Chapter 3, Gamblers Encounter Gamblers

If the soy milk is insufficient, serve yourself more

Qian Bo stuffed the remaining eggs into his mouth, forcefully swallowing one down, and mumbled, "Hmm, after playing a few rounds, I got so caught up in the game that I lost track of time. If it weren't for someone losing their temper, we could have continued playing."

"Unwilling to speak of you, you are just a weary soul." Qian Bo opened the bag resting on his lap and pulled out several hundred-yuan bills, handing them to Tan Xuan, "Take this."

Qian Bo sat in the car, his smile still intact, and looking at Tan Xuan, he appeared even more pleased than before, boasting: "Old Sun truly is my lucky star, today he has once again allowed me to shine. Tan, you missed that scene earlier; you didn't witness how impressive I was at that moment. Tsk tsk, that was truly your loss..."

What are you doing? Tan Xuan pushed Qian Bo's hand away and asked, although they were familiar with each other, it had not reached the point of such pulling and tugging.

Qian Bo smiled, "I didn't realize you were quite cunning, are you the kind of person for that kind of job? Just wait, tomorrow when I win, I will arrange things for you even better."

Those who stay up late are not necessarily the diligent workers, but most of those who rise early are indeed the hardworking individuals. By the time Tan Xuan returns to the vicinity of the community, the breakfast stalls along the street have already set up their tables and chairs early in the morning

Tan Xuan reached out to take the fare, but immediately felt that the thickness was not right. After glancing at it, he said to Qian Bo, "Brother Qian, this amount is not correct. Wasn't it agreed upon to be three hundred? You have given me seven or eight hundred instead."

Tan Xuan sat in the car, continuously fiddling with the sandalwood beads hanging around his neck. His gaze occasionally swept towards the entrance of the nearby apartment, speculating whether Qian Bo had run out in a state of utter defeat or had been forced to sign an IOU before being thrown out. He also contemplated how he should make his appearance and how to act heroically, even considering whether he should find some helpers if the other party was numerous, or if all else failed, simply call the police to create a situation where both sides would suffer. Tan Xuan was not afraid of ghosts; he was only afraid of being outnumbered.

Qian Bo patted the leather bag in his hand and continued with great enthusiasm: "Tonight, I have not experienced any defeat; my luck is simply extraordinary. No matter what I play, I am invincible. You see, if it weren't for the time constraints here, I could win back all the losses I've accumulated over the years. Goodness, it's almost overflowing; it seems I will need to switch to a larger bag tomorrow"

The residential community where Tan Xuan lives has been around for some years, at least not much younger than Tan Xuan himself, yet it does not appear outdated or dilapidated in the slightest. The tranquil and leisurely environment is something that newly built communities cannot compare to, as this was once a residential building for a certain government agency. Even now, some former leaders of the city, who have grown accustomed to living here, still reside within. The community's supporting facilities are quite mature, with markets, schools, and hospitals all within a short distance.

In summer, the days are long and the nights are short, with dawn breaking earlier. The dim streetlights are quickly overshadowed by the faint light of the sky, which offers little illumination to begin with. Wandering aimlessly on the street, Tan Xuan noticed that the morning sun had already begun to peek over the horizon, prompting him to turn his vehicle around. It is essential to head home early; otherwise, once the entire city fully awakens, returning home will become difficult. Time can be spent on the road, but it should not be wasted in traffic jams, which is one of the reasons Tan Xuan dislikes accepting orders during the day. It is essential to head home early; otherwise, once the entire city fully awakens, returning home will become difficult. Time can be spent on the road, but it should not be wasted in traffic jams, which is one of the reasons Tan Xuan dislikes accepting orders during the day.

Qian Bo is a well-known gambler in the vicinity. His skills are not particularly impressive, but his gambling character is commendable. He loses nine out of ten bets but never complains, nor does he owe any debts. He is recognized as the most popular benefactor in the local Q card room. Nearby gamblers feel closer to him than to their own parents and look forward to spending time with him every weekend. If it were not for his lucrative job, he would likely have lost everything by now.

