”
“I’m also from the Qingshui Street Orphanage,” Xiao Qi looked at Chief Chen, very politely, “I work at the Blue Dragon Bar.”
Odd jobs, and sometimes doubling as a designer.
Chief Chen understood.
No wonder he knew Bai Lian, and seemed very familiar with her. He directly called Bai Lian “Sister”, even Jiang He didn’t call her that directly.
He took out his phone and immediately added Xiao Qi on WeChat.
Xiao Qi didn’t refuse, “Xiao Qi, my name is Mao Xiaoqi.”
Beside Chief Chen, Chen Jingyu saw the car behind drive away, and after hearing “orphanage work at Blue Dragon Bar”, he only glanced at Xiao Qi with a strange look, not paying him any more attention.
As for adding friends, that was even more impossible.
Xiao Qi had just instinctively gotten off the car to greet Bai Lian, thinking she had come over for something. Seeing that she was going to the fighting arena, he didn’t disturb her further.
The main street of Black Water Street was about a mile long, with all kinds of hotel services. The fighting arena wasn’t on the main street. In front of the giant lion statue, there was a branch street about three meters wide and dozens of meters long, generally not allowing cars to enter.
On both sides were five-meter-high stone walls, giving a strong sense of oppression.
Walking through the passage, you could see a huge dome-shaped building inside.
Outside the open-style door were two two-meter-high character promotional images.
On the left was a black man with a buzz cut, bare-chested, showing bulging muscles, with a blue-brown leopard tattooed on his chest. Next to it was written his name—
Black Panther!
On the right was a masked blond man, only showing half of his chin. He wore a white tank top, in an attacking stance, with eyes like a fierce bird of prey staring at its target, chilling to the bone. Next to it was also displayed his name—
White Tank Top…
Mao Kun’s aura changed once he put on the mask. She knew he was a person suitable for martial arts.
But—
Bai Lian looked up at the three characters “White Tank Top”.
Nearby, there were occasional voices calling “Mr. White”.
Silence.
Silence was Bai Lian at this moment.
** The fighting arena inside was very large, octagonal in shape. In the center was a railed ring, with seats spreading out from the center to the surroundings layer by layer. Five camera setups were arranged around for live broadcasting.
In the center was a huge broadcast screen, to ensure those sitting far back could see clearly.
Bai Lian’s seat was in the first row of Section A, the same area as Chief Chen.
Chen Jingyu, however, bought a seat in the second row of Section D, very far from them.
When Jiang Fuli and Ming Dongheng arrived, the fight was about to begin, and most seats were filled.
Bai Lian had left a seat on her right. When Ming Dongheng arrived, he saw Chief Chen sitting on Bai Lian’s left. He gave Chief Chen a cool look before silently sitting next to him.
When Jiang Fuli arrived, Chief Chen’s tension eased considerably.
Bai Lian was wearing black wide-leg pants today, with light gray fabric panels on both sides embroidered with several white cat shapes. Her top was a slightly tight black long-sleeved shirt, also with a lazy white cat on the chest.
She wore a soft black jacket over it, which made her face appear even whiter. Her eyelashes were lowered, and the scattered lights around fell artfully on her nose bridge and profile.
The gazes of those around kept falling on her.
Only now did they start to withdraw.
Jiang Fuli sat next to Bai Lian, leaning lightly against the seat back. His light-colored eyes swept over the ring. The noisy, bloody, and oppressive ring didn’t cause his expression to waver in the slightest.
7:00 PM.
The laser lights turned on.
The fight began, with the commentator excitedly announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, hello! Today we’re broadcasting live from Black Water Street International Communications a NO.1 battle like no other! First, let’s welcome the current UFC 8th ranked welterweight fighter, Black Panther!”
The Black Water Street arena had no weight class restrictions and no life-or-death rules. The prize money was high, and many UFC fighters had come here before, but because the fights were too brutal, they later didn’t dare to come up.
The top ten fighters here all had the strength to rank in the UFC! “Next, it’s our fighter who climbed to NO.2 in the arena in just two months, White Tank Top!”
“Whoosh—”
A tidal wave of cheers swept through.
Ming Dongheng next to Chief Chen also stood up excitedly, clenching his fists and shouting.
The match was divided into five rounds, five minutes each, with a best-of-five system.
