The atmosphere here was absolutely electric!
Aside from the street dance battles, there was another major highlight—the rappers' freestyle performances. Catherine told Jason Luo that here, you might even run into acts like Eminem, J. Cole, or Laura Monroe...
Her words made Jason Luo feel a little ashamed. He was so unfamiliar with this world. They were all young people, yet his own life seemed so dull by comparison.
Next came the main event of the night: Kinjaz and RSC sharing the stage. The crowd erupted in gasps and cheers—Jason Luo was probably the only one who didn't quite understand what was going on...
But skill spoke louder than anything else. The sheer talent both crews displayed quickly won him over. The powerful rhythm was infectious, and soon, he was swaying to the beat himself.
When the girls noticed, they were delighted. No one laughed at his lack of technique; everyone cared more about the carefree spirit of the moment.
Catherine even taught him a few basic street dance moves—slides, step-backs, leg swings... Jason Luo followed along, getting completely absorbed in it!
When the pros finished their performances, the entire place entered freestyle mode. Jennifer shouted, "Girls, it's our turn! Tonight, we're the stars!"
Before he knew it, Catherine grabbed Jason Luo and pulled him onto the dance floor!
This kind of street dance night was something special. Once the crowd joined in, they formed random circles of different sizes and battled one another. Jason Luo was dragged into a large dance circle, while Jennifer had already squared off against another small crew.
Their first opponent was a girl wearing a bucket hat. She skillfully incorporated the hat into her moves, and the surrounding cheers kept growing louder!
When she finished, Jennifer stepped up. Her performance was incredible—her robotic-style movements synced perfectly with the beat. Catherine leaned over to explain that this was called popping.
The dancers took turns—locking, clown dance, hip-hop, jazz, reggae... Jason Luo's eyes were opened to a whole new world!
Finally, it was Catherine's turn. She hit the floor with a powerful popping routine, earning loud cheers from the crowd, Jason Luo included...
But the other side's final dancer was a swing master. His flashy steps and spinning floor moves drew thunderous applause. Then, with a dramatic finishing pose, he pointed straight at Jason Luo, challenging him to a battle!
Maybe he figured the only guy among the girls had to be a top dancer. The girls burst into laughter, offering no explanation, all eager to see the outcome.
Jason Luo spread his hands helplessly—he clearly couldn't dance. But before he could retreat, Catherine mischievously shoved him forward...
Wasn't this setting him up?
How could Jason Luo possibly street dance? The few moves he'd learned from Wildcat back then wouldn't save him here!
The crowd burst into laughter as he awkwardly stumbled through a few clumsy steps. The laughter only grew louder, especially from the white guy who'd just finished his swing routine—his reaction was ridiculously over-the-top.
Embarrassed, Jason Luo snapped, "Hey, buddy, what's so funny? I just don't know this kind of dance. But what I can do—you might not be able to!"
The young man, looking no older than seventeen or eighteen, grinned. "Oh yeah? So you've got other skills, huh? Fine. If it's impressive enough, I'll admit defeat. Just don't make it as bad as that earlier dance!"
Jason Luo thought for a moment. "Alright, but I'll need your cooperation. Here's the deal—you attack me as fast as you can. I won't fight back, but I'll dodge using dance moves. If you manage to hit me, we lose. Deal?"
"What? Are you crazy, man? That's impossible!"
"Just answer me—if I pull it off, does that count as passing?"
The two teams noticed the argument and thought a fight was about to break out. They quickly surrounded them.
"Hey, Paul, what's going on?"
"Nothing much. This big guy claims he can dodge all my attacks using dance moves. You believe that?"
"I do!"
Catherine walked up proudly, looping her arm through Jason Luo's. "My boyfriend's a real boxing champion! If you don't believe it, just try him!"
"No way! Alright then, let's see your so-called dodging dance moves. If you're that good, I, Little Paul, will call you my master!"
The crowd roared with excitement, clearing space once more. Little Paul couldn't match Jason Luo's size, but he smirked. "Just so you know, man, I'm fast—and fighting's not allowed here."
Jason Luo grinned. "No problem. I won't strike back. Just make sure you go all out."
Catherine shouted, "Jay, go for it! We believe in you!"
Little Paul yelled, "Here I come!"
"Alright!"
As Paul charged forward, Jason Luo activated Absolute Evasion. The instant it triggered, his body moved on its own. Paul unleashed a furious barrage of punches, but Jason Luo slipped through every one like a leaf in the wind, effortlessly weaving between attacks. His feet glided between slides, moonwalks, and breakdance steps—it looked unbelievably smooth.
The crowd was stunned. Even Little Paul froze mid-attack, while Jason Luo kept urging him, "Faster! Come on, faster! I can only really move if you speed up!"
Dancing while being attacked—it was outrageous! Catherine and the girls were both shocked and laughing uncontrollably, clapping in delight...
But Little Paul wasn't a professional fighter. After just twenty seconds of furious punches and kicks, he was gasping for air. A few more wild swings later, he gave up completely.
"I'm done! I'm done! Man, are you even human? How did you do that...?"
Jason Luo laughed heartily. "So, that means we win?"
Jennifer jumped in place. "Victory! Let's celebrate!"
There was no prize, but Jason Luo had found pure, unfiltered joy. That night, he let loose completely and had the time of his life.
...
Meanwhile, at that very moment, his best friend Tony Huo was in a casino in Atlantic City, losing control at the tables.
Impossible. No way!
I've been on a winning streak lately—what's going on tonight?
Every bet loses!
All his recent winnings—over two hundred thousand dollars—were gone.
Tony's heart bled. Maybe he could still quit while he was ahead, but he couldn't accept it. That money had once been his, the pride that had kept him standing tall. Now, with nothing left, he'd have to crawl back to being a lowly plumber again...
No! I'll win it back!
I have to!
Grace would never choose a broke plumber as her partner.
What Tony didn't know was that upstairs, on the casino's second floor, Charum was quietly watching him—waiting for the prey to walk right into the trap...
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser