Chapter 2

At the entrance of Xiexiacun Village, there is a large food stall called Liuji, right by the roadside. During the day, when the city management enforces strict rules, the owner obediently stays within the small shop. But at night, the shop seems to come alive, slowly spreading out onto the road, first occupying the sidewalk, then even extending to the motor vehicle lanes, truly acting with audacity.

However, this is reality. The small shop pays tribute to the village security team, and the team members naturally turn a blind eye. Occasionally, they even stop by for a late-night snack. The boss is very accommodating; after all, it doesn't cost much, and buying peace is the practical thing to do.

The Chinese people are quite interesting. Take Jiang Dazhi, for example. He was just cursing PM2.5 and the two oil giants on "Wainei" (a social media platform), as if he couldn't survive in this country with severely超标 (exceeding) PM2.5 levels. But in the next moment, he grabbed a plate of crayfish, chewed with satisfaction amidst the car exhaust and the mysterious, oily liquid in the plate, and continued to complain.

"Damn, the PM2.5 is only 30? Are you kidding me? I feel like it should be 300 at least!"

Fang Shi rolled his eyes, too tired to comment.

Xu Weixian spat out the shrimp shell, smacked his lips, took a big gulp of ice beer, and sighed contentedly. "Only 300? I thought it was 3000. You're still alive, aren't you? Why waste your breath? Stop using 'Wainei' so much. Don't forget, your family is also a major polluter!"

"Bullshit! My family is a major reducer. I can fix any car to meet the standards!"

"Ha! You just replace it with a fake filter, and it's超标 (exceeding) again in a few days!"

"Hehe, increase the baseline fart!"

Fang Shi shook his head helplessly. This is the beloved Chinese people. They talk nonsense, but deep down, they are clearer than anyone else. Everything is fake, except for the money in their pockets. The only reason they curse others is out of envy and jealousy! So, don't take the internet seriously. Everyone is just happily talking nonsense and venting. The poor government can only be frequently targeted, who asked you to be so weak!

Yan Huifang smiled and ate her small dishes, occasionally sipping her beer. She was truly beautiful, with a delicate face, big eyes, and good skin. With a good hairstyle and appropriate clothing, a little makeup, she had the allure of a femme fatale.

At that moment, she was looking at her three schoolmates with her beautiful eyes, while Xu Weixian's gaze frequently drifted towards Yan Huifang. Fang Shi sighed; Xu Weixian was just being self-indulgent, and it was completely meaningless.

"By the way, Shi, what did you go to the social security bureau for today?"

"I'm unemployed again, so I went to pay my social security myself."

"Is social security really that good?" Yan Huifang smiled and asked.

Fang Shi smiled bitterly. "You don't know what it's like to be hungry. Social security is very important, especially medical insurance. Without it, it's a matter of life and death. Or, you could say, the superiority of our country is reflected here. How can it not be important?"

"Since you put it that way, I think I should get one too!"

"Of course, it's better to be prepared. People do get old!" Xu Weixian said with a bitter smile.

Yan Huifang glanced at Xu Weixian. She could tell what he was implying. "Say what you want to say. We've known each other for a long time. What if I am a mistress? What if I am vain and live off my youth? Do you think I want to? But is it easy to do something now? Look at yourselves. Three years out of college, what have you done? What have you achieved?"

Fang Shi lowered his head slightly. These words from Yan Huifang were a severe insult to men!

Xu Weixian's neck stiffened, and his face turned red. "We are still young. When I'm in my forties or fifties, I'll be a successful person too!"

"That's great. By then, you can deceive young girls, and you'll definitely succeed!" Yan Huifang looked at Xu Weixian with disdain. Xu Weixian was speechless and could only drink his beer in large gulps.

Fang Shi, seeing the atmosphere turn sour, tried to smooth things over. "Come on, you know Fangfang's personality. Everyone has their own aspirations."

"Ha ha," Yan Huifang laughed bitterly, grabbed her glass, and took a big gulp. She drank too quickly and started coughing. As she lowered her head, a glimpse of her chest was revealed. Fang Shi quickly turned away, just in time to meet Jiang Dazhi's gaze.

Jiang Dazhi smiled awkwardly and shook his phone. "You know, how can this so-called master be so powerful? Just with some small magic tricks, he became a master and deceived many wealthy and powerful people, becoming a local tyrant. Impressive!"

Jiang Dazhi said this to ease his own awkwardness, but Fang Shi's heart suddenly stirred.

He had mysteriously gained a special ability. Maybe he could also use this ability to achieve success! Master? Being a master isn't bad! Others can become masters through deception, and he has real skills. At least, he can see people's fortunes and predict the success or failure of events. If that's the case, could he also become a master?

Seeing Fang Shi suddenly lost in thought, Jiang Dazhi waved his large hand to wake him up. "What are you thinking, Shi? If you're worried about work, why not come to my car repair shop? The salary isn't high, but at least I won't exploit you to death, ha ha."

