Days in Hong Kong variety shows

"Young people all want to be young and energetic, but sometimes they have to consider many other things!" Cao Tai sighed softly.

I'm practically an unregistered individual now. Even if I were to win all 10 horse races today with my extraordinary observation and analysis skills and win a grand prize of over ten million, I could collect the smaller prizes directly from the betting station. But for a grand prize of tens or hundreds of thousands, I would have to provide my bank card to the Jockey Club for a transfer.

Without an ID card, one cannot open a bank account. Without a bank account, receiving millions in cash prize money would easily attract the attention of triads or those coming to Hong Kong for lavish meals. If someone tries to take advantage of the situation, it would be difficult to defend oneself.

If you fight back and kill them, your identity will definitely be exposed, and you'll be wanted. If you want to make a living in Hong Kong, you'll only be able to work underground. Living a life of hiding is not something a human being can do.

If you don't fight back, the triads will know you're carrying millions in cash. At least 90% of the hundreds of thousands of gangsters in Hong Kong want a piece of the pie. And the triads' bounty is harder to get than the police's wanted notices because gangsters are infiltrated into all walks of life in Hong Kong, and they can easily be exposed if they're not careful.

Most importantly, the prize money is not large, and you can redeem the prize money and receive cash directly at the racecourse without needing an ID card. If the amount is too large, the racecourse will require proof of identity before redeeming the prize, so even if you win a multi-million dollar prize, you will not be able to claim it.

As his thoughts drifted, Gang Sheng tightened his grip on Cao Tai's hand, as if offering courage and encouragement.

Holding the girl's hand in return, Cao Tai met her clear eyes, smiled, and gently squeezed her soft, delicate hand, saying, "Don't worry!"

"Old Huang, Uncle Da, the next game won't start for another half hour. Let's go inside, rest for a bit, and have something to drink! It's too hot outside, and it's not comfortable to be out in the sun."

"Hmm, good suggestion." The overweight person had just worked up a sweat from cheering intensely as a cheerleader, and being exposed to the sun again made him feel a bit short of breath and chest tightness.

The lottery winner, Cao Dahua, treated everyone to five cans of iced cola from a vending machine, and the five of them stood in a corner.

Old Huang and Uncle Da both downed a 330ml can of Coke in one go, and then both burped.

Cao Tai helped Gang Sheng, who had never seen canned Coca-Cola before, to pull the tab first. He watched as she gently pursed her naturally rosy lips, swallowed with small sips, and her eyes half-closed, revealing a look of delight.

On a hot summer day, a sip of ice-cold sweet water can indeed make one feel refreshed and happy.

Cao Tai pulled the tab on his can, shoved the opening into his mouth, emptied the can in two gulps, and then let out a comfortable burp.

Xiao Fu tried to imitate Cao Tai by taking big gulps, but accidentally choked and was ridiculed by the duo. Even Gang Sheng couldn't help but show a happy smile.

......

As dusk fell, the duo and the trio followed the flow of people out of Sha Tin Racecourse!

Although he verbally refused to admit defeat, Lao Huang had already convinced himself of Cao Tai's judgment. So, as the leader of the duo, Lao Huang stood up and followed Cao Tai's guidance to place bets boldly, preparing to seize what he believed to be his destined windfall.

Cao Tai did not disappoint the duo. Under his guidance, although their winning rate was only around 30%, they still made a killing, winning over 18 yuan from an investment of a few thousand yuan.

Cao Tai, who was in charge, only received a prize of over 200,000 yuan on the spot. However, he still had dozens of winning betting slips in his personal space, with each winning amount ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan, the largest of which was over 600,000 yuan.

Cao Tai made a profit of nearly 1300 million HKD from the Hong Kong Jockey Club this time. This is considered unexpected income in Hong Kong and is not subject to tax. It can be said that the 1300 million HKD is pure and unadulterated income.

Although 1300 million is a small fraction of today's total betting amount of hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars, Cao Tai and his two companions cannot claim this huge prize without Hong Kong Island ID cards and bank cards.

So he used some loose single betting slips to win tens of thousands or thousands of dollars, went to the prize redemption office at the racecourse to collect about 200,000 dollars in cash for later use, and put the remaining winning lottery tickets into his storage space to see how to use them later. Even if he wanted to claim the prize himself, he had to get his Hong Kong Island identity within 60 days, because the prize redemption period was 60 days.

"Hey, Ah Tai, where are you guys going?" Old Huang asked, still in high spirits.

"Oh, we live on Yen Chow Street!" Cao Tai casually gave a Sham Shui Po address.

"Will you drive yourself?"

