Chapter Fifty-Five: A Kick to the Rear

On the first day after school, Tim was very calm when he got home, and Qiu Fengyu didn’t bother to ask how things went at school. After all, this guy was never one to suffer losses. In fact, he had already successfully taught a lesson to two would-be troublemakers. Either you don’t make a move, or you go all out—Tim had mastered Qiu Fengyu’s essence, striking at just the right spots; there was no visible injury, but the pain would be excruciating. So even if they wanted to report him, it would be futile—how do you complain when there’s no mark to show for it?

After coming back, Qiu Fengyu would put him through training as if he were breaking in an animal, keeping himself in top form at the same time.

At night, Tim would go sleep over at Britt’s place. The person in charge of the investigation was a friend of Coffin’s; she had called Coffin specially to remind her to tell Tim he must do this, otherwise she would be in a difficult position herself.

So, come nightfall, Qiu Fengyu was left alone. He headed for the bar—after all, there was nothing else to do in the evenings. He had no desire to while away the hours watching television all night; the bar was a better choice.

No sooner had he settled in than Breckin came over, poured him a vodka, and pointed to the sign. “Vodka’s gone up—fifty-two cents a glass.”

“You’re a vampire,” Qiu Fengyu knocked back the drink, gestured for another.

“Vampire? I like that. By the way… Halloween’s coming up. There’ll be something going on in town. It’s your first Halloween here—I bet you’ll be surprised.”

“Halloween?” Qiu Fengyu was momentarily taken aback, then understood.

“Yeah, I’m dressing up as a vampire—Dracula…” Breckin grinned. “Buddy, you should get yourself a decent costume. Make your face look a little more… unusual…”

“I couldn’t care less about Halloween,” Qiu Fengyu drained his glass again.

“Hey, my friend, don’t talk like that. This is America—this is Texas. And before Halloween, there’s an even more interesting event: the bull riding contest. Registration opens in a few days. Go see Allen Christopher—he’s been running it for ten years.”

“Forget it—not my thing.”

“Hey, you’re agile—you might do well.” Breckin hurried to say. “If you get picked from our town, you’ll compete in El Paso. Win there, and you go to the Texas state finals, and maybe even the world championship in bull riding.”

“The world—aha—how wonderful. Why aren’t you signing up?” Qiu Fengyu’s voice was all mockery.

“Man, if I could, I would. But… you have to know what kind of person you are to make the right decisions,” Breckin defended himself.

“Oh, I know what kind of person you are. All talk, that’s what you are!” Qiu Fengyu was having none of it.

Breckin took no offense, just grinned. “If I were your age… well, all right, I still wouldn’t enter, because… that’s a game for the brave. Maybe you don’t care, but if you win the world bull riding championship, you get two hundred and forty thousand dollars, and the title ‘Iron Cowboy’.”

“How much?” Qiu Fengyu looked at him in surprise.

“Two hundred and forty thousand, my friend—it’s a huge sum. Of course, if you win the Texas contest, you get eighty thousand. El Paso—twenty thousand.”

“What about Abilene? What if I win there?”

“Five thousand!” Breckin chuckled. “It’s a little less, but… there are only twenty spots open for registration here.”

Qiu Fengyu took another drink, then stared at Breckin. “Why are you telling me all this?”

Breckin smiled. “Because I want to introduce you to a good deal. And… only those who’ve entered this contest can call themselves real Texas cowboys. Every cowboy here has done it. Of course… the results weren’t always great. It’s the taking part that counts…”

“Hell with your pitch—whoever put you up to this, tell them I’ll enter. Sign me up with Christopher. Give me the time and place.”

“Of course, Iron Cowboy!” Breckin saluted him.

“You’re buying tonight!” Qiu Fengyu said, and walked out.

As he watched Qiu Fengyu leave, Breckin shouted after him, “All right, it’s on me, but you’d better win—if not, you’re paying for the drinks. I’m betting on you, buddy—”

But Qiu Fengyu was already gone.

Five thousand dollars, not bad. Qiu Fengyu chuckled; he didn’t even know the rules of bull riding. It sounded simple enough. Back at home, he called Britt.

“Hey, buddy.”

“Calling me at this hour—I guarantee you’re confused about something. Go ahead, I’ll do my best to help,” Britt said as soon as he picked up.

“Bull riding. I want to know about the town’s bull riding contest.”

“What?” Britt was clearly surprised, then laughed. “You aiming for that five thousand dollars?”

“No, I want to be a real cowboy. Winning would be nice, of course—I don’t mind!” It was his way of saying he wanted to fit in.

“Yeah, yeah, everyone wants to win more. Qiu, it’s been ages since anyone from Abilene placed in the El Paso contest. Last time was over twenty years ago… and even then, they only won the city round.” Britt laughed. “Are you sure you can stay on a bull longer than the others?”

“Just tell me the rules, Josh.”

“Stay on a wild bull’s back for eight seconds—that’s it. No props, you are the prop. It’s a man’s contest. Only those who’ve ridden the bull are called true cowboys here,” Britt said. “If you want to keep living in this town, I support your decision.”

Qiu Fengyu nodded. “Yeah, I don’t care about winning or losing, but I will be this town’s new cowboy.” With that, he hung up.

Not bad at all, he thought, smiling to himself. He didn’t really care if he won, but to become a cowboy recognized by the town—that meant he’d truly become one of them. That was what he wanted. Of course, winning the prize money would be even better.

The next morning, during his workout, Tim, who’d been running from Britt’s house, kept sneaking glances at him as they jogged.

“All right, kid. Out with it—what do you want to say?”

“I hear you’re entering the ‘Iron Cowboy’ bull riding contest?” Tim grinned. “Ever ridden a bull before? I mean a mad, wild one?”

“Nope. Is that a problem?” Qiu Fengyu snorted.

“Of course it is…” This time, it was Officer Coffin, who had jogged up beside them. She looked at Qiu Fengyu and smiled. “If you don’t train before the contest, your odds of getting hurt are high. So you’d better start today with Britt—he has bulls at his place, you can practice there.”

“You care if I win or lose?” Qiu Fengyu smiled.

“No, I don’t care at all,” Coffin’s face turned cold at his playful tone. “Are you entering the bull riding just so women will cheer for you?”

“All right, that’s my problem.” Qiu Fengyu shrugged—he liked Coffin’s straightforwardness. “But you’re right, one reason I’m entering is to have a woman cheer for me… but just one, Coffin, just one!” He winked as he jogged past her, grinning.

On the way home, Coffin was already gone.

Tim looked at Qiu Fengyu, grinning. “That was a cool move—I should learn from you.”

“Learn what?” Qiu Fengyu glanced at him.

“How to pick up girls.” Tim winked. “You seem like an expert, a real ladies’ man.”

“What?” Qiu Fengyu stared at the kid in shock. “What… what are you talking about? You’re fifteen—how can you know so much?”

“I’ve had two girlfriends already. Don’t underestimate kids… Besides, I’m no kid—I’ve always seen myself as an adult…”

“Oh, hell, you little brat! No wonder you were looking at Officer Coffin that way—I ought to kick your butt!” As he spoke, Qiu Fengyu aimed a kick at Tim’s backside.

Tim tried to dodge, using the skills Qiu Fengyu had taught him, but still got booted to the ground, groaning in pain. But he didn’t dare utter a word of complaint—he’d brought this on himself.