Chapter 54

What is a "Yuan Datou"? It is a paper tube rolled into a cylinder, containing a hundred silver dollars.

One Yuan Datou is very valuable, equivalent to about 170 to 180 copper coins. A family could save and use it for ten to fifteen days. Such a Yuan Datou could be exchanged for three small yellow fish, which could be considered a huge sum.

No wonder the onlookers cast various envious and covetous glances.

Seeing the situation about to get out of control, Dugu Fu could tolerate Lu Tao's self-inflicted trouble, but he didn't want Guo Xingxing to be implicated. Pushing through the crowd, he walked in and said, "I'll play with you."

"I was here first!" Lu Tao's eyes turned red as he glared at him.

"It's you?" Guo Xingxing's eyes widened, and she covered her small mouth with a delicate cry. After being happy, her face suddenly turned serious, and she said, "It's you?" The same two words, but with different tones, conveyed completely different meanings.

The Chinese language is indeed profound!

Seeing this shameless, unscrupulous, and brazen guy, how could she be happy? Guo Xingxing despised herself in her heart.

Lu Tao didn't notice Guo Xingxing's unusual expression: "You are... Xingxing's lost fellow disciple?"

"Yes." Dugu Fu didn't bother to respond, just nodding casually. Last time, he fled in a panic because he couldn't resist Guo Xingxing's charm and ran when the situation turned bad. Now he knew that running away wasn't the solution. For a weak subject, he had to face the challenge head-on to get good results. How could he be polite to this guy who might be his rival and who often took Guo Xingxing out for walks?

No, that's not right... Because he's a rival, he needs to build a good relationship, understand the situation, and then deal with him! With this thought, he put on a bright smile and nodded at Lu Tao again, "Yes."

Again, the same two words, but with different connotations, profound and deep.

Dugu Fu thought to himself: Falling in love indeed improves emotional intelligence; I've made progress.

Lu Tao had no idea about Dugu Fu's many schemes. Understanding that this was Guo Xingxing's fellow disciple, he didn't say anything and stepped aside.

The stall owner watched coldly, already a bit impatient, "Are you done?"

"Done, I'll play." Dugu Fu stood in front of the stall, nodding calmly.

The boss spat and placed the small Buddha in the bottom of the bowl, starting to shuffle the positions. After a dizzying series of exchanges, the three bowls settled. Dugu Fu took out a Yuan Datou and casually chose a bowl to place it on.

Lu Tao wasn't stupid; on the contrary, he was very smart, which is why he gambled that way just now. Unfortunately... he didn't see through the real trick. Dugu Fu's actions weren't important; what mattered was the boss's expression.

Seeing the boss's relaxed and carefree look after Dugu Fu placed his bet, he thought: This guy isn't any better than me! But... that's good, if even he loses, I won't be too embarrassed in front of Guo Xingxing.

While thinking, the boss put his hand on the bowl and asked Dugu Fu, "Are you sure? If you're sure, I'll open it."

Suddenly, Dugu Fu reached out to stop him, "Wait a moment." He also put his hand on the bowl, "Can I open it myself?"

Another smart aleck... Why are there so many today... The boss looked at him with a mix of amusement and frustration. He pulled his hand back into his sleeve and said casually, "Sure, go ahead." Hmm? Something seems off, where did the small Buddha in the sleeve go?

"Slam!" Dugu Fu lifted the bowl cleanly and decisively. The amber small Buddha lay quietly and obediently at the bottom of the bowl.

"Wow..." The crowd was in an uproar.

"This, this, this is impossible!" Lu Tao's eyes widened, almost bulging out, unable to believe that Dugu Fu had guessed it so easily.

The stall owner stared at Dugu Fu, his expression changing. After a while, he clasped his hands and bowed, "Brother, good skills!"

"Thank you, thank you." Dugu Fu smiled, weighing the amber small Buddha meaningfully, then turned and waved, "Let's go."

"You know your place!" Lu Tao, after a moment of shock, said angrily, and followed them. He thought and thought but couldn't figure it out, finally attributing it to—Dugu Fu's good luck. He thought the stall owner must have been afraid, fearing that he would cause a scene, so he surrendered. Otherwise, there was no way to explain it.

Lu Tao's words made the shills in the crowd unhappy, and a few of them followed stealthily.

"Don't go!" The stall owner called out, bowing to the crowd, "Everyone, sorry, you've seen it, the prize is gone. That's it for today."

Although unhappy, the crowd had no choice but to disperse.

"Third Brother, just let that fat sheep go? That's not like you."

"Yeah, yeah, don't you have bags and bags of prizes?"

"But what just happened? Did you slip up? That's rare."

A few shills didn't leave. After the crowd dispersed, they gathered around the lean stall owner, unwillingly asking.

The stall owner smiled bitterly, "The sheep is indeed fat, but there's a master protecting it... Alright, he's generous and let it go, so let's not cause trouble. Come on, let's go have some fun."

One sentence made the shills smile, and they left happily, arm in arm.

==========

Dugu Fu and the two others left the gambling stall. Guo Xingxing remained silent, her big eyes blinking, seemingly pondering the truth of what just happened.

Lu Tao approached Dugu Fu, "This senior, I am Lu Tao, haven't had the pleasure of..."

"My surname is Dugu, my name is Dugu Fu." Dugu Fu smiled.

"So you're Dugu Fu, the con artist?" Lu Tao suddenly realized, "That con artist?"

"Ha ha!" Guo Xingxing laughed out loud.

Lu Tao was embarrassed, and then angry, pulling Guo Xingxing's arm, "Sister Guo, let's go! If you like that amber small Buddha, I'll buy one for you later."

Guo Xingxing also felt she had gone too far, didn't pull away, and turned to Dugu Fu, mouthing silently, "I know what happened just now!"

Dugu Fu smiled, not minding, and followed the two at a steady pace.

"You, why are you following us? How can you still have the nerve to greet us? A man should stand up for justice and help those in need. But you, seeing someone in trouble, you take advantage of it! As a man, I, Lu Tao, am ashamed to be your companion! Still following? Truly shameless, no wonder you're a con artist."

"Looking at you, you seem decent, but can't you do something proper? The world is in turmoil, and the people are suffering. This is the time for us to strive and make a difference. Look at you... you're just wasting time, life, and food!" As he walked, he turned and pointed at Dugu Fu, speaking righteously and passionately.

Seeing Guo Xingxing's admiring and gradually contemptuous gaze, he was so pleased that he almost blew his nose.

Why was he so hostile to Dugu Fu?

Lu Tao understood clearly. Although Guo Xingxing scolded Dugu Fu every day, he didn't notice that it was out of frustration, a light scolding, a very dangerous scolding. A potential rival must be nipped in the bud.

Was there a better opportunity than today? To crush this guy and boost his own image. Lu Tao pointed out the problems and spoke with passion and vigor!

This guy has high emotional intelligence! It seems he already saw me as a rival and had prepared his lines for days. But this also shows that Guo Xingxing has me in her heart. Hmm, chasing a girl really does improve emotional intelligence...

Listening to Lu Tao's high-minded scolding and seeing Guo Xingxing's gradually contemptuous gaze, Dugu Fu remained calm: Girls, don't change your attitude too quickly, because... for you, men will do anything.