He spoke with the air of an experienced man, as if offering a friendly warning.
Before Lu Chao could speak, Zhao Yuanqing frowned and cut in.
"Lin Ze, what do you mean?"
"I mean what I said. What, can't I tell the truth?"
"Do you even know what Ah Chao is doing? He's training at a boxing hall, and it's brutally hard work! You don't know shit!"
Furious at the other man's condescending tone, he glared and stepped forward.
Lin Ze froze, and the other four stared in astonishment, all looking over.
'Lu Chao is practicing martial arts?'
"Yeah, I've been learning to fight at Jinshi Boxing Hall lately."
Shrugging, Lu Chao didn't deny it, nor did he blame Zhao Yuanqing for revealing the matter.
As for his job on the cleaning team, he didn't plan on quitting just yet.
He had to at least try for the internal assessment. It was his chance to get into the Patrol Department, a stable path to better pay. Besides, he desperately needed the money.
"Is that so."
Lin Ze frowned and glanced at him, slightly surprised.
Beside him, Li Heng, Xiaoyang, and the others looked even more amazed, peppering him with questions.
"Damn, Ah Chao, where'd you get the money for tuition? You didn't take out a loan, did you?"
"Lu Chao, the cost of martial arts training isn't low," Song Yuhan said, her delicate brows furrowing in confusion.
"Our jewelry store has two security guards with Life Energy around 15. They're constantly being ordered around just for the salary and bonuses the boss promised, and they don't dare talk back even when they get chewed out."
"And from what they say, it takes ten to twenty thousand a month just in food and nutrition to keep developing your Life Energy. Without enough talent and money to back you up, breaking through to the Fighting Level is basically impossible..."
She shook her head as she spoke, thinking the risk was too great. He'd likely end up in the red, just throwing his money away for nothing.
Lin Ze and the others chimed in, agreeing. They didn't think Lu Chao had the talent for it.
"I'm just giving it a try so I don't have regrets later."
Lu Chao shook his head slightly. He hadn't expected them to react so strongly, and he decided against trying to explain himself further.
The four of them had varied expressions upon hearing this, but they all secretly shook their heads, clearly not convinced.
'How could people like them, from the bottom rungs of society with no background, dare to dream of changing their fate through martial arts?'
'Talent and wealth were both essential, and the twenty-point Life Energy barrier was an even tougher hurdle. If you failed, all your initial investment would go down the drain. It just wasn't worth it.'
With their own thoughts on the matter, the group eventually dropped the subject.
They chatted idly until it was nearly nine-thirty.
CRUNCH!
Dry leaves on the street were crushed as a black Sharp Light sedan slowly pulled up and parked by the side of the road near the bar.
A man with a buzz cut wearing a leather jacket got out of the passenger seat, walked to the back, and opened the door.
Turning to look, Lu Chao and the others finally saw the person they had come to meet.
"Brother Junhao!"
"Brother Hao!"
Enthusiastic greetings rang out. Even Lin Ze's expression changed slightly as he lowered his hands and hurried forward respectfully.
"You guys been waiting long?"
A powerful voice rang out, and Lu Chao felt the light in front of him dim slightly.
Chen Junhao was powerfully built, standing at least six-foot-one. His black, short-sleeved shirt was stretched taut over his bulging muscles.
His slicked-back hair was neatly combed, and he looked to be in his early thirties.
He had rugged features and a long, thin scar by the corner of his left eye. Far from looking monstrous, it gave him an air of fierce intensity.
"Not at all, not at all. We're the ones bothering you, Brother Hao."
Lin Ze replied with a smile, and the others chimed in with agreement.
Chen Junhao's gaze swept over the group. He smiled, shook his head, and then walked straight up to Zhao Yuanqing.
"You kid... I heard you got into it with the Rock Gang again a couple of days ago?"
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, his words pointed. Behind him, a burly man from the Hongyi Society also glanced over.
Lu Chao was taken aback for a moment and noticed Zhao Yuanqing's face flush red as he started to explain himself.
"They were being too arrogant, and..."
"So you beat them up."
Chen Junhao cut him off with a half-smile.
"I..."
"Alright, that's enough." Chen Junhao waved his hand dismissively and exhaled a plume of smoke. "I've already had a word with them. They'll stay away from the repair shop from now on."
"But... you kid, you're too hot-headed. Sometimes you have to learn to hold back a little."
He paused, then added a few more words in a rare, earnest tone, causing Zhao Yuanqing to lower his head in shame, knowing he had caused trouble for him again.
Lu Chao, on the other hand, looked surprised. He hadn't realized his friend had been hiding something like this from him for the past few days. No wonder he had postponed their meeting earlier.
Then, before he could think it over or ask any questions...
"Xiaochao?"
Chen Junhao turned to look at him, his eyes scanning him up and down for a moment before revealing a trace of surprise.
"Not bad. You've got a good energy about you. Looks like you've started training."
Unlike Lin Ze and the others, he didn't try to dissuade him. Instead, he nodded in approval, a hint of gratification on his face.
He then took a drag from his cigarette, as if deep in thought.
After exhaling the smoke, he looked at Lu Chao and said casually, "The bar's been short-staffed lately. We're looking to hire some nightclub security."
"So, what do you think? Interested?"