A single ticket only netted a little over 100,000...
Zhou Wang hadn’t thought the gap between the second and first prize was so wide, considering he was only off by one number...
Fortunately, he had multiplied all his numbers 99 times. After doubling, the amount was actually a bit more than a typical first prize.
Not bad, not bad. After all, it was free money, and it just happened to cover the huge costs of his trip home this time, filling in his cash flow...
"Okay, then keep the lottery ticket safe. Once you get back to Ming City, you can help me cash it in."
"Huh?"
Listening to Zhou Wang’s not-so-excited tone, Xu Wenqian briefly questioned her life choices.
Could nearly twenty million not stir any emotion in her boss?
Xu Wenqian wanted to ask, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with the money? You’re just letting me cash it in," considering that lotteries only recognize stubs...
But she didn’t have the chance to ask before Zhou Wang said "Good night" and hung up.
"I wouldn’t!"
Xu Wenqian muttered to the darkened phone screen, then giggled to herself like an idiot.
But after putting down the phone and hearing the muffled sounds of her parents arguing outside her room, Xu Wenqian pulled the covers tighter around herself, burying her head deeply...
...
Because he hadn’t slept well, Zhou Wang lingered in bed a little longer the next morning, only coming downstairs around ten when his mom came to call him.
In rural areas, they usually eat quite early; the food was already on the table by ten-thirty, leaving Zhou Wang uncertain if he was having breakfast or lunch...
What surprised Zhou Wang was that Jiang Qingkui, who drove back in a GLC, was already sitting at the dining table.
While eating, Zhou Wang received a message from Xu Wenqian, but before he could check it thoroughly, the bank’s credit message arrived.
"From CMB: Your account ending in 1111 received RMB 15,234,912 on August 4th at 10:41."
After inquiring, Zhou Wang found out that Xu Wenqian had rushed from Yi County to Ming City early in the morning, and then took staff from CMB’s private bank with her to the lottery center. After completing everything, she hurried back to Yi County.
Zhou Wang really wasn’t in a hurry, but clearly, Xu Wenqian didn’t want to carry over ten million in her pocket, which made her feel uneasy.
Zhou Wang also wasn’t worried that Xu Wenqian might run off with the money. The loyalty score on her resume had already soared to "88," nearing "steadfast devotion."
Even if she had any thoughts, changes in her loyalty would immediately be reflected to Zhou Wang. The existence of the [Universal Resume] was simply a godsend for a lazy boss like Zhou Wang.
It’s worth mentioning that Jiang Qingkui’s initial loyalty score of 70 had increased slightly over the past few days, reaching 75. Before returning home yesterday, it was only about 73...
Jiang Qingkui looked rather baffled under Zhou Wang’s strange gaze, and though she remained expressionless, her chopsticks noticeably slipped while picking up food...
Zhou Wang glanced again at his account balance.
The costs over the past few days had been steep; his bank balance of over 25 million had dwindled to just over 17 million.
Now with this amount credited, Zhou Wang’s cash balance had bounced back up to over 30 million...
Winning the lottery twice in a month, Zhou Wang felt like asking, "Who else?"
Having enjoyed a hearty lunch, Zhou Wang’s family prepared to set off back.
Originally, they could have stayed a couple more days; Old Zhou’s work at the archive was quite relaxed, but Zhao Guihua was preoccupied with house renovations. Besides, she would have to come again soon to organize the "Europe travel group," acting as the tour leader, so it didn’t matter much.
They also had to bring Grandma back to Jing City. Although Bao Bai Group offered at-home service, the experience report had to be issued at a designated health center.
Before leaving, Zhou Wang gave his uncle the remaining half of the Fishing Platform, suggesting he share it. Then he sat in the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, waving goodbye to a host of relatives.
If everything goes as expected, the next meeting would be for the New Year...
...
On the return trip, they didn’t bother to keep in line.
Since they’d already received plenty of complaints from Zhao Guihua on their way there, Old Zhou might have wanted to prove his driving skills. The Mercedes GLC quickly disappeared on the rural road.
Zhou Wang wasn’t in a rush, just told Miao Ying to drive slowly while he rolled down the window to enjoy the scenery he wouldn’t see again for a long time.
As they passed a certain small road junction, Zhou Wang saw a familiar crooked tree. Even before any corresponding memories surfaced, a strange excitement stirred in his heart.
"Stop."
Miao Ying obliged and hit the brakes, while Jiang Qingkui looked over in confusion.
"Give me a moment."
Zhou Wang didn’t explain, just opened the car door and got out.
He took another look at the crooked tree to make sure he hadn’t made a mistake, then slowly walked into that narrow path.
After several meters, an expansive yard appeared before him, complete with an old well, although long abandoned, filled with stones and rubbish.
In the well-kept yard, there were three households, all in somewhat old, low houses. Two of the doors were shut tight and seemed to have been uninhabited for a while.
But the innermost household had partly opened double doors, and a girl in a white floral print dress was crouching by the door, playing with a cat lying belly-up at her feet...
Tabby cat?
Zhou Wang wasn’t sure of the breed but knew it was the kind of common stray cat found in villages.
In the noonday sunlight, the elegant silhouette of the girl seemed to be imbued with a glow, her silky but slightly split hair draped over one side, revealing a pretty face laughing with a "giggle."
Her skin wasn’t exactly fair, with a few freckles, yet her lovely features paired with a pure smile made her shine exceptionally bright.
Watching from afar, Zhou Wang vaguely saw a shadow of the young Sister Xiao Yu in the girl.
The scene was beautiful, and instinctively Zhou Wang took out his phone to snap a photo.
But the camera’s "click" finally alerted the little cat, which turned to glance at Zhou Wang and darted away, finally drawing the girl’s attention to this unannounced guest.
Seeing Zhou Wang, the girl was momentarily frozen, then nervously tugged her skirt, seemingly trying to hide her worn-out slippers.
Realizing the futility of that gesture, the girl turned and dashed into the house, leaving Zhou Wang with his hand half-raised, somewhat awkwardly frozen in place.
Thinking he might have been a bit abrupt, Zhou Wang was about to leave when the girl poked half her body from the house again. She dared not meet Zhou Wang’s eyes directly, only glancing up occasionally, a blend of shyness and curiosity in those dark eyes.
"Linlin?"
Finally given a chance to speak, Zhou Wang smiled and waved at her, "Do you remember me?"
The girl moved her lips, as if trying to speak but hesitating, finally giving a gentle nod.
Seeing she remembered him, Zhou Wang approached a bit and smiled, "It’s been a while since I was last here. I happened to be passing by and thought I’d come see you and Sister Xiao Yu. Is your mom home?"
"She is."
The girl finally spoke in rather imperfect Mandarin, "My... my mom’s not... not feeling well, she’s resting inside..."
Zhou Wang assumed she was just nervous and didn’t pay it much mind.
Hearing that Sister Xiao Yu was resting, Zhou Wang decided to leave. He stood in the yard, trying to exchange a few words with Linlin, but she seemed quite reserved, mostly looking down and showing no intent to invite Zhou Wang inside.
Looking at the bashful, timid girl standing there, such a stark contrast to the lively, enchanting little fairy in his memory, Zhou Wang sighed a bit inside.
Linlin had great potential; such a girl born in a wealthy city who knew how to dress could indeed be the "goddess" in many hearts...
But unfortunately, standing here in the shadow of the humble house, without the glow of sunlight, she was so inconspicuous.
After his musings, Zhou Wang was about to say goodbye when there was suddenly a loud noise from inside the house.