Both were very capable fighters. The first two rounds were evenly matched, resulting in a 2:2 tie. For the last round, the betting pool had already risen to 300 million!
“The final five minutes! Let’s wait and see!”
“Mr. White will definitely win.” Ming Dongheng wiped his sweat, eyes glued to the ring.
Chief Chen couldn’t quite follow, and Bai Lian was somewhat silent. Beside her, Jiang Fuli was also watching intently. From start to finish, he only said one thing at this moment: “Black Panther’s ground control is too strong, he’s the ceiling of UFC. For Little White to win, it’s going to be a bit ugly.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but Ming Dongheng and the others all heard it.
Ming Dongheng couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Fuli. He didn’t know Young Master Jiang was so knowledgeable about fighting, even knowing professional terms.
He knew Black Panther’s signature move.
“Whoosh—”
The audience gasped.
The commentator was red-faced and hoarse as he explained, “We see Black Panther has hit White Tank Top’s face, sweeping his left hand punch! There’s blood! White Tank Top is bleeding!”
In the ring.
Blood splattered on the ground from the green mask, staining the white tank top red.
“Black Panther has brought out his ground technique, White Tank Top is locked on the ground!”
In the ring, Black Panther’s leg, hip, arm, and body weight were completely pressing down on White Tank Top. White Tank Top locked the opponent’s leg with his left leg, his right elbow propping against the ground. His face suddenly lost defense and was directly pummeled by Black Panther’s fists! Crack—
The mask caved inward.
White Tank Top turned his body upright, sat up from the ground, and suddenly stood up, lifting Black Panther and smashing him towards the ground!
“We can see White Tank Top is trying very hard, but this slam didn’t work. Black Panther has many defensive options. It’s a dangerous situation. Does White Tank Top have a chance to strike continuously? He can’t give the opponent a chance to breathe!”
At this moment, White Tank Top stepped forward with his left foot, avoiding Black Panther’s elbow strike, and hooked a punch that knocked the rising Black Panther back to the ground! Black Panther’s nose and mouth were also bleeding! The two grappled and fought on the ground.
“Excellent, truly excellent! This is a showdown between UFC and the Black Water Street arena! We know that Snow Wolf was the only Asian to ever rank in UFC. If White Tank Top can win today, he’ll be the second Asian fighter to enter UFC!”
“If Black Panther can still win, he’ll create a ten-win streak myth in the Black Water Street arena!”
In the most intense fighting arena, blood had stained nearly half the ground.
Black Panther’s specialty of ground fighting was now being suppressed by White Tank Top. However, White Tank Top also seemed to be running out of stamina. His punches towards Black Panther had less than a tenth of their previous power.
“Bang—”
Black Panther gave up defending his face and punched White Tank Top, knocking him sideways to the ground!
Both fell to the ground.
Neither got up.
The referee blew his whistle and entered the ring, standing between the two and bending down—
“Three—”
He was counting down.
In the last three seconds, whoever could get up would be the winner.
If neither could get up, it would be a draw!
“White Tank Top! Get up and you’ll win!”
“White Tank Top! Get up, quick, get up!”
“Black Panther! Forever a warrior!”
“…”
The huge arena was filled with excited shouts from fans. Almost everyone stood up, clenching their fists as they watched the ring.
“Two—”
The referee counted the second number.
White Tank Top’s fingers twitched. There was only one sentence, as a person from Xiangcheng—
They can die standing, but will never fall down!
He supported himself on the ground, slowly getting up bit by bit.
Blood flowed down his neck onto the white hem of his shirt.
“One!”
The referee grabbed White Tank Top’s hand and excitedly announced: “White Tank Top wins!”
At this moment, whether in the arena or in front of live TV screens, everyone stood up, including Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian! “Ahhhhh!”
“Ahhhhh!”
“…”
“We can all hear the excited voices of the audience. White Tank Top has done it! Human willpower has surpassed all our imaginations! White Tank Top! He has created a new record in just two months! He’s become the second person after Snow Wolf!!”
“There are no cowards in the Black Water Street ring! Both White Tank Top and Black Panther are eternal warriors! Let’s look forward to their next meeting!” There are no losers in the ring. Everyone who dares to step onto the stage is a hero.
