Chapter Fifty-Seven: Placing Bets

Thank you, brothers, for your support and praise. I, Half-Immortal, will strive to write a good story!

"Your drink... beer. It's on me!" Breckin placed a large mug of beer in front of Qiu Fengyu, grinning. "Buddy, you're something else. Just an afternoon and you've got it down... You're better than a lot of cowboys in this town, and that's no flattery..."

"So, are you planning to keep betting on me to win?" Qiu Fengyu raised the beer mug and took a hefty swig, then let out a satisfied belch. "Don't tell me you didn't bet on me at all..."

Breckin looked a little awkward, but soon laughed, "Of course... I have high hopes for you..."

"I'll make you regret it," Qiu Fengyu said, pointing at Breckin. "I'll prove you bet on the wrong horse."

As the two were chatting idly, Davis walked in. He came right over and sat next to Qiu Fengyu, greeting him, "Hey, boss, I knew you'd be here... A beer, please." He snapped his fingers at Breckin.

A mug of beer was promptly set in front of Davis.

"I heard about this afternoon, boss. I really don't know what to say. Don't worry... I've already bet on you to win. You're the best in Abilene, I believe in you," Davis said, placing a hand on Qiu Fengyu's shoulder.

"Get your dirty hand off, Davis," Qiu Fengyu glanced at him, prompting Davis to sheepishly remove his hand. "Boss..."

"Davis... why don't you go hit on one of those Russian girls over there?" Qiu Fengyu snorted. "I just want to drink alone here."

"Alright, you're the boss, and I always do what you say!" Davis laughed, then hopped off and headed toward the Russian girls, pointing at Qiu Fengyu as he went. "I'm your staunchest supporter."

"That bastard—" Qiu Fengyu cursed, though he felt rather pleased inside. The kid hadn't helped him for nothing.

After finishing his drink, Qiu Fengyu headed home, but as soon as he walked in, he saw Tim, who was watching TV in the living room. Hearing the door, Tim opened it to greet Qiu Fengyu.

"You were really cool today."

Tim started with a blatant flattery.

"Say that again and I'll seal both your mouth and your ass," Qiu Fengyu retorted, ignoring him and heading straight to the couch. He picked up the remote and changed the channel, wanting to catch the news—specifically, any news about Congressman Cory Newsom.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of him in tonight's news, so Qiu Fengyu went to make himself a cup of coffee. Tim grabbed a can of soda and sat next to him.

"Are you going again tomorrow?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Qiu Fengyu glanced at him. "Why aren't you at Britt's house?"

"Oh, God, I just couldn't take it anymore," Tim said, looking miserable as he threw his hands up. "Do you know how hard it is for a fifteen or sixteen-year-old man to deal with a little boy and a little girl? They ask endless questions and are so clingy."

"A fifteen or sixteen-year-old man? Give me a break. This isn't the place for you. If you won't stay at Britt's, you can't stay here either. Don't let that government woman catch you out," Qiu Fengyu said, sipping his coffee.

"Is she going to come investigate us at night?" Tim asked carelessly.

"No, kid, have you forgotten there's such a thing as a phone? And... she's not investigating us, she's investigating you, not me!" Qiu Fengyu said, standing up and grabbing Tim by the collar. "Get yourself over to Britt's house, or I'll kick your butt all the way there."

"Alright, alright, I agree... I’m a man... fine, I’m still a boy, I should be with those kids... don’t do that... I’ll go right now!" Tim grumbled, then left Qiu Fengyu's place for Britt's house.

Life went on as usual. After selling out his noodles, Qiu Fengyu would head to Britt's ranch each afternoon to learn how to handle a bull—a wild, raging bull.

Honestly, Qiu Fengyu was getting quite competitive. He was determined to give Breckin a hard slap in the face. He wanted to win the town’s bull-riding contest—not for the prize money, but to become the best cowboy in town, bar none.

This time, Davis also joined the spectators.

After watching Qiu Fengyu struggle all afternoon, Davis said to the exhausted man, "Boss, I’ve made up my mind. I’m putting all my assets on you."

