Chapter 22

These people also exchanged coins with Cao Yang and crowded around to play.

Even though there were two machines, six or seven of them preferred gathering around just one—people here were like that.

Not long after, Lei Dian showed up, carrying food and drinks, grinning from ear to ear.

“Yo, so many people today?” Lei Dian was surprised there was actually business.

Cao Yang smiled. Just from his expression, he could tell they’d scored some money last night.

“Where are A-Liang and Jiawei?”

“Forget them. Just you and me drinking, brothers.”

Cao Yang drank while keeping an eye on the shop. By 3 a.m., the group had all left.

He saw Lei Dian off, then sat at the counter counting money. Adding it up, he’d made over 500 yuan that day.

He was overjoyed and wanted to share the good news with Li Yan. Knowing her temperament, she’d definitely be thrilled.

But Cao Yang didn’t have a phone and was too lazy to run over. Since she was mad at him, he figured he’d let her stew for a couple of days, then tell her once he’d earned even more—to smack her in the face with proof. See? I told you not to make me give up the shop!

The next day, the same bunch came back.

Even though they’d mostly lost yesterday, they didn’t blame the machines. That was because Cao Yang’s machines often hit jackpots. They usually won a little at first; when they lost, it was from getting greedy and not quitting.

It was true too. His machines often spat out big prizes, unlike the junk machines elsewhere where you could put in tens of yuan and not get a single payout.

Those other rigs were lame—just apples or three-times small prizes, and if you finally hit a gun, it might even misfire.

Cao Yang’s were different. Not only did they frequently pay big, but even the “old ghost” feature came up a few times, letting people actually win money.

The group played excitedly. Passersby stopped to watch, and when they saw the payout rate, they got itchy fingers and exchanged some coins to try it themselves.

That’s the crowd effect—the more people, the more it snowballs. Soon both machines were surrounded.

When he closed shop and tallied up, he’d netted 2,100 yuan. Cao Yang grinned from ear to ear.

On the third day, business was just as good. Off to the side, Lei Dian looked on with envy.

He had basically become a fixture at Cao Yang’s shop, hanging around whether or not he was playing.

“Cao Yang, you must be making a killing every day now, huh?” he asked enviously.

“Not bad, not bad,” Cao Yang replied modestly.

“How come no one’s come to collect protection money or cause trouble?” Lei Dian was puzzled. If no one bothered him, maybe he’d get a couple machines too.

“Maybe they just don’t know yet,” said Cao Yang. He knew Li Yan worried most about this, but he wasn’t concerned. If soldiers come, I’ll block them; if water comes, I’ll dam it.

Lei Dian’s phone rang. He picked up, chatted a bit, then hung up.

Cao Yang looked at his phone with envy. “How much did that set you back?”

“Over two grand. Motorola. Big brand.”

“What’s there to brag about? I’m buying one tomorrow too,” said Cao Yang, deciding it was time he had a phone of his own.

Hearing this, Lei Dian perked up. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Tomorrow I’ll take you. My sister sells phones.”

“You have a sister?”

“Why not? Only you’re allowed to have one?”

“Mine’s my real sister, not some… stray like yours.”

The way he said it, he clearly suspected something about Cao Yang and Li Yan.

At first, when he’d heard “sister,” he thought nothing of it. But then he realized they didn’t share a surname, maybe cousins. Now it looked more like a relationship—a romance between an older woman and a younger man.

The next morning, Cao Yang stuffed over 3,000 yuan into his pocket and took a taxi with Lei Dian into the city. They went to a phone shop.

“Sister.” As soon as they walked in, Lei Dian greeted a fair-skinned, refined-looking beauty.

She wore a light blue blouse, her hair in a simple ponytail, no makeup, looking pure and fresh.

When she saw Lei Dian, she frowned. “Why are you here?”

Her tone carried a note of helplessness—clearly her brother had given her plenty of trouble before.

“What’s with that attitude? I’m here to buy a phone. Boost your sales.”

Lei Dian pointed to Cao Yang. “This is my buddy, Cao Yang.”

“This is my sister, Lei Yu. Or you can call her Lei Xiaoyu.”

“Hello, Sister,” said Cao Yang with a simple grin. He hadn’t expected Lei Dian’s sister to be so beautiful.

But her beauty was different—she had that virtuous wife, good mother look, the kind of woman who made you feel that if you married her, your life would be bliss.

“Hello,” Lei Yu smiled politely. “Which model do you want?”

“I don’t really know, Sister. Can you recommend one?” Cao Yang admitted honestly.

“What’s your budget?”

“Hmm… around two thousand.”

Lei Yu took out a Nokia from the counter and started explaining.

But it was wasted on him—he didn’t understand a word. All Cao Yang cared about was: big brand, looks respectable, can call and text, and maybe a couple mini-games.

This Nokia ticked all the boxes. He bought it on the spot.

Lei Yu helped him pay, boxed it, and set up a SIM card.

“What’s your relationship with Lei Dian?” she asked as she handed things over.

“Friends! Brothers!” Cao Yang wanted to make it sound close.

But as soon as she heard that, her expression cooled. She handed him the stuff without another word.

Cao Yang was baffled. What did I say wrong?

“Sister, what’s your phone number?”

“Why do you want my number?” Lei Yu grew cautious.

“Yeah, why do you want my sister’s number?” Lei Dian’s face darkened too.

I treat you like a brother—don’t you dare have funny ideas!

“It’s my first time using a phone. If I don’t understand something, I can ask her, right?” Cao Yang explained.

Hearing that, Lei Yu finally took his phone and dialed her own number into it.

As for Lei Dian’s glare, Cao Yang ignored it.

“Sister, we’ll be going now.” Cao Yang waved as they left, but Lei Yu didn’t even look up.

“Lei Dian, your sister doesn’t seem to welcome us much. We came all this way and she didn’t even invite us to a meal.”

“Totally normal. She doesn’t welcome me either.”

“That’s different. My sister’s just afraid you’ll lead me astray.”

“Well, my sister’s afraid you’ll lead me astray!”

“What could I possibly lead you into?”

Cao Yang froze, suddenly realizing why Lei Yu was cold to him.

She obviously knew what her brother got up to. So she must’ve assumed he was a partner in crime too.

Sigh, my reputation’s been ruined. If I’d known, I would’ve come alone.

Back at the shop, he opened for business while fiddling excitedly with his new phone.

Suddenly, a text came in. It was from Lei Yu.

“Don’t lead my brother down the wrong path.”

“What do you mean by that?” he texted back. Clearly it’s your brother leading me astray, not the other way around.

He waited a long time, but Lei Yu didn’t reply.

So he happily called up Li Yan to tell her he’d bought a phone—good moods were meant to be shared.