Chapter 3

Mai Xiaoyu had never learned how to draw, but the sketch that earned everyone's praise was a scene he had seen in his dreams. As for his ability to draw it... it should be considered a side effect, a strange dream side effect.

The memories of his dream were vivid and never faded. Whenever he wanted, every detail and every scene would automatically appear in his mind. When he put pen to paper, he was like a human photocopier, automatically "copying" the scenes from his mind onto the paper, making them lifelike and vivid.

He was unsure about the authenticity of the dream, but Liu Tao, who was right in front of him, could help him verify it, and it would also save Liu Tao from the trouble of attempting suicide.

If it succeeded, he would open up a new way to make money; if it failed... Comrade Mai Xiaoyu never considered failure!

"Xia Ge, you go find the cleaning staff to clean the office; Lao Yang, you call the employees and tell them to come back to work tomorrow. Liu Tao, right? You can go now. Go back and get yourself ready. Girls should look pretty. I'm planning to have you start shooting ads first."

After dismissing the three, Mai Xiaoyu closed his eyes and began to recall last night's dream.

It was almost noon, and Yang Zhenxing had ordered takeout for lunch—pizza, fried chicken, and beer. The three of them gathered around the table, eating and chatting, discussing the company's next steps.

The direction of work definitely needed to be adjusted!

According to the plan, they should have closed down and left for Binhai City to continue their "deception" in the film and television industry, using the guise of talent scouts to defraud those who dreamed of becoming stars, making them members of the company.

However, Liu Tao's unexpected appearance disrupted their plans. Because of Mai Xiaoyu's principles as a fraudster, they had to stay in Yanjing.

It had been almost two months since they arrived in Yanjing, and over a hundred "lambs" had contributed more than a million in income. If they left now, their net profit for this trip would exceed a million. But if they stayed, the gradually accumulating risks could explode at any time. Once a "lamb" realized they had been deceived and caused a commotion, it would be much harder to leave.

"Boss, we're in danger now," Yang Zhenxing said, tearing into the fried chicken, speaking indistinctly.

"Follow the plan we discussed before. If anything happens, push it all onto me. You are also victims."

"Boss..."

"There's no need to say more. I always get the most money, so it's only right that I take the blame."

"No, what I mean is, we need to find a way. Where there's danger, there's opportunity. You have a good mind and many ideas. We can't just sit here and wait to die."

"The opportunity lies with Liu Tao. If she really becomes famous, I'll lead the guys to find a more profitable path, one that earns much more than scamming 'lambs'."

"Damn, no more talk. Following you, I'll eat well and drink well. Let's do it!" Zhang Xiaquan raised his beer.

"Although I think we're not professionals, the boss is always right. Cheers!" Yang Zhenxing raised his beer.

"Actually, I feel quite guilty towards you. Lao Yang graduated from the directing department of Donghai Drama Academy two years ago, and Xia Ge has been a camera assistant in the film crew for eight years. I scammed both of you for several ten thousand and dragged you into this..."

"Why are you saying this!"

"Exactly. You only scammed us for a little money, and we've already earned it back!"

"Don't be so sentimental, let's drink."

"Cheers!"

After finishing a can of beer, the three of them ate pizza and fried chicken. Yang Zhenxing asked again, "Boss, what's the next step?"

Mai Xiaoyu lit a cigarette and said slowly, "Change your name first."

"Change to what name?"

"Yang Xiaoxing."

"Did you dream it?"

"Yep."

Yang Zhenxing: "..."

"As a qualified fraudster, remember three things. First, don't use your real name; second, don't use your real name; third, don't use your real name."

"Body and hair are given by parents, a true man does not change his name!"

"Then I'll thank you on behalf of the police."

Yang Zhenxing: "...Boss, you're not really called Mai Xiaoyu, right?"

Mai Xiaoyu nodded with a smile.

"I really am unprofessional. I've known you for two years, and you've been deceiving us with a fake name all along!"

"Xia Ge isn't his real name either."

Yang Zhenxing turned sharply to stare at Zhang Xiaquan, who held a pizza in his left hand and made a V sign with his right, saying proudly, "F*ck."

"What's up with your ID cards?"

Zhang Xiaquan said disdainfully, "Fake, f*ck."

Yang Zhenxing was thoroughly convinced, "Alright, I'll be called Yang Xiaoxing from now on, and I'll get a fake ID too. Boss, what's your real name?"

"Confidential."

"What about Xia Ge?"

"Confidential."

"Asshole!"

The three of them laughed and joked. Mai Xiaoyu, feeling the urge to urinate after drinking too much, went to the toilet with a cigarette in his mouth. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Liu Tao standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall, head hanging low, looking lost and pitiful.

Mai Xiaoyu was about to ask why she hadn't left when he heard her stomach growl. He decided not to ask.

"Ordered too much takeout just now, want to eat some?"

Liu Tao didn't say anything, just lowered her head and slightly moved her lips.

"Come on, we're family now."

When Mai Xiaoyu brought Liu Tao back, Yang Xiaoxing and Zhang Xiaquan were stunned. When they saw Liu Tao, who was maintaining her dignity as a girl, finish the remaining pizza and fried chicken and still looked unsatisfied, they were all shocked.

Mai Xiaoyu even forgot to go to the toilet.

"Sorry... thank you... I, I haven't eaten for two days..." Liu Tao lowered her head, her face red, speaking softly.

Yang Xiaoxing felt sorry for her and said, "Why are you so foolish? I scammed you for ten thousand, but you shouldn't starve yourself over that money!"

Zhang Xiaquan, being older, sighed, "Should we return the money to her?"

Liu Tao looked up with joy, but Mai Xiaoyu poured cold water on her, "Forgot the seventh rule?"

The seventh rule of Mai's fraud: Only in, never out, never return money.

After lunch, Yang Xiaoxing and Zhang Xiaquan played games online in the company. In the afternoon, the cleaning company came to clean, and they still had some preparations to make.

Mai Xiaoyu didn't need to worry about it. He used his mouth, his brain, and played with excitement, but he didn't need to do the basic work.

Looking at the time, it was just past one in the afternoon. He walked up to Liu Tao and said, "Follow me," then turned and left.

Liu Tao didn't ask anything, just looked at Mai Xiaoyu with a complicated expression and silently followed him to the underground parking lot of the building.

A silver Volvo, about 70% new, with a monthly rent of 1,800 and a three-month lease of 5,000.

Twenty minutes later, the Volvo stopped in front of a Xijiang restaurant.

"Get out." Mai Xiaoyu parked and turned off the engine.

Liu Tao still didn't speak, got out quietly, and was surprised to see the Xijiang restaurant.

"I, I'm not hungry."

"I am. I hate fast food, so come and eat with me. I heard that the chef at this Jiangxi restaurant is a genuine native of Hongcheng, and the Sanbei Chicken, stir-fried rice noodles, and clay pot soup are very authentic. I've been wanting to try them for a long time."

Familiar hometown dishes, familiar scents, familiar aromas, familiar accents, familiar flavors—Liu Tao felt her nose tingle, and she felt an urge to cry.

By this time, Mai Xiaoyu had already walked into the Xijiang restaurant. Looking at his back, Liu Tao felt a mix of emotions.