Ace's hand immediately left his bulging waist, and he excitedly twitched his mouth, asking, "How much?"
"Six zeros."
He took off his glasses, snatched the laptop from me, and stared at the screen with wide eyes...
After staring at it for a full five seconds, he shouted excitedly, "I knew I wasn't wrong about you, a whole three million dollars!"
Three million dollars!
Not three million yuan!
It far exceeded his original five million yuan goal by tens of millions!
Ace excitedly watched the skyrocketing numbers in his bank account, tossed the laptop onto the worn sofa, and rushed over to hug me, giving me a kiss on the forehead.
"..." I wiped my forehead, which reeked of smoke, feeling stunned.
"Little guy, as long as you keep up the good work, I'll make sure you're well rewarded!"
Ace was flushed with excitement. He immediately pulled out a stack of yuan and some dollars from his bag and handed them to me.
When he turned around to grab the money, I clearly saw a black gun tucked into his waist.
Just a second's delay in the money transfer, and I would have been shot dead.
"That's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Professor. I don't dare take credit."
Terrified, I held the money, forcing myself to flatter him.
As long as he was happy, I was happy.
"Great job! Tonight, you get a special meal. Whatever you want, I'll make sure you get it!"
Ace patted my shoulder, dancing around in excitement.
I didn't understand. Didn't he have any capable scam artists under him?
Why did he secretly let me handle the scam? There must be something fishy going on.
Once I establish my footing, I must find out...
"Professor, I'd like some Hunan cuisine. Any dishes will do, okay? Oh, and some spicy snacks and other treats."
I asked like a little kid seeking the principal's permission to have snacks.
"No problem, I'll make it happen, and more! Ha ha ha!"
Ace picked up the laptop and left the room laughing.
His bodyguards quickly grabbed the bag and followed him out...
"Phew."
After they left, I collapsed on the bed, finally able to relax.
I had been just 0.01 seconds away from death.
So damn terrifying.
Those two bodyguards at the door stared at me in a daze for a long time.
Had they never seen so much money before?
That couldn't be it!
After gathering myself, I got up from the bed and picked up the money scattered on the sheets and floor.
Counting it, I was stunned.
A total of fifty thousand yuan, plus two thousand dollars.
This meant I had money on me, and it was mine personally.
Converted, it was about seventy thousand yuan, enough to keep me fed for the next three months.
"The smell of money is really nice! No wonder everyone loves it!"
I clutched the stacks of new hundred-yuan bills, tears of bitter joy streaming down my face.
This money came from scamming people, but it meant survival for me here in Myawaddy.
Money was more important than life.
Seeing the envious eyes of the two bodyguards, I handed them each a thousand dollars.
At first, they pretended to refuse, but when I insisted, they half-heartedly accepted and pocketed it.
As the saying goes, take someone's money, and you owe them.
After accepting the dollars, their attitude towards me changed completely.
They even helped me with everything, even when I needed to use the restroom...
Their official salary was supposed to be over ten thousand, but they often got only five thousand, sometimes less.
They accepted whatever Ace gave without complaint because local salaries were generally three to five hundred yuan. A few thousand yuan was already a lot for them.
If they didn't do the job, many others would.
A few thousand a month could support a family, buy furniture, and prevent bullying from local thugs. Naturally, they served Ace wholeheartedly.
Now, giving them a thousand dollars each made me a god in their eyes.
Even more important than their parents.
They scrambled to change my bandages, bring meals, and assist me in every way possible...
Money truly does make the world go round.
I finally experienced being "God" thanks to money.
"Brothers, if Professor Ace gives me a bonus, I won't forget your kindness.
Unfortunately, I've been bullied like a dog in the camp, so I'll need to use this money to smooth things over."
I sighed and told them pitifully.
"Chinese friend, if you need help, just ask. I can't give you money, but I'm good at fighting."
They were locals and not fluent in Chinese, so they were easy to manipulate.
"Thank you. I don't want to trouble you."
I smiled gratefully, giving them two packs of cigarettes.
These were special rewards from Ace, and since I didn't smoke, I passed them on.
Ace kept his word, sending three to four dozen Hunan dishes that evening, along with snacks, drinks, and other treats.
I truly achieved snack freedom.
These things piled up against one wall, and I didn't even have the strength to unpack all the boxes.
It was my first time experiencing the "joy" of unboxing.
How ironic.
They cheated over twenty million yuan from people, but a few thousand yuan, a meal, and some snacks were enough to pacify me.
No wonder they were so rich; it made me angrier the more I thought about it.
Yet I had to pretend to be happy, thanking Ace and flattering him to keep him pleased.
In my heart, I wished they would all die.
But reality is cruel. To survive, I had to integrate into their world...
On the day I was discharged, I gave those two bodyguards a few boxes of snacks to take home to their kids.
These two forty-year-old locals hugged me and cried, leaving me bewildered.
Ace didn't show up, supposedly on a business trip. I was glad not to see him.
This gave me a chance to build rapport with his bodyguards, which might be useful later.
"Chinese friend, here's my phone number. Call me if you need help."
Before leaving, they gave me their phone numbers, genuinely and not just out of courtesy.
"Thank you, brothers! You have been great; thank you for your protection!"
I patted their shoulders, tucked the note into my pocket, and gave each of them a thousand yuan.
I also handed them a pack of cigarettes and two bottles of liquor each as a token of gratitude for their help over the past half month.
To be fair, they never beat or cursed me, unlike the other thugs.
"Thank you, Chinese brother..."