Chapter 53

Thirty thousand.

After Liu Hao saw the contract, he knew the real number.

Thirty thousand, multiplied by six, that's one hundred and eighty thousand RMB...

There was indeed a significant gap compared to the ideal number he had in mind.

Chickens don't turn into phoenixes overnight.

However, under Lai Yuxin's verbal assault, Liu Hao still calmly accepted the result, even though the signature on the contract was not his own.

Lai Yuxin just sent him a QQ screenshot...

Such a domineering agent, though Liu Hao was speechless, also saved him the trouble. After all, considering his age, he could just let her handle it, as long as it didn't involve his work and personal life.

There wasn't much to do in the office during the day. By April, a lot of the tedious work had decreased, unlike the previous months when they were busy with external inspections and internal credit evaluations, making every day chaotic.

The office was somewhat lively, but everyone's expressions were clearly not good, each with a bitter face.

Today, the leader didn't assign any tasks or criticize anyone, so why did everyone look like they had lost their parents? Yu Baojin, his close friend, seemed to be the leader, surrounded by other colleagues.

His face was the darkest, indicating that his leadership was not stable.

"Everyone, calm down... Football matches have wins and losses, no one can say for sure which team will definitely win, right? We were just discussing probabilities. In the round of 16, Manchester United staged a stunning comeback, and they won the league last weekend, so we thought they had regained their form. That's why we thought Manchester United would cover the half-goal spread in the quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid. Everyone agreed at the time, but the result came out, and now everyone is so upset. How hard is it for me?" Yu Baojin patiently explained and comforted everyone.

This guy must have been collecting money for someone again, tricking his colleagues into betting on football! Liu Hao saw through Yu Baojin's trick.

No need to say, he must have convinced everyone to bet on Manchester United, but Manchester United only drew with Atletico Madrid, causing everyone to lose money...

"That's what you said yesterday, you said Manchester United would definitely win at home!" Zhang Yuanyun was the first to protest, shouting loudly, convinced that Yu Baojin had tricked them.

"Exactly, you even told me to bet big, saying it was a sure win. I bet a thousand, which is my monthly living expenses!" Another male colleague in the office was also very angry, loudly complaining, clearly mindful of the leadership in the office across the hall.

Pan Ke stood at the door, silent, his face grim as he watched the absurd scene.

Liu Hao was the first to notice Pan Ke standing at the door, fortunately, he was sitting in front of the computer and hadn't joined in with everyone else.

"Is this a vegetable market?" Pan Ke's face was no better than Yu Baojin's. Gambling in the office, how could he tolerate this atmosphere?

His voice immediately silenced everyone, not a peep.

"Yu Baojin, you're the leader here, right? No more of this vulgar behavior in the office. If I catch you again, you'll be the first to be punished." Pan Ke pointed his finger at Yu Baojin, speaking sternly.

Although scolded by Pan Ke, Yu Baojin actually felt relieved. If Pan Ke hadn't shown up, he would have continued to be blamed by everyone!

As soon as Pan Ke turned around, Yu Baojin followed him out, like he had found a savior, leaving a trail of anger behind.

Everyone could only stare at each other, the office quickly returning to calm.

Yu Baojin, who seemed to have developed a sixth sense, soon sneaked back to Liu Hao.

"Shh!" He quietly closed the door as soon as he entered.

"Stupid, why did you follow others' lead and even trick your colleagues?" Liu Hao didn't give him a good face.

"Whatever, don't act so high and mighty, it's all because of you," Yu Baojin said irritably, plopping down in a chair and breathing heavily.

"What? What do you mean because of me?" Liu Hao opened his eyes wide in surprise, "You, Yu Baojin, playing this game, what does it have to do with me? It sounds like I told you to bet on football..."

Although he said that, he quickly thought about it. When did he ever tell them to bet on football? He didn't!

"How is it not because of you? The woman who came to our office last time, she was clearly your friend, saying she was bringing you a good omen. I was curious, so I chatted with her, and she introduced me to many matches..."

"Who? Which woman?" Liu Hao, if he remembered correctly, the people who came to the office to find him were Lai Yuxin and Qiao Xianglan. Qiao Xianglan didn't know football, so it must have been Lai Yuxin, "Was it the woman who always wears jeans?"

Why would she do this?

"Yes, the one in jeans... She introduced me to several matches, and I won them all. Then I kept asking her for more, until this time..."

Liu Hao couldn't understand why Lai Yuxin would do this to his colleagues...

"Xiao Bao, let me tell you, I don't have a close relationship with that woman. You're over thirty, why are you still so obsessed with women? You believe everything they say..." Liu Hao looked at him with disdain, truly speechless.

"She showed me her press card, do you really think I'm a fool? Liu Xiaopang!" Yu Baojin suddenly changed his expression, looking extremely strange.

"Press card? I... you... shh!!!" This time, Liu Hao was shocked.

Damn it! Yu Baojin actually knew he was Liu Xiaopang! Press card! Liu Xiaopang! Lai Yuxin! Connecting these three, Liu Hao was completely baffled.

It means that Lai Yuxin had already revealed his dual identity to Yu Baojin.

But what does this have to do with getting Yu Baojin to bet on football? Liu Hao spread his hands, reluctantly accepting the fact that his identity was exposed.

"What kind of dirty deal did you make with her? She wouldn't reveal my identity for no reason."

"She asked me to provide her with some material about you, and she would pay me a certain amount of稿费, occasionally giving me some insider information about football betting..." Yu Baojin propped his cheek and recalled seriously, "Of course, she said the price would vary based on the value of the information."

Liu Hao narrowed his eyes, listening quietly to Yu Baojin's words, his face as black as charcoal.

"How much did you sell...?"

"Cough, just a few matches..." Yu Baojin admitted honestly.

"A few... So you sold me out like this? Am I so worthless? What did she say?"

"At the time, I didn't know you were so valuable. That Lai comrade said she just wanted to understand the work and life of amateur players. I didn't think you were Liu Xiaopang from Qingdao Zhongneng. If I had known, I would have asked for a hundred thousand in稿费..." Yu Baojin looked as if he regretted it, hating himself for being too naive.

"稿...稿个鬼, is this稿费? This is a dirty deal... You know, but don't say it out loud." Liu Hao's brows were knitted together, almost begging Yu Baojin, "Especially to my wife!"

"Hehe, recently, your Bro is a bit short on cash, you know, that damn Manchester United last night..." Yu Baojin laughed again, this time looking particularly sinister, showing his black teeth.