Xiang Yu slapped Shi Jian three times in a row, knocking him completely senseless. "I'm going to fight you to the end," Shi Jian shouted, his eyes wide open, ready to fight Xiang Yu with all he had.
In fact, Shi Jian wasn't that weak; it was just that he had underestimated his opponent at the start. Plus, with Xiang Yu constantly dodging, it made him let down his guard, thinking Xiang Yu could only dodge and not really fight.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yu took advantage of the dodging to gauge the speed and force of Shi Jian's punches, and that's how he managed to hit accurately.
"Alright, step back," Fang Kuohai said after seeing Shi Jian had lost, then signaled his men to pull him away.
"So you're Xiang Yu, huh? Not bad. Are you interested in working for me?" Fang Kuohai had heard that Xiang Yu had just arrived in this city, and this youngster was both young and skilled, which made him a target for other powers to eagerly recruit. Since Xiang Yu was here, he naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"To work here?" Xiang Yu scratched his head, frowning, "Do you pay?"
"Haha..., of course, we do. You can be at ease about that, you won't be shortchanged," Fang Kuohai said, seeing that Xiang Yu was considering the idea and quickly tried to persuade him.
Resting his chin in his hand, Xiang Yu muttered softly, "Well, I've got no job right now anyway." He looked up at Fang Kuohai and said, "What kind of work would I be doing here? I won't do anything illegal, you know," his face the picture of innocence.
Fang Kuohai was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, "We wouldn't ask you to do anything illegal, just a bit of bodyguard work."
"No, I still need to think about it more. If you guys are involved in anything illegal, I wouldn't want to become an accomplice," Xiang Yu said, shaking his head.
Fang Kuohai nodded and smiled, "No problem. I'll give you a week to decide. You can come and find me anytime within that week. Open the door, let him out."
Without lingering, Xiang Yu left as soon as the door was opened. As soon as Xiang Yu stepped out, Fang Kuohai whispered something into Shi Jian's ear and then went upstairs.
When Xiang Yu returned to the hotel, it was already past two in the morning. Everything was proceeding according to his plan. He hadn't agreed on the spot to work for Fang Kuohai but had instead created an illusion of serendipity, rather than a deliberate arrangement on his part.
When Xiang Yu awoke from his sleep, it was already past eleven in the morning. Stretching languidly, he felt completely relaxed, unlike before when he'd never had such luxury. He freshened up quickly, changed into a new set of clothes, but they were still ragged sportswear. He didn't care and went downstairs for a quick bite before heading out.
As he left the hotel, the two attendants speculated that Xiang Yu's clothes must be an international brand, perhaps it's a fashion elsewhere. With that thought, they found Xiang Yu much more appealing, his beggarly appearance when he first arrived now forgotten.
Having nothing particular to do, Xiang Yu randomly hailed a taxi.
"Where to, sir?" the driver looked Xiang Yu up and down, disdain clear in his eyes.
"Just drive around the city for a bit," Xiang Yu said indifferently.
"Where exactly do you want to go?" the driver pressed.
"I said just drive, stop talking bullshit," Xiang Yu glared at the driver.
The driver, holding back his annoyance, asked no further questions and started the car, driving forward. He could tell Xiang Yu was new to the city, probably not so familiar with it, hence a drive around the city seemed reasonable.
They kept going, and at first, the driver was quite pleased, thinking he'd scored an easy mark and was about to make a decent sum. But as the ride went on, he grew more anxious; Xiang Yu showed no sign of wanting to stop. They had already gone around twice, and they were still going.
"Sir, it's already five o'clock, and I should be heading home now," the driver said in a gentle voice.
Xiang Yu responded as if he had just realized the time, "Oh! Then you should go home; I'll find someone else." Having said that, Xiang Yu prepared to get out of the car.
"But you haven't paid yet?" the driver asked, looking at Xiang Yu with some concern. He had been worried from the start that Xiang Yu didn't have any money but had been too embarrassed to ask because of pride. Seeing Xiang Yu's behavior now increased his concerns.
After going through all his pockets, Xiang Yu smiled apologetically at the driver, "I'm sorry, master, it seems I didn't bring any money today. How about this, you wait for me at the entrance of Xiangyun Hotel tomorrow morning, and I'll bring it to you then."
"Xiangyun Hotel, huh? He's nothing but a scoundrel," the driver thought to himself, but he didn't let it show and drove off.
"Are you offering to take me back? Master, you are too kind; truly a good Samaritan. I've never met anyone as nice as you..." Xiang Yu praised the driver all the way.
"Alright, we've arrived at your home," said the driver as he stopped the car in front of the Public Security Bureau, then got out and dragged Xiang Yu into the building.
Inside the Public Security Bureau, the driver explained the situation to a police officer, who also became furious upon hearing it.
"Hey, it's you, kid. We really do have a twist of fate," a police officer said, hurrying over when he saw Xiang Yu.
"Who has a twist of fate with you? Who are you, anyway? Mind your own business and stay away from me," Xiang Yu said.
"Heh, alright, kid. You got away last time, but you won't escape today," said the police officer. After he finished speaking, he took out handcuffs and put them on Xiang Yu.
The driver watched, stunned, as it dawned on him that the young man in front of him was a habitual offender. No wonder he didn't seem like a good person.
"Brother Wang, what's happening?" A female officer approached and asked.
"Linlin, it's this kid. He kicked me at the train station last time and ran off. If he hadn't been so quick, I would have..." Officer Wang stopped speaking and clenched his fist as if ready to punch someone.
At that moment, noticing Xiang Yu staring straight at the female officer named Linlin. She had large eyes and fair skin, and wore her uniform with an air of confidence and poise.
"What are you looking at, you filthy hooligan?" Su Linlin became angry as soon as she saw Xiang Yu staring at her.
"Hey, you can't wrongly accuse a good person. Who are you calling a hooligan? I am a fine socialist youth if I ever saw one. If it weren't for the fact that you look so pure and clean, I wouldn't let it go," Xiang Yu said, looking wronged.
"Whom are you not going to let go? Say that again," Su Linlin glared at Xiang Yu.
Su Linlin was well-known as the beauty of the Public Security Bureau, and even her superiors knew of the beautiful flower among them. Although she was stunning, no one had successfully courted her. Officer Wang happened to be one of her suitors.
"Look at that; look at that, you're quite cute when you're angry. Glare at me a couple more times," Xiang Yu said, sizing up Su Linlin from head to toe.
"You... you scoundrel," Su Linlin's face turned beet red with anger, and she stamped her foot and yelled.
Officer Wang couldn't stand it anymore and pushed Xiang Yu forcefully, "Linlin, don't be mad. I'll teach him a lesson for you later."