Tensions ran high as Jill Young and Xiao Di faced off. Jill dragged over a chair and plopped herself down right under the angel statue, looking every bit the queen. Across from her, Xiao Di sat alone at the windy spot, eyebrows furrowed, eyes blazing.
Xiao Di’s crew had been hyping her up, but Jill just snorted, “So many comedians—are you here to scare me or just make me laugh?”
Xiao Di bristled, “My crew are all top-notch! Which one of your eyes thinks they’re here for laughs?”
Jill pointed to the side, where Amoeba was circling her, pretending his hand was a camera and making ‘click-click’ noises. Noticing everyone staring, Amoeba thumped his chest, “That’s right, I’m the ‘photographer who stumbles upon beauties.’ My soul of photography is burning—” Bam! Xiao Di knocked him out with a punch and had her guys drag his howling self away.
Jill clapped elegantly, smiling like a queen watching a play. “Nice comedy performance,” she said.
“Get outta here and go fix that loser!” Xiao Di barked, humiliated. Her crew slunk off, helping out as they went. Soon, only Jill, Xiao Di, and Zheng Daocheng were left in the church.
And so, we’re back where we started—Jill and Xiao Di staring each other down, like two kung fu masters searching for a weak spot. The tension was thick; anyone else would’ve gulped and turned tail. On one side, Steelbullet City’s top gang boss: Xiao Di, leader of the Gunfire Angels. The other… well, nobody really knew her story, but it was clear she wasn’t someone to mess with.
The atmosphere was about to explode.
“Under the witness of the almighty—” A solemn voice rang out. The three turned to see Amoeba was back. “By the power of the left hill…” He drew a circle over his chest with his left hand. “By the right hill…” Another heavy circle with his right. “And by the sacred forest, river valley, and cave,” Amoeba declared, raising his hand like a righteous judge, “I—the Sexy Arbiter—announce: The War of Women begins! Round one: Compare cup sizes…”
“Wada!” Jill leapt up and whipped out a spinning kick, sending Amoeba flying, drooling all the way. Midair, he shot Jill a flirtatious wink and gave a thumbs up, “YOU—total victory…” Echoing “victory… victory…” he flew out the side door and disappeared.
Xiao Di reluctantly put down the chair she was about to swing, barely holding back her rage. “Th-thanks…” If Jill hadn’t kicked Amoeba, that chair was going flying. “But why the hell did she win, you jerk?!” With a huff, the chair sailed out the side door, followed by a distant yelp from outside.
“Alright, let’s stop staring each other down. If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.” Jill dropped back into her chair, crossing her legs.
“Fine, I’ll cut to the chase. I heard you want to get into the gang life, right? You’ve got decent skills, so I could use you. Why not join me?” Xiao Di slapped the table, all boss-like. “I’ll do you a favor and make you third-in-command. How about it?” Besides her skills, Xiao Di was honestly grateful Jill stepped in to help—otherwise, no way she’d offer such a high rank right off the bat.
But Jill shot her down instantly. “Nope.”
“Huh? What did you say?” Xiao Di hadn’t expected to be rejected.
“No—pe—” Jill dragged it out, arms crossed and chin raised at Xiao Di. “Honestly, I think you should be following me.”
"You—you’ve got guts! Do you even know whose turf this is?" Xiao Di’s eyebrows trembled with anger. “In Steelbullet City, my Gunfire Angels have no rivals. Total domination is just around the corner. Soon, everyone trying to survive here will have to bow to me! And you—a broke nobody, no background, no power, no connections—dare to say I should follow you?”
“Quit shaking your eyebrows—your face powder’s about to fall off in chunks.” Jill shook her head. “Face it, you’re just not up to it.”
“What did you say, you mouthy broad!” Xiao Di slammed the table and stood up.
Jill just lounged back, cool as ever. “I heard you’ve been around the block, seen the big leagues, right?”
“So what?”
“That means you’re not up to snuff!” Jill sprang to her feet, eyes blazing. “I don’t care what you’ve been through—if you left the big leagues for this dump, it means you couldn’t hack it back there. Nobody comes to a tiny place like this unless they’re out of options.”
Jill remembered her own days at a global corporation, only to end up working for some loser boss. “Something must’ve happened, so you bailed. But it doesn’t matter—once you step down, you’re done. No matter how much you swagger around Steelbullet City, you’re just a small-time boss, a local big fish in a tiny pond. A loser, trying to recruit me?”
“A l-loser? You’re calling me a loser?” Xiao Di shook with rage, shrieking, “And what about you? You’ve got nothing—does that make you a winner?”
“I might not be a winner yet, but I will be.” Jill’s answer was firm. “Just now, I made a decision. I’m heading to Steelbull City. I’m going to rule the so-called Heart of the World and be number one there.”
“You—” Xiao Di was totally stunned. “You just decided, and now you think you’ll rule Steelbull City? Do you even know what that place is like? Do you know how many big shots run the show there? Do you even know whose turf it is?”
This chapter isn’t over yet~.~ Click next page for more action!
“So what if it’s just now? Doesn’t matter how long it’s been—if I make a decision, it’s as good as done.” Jill strode toward Xiao Di. “If I decide to conquer something, I’ll conquer it. If I decide to get it done, I’ll get it done. I don’t care how many so-called big shots there are, or whose turf it is—once I’m there, I call the shots.”
Jill marched right up to Xiao Di, tiger-like. Xiao Di couldn’t help but step back, staring in disbelief, muttering, “You’re nuts…”
“Listen up, girl.” Boom—a lightning bolt flashed outside, illuminating Jill’s eyes with electric fire. “Getting knocked down isn’t failure. Losing your fighting spirit is. If you haven’t given up, if you still want to fight back, then come with me.”
Xiao Di stared at Jill, Jill stared back, and Zheng Daocheng leaned in the church corner, arms crossed, watching them. No one spoke. Outside, the wind howled, lightning flashed, and the thick atmosphere of this world made the weather even wilder. After a long pause, Xiao Di asked, “You’re really that confident? How do you know you won’t fail?”
Jill just smiled and didn’t answer, striding toward the church doors. At the entrance, she turned to look at them. From Xiao Di’s angle, her profile was stunning. Jill pointed at Xiao Di and declared her reason for victory: “Because my fighting spirit—never dies!”
Boom—thunder roared,
Whoosh—rain poured down,
Bang—Jill pushed open the door and strode alone into the pitch-black rainy night. The wild wind and rain couldn’t shake her stance. (To be continued, author in writing retreat…)