Chapter 1: The Temptation of a Fellow Villager

Xu Guangli shook his head with a bitter smile: "The urban management officers are quite formidable now; it's not easy to make a living on the streets. I remember you mentioned that you were doing well at a lighting company; why did you stop?"

Hehe, we are fellow townsmen and also relatives; I cannot forget you when the opportunity arises. I am telling you the truth, I saw in an ancient manuscript that there used to be a game called 'Hanging Flower Meeting.' It involved placing traditional Chinese medicine in a bamboo tube, tightly wrapping it with red string, and hanging it from a beam for people to guess. The odds were thirty to one, similar to the current practice of guessing zodiac signs... The book mentions a secret method that guarantees a win. Ahem, you don't need to do anything; just accompany me on a trip.

I hurriedly washed up and changed into a clean set of clothes before heading out. This year, the weather has turned hot unusually early. The Yunnan-Guizhou region is experiencing a once-in-a-century drought, and it seems that Guangzhou has also been affected. By early May, the heat is already unbearable. Even as the sun sets, the heat remains oppressive.

Xu Guangli hesitated slightly: "Just follow me."

"Sleeping at home?" Xu Guangli asked, his voice carrying a sense of fatigue and helplessness, lacking the usual vigor.

I did not continue to scold her; in fact, her demands are not unreasonable. These are the basic requirements for a city girl when choosing a partner. If there is anyone to blame, it is my own lack of ability

Uh, it's my cousin. I replied vaguely.

Hmm, hmm, I drank too much last night... I rubbed my eyes and focused my mind, only to realize it was not the morning sun but the evening sun. Damn, I woke up and it was almost dark outside. Life has become truly speechless!

Although I was moved, I did not lose my reason because of it, pretending not to believe: "Cousin, you really know how to joke. If you had a way, you wouldn't be sitting here drowning your sorrows in alcohol."

The waiters successively brought out the food and drinks, and Xu Guangli warmly urged me to eat and drink. After a few glasses, he suddenly said: "Don't you have a girlfriend? I haven't met her yet. Why don't you invite her to join us?"

I laughed: "How is that possible?"

I walked into the Hunan restaurant, drenched in sweat, and Xu Guangli was already in the hall, sipping tea and enjoying the air conditioning while waiting for me. He was dressed in a neat shirt and trousers, his leather boots polished to a shine. On his wrist, he wore sandalwood prayer beads and a jade ring, and his hair was neatly combed and glossy, presenting the image of a successful individual. However, his small, single-fold eyelids gave him a somewhat cunning appearance, slightly undermining that image.

I have some doubts. In the past, it was always me who reached out to him; he has never taken the initiative to contact me. Why did this busy person come personally to invite me to dinner today? However, he has done me a favor, and it is only reasonable to accept an invitation to a lavish meal. Therefore, I readily agreed and arranged to meet at a Hunan restaurant on Ruyi Street.

Upon entering the hall, I noticed that his eyes were bloodshot, and his smile appeared somewhat forced, carrying a certain indescribable weariness and despondency—truth be told, my own complexion was not much better, perhaps even worse than his.

This year has been the most unfortunate; within less than half a year, I changed jobs twice. Then I set up a small cart by the roadside to sell skewers. After only a few days of selling, someone came to encroach on my territory. Unable to tolerate it, I got into a fight with him, only to find out that he had backing. As a result, my small cart was towed away by the city management officers. My girlfriend, with whom I had been in a relationship for over a year, also broke up with me after a big argument, citing that she found me poor and lacking in prospects.

Oh, I heard that you were selling skewers at a stall some time ago. How is the business going

Do you still live near the North Station? Let's go out for a meal, I will treat you.

I shook my head: "I have made a few small purchases in the past, but this is too unreliable."

After rinsing for a while, I lifted my head and swept my disheveled hair back. The face reflected in the mirror is fairly decent-looking, at least it appears quite pleasing to the eye. Standing at 1.78 meters tall and weighing over 130 kilograms, I am considered to have a standard physique for someone from the south. I have both looks and figure, and I estimate my brain capacity is not significantly lacking, so why am I struggling so much in life

I shook my head with a hint of bitterness: "It's hard to put into words."

