There’s nothing more comforting than praise coming from one’s own daughter.
At the same time, he felt even more determined to pursue the anti-gambling cause.
"Lin, do you have any important matters at hand right now?" Old Zhang looked up at Lin Chuan.
Before Lin Chuan could speak,
The Little Landlady interjected, "Old Zhang, don’t start making plans for Lin Chuan. He has big things to handle recently."
"What a shame."
Old Zhang exhaled regretfully, "If Lin is free, with his magical Cheating Techniques, he could help people quit gambling in minutes. By then, we father and son would surely make all the casinos tremble in fear."
"I should be available after I wrap up my current tasks," Lin Chuan said with a grin.
Old Zhang had his plans, which Lin Chuan naturally supported.
With him involved, the Little Landlady also felt much more at ease.
Otherwise, it would only be a matter of time before Old Zhang got swindled, with just his wits alone.
"Lin,"
Old Zhang gave Lin Chuan a look.
"What is it, Old Zhang?" Lin Chuan asked in surprise.
"Your Cheating Techniques..." Old Zhang grimaced, somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing Old Zhang’s expression, Lin Chuan quickly surmised his thoughts.
Overall, Old Zhang probably felt that his Cheating Techniques were not up to par during the anti-gambling efforts and found them wanting.
Furthermore,
The Cheating Techniques mentioned in "swindler" not only required talent but also required teaching.
Otherwise, no matter how much one practiced, the subtleties would remain elusive.
"Did you bring cards?" Lin Chuan asked.
Old Zhang’s face lit up: "How many decks do you need?"
"How many decks have you brought? How many Dice?" Lin Chuan responded with a slight start.
Old Zhang grinned and said, "I’ve brought four decks of cards and three dice."
As he spoke, Old Zhang promptly pulled out two decks of cards from various places in his down jacket.
"So you were thinking of asking the chairman to teach Cheating Techniques when you said you’d treat us to a meal?" The Little Landlady’s pretty face froze for a second, thinking her father had missed his daughter.
Cripes!
"I’m a member of the Cheating Sect too; it’s only reasonable for me to seek guidance from the King of Cheating, right?" Old Zhang chuckled.
"Reasonable,"
The Little Landlady pursed her lips, "I’ll go hurry the food along, I’m about to faint from hunger!"
"Alright, off you go."
Old Zhang, full of smiles, shuffled a deck of playing cards in his hands and then proceeded to discuss specific steps of Cheating Techniques with Lin Chuan.
Old Zhang was currently involved in anti-gambling, not in gambling itself.
Therefore, teaching Cheating Techniques now did not constitute the crime of teaching criminal methods.
Lin Chuan taught with peace of mind.
Old Zhang learned earnestly.
It had to be said, Old Zhang truly had the talent to become a master of the Cheating Sect. Many of the techniques he could grasp after being taught just once or twice, and he could already implement them.
If he trained more, he would surely handle them with ease.
Two hours later,
Lin Chuan and the Little Landlady patted their stomachs; the table was full of dishes they enjoyed to their hearts’ content.
Old Zhang was also very satisfied.
Tonight, his Cheating Techniques had made significant progress.
His anti-gambling strength was now even greater!
The night deepened.
The sparse clouds scattered gradually, leaving only a thin veil covering the bashful moon, while a few sparse stars embedded in the sky were twinkling faintly.
The Little Landlady rested her head on Lin Chuan’s arm, filled with a smile, "Chairman, I was wondering, what could we do when we get old?"
"We could do anything!"
Lin Chuan spoke candidly.
Theft, cheating, assassination, hacking, and more—he was a master of all.
"We should create some sort of association, just like the Anti-Gambling Association Old Zhang is in; then we’ll have something to do!" Little Landlady mused.
"A Crime Association might work. I’m quite familiar with that," Lin Chuan said with a smile.
"Could..."
Just as Little Landlady began to respond, she spat out, "Crime Association? Are you thinking of ending up in the police station?"
"Ha-ha-ha! I’m just joking," Lin Chuan laughed.
"You all are still young. Why are you thinking about old age matters now?" Old Zhang said with a laugh and a tease.
"Just thinking out loud."
