Friday. The Gong Family Martial Arts School was packed.
Many people had specifically gotten word from Grant Gong and had come today, even if it wasn't their regular training day.
Inside the school, over a hundred people trained together. Shouts and the sounds of fists hitting pads echoed, creating an impressive atmosphere.
Grant sat at the back of the school, drinking tea and watching the trainees.
Lucas sat directly across from him, frequently checking his Rolex. "Uncle, it's almost six. The Boss's opening is at seven. You think that bastard will show?"
Grant was completely unconcerned. "Whether he shows up is his problem. Whether the debt gets settled is ours. My answer is simple: no. What can he do? Get ten million from me in an hour? Even if The Boss himself came, I couldn't get him ten million in an hour!"
Lucas's face was dark. He desperately wanted Ethan to come, preferably to be humiliated right here in the school so he could get his revenge. The memory of being pinned to the table by Ethan kept replaying in his mind.
Grant saw what Lucas was thinking. "You want to start training here? At least you'd have some ability to defend yourself if something happens again."
Lucas asked, "Uncle, how long would I have to train to be able to beat that bastard?"
Grant smirked dismissively. "Beat him? You don't need training for that. You're underestimating the Gong Family. I can't speak for other places, but look across this entire city, even the whole Northwest! The Gong name carries weight! Who would dare claim they're a match for us in hand-to-hand combat?"
The moment Grant's words left his mouth, the school's main door was kicked open with a crash.
Everyone training was startled by the noise and looked towards the entrance.
Wade Qi walked in, his eyes scanning the room, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Gong Family Martial Arts School? Hah. A bunch of flashy posers. I'm here to shut this place down."
"Shut it down, is it?!" A coach strode forward, his face full of anger.
For a martial arts school, the words 'shut it down' were the ultimate provocation. No further words were needed. It was time to fight.
This coach had been at the school for years, had learned Xingyiquan, was powerful and supremely confident. He moved to strike immediately.
But Wade simply took a step forward, his arm blocking horizontally, his foot sweeping low. The coach crashed heavily to the ground. Before he could get up, Wade's foot sent him sliding away.
Wade's movements weren't flashy or wide, but the force behind them was terrifying.
"Shit, he's here to cause trouble! Carlos, you go first! Get him!"
Several other coaches surrounded him, deciding who should engage first.
"Stop wasting time. I've got things to do later. Just come at me together."
Wade casually rolled his shoulders.
The coaches were furious.
"You pretentious motherfucker!" one yelled, charging forward. But he was taken down in a single encounter, just like the first.
It was exactly as Wade had said—all flash, no substance.
A dozen coaches lay on the ground, offering almost no resistance. Performance martial arts and practical combat were two different things. While Wade's movements lacked the theatrical grace of the coaches, every action had a purpose, every step or half-step was calculated.
As the last coach fell, the remaining students stared wide-eyed. Those who had been eager to try a moment ago now felt fear, shuffling to hide behind others.
Wade walked forward until he stood before Grant Gong.
"Uncle, that's the bastard's man," Lucas whispered a reminder.
Grant set down his teacup and slowly rose to his feet, looking Wade up and down. "Friend..." he began.
A cup of tea was flung directly into Grant's face.
Wade put the empty cup down. "You're not worthy."
As he spoke, Wade sat down in a chair.
Grant wiped his face, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He suddenly lashed out, his hand shooting towards Wade's throat.
Wade reacted simultaneously, his own hand moving faster, seizing Grant's neck before Grant's attack could land.
Grant's other hand struck out, but Wade easily caught his wrist, twisting it with irresistible force.
Seeing the situation turning against him, Grant tried to use his legs to overturn the tea table onto Wade. But no matter how hard he pushed, the table didn't budge.
Wade's faint smile remained. "Stop embarrassing yourself. Sit down."
The deeply insulting words enraged Grant. He tried to struggle free twice more but realized helplessly that he stood no chance against this man.
Forcing down his fury, Grant sat. "You came alone? Where's Ethan?"
Wade released him, looking around dismissively. "Need two people to shut a place down? Mr. Chen isn't here, but he asked me to deliver a message, Grant Gong. It's time to pay back the money you owe."
"Heh." Mentioning the money immediately made Grant feel he had the upper hand. "What makes you think I have to pay just because Ethan Chen says so? Or does he naively believe that just because you 'won' a challenge, I have to pay? I don't care what happened here today. You could burn this school to the ground, and you still wouldn't get that money back."
Wade shook his head. "Burning buildings is illegal. Mr. Chen doesn't do that. A debt owed is a debt to be paid. It's a universal principle. We're in the right on this, so we won't do anything unjust."
Grant lit a cigarette. "Then tell Ethan Chen to wait. I'll pay it back whenever I feel like it."
"Sorry, Mr. Chen can't wait." Wade picked up a new teacup, fiddling with it. "The Boss's place opens today. There can't be outstanding debts. Mr. Chen needs to see that ten million before seven o'clock."
"And if I don't give it?" Grant blew smoke into Wade's face. "What's Ethan Chen going to do? Or what are you going to do?"
Wade shook his head. "You jest, Mr. Gong. We can't do anything to you. But Mr. Chen asked me to remind you... you have a daughter, don't you? In eighth grade, I believe?"
Grant's face tightened slightly, but he held his ground. "Trying to scare me? Who do you think I am? I'd lend Ethan Chen ten times the nerve, and he still wouldn't dare lay a finger on my daughter! That kind of thing... not even Ethan Chen, no one in the entire circle would dare do it!"
Wade didn't reply. He just shrugged, the smile still on his face.
That smile made Grant feel uneasy. He picked up his phone from the table and made a call.
The call connected quickly. A woman's voice came through. "Honey, what's up?"
Grant glanced at Wade. "Has our daughter gotten out of school? Is she home yet?"
"No, she called. Said she has a lab class today."
A bad feeling settled in Grant's gut. "The whole school has it?"
"No, just her class, she said. Why, honey?"
"Nothing!" Grant hung up and bolted for the door.
Wade stood up, a smile still on his lips, and followed calmly behind Grant.