Xiao Tan is back, still the same as before

Looking at the "abundant" handbag, Tan Xuan felt even more confused; the disparity from his expectations was too great. It shouldn't be like this. With such an item around, how could Qian Bo possibly win? He had never heard of a gambler having a moment of redemption. The more he thought about it, the less he understood.

I must tell you, my friend is quite extraordinary. It was only last night that I achieved great success thanks to his guidance. He is not just my friend; he is truly my lucky star

Upon hearing Qian Bo mention that his friend had arrived, Tan Xuan stretched lazily. After waiting for quite some time, he nearly fell asleep. Tan Xuan turned his head to glance at the person approaching closer through the rearview mirror, his expression suddenly becoming serious. He then turned his body to take a closer look at the individual, reaching out to stop Qian Bo, who was about to push the door open to get out, and quietly asked, "Brother Qian, how do you know this friend?"

"Hmm, just got back." Tan Xuan nodded at the man, showing no intention of stopping him. The person beside him, named Qian Bo, always stayed up all night on weekends, sharing a similar work schedule with Tan Xuan, who also kept nocturnal hours. As a result, they had crossed paths numerous times, and occasionally Qian Bo had helped with Tan Xuan's business, leading to a natural familiarity between them

Tan Xuan furrowed his brows slightly and said to Qian Bo, "Brother Qian, you have only known him for a day. You don't know his background, yet you come here with him. There are many bad people in society today; you must be careful not to fall into a trap."

You can see people, but can you see what is not human

Seeing Qian Bo's smug expression while speaking, Tan Xuan still kindly advised, "Good people and bad people are not written on their faces, Brother Qian. Nine out of ten gamblers are deceitful. I advise you to go back. Small bets are for pleasure, but big bets can harm you. If you really fall into the trap of a bad person, it will be too late."

"Just be carefree, but what time is it? I still have to take you back and continue with my work." Tan Xuan started the car and smoothly drove out of the street

Upon waking up, it was already afternoon. Tan Xuan went to the market to buy some vegetables and prepared a meal for himself, consisting of one meat dish and one vegetable dish. It turned out quite well, and paired with rice, it not only satisfied his hunger but also filled him up. Although Tan Xuan was just in his early twenties, he had nearly twenty years of cooking experience. The master who raised him, known to others as Mr. Guan, could deceive others easily, but he could never fool his own stomach. He could roast a sweet potato until it resembled charcoal and boil dumplings to the point of being unrecognizable, making them inedible. Therefore, when Tan Xuan was just beginning to understand things, his master entrusted him with the important task of cooking.

Old Wang, please give me two oil pancakes, a bowl of tofu pudding, add more sauce, and less cilantro

Seeing his face glistening with oil, as if he hadn't slept all night, and the strong smell of smoke clinging to him, a mixture of various tobaccos that truly left Tan Xuan with no compliments to offer, he frowned and asked: "What, have you been out playing cards again?"

Tan Xuan chuckled and said, "At a young age, if you don't strive, when you grow old and want to work hard, you won't have the energy to do so. Now is the time to work hard and save some capital for a future wife."

Qian Bo patted his bag and said proudly: "I have plenty to give as tips, I won money today, and I am feeling quite happy. Just accept it, and if you are polite with me, I might get upset. Don't work too hard today, let's go find a bigger bathhouse to relax. I worked up a sweat today and smell like smoke, we must soak well. You need to come over tomorrow night to drive me."

According to the location provided by Qian Bo, the destination is an apartment named "Shuya." It is not close to their current community, situated in a dilapidated shantytown at the junction of the new and old urban areas, an area that is uncertain when it will be relocated. There are no buildings taller than six stories nearby, and there are quite a few illegally constructed bungalows. All the buildings have a sense of age, and driving here feels like navigating a maze, making it quite difficult to find even with a navigation system.

Qian Bo glared at Tan Xuan with dissatisfaction and said, "It is unnecessary for you to ask such a question!"

