Chapter Thirty-Nine: I Want to See You Fight Again

“What did you say?” Lin Zilong had just heard Ouyang Junyan claim not to know him, assuming he was only pretending out of anger. But now, with just the two of them present, there was no need for pretense, was there?

Lin Zilong stared at him in shock. “How many years has it been since we last met? Five, at least!”

“There’s no trace of you in my memory,” Ouyang Junyan replied.

Bang, bang, bang!

It was as if gunshots struck Lin Zilong’s chest. He was overwhelmed with agitation. “Five years ago, the last time I saw you was in America! We fought in a ring, I lost to you, and then you returned to your country. Do you remember that?”

Lin Zilong was the leader of a notorious gang in New York, yet he always gave off an air of gentility and refinement. Dressed in a black suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, tall and slender, with no tattoos, and always speaking with measured politeness, he had none of the rough edge typical of gang bosses.

As for his relationship with Ouyang Junyan—or rather, with Ouyang Junyan at age twenty-eight—they had indeed known each other.

But at thirty-five, Ouyang Junyan did not know him, nor did Lin Zilong know the thirty-five-year-old Ouyang.

“Ouyang, I’ve long wanted a rematch with you, but you never responded. I had no choice but to come up with this plan—travel all the way to China just to bring you here.”

“You brought me here just for a fight?” Ouyang Junyan’s tone was ice cold. “Or are you some random guy with your eyes on my wife? Is this pathetic excuse just a way to approach her and me?”

“What did you say?!” Lin Zilong was infuriated. “I don’t know your wife at all!”

“Really? Then why do I sense a spark in your eyes every time you look at her?” Ouyang Junyan scoffed. “You’re a normal man, after all. It’s only natural to be moved by a stunning woman.”

In other words, Ouyang Junyan took the opportunity to compliment Fang Zhiyin.

“Utter nonsense!” Lin Zilong barked. “Five years ago, you told me that fight would be the last of your life—that you’d never step onto the ring again, never challenge anyone again!”

...

“But today, I’m going to break your rule!” Lin Zilong’s demeanor shifted in an instant, his face twisted with menace. “Tomorrow or the day after, take your pick. We’ll have a proper match. If you refuse, then don’t blame me for what I might do to your beloved Mrs. Ouyang...”

The threat made Ouyang Junyan’s expression harden. “You dare try anything?” His voice was like steel.

Seeing Ouyang Junyan’s face change at the mention of Fang Zhiyin, Lin Zilong thought, indeed, throughout history, even heroes fall before beauty.

Lin Zilong gave a sly, unkind smile. “Everyone says your marriage to that lady is a matter of convenience, that you don’t love her. Clearly, that’s not the case.”

“Absolutely not!” Ouyang Junyan scoffed.

“You might fool others, but not me.” From his tone, one might think he knew Ouyang intimately. Lin Zilong pressed on, “Have another match with me!”

This man was truly insane!

Ouyang Junyan glared at him, his eyes nearly bursting with anger.

“I just want to see you fight again—is that so wrong?” Seeing his fury, Lin Zilong’s tone softened slightly. “There’s another option... If you can defeat the men I bring—maybe eight, maybe ten, and you’ll be alone—if you can take them all down and walk out alive, I’ll let you go. You and the woman you care about will both be safe. How about it?”

What?

Ouyang Junyan felt this man was utterly deranged!

He recalled how Fang Zhiyin often called him difficult, but clearly someone out there was even more impossible.

Lin Zilong spoke slowly, but his words carried so much weight that Ouyang couldn’t process them all at once. After digesting the message, he grasped the most vital point: as long as he could win the fight, both he and Fang Zhiyin would be safe!

After a long hesitation, Ouyang Junyan finally relented. “Fine. Deal. But... I want a contract. I’m not risking you going back on your word.”

Lin Zilong chuckled, shaking his head. “Very well, we’ll sign.” After a pause, he added, “You really do care about her.”

Of course I do, she’s my wife! Ouyang Junyan thought.

Late at night.

Ouyang Junyan dared not fall asleep, fearing something might happen while he was unconscious. He forced himself to stay awake, eyes wide open, nerves taut, alert to the slightest movement outside the door.

In the stillness, only his own breath and heartbeat echoed clearly. He had no idea how Fang Zhiyin was faring, which room she was in. He was still tied up, with no way to leave.

Elsewhere, Fang Zhiyin too tossed and turned. She longed to know what had truly transpired between Ouyang and Lin Zilong... but perhaps she’d have to wait until he came back to himself before asking.

Both lay awake, waiting for dawn.

For the next several hours, Ouyang Junyan remained in the guest room assigned by Lin Zilong, until he was summoned to the dining room for a meal.

Finally freed of his restraints, Ouyang Junyan was dizzy with hunger. He wasn’t sure how many he’d be able to face in a fight—he was, after all, the CEO of the Ouyang Corporation; was he really expected to brawl himself?

Still, one thing puzzled him: had he lost his memory? Why did he truly not recall ever meeting Lin Zilong?

This thought dulled his appetite. He ate mechanically, barely registering what he was putting in his mouth.

“Ouyang, are you finished?”

Just as he was nearly done, Lin Zilong strolled into the dining room and addressed him.

Ouyang Junyan looked up at the madman and nodded. “I’m done.” He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. “When do we begin?”

“In such a hurry?” Lin Zilong’s eyes flashed curiously behind his glasses.

“Let’s get this over with.” With that, Ouyang Junyan shot to his feet, meeting Lin Zilong’s gaze head-on.

“All right. Two hours from now, meet me at the arena—we have a special place just for boxing,” Lin Zilong said with anticipation.

For the next two hours, Ouyang Junyan sat in quiet meditation in the guest room. When the time was up and someone knocked, he rose swiftly and followed his escort to the arena.

Ten minutes later, he arrived. The door opened, and ten tall, muscular white men stood waiting for him inside.

Ouyang Junyan couldn’t explain it. He’d never been in a fight, yet suddenly his heart was pounding! He raised his eyelids with a sneer, scanning each man, then nodded thoughtfully. “Just these guys?” He’d expected something more formidable.

Suddenly, two men brought Fang Zhiyin forward. At the sight of him, she cried out, “Ouyang!!”

Ouyang Junyan froze.

“These men come from all corners of the world, each with a wealth of boxing experience. They’re my prized fighters,” Lin Zilong announced, now seated comfortably, ready to enjoy the spectacle.

“Oh.” Ouyang Junyan wasn’t interested in conversation. He pointed at Fang Zhiyin. “Let her go. I don’t want her here.”

This maniac was truly outrageous, making Fang Zhiyin watch from the sidelines—how could he perform under such scrutiny?

“No! I have to stay and watch!” Fang Zhiyin shouted.

After all, it was her own husband’s body! If she wasn’t there, what if these foreigners hurt him?

“Fang Zhiyin, get out!” Ouyang Junyan feigned anger.

Lin Zilong clapped lazily. “Let her stay—it won’t affect you if you’re as good as you claim, right?”

Ouyang Junyan fell silent as he began to warm up.

“Are you ready?” After another ten minutes, Lin Zilong could hardly contain his excitement.

“Let’s just get started.” Ouyang Junyan had already stepped out, mind made up.

In the next moment, his gaze locked onto the white man standing farthest to the left. He raised a finger, beckoning him to come.

Immediately, the man sprang forward, launching a flying kick straight at Ouyang.