He won 900 million in the lottery.

The bathhouse is the bathhouse we frequent.

The cards were mostly topped up by Zhang Luode.

Me: "Waiter, how much money is left on my card?"

Waiter: "There's still 5800 left."

Me: "So fast?"

Zhang Luode was also curious: "At the end of the year, I recharged 3 yuan, received 1 yuan as a bonus, and also 200 bath vouchers."

The people present remained expressionless. The phone number belonged to Zhang Luode, and everyone knew the password. They usually came here to take a shower and relax, and also to spend more time together.

Me: "Okay, I'll top up another 3, since I come here to play every year."

Every year during the Spring Festival, we basically book a room here. Brothers from all over the country come back, stay up all night to play cards, and warm up our brotherhood.

In the bathtub.

Li Tie did the math: "One clock costs 289, and adding another clock costs 289, so it's only 578. This 4 yuan is gone really fast."

Me: "Let's not talk about that. We're just spending money to have fun."

Soon it was time for the competition: water was added to the sauna, and the contestants saw who could outlast the others.

Here's a tip from my own experience that you guys can try out when you have time.

When you take a sauna, you must get thoroughly steamed. How do you know when you're thoroughly steamed? At first, it's very hot, then you'll sweat more and more, and then your body will feel cold. This cold feeling is very short-lived, and then you'll feel a shiver all over your body!

At this point, you're thoroughly steamed, and the cold air in your body is evaporated—it feels incredibly refreshing!

There are a lot of people here today, so we're playing Texas Hold'em.

One yuan equals one cent, and each person receives 5000 cents.

Haitao: "I'll pay for the smaller ones; I can't afford to pay for the larger ones."

Zhang Luode: "Bigger, smaller ones are no fun."

Zhao Chu: "I'm fine with either."

Zhao Zifeng: "Bigger."

Li Tie also requested something bigger.

Haitao turned to look at me last, because in the past it was always me and him who asked to bet small. But before I could say anything, Zhang Luode said, "Hey, Boss Shen is the host today, so he can't give his opinion. Even if he does, he can only bet big."

Okay, here are the rules in our circle.

Haitao: "Then I'll just keep this 5000. If I lose it all, I'm done playing."

Zhang Luode and the rest of us exchanged smiles: "Okay."

If things really get tough, Haitao will be the most engrossed, which perfectly proves the saying that he's bad at the game but loves to play. He definitely won't leave!

Sure enough, an hour later, they started looking at 200 single copies.

My luck with cards has never been good, so I don't expect to win, especially in Texas Hold'em, where I always seem to run into bad hands!

Let me ask you, do you want to bet on two pairs of tops?

Damn it, the other side has three!

If you start with an Ace, will you press the attack?

The last card dealt to the opponent makes a straight!

All night long, I witnessed countless ways A died...

early morning.

I asked everyone, "Are you hungry?"

Hai Tao, shirtless, said, "I'm not hungry."

Everyone else said they were hungry.

Me: "Alright, I'm done playing. I've lost too much. I'm done."

Zhang Luode and Zhao Chu both suggested "letting the sheep graze." (Letting the sheep graze means not paying the bill.)

Haitao: "Damn it, let's play a few more rounds, I don't believe it."

Forget it, I don't want to play anymore. I have absolutely no luck. I lost more than 3 yuan in one night, and Haitao lost 5 yuan.

Fortunately, our circle has a fine tradition: small sums are settled, large sums are left to roam freely, and we only play cards with our own people. For Zhang Luode, a second-generation rich kid, this is a huge advantage.

Many second-generation heirs squander their fortunes on gambling.

In our circle, gambling and drugs are mortal enemies!

Early in the morning, the six of them drove to a small town 25 kilometers away to drink mutton soup. After drinking alcohol, a bowl of mutton soup the next day is really good for the stomach!

Haitao: "A big bowl, and another plate of lamb trotters, and a plate of lamb head meat!"

I glared at Haitao, annoyed. "Weren't you not hungry?"

Haitao: "I lost so much that I got so angry that I got hungry."

Our circle is actually sick; sometimes I feel like it's all held together by Zhang Luode alone. Zhao Chu has also made considerable contributions in this regard.

Eat the most expensive food.

I always get an extra session at the spa.

Drinking always costs over 1000 yuan.

They are always picked up and dropped off in business cars, and they even hire "princess" (female escorts) to sing karaoke. Each person spends no less than 1000 yuan per trip.

In this situation, the four of us—Li Tie, Haitao, and Zhao Zifeng—are like bloodsucking bats. For so many years, we've relied entirely on freeloading. Even when we reciprocate, it's Zhang Luode who brings the drinks.