Time passed second by second, and the night grew deeper. The dirty and chaotic streets outside the car gradually fell silent, and the pedestrians returned to their respective homes. Tan Xuan turned the car's front towards the outside, which not only facilitated a quick getaway but also allowed him to observe the surrounding situation. If anyone came out of the apartment, he would be able to see it immediately. Unfortunately, after watching for a long time, no one entered or exited the apartment. Although the lights at the apartment entrance were still on, it was the quietest place on this dilapidated street.

"Don't run off alone tonight, take me out for a while," Qian Bo said softly, in a mysterious manner, as if afraid of being overheard by others. However, at this hour, there were hardly any people out buying breakfast, making his action entirely unnecessary.

Qian Bo, hearing that Tan Xuan was worried about this, chuckled and patted Tan Xuan on the shoulder, saying: "Hehe, no way, Lao Sun is not that kind of person. One can discern a person's character from their gambling behavior. After a few rounds of mahjong yesterday, I could tell that his character is not bad."

Tan Xuan remained silent, merely watching Qian Bo, waiting for him to clarify before deciding whether to agree or not, as he considered himself a law-abiding citizen and had never participated in anything inappropriate

One can tell that Tan Xuan is quite likable just from what is brought to the table. Whether it is the fried dough sticks or the eggs, they are all noticeably larger than others. Even that bowl of soy milk is filled to the brim, and with the slightest carelessness, it could easily spill over.

Seeing Qian Bo laughing wildly and speaking incoherently, Tan Xuan felt a bit confused and asked, "Did you win?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the man had already walked to the car. Qian Bo did not give Tan Xuan another chance to persuade him and directly pushed the door open to get out of the car. He took two steps at a time to reach his friend, whom he felt an instant connection with. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two of them walked hand in hand into the apartment, with Qian Bo showing no intention of introducing the man to Tan Xuan, whether due to the urgency of heading to the battlefield or simply deeming it unnecessary.

Tan Xuan returned home and washed up, then sat quietly in the study for a while before going to rest in the bedroom. There were two bedrooms, one to the south and one to the north, facing each other. Tan Xuan lived in the northern room, not because the former mistress had taken sleeping pills in the southern master bedroom, but simply because he disliked the glaring sunlight when he was trying to rest. Resting well was essential. As for the incessant talk from others about the house being "haunted," Tan Xuan was completely indifferent. The house was purchased by him, under his name, and everyone who had lived here before had to move out, whether they were human or ghost, there was no distinction. Only during the initial period after moving in did the neighbors look at him with a hint of curiosity, as if watching a show, but the anticipated drama never unfolded. Over time, he became accustomed to it, and so did the neighbors.

Tan Xuan had just taken a seat when the food was brought over: a bowl of plain unsweetened soy milk, two deep-fried dough sticks, two tea eggs, and a plate of pickled vegetables drizzled with a few drops of chili oil. Tan Xuan had settled here for two years and had long become a regular customer. Moreover, the few dishes he ordered every day were so familiar to the owner that they could not be more familiar.

He chuckled lightly, which could be considered as his agreement. He neither supported nor opposed such situations; matters that were illegal were managed by law enforcement. He was merely looking to make a little profit and avoid trouble. Moreover, if he did not pull him in, he would seek others. Who would willingly give up a piece of fat meat that was served right to their lips

Qian Bo did not notice anything unusual about Tan Xuan and patted him on the back, saying generously: "Let's go, don't just stand here. I had too much glory today, be careful that someone might be envious and secretly eyeing us. Let's find a place, and I'll take you out to enjoy ourselves."

Indeed, the reason Tan Xuan suddenly and unusually advised Qian Bo to go back was that he discovered Qian Bo's card friend was not alone; there was a genuine gambler riding on that person's shoulder. The strange way that person walked was due to the weight of that gambler. Others could not see it, but Tan Xuan could see it clearly, and the greedy visage of that gambler was vividly real in Tan Xuan's eyes

Tan Xuan was well-prepared, but unfortunately, all his efforts were in vain, as the plot did not unfold as he had anticipated. Around eleven o'clock at night, the originally quiet apartment suddenly became lively, with a group of people emerging one after another from the entrance, some cursing and others laughing joyfully.

The man, in a good mood, called out loudly to the stall owner, "Old Wang, give me half a kilogram of buns, the beef ones, and put it all on my tab."