"Take the bus, okay? There are so many people now, I'm afraid we won't be able to hail a taxi. Let's wait until there are fewer people and take the bus back a little later!" Cao Tai said in a deep voice, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He's considering going to Kowloon first. Going to less populated areas might attract more attention, so he'll go to densely populated areas first. Even if there are still checks, the police won't have any definite information about where he and his group are staying, so the checks will be much less intense.

If the three of us hide well and hold out for a few days, we can figure out how to get Hong Kong residency.

It's easier for Hong Kong students to obtain their identity cards, since they were born on Hong Kong Island. As long as they find the midwife who delivered them and get their birth certificate, they can go directly to the Immigration Department to apply for an identity card.

As for Cao Tai and Xiao Fu's identities, they need to find someone with connections to help them obtain Hong Kong Island identity cards. At that time, the lottery tickets in his hands might be more useful than cash. After all, since the lottery tickets are anonymous, even if public officials take them to redeem prizes, it is still legal income, and the ICAC cannot find fault with it.

"Why don't we go together? Let's take Brother Yao's car. Brother Yao lives in a low-density residential area. It's just a short walk to Sham Shui Po!" Cao Dahua suggested from the side.

"I didn't realize you were so capable, Lao Huang," Cao Tai joked.

"Hey, it's not even 2000 square feet yet. I bought it for less than HK$600,000 a few years ago! If I had gritted my teeth and taken out a small loan back then, I would be living in a 3000-square-foot apartment in Grandview Garden in Mid-Levels now. A single apartment in Grandview Garden now easily starts at HK$3 million. I really bought it at the peak of my career back then." He spoke with humility.

But what's with that proud look on your face?

"Brother Yao, this apartment of yours costs over two hundred dollars. It's a ten-minute drive to work, and Jia Hui Garden requires crossing the sea. Of course it's comfortable here." The shoe shiner chimed in promptly.

"Enough with the nonsense, the three of you get in my car and head back. We'll find a restaurant in Kowloon Tong and have a meal together. Thanks to Thai for taking us two to get rich today, and consider it a get-together with new friends." Old Wong made the final decision.

......

When the five of them came out of the restaurant after a satisfying meal, it was already past 10 p.m. If the restaurant hadn't been closing, the duo of Xian, Jian, Chui, and Ru would have insisted on continuing to drink with the other three.

Old Huang spent nearly 6000 yuan on this dinner, which was a huge expense. At that time, this amount was equivalent to a month's salary for a senior white-collar worker in Central.

Standing on the street, the evening breeze made Lao Huang, who was already a little drunk, even more intoxicated. Although he wasn't completely unconscious, he looked unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

At dinner, Lao Huang generously ordered four 500ml bottles of aged Moutai, costing nearly 2000 yuan. The two of them shared one bottle. Now Lao Huang is practically ready to chop off a chicken head and burn yellow paper with Cao Tai to become sworn brothers.

Although Uncle Da's face was also flushed, he at least remained sober and tried his best to control Lao Huang so that he wouldn't completely lose control.

Although Cao Tai rarely drinks alcohol, he used to be able to drink about half a kilogram of baijiu (Chinese liquor). Now his physique is far superior to that of ordinary people. Tonight, he drank two bottles by himself and felt like he was drinking water, without feeling drunk at all.

Xiao Fu, who drank a bottle of Moutai by himself, only had a slight flush on his face, but his eyes remained clear and bright.

"Uncle Da, it looks like Lao Huang isn't doing well. Why don't you take a taxi and send him home? We can go back ourselves." Before the party ended, Lao Huang was still clamoring to treat everyone to a Finnish sauna tonight, but seeing how unsteady he was, Cao Tai suggested that we call it a night.

"Okay, you've written down my and Yao's phone numbers. Just contact us if anything happens! I need to get Yao back right now." Uncle Da replied while hugging Lao Huang from behind to keep him from falling to the ground.

"Alright, that's all for tonight!" Cao Tai helped flag down a taxi, helped his assistant put Director Huang in the back seat, and waved goodbye as the taxi drove off.

Previously, they only mentioned that they rented a place and that the rental house did not have a telephone, so they did not leave their contact information with the duo, but they did get the duo's contact number.

Around 11 a.m., the three of them found a small hotel in Mong Kok and booked two rooms. Usually, many small hotels do not require identity registration; as long as you pay the deposit, you can check in anytime.

After two days of commotion, I can finally take a hot shower and get a good night's sleep tonight. Of course, although Cao Tai and Gang Sheng shared a room and slept on a 1.2-meter "big bed," Cao Tai only cuddled up Gang Sheng's fragrant body after his shower and slept soundly.