Wu Li led Tina out of the factory, and soon after, Liu Zheng followed them in his car.
"Master Wu, Miss Tina, get in," Liu Zheng called from the passenger seat.
Wu Li and Tina got into the backseat; there was also a driver who greeted them briefly before the car started moving.
"Mr. Liu, is everything really alright?" Wu Li asked.
In fact, according to his thoughts, he believed all those spoiled brats inside deserved a lesson, but since it was troubling soone else, Wu Li initially aid just to target the main culprits. He didn’t expect Liu Zheng to outright dismiss it, saying it was "all small matters."
Liu Zheng smiled, "At first, when you ntioned the other party’s father was in the financial sector, I didn’t think much of it. But after they knew you were associated with Brother Liu, their attitude changed imdiately. It shows their father has ties with the Chinese Chamber of Comrce in New York."
Wu Li: "New York Chinese Chamber of Comrce?"
Liu Zheng: "Yes, initially, our Zhiyuan Hall spearheaded the establishnt of this chamber, which included local Chinese rchants and overseas investors. The first chairman of the chamber was our Hall Master. After he stepped down, he handed it over to Brother Liu, who beca the second chairman. Han Ziguang’s father is probably soone who doesn’t yet qualify to enter the chamber, or he would’ve ntioned that connection straight away. So, Master Wu, you needn’t worry; just wait and see."
Wu Li nodded, realizing that made sense. Hongn, with its centuries-old history, couldn’t possibly grow internationally purely through force. Li San earned millions of US Dollars in dividends annually, and with Hongn supporting so many mbers, where did the money co from? It wasn’t likely from underground boxing alone, an enterprise not fit for public exposure. The leaders surely would have engaged in legitimate business ventures early on.
Overseas Chinese, with their wealth and influence, were not few, and Hongn aid to unite them for collective developnt, magnifying its impact.
With these thoughts, Wu Li no longer worried about tonight’s incident. Han Ziguang’s group, once deprived of their fathers’ capital, would shift from rich heirs to paupers—a psychological plumt that might make them feel life was worse than death.
"Thank you, Mr. Liu, and please thank Brother Liu for too. I’ll make sure to visit him soon," Wu Li said.
Liu Zheng chuckled, "You’re too polite, Master Wu. But Brother Liu always enjoys dealing with talented young n like you."
The two chatted and laughed, while Tina quietly observed the conversation between Wu Li and Liu Zheng, her expression complex, lost in thought.
Soon after, Wu Li’s phone rang; it was Li Li calling.
"How is everything? Is Tina alright?"
Wu Li glanced at Tina beside him, "All is well. I’m taking her back now."
"That’s great. I knew you’d handle it, thanks."
"No problem. Do you want to speak to her?"
"Yes, please."
So, Wu Li handed the phone to Tina, who thanked him and started talking to Li Li.
A few minutes later, Tina ended the call and returned the phone to Wu Li.
"Where to?" Wu Li asked.
Tina gave an address, and Wu Li instructed the driver to head there.
The ride turned quiet; Wu Li didn’t continue his conversation with Liu Zheng or speak to Tina, who also didn’t initiate any chat.
About an hour later, the car stopped in front of an old building.
Wu Li found the place vaguely familiar; it was the sa building he had brought Tina to after rescuing her that night. Why was she living here again?
The two stood outside the building, wordlessly.
Finally, Tina broke the silence, "Thank you for tonight."
Wu Li looked into her blue eyes and sighed, "Honestly, I don’t think you’re at fault, but sotis, you should think more about yourself. Rember, I won’t always be able to arrive in ti, and Li Li can’t protect you forever."
Tina nodded, "I understand. Anyway, thank you for everything you have done."
Wu Li gave her a deep look, "Take care."
Tina suddenly smiled, tears twinkling in her eyes, "You too, take care."
Wu Li nodded, turned, and got into the car, which quickly started moving.
Tina watched the disappearing tail lights of the car, feeling an imnse emptiness and a sense of helplessness.
Their first separation had occurred here, with her leaving in a car; this ti, it was Wu Li leaving, possibly marking their final farewell.
She covered her mouth, watching the distance as tears fell one by one.
...
October 17, 9 PM.
Three days had passed since Wu Li had rescued Tina; he was training in a gym.
The latest UFC fight schedule had been announced, set for December 3, which ant Wu Li had one and a half months left before he faced Lightweight, ranked sixth, Dan Hu.
During this ti, not only had Wu Li to train, but he also had to start managing his weight.
His current weight was 75KG while the maximum allowed for a Lightweight UFC match was 70KG; therefore, he had to lose at least five kilograms in this period to pass the weigh-in.
Wu Li previously thought a skilled tactical coach would suffice, but now realized he needed a dietitian to help manage his weight. Improper weight loss could hurt his body and impair his fighting ability.
Thus, Wu Li contacted Song Yidong again, asking for a reliable dietitian recomndation. Song Yidong was happy to help and quickly recomnded soone—an experienced Spaniard who had been in the field for ten years.
Recently, under the dietitian’s guidance, Wu Li began controlling his diet, eating specially prepared nutritional als, and increasing his exercise to achieve fat loss.
