Chapter 5 - A step of no return

The handsome face in the mirror showed a hint of frustration.

Li Rui finally came to his senses after washing his face with cold water and walked into the kitchen to prepare some breakfast.

Along with the sizzling oil, a beautiful aroma spread through the kitchen. The gloomy feeling in Li Rui's chest disappeared, and his mood gradually became better as he slowly forgot yesterday's nightmare.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

Li Wei leaned against the kitchen wall as she held her teddy bear in one hand and rubbed her eyes with the other.

"Hamburger patties and omelets. Go wash your face!"

He showed a big smile to his sister. Li Wei cheered and ran toward the bathroom.

When she came out, there was a hearty breakfast neatly placed on the dining table.

"Here you go, your favorite strawberry jam."

The bread was nicely toasted golden brown and entirely covered with strawberry jam. The wheat aroma from the bread mixed with the sweetness of the jam made it very appetizing.

"Thank you!"

Li Wei stood on her tippy-toes and placed a kiss on his cheek before eating the bread.

A cup of warm honey milk was placed in front of her, and Li Rui placed three pieces of thick hamburger patties on her plate along with a few pieces of scallion-filled omelets, and finally, a bowl of fruit salad. It was an extremely nutritious breakfast.

"I'll be a little late tonight. Lunch and dinner are in the fridge. Just heat it up in the microwave."

Li Wei who was happily eating suddenly frowned at her brother.

"Brother…"

"Don't whine, I have something important tonight. I'll come home as soon as possible."

He patted her head as Li Wei whimpered, "Huhu… then you better come back early!"

"Ok, got it!"

Li Rui smiled as he pinched her cheek before suddenly realized that there was nothing left to pinch other than a thin piece of skin. He lowered his hand as his smile turned into a bitter one.

However, Li Wei had no extra attention for this as she was fully focused on her breakfast.

After finishing her meal, Li Wei sobbed as she waved goodbye to Li Rui who was walking out the door.

The moment the door closed, the warm smile on Li Rui's face gradually faded, and a chilly feeling spread throughout his body.

He took the bus, followed by the subway, and then another bus. After two hours of traveling, he stood in front of a building in a remote area.

[YuLong Wrestling Fitness and Entertainment Center]

Because it was still early, there were very few people in the building, and the young ladies at the front desk were already dozing off.

"Sister Liu, is Brother Lei here?"

He gently knocked on the table which suddenly alerted the young ladies, and all of them stared at him with their glittering eyes.

"Oh, Little Rui, you're here. Have you eaten? I have some buns, fried fritters, and soy milk. Do you want some?"

"I've already had breakfast, thank you. Is Brother Lei here?"

"Oh yeah, he mentioned that he will only be in tonight. You can just go straight to the Legal Department for the pre-match formalities."

"Okay. Thank you, Sister Liu."

Li Rui showed a bright sunny smile, and all the young ladies looked at him with hearts in their eyes.

As he walked away, a few of them even burst out screaming and stomped their feet in excitement.

"Little Rui is so handsome!"

"So tender!"

"I really want to XX and then OO with him!"

"Oh my god! Calm your tits. Stop harming the young ones!"

"Exactly! You're an old cow already!"

"Shut up, you're the cow! I'm only 21!"

"The problem is that he's only seventeen! Don't you have a boyfriend?"

"Ah… don't even mention that useless prick. The only thing that he knows is to escape from his problems; even my dog is more reliable than him."

"You only care about looks. A beautiful sissy is only good for the eyes but is practically useless!"

One of the ladies started mocking.

"Exactly, I still think that boys like Little Rui are the best. Handsome, gentle, and manly. The most attractive thing about him is that mature charisma."

Sister Liu's eyes already had stars coming out of her eyes. She was already thinking of their future and even the names of their children.

"Don't even think about it. He's the champion of the National Junior High Championship. He is going to have a promising future. You wouldn't even stand a chance with him!"

The other girls around her ruthlessly crushed her fantasy.

"Hey… it's not like I'll be pregnant by just fantasizing. I just can't imagine such a wonderful boy with any other bitch. I just hope that he will protect himself."

With eyes filled with reluctance, Sister Liu looked at Li Rui's figure as he walked away.

"Yi~"

A cold breeze suddenly hit him. Li Rui shivered and started rubbing his arm.

What's wrong with him these days? It's like he was being haunted!

He shuddered and continued walking toward the legal department.

After an hour, in the presence of the director of the Legal Department, along with the witness of a third party, Li Rui signed the thick agreement contract and stamped his thumbprint on it.

They then turned over to the video camera that had already been turned on by the director. After setting up the camera, Li Rui said aloud:

" I! Li Rui, ID number XXXXXXXXXX, as a mentally and physically healthy grown adult with the ability to bear civil rights, after judging the risk and dangers based on my current condition, voluntarily participate in this competition and promise to bear all consequences following the competition. My family nor I will hold the organization or any other participants accountable or responsible for this event…"

After leaving recorded evidence and completing the rest of the procedures, Li Rui couldn't help but give a sigh of relief.

Luckily, the legal age in this world was sixteen years old, so he already had the ability to take civil and criminal responsibility. Otherwise, he would have to get a guardian's permission to compete.

After the whole set of procedures, it was already noon. Li Rui ate a few pieces of the biscuits that they provided, and since today was a special day, he went to a restaurant outside, ordered two pounds of beef, and slowly enjoyed it himself.

There was a match tonight and he had to be in his best condition.

"Li Rui!"

A voice suddenly appeared next to him, and following the voice, a buff guy sat down next to him.

"Brother Xie."

Li Rui nodded and smiled.

"I heard you're joining the 'underground' competition?"

Xie Guangyan asked in a serious tone.

"Yes."

Li Rui calmly nodded his head.

"Bullshit! The competition 'underground' is totally different from the performance show that we usually have! You may even lose your life…"

"Brother Xie, I've already signed the contract."

As Li Rui noticed Brother Xie's anxious face, he felt warmth in his heart and interrupted him with a chuckle.

"Why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand?"

Xie Guangyan angrily complained.

"I have no other choice, I need the money. Plus, it's a good chance to challenge myself."

Li Rui carelessly shrugged his shoulders as if the match tonight were not a big deal.

Xie Guangyan paused for a moment before letting out a sigh as he patted Li Rui on the shoulder.

Every family has its own difficulties!