Chapter 10

I know Uncle Second very well. I've seen his sinister smile many times before, and it always means something fishy is going on. I've been tricked by him countless times, and this time I'm determined not to fall for it again.

If I, a student, spend time at an internet cafe, no one would say anything. But if I were to spend every day at a mahjong parlor, I might as well be dead. No matter how Uncle Second tries to manipulate me, I won't agree!

"By the way, you still owe me 30,000 yuan for medical expenses. Considering you're my nephew, I'll only charge you a small interest. When will you pay me back?"

"..."

"Men should be responsible. You should keep your word. Don't forget to pay the 1,000 yuan for the medical expenses of that little punk at the internet cafe." Uncle Second looked completely justified, and then he started lecturing me again...

I really wanted to ask him if I was really his nephew.

"Actually, you don't have to come to this mahjong parlor. I can ask your parents for the medical expenses... And Sister Su has been asking about you several times, wondering why you haven't come yet."

"Uncle Second, you're despicable! Didn't you say you wouldn't make me gamble for you? But you..."

"I didn't say you have to gamble to pay me back. I just want you to come here every night and get to know everyone here as quickly as possible. Just watch them play mahjong."

I was a bit stunned. If I don't come to the mahjong parlor, he'll ask my parents for the money. If I come, it's just to get to know these hooligans and watch them gamble. What's he up to?

And Uncle Second always says I'm different from others. Is it because I'm exceptionally handsome? Or does he want to train me to be a cheat and take over his business in the future?

I've had almost no contact with gambling. I've only seen others play during holidays. Every summer, Uncle Second used to come back to our hometown and teach me some magic tricks. Now I see how deeply he planned this!

I used to live a peaceful life, just a simple, honest person. I didn't have many ambitions, especially since I'm only seventeen. The most important thing for me now is to find a girlfriend, preferably with a motorcycle, and to play a couple of games every day, and that would be enough!

I always thought that people who gambled were no good and would eventually ruin their families. But I never imagined that Uncle Second would be involved in gambling and even make money from it. This is something I never thought about before.

"Sanming, the tricks Uncle Second taught you are just for magic shows. The path you take in life is entirely up to you."

Uncle Second looked very serious, and I nodded vigorously. Don't let his usual carefree attitude fool you; when he's serious, he's more serious than anyone else.

At that moment, someone walked over. I looked up and saw Sister Feifei from the bar at the entrance. She had sexy, long legs in fishnet stockings and shiny black slippers. I couldn't help but stare.

Uncle Second instantly changed his demeanor, rubbing his hands together with a silly smile, almost drooling. He took out a small stack of money and handed it to me, saying seriously, "Buy a new phone. Don't forget what I said. If you dare not come, I'll break your legs!"

Sister Feifei pouted and said in a coquettish tone, "Brother Dong~ It's so late, why don't you go for some late-night snacks? I'm hungry..."

Uncle Second waved me away, and before I could leave, I saw him and Sister Feifei hugging and groping each other, which left me speechless.

Fortunately, I've developed immunity to Uncle Second over the years. He used to bring women home all the time.

For some reason, I suddenly thought of Sister Seventeen, her iconic Shu Xuan hairstyle, and the scene where she was bullied by Xiao Huangmao at the Flying Internet Cafe. My throat suddenly felt dry, and I felt an inexplicable restlessness.

It was already late at night when I left the mahjong parlor, clutching a stack of money. I thought to myself that Uncle Second still had some humanity. Otherwise, what would he do with all that money? Save it to get a wife?

I returned to the school dormitory with a head full of questions, tossing and turning in bed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw a table full of money, countless bills. If all that money were mine, I couldn't even imagine...

The next morning, I was still in the middle of a dream with the daughter of Duke Zhou, just about to reach the final step, with my belt already loosened, when I suddenly felt someone pressing down on my head. I was greatly startled. Could it be Duke Zhou?

When I opened my eyes, I saw someone poking my head. I didn't recognize this person, and looking at him made me feel very uneasy. Interrupting someone's dream is a sin!

"Xiong Sanming, right? Someone is looking for you downstairs." He patted my head and looked at me mockingly.

His eyes made me very uncomfortable. Not only did I not recognize him, but his action of patting my head clearly showed he had no good intentions.

"What do you mean by patting me? Who's looking for me?" I said irritably. If it weren't for his stronger build, I would have made him bleed right there!

"What do you mean by that?" He cracked his knuckles, and I saw that the other dorm mates were all scared. I felt this person wasn't simple, so I softened my tone.

"I understand. I'll wash my face and come down right away."

