"Jim, there's something I need to tell you."
"Go ahead, what's the matter? I'll definitely help you out."
"I can't say it now. Meet me tonight at 9 PM in the park behind the school."
Before I could react, Shirley ran off with a shy expression on her face. But I hadn't even had a chance to say that I must go to the casino tonight! Otherwise, my uncle might actually break my legs...
I spent the whole day sitting in the classroom, not absorbing any of the content, with Shirley's image filling my mind.
She invited me to the small park behind the school tonight, but I don't even know the way... Well, that's not the main issue; the main issue is that I have to go to that damn casino tonight!
If I don't go, my uncle will definitely beat me up. He's beaten me plenty throughout my life, and he's an uncompromising figure. Whatever he says, I have to obey, and he won't let me tell my parents.
Thinking about how my uncle is making me go to the casino to watch people play cards, even though it's after school hours, it's going to mess up my chances with girls! Oh, no, I mean it will mess up my studying!
I really want to ask him if I'm really his nephew! I'm just seventeen years old, and he's making me do all sorts of crazy things.
But every time I mention I'm seventeen, he always says that I'm practically an adult, and I don't know where he gets these twisted ideas from. He never makes any sense.
But what if I miss my appointment tonight?? Will she forgive me? My uncle has always said that when you have a chance with a girl, you should take chance, because whether you succeed or not, it doesn't matter. If I don't go tonight, I won't be able to forgive myself!
The day passed in a daze, and I decided to go to the casino first, then come back before 9 PM. Best of both worlds!
I bought a new phone at the school gate, but when I walked out, I saw a group of people in the distance. I turned back to the phone store, because I saw Gary!
Seven or eight people were walking, with Gary in the middle, puffing on a cigarette and looking like he was on top of the world. I couldn't even believe that I could take him down.
It's been three days since I transferred here, and he must be here to ask me for money, but I don't even have a thousand dollars right now. Even if I did, I wouldn't want to give it to him...
Now that I think about it, going to the casino might not be such a bad idea. If I can get to know some influential guys there, I could easily deal with Gary!Then he won't just ask me for money; he'll have to pay me!
I took a taxi to the casino, and I realized it was next to a residential area, surrounded by restaurants and cuisine. The casino entrance was already packed with cars, but my uncle's BMW wasn't among them.
Honestly, I was a bit hesitant to go in alone. Everyone inside was muscular and tattooed, and I had rushed here so quickly that I hadn't even changed out of school uniforms. Would they beat me up if I went in?
I instinctively checked my pockets; I still had some money, which gave me a bit of confidence.
My uncle used to say that a man's purse is her second face, and money is a man's backbone. With money, you can be confident, and you won't feel intimidated no matter where you go!
I stood at the entrance for a while, then gritted my teeth and walked in. After all, my uncle was Danny; He shouldn't do anything to me.
As soon as I pushed open the curtain at the entrance, before I even stepped in, I heard a loud roar. Everyone's gaze instantly focused on me, and more than a dozen men stood up, brandishing steel rods and knives!
I was almost scared out of my wits, and I felt a bit damp in my pants. I had only seen scenes like this in movies from my childhood until now. I regretted stepping into this damn casino. If I had a chance to do it over, I would never step inside again!
They all froze, staring at each other wide-eyed. The lively casino suddenly fell silent, as if it had turned into a graveyard. You could hear a pin drop, and I wondered if my uncle, that son of a bitch, had tricked me again.
Last night, I had caught my uncle cheating as a card sharp. Could it be that he intentionally lured me here to silence me? Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, I'm taking the first step into the afterlife!
In that moment, my scalp tingled uncontrollably. A big guy with a blue crew cut walked out from the crowd. He was covered in tattoos of dragons and tigers, with many cigarette scars on his arms. Pointing a machete at me, he asked, "Hey, where the hell did this little brat come from?"
I was so scared that I couldn't speak. I wanted to say my uncle's name, but not a single word came out. Tears were almost welling up, and without a second thought, I stood up and bolted for the door!
"Damn it! Catch him! He's definitely a spy sent by Duane!"
"Get him!"
Just as I ran out the door, I was tackled to the ground. I ate a mouthful of dirt and was instantly dragged back into the casino by a few people. I desperately tried to explain that I didn't know any Duane, and that I was Danny's nephew, but they didn't listen at all.
"Damn it, spill it out! Did Duane send you? If you don't spill the truth, I'll beat you to death!"
"He's definitely here to probe us. Let's incapacitate him first!"
Facing a group of tough-looking old gangsters, I felt like I had no way out. Just as I was about to give up hope, a woman yelled, "Let him go, he's here to see Danny."
Seeing this woman, I nearly cried. She was Sophie, and she had seen me with my uncle yesterday!