It was undeniably a generation where everyone perceived money as more significant than relationships. Tang Meng, being one of the privileged, displayed great benevolence and nobility to make that courageous decision.
As for the poverty-stricken Ling Yun, decreasing his offer from ten million to five and eventually, nothing was as good as giving up everything he had. Moreover, Ling Yun never liked to be at any disadvantage.
Though there were a few digits difference between the value of the Ferrari and the phone number card, the sincerity that this pair of brothers had for each other weighed more than anyone could imagine.
This might have been a mistake from the start. But it was a rare and beautiful mistake.
The two brothers continued staring at each other in shock before breaking out in laughter. That's the kind of laughter only men will understand and appreciate.
What are you two giggling over?" Ning Lingyu probed with her angelic voice.
"Let's go and help!" Ling Yun signaled Tang Meng to join him. At this point in time, he had recognized Tang Meng as his buddy.
The two of them had their arms around each other shoulders and made their way to the kitchen gleefully.
"So, how much is your Ferrari worth?" Ling Yun was curious.
"It's actually not very expensive in America. But in China, its value can fetch you more than ten of those million-dollars-worth phone numbers."
"A hundred over million?" Ling Yun gave an estimation.
"About there, I would say."
"It's fine brother. If you sell your Ferrari away, where will I get my rides from?" Ling Yun tried to convince Tang Meng out of his decision.
"But aren't you hard on cash now?"
"Erm… It's not very urgent. I am able to get money quickly. I had planned to build a majestic villa at Qingxi beachside and purchase a race car of higher quality than your Ferrari!" Ling Yun uttered.
"Oh… Is that so? If that is the case do you want to buy any bulls?" Tang Meng brought about a random question.
"Bulls? What for?"
"You don't know? All the bulls in Qingshui City have been thrown away because of you, thanks to your level of bullshit!" Tang Meng chuckled, as he made an effort to have a dig on Ling Yun.
"Get out, you asshole!" Ling Yun was offended by Tang Meng's sarcasm.
Inside the kitchen.
What Ling Yun and Tang Meng had dished out earlier were vegetables and the side dishes. Next up was the yellow croaker. Two yellow croakers, one steamed the other braised. At the other side of the kitchen, ten flower crabs had been steamed, ready to be dished out. The fragrant aroma and appetizing looks of the seafood sent saliva drooling down their mouth.
"Auntie, there are enough dishes for dinner outside. Definitely nutritious enough! You should rest and get ready for dinner after slogging it out at work today!" Tang Meng was concerned about Ning Lingyu's mother. She was intending to continue cooking other dishes, such as prawns, pig trotters, pork ribs, and lobster.
Qin Qiuyue smiled and replied. "Look at Tang Meng. He is such a sensible boy. You guys hurry go and have your meal before the food turns cold. Ling Yu, I do not need you here, go and eat with your classmate."
Ling Yun and Tang Meng brought the two seafood dishes out of the kitchen to the living room, while Ning Ling Yu was reluctant to let her mum settle all the work herself. She insisted on staying behind to help her out.
Standing right in front of the dining table is Tang Meng, looking over the six dishes in a state of shock. There was a wholesome variety of dishes present ranging from seafood to meat to vegetables where their appearances alone could have attracted any bypassers' taste buds.
"Bro, did your mother used to work as a chef at a grand hotel before? Her culinary skills are superb!" Tang Meng guessed. Since he had been eating at posh restaurants ever since his teeth started growing, he had a hunch that that might have been the case. "She must be very experienced to cook all these delicacies without referring to any recipes." He then added
"From what I know, the closest my mum did to that was opening her own stall on the street. The business was so good that she had to close early due to the lack of ingredients." Ling Yun shook his head at Tang Meng's prediction.
"But...But she would only be good at those few dishes she sold at her street hawker stall, right?"
"Stop trying to figure it out! Hurry wash your hands and prepare for dinner. It's getting late!" Ling Yun was more bothered about his stomach than Tang Meng's curiosity.
Tang Meng might have been a rather fast driver, but the distance between Qingshui High and Ling Yun's apartment was incredibly far away. That was made worse by the routine Saturday traffic jam. Hence, by the time they reached home, it was already eight o'clock at night. After the delay caused by Tian Botao and the preparation of dinner today, they would only be having their meal at 9 pm. It was quite a rush for Ling Yun, who