Chapter 196: Young People
Ever since Wave Runner Pavilion started operating, Zhou You's quality of life had skyrocketed.
The four big things in life: food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
Zhou You had achieved them all at a high standard.
He had a personal chef for meals, lived in a big villa, and the cleaning and housekeeping were arranged by Wave Runner—with doubled wages and stable staff, everyone was happy.
Especially in the past few days, he'd let loose a few times.
He'd even gotten a taste of having multiple partners.
Now that the training gym was closer, Zhou You found it much more convenient to train. Not to mention anything else, health was the foundation of everything.
The first floor's equipment and related gear were still being purchased, but basic training gear had already arrived.
Two nutritionists and two massage therapists had also moved in.
As for the old place, beginners didn't need it.
The second-floor restaurant was only using a small portion of its space, with a lot left empty. Zhou You thought it was a waste.
So he had someone buy a few pool tables. He hadn't played in a long time, and his hands were itching.
He asked who knew how to play.
Xiao Si stepped up: "Brother You, I do. Back in the day, I was the little prince of pool."
Zhou You couldn't help but laugh, teasing him: "No wonder you never achieved much—you were out playing every day!"
Xiao Si wasn't offended. He looked up with a grin: "That's just luck. If I'd been too good, I'd have been out competing, exhausted all the time. Where's the fun in that compared to sticking with Brother You? Those who did better than me are all jealous now. It's all about picking the right person to follow."
Well.
That flattery was so smooth, Zhou You had nothing to say.
He picked a cue stick, wiped the tip: "Fourth Brother, you're the big shot here. I'll break first."
With that, he gave it a hard shove, sending the balls scattering across the table.
Oh.
No real skill involved—just brute force and hoping for a miracle.
But miracles?
They don't happen often.
Xiao Si had a lively personality and stepped up when needed. He'd been proactive on the Shanghai trip too, quick on his feet. Everyone had their strengths.
Hearing Zhou You's jab, he didn't hold back: "Brother You, watch me clear the table in one go."
They were playing something simple, not snooker.
Just basic eight-ball.
Zhou You used to play this in school, but now you could barely find a pool hall anymore.
With rent so high, how could they charge enough to break even?
Seeing Xiao Si's stance, Zhou You knew he was about to get crushed. He got up, sat in a chair, and started sipping tea. A few others nearby watched Xiao Si show off, laughing:
"He's not giving Brother You any face at all."
"Young people, everyone's got some pride."
"Yeah, I'm rooting for Xiao Si."
They were all enjoying the schadenfreude.
Sure enough, Xiao Si cleared the table. Zhou You had no choice—he was just outmatched.
He grabbed Xiao Si and headed for the ring: "Big shot, come on, let's spar. I haven't fought in a while."
"Brother You, Brother You, I'm sorry! Next time, I'll let you have a ball, okay?" Xiao Si pretended to struggle, but there was no way he could win now.
"Haha, can't fight but still this cocky? If you don't get hit, who will?" The bystanders were loving it.
In the sparring gym now, only Li Houliang could go toe-to-toe with Zhou You. The rest couldn't keep up.
But they were tough enough to take a beating—good human punching bags.
They changed clothes and got in the ring.
Zhou You loved using leg techniques now—stylish, powerful, simple, and direct. Perfect for crushing weaker opponents.
During practice, he usually tried new moves instead of knocking them down right away. That would be boring.
Xiao Si was miserable. When you're outmatched, you're outmatched. In martial arts, there's no second place—that's no joke, unless it's a life-or-death fight.
After a round of pounding, Zhou You felt refreshed.
"Fourth Brother, was it this satisfying when you did it to me earlier?"
Xiao Si was gasping for air from the beating. Hearing Zhou You's comment, he couldn't help but laugh: "Yeah, how often do I get to crush Brother You, haha."
Zhou You laughed too.
What a goof.
He was about to head for a shower when he saw Big Head on the phone. It had been ages since they'd last talked. Life was too comfortable—he'd even forgotten about his buddy: "Big Head, what's up?"
"Damn, I had a fight with my boss. I'm about to quit. Where are you? Let's grab a drink."
"Sure, I'll send you my location." Zhou You sent the pin.
He hung up and went to shower first.
Big Head drove straight over. He'd always wanted a car, but his family wouldn't chip in, and he hadn't saved any money over the years—spent it all on fun.
When he arrived, he found himself at a big building. No idea what it was for, and he felt awkward just barging in.
He called Zhou You, but no one answered—Zhou You was in the shower.
He stood at the entrance for a few minutes, a bit embarrassed.
Then someone in shorts walked out: "Big Head?"
Big Head nodded instinctively.
Xiao Si waved him in: "Brother You's in the shower. He told me to bring you inside."
Big Head was confused. Why was this guy in shorts? What kind of place was this?
Pushing the door open, he saw a bunch of shirtless guys kicking and punching each other, grunting and shouting.
His heart pounded: Damn, is Brother You planning to make me fight my boss?
Seeing Big Head's expression, Xiao Si explained: "Brother You just bought this place. It's not fully set up yet. I'll take you to the fourth floor—he should be done showering."
Xiao Si lived there now, single with no girlfriend, bursting with energy every day. The third floor was a showroom, but it was nicer than most hotels. Living there was way too comfortable.
But aside from a few single young guys, it wasn't suitable for anyone in a relationship or married.
Still, it was unique in the city—who else treated their employees this well?
Big Head followed Xiao Si straight to the elevator and up to the fourth floor.
Zhou You had just finished showering and was cooling off.
Seeing Big Head, he waved: "Big Head, over here."
Big Head hurried over and punched him in the chest: "Damn, you're living the high life here and forgot all about me."
Zhou You laughed heartily: "Look at you, man. You eat just as much as I do."
That hit a sore spot. Big Head looked at Zhou You's physique. Damn.
He was round and soft; Zhou You had abs.
Exhausted, he flopped onto the couch.
"Brother You, I don't want to work anymore. Point me in the right direction." Big Head just wanted to latch onto a sugar daddy and stop thinking for himself.
"Your parents already laid out a path for you, and you won't take it. With your family background, landing a stable government job would be a breeze." Zhou You totally understood Big Head's parents.
"Why can't I work for you?" Big Head opened his eyes and made a move to grab Zhou You's leg.
"This is all just fun for me. Besides, you'd be wasted here. I'm afraid your parents would kill me." Zhou You was being honest—there really wasn't a good spot for him, unless they just goofed off every day. But in the long run, that would hurt Big Head.
After a moment's thought, he added: "Why don't you start a business? I'll back you up."
Big Head was in a funk right now. Talking too much wouldn't help.
Zhou You grabbed him: "Come on, let's go drink first. Take a few days off and think it over."
They headed to the second floor, grabbed a small private room, and Zhou You told Xiao Si to call a few more people up to drink with Big Head.
Drink might not cure real sorrow, but it could handle the fake stuff.