“You know your brother is very strange.” Shībài zhě said as he watched the T.V. David had turned on Netflix for Shībài zhě as it wasn’t available in China.

“How so?” David said, panting for breath as he was running on the treadmill.

“He leaves his brother here in this hotel for millionaires, with someone he doesn’t know, gives you full access to his money and complete luxury. And no questions asked as to why you were sleeping in the alley in the first place.” Shībài zhě explained as David got off the treadmill.

“I don’t know.” David panted for breath and took a gulp of water from a bottle. “He’s always been like that.”

“Weird.”

“Kind of. But he is also quite smart. He knows more than 20 languages and also has a PhDs in Physics, electrical engineering, and Chemistry at the age of 28.”

“Wait, so he’s only six years younger than me?”

“You’re 34?”

“Yeah.”

“What should I call you now anyways.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Shībài zhě isn’t your name right? So, I guess I shouldn’t call you Mister zhě anymore.”

“No, it’s fine. You’ve been calling me that since we first met so let's just keep it at that.”

“Ok. Warm-up is done. What next.”

“All right listen closely, kid.”

Shībài zhě and David were in the gym where Shībài zhě had finally begun David’s training for the upcoming fight. He first told David to warm up using the treadmill before starting to teach him.

“So, what now,” David said as he jumped around all excited about the training. “Running up the stairs, hitting boxing bags and all with inspirational music in the background.”

“No kid, this isn’t Rocky.” Shībài zhě said as he shook his head. “Real life is a lot different because first, you have to study your opponent.”

“What do you mean?” David said, confused and disappointed. “If you’re talking about his fight style, I’m pretty sure that it’s out-boxing.”

“No, it isn’t.” Shībài zhě said as he stood up and got into position. “This is Out-Boxing.”

He then took a proper posture and threw a punch at David. He dodged it but before he could ask anything, Shībài zhě continued with even more punches. All while keeping David at arm’s length. David desperately tried to get closer, but he didn’t get a single chance. He even tried hitting Shībài zhě’s feet just like with Henry, but there wasn’t even a chance for that. Each time Shībài zhě hit David, it was followed by a flurry of more attacks, until David fell to the ground.

“That was boxing.” Shībài zhě said as he relaxed his stance. “He is just a fighter with no method and the only way that you were able to hit him back then was because he underestimated you. That won’t happen again.”

“So, what should I do?” David said as he sat up. Shībài zhě’s punches had actually hurt David.

“The first thing to remember in street fights.” Shībài zhě said as he bent down in front of David. “Never lose your cool. The second thing, there are no rules. Fight with whatever you can, and however, you can. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” David said as he showed resolve in his eyes.

“Alright. First things first.” Shībài zhě said as he stood up and made his way towards the punching bag. “Punch this 1000 times.”

“What?!” David shouted as he stood up in surprise.

“500 with your left hand, 500 with your right.” Shībài zhě said. “Chop Chop. Make sure to do it quickly and properly. Oh, and stop walking normally. Start walking on your tiptoes at all times. You can stand still with both your feet on the ground though.”

David stood there bewildered by the request while Shībài zhě sat in front of the T.V and continued to watch the show.