Under the dim streetlight, the person's walking posture appears somewhat strange, with a slight hunch and a forward lean. One shoulder is higher than the other, and the walking speed is slow, with shuffling steps that seem a bit unsteady

Tan Xuan was not polite at all, taking what was due without hesitation, directly stuffing the money under the sun visor. "Alright then, let me make it clear, what is given today is for today, and what is for tomorrow will be given tomorrow."

Didn’t I tell you this morning? We met while playing cards together last night. Qian Bo was unsure why Tan Xuan asked this question, so he answered truthfully.

"No need, Brother Qian," Tan Xuan hurriedly declined, "I am full and should go back to rest. You can take your time eating."

Tan Xuan resides in a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment located in a building deep within the community. The apartment is not rented; it is his own purchase. He does not live here due to any profound background or a prestigious family lineage worthy of admiration, but rather because the previous female owner committed suicide in the apartment, which made this so-called "haunted house" affordable for Tan Xuan. Not only was the transaction price of the apartment quite reasonable, but the furniture inside was also left for Tan Xuan free of charge, along with a complimentary garage on the first floor. To prevent Tan Xuan from having second thoughts, the transfer of ownership was completed swiftly. Thus, Tan Xuan moved in with just his luggage. The apartment's decor is not outdated at all, and the furniture is of high quality. Aside from a few simple replacements and the addition of some personal items, the apartment retains its original appearance from when it was purchased.

Watching Qian Bo and that person walk through the entrance of the apartment, Tan Xuan let out a helpless sigh. It is difficult to persuade the damned fool with good words. Among those who have been deceived, few are truly foolish; most consider themselves quite clever. Otherwise, in today's world, how could there be so many fools for swindlers to toy with? Qian Bo is resolute in his decision to go, and how could Tan Xuan's few words possibly dissuade him, especially when one of them is a person blinded by a ghost?

The owner of the breakfast stall greeted Tan Xuan warmly

Qian Bo could not contain his excitement as he said: "Tan Zi, my friend has arrived, I will get off the car first. You rest in the car, and if you feel tired, you can take a nap. I will call you when I come out."

Qian Bo wants to go, but Tan Xuan cannot stop him. Tan Xuan knows that if he speaks frankly, Qian Bo is likely to not only disbelieve him but also consider him insane. At this moment, Tan Xuan is uncertain about the purpose of the other party in calling Qian Bo here. If it is merely to cause him financial loss, it would not require such elaborate means; there are countless easy ways for a gambler to make someone lose money. A gambler who does not seek money is no longer a gambler. If the intention is not only to seek money but also to harm lives, or if the purpose is more sinister, aiming to ruin Qian Bo's family, then Tan Xuan can no longer pretend to be oblivious. Even though he has already distanced himself from the gambling scene, he cannot ignore the safety of his neighbors and clients. However, since the other party has not yet harmed anyone, he can only wait. After all, one cannot arrest someone without evidence of a crime, and he cannot eliminate a threat that has not yet caused harm. Each profession has its own rules; there must be a legitimate reason for action.

"Tan Zi, have you finished packing up?" The middle-aged man, showing no formality, greeted and then picked up the tea egg in front of Tan Xuan, peeling it and taking a big bite out of more than half of it.

As dusk was just settling in, Qian Bo impatiently called Tan Xuan to urge him to set off. After all, he was his own customer, so Tan Xuan complied readily. By the time Tan Xuan drove to the bottom of Qian Bo's building, Qian Bo was already waiting there, dressed neatly and clutching a briefcase as if he were about to go to work

Good morning, Uncle Wang, still the same as always

Qian Bo was also perceptive and understood Tan Xuan's meaning. He replied, "There is no one else, just myself. Isn't it just that I am afraid of being looked down upon in front of others? If it weren't for your sister-in-law not allowing me to play cards, I would have had her take me there."

They finally arrived at the location, but Qian Bo's friend had not yet arrived, as they had agreed to meet at 9:00 PM, and it was just past 8:00 PM. There were still quite a few people out for a stroll after dinner nearby.

