In a small internet café.
Liu Debao sat in front of an old bulky computer, but his eyes kept darting toward the entrance, his expression anxious.
Earlier that day, he had parted ways with the Mercedes that was picking up his great-uncle on the provincial highway because he needed to deliver living expenses—or rather, pocket money—to his younger sister.
Afterward, he caught a bus heading to the county town and went to Wushui County first.
His sister, Liu Yingying, attended a fully boarding school, though students were given half a day off every week to go out, stretch their legs, and do some shopping.
Shopping might require spending money, and since girls usually liked snacks, she needed a bit of pocket money each month. Otherwise, watching her classmates eat while she could only stare would be miserable.
After handing over the money, Liu Debao didn’t leave immediately. Taking advantage of his sister’s half-day break, he bought her a warm coat and strolled around the snack street with her before finally heading off.
When he arrived in Bright Pearl City and stepped off the bus, he was immediately accosted by an overly enthusiastic motorcycle taxi driver.
He rarely came to the city, usually only visiting the county town, so he found it hard to refuse the persistent driver—especially since the ride to the university district cost only five bucks, which seemed reasonable.
Taking a regular taxi would’ve cost at least ten or more.
As for the bus, he had no idea how to navigate it. He wasn’t familiar with Bright Pearl City, let alone its public transport system.
The motorcycle taxi was the most economical choice.
His cousin, Liu Yutong, had told him to call once he arrived so she could send someone to pick him up. But he didn’t want to trouble her, so he opted for the motorcycle ride instead.
After settling on the price, he followed the driver to the pickup spot—a narrow alley next to the bus station.
Motorcycle taxis and pedicabs weren’t allowed to solicit passengers right outside the station, so they usually parked nearby where it was more convenient.
The driver was quite chatty, probing him with questions—what he was doing in Bright Pearl City, who he was visiting—almost as if he was trying to size him up.
But Liu Debao didn’t pick up on it.
Just as they entered the alley, a young woman on a bike ahead of them suddenly dropped a small black pouch.
Before Liu Debao could react, the driver swiftly scooped it up, grabbed his arm, and pulled him into a nearby internet café.
The place looked like a shady, unlicensed operation—few machines, all old and worn, not even a security camera in sight.
But thanks to its location, business was decent, with nearly every seat filled by travelers killing time.
Liu Debao was completely bewildered by the sudden detour. Before he could say a word, the driver shushed him, paid for two computers, and told him to act like a regular customer.
Sure enough.
Not long after they sat down, the woman rushed into the café in a panic, scanning the room and questioning people one by one.
The driver quickly urged Liu Debao to open his bag, stuffed the black pouch inside, then pretended to start a game, nudging him to do the same.
At this point, Liu Debao was entirely at the driver’s mercy, blindly following his lead, too tense to think for himself.
When people are under extreme stress, they become easily manipulated, losing all sense of judgment—and Liu Debao was no exception.
Only when the woman left did his pounding heart finally settle.
"Finder’s keepers. Whatever’s inside, we split it fifty-fifty, alright?" The driver didn’t wait for an answer before pulling out the pouch.
Inside, there was no cash—just a gleaming gold bracelet.
Before Liu Debao could get a proper look, the driver snapped the pouch shut and glanced around shiftily.
Once he was sure no one was watching, he whispered, "Bro, we just hit the jackpot. This is solid gold."
"Here’s the deal—I know a guy who buys gold. I’ll bring him here, we’ll sell it, and split the cash."
To earn Liu Debao’s trust, the driver even handed the pouch back, tucking it securely into his bag.
"I’m a man of my word. But since we just met, I need collateral—just in case you decide to run off with it."
Under the driver’s smooth talk, Liu Debao mindlessly handed over his phone and wallet.
With the collateral secured, the driver excused himself to "fetch his friend," telling Liu Debao to wait and keep playing games.
Time crawled by.
Liu Debao lost track of how long he’d been sitting there until the computer screen flashed a low-balance warning and the sky outside darkened.
That’s when it hit him—the driver still hadn’t returned.
Panic set in.
He wanted to call his cousin, but he didn’t know her number—it was saved in his phone, which was now gone.
Without his phone, he couldn’t make any calls.
He didn’t have any other family members’ numbers memorized either—just his own.
Going to the university district to find Liu Yutong wasn’t an option either. He didn’t know the way, it was too far, and worst of all, he didn’t even have bus fare.
The longer he waited, the more frantic he became.
Strangely enough, he never once thought to check the pouch’s contents himself.
It wasn’t until another customer, impatient for a seat, shooed him away that he finally gathered his things to leave.
Meanwhile.
The driver—Lai Pihou—had just lost every last cent of his money in a mahjong parlor before storming out in frustration.
But the moment he stepped onto the street, a group of thugs blocked his path.
"Lai Pihou, where you headed?"
"When you gonna pay Brother Bing back, huh?"
Lai Pihou’s legs trembled. "B-brothers, just gimme a couple more days! I’m strapped right now, but once I win it back—"
The leader, a thug nicknamed Little Dao, sneered. "Win it back? You’re so broke you can’t even afford underwear. What’re you gonna bet with?"
"Teach him a lesson!"
At his command, the gang of delinquents descended, beating Lai Pihou until his cries for mercy filled the air.
After beating him up for a while, Little Dao finally signaled his men to stop. He then grabbed Lai Pihou by the hair, yanking him up, and growled, "Brother Bing’s rules were made clear to you from the start. One day overdue, and the interest doubles. If you can’t cough up the money today, I’ll start by taking one of your arms as collateral!"
Lai Pihou was so terrified he started bawling, begging frantically, "No, no, no! Brother Dao, I—I’ve got a way! I just met some easy mark, a gullible guy who’s bound to have cash on him. Once I get my hands on it, I’ll pay Brother Bing back right away!"
Little Dao narrowed his eyes and patted Lai Pihou’s cheek. "Fine. I’ll give you one more chance. If the money’s not here by tomorrow, you’ll be lying in a hospital bed."
"Let’s move out!"
With that, he swaggered off with his gang in tow.
Truth be told, by the usual rules, they wouldn’t have let Lai Pihou off with just a beating. But Brother Bing had given strict orders—no matter what, they had to catch that possible spy girl tonight. That was the only reason Lai Pihou got off easy.
Only after Little Dao and his crew had left did Lai Pihou dare crawl out from the filthy ditch, his legs still trembling.
After catching his breath, still shaken, he called up his old accomplice.
"Hey, let’s pull one last job!"
"Relax, the guy’s broke, but his family’s loaded for sure!"