Xu Guangli hesitated for a moment, downed a large glass of beer, wiped his mouth, and said: "Many people pray to gods and buddhas seeking to know the winning numbers, but in reality, the deities are unwilling to provide guidance; only demons and spirits will offer advice. It is better to seek the supernatural than the divine. As long as you go to a haunted place, set up offerings, make a grand wish, and follow my method, you can obtain the numbers. The more 'ferocious' the spirits in the place, the more effective it will be. I know you are usually bold; just accompany me to bolster my courage, and once we get the numbers, we can buy together."

I do not engage in illegal activities

Early in the morning, the other party clearly paused for a moment, then shouted, "Brother, have you smuggled into the United States and are now living on North American time?"

Recently, I have often resorted to drowning my sorrows in alcohol, drinking to the point of utter drunkenness, and my life has become a complete mess. One day, I was suddenly awakened by the sound of my phone ringing. A slant of dim yellow sunlight filtered through the curtains that had not been fully drawn, making me feel somewhat dizzy and blinded. Perhaps the effects of last night's drinking had not yet worn off, and my head felt as if it had split open with pain.

Two frustrated men came together, naturally finding much common ground. When friends meet over drinks, a thousand cups are hardly enough. Before long, they had emptied five or six bottles. Xu Guangli glanced around the private room, closed the door, and locked it from the inside. He then sat down next to me and lowered his voice, saying: "Brother, I have a way to make a fortune, but I don't know if you have the courage to do it."

Ensure that it is legal; if you are concerned about its reliability, we can purchase lottery tickets or welfare lottery tickets, although the chances of winning are relatively lower

Sigh... I let out a long sigh, pouring a large cup of ice-cold beer into my mouth, as if an ice sword had pierced from my throat all the way to my stomach, leaving me with a sense of emptiness and chill inside. "We broke up, wanting a house, a car, and money. Damn it, does she want to marry me or marry Chairman Mao? Such a woman..."

Xu Guangli also sighed: "Alas, if you had told me earlier, I could have lent you money for the down payment to buy a unit in a more affordable area, but now..."

My name is Xu Chengye. For several generations, my ancestors were skilled carpenters. My father named me this in the hope that I would inherit the family craft and become a good carpenter. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to wield an axe or a saw, plastic products had already become prevalent, severely impacting the livelihood of carpenters. Later on, houses, bridges, vehicles, and so forth no longer required wood for construction. Even the deceased were sent to crematoriums, leaving no opportunities for making coffins, and carpenters were completely unemployed. My father could not push me into a pit of fire, so in reality, I inherited not a single skill of carpentry. Later on, houses, bridges, vehicles, and so forth no longer required wood for construction. Even the deceased were sent to crematoriums, leaving no opportunities for making coffins, and carpenters were completely unemployed. My father could not push me into a pit of fire, so in reality, I inherited not a single skill of carpentry.

Xu Guangli said solemnly: "I am serious, I have a sure-fire method."

I shook my head. First, I am unwilling to rely on others; second, borrowing money is not a solution. A man should strive for self-improvement, and I should build my own career based on my abilities. However, I am truly lost right now, unable to accomplish anything and unsure of what to do. I have no ideals and no goals. Working for others is not a way out, yet without work, there is no way to survive. May I ask, where does the path lie?

The workshop director and the team leader are always at odds with me, as if I were trying to take their jobs. I can no longer tolerate their hostility and have decided to resign

My first time working in Guangzhou was guided by Xu Guangli. Later, I borrowed money from him twice, but I do not like him. Primarily, I find his character lacking; a rogue businessman is just a rogue businessman, so do not expect him to be particularly loyal.

I said with some frustration: "After only a few days of selling, I ended up giving both the vehicle and the tools to the urban management authorities."