Tan Bo and his friend were also mingling in the crowd, and judging by Qian Bo's expression, he was the one smiling the brightest among them, holding his noticeably "plump" leather bag, as if he had just come from a celebratory banquet. As for Qian Bo's friend, his smile was not very pronounced, or one might say he had little expression, lacking the richness of the one on his shoulder, only occasionally echoing a few words to Qian Bo.

Qian Bo understood Tan Xuan's meaning and explained with a smile: "I met a friend last night, and seeing that I didn't have enough fun, he wants to take me to another place to have some fun. You know, I am a person who values my reputation, so I can't lose face. Just say that I am your driver. Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing; it's just a matter of a few hours for a round trip, and it won't be too hard for you. I'll give you three hundred."

Have you ever seen someone cooking at the stove? Tan Xuan has not, because he is the one who has been cooking at the stove since childhood. Over the years, he has indeed developed excellent culinary skills

A middle-aged man in his thirties strolled over from the street, carrying a leather bag under his arm. Upon reaching the stall, he greeted with a casual call and boldly sat down next to Tan Xuan.

After confirming the time again, Tan Xuan drove home. He did not use Qian Bo to treat him, nor did he take the half a jin of beef filling buns. Each matter should be treated separately; work should be compensated with money. It is better for him to occasionally take care of his own business than anything else.

Seeing the worried expression on Tan Xuan's face, which likely stemmed from a concern of dampening Tan Xuan's good intentions, Qian Bo continued to reassure him, saying: "Brother, rest assured, if anything really happens, I will withdraw in advance. Besides, I'm not alone; you are here to support me, right? If you are still uneasy, you can bring the car over later, making it more convenient for us to leave."

Qian Bo looked at the serious-faced Tan Xuan and smiled as he shook his head, "Hehe, thank you, brother. However, your concerns will not come to pass. I, Qian Ge, am no longer a child. After working for these years, I may not boast about other skills, but I do have some discernment when it comes to people. I can tell what is good and what is bad."

Tan Xuan nodded and said, "Alright, just call me before you go out. But let me make it clear, Brother Qian, you better not bring in any troublemakers, otherwise, I won't stand for it."

Tan Xuan glanced again at the approaching figure, able to discern the general features of the person, but his gaze was more focused on the person's shoulders

"It is necessary," the man said, gesticulating animatedly. Of course, even if he did not answer, anyone with functioning eyes could see that he must have had quite a fruitful night, as it was written all over his face. He was certainly not in this state on a usual day.

After everyone came out, they dispersed in different directions, as there was nothing worth lingering for. Qian Bo and his friend exchanged a few words before waving goodbye. At that moment, Tan Xuan finally understood why Qian Bo had asked him to drive him; because once those people left, more than half of the cars parked along the nearby roads had also departed, and it was not just here, as several alleys nearby were also seeing cars leave one after another

The man stopped Tan Xuan, frowned, and said: "Wait a moment, why are you in such a hurry? You can take it back to eat later. I still have something to discuss with you."

Thank you, Uncle Wang

Waiting is painful. Qian Bo sat in the back seat, occasionally peering out the car window, resembling a young wife eagerly anticipating her husband’s return after a long absence. Initially, she sat upright and composed, but gradually, her posture became less important, turning into a half-reclined position. The expression on her face shifted from anticipation to mere anxiety. Many people had already entered the apartment, yet the one she was waiting for had not yet appeared. It was not until nearly 9 o'clock that a figure approached from the street corner, at which point a joyful expression returned to Qian Bo's face, and she quickly straightened her posture.

What are you still running for? Isn't it enough that you pulled me along? While you are still young, don't push yourself too hard; your health is the most important thing

It seems that you have won, haven't you? Tan Xiao said politely with a smile.

Qian Bo instructed Tan Xuan to park the car among a cluster of vehicles on the roadside opposite the "Shuya" apartment. After all, they were not engaged in anything good, so they could not be too conspicuous. After turning off the engine, the two sat quietly in the car, with the front of the car facing a wall. A small gap was left in the window, and with the dim lighting in the vicinity, even though people or vehicles occasionally passed by on the road, no one paid attention to their presence.