"I need to be smart about this, though," Huang Wen continued, leisurely swallowing a bite of the hard-boiled egg and washing it down with the savory porridge. "I don't know any of these famous kickboxing champions personally. We need to plan this carefully. Furthermore, these high-profile fighters charge a hefty appearance fee. I have resources, but I need to maximize the profit and the impact for the investment."
Huang Wen genuinely didn't fear any ordinary champion. Their skill and physical conditioning were excellent by human standards, but against his Extraordinary Physique (34 Essence points) and the terrifying precision of Wing Chun, they were non-factors. The problem was logistics and publicity.
"Brother Wen, I think I can help you secure that match, and it might not even cost you anything upfront," Zhong Qiang offered, hesitating slightly. He glanced nervously at Uncle Zhong, clearly unsure about mentioning the source of his information in front of his traditional, wary father.
"What is it? Is there something I shouldn't hear?" Uncle Zhong frowned, setting down his spoon. "You haven't gotten involved with any of the wrong crowds at university, have you, Xiao Qiang?"
"No, Dad, nothing like that," Zhong Qiang quickly reassured him. "It's my roommate, Reece Fisk. His family… they run a very small, niche business, let's say. I learned about the Goren Mutant from him." He scratched his head, choosing his words carefully. "Even though his family is involved in these… activities, Reece himself is a good guy. We share classes, and we get along."
"Reece Fisk?" Huang Wen repeated the name, filing it away. "Does his 'niche business' involve Mutants? Because I need to fight a champion, not another Mutant. People in this country are still very wary of Mutants. A public fight against one wouldn't draw an audience; it would look like I'm collaborating with them, potentially leading to a major boycott of the martial arts school."
"Of course, I know that," Zhong Qiang nodded, relieved Huang Wen understood the social dynamics. "Mutants are still mostly operating in the shadows. The only time they ever became news was that guy at school, but he was quickly 'disappeared.' Reece just told me that his family knows a lot because they deal with certain types of protection and logistics."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice further. "The people I'm talking about are the kickboxing champions. Rhys's father is apparently a huge martial arts enthusiast, so he frequently hires top-tier champions for private, high-level sparring sessions."
Huang Wen's frown deepened. "Sparring with multiple top champions? That's not the kind of thing a 'small, niche business' does, Xiao Qiang."
Huang Wen's perception of underworld power was still based on the Goren Gang—thugs, low-level corruption, and a single, simple Mutant enforcer. A gang that could casually hire multiple world-class fighting champions for private training sessions was operating on an entirely different scale—a sign of immense, sophisticated wealth and influence that transcended common street crime. This Fisk family is far more dangerous than the Goren Gang ever was.
"Trust me, Brother Wen, Rhys is a good friend," Zhong Qiang insisted, shaking his head gently. "We were four roommates initially, but when the other two found out about Rhys's family, they immediately transferred out. I was the only one who stayed."
"Why didn't you move out?" Huang Wen asked directly.
"Rhys is just… a little chubby, and completely harmless. He's genuinely kind," Zhong Qiang shrugged. "His family's business is his father's problem, not his. He hasn't done anything wrong. In fact, if he wasn't so lazy in the dorm, he'd be the perfect roommate."
"Alright," Huang Wen said, finally nodding in acceptance. The opportunity was too valuable to pass up. "Since you vouch for him, go ahead and contact him. But, Xiao Qiang, listen to me closely: if he ever starts involving you in his family's 'business,' you must cut ties immediately. Distance yourself, no matter the cost."
"Don't worry, Brother Wen, I'll be extremely careful," Zhong Qiang promised, a serious expression briefly replacing his smile. Uncle Zhong watched the exchange, a quiet concern in his eyes, but he offered no further objection. He trusted Huang Wen's judgment and understood the necessity of seizing an opportunity.
Zhong Qiang eagerly picked up his phone, dialing his friend. After a moment, a slightly deep, amused voice answered.
"Hey? Is this the legendary Alarm Clock? I thought you went home to the ancestral hot pot restaurant? What do you need? I already filed your emergency leave slip."
Zhong Qiang felt his ears burn slightly at the nickname—a mocking reference to his Chinese name's meaning. "The Goren Gang, I heard they're done. That evolved Mutant is dead. You just asked me about them, and then they're wiped out. That wouldn't happen to be connected to you, would it?"
"You severely overestimate me, Rhys, and you know it," Zhong Qiang chuckled, glancing quickly at Huang Wen. "But the Goren Gang being gone is fantastic news for Chinatown. Anyway, I called for another reason. Did you hear that? Class hasn't started, so talk fast."
"Alright, so what's the real emergency that required waking up the future CPA?" Rhys Fisk's voice became a little more serious.
"The sparring partners your dad uses—the boxing champions. Is that really true?" Zhong Qiang asked, organizing the request clearly.
"Of course it's true. Why? Don't tell me you suddenly want to learn combat sports?" Rhys laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "With your skinny arms, you should probably stick to economics textbooks."
"You're one to talk! You're so round, you struggle to climb to the top bunk!" Zhong Qiang shot back instantly, demonstrating the easy, non-malicious nature of their friendship.
"Okay, seriously, what about the champions?" Rhys prompted.
"Yeah. My neighbor, Brother Wen, the martial artist I told you about, the really good one. He wants to challenge one of your dad's sparring partners to a public exhibition match," Zhong Qiang explained, adopting a slightly more formal business tone. "It's to promote his martial arts gym. You know how slow business is in Chinatown, he needs a massive boost."
Rhys Fisk paused for a moment. "A public match? With one of the world-class guys? That's… bold." He considered the request. "Okay, I'll contact my father's people first and then call you back. This is actually pretty interesting."
"The fee, though..." Zhong Qiang felt a rush of nerves. He desperately wanted this to work without bankrupting Huang Wen.
"Fee?" Rhys sounded genuinely amused. "What kind of friends do you think we are, 'Alarm Clock?' If this match happens, you owe me a meal—a hot pot feast at your place. That's the only fee."
"Done! Thank you, Rhys, that's huge!" A wide, grateful smile spread across Zhong Qiang's face. He felt a rush of pride at being able to help his brother, and a deep appreciation for his unconventional friend.
"No need to thank me. I'll get back to you as soon as possible, hopefully this weekend," Rhys Fisk said, sounding genuinely intrigued by the proposal. "Okay, I'm going to contact Dad now. Bye."
"Bye," Zhong Qiang said, hanging up the phone. He looked at Huang Wen and Uncle Zhong, his face beaming. "We wait for the call!"
"Good work, Xiao Qiang," Huang Wen nodded, satisfied. He understood the subtext: Reece Fisk's father was likely expecting something back from the favor that wasn't just a free meal. But for now, the hook was set. "We'll wait for the news, but in the meantime, we need to finalize the martial arts curriculum and start designing the flyers. The Champion Challenge needs the perfect backdrop."