Chapter 1: This WeChat Circle is Quite Something

Zheng Qian stood at the bus stop, his face full of anger. He had just gotten off the bus and noticed a large tear in his new jeans, which he had only worn for less than half a month. Even worse, the new smartphone he had bought just the day before had been stolen. It was a phone he had worked part-time for three months to afford, and he needed it for something important today.

"Zheng Qian!"

A clear voice called out from beside the bus stop. Seeing the girl in the floral dress walking towards him, Zheng Qian, who had been sulking, forced a smile.

"Yun Yun!"

Looking at Zheng Qian, Yang Yunyun's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain, but she still put on a smile and approached him. When she was about three meters away, she extended her hand and tilted her head, saying, "What about the latest smartphone you promised me?"

Zheng Qian's face turned red with embarrassment as he stammered, "I... it was stolen on the bus just now!"

He then turned around to show Yang Yunyun the tear in his jeans.

Yang Yunyun's expression changed instantly. After a moment of shock, she ignored the people around the bus stop and shouted, "Zheng Qian, did you not have the money to buy it and deliberately trick me? Now you can't keep up the lie, so you're making up this story to fool me?"

Without giving Zheng Qian a chance to explain, Yang Yunyun continued, "I knew it. You, a poor boy from the countryside, how could you possibly have the money to buy me anything? You've been chasing me for a year, and the most expensive thing you've done is take me to KFC. I see through you. Let's break up!"

"Yun Yun, I... I didn't lie to you. I promise, in two months, give me two months, I'll work part-time and definitely buy you a brand new one," Zheng Qian said, almost pleading.

"You're a good person, but you can't give me the life I want. Goodbye!" Yang Yunyun didn't listen to his explanation. Her cold and resolute words left Zheng Qian feeling utterly crushed.

Back in the dorm, Zheng Qian slumped over the desk, muttering, "Damn, if I ever catch you, I'll tie you up, drip wax on you, and then whip you. If you're a guy, I'll strip you naked and throw you into a gay group. If you're a girl..."

"If you're a girl, you'll go first?" A mocking voice came from the door. Zheng Qian lifted his eyes to see Chen Zihao, the third roommate. He continued, "I'm not that kind of person who acts on impulse. I'd at least check if you're attractive. If not, I'll leave you to them!"

"Shit." Chen Zihao gave Zheng Qian the middle finger and walked to his desk, turning on his computer.

"Hey, hey, Qian, look at this phone. It's only 199 yuan. It's second-hand and a knockoff, but it looks exactly like your smartphone and can even use WeChat. Why don't you buy it to tide you over?"

Chen Zihao pointed at his computer. Zheng Qian went over to look. Without a phone, it was inconvenient to stay in touch. The words "Specializing in Low-Priced Second-Hand Knockoff Phones" caught his eye. The phone indeed looked identical to his old one. He checked the reviews, which were all positive, and without much thought, he placed an order.

The next day, the delivery man called Zheng Qian. After picking up the phone, he turned it on and was immediately confused.

"Damn, at least reset the phone and wipe it clean. There are still apps from the previous owner. What's going on?"

Zheng Qian tried to delete the WeChat app but couldn't. "What the hell, can't even delete an app?" He stared at the knockoff phone, and with a swipe, he accidentally opened WeChat.

"Huh?" Seeing the WeChat interface, Zheng Qian couldn't believe his eyes. The previous owner hadn't changed the password and it still worked?

Zheng Qian rubbed his chin and chuckled, "Maybe the previous owner is a cute girl? I'll check her WeChat Moments for some private photos... Just like how the photos of Edison Chen spread."

He quickly opened the friend list, but the names made him freeze.

Qin Guang Wang, Chu Jiang Wang, Song Di Wang, Wu Guan Wang, Yan Luo Tianzi, Meng Po, Niu Tou, Ma Mian, Hei Wu Chang, Bai Wu Chang, Di Zang Wang...

"Is this the WeChat of the actors who played the underworld characters in Journey to the West?" Zheng Qian was speechless, swallowing hard.

"Buzz!"

At that moment, his phone vibrated, and a message came through.

"Are you new to the underworld organization? Hello, I'm Niu Tou."

"Niu Tou? Underworld organization?"

Zheng Qian was confused. What kind of organization was this? A pyramid scheme or a cult?

Just as he was about to ask, Niu Tou continued.

"Brother, what gift are you preparing for Qin Guang Wang's birthday?"

"Qin Guang Wang? Gift?" Zheng Qian smiled and typed, "Mansion!"

"Wow, Brother, you're really generous. Can you help me think of something? To be honest, I've been gambling with Ma Mian and the黑白无常 (Black and White Wu Chang) and have almost no salary left this month." Niu Tou sent another message.