Today, blood stained the Black Water Street octagon cage, and a new uncrowned king of Black Water Street was born!
In front of the camera, White Tank Top bent down and extended a bloody hand to Black Panther.
Black Panther smiled with difficulty, then raised his right hand towards him.
The live broadcast froze on this handshake of the century.
** The thrilling match ended, but the audience at the scene was still boiling with excitement!
Jiang Fuli remained standing, looking at the ring for a long while before withdrawing his gaze. He glanced coolly at the excited Ming Dongheng, lazily raising an eyelid to comment: “Good eye.”
“Mm.” Ming Dongheng clenched his fists, his bronze face flushed with excitement.
He followed Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian as they left, looking back at the ring every few steps.
“That was brutal,” Chief Chen stood beside Ming Dongheng, his body drenched in cold sweat. They were several paces behind Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli. “Young Master Jiang said he’d win ugly, but I didn’t expect it to be this ugly.”
In the end, it came down to who could stand up.
“By the way,” Chief Chen peered through the gaps between the people in front to look at Jiang Fuli’s back, “How did Young Master Jiang know he could win?”
Ming Dongheng shook his head.
Outside.
Jiang Fuli’s car was parked at the intersection.
It was his blue car, driven over from the lab.
As soon as Chief Chen came out, he saw Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian get into the car. He turned his head to ask Ming Dongheng, “Where’s your car?”
“At the intersection.”
“Young Master Jiang’s car can drive in, why can’t yours, Mr. Ming?” Chief Chen had grown bolder and started daring to tease Mr. Ming.
Ming Dongheng calmed down, cold and righteous: “How would I know?”
Chief Chen: “…”
In Bai Lian’s car.
She sat lazily in the passenger seat, using her phone to send a string of prescriptions to Xiao Qi—
[For internal injuries]
[I’ll come over tonight]
There were too many people and prying eyes during the day.
A match of Mao Kun’s intensity had already injured his foundation. Without proper care, the aftereffects on his body would be severe.
His talent in martial arts was indeed exceptionally high.
In the driver’s seat.
Jiang Fuli put on his Bluetooth earpiece, slowly turning the steering wheel with one hand, controlling the car to leave Black Water Street.
The person on the other end of the earpiece was Jiang Xijue.
“It’s ‘The Great Yongsheng Dynasty’,” Jiang Xijue had found information about this upcoming TV series, “I’ve looked into it, the return rate is not bad. You are…”
Jiang Xijue paused.
He really couldn’t imagine the aloof Young Master Jiang being someone who would pay attention to TV dramas.
Nor could he imagine him investing in a TV series to promote someone.
But he didn’t dare to ask.
“No need,” Jiang Fuli said calmly, anticipating Jiang Xijue’s question, “Normal investment.”
As for internal candidates…
Completely unnecessary.
After roughly knowing what Bai Lian was doing, if this Yan Lu still couldn’t be cast as the lead, then she wasn’t suited for this line of work. Jiang Fuli would advise her to change careers early.
His investment was to add luster to her achievements, to give the drama confidence, to give them the greatest help, not to let her take shortcuts.
Of course, he didn’t think Bai Lian would misjudge people.
Jiang Xijue: “Understood.”
Qingshui Street.
Jiang Fuli parked the car and got out with Bai Lian.
Street lamps had long been installed in the alley, not very bright, a faint yellow hue stretching the shadows of the two people very long.
“I’ll go see Zhang Shize tomorrow,” Jiang Fuli was about a step behind her, his gaze on their shadows, his voice sounding somewhat lazy, “You rest for a day.”
“Huh?” Bai Lian glanced at him.
They had agreed to tutor Zhang Shize every Sunday.
This was the prison being considerate of Zhang Shize being a high school senior.
“I’ll check his homework,” Jiang Fuli turned slightly towards Bai Lian, raising an eyebrow, “Don’t worry, I won’t scold him.”
Bai Lian didn’t quite believe it.
She turned her head, looking at him with big eyes.
“Go on in,” Jiang Fuli stopped at the entrance, looking towards the courtyard ahead, slightly raising his right hand, as if swearing, “Really, I won’t scold him.”
Only then did Bai Lian withdraw her gaze.
Indicating she believed him.
** At eleven o’clock at night.
Bai Lian changed into all black clothes and took her homework notebook out.
