Yan Bugui was startled. “This isn’t good. Director Wang from the Military Control Office warned us.”
Old Jia said with a serious expression, “I’m not telling you to rob him. Before, when that kid ate peanuts and candy, didn’t you always use chess games to win them? We’ll do the same thing this time.”
Yan Bugui suddenly understood and slapped his thigh.
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that? This time, I’ll turn the candy and peanuts into money, win his money, and then I can eat meat.”
Old Jia excitedly said, “Exactly! But I need to say this upfront: I thought of this idea. We must work together, and when we win the money, we’ll split it evenly. Any risks, I’ll share with you. Otherwise, I’ll report you.”
Hearing this, Yan Bugui’s expression slightly changed.
Old Jia’s calculations were even more precise than his own.
Before, when he played chess with Liu Cheng, Liu Cheng never won once.
If they gambled with money, wouldn’t it be a piece of cake?
Damn it, he often did this, so why didn’t he think of it today?
Instead, he had to let Old Jia take half the profits.
Yan Bugui felt a pang of heartache, but worried about being reported, he could only nod in agreement.
However, he quickly made a plan: he would team up with Old Jia this time, and later, he would invite Liu Cheng to play chess alone, and all the money he won would be his.
While calculating, Yan Bugui went to get the Chinese chess set.
Then, the two of them arrived at Liu Cheng’s doorstep.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
“Is Liu Cheng home?”
Liu Cheng, full and content, was resting with his eyes closed.
The voice was Yan Bugui’s again.
This Yan Laoxi really had a thick skin.
With a thought, he put all the leftover meat into his system space.
He needed to rely on the Siheyuan Crowd to trigger missions.
He couldn’t always turn them away.
Yan Laoxi returning meant he was probably here to bring him some warmth.
Thinking this, Liu Cheng picked his Kiba as he went to open the door.
“Oh, it’s Old Jia Uncle and Third Uncle.”
As soon as the door opened, Yan Bugui poked his head in, taking a deep breath, as if the lingering scent of meat in the air could satisfy his craving.
Then he rushed to the dining table, his face instantly showing disappointment.
He had already planned to rush to the dining table upon entering the house and grab some leftover meat to eat.
He even had a reason ready: he just wanted to taste his cooking.
But the bowls were all empty.
“Liu Cheng, I saw you bought two catties of meat. Did you eat it all?”
Liu Cheng knew his little scheme perfectly well and grinned, “Yes, I ate it all. I hadn’t had a full meal in days, so I was really starving.”
After speaking, he let out a well-timed burp of satisfaction from the meat.
Yan Bugui smelled the meat on his breath and couldn’t help but swallow.
He grumbled internally, ‘Eating so much meat, aren’t you afraid of bursting?’
Of course, this was just Yan Bugui’s small objective for today.
“What brings you two elders here?”
Old Jia spoke, “Oh, I just found out today that Old Liu and his wife were killed. We just came to see you and hope you’ll bear your grief and not be too sad.”
Liu Cheng said sternly, “I’m not sad, not at all. Although they sacrificed themselves, they will live forever in my heart. Uncle Li even said that my parents died great, died gloriously. I am proud, I am proud of my parents’ actions. Even if I encountered such a situation, I would rush forward without hesitation.”
The two were stunned, despising him in their hearts. ‘His parents are gone, and he’s still proud? Proud of what?’
‘Died gloriously, died great’—those were just words to comfort a little kid.
‘As expected of a mentally challenged child.’
Third Uncle said, “Ahem, it’s good that you’re not sad. We were just worried you might take it too hard.”
Old Jia no longer wanted to waste words, “You’re still young and can’t feel that invisible pressure. Once it erupts, it can cause mental exhaustion at best, and depression or suicide at worst. We’ve already thought of a good way for you to relieve this pressure.”
Liu Cheng secretly chuckled. As expected, they were here to scheme against him.