Zheng Qian thought, "Is this guy really into the role or just messing with me? But since I have no classes today, I'll play along. Qin Guang Wang is one of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, so a mansion should be easy to find."

"How about a sports car?" Zheng Qian chuckled and sent the message.

"Buzz!"

As soon as he sent it, Niu Tou replied, "Sports car? I can't afford it. Brother, can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back next month."

"Hmm?" Zheng Qian thought for a moment and decided to test him further. "I can lend you, but I'm on a mission and can't go to the underworld. How can I send it to you?"

"That's easy!" Niu Tou replied. "Just write 'For Qin Guang Wang, Underworld' on the mansion, and a ghost will deliver it."

"Ghost?" Zheng Qian almost laughed. This Niu Tou was really good at making things up.

"Alright, I'll lend you a sports car!" Zheng Qian chuckled.

"Gulp!"

Suddenly, as Zheng Qian sent the message, an ancient-looking document appeared in his hand.

Then, a message came through on WeChat. "Thank you, Brother. I'll repay you. Here's the IOU. I have to go now."

"This..."

Zheng Qian felt a chill run down his spine. He stared at the document, which was full of strange symbols. How did it appear in his hand? Out of nowhere? This doesn't make sense. It's the 21st century.

He wanted to ask Niu Tou, but before he could send the message, he saw an update in WeChat Moments.

Niu Tou: "There are still good people in the underworld."

Bai Wu Chang: "What should I give Qin Guang Wang for his birthday? A beauty or a sports car?"

Chu Jiang Wang: "Old Qin's birthday, he'll receive many gifts. I'll make sure to get my share!"

...

Zheng Qian didn't send his question to Niu Tou. He felt something was off, especially with the IOU. He decided to buy a mansion and a sports car and send them to see what happens.

He went to a funeral goods store and bought them. On the way, he checked the phone again. It looked ordinary, with only WeChat installed.

He also noticed his WeChat name was "I'm New." What was this? He didn't understand.

Back in the dorm, Chen Zihao and Meng Nan were playing games, but Xu Zhen was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's the fourth one?" Zheng Qian asked, changing the subject.

Chen Zihao, without looking up, said, "He's probably on a date. Yesterday, he hooked up with a freshman on a forum and saw her photos. Oh, those long legs, he's in for a treat!"

"Believe photos these days? They're all fake!" Zheng Qian rolled his eyes and was about to join Chen Zihao.

"Bang!"

The dorm door was kicked open, and a figure stumbled in.

"Fourth one? Weren't you on a date? What... what happened?"

Chen Zihao put down his keyboard, shocked.

"Damn, move, move... Third one, you..."

"Double kill!"

A sound effect played, and Meng Nan and Chen Zihao's screens turned gray.

Xu Zhen, with a black eye and a broken glasses frame, looked at Chen Zihao, then Zheng Qian, and finally Meng Nan, before collapsing and crying like a child.

"Sniff, sniff..."

"Damn, Leader, you and the fourth one..." Chen Zihao shouted, jumping back, his eyes wide with shock. Zheng Qian was also stunned.

"I won't be bent by the fourth one!" Meng Nan quickly said.

"I was tricked. She invited me to the school gate, we had dinner, and then she took me to a hotel..." Xu Zhen sobbed.

Chen Zihao jumped up, "Did you... Damn, that's a top-notch beauty. Fourth one, you got lucky..."

Chen Zihao wanted to continue, but Zheng Qian glared at him. "If it were that easy, would the fourth one be in this state?"

Xu Zhen took a deep breath and continued, "I hadn't even taken off my pants when two big guys burst in, saying the girl was their sister and I had molested her. They demanded money, and when I couldn't pay, they beat me and took my phone and wallet..."

"Damn, a honey trap!"

Chen Zihao finally understood and cursed.

Zheng Qian felt sympathy. Compared to his stolen phone, Xu Zhen's situation was worse. He felt a bit more balanced.

They accompanied Xu Zhen to the police station and returned late at night.

"Thank you, Brother. Qin Guang Wang has received the gifts and praised me. He's even considering a promotion. I'll never forget your kindness. If you need anything, just say the word!"

Zheng Qian received a message from Niu Tou as he was about to sleep.

After the ordeal with Xu Zhen, Zheng Qian didn't have the energy to think about it. He replied casually and was about to sleep when he remembered something.

"Niu Tou, can you help me with something in the human world?" Zheng Qian sent a message.

Niu Tou replied quickly, "Doesn't Brother remember? We in the underworld can't interfere with the human world."

"Then forget it..." Zheng Qian sent another message, "But if you help me, I'll tear up your IOU."

"..."

Niu Tou was silent for a while before sending, "What is it?"

Zheng Qian was almost asleep when his phone vibrated. He read the message and quickly asked, "Can you help me find out about a phone theft on the 872 bus in Handan City yesterday?"

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End of Chapter 1

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