After I washed my face and came out, everyone in the dormitory had run away, as if I had a plague. But just then, a small, fat boy pushed the door open. To be precise, he was chubby, not very tall, with braces, and looked very timid.

He was terrified when he saw me and tried to run away. I grabbed him just in time and dragged him back into the dormitory. Today, I had to get to the bottom of this!

I cleared my throat and asked him very politely, "Classmate, can you tell me why everyone in the dormitory avoids me?"

He stammered and didn't dare to speak, so I took him to the dormitory bathroom and lit a cigarette for him with the ones Uncle Second gave me last night. Seeing he was still uneasy, I gave him the whole pack. Then we started talking.

After some inquiries, I learned that the fat boy's name was Tian Xiaowei, nicknamed Old Tian. He was a simple, honest student. After confirming I had no ill intentions, he told me that the school's top student, Zhang Xu, wanted to beat me up. The news had already spread throughout the school because Wang Gang was part of Zhang Xu's gang.

I understood what was going on. One problem after another, but I wasn't afraid anymore, and I wouldn't be weak again. I wouldn't bully anyone, but I wouldn't let anyone bully me either!

A tiger in the heart, gently sniffing the roses!

Everyone knows the saying, "Pick the softest persimmon to pinch." I would make everyone know that I'm not a persimmon but a tiger, not afraid of any threat or danger!

With a firm resolve, I left the dormitory building, my fists clenched. Whether it's the school's top student or the second, they'd have to ask my fists first if they want to beat me up!

The school was full of vitality in the morning, but there was no crowd waiting for me downstairs as I had expected. Instead, there was a beautiful figure in a black T-shirt and denim shorts, wearing canvas shoes, with her iconic Shu Xuan hairstyle, looking especially beautiful in the morning sunlight!

When Sister Seventeen saw me, she immediately walked over. I never thought I would run into her here, and people passing by were looking at us with strange expressions.

"Hi, what a coincidence." I greeted her, thinking she couldn't have been the one to call me down, right?

"I've been looking for you all day. Where did you go?" Her words made my heart skip a beat. Seeing her smile with a deep meaning, I had a bad feeling.

"Where did I go? What's up?" I touched my nose nervously, wondering if someone had found out about my trip to the mahjong parlor last night or my visit to Sister Su.

"Phew! What did you do at the Baisi Internet Cafe yesterday? Don't tell me you don't know!" Sister Seventeen glared at me, her eyebrows raised, and her hands on her hips, looking very intimidating. I opened my mouth but couldn't say a word.

My uncle always said women are tigers, and they can turn on you faster than turning a page. This time, I really learned something. But to come find me early in the morning just because of a game? I couldn't understand it, no matter how hard I tried.

The atmosphere became very silent, and then my stomach growled. Sister Seventeen laughed, and I blushed, asking softly, "Have you had breakfast? If not, I'll treat you."

My voice was so low, even I couldn't hear it clearly, but to my surprise, Sister Seventeen immediately agreed and pulled me toward the school cafeteria. I was a bit stunned.

Walking through the campus in the morning, many people looked at us, and I felt a bit embarrassed, but Sister Seventeen didn't seem to care, pulling me along energetically. I could smell a pleasant scent from her, but I couldn't identify it, though it was very nice.

Sitting in the cafeteria, facing Sister Seventeen for breakfast, I was still in a daze. I had never asked a girl out before, and now I had managed to get Sister Seventeen. Could flirting be genetic?

Thinking back to the first time I met Sister Seventeen, I had taken a big advantage, and I still remembered the softness. Of course, I also remembered the slap she gave me, but now none of that mattered.

It was already class time, and the cafeteria was empty except for us. I didn't know what was happening, but I couldn't stop talking, telling endless jokes and stories. When I told some naughty jokes, she would laugh and gently punch me.

She also told me some interesting stories, like someone writing a love letter to Sister Sixteen, which ended up in Sister Eighteen's hands, and the embarrassing incident of Little Fifteen in the shower...

We talked for a long time, and we talked about a lot. Honestly, my heart was almost flying. This feeling was very subtle, something I had never felt before, even when I liked Xiao Hua. It was hazy and sweet...

"Xiong Sanming, there's something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead, what is it? I'll do anything for Sister Seventeen."

"I can't tell you now. Tonight at nine, I'll be waiting for you in the park behind the school."

Before I could react, Sister Seventeen ran off, her face blushing. But I hadn't had the chance to say that I had to go to the mahjong parlor tonight! Otherwise, Uncle Second would really break my legs...