I am somewhat moved; his success is not a coincidence. It is due to his intelligence, courage, and connections. Perhaps he truly has some special method to know the "special number." As far as I know, in most places, the odds are one to forty with books, or even higher. If I really knew the special number, my pockets would burst overnight, and my life would begin to change from that moment on

Having been out for a few years, I am no longer the naive newcomer who just arrived in the city. It is impossible for me to be used as a pawn with my eyes closed. I said, "Cousin, it's not that I don't trust you; if it were that easy, you wouldn't be coming to find me. If you want me to take a risk with you, you need to be clear about it."

We greeted each other, and Xu Guangli led me to a small private room, quickly ordering drinks and dishes. After the waiter left, I couldn't help but ask: "Cousin, how have you been lately?"

"No, no, it's mainly business matters." Xu Guangli waved his hand irritably, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and naturally changed the subject, "Cousin, you don't look too well either. How have you been lately?"

I recognized the voice; it belonged to my fellow townsman Xu Guangli, whom I affectionately refer to as my cousin due to our close ties. Xu Guangli is twenty-eight years old this year, and he is naturally suited to be a shrewd businessman. After finishing middle school, he began acquiring antiques in the countryside, and later made a fortune by reselling several batches of items obtained through tomb raiding. He opened his own antique shop in Guangzhou and has become a model of self-made success in our village. I am six years younger than him, and by the time I graduated from high school, the antiques in the countryside had already been completely collected, as if all opportunities to make money in the world had vanished.

No, no, where can we still find ancient tombs to excavate? Moreover, it's easier than tomb raiding!" Xu Guangli leaned in closer to me, extending his right hand under the table, bending the middle three fingers to form a "6" gesture, looking mysterious: "Have you ever bought a lottery ticket?"

I closed my eyes, reached back to touch the counterfeit phone on the bedside, pressed the answer button and brought it to my ear, saying somewhat impatiently: "Who is it? Why are you making noise so early in the morning?"

Xu Guangli's eyes sparkled with excitement and fervor for the first time, his expression a mix of eagerness and mystery: "What if I had a way to ensure success with the books?"

I am already feeling a bit tipsy, but my mind is still clear, and I immediately become alert: "They wouldn't be asking me to rob a bank, would they?"

Of course not, no stealing, no robbing, no cheating; as long as you have the courage, it is quite easy to make money

I thought of his old profession, and my spirits lifted: "An ancient tomb?"

I understand his meaning. In recent years, whether in cities or rural areas, groups of people can be seen gathered together, discussing the Twelve Zodiac Signs, engaging in lofty discussions about poetry and various riddles. From first-grade elementary school students to elderly individuals leaning on canes, everyone finds joy in this. If Confucius were to come back to life, he would surely think that the entire nation is promoting traditional Chinese culture, which would be delightful to see. However, if he were to learn the truth, he might become so enraged that he would die with his eyes wide open.

So it is, I have nothing else to say, but I do have a bold heart. If it truly leads to wealth, what harm is there in accompanying him on a journey?

Xu Guangli handed me a cigarette, his expression somewhat stiff as he smiled and said: "We are all brothers, and I speak the truth. Business has not been going well lately, and your sister-in-law has been nagging a lot, which is a bit frustrating. So I came to talk to you and have a couple of drinks."

I jumped out of bed, rushed into the bathroom to empty my nearly bursting bladder, turned on the faucet, and splashed several handfuls of cold water on my face, using the cold water to jolt myself fully awake

Xu Guangli has always been reticent about business matters, never discussing them with me in detail, so I do not inquire further. I joked, "Has she discovered someone outside?"

Worse still, I have never liked reading since I was young, spending my days wandering aimlessly and daydreaming, resulting in a complete failure in the college entrance examination. My father, an unemployed carpenter, naturally had no money to help me start a business, and among my relatives and friends, there were no prominent figures to lend a hand. As a result, I could only go to the city to work. Nowadays, there are more university graduates than wild grass by the roadside; without a diploma, special skills, or experience, I have naturally faced numerous setbacks and endured much hardship.

I hurriedly asked: "Where to?"