Chapter 4

Xijiang Restaurant.

The tables were filled with the specialties of Hongcheng, such as Sanbei Chicken, Liangao Stir-fried Cured Pork, Fried Rice Noodles, and Clay Pot Soup...

Liu Tao hadn't tasted his hometown dishes for a long time, nor had he eaten so much in a long time.

Mai Xiaoyu didn't touch the chopsticks much, tasting each dish lightly. She looked at Liu Tao in front of her, comparing him to the Liu Tao in her dreams, reminiscing about last night's strange dream.

It was indeed strange, almost like a premonition, but it was unclear how much value the dream could create when it turned into reality.

"I'm full. Thank you."

Liu Tao put down his chopsticks and thanked her softly, his pale face finally regaining some color.

"You thank me? I'm a fraud." Mai Xiaoyu smiled bitterly, "Where do you live? I'll take you back."

Liu Tao lowered his head and said after a long pause, "I have nowhere to stay..."

His family was poor, and his parents had divorced when he was young, living in poverty. He started doing housework when he was in junior high school. Last year, he graduated from the Foreign Languages and Trade University in Eastern Guangdong. He gave up a 9-to-5 job and, relying on his background as a cultural soldier, came to Yanjing to make a living, becoming one of the many "Yanjing drifters."

He rented a small room for over a hundred yuan and lived frugally, finally saving up over ten thousand yuan. A few days ago, while working as an extra at the Yangsong Film Base, he met Yang Xiaoxing and Zhang Xiaoquan. He was deceived by Yang Xiaoxing's sweet talk and paid ten thousand yuan as a membership fee.

Unfortunately, he received a call from home that night, learning that his family needed money urgently. He sent back the remaining two thousand yuan, leaving him penniless.

When Yang Xiaoxing was deceiving him, he said that a film crew had contacted the company and needed a batch of actors for auditions. So, he went to the company, hoping to secure an audition and sign with the crew, which would allow him to earn money for food and rent, and send money back home.

However, when he arrived, the company was empty, and he realized he had been scammed.

His bad luck continued. Because he couldn't pay the rent, he was evicted by the landlord. He spent the night on the street and had his luggage stolen.

A series of setbacks almost drove him to despair, and he thought of suicide as a way out. His attempt to jump from the building wasn't to scare Yang Xiaoxing; if Mai Xiaoyu hadn't appeared today, he would have really jumped to his death.

"Ah..." Mai Xiaoyu sighed lightly, "Sorry, I had something urgent to do that day and only had a brief encounter. If I had interviewed you, I wouldn't have agreed to your membership in the company."

"I don't blame you, Mr. Mai, really. I was too naive. I don't want ten thousand, six thousand is fine, right?" Liu Tao made another concession, reducing the amount from ten thousand to eight thousand, and now to six thousand.

According to the Mai Family Fraud Code, this was clearly impossible.

Mai Xiaoyu called the waiter to settle the bill, packed the leftover food, and glanced at the dejected Liu Tao, saying calmly, "Come with me."

Liu Tao fell silent again, following him out of Xijiang Restaurant without a word.

It wasn't until they reached Room 1606 of the Guomao Youth Apartments, where they were alone in the room, that she became wary. When Mai Xiaoyu spoke, it made her break out in a cold sweat.

"Go take a shower."

"What are you going to do!" Liu Tao shielded her chest and cowered in the corner, "Don't do anything funny, or I'll call the police!"

"I just want you to take a shower; you smell. I'm going out to do some errands and will be back in an hour. Lock the door from the inside, and I won't be able to open it from the outside."

As he spoke, Mai Xiaoyu closed the door from the outside. Liu Tao immediately rushed to lock the door. Mai Xiaoyu fiddled with the key for a while, confirming that the door couldn't be opened, and Liu Tao felt a bit more at ease.

Seeing Mai Xiaoyu drive away through the window, she slumped into a chair, feeling relieved.

A moment later, she raised her arm to smell it, frowning.

How could I smell?

I don't smell at all!

What a liar!

But I haven't showered for two days, so I should take a shower...

An hour later.

After showering, Liu Tao was surprised to find a set of women's clothing on the table, a new Benetton spring women's casual outfit, which wasn't there before she showered.

Next to it was a note that read, "I'm next door, come find me when you're dressed."

Room 1608 was next door, with the door wide open, revealing a spacious studio.

Liu Tao stormed in, immediately spotting Mai Xiaoyu leaning on the windowsill, looking at the distant scenery.

"You lied to me again!"

"Why aren't you changing?" Mai Xiaoyu turned around and asked calmly.

"You said you couldn't open the door from the outside!"

"I know how to pick locks."

Liu Tao: "..."

"Your clothes are dirty; go change into the ones I bought for you."

The calm tone, the composed expression, and the steady gaze left Liu Tao speechless. She silently retreated to the room.

She locked the door and, still uneasy, barricaded it with a chair. She took another shower and put on the new Benetton clothes Mai Xiaoyu had bought, looking at herself in the mirror.

The clothes looked good.

His taste was good.

The clothes fit well.

How did he know my size?

With these questions in mind, she went to the next door, knocked, and entered, saying softly, "Thank you."

"I told you, no need to thank me. You are a company-signed artist, representing the company's image. Also, you'll be staying here temporarily... don't worry, although I'm a fraud, I have my principles."

The fourth rule of the Mai Family Fraud Code: Cheat for money, not for pleasure.

The eighth rule of the Mai Family Fraud Code: Don't eat the grass near the rabbit's den; don't have any non-work-related relationships with company employees, members, or artists.

For some reason, hearing Mai Xiaoyu say this, Liu Tao felt her heart ease. She believed him, even though she knew he was a fraud.

"How did you know my size?"

"Professional judgment, it's a necessary skill in our line of work. That's all. Come with me."

"Where are we going?" This was the first time Liu Tao asked, and she didn't realize that she was no longer as wary or hostile towards Mai Xiaoyu.

"To buy clothes."

Mai Xiaoyu took Liu Tao to Xidan, buying not only clothes but also jewelry, shoes, hats, cosmetics, and a phone, filling several large bags.

When they returned home in the evening, Mai Xiaoyu reheated the packed lunch, and they had dinner together.

Because of the shopping experience in the afternoon, Liu Tao was less reserved. She asked while eating, "Mr. Mai, why don't you refund my money? These things add up to more than six thousand, plus the rent. I asked the security guard, and the monthly rent is two thousand."

What a meticulous person!

The Guomao Youth Apartments were high-end hotel-style apartments, all spacious studios with fully furnished and equipped rooms, located in a prime area with high rent, ready for immediate move-in. Knowing that Liu Tao had nowhere to stay, Mai Xiaoyu specifically rented a room next door.

Why did he do this?

Because they were principled professional fraudsters!

The seventh rule of the Mai Family Fraud Code: Only take, never give back.

The door for refunds cannot be opened; once opened, it would be like a dam breaking, leading to uncontrollable consequences.

As for spending eight thousand yuan on clothes and rent for Liu Tao, it was different from refunding money.

This was a preliminary investment, a professional move!

Liu Tao couldn't understand the rules Mai Xiaoyu adhered to, just as she couldn't understand him.

He's clearly a fraud, and he cheated me out of ten thousand yuan, but why don't I feel angry or resentful? Instead, I feel a faint sense of relief.

And that sketch, why did he secretly draw me, and why did he draw it so beautifully?

And he said he dreamed about me...

That night, Liu Tao couldn't sleep.

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