Indeed, Qiu Fengyu had improved rapidly. Still, although the bulls here were wild enough, they were nothing compared to the ones used in competitions—tame by comparison. So, while his training results looked good, there was still a lot of uncertainty.

That night, after coming back from the bar, Qiu Fengyu received a call from Anthony.

"Hey, man, you trying to blow my cover?" Qiu Fengyu complained. "Your call is definitely being monitored, and you still call me?"

"If I can’t even make a secure call, then my years as an agent were all for nothing," Anthony replied. "No other reason, just wanted to check in on an old friend. Also... send me your account details, I’ll transfer you the money. Don’t worry, it can’t be traced."

"How much?"

"One hundred thousand," Anthony said. "Jenny’s funds are out of reach now, the lawsuit is lost for sure. The hundred grand is from April, she asked me to give it to you. Jenny... forget it, no need to say more, she’s a pitiful woman."

"I figured as much," Qiu Fengyu mused. If a million dollars were really that easy to get, people would be fools to give it away. "How’s April?"

"She’s fine, should be anyway. She’s no longer a key figure, so they’ll probably leave her alone. Killing April wouldn’t do them any good, just cause them more trouble," Anthony replied. "Alright, buddy, if you ever come to Los Angeles, remember to get in touch. You know how to reach me."

Qiu Fengyu was just about to ask how, when the line went dead.

That bastard, all talk—I know how to contact him? Like hell I do. Qiu Fengyu couldn’t be bothered. He had no plans to go to Los Angeles anyway.

No sooner had he hung up than Alyssa’s video call came through.

"I heard you’re signing up for the bull-riding contest?"

She said this while giggling nonstop, as if she’d found something hilarious.

"Alright, if that’s encouragement, laugh all you like. If it’s mockery, you can stop now—I’ve had enough these past two days!"

"Alright, I only heard you’ve been working really hard at training lately. I like seeing you so focused on something," Alyssa said, getting a bit more serious. "I’ll be there on the day of the contest. I’m rooting for you!"

"What?" Qiu Fengyu was stunned.

"On the day of the contest, I’ll come back. I want to witness you becoming a real cowboy," Alyssa laughed. "It’s a great honor."

"Alright, Alyssa, you’ll be there. Got it! Goodbye!" Qiu Fengyu said, hanging up.

Alyssa is coming back? Damn it, Kevin must have told his sister I was entering the bull-riding contest. That kid’s a little spy, trying to get Alyssa to come back and watch me make a fool of myself? Forget it—I’ll amaze every one of them.

After four days of training, Qiu Fengyu truly felt he had made great strides. Yet there still weren’t many who believed in his chances. After all, most of the contestants were seasoned veterans, far more experienced than someone who’d only been riding bulls for a few days.

"This is for you." Two days before the contest, Britt brought Qiu Fengyu a set of protective gear. "Wear this, it’ll help."

After all, bull riding is a dangerous sport.

Qiu Fengyu didn’t refuse. He nodded and smiled at Britt. "Thanks, man, you’re really good to me."

"Of course, it’s true love—this is my prized set, better than what those bastards use," Britt laughed, sitting in Qiu Fengyu’s shop booth.

"I’ll make sure you win," Qiu Fengyu told him. "I know you’ve bet on me, and I won’t let you down."

"And me, boss, I bet on you too, put all I have on it," Davis chimed in with a grin. "I’ve always believed in you."

"How much is all you have?"

"Five hundred dollars... Okay, it’s one hundred and thirteen dollars," Davis admitted, rubbing his nose. "It’s not much... but it’s all I’ve got."

"Get lost. Don’t think betting on me means you don’t have to work—go clean that damn floor... This bastard, heh, I do kind of like him. I’ve decided to bet on myself to win—five thousand dollars..."

"Uh... Qiu, are you serious?" Britt hesitated, glancing at him. "Alright... I’ll raise my bet too, I’ll put three hundred dollars on you to win..."

Qiu Fengyu was instantly bewildered.