1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

The Lotto Centre is located at 40 Wall Street, between Nassau Street and William Street.

This place was originally called the Manhattan Bank Building, where many financial institutions were located, including the Lotto Center.

However, Manhattan Bank later merged with Chase National Bank, and Manhattan Bank ceased to exist.

The name "Manhattan Bank Building" was subsequently dropped, and people mostly used "40 Wall Street Building" instead.

Standing beneath the skyscraper, Xu Shengjie was filled with emotion.

Because he knew that two years later, the skyscraper would be acquired and officially renamed Tangpu Building.

Speaking of Tang Pu, he is quite an extraordinary person.

Life has its ups and downs. Before this, at his most glorious moment, he had a net worth of over two billion.

However, due to various reasons, he soon found himself on the verge of bankruptcy. His net worth of over two billion shrank to only five hundred million, while he was burdened with four billion in debt... And under these circumstances, how could this guy possibly turn things around?

This year, he will clear his debts, dispose of bad assets, and then make a comeback.

Regardless of what methods he used... and what kind of person this guy will become in the future, Xu Shengjie still admires him quite a bit.

"What are you looking at?"

"I wasn't looking at anything, I just remembered someone."

"Who?"

Xu Shengjie smiled and shook his head, saying, "You wouldn't recognize him even if I told you... Come on, we're already here, let's hurry up and cash in."

"Go go go go!"

Tupac said quietly, "Actually, it's not that much. Think about the IRS!"

"Fuck, when you're so happy, don't say such disgusting things."

Xu Shengjie and Zhang Ping'an's faces immediately darkened.

……

The prize money for this week's New York Lotto was not much, totaling $168 million, and I can't even remember the exact amount.

Xu Shengjie and his two companions arrived at the lottery center in high spirits, only to hear some incredibly sad news.

In this lottery draw, besides Xu Shengjie and Zhang Pingan, nine other people bought the same Powerball numbers.

In other words, a total of eleven people won the prize.

$168 million, to be divided equally among the eleven.

"82281.81?"

Zhang Ping'an roared, "WTF, even if all eleven people win and split the prize equally, that's still 15..."

Xu Shengjie blurted out, "152727 US dollars."

The lottery center clerk took out her calculator and said slowly, "According to IRS regulations, lottery winnings of $5000 or more are subject to a 25% federal income tax withholding. This amount is $38181.82; and since the winnings fall within the progressive federal income tax range of $141250 to $307050, the tax rate is 35%, meaning you need to pay an additional 10% in taxes, $15272.73."

Of course, you can wait until tax season to pay the 10%, but there's no way to avoid paying that 10%.

"That's only a little over fifty thousand."

"The New York State tax rate for the bonus amount is 7.125%, so the New York State tax amount is $10881.82."

"Is such precision really necessary? Do we have to calculate everything after the decimal point?"

"This is tax money handed over to the national treasury, not a single cent less."

The blonde receptionist continued, "Then there's the New York City tax. This year, the New York City personal income tax rate is 4%, so that's $6109.09. Adding all the taxes together, the total is $70445.46. Only after deducting these taxes will you receive your bonus..."

Her fingers flew across the computer, producing the final figure: $82281.81.

Zhang Ping'an was as if he had lost his parents.

$840,000 became $150,000, and then shrank back to $80,000.

This sense of disparity was difficult for him to accept all at once.

But that's America!

Even death cannot save you from taxes.

The key point is that it's difficult to avoid taxes on this money unless you make a donation.

They can barely afford to eat themselves, and they're still doing charity?

Zhang Ping'an absolutely refused to be the sucker.

"Eighty thousand is eighty thousand, Jeff. Don't be sad. It's a windfall, every penny is a gain, right?"

Xu Shengjie looked at Zhang Ping'an, who was trying to remain calm, and couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

I knew this damn cheat code wouldn't make me suddenly rich, or bring me windfall gains.

His body can heal itself, but only once, leaving him with a scar on his arm that hasn't faded yet; his language and memory are good, but those are things he has to develop himself. Want something for nothing? His cheat-like abilities don't work that way.

That's enough!

If you can live your life again, every day is a bonus.

Xu Shengjie had a very good attitude towards this. Although he was definitely a little disappointed deep down, it wasn't much.

"Eighty thousand is quite good. At least we can give an explanation to my uncle."

"That makes sense."

Zhang Ping'an had also recovered by this time.