Normally, a physical fitness coach and a grappling coach should coordinate training plans to help an athlete gradually adapt to the reduced weight’s effects on strength and movent. However, Wu Li was already finely tuned to his body’s needs and could adjust by himself without any issues, so he didn’t seek any more coaches.
"Wu Li, William called again," Chen Gang abruptly entered as Wu Li was practicing his stance.
Lately, William had been trying to discuss the contract again, but since he couldn’t accept just signing for two years, Wu Li wasn’t considering him anymore. Confident that Li Tongyun would support him, Wu Li felt a top-level tactical analyst was all he needed to handle any competition.
"Just tell him that I’m only agreeing to two years, and there’s no room for negotiation. Don’t waste ti explaining," Wu Li instructed.
"Got it," Chen Gang nodded and went out to take the call.
After a while, Chen Gang entered again holding his cellphone.
"Who is it this ti?"
"Li Li."
"Ah."
Wu took the cellphone and walked aside to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Wu."
Li Li’s voice ca through the phone, accompanied by music.
"What’s the matter?"
"Can you co over?"
"What’s wrong now?"
"Ah, it’s hard to explain in a mont, just co over, please."
"..."
Wu sighed, "Alright, for the sake of your brother, send the address."
...
Half an hour later, Wu arrived at a KTV.
Following the room number provided by Li Li, he searched from one room to another.
Room 307, he pushed the door open to find dim red lighting, sowhat raspy singing, and a hint of alcohol.
On the sofa, Tina was holding the microphone, her face flushed with color. Nurous bottles were laid on the coffee table — it seed she had been drinking quite a bit.
Seeing Wu enter, her eyes brightened before she continued watching the screen and singing.
Li Li, sitting beside her, quickly stood up and pulled him out the door.
Outside, Wu looked at Li Li, "What’s going on?"
Li Li had a distressed look, pointing to the inside, "She dragged into singing for three hours straight, non-stop."
Wu frowned, "What’s wrong with her?"
Li Li looked at Wu, "Can you tell what happened that night? I’ve asked her, but she won’t tell ."
Wu briefly recounted the incidents of that night, including what he had said to Tina.
After hearing it, Li Li was angry and sowhat guilty, "It’s all my fault, I was supposed to accompany her, but then sothing urgent ca up and I couldn’t go."
Wu shook his head, "What does that have to do with you? At the end of the day, it’s still her..."
"You don’t understand." Li Li interrupted Wu, "After the last kidnapping incident, Tina’s mother decided to divorce Bertrand, but he wouldn’t agree."
"So?"
"Later, Bertrand found Tina and said he had t a Chinese investor willing to invest in his company, which might revive it from the brink. He said the investor’s son wanted to et Tina and be friends, and to secure the investnt, Bertrand asked Tina to et the investor’s son."
"So, Tina agreed?"
Li Li clenched her teeth, "That bastard Bertrand told Tina that if she agreed to help him this ti, he would consent to the divorce and agree to give her mother alimony, which could be stated in the contract."
"Tina always wanted her mother to be free from that scumbag Bertrand. It was a good opportunity for her, especially since her mother was unemployed and sowhat, well, extravagant. Having lived a good life, she would struggle without an inco post-divorce. For the sake of her mother’s freedom and alimony, Tina agreed to et the investor’s son."
Li Li sighed, "Tina wanted to go with her, and they were just supposed to have dinner, but I had a family ergency back ho and had to go to Washington, so I couldn’t accompany her, and it ended up like this."
Wu remained silent for a mont, then looked through the glass on the door at Tina inside the room, "She’s still too naive."
Li Li said, "It’s her family matter after all. I shouldn’t interfere. What else can she do, being in such a family?"
Wu didn’t respond and pushed open the door to enter.
Tina didn’t look at Wu, continuing to sing.
Wu walked up to her, extended his hand just like he had when he went to rescue her that night, and softly said, "Co here."
Tina stopped singing, put down the microphone, obediently placed her hand in Wu’s palm, and stood up.
She had been causing a scene all night, and Li Li couldn’t convince her to stop, but now she followed Wu quietly like a stray cat being led by its owner.
Li Li’s eyes widened as she watched Wu lead Tina step by step out of the private room.
The two walked out of the KTV and into the thronging streets.
Wu listened to the singing behind him, Tina was quietly singing a song in Chinese:
"Is what I insist on worth insisting on?
Is what I believe in really true?
If I dare to pursue, do I dare to possess?
And if I consider giving it all up, not wanting it anymore..."
PS: The lyrics are by Sun Yanzi from "Belongs To." Tina might not be the most successfully portrayed character, but I wanted to express sothing through her. I’m close to nailing the most important aspect, which I’ll address in the next Chapter before concluding this part and starting with martial arts.
Also, to those reading pirated versions and coming to spray slander in the book review section, I write for the readers who purchase the genuine versions, not for those who view pirated ones. It’s really disgusting—like they’re eating sothing I worked hard to prepare without paying, and then coming to complain it doesn’t taste good.
Furthermore, I might consider including so crucial content in this Chapter’s talk, which would be missing from the pirated versions.
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