In full view of everyone, the thief who had won the public opinion, though eager to extort ten or eight thousand from me, was unsure if my wallet contained that much.
After a brief yet intense internal struggle, the thief ultimately did not make an exorbitant demand, settling for a more reasonable price.
Two thousand!
That was a month's salary for an ordinary working person.
I didn't haggle. Instead, I directly took out my wallet, pulled out a thick wad of cash from the middle compartment, and counted out two thousand yuan in front of him.
They say not to flaunt one's wealth, but how could I not understand that principle?
The reason I displayed my wealth publicly was precisely to attract the other party's attention.
As the saying goes: "It's better to be robbed than to have your possessions coveted!"
If I didn't make him covet my wallet, how could I find an opportunity to retaliate against him?
After all, it is far, far more difficult for a person to find a thief than for a thief to find a person.
As expected, the moment I counted out the two thousand yuan and handed it to the thief, a look of regret and greed flashed in the scoundrel's eyes.
I knew he regretted not asking for more money, but changing his mind now would inevitably draw criticism.
However, since I had revealed my wealth, in the thief's eyes, I was merely holding onto the money for him temporarily.
Thus, after the compensation, the thief and I tacitly chose to go our separate ways.
Immediately, I began to earnestly look for shop fronts and inquire about market conditions.
...
On the way back, Xianyu told me that Yu Youwei had suddenly become quiet lately.
The people Yu Youwei had sent out to find me had all been withdrawn.
After a brief pause, I replied, "That's perfectly normal! Since Yu Youwei has boarded Ying Baolin's grand ship, it signifies that Luo Qiweng has likely made a graceful exit and returned to Ying Baolin's side."
"Even though I trashed Yu Youwei's establishment, he knows in his heart that Luo Qiweng instigated everything as an excuse."
"If he were to continue to pester me, he would be a complete fool."
Nodding, Xianyu asked, "Does that mean we're safe for now?"
Hearing this, I shook my head and replied, "It's not that we're safe, but rather that something big is about to happen!"
"Yu Youwei's withdrawal most likely means that Ying Baolin... is very likely to step forward personally!"
"Holy crap!!!" My answer startled Xianyu, and he stammered, "No, no... that's impossible, right?"
"That big shot, Ying Baolin, hasn't appeared in public for a long time!"
Lighting a cigarette and taking a puff, I said in a low voice, "Nothing is impossible! The world bustles for profit."
"Ying Baolin aims to unify all the underground casinos in Wenzhou, and I've repeatedly slapped his face. If it were you... could you tolerate that?"
"Moreover, Yu Youwei has already lost over ten million yuan, and that's without even factoring in other losses."
"Ying Baolin will definitely settle this score with me on behalf of Yu Youwei."
"So, everyone, be prepared!"
"The big shot's revenge... is coming soon!"
Hearing my solemn words, Xianyu fell silent.
Xu Peiyu also wore a grave expression.
In fact, there was something I hadn't said earlier.
That is, I was confident that Yun Jin could shield me from this trouble.
I didn't voice it because I wanted to use this opportunity to test Xianyu and Xu Peiyu.
To see what choices they would make in the face of a great crisis.
Would they share the hardships with me, or would they find excuses to part ways?
The martial world has never lacked people who prioritize profit over trust. What it lacks are loyal friends with whom one can share life and death!
Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun are beyond doubt. The shared life-and-death experiences in Longxi and Jinling have completely intertwined and bound our destinies.
However, Xianyu and Xu Peiyu have not yet reached that point.
Especially Xu Peiyu; before I fully understand her background, I wouldn't involve her in certain actions as a core participant.
While one should not harbor ill intentions towards others, one should also be vigilant.
I don't want to repeat the mistake I made with Yu Shuang.
Now, no matter who approaches me, I believe I can stand my ground and contend with them.
But the prerequisite is that there should be no internal strife.
Therefore, I hope this test will allow me to gain two loyal comrades...
...
On the evening of the day I revealed my wealth.
As I was drowsily sleeping at night, I suddenly heard someone fumbling with a key at the door.
The moment the door opened, I jolted upright in bed.
Xu Peiyu, wearing her pajamas, suddenly darted into my bed.
"What..."
Before I could even ask, I found my mouth completely covered by Xu Peiyu.
Although it was pitch black, I could feel Xu Peiyu's entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Uh... how to describe this trembling?
It was like the panic and fear a person instinctively feels when encountering something extremely terrifying and unbelievable.
What was Xu Peiyu afraid of?
With this thought, I quietly asked, "What happened?"
"There, there, there..."
Stammering tremblingly for a long time, Xu Peiyu couldn't utter a second word.
Not only that, but she also stealthily buried her head back into my covers.
Just as I was about to reach for the light switch, I suddenly heard a faint sound from outside the door.
Though faint, I still heard it.
Don't forget what I said before: in the absence of any other noise, my hearing is exceptionally sharp.
From the sound, I knew: someone had arrived!
If nothing unexpected happened, it should be the thief I encountered on the snack street tonight.
The house Xianyu rented for us was a converted self-built building for rent.
The self-built building had two floors, with three rooms on each floor, accessed by a separate concrete staircase on the east side. The toilets were located separately behind the building.
The east room on the first floor was used as a kitchen, and the east room on the second floor was used as a living room; neither was inhabited.
Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun lived on the first floor, while Xu Peiyu and I lived on the second floor.
She lived in the middle room, and I lived in the innermost one.
At this hour, Xu Peiyu being able to dart over from her room indicated that she had already seen or heard a thief entering the building and had not alarmed them.
Besides that, the thief definitely didn't creep up from downstairs to upstairs.
Clearly, this thief... was looking for me!
To avoid alerting the thief, who was only one door away from me, I quietly lay back down without making a sound, and...
I also pulled out a steel plate from under my pillow.
They say a thief never leaves empty-handed. This time, not only will I break that saying, but I will also make that thief pay a heavy price!