Chapter 80: You Actually Cheated Me Out of My Money

In the afternoon, after having lunch, Richard dropped Ritchie back home and then took Norman to the office of the training hall.

"Alvin, I've brought you another recruit."

"Him?"

Alvin glanced at the tall and thin Norman. "At your age, what are you still training for?"

"I heard from Richard that training in boxing can help with—"

Before Norman could finish, Richard quickly covered his mouth. "He got beaten up pretty badly last time, ended up with a black and blue face. He wants to learn boxing to get revenge, right, Norman? Don't you want revenge?"

"Yes, I want revenge. I must beat that jerk to a pulp. Coach Alvin, please teach me."

Norman blinked his eyes, looking very expectant.

"The tuition fee is twenty thousand a year."

"Twenty thousand? Wasn't it fifty thousand? What can you learn for twenty thousand?"

Norman frowned.

Richard smirked, "Alvin, this guy is loaded."

"Yes, I have money. How about you increase the fee a bit? I want to learn the core techniques."

Norman asked.

Alvin shook his head. "It's only twenty thousand. I wouldn't teach for fifty thousand. But the gym needs some renovations. If you're willing to donate, we would really appreciate it."

"Alright, I'll donate another thirty thousand. But you must teach me the core techniques."

Norman took out his checkbook and signed his name swiftly.

Richard chuckled softly, "Come, I'll show you around our training hall. You can come and train whenever you have time. Train for a few years, and you'll become a master."

"How many years do I need to train to beat you?"

Norman asked.

"That... might take a few more years."

Richard led Norman into the training hall, introducing the layout: the boxing ring, leisure area, office area, training area.

"Wow, who's that? He's huge, even bigger than you."

Norman spotted Paul, who was training hard.

"Paul Pilbert, professional heavyweight boxer. He will become the heavyweight champion in the future."

Richard introduced.

"He's a heavyweight, and you're a light heavyweight. Does that mean he's stronger than you?"

Norman asked.

"Pretty much. You'll understand in time."

"Really? I want to talk to him."

Norman walked over.

Richard smiled and began warming up with a jump rope.

After a while, Paul approached, speaking softly, "Richard, that guy offered me five thousand dollars to beat you up. Should I take the deal?"

"No, I have a shoot tomorrow."

Richard continued skipping rope.

"It's alright, I promise not to hit your face. Afterward, you get three thousand, I get two thousand. Deal?"

"No deal!"

"How about you get four thousand, and I get one thousand? Richard, this is my final offer. Are you in or out?"

Paul clenched his fists.

"No deal, I have a shoot."

Richard continued his warm-up.

Sighing, Paul said, "How about all five thousand go to you? I can't bear to see that guy disappointed."

Richard chuckled, disrupting his skipping rhythm. He shook the rope, "I'll take eight thousand, you get two thousand. We might be able to negotiate from there."

"..."

Paul blinked. "How did you know he offered ten thousand?"

"Just a guess!"

Richard laughed.

"No way, the business was brought in by me, so I should get the lion's share."

Richard chuckled and resumed skipping.

"Okay, okay, eight thousand it is. You're a greedy bastard."

Paul scowled and walked back to the boxing dummy.

"How did it go? Did Richard agree?"

Norman asked eagerly.

Paul shook his head, "That guy can't beat me; he's too scared to fight."

"Really?"

Norman was a bit disappointed.

"But if you offer him an appearance fee, he might change his mind. You know, that guy is pretty broke."

Paul smirked.

Norman nodded, "How much would be appropriate?"

Paul's smile grew wider as he held up a finger, "Fifteen thousand for his appearance fee. That guy is quite famous in the boxing world; five thousand is not too much."

"Alright, fifteen thousand it is. Make sure you beat the crap out of that pretty boy. He's too annoying with his good looks and constant smirking."

Norman grumbled.

"Haha, brother, you're like my kin. I've been wanting to do this for a long time."

Paul slapped Norman's shoulder hard.

Ouch~

Norman winced, "Paul, your hand is too heavy. Go beat him up, but leave his face and the corners of his mouth. That guy's smile is infuriating."

"Okay, it's a deal!"

Paul pounded his chest.

——

Ten minutes later, in the boxing ring, Richard and Paul faced each other, wearing boxing gloves.

"Hmph, Richard, how dare you bully my brother Norman? Today, I'm going to pummel you."

Paul flexed his thick arms.

"Do we really have to fight? I really don't want to."

Richard looked at his gloves and sighed.

"Haha, are you scared?"

"No, I train in boxing for one purpose only: to maintain world peace. I love peace and hate conflict. But if you force me to fight, then I have no choice but to engage."

