About ten minutes later, Biao Biao rushed back and retrieved a plastic bottle from under the bed. Yang Jian recognized it as a tool for smoking methamphetamine.
He skillfully tore off a strip of silver foil, then carefully took out a small plastic bag containing four red pills.
Yang Jian asked curiously, "Biao Biao, these four pills cost two hundred yuan?"
Biao Biao nodded without stopping his actions, "Yeah, it's so expensive."
"How many do you take at a time?"
"I don't dare to take too many. I take two at a time to satisfy my craving. Otherwise, my salary won't be enough."
"Haven't you thought about quitting? If you continue like this, you'll ruin yourself. All the money you earn will go to drugs. You won't have money to marry a wife, support your parents, and your health will deteriorate."
Biao Biao didn't have time to reply. He was already using a lighter to heat the foil from below. The red pills gradually melted into smoke, which he inhaled. The water in the plastic bottle gurgled.
"Ah."
A sound of extreme pleasure escaped his lips, and his spirit was instantly invigorated.
After about a minute of smoking the methamphetamine, Biao Biao finally remembered to answer Yang Jian, "Brother Jian, I want to quit too, but it's too difficult."
"Is it because you don't have money?"
"One reason is lack of money. My salary is one hundred yuan a day, plus occasional small earnings. It's about four thousand a month. I have to send fifteen hundred home. Sometimes, what's left isn't enough for the drugs, so where would I get money for a rehab center?
Another reason is the environment I'm in. Even if I quit, it's easy to relapse unless I leave this circle. But I have no education and no skills. If I don't work in this circle, I can't earn four thousand a month."
Yang Jian was about to persuade him further, but Song Jianmin subtly stopped him.
Watching him smoke, his spirit high, Yang Jian was reminded of a saying: "A moment of pleasure from drugs, a lifetime of suffering."
After washing up and getting into bed, Yang Jian discovered that Biao Biao, having finished his methamphetamine, wasn't planning to sleep. Instead, he was rummaging through boxes and cabinets to find a novel to read.
This was a bit much for Yang Jian. "Biao Biao, it's almost one o'clock. Aren't you going to turn off the light and sleep?"
Song Jianmin chimed in, "Don't mind him. People who have taken methamphetamine don't feel sleepy. He won't sleep all night."
"If he doesn't sleep all night, how will he work tomorrow?"
"It's fine. As long as they have methamphetamine, they can stay awake for three days and three nights without any problem."
"Damn, aren't they playing with their bodies?"
"Go to sleep. There are plenty of strange things in this circle. You'll encounter and get used to them later."
After saying that, Song Jianmin pulled the quilt over his head and soon began to snore.
Yang Jian could only tolerate the stimulation of the light and slowly drift off to sleep.
Boss Qin was true to his word and returned the three thousand yuan in betting money before lunch, directly depositing it into Song Jianmin's account.
The gambling game that day was still held at Li Jin's house. Boss Qin didn't show up, but two new bosses were present.
Over four hours of gambling, the rake collected was over twenty thousand yuan. After deducting expenses, the remainder was still given to Li Jin. Yang Jian only received ten thousand yuan, which was all put back into the betting fund.
Song Jianmin's earnings from providing betting codes increased. He received two thousand yuan, while Yang Jian and Li Jin each received one thousand eight hundred yuan.
Yang Jian was very excited. With about ten more days of this operation, he could earn back all the money he had lost. He could go home for Qingming Festival to pay respects to his ancestors without worrying about his father disowning him.
Song Jianmin was also happy. Providing betting codes at this venue was very stable. All the clients were wealthy bosses, and he didn't worry about not collecting the borrowed betting codes. Earning one to two thousand yuan a day was satisfying.
He wasn't envious of Yang Jian earning over ten thousand a day. He knew very well that Yang Jian's future achievements would surpass his. In high school, Yang Jian was a very strong person with a sense of justice. Although he was skilled in martial arts, he never bullied his classmates, and even the school bullies dared not provoke him.
Now, Yang Jian had also made a name for himself in Chengguan and Xunsih River. If he wished, there were plenty of bosses and influential figures in Chengguan who would seek his cooperation.
When the two returned to their rented room, they found the light on in their room again. This time, Liang Liang and Biao Biao were still awake.
"Brother Jian, Brother Jianmin, you're back."
Biao Biao seemed unusually enthusiastic. Yang Jian thought he was going to ask for money again.
Song Jianmin felt the same way, "Why aren't you two asleep yet? Finished your drugs again?"
"We're not taking drugs. Brother Jianmin, are you two earning money outside? Take us with you, we can work for you, carry your bags, anything."
Biao Biao had clearly noticed that Song Jianmin's bag contained cash, and that they were either going out as "emperors" or providing betting codes.
Song Jianmin laughed, "What the hell, why would we need you to work when we're going out to 'chop cakes'?"
Yang Jian was confused, "What does 'chop cakes' mean?"
The three of them burst into laughter.
Liang Liang chuckled, "Brother Jianmin, you're lying again. Brother Jian doesn't even know what 'chop cakes' means. You must have gone out to make money."
Yang Jian continued to ask, "What does 'chop cakes' mean?"
Song Jianmin laughed until his stomach hurt, "'Chop cakes' is a local dialect in Hancheng, meaning to go whoring."
"What the hell! Can't you say something else? Do I look like someone who would go whoring?"
"Alright, you're a gentleman. Then if they want to follow, you're the boss, do you bring them along?"
Song Jianmin passed the ball to Yang Jian.
As soon as Biao Biao heard this, he understood. Their guess was correct; these two were earning extra money every night, and Yang Jian was the main one.
"Brother Jian, the two of us have gone through life and death with you in Chengguan. You can't leave us behind when there's good fortune. We'll be happy just to get some soup while you eat the meat."
"That's right, Brother Jian. Biao Biao and I have been through life and death with you. We're like sworn brothers. Take us along."
Liang Liang also chimed in to support.
Yang Jian had a good impression of these two young men. Although they had many bad habits, one was addicted to gambling and the other to methamphetamine, they were decent people and always showed him respect. Especially in the days after he returned from the hospital, they had even competed to wash his clothes a few times.
"Alright, you two will come out with us tomorrow night. Three hundred yuan a night. But there's one condition: you can't tell anyone else, including Brother Hao."
"Don't worry, Brother Jian. We absolutely won't tell anyone. We'll leave separately tomorrow night. During class time, Brother Hao won't bother us anyway."
Yang Jian nodded, "Yes, I believe that. Also, we don't know how long this will last. No matter how long it is, it can't interfere with Brother Hao's work."
Yang Jian agreed to let Biao Biao and Liang Liang join for other reasons. On one hand, Jianmin had more and more cash, and he returned very late at night. Yang Jian was worried about being robbed halfway, as he couldn't fully trust people like Li Jin.
On the other hand, his own safety needed to be strengthened. Brother Xiong and Baldy's subordinates could attack him at any time. These two young men still had some spirit. As long as Yang Jian wasn't timid, they would dare to fight desperately.