“Damn, these two are tough guys!” Before anyone else could react, William Smith’s right hand grabbed the pulse point of the hand Henry Johnson had on his shoulder. The big guy trying to block Henry Johnson suddenly felt his arm go numb and couldn’t move it. The other one, seeing things go south, lunged forward with a straight punch.

“Bring it on!!” William Smith said, adding force with his left hand and using a joint-locking move. The first big guy cried out in pain and squatted down. With his right hand, William Smith intercepted the second guy’s punch over Henry Johnson, caught it perfectly, and pulled him forward, making the second guy fall right on top of the first. Henry Johnson, standing by, took the chance to get in a few cheap shots, stomping on both their heads.

“Bro, stop, stop, let’s talk this out!” The two big guys clutched their heads and started begging for mercy.

“You two, get up!” William Smith reached out to stop the still-eager Henry Johnson.

The two who had just tried to act tough got up sheepishly, glaring at Henry Johnson, but were so scared they covered their heads.

“Damn, I’ve heard of people dining and dashing, but never of someone trying to get laid for free!” Henry Johnson said, looking smug.

“Big bro, give us a break. This guy is our boss, he’s just drunk. We’ll pay for everything.”

“虎子, tally up how much they owe!” William Smith ignored them and replied coldly.

“Room fee, girl’s fee, compensation for us, and damages to our bathhouse’s reputation—let’s call it 2,000 yuan.” Henry Johnson counted on his fingers, carefully calculating. William Smith knew this guy used to collect debts for loan sharks—he never shortchanged himself.

“Big bro, can’t you cut us some slack? We’re just errand boys!” one of the big guys pleaded, his tone much softer now.

“You’ve got two options.” William Smith stared at the two who had just been so aggressive. “Either I drag all three of you out, or you pay up and get lost!”

Under William Smith’s glare, the two thugs felt like they were sitting on pins and needles. They fumbled through their pockets and handed over a messy pile of bills to William Smith. He nodded toward Henry Johnson, who grabbed the money, quickly counted it, and cursed, “Damn, barely over a thousand! You think you can act like a big shot here with just a thousand?” As he spoke, he kicked the guy who handed over the money.

“Get lost! And take that pig on the bed with you.” William Smith said coldly. The two thugs, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly dressed the guy snoring on the bed, one carrying him, the other grabbing the rest of his clothes, and rushed out.

William Smith counted out five red hundred-yuan bills from Henry Johnson’s hand and handed them to the nervous girl nearby. “Take it.”

The girl didn’t dare reach out, so William Smith rolled up the money and tucked it straight into her low-cut top, saying, “Don’t be shy, that’s just how it is here. Be careful next time. You can go now.”

“Thank you, big brothers!” The girl half-lifted her head, took the money from her neckline, and tried to hand it back. “This money… just let me show my gratitude to you both.”

“I said take it, so take it. It’s not easy making money, even just dropping by for a shift. You don’t owe us anything! And don’t go around saying Jinxiu City bullies the girls!” Henry Johnson shouted in his raspy voice. The girl, scared, put the money away again. He nodded, “Remember, this is Captain Smith, all the girls in Jinxiu City call him big brother.”

“Thank you, Brother Smith!” The girl looked up.

“Don’t be scared, just do your job. This kind of thing doesn’t happen often. If anything comes up, find Henry…” William Smith, worried about scaring her, tried to sound calm as he sent her out.

……

“Goddammit, every time something happens you’re nowhere to be found. Can’t you let me have a moment’s peace?” William Smith slammed the door and smacked Henry Johnson on the back of the head.

“Come on, bro, don’t hit me! I really just stepped out, hadn’t even left the building before something happened… ow…” Henry Johnson looked aggrieved, nothing like the fierce guy who’d just been kicking people.

“I’m telling you, next time something happens and you’re not here, you’re coming with me to watch the parking lot. I bet you love it here so much you don’t want to leave, huh?” William Smith kicked him twice more before letting him go.

“Bro, come on, kick me a few more times if it’ll make you feel better!” Henry Johnson grinned cheekily and sidled up. “Bro, I’ve got parents to support, a wife and kid—have some pity, man. If you make me watch the parking lot, I might as well become a gigolo!”

At Jinxiu Karaoke and Bathhouse, security guards not only got their regular pay, but the girls would often tip them for protection, and sometimes customers would give them a little extra for introducing girls. There was plenty of money to be made, and as the team leader, William Smith always got his share.

“Get lost!” William Smith couldn’t do anything with this shameless act, so he kicked him again before heading out. “Train your guys better. Don’t just stand there like idiots getting yelled at when something happens. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

“Bro, here, this is for you!” Henry Johnson, seeing William Smith about to leave and knowing things were fine now, stuffed the leftover money into William Smith’s pocket.