Chapter 700: Chapter 700

After enduring all kinds of contempt and eye rolls from the sales clerk, he left the store with fifty yuan in hand.

Brother Yong sat on the bus pondering how unlucky he had been these past two days. This text is hosted at noⅴelfire.net

Given the situation, he figured he’d better buy some food and head home, avoiding going out again at all costs.

If anything else happened before meeting Fang Xiaohui tomorrow, he might not live to spend this money.

Of course, despite his caution, trouble found him anyway. The bus nearly hit someone, and in avoiding them, crashed into a tree.

Brother Yong’s head slammed hard against the metal rod of the front seat, making him feel like he might have a concussion.

After much hardship, he finally made it home, buying ten sesame buns, a roast chicken, a bottle of wine, and a bag of peanuts at the entrance of the alley, and went straight home.

Only upon entering did he remember the light bulb at home was still out.

Another night spent in darkness, wasting his peanuts, wine, and roast chicken.

He had no choice but to munch dryly on a bun, take a sip of water, and then hit the sack. The next day, he planned to ask the landlord to help replace the bulb, seeing as he was currently playing the role of a blind man.

The landlord pretended to be clumsy as he climbed on a stool to change the bulb, but in reality, he just twisted the bulb a bit and screwed it back in.

Brother Yong stared in disbelief.

Then the landlord went to the back and flipped the switch, only then did he realize the landlord had cut the power on purpose.

Claiming to replace the bulb was just an excuse to extort two yuan from him.

Brother Yong was grinding his teeth in anger.

Apparently, everyone thought they could take advantage of him.

He tolerated and tolerated, keeping this resentment buried in his heart, waiting until he got his money to settle scores.

Once he got his money and his little brother back, the landlord was going to pay.

Brother Yong was too afraid to venture out today. Anyway, he had stockpiled a bunch of things, so he stayed home, relishing his roast chicken and sipping his wine.

After nearly choking to death on a chicken bone, he was too scared to eat any chicken.

Looking at the spread on the table, he seriously wondered if even a peanut could choke him to death if he continued eating.

Is there really such bad luck in this world?

Brother Yong felt nothing was going his way and began searching around.

When his parents gave birth to him, they sought a protective talisman for him.

This talisman was supposedly blessed by an enlightened monk in a centuries-old temple and he had worn it since childhood, as he was a sickly child.

Moreover, bad luck seemed to cloud him.

His caring parents went through the trouble of praying at a temple so he could live to a ripe old age.

With the talisman on, reportedly, his life was smooth sailing.

But he always considered that a joke his parents played on him, as a child. How could he take it seriously?

He had long realized it wasn’t made of gold, silver, or jade, just some broken, rusty metal.

Who could believe it was blessed?

How could a distinguished monk have time to bless it for them?

It was simply the temple monks fooling around.

Yet his parents believed it seriously.

The last time he was on the run, feeling flustered, he carelessly took off the chain and tossed it in his bag, not knowing where it ended up.

The bizarre events of the past two days had him shaken.

He thought, even for peace of mind, wearing it might provide some comfort.

Whether it worked or not, he decided to put it on first.

After rummaging through drawers for two hours, he finally found that inconspicuous broken chain at the bottom of his stitched-up canvas bag.

The dull gray chain was turning black, probably from being worn so long that it gleamed with a shiny patina.

Brother Yong put the chain around his neck, not knowing if it was merely psychological comfort or an illusion.

Suddenly, he felt much lighter all over.

Had Tang Yuan been there, he surely would have noticed Brother Yong’s storm cloud had magically disappeared.

Brother Yong continued enjoying his wine and chicken, aware whether it was because he was being extra careful or the chain’s magic at work.

Throughout his meal until he polished it off, he didn’t choke again.

He glanced at the time; it was almost time to meet Fang Xiaohui.

Brother Yong picked up his filthy bag tucked under his arm, feigned blindness with a white cane in hand, put on his dark sunglasses, and quietly slipped out of his rented room.

Fang Xiaohui had arrived long ago and had already walked in circles for ages.

This was a bench in the plaza, which was bustling with people.

Fang Xiaohui had chosen this spot carefully.

It ensured distance from Brother Yong while maximizing her safety, without giving others a reason to gossip.

Her heart was laced with worry but simultaneously hoped Brother Yong would appear, yet also wished he would not.

If Brother Yong showed up, she’d have to hand over fifty thousand yuan, yet if he didn’t, she feared her pictures would be plastered all over town come morning.

Humans are truly conflicted.

Originally she planned to ask Jiang Xin for help but Jiang Xin, disregarding her lifesaving grace, stood firm, offering only five thousand with not a cent more.

Even though she almost kneeled to plead with Jiang Xin, he showed no pity.

At that moment, Fang Xiaohui regretted meddling in other people’s affairs.

Why was she so nosy back then?

Wouldn’t it have been better to ship her off to that scumbag?

Either way, it wasn’t her money to spend; better let someone else enjoy it.

It’s not like kicking a rock to smash one’s own toe.

Jiang Xin could get her revenge eventually, but dealing with Brother Yong couldn’t be delayed.

Seeing Brother Yong’s current state.

Fang Xiaohui felt somewhat relieved inside.

His miserable appearance confirmed her stuff indeed worked wonders, like the Unlucky Talisman.

If she didn’t show up soon, he might just snap.

Pretending to care, she asked, "What happened to you?"

Brother Yong gave Fang Xiaohui a cold stare.

"Stop pretending. Seeing me must make you want to burst into laughter. I’ve had the worst luck these past days. Do you have the money?"

He demanded the money right at their first encounter. For Brother Yong, getting back on his feet hinged on this money. In his view, the only value this woman had was also just money.

Fang Xiaohui remained motionless, "The photos and negatives?"