A meal in return would only cost four or five hundred yuan. Zhang Luode wouldn't drink regular wine, and he couldn't afford expensive wine either, so Zhang Luode usually paid for the wine.

I wonder how long this unhealthy friendship will last.

After breakfast, everyone went home.

I called a designated driver to go straight back to my hometown. The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and I need to arrange my train ticket to Beijing in advance.

I called Zhou Minyi on the way, but to my surprise, she apologized to me first. She said she was going to the provincial capital to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with her parents. She said she was disappointed, but she was secretly overjoyed.

Then I called Sister Hong.

Me: "I'm going to Beijing and will come back after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

As always, Sister Hong was understanding: "Go ahead, I'll wait until you're done."

Qiuya remained silent. I saw it, but I didn't call out to her either.

After making the call, I received a WeChat message on my phone.

ICBC private wealth management manager Sun Xiaowei wished her clients a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in advance, and then sent a separate WeChat message.

"Mr. Shen, the traditional Chinese medicine health supplements have arrived in your city and should be delivered today."

"Thank you, that was just in time."

"Of course, and happy holidays again. By the way, gold prices have gone up again."

"As expected."

I thought about it and also edited a WeChat message, which I was going to send to Yang Xiaotong. However, I set a time to send it that evening.

I'll send another WeChat message to Liu Chunqiu, telling him that I have something to do and that we'll celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together when I get back from Beijing. The little girl is very fragile right now, so I need to take care of her; otherwise, I'll have to comfort her when I get back.

Alright, everything is ready!

I returned to my hometown.

My mom was overjoyed to see me: "Honey, our son is back!"

My dad's voice came out before he even arrived: "You brat, you finally know how to come back. What's the difference between you in Liancheng and out of town? You've only been home for a few days in two months."

Me: "Dad, I'm catching up with some friends. I'm back home for the holiday."

My mom said, "I was just about to call you. Mid-Autumn Festival is a big holiday, and you need to go to your in-laws' house to give them a big gift."

Me: "Dongling called me. She has to work overtime during the holiday and only has two days off. She wants our whole family to go to Beijing for the holiday, and then spend two days with you guys, going to Tiananmen Square."

My dad said, "I think it's a good idea. I've been tired lately, so it's a good opportunity to go out and rest."

I was about to ask my dad what he was doing at my fourth uncle's place when my mom started yelling at me: "What are you doing there? Let Tianyi and his in-laws go!"

My dad truly loves Tiananmen Square. He only watches war movies and TV series. He can watch "Bright Sword" every day at home without getting tired of it.

Me: "Oh my god, this is the first time. Dongling invited you, so just go. Don't let it end up like that mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflict again."

My mom isn't one to fuss: "Okay, let's go."

I turned to my dad and asked, "Dad, what have you and Fourth Uncle been busy with lately?"

My dad said, "You're getting married and will have to live in Beijing. You'll also have to raise children in the future. I'm worried about the pressure on you, so I'm asking your fourth uncle to help you with a business."

Parents' hearts are always full of love and worry. When I heard that my dad wanted to start a business again, my nose felt a little sore. I really was too disappointing in the past.

Me: "Dad, what exactly did you do?"

My dad: "What can I do? I'm not well-educated, I can only lead a small construction team."

Me: "You still have the money to cover the costs?"

My dad said, "We have a good relationship with your fourth uncle, and I wasn't planning on troubling him. But I'm happy that you're getting married so quickly, so who cares?"

Me: "Dad, I have some money here, and I'm planning to do some construction work. I'll transfer some to you in a couple of days."

My dad said, "If I'm going to do it, then you shouldn't. Construction projects are tough these days; don't put all your eggs in one basket."

Me: "Well, I don't plan to do this long-term. There are other options too."

My dad: "That's fine then."

I never knew what my fourth uncle did. It turns out he was also in the construction industry. I remember my dad telling me that he worked on a construction team when he was young, so I guess that's where our friendship started.

Just then, Qiuya called, her tone still tinged with resentment: "Boss, Zhang Jiehui sent a message saying they'll be at the company this afternoon."

Oh dear, I got so caught up in playing cards that I forgot to tell Qiuya about this.

Me: "Prepare four bundles of tea for me, one bundle per person as a Mid-Autumn Festival bonus."

Although Qiuya had doubts, she still obediently replied, "I understand."

The approach to dealing with Zhang Jiehui and his three companions should be like that of prey, using bait to gradually tame them.

My approach to Qiuya is simple and direct: as long as her heart is with me, I will continuously elevate my status in her heart, completely conquering her emotionally, professionally, and physically.