After all, it was an unexpected windfall; $80,000 is not a small amount!

It was already afternoon when he and Xu Shengjie finished all the formalities.

After receiving the money, they still had to wait a few days. The receptionist said that the bonus would be transferred to their respective bank accounts within three days, and all the tax payment receipts were given to them directly, as these would be evidence to deal with the IRS in the future.

"Fuck the IRS!"

As the three walked out of the building, Xu Shengjie and Zhang Ping'an couldn't help but curse in unison.

A man in a suit walked by, looking to be in his thirties, with an air of superiority about him.

"You're right, IRS."

He responded with a word of agreement.

Criticizing the IRS is a daily habit for all Americans.

It's similar to criticizing the president or politicians; no one will bother you.

The prerequisite is: you have to pay taxes!

If you pay your taxes, it's okay to yell at those men in black suits in front of you; but if you evade taxes, the IRS's iron fist will show you what the state's violent machinery is.

"George Belfort, did you guys win the lottery?"

"Oh, I know you. You're that billionaire who made $1200 million in three minutes."

Zhang Ping'an exclaimed in surprise, while George Belfort revealed a smug smile.

"Sir, are you considering investing? Since you know me, you should be aware of my capabilities. Why don't you give it a try?"

Zhang Ping'an was somewhat tempted.

But Xu Shengjie stepped in front of him first, laughing, "Mr. Belfort, we only won a small amount of money, nothing to your liking. Besides, we had planned to use this money... His father is hospitalized and urgently needs the money."

"That's a shame, but it's okay. You can always come to me when you have money."

As he spoke, he handed over a business card and then walked toward the future Trump Tower.

"What are you doing? Why are you stopping me? That's George, the Wolf of Wall Street, the big shot who made $1200 million in three minutes."

"Investing with him will definitely be fine!"

"You think you know anything about finance? That's why you dare to act recklessly?"

Xu Shengjie glared at Zhang Ping'an, then pulled him away.

Tupac agreed with Xu Shengjie, saying, "Justin, when you have money, buy houses and gold; that's the best investment."

These Wall Street vampires cannot be trusted.

"But……"

Zhang Ping'an was still a little unhappy.

But with Xu Shengjie and Tupaike holding him back, he couldn't go back to find George.

Moreover, the business card was in Xu Shengjie's pocket!

……

If it were the early 90s, such as 91 or 92, Xu Shengjie might have actually sought investment from George.

but now……

I've seen "The Wolf of Wall Street"!

Although George doesn't have Leonardo DiCaprio's stunning good looks, Xu Shengjie knows everything about him.

His peak has passed!

In two years, this guy's company will be delisted from the National Association of Securities Dealers, and he will serve 22 months in prison for fraud without parole. Investing in him at this point is tantamount to defecting to the Kuomintang in 49!

Stay away from him, lest you end up covered in blood.

……

The three of them bought three meals from a nearby food truck and filled their stomachs.

This time, it was Tupac who treated us.

The main problem is that Xu Shengjie and Zhang Ping'an are truly out of money!

It wasn't expensive; it cost $15 for the three of us.

Tupac was too quick, which angered Zhang Ping'an so much that he said he would go to Los Angeles to find him and give him a good beating.

"Bro, if you come to Los Angeles, you don't need to bring any money. Tupac will cover all your expenses."

"Then it's a deal!"

Instead of returning to Chinatown, Tupac took a taxi and left.

He's taking a flight back to Los Angeles early tomorrow morning; he still has some things to take care of here.

Xu Shengjie didn't try to stop him. He made a series of dazzling gestures with him, then bumped fists in farewell and got into the car with Zhang Ping'an.

"Justin, next time Amaru comes over, please help look after him."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Ping'an looked at Xu Shengjie with suspicion and laughed, "Although this guy is now hanging around in Los Angeles, he's still considered a New Yorker, a local bigwig. Is someone trying to cause him trouble?"

"It's hard to say. He's too popular right now, and the gangsta rap scene on the West Coast is subtly suppressing the rap scene in New York. I don't know much about the others, but based on what I know about Puff, he won't let this go."

Who is Puff's father?

Zhang Ping'an isn't involved in the hip-hop scene and has little interest in rap.

Although Puff is quite famous, his fame is limited to his own circle... After all, hip-hop hasn't really broken out of its niche yet.

"He's a scumbag. Just be careful when the time comes."

……