At about three o'clock on a chilly Friday morning, Kumo, the young and spirited son of the retired and aging boxer Mr. Fangai, found himself knocking on his parents' bedroom door. The house was quiet, the only sound being the soft tap of Kumo's knuckles against the wood. Mr. Fangai, startled by the unexpected disturbance, quickly answered the door, concern etched across his face as he wondered what could be troubling his son at such an early hour.

"Kumo, is there anything wrong, my son?" he asked gently, his voice a mix of worry and tenderness.

Kumo, with a look of innocence and hunger in his eyes, replied quietly, "Nothing, Dad. I'm just hungry."

Hearing these words, Mr. Fangai's heart broke. Tears welled up in his eyes as he reached out to hold his little boy tightly. "There is no food in the house," he confessed, his voice trembling with emotion.

Kumo began to cry too, his small frame shaking with sobs. "Dad, what am I going to do? I haven't eaten anything since yesterday," he said, his voice filled with desperation.

Mr. Fangai, unable to sleep and consumed by worry, lay awake thinking about how he could provide for his family. His mind raced through possible solutions, but none seemed viable. "My son, go to the fridge. There's some milk. Drink it, and by morning, I will try to get some food for you," he said, trying to soothe his son with a promise he wasn't sure he could keep.

His wife, having heard the commotion, emerged from their bedroom, her face lined with concern. "Is anything wrong?" she asked, looking from her husband to their son.

"It's nothing, dear. Please go back to bed," Mr. Fangai replied, not wanting to burden her with their dire situation. She reluctantly returned to bed, leaving Mr. Fangai alone with his thoughts, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.

Unable to find rest, Mr. Fangai went to his makeshift boxing room, a small space filled with old training equipment and memories of his past glories. He began training, hoping the familiar routine would help clear his mind and bring some clarity to his troubled thoughts. He trained until the first light of dawn began to seep through the windows, then took a quick bath and left the house without leaving a note for his wife and son, driven by a desperate need to find work and provide for his family.

As he walked through the quiet streets, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of how to secure a job, a man in a passing car noticed him and instructed his driver to stop. The man, an older gentleman with an air of authority, lowered the car window and called out to Mr. Fangai. However, lost in his thoughts, Mr. Fangai continued walking, determined to reach his destination. The car continued to follow him until he finally stopped and shouted in frustration, "What is your problem?"

The man called out, "Mr. Fangai, how are you doing? Happy to see you! It's been a long time. How is the family?"

Recognizing the voice, Mr. Fangai's anger dissipated. The man handed him a card. "Here is my card. Call me tomorrow at 6 pm, and we can discuss something important," the man said. Mr. Fangai took the card, curiosity piqued, and continued his job search with renewed determination.

At precisely 6 pm the next day, Mr. Fangai called the number on the card but couldn't get through. After a few moments of anxious waiting, the man returned his call. They began talking, and Mr. Fangai realized that the man was his former boss in the military, General Lala Kent.

"What could General Lala Kent want from me after all these years of retirement?" Mr. Fangai wondered. "Anyway, he mentioned something about coming over tomorrow with some businessmen to discuss a business opportunity. I need money to take care of my family."

Overhearing the conversation, Mr. Fangai's wife approached him with concern. "What was that call about?" she asked.

"Don't worry, it's just a business discussion," Mr. Fangai reassured her, trying to mask his own uncertainty.

"Is it about the retirement benefits the federal government owes you?" she inquired, hoping for a positive development.

"No," Mr. Fangai replied, shaking his head. "It's a different business matter."

The following day at noon, four sleek cars entered Mr. Fangai's compound in the remote village near a dense forest. The sight of the cars stirred a mix of curiosity and apprehension within him. Watching from his camera, he saw the cars approaching and asked his wife and son to stay in their room. He welcomed the visitors with a practiced smile, inviting them to sit in the modest living room, though they seemed puzzled by his choice of residence.

The men introduced themselves formally. "My name is General Lala Kent. These are Mr. Zags Yul, a prominent sports businessman, Mr. Baba Yang, a renowned sports coach, and General Mozaky, a retired military businessman."

"We know you are older now, but you are still our best option," Mr. Zags Yul said, his tone earnest and respectful.

"What exactly do you want from me?" Mr. Fangai asked, curiosity and skepticism battling within him.

"To be blunt, we want you to fight for our company, Sports Wave Limited. We can ensure you'll never be poor again," General Mozaky explained, his voice carrying the weight of a serious proposition.

"I'm not sure I still have the energy for this at my age," Mr. Fangai replied skeptically, looking at the men before him. "Who would I be fighting?"

The room fell silent as the men exchanged glances. Finally, they answered in unison, "The universal champion."

"Let me think about it," Mr. Fangai responded, needing time to consider the gravity of the proposition.

As they stood to leave, General Lala Kent said, "Please let us know your decision as soon as possible."

After the men drove away, Kumo ran to his father and hugged him tightly. "Dad, who were they?" he asked, his young mind filled with questions.

"They are my business partners, here for a business discussion," Mr. Fangai explained, hoping to allay his son's curiosity. He and Kumo went back inside the house, where his wife awaited them.

"Honey, I overheard your conversation with those men. You can't fight at your age," she pleaded, her voice filled with worry.

"I have no choice. I need to provide for our family," Mr. Fangai replied, his determination resolute despite the fear in his heart.

Two weeks later, after much contemplation and soul-searching, Mr. Fangai made the difficult decision to call General Lala Kent and confirm his willingness to fight for the company. General Lala Kent, pleased with the decision, immediately informed his business partners that Mr. Fangai had agreed to their offer. Mr. Fangai was then invited for an interview and documentation at the company's headquarters, where he would formally join their ranks. The following week, there would be a meeting to finalize all the arrangements and set the plan in motion.

"Thank you, Mr. Fangai," General Mozaky said, his voice filled with gratitude and respect. With that, they all left, leaving Mr. Fangai to prepare for the challenges and battles that lay ahead, driven by the hope and determination to secure a better future for his family.