A happy smile spread across Little Landlady’s face.
"Thump-thump, thump-thump."
A knock sounded from beyond the private room door.
"Come in," Old Zhang, thinking it was the waiter, called out.
"Old Zhang, it’s me!" A familiar voice came from outside.
—Chen Ming.
"Chen! Come on in!" Old Zhang got up, opened the door to the private room personally, and welcomed him in.
Chen Ming’s face was slightly red, probably from a couple of drinks, but he was still clear-headed.
"Old Zhang, Writer Lin, Zhang, forgive the intrusion," Chen Ming said as he walked into the room, almost apologetically.
"What are you talking about?"
Old Zhang looked at Chen Ming and even made a quip.
Chen Ming chuckled, "I really am intruding."
"Do you have some urgent matter, Expert Chen?" Lin Chuan asked indifferently.
"There’s no urgent matter, just that I currently have some materials on hand that I’d like to discuss with Old Zhang," Chen Ming said with a grin.
"What sort of materials?"
Old Zhang’s eyes instantly lit up.
"Just now, at that dinner event, they invited our Anti-Gambling Association to do some publicity. I was thinking, why not bring you along? We can go together!"
Doing publicity for anti-gambling wasn’t a big deal.
Thus, Anti-Gambling Expert Chen Ming didn’t avoid Lin Chuan.
"Tomorrow? Of course, there’s no problem!"
Old Zhang grinned cheekily.
Clearly, he was very eager to undertake this task.
Chen Ming turned to look at Lin Chuan, invitingly, "Writer Lin, why don’t you also come to do some publicity?"
Lin Chuan waved his hand, "I have important business at the company tomorrow."
"What a pity. Writer Lin’s cheating techniques are like divine skills, still fresh in my mind! Even after so much time, they are as strong as ever," Chen Ming said with a smile.
Lin Chuan waved his hand again, "You flatter me."
On the river, a winter morning, the sun weakly pierced through the hazy mist, as if a delicate veil gently covered the tranquil water surface. The cold air was biting, and a slight mist permeated the atmosphere. The vast expanse of water vapor blended with the river, creating an ethereal world.
Occasionally, a few early birds glided over the surface, causing ripples and disturbing the silence. The sunbeams danced upon the waves, shimmering with golden light, like stars twinking and waltzing on the water.
In the distance, the mountain outlines were faintly visible, as if proclaiming their grandeur and solidity. At the mountain’s foot, several fishing boats gently swayed on the water, as the fishermen started their day’s labor. Their silhouettes were elongated and warmed by the sunlight, exuding extraordinary serenity.
Along the riverbank, morning exercisers were either jogging or practicing Tai Chi, breathing in the fresh, cold air, their faces displaying contented smiles. The willow trees remained tall, having lost their summer greenery yet showing an even greater resilience and tenacity during the winter.
As time passed, the sunlight grew brighter, and the mist started to dissipate, gradually unveiling a clear and vivid scene. This was a peaceful and beautiful tableau that made one helplessly immerse themselves in the simplicity and purity of winter’s early light.
The southern winter, unlike the north’s snowy blanket, had its own unique charm. The air was filled with a faint moisture, and the light drizzle was like the tenderness of a Jiangnan woman, delicate and lingering. The trees lining the streets remained lush, with an occasional yellow leaf drifting down in the breeze, recounting the changing of seasons.
People in heavy coats either hurried by or strolled leisurely, each face harboring a faint trace of worry or contemplation. From the alleys wafted plumes of cooking smoke, mixed with the clatter of household pottery, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere of life.
In the distance, fog enshrouded the river where a black-awning boat floated silently, its boatman rowing quietly, cutting through the waves and leaving behind a trail of plump ripples. Every so often, the crisp and pleasant calls of birds pierced through the mist, adding vitality to the silent winter day.
In the park, children chased and played with laughter echoing around, as if vying with the gentle winter for vitality. Meanwhile, the elderly sat in pavilions, playing chess or conversing softly, their faces radiating satisfaction and tranquility.
The commercial district remained bustling and noisy, with neon lights flashing. People flowed in and out of various shops, the sounds of bargaining endless. In front of the steaming food stalls...

Comments

Loading...