William Carter handed the phone back to Little Emily Harris with some resentment. He had never seen Little Emily Harris smile so sweetly before. “Don’t look at me like that. Whatever’s going on between you and my brother has nothing to do with me!” Little Emily Harris got up to leave, but when she reached the door, she turned back. “Oh, I almost forgot to remind you—my brother learned Sanda and was once the district champion. You’d better not go and get yourself beaten up!”

William Carter knew he had no choice but to go this time. It wasn’t just about so-called dignity; he understood that things with Edward Harris weren’t over yet. Sooner or later, it would have to be dealt with openly. Since this storm was inevitable, he might as well face it sooner.

When he arrived at the Shouyan Dojo, Edward Harris was already waiting there. To his surprise, Little Emily Harris had also come to cheer her brother on. William Carter smiled and nodded at Edward Harris. “Impressive, brother and sister fighting side by side. Didn’t we agree to go one-on-one?” Little Emily Harris shot William Carter a glare. “I’m just here to help call an ambulance.”

William Carter deliberately sighed. “That’s not good. We haven’t even started, and you’re already cursing your own brother to get hurt. Isn’t it a bit early for such righteous betrayal?”

Edward Harris widened his eyes. “Why are you talking so much nonsense? Hurry up and get changed.”

William Carter smiled, dawdling as he walked toward the changing room. He stayed inside for a full fifteen minutes before coming out. Edward Harris had already grown impatient, pacing back and forth in the ring.

Seeing William Carter, he rushed over. “Kid, are you scared?”

“I haven’t read enough books to know how to write the word ‘fear.’”

“Tough guy, let me make it clear: today there are no rules. Whoever goes down first loses!” Edward Harris looked determined to win. William Carter had already guessed he’d say that and nodded. “Bring it on!”

Chapter Two: [Memory, Beijing, Snow]

Edward Harris didn’t wait for William Carter to finish speaking before throwing an uppercut at William Carter’s chin. His punch was lightning fast—clearly well-trained. William Carter leaned back to dodge, stepping his right foot back to put some distance between them. Edward Harris was a bit shorter than William Carter, so the closer they were, the more it favored him. Edward Harris threw five punches in quick succession, but William Carter dodged them all with agile footwork. Only then did Edward Harris start to reassess his opponent. William Carter kept dodging around the ring, waiting for an opportunity.

After several failed attacks, Edward Harris had lost quite a bit of stamina and realized William Carter’s strategy. Edward Harris slowed his pace, probing several times, and the distance between them began to close.

William Carter struck first, lifting his leg to kick at Edward Harris’s groin. Edward Harris didn’t even try to dodge. Instead, he lunged forward to the right, turning William Carter’s attack toward his hip, while his left fist shot like lightning at William Carter’s ribs.

Edward Harris staggered back two steps from William Carter’s kick, but comparatively, William Carter took the worse hit. The ribs are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body, and William Carter doubled over in pain. Edward Harris gave him no chance to catch his breath, charging in again. In this unfavorable situation, William Carter had no other choice. Gritting his teeth, he rushed forward, blocking Edward Harris’s punch with both hands and ramming his head hard into Edward Harris’s chest.

Edward Harris cried out in pain, grabbing William Carter’s arms and driving his knee into William Carter’s abdomen. William Carter did the same, and their knees collided, making both of them grimace in pain. William Carter twisted his right leg between Edward Harris’s legs to prevent him from making another move. Both of them lost their balance and crashed to the floor with a thud. William Carter struggled free with his right hand and punched Edward Harris in the face. Edward Harris brought his elbow down on William Carter’s solar plexus. The two of them rolled and wrestled on the ground for a good ten minutes, both ending up with bruised faces and nearly spent, gasping for breath.

“Hey! If you’re tired of fighting, get up and take a break!” Little Emily Harris appeared out of nowhere, grinning as she stood in front of them with two bottles of Coke. William Carter was the first to let go of Edward Harris’s collar, and Edward Harris rolled aside weakly, panting. “Damn it… just wait, I’ll beat you to death in a minute…” William Carter sat up, also gasping. “Why wait… if you’ve got the guts, come at me now…” Though both talked tough, neither made a move to attack.

For some reason, Edward Harris suddenly burst out laughing. William Carter was stunned for a moment, then started laughing as well.

Edward Harris actually treated William Carter to a meal. When William Carter saw the Red Star Erguotou on the table, he couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle. Even though it had been days since last time, just thinking about the liquor made him want to puke.

Edward Harris grinned slyly. “Don’t worry, kid. Today I’m just thanking you for helping my sister get her phone back. I’m not planning to force you to drink!” William Carter felt a bit embarrassed that Edward Harris had guessed what was on his mind. “It’s not that I’m afraid, it’s just that the effects from last time haven’t worn off yet.” Edward Harris shook his head. “Alright! Let’s not bring up what happened that day again. I guess we can say we became friends through fighting.”

Little Emily Harris seemed to be in a good mood, staying with them the whole time until Edward Harris reminded her, “Xiaoyue, maybe you should head home first, so Mom doesn’t start worrying again.” Little Emily Harris pouted. “Why should I be the one to go home first? When Mom starts nagging, she never stops. I really can’t take it!”