Ah, the Blue Dragon Bar in Black Water Street.
Inside, the lights were flashing, smoke was lingering, it was the busiest time.
After seeing Mao Kun crying on the bed, Bai Lian calmly returned to the bar counter, sat on a high stool, lazily flipping open an exercise book with one hand while carelessly tapping the counter with the other.
Xiao Qi took out a desk lamp, plugged it in and turned it on for her, then had someone mix her a drink with the lowest alcohol content.
In the chaotic bar, there appeared such a strange corner—
A girl with her hair loosely tied up, writing homework under a desk lamp that was extremely inconsistent with the bar atmosphere.
“The production of Da Nei Gu Yuan Gao is low,” Xiao Qi explained to Bai Lian, “It’s not because of high prices, we sell at normal prices. Now the raw materials can’t keep up. There are few people growing medicinal herbs, but after our news of large-scale purchasing of medicinal herbs gets out, many farmers will start planting these again.”
Now there are few people planting medicinal herbs.
Xiao Qi took out a portion of the returned funds and paid a deposit to a batch of old farmers in Xiangcheng.
He was quick-witted and handled this matter very well.
With artistic talent and business acumen, even Mao Kun’s godfather said Mao Kun was lucky, wanting to transfer Xiao Qi to work under him for big things. Today during the day, he took Xiao Qi out to see the world.
But—
Xiao Qi didn’t want to work for the big boss.
Beside him, Xiao Wu touched his arm, hissing: “Just looking at Brother Mao makes me feel pain, he’s so fierce!”
Xiao Wu’s pain nerves were a bit sensitive. Back then, he was abandoned at the orphanage door because of poor health.
The children in the orphanage didn’t like him.
Only Mao Kun was willing to take him in.
Now he trains every day while crying.
Bai Lian listened while slowly turning a page, suddenly remembering something and looking towards Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi, “Are you two really not going back to school?”
“I’ve pretty much self-studied.” Xiao Qi spoke gently.
He used to want to go to school, but now going to school had no meaning for him.
Bai Lian looked at Xiao Qi.
Mao Kun had told her before that Xiao Qi was very capable and used to love drawing.
“But sister,” Xiao Wu just scratched his head, his red hair making him look somewhat confused: “My wish is just to be a street punk.”
He wasn’t smart and had no strengths.
Back then, he followed Mao Kun because he saw Mao Kun was a very impressive street punk.
Bai Lian, who now understood what a street punk was: “…”
Ah, well, as long as you’re happy.
“Oh right,” Xiao Qi gave Bai Lian an invitation, “This is an invitation from Dongwu, inviting Brother Mao over. They heard Brother Mao has a teacher, so they prepared one for you too.”
Bai Lian looked up, nodding at her black backpack with her chin, “Put it in there.”
She was writing homework and didn’t have time to look at it.
So Xiao Qi just casually folded the invitation and stuffed it in.
** The next day.
Early morning.
At Xu En’s place, Old Mrs. Xu’s video call came through.
She had originally thought Xu En and that woman would eagerly agree, but unexpectedly, a day had passed and Xu En hadn’t called.
“Even playing hard to get should be done at the right time,” As soon as the video connected, Old Mrs. Xu’s gaze passed over Ji Mulan and fell on Xu En. She spoke calmly, “Don’t go too far.”
This implied that Bai Lian and Ji Mulan were greedy and going too far.
“I can’t manage this.” Xu En picked up his phone, standing by the window.
Old Mrs. Xu looked deeply at Xu En, “You don’t need to play these games with me.”
She hung up the video call.
She had someone look up Bai Lian’s contact information, asking Xu En’s secretary.
Old Mrs. Xu managed the household, and Xu En’s assistant didn’t dare disobey, nervously finding Bai Lian’s phone number.
Bai Lian’s phone number was quickly sent to Old Mrs. Xu’s phone.
She dialed directly. As soon as the call connected, Old Mrs. Xu didn’t wait for the other side to speak. She slowly said: “I am Xu En’s mother. He has already told you everything, right? Come to Jiangjiang within three days and change your surname.”
Bai Lian had just woken up not long ago. She leaned against the window, her left hand propped on the windowsill, her right hand holding the phone to her ear.
Somewhat doubting if she had heard wrong, she said: “Say that again?”
Leave a Reply