“What method?”
“Playing chess, just like before. Let Third Uncle play a few games with you. This way, it can greatly relieve your stress.”
Yan Bugui also quickly said, “To enhance the relaxation effect, this time we’ll change the stakes. Before, you and I gambled with peanuts and candy. This time, we’ll use money.”
【Ding, received Old Jia and Third Uncle’s suggestion to play Chinese chess. They want to win the host’s money through the chess game. Accept the suggestion, win Third Uncle and Old Jia’s money. Reward: Intelligence +2, Strength +2, 20 catties of rice, Bad Luck Charm *3, Strong Laxative 1 pack.】
Seeing the system prompt, Liu Cheng really wanted to laugh.
Third Uncle’s chess skills were decent, but they were only at the level of a casual amateur.
Compared to his master-level chess skills, it was like heaven and earth.
Let’s put it this way: even if he gave him two rooks and a knight, it would still be a piece of cake.
Of course, he couldn’t appear too eager, otherwise, it would easily arouse their suspicion.
Thinking this, Liu Cheng frowned, “Gambling with money? Won’t that be bad?”
Old Jia quickly said, “There’s nothing bad about it. Anyway, you have so much money. We’re just playing a few games, it’s harmless.”
Yan Bugui, fearing Liu Cheng wouldn’t agree, also said, “Think about it, if you win, you can buy another two catties of meat to eat.”
Liu Cheng looked tempted.
“Then what do you two say, how much should we bet per game?”
Yan Bugui held up two fingers. He wanted to say 20 per game, but worried about scaring Liu Cheng, he quickly retracted one finger.
“Ten… How about ten yuan a game?”
Liu Cheng was still thinking when Old Jia spoke again.
“Your emotions are bottled up inside and need to be released. If the stakes are just a dime or two, or a yuan or two, it definitely won’t have the effect of stimulating circulation.”
Old Jia’s reasoning was clumsy, and Liu Cheng had to forcefully keep a straight face to avoid laughing.
Having lived two lives, Liu Cheng wouldn’t easily trust them.
The people in the Siheyuan Courtyard had an upper limit to their character but no lower limit.
“It’s not impossible, but…”
At this point, Liu Cheng deliberately paused.
Yan Bugui quickly asked, “But what?”
“What if you lose and refuse to pay?”
“Hey, how could we lose…Pah pah pah , how could we renege on a debt?”
Yan Bugui was too excited and almost let it slip.
“To be on the safe side, we still need to find some witnesses and prepare cash. That way, you won’t renege if you lose.”
Yan Bugui didn’t expect Liu Cheng to be so demanding now, but thinking about the money he could swindle, he patiently endured.
“No problem. We’ll go to the courtyard in a bit. By now, everyone should have finished dinner. We’ll have everyone witness it later.”
Seeing Liu Cheng agree, both were incredibly excited.
In their opinion, not only was Liu Cheng not very bright, but in all of Naluo Drum Lane, there were few whose chess skills were better than Yan Bugui’s.
As long as Liu Cheng agreed to play chess, it was like picking up money.
The three quickly went to the middle of the courtyard and began setting up the chess game.
It wasn’t the first or second time Third Uncle had tricked kids into playing chess to win their candy; everyone around knew about it.
Sure enough, before the chess pieces were even set, people had already gathered around.
“Oh, Third Uncle, playing chess with Liu Cheng again?”
Yan Laoxi smiled, “This time, I’m accompanying Liu Cheng to relax.”
Once the chess game was set, Third Uncle generously said, “I’m the elder, you go first.”
Liu Cheng said, “No rush. Let’s first explain the rules we agreed upon to everyone and have them witness it, so no one reneges if they lose. Also, we’ll play and settle one game at a time.”
At first, the people around didn’t understand what he meant, but when Liu Cheng pulled out banknotes and placed them in front, everyone finally caught on.
“Your stakes this time are money?”