230 In the Tense Pre-Match Atmosphere, Pereira Entered the Room

Since becoming a parent, Catwoman's personality has evolved in several ways. In particular, she has grown more open-minded about Ye Chen's performance in the upcoming match. Despite this shift, I still cannot shake off my distress and worry regarding the potential for Ye Chen to get injured during the fight. However, on the whole, her reactions seem to be less intense than they were in the past. It's difficult for me to determine if she is gaining a clearer perspective on the situation or if she simply holds more faith in Tuozhu's abilities now. Ye Chen had confidently proclaimed that he would defeat Pereira, and for a time, this worried her. Pereira's imposing physique and fierce expression can certainly intimidate anyone; yet, she now appears to genuinely believe that Ye Chen can take him down.

"You have so much faith in me," Ye Chen joked with a wry smile, before turning to plant a kiss on her alluring red lips. Catwoman, referred to as the "610 Office," responded with a sly grin, twinkling her big eyes as she quipped, "That's easy. If you can't win, then you can go home and care for our child for three months… or you could even retire permanently. Don't worry; I'll support the family, and you can just enjoy being at home with the kids."

"That's a lovely idea," Ye Chen chuckled. "Just based on your encouragement, I'll fight him as if my life depends on it." Catwoman beamed in response, "I knew you would say that, you…"

During this banter, the sounds of cheers erupted from the live television broadcast nearby, drawing their attention as it became clear that the final match of the main event had already been concluded. One fighter had succumbed to a high-speed sweep and fell unconscious immediately. The victor then climbed onto the cage, threw his arms up in jubilation, and let out a victorious roar, releasing the pent-up tension from months of rigorous preparation.

Just then, a knock echoed through the preparation room. "Jackson," a familiar voice called. "Can I come in? It's time for you to wrap your wristband."

"Come in," Ye Chen replied. Over the course of numerous games, Ye Chen had formed a routine. Regardless of Jackson's crossover experience, each time Ye Chen fought, Jackson was always the one to assist with his wristbands. I can't tell if Dana had orchestrated this arrangement, or if it was merely a fortunate coincidence. Jackson entered, sticking his head in first before walking in with an exaggerated expression on his face.

"When did you learn to knock?" Ye Chen joked, to which Jackson replied, "You've improved! Who knows what you… might have been doing in here…"

It wasn't that Jackson lacked awareness—he had barged in before without knocking, leading to some awkward moments. But he seemed to have learned his lesson with this new approach. As soon as Jackson mentioned this, the smile on Catwoman's face faltered, and she angrily punched Ye Chen in jest. Ye Chen raised his hand, signaling Jackson to proceed with wrapping the wristband, all while defending himself: "You're reading too much into it. I abstain from—well, you know—prior to matches; I can't afford to let my stamina drop."

As soon as he finished his statement, Catwoman burst into laughter and shot him a knowing glance. "That's what you say, but we'll see what happens from now on." Jackson, clearly skeptical of Ye Chen's claims, theatrically wiped his lips with his hand, silently suggesting he should do the same to remove the remnants of the red lipstick from hers. Only then did Ye Chen notice that although Jackson was dressed in standard work attire on top, he sported brand-name shoes and pants that were clearly more upscale than what he himself had been wearing earlier. Noting Jackson's attention to his own appearance, Ye Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"I mentioned before that as long as you keep fighting, I'll invest in your success. The last crossover bout really netted me a significant earnings boost. What do you make of that? Are you impressed?" Ye Chen looked at Jackson incredulously. Most people who dared to invest in him during that last bout were gamblers; they thrived on the dream of striking it rich with a small wager. A person with even a modicum of sense would have avoided betting on Ye Chen in that situation.

"Don't believe me? Well, I also put money down for you this time, and I'm in pretty deep…" Jackson continued, wrapping Ye Chen's wrist with practiced efficiency.

"Just be careful with your bets; don't put your life savings on the line," Ye Chen cautioned. He felt that Jackson was putting an almost excessive amount of trust in him. It wasn't a lack of confidence on Ye Chen's part, but rather an acknowledgment that if Jackson continued to gamble this way, he could invite trouble. Still, rather than dwelling on that, Ye Chen decided to change the subject—he had no wish to intrude upon someone else's choices.

On the other side of the room, the atmosphere could not have been more different from the relaxed and jovial one shared by Ye Chen and Catwoman. At this moment, Pereira sat quietly, deep in concentration, akin to an old monk in meditation, eyes closed and body rigid. What was previously a serious demeanor had transformed into an intensively focused, almost statuesque presence. The rest of his team remained silent, acutely aware of the pressure radiating from Pereira.

Online chatter suggested that Pereira had climbed the ranks through connections, shortcuts, and privilege to secure a title shot. Many believed that he had merely lucked into securing the championship, mostly due to an oversight on Black Dragon's part. Therefore, this match was not just a title fight—it was Pereira's opportunity to prove himself on the grand stage. Given Ye Chen's undefeated streak and the massive public interest surrounding him, this was undoubtedly the most consequential fight of Pereira's career. A loss here could mean losing the opportunity to contend for the championship belt ever again; while a win would undoubtedly elevate his status instantly.

Under these circumstances, it would be downright disingenuous for Pereira to claim he wasn't nervous or overly cautious. Thankfully, while he might not have extensive MMA experience, he had fought hundreds of kickboxing matches. He was well-versed in managing his emotions and performance state.

The moment arrived as the host's voice echoed through the arena. Even as the challenger, it was Ye Chen's presence that made the crowd hold its breath in anticipation. Thus, Pereira was the one to be announced first. The instant he heard the introduction, Pereira's eyes snapped open and a dangerous glint flickered within.

"Let's go," he uttered tersely. With that, he stood up, methodically stretched out his muscles, cast a glance at the large monitor in the preparation room, and strode confidently toward the exit, ready to face his destiny.