Chapter 85: Warning

Thanks to anr for the reward, and to my brothers for their likes and recommendations!

Abilene Town, Police Station.

“They’ll definitely take action. Be careful. And tell that Japanese girl that it’s best not to wander outside at night these days... even during the day, she should go out less.” Chief Coffin spoke to Qiu Fengyu, “I know you’re tough, but this isn’t a battlefield, alright? I’ve already asked the state police to help.”

“You called me here just to say this?” Qiu Fengyu shrugged. “You’d do better to tell those bastards to be careful. They’re the ones provoking me.”

“I know, but let the police handle this, okay?” Coffin pressed a hand to Qiu Fengyu’s shoulder, staring at him.

“What is this? A request or an order?”

“Don’t talk like that, Qiu. I don’t like the way you speak... please, alright?” Coffin raised both hands in refusal.

“Fine, I agree! I’ll leave it to you guys!” Qiu Fengyu nodded and stood up. “Can I go now?”

“Anytime—”

“Goodbye, Chief Coffin. Honestly, drinking coffee in the police station feels different from that café in town.” Qiu Fengyu smiled and walked out, greeting everyone in the station as he left.

“Boss, you shouldn’t have missed him. You ought to go up to his loft and talk with him,” the plump lady officer said to Chief Coffin with a grin. “I like strong men like him.”

“You really should get yourself a bull for a boyfriend!” Coffin shrugged at her.

Qiu Fengyu left the station; it was already afternoon. The noodles were sold out, and wandering around alone, he felt obliged to warn that Japanese fool. So, he strolled over.

“Hey, Qiu!” At the fence by the Japanese villa, Mikura Kenzo straightened up from weeding and waved at Qiu Fengyu with a smile. “Are you here to see me?”

Qiu Fengyu walked over and said through the fence, “No. If possible, I’d like to speak with Miss Mikura Ryoko. If she’s home.”

“Of course!” Mikura Kenzo nodded, about to call Ryoko’s name aloud when Ryoko—holding Mikura Minami’s hand—had already stepped out, standing at the doorway and looking at Qiu Fengyu.

“Mr. Qiu wants to talk to you!” Kenzo said to Ryoko and then to Qiu Fengyu by the fence. “Why not come inside and sit for a while? You can try my coffee.”

“A few moments will be enough!” Qiu Fengyu stood his ground.

“Alright, maybe you two need some space.” Kenzo smiled, waved at Minami, and the little girl looked at Qiu Fengyu with reluctance before following Kenzo back inside.

“You can speak now.”

This girl was concise.

“I’m relaying Chief Coffin’s message. The two men you injured last time belong to a notorious gang called Cobra. The name alone sounds like a devil crawling out of hell—disgusting.” Qiu Fengyu looked at her. “So... for now, you should go out less.”

“For how long?”

“Until they’re caught!”

“How long is that?”

“Oh, my God, you should ask Chief Coffin.” Qiu Fengyu waved his hand. “Good luck. They’re a vicious bunch, might hurt you and then kill you... torture is their favorite pastime...”

“Really? You should scare children with what you just said.”

Ryoko cocked her mouth at Qiu Fengyu, almost smiling but not quite, as if she had a frozen face, then turned and walked into the house. At the door, she paused and said, “Thank you—” before going inside.

“Cool—” Qiu Fengyu muttered and left.

The woman accepted his warning, but Qiu Fengyu couldn’t be bothered to care further.

Back at the little shop, he didn’t go fishing. Instead, he received a call from Britt.

As soon as he answered, Britt started complaining.

“Hey, Qiu, you’re late. Where are you? You promised, don’t let Danny down.”

“What did I promise?”

“Basketball! You said you’d teach him basketball, remember? Oh my God, hurry up, come quickly. There are a lot of people watching, all friends Danny invited.”

Britt shouted loudly.

Qiu Fengyu finally remembered.

Indeed, he’d promised Danny to teach him basketball. Surely not today—Britt must need him to show up. That guy always finds an excuse.

So he drove to the school’s basketball court. There was already a crowd gathered, not many, some kids Danny’s age, a few parents, and a group of basketball enthusiasts.

They were practicing.

“Hey, Qiu—” Some of the players recognized Qiu Fengyu. He was quite famous in town, and had a bit of an online reputation. Once, he had been one of the town’s most renowned figures.

“Hi, folks!” Qiu Fengyu parked and waved at the group.

“You’re late, Qiu,” Britt walked over.

“But I’m here, and I remember it wasn’t supposed to be today... Hey, Danny, do you feel fired up and ready for a game?” Qiu Fengyu waved at Danny, who hugged a basketball and smiled at him.

“Yes, I want to play basketball!” Danny nodded earnestly.

“Then... let’s get started!”

Qiu Fengyu prepared to teach Danny, casually showing off a few tricks, then leaping for a slam dunk, winning cheers and applause from the crowd.

Danny’s eyes sparkled.

“Hey, before you teach the little guy, why don’t we play a game first?” said a tall fellow, over six foot two, the tallest among the players, the shortest about five foot seven.

“How do we play?” Qiu Fengyu tucked the ball at his hip, looking at the tall guy.

“Three-on-three!”

Qiu Fengyu turned to Danny. “Can I play a game with them?”

“Of course, I like such matches, go ahead.” Danny clapped and laughed.

“Go for it!” Britt’s family applauded Qiu Fengyu.

Teams were formed; the tall guy was on the opposing side. The match began: a half-court, three-on-three game. Qiu Fengyu was adept at this style.

“Hey, pass the ball...” Qiu Fengyu waved at his teammates.

But clearly, his teammates didn’t trust him, or maybe they just wanted to see him fail. After several minutes, Qiu Fengyu barely touched the ball.

Alright, if you won’t give me the ball, I’ll get it myself.

With a loud smack, Qiu Fengyu slapped the tall guy’s ball straight onto the backboard, snatched it, and quickly moved outside the three-point line. Another bank shot, another rebound—he controlled the ball again. The whole process was swift, but not against the rules.

“Pass—” Now the two teammates called for it.

“Oh no, guys, this is my ball, I call the shots!” Qiu Fengyu wagged a finger, then suddenly accelerated, easily bypassing the defender, and finally leaped in front of the tall guy.

With a resounding slam, he dunked!

It was a direct face-off, dunking over the big guy, almost riding him.

“I’ll get you back!” the tall man pointed at Qiu Fengyu, his face angry.

“I wouldn’t mind doing it again in front of you!” Qiu Fengyu winked and smiled, ignoring his anger.

And he did just that, dunking again in front of the guy, ending the match.

“Hey, folks!” Qiu Fengyu saw the group, a bit dejected, preparing to leave.

The tall guy glared at Qiu Fengyu. “Hey, don’t go too far...”

“I just want to say, your earrings look great!” Qiu Fengyu winked at him. “I mean it.”

Amid laughter, the group left, somewhat embarrassed and angry.

“Qiu, you really are a genius!” Britt smiled, fist-bumping Qiu Fengyu. “I believe... Danny will be thrilled to have you as his coach.”