"Ha ha, thanks, but I have a better idea. How about becoming a master?"

Xu Weixian looked up, finding the joke not very funny, while Yan Huifang seemed interested.

"Shi, that's not a good joke!"

"I'm serious!"

Jiang Dazhi and Xu Weixian exchanged glances and laughed. "Okay, a little funny!"

"I'm really serious!"

"Ha ha, very funny, let's change the topic!"

"I'm really, really serious!"

Yan Huifang suddenly said, "I believe you're serious. Shi has always been bold and decisive, and I admire that. But why do you think you can do this?"

"Isn't it a family tradition?"

The three of them shook their heads.

"Okay, when I was a child, I met a wandering Taoist who once..."

"Wait, Zhou Xingchi already used that."

"Then, I had a dream when I was a child, and in the dream, there was an old man with a white beard..."

"Bro, that's a stretch. Be honest!"

Fang Shi spread his hands helplessly. "I'm being honest!"

Yan Huifang looked at Fang Shi and suddenly laughed. "Okay, I think Shi can do it. Just a few words, and he has us doubting the truth. Even we, who know him well, think he might have some real skills. Deceiving strangers should be possible."

Jiang Dazhi nodded. "Bro, practice your skills when you set up your stall!"

Xu Weixian frowned. "Shi, you're not serious, are you?"

"I am serious. Actually, I've mostly been doing sales work these years. In essence, it's all about persuasion. I think it's better to persuade people to buy things they might not need than to be a master. Rich people have money to spend, and persuading them to spend it for peace of mind isn't bad."

Yan Huifang patted Fang Shi's shoulder hard. "Bro, I support you!"

Fang Shi glanced at Yan Huifang's firm chest. She raised her hand, and the next slap landed on the back of Fang Shi's head. "What are you looking at?"

Fang Shi rubbed his sore head and laughed. He raised his glass to clink with Yan Huifang's. "Thanks, Fangfang!"

He then turned to Jiang Dazhi and Xu Weixian. "Brothers, aren't you going to bless me?"

Jiang Dazhi smiled bitterly. "You're really going to do it?"

"Really. I think I have a talent for this. Maybe I'll be the richest one in the future."

"Poor Daoist, I'll read your fortune. Sir, you lack money in your five elements!"

"Get lost! How can you talk like that? Haven't you jinxed me before I even start?"

"Ha ha"

Xu Weixian frowned. "Shi, this doesn't sound right. We are young, and we can make mistakes, but there are limits. This is too far-fetched. Listen to me, find a car factory. With your skills, you'll have a bright future!"

"Weiwei, you're the most boring. Young people need dreams. What's the point of fixing cars? Even if you become the boss, you're still just an employee! Now, selling cars, what's the point? Even if you become a manager or general manager, you still have to look up to others!"

"How is that not a good future? Isn't that how young people live? We are ordinary people, not the main characters in movies or novels. We don't have divine favor or golden fingers. We can only live ordinary lives. What's wrong with living a solid life? Do you think you're right? I think you're the one who's wrong! You weren't so vain in school!"

Yan Huifang's face suddenly turned serious. She stared at Xu Weixian for a while, then glanced at the surprised Fang Shi and Jiang Dazhi, and suddenly stood up. "Boring, I'm going back. Let's meet another time."

She left without waiting for a response, swinging her designer bag and hailing a taxi, which disappeared in the colorful lights.

Xu Weixian watched Yan Huifang's figure disappear in the colorful lights, smiled bitterly, slowly poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it in one gulp.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. We understand your point, but she has to figure it out herself. We don't even know why she became like this."

"Right, Dazhi, you're right. I'm a bastard. I never understood her, only hurt her!"

Fang Shi shook his head and didn't try to console Xu Weixian. As for Yan Huifang's situation, it seemed to be related to her family. No matter what her life is like now, it's her choice, and it's not others' fault. Moreover, her life might not be as bad as Xu Weixian thinks. Everyone has their own aspirations, everyone has their own aspirations!

Turning his head, Fang Shi suddenly froze. Across a few tables, the village security team was eating and drinking boisterously. It was a common sight, but today, Fang Shi's face suddenly turned grim.

"Dazhi, Dazhi."

"What?"

"Let's pay and leave. Something's about to happen!"

"What? You're really going to become a charlatan! You're really into this! Drink..."

"Get lost, listen to me, let's go!"

Fang Shi grabbed the slightly dazed Xu Weixian, and Jiang Dazhi, seeing Fang Shi's serious face, didn't argue and quickly paid the bill and left. However, he refused to go home and followed Fang Shi to his small rented room, a tiny space with everything but difficult to move around in and speak loudly.

Jiang Dazhi, who hadn't had enough to drink, bought a bag of ice beer and a few bags of peanuts, and the two of them drank until they were completely drunk. When they opened their eyes again, it was already bright outside!

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