Paul was momentarily stunned. Damn, that's a powerful line. How should I respond to that?

"You're scared, aren't you? If you're scared, kneel and beg me, maybe I'll consider sparing you. Hahaha~"

"Kneel? Impossible. Absolutely impossible. In my life, I've only knelt to heaven and earth, to my parents, and to Jesus. Other than that, I will never kneel to anyone."

Richard stood tall, his voice firm and resolute.

"Nothing is impossible. You don't want to kneel? Fine, today I'll make you beg on your knees, haha~"

Paul raised his arms and laughed.

"Hey, are you guys done talking? I'm about to fall asleep here."

Norman complained from ringside.

"Alright, let's start!"

Paul grinned, turned around, and with a cold expression, threw a punch.

Bang!

Richard raised his left arm to block, retreating three steps, his expression changing,

"You're serious?"

"Haha, what do you think?"

Paul grinned and began his wild attack.

He abandoned all defense, his fists hammering down like drums, thumping heavily on Richard's body. His punches were powerful and intense.

Richard raised his arms high, watching Paul's fists closely, blocking and dodging at times, his footwork moving swiftly in the ring.

Bang, bang, bang~

The two exchanged over ten heavy blows, the sound of their strikes echoing.

"Wow, that's amazing. Go, Paul, go!"

Norman cheered from below, mimicking their moves.

Bang, bang~

Paul threw two more heavy punches, forcing Richard back three steps.

"Haha, Richard, I'm telling you, I'm not the same as before. I've broken through, I'm stronger than ever, and you? You're distracted with acting and flirting. How can you compete with me?!"

Paul roared, throwing a punch at Richard's face.

Richard lifted his arms to block.

Bang~

Paul landed another punch on Richard's abdomen.

Richard stumbled back three steps, hitting the ropes. He shook his arms, "Paul, you indeed have improved, but so have I."

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

Richard launched his counterattack, his fists like swords, striking left and right, forcing Paul to retreat.

"Paul, fight back! Fight back! Knock him down!"

Norman yelled, his face turning red with excitement.

"Richard, don't be so arrogant. Watch my ultimate move!!"

Paul roared, throwing a heavy punch at Richard's raised left arm. Richard's arm collided with his face, causing his head to jerk to the right, stumbling.

"Great, Paul, you're awesome. Keep it up!"

Norman cheered.

Bang!

Richard countered with a right hand, a left uppercut hitting Paul's chin.

Paul staggered back, hitting the post.

"Wonderful, this is thrilling. Paul, fight back!"

Norman shouted, swinging his fists.

"Attack!"

Paul yelled, charging at Richard. Richard also shouted, charging at Paul.

Bang! Bang!

Both raised their fists, striking each other's faces.

Thud, thud!

They both staggered back, collapsing on the ring, motionless.

Norman blinked, "Double knockout? Who won?"

"Cough, cough~"

Alvin walked over, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5..."

As he counted, Paul raised his fist, struggling to sit up, then stood firmly,

"Haha, I won, I finally won. I, Paul Pilbert, am the greatest boxer in the world. I am the world champion!!"

"Wow~, Paul, you're amazing. You're so awesome!"

Norman climbed into the ring, hugging Paul and giving him several kisses.

"Paul, you're truly incredible!"

Richard clutched his chest, coughing a few times.

"Hahaha~, Richard, I'm telling you, Norman is my brother. If you ever bully him again, I'll beat you up!"

Paul raised his fists.

Richard smirked and slowly walked out of the ring.

"Yes, we won. Paul, your boxing skills are incredible. Can I learn from you?"

Norman asked.

"No, I'm usually pretty busy!"

"I'll pay you a guidance fee, ten thousand a month!"

Norman offered.

"Deal!"

Paul grinned, looking at Alvin in the distance, feeling conflicted. I used to hate these greedy guys, and now I've become the kind of person I used to despise. 

Sigh~, is this what growing up means?

"Hey, Richard, here's your appearance fee."

Norman handed a check to Richard.

"No need. Paul and I were just putting on a show for you. Didn't you notice?"

Richard smiled.

"Putting on a show?"

Norman looked at Paul.

"Don't listen to him. There was no show. Richard just lost and doesn't want to admit it."

Paul grinned wickedly.

"Oh, fuck, Paul, I thought of you as a brother, and you actually cheated me out of my money?"

Norman fumed, grabbing Paul in an attempt to snatch back the check.

"Don't be like that! Richard, you're the jerk who ruined my big business deal!"

Paul roared.

Richard chuckled softly and went to the training area to continue his strength and speed training.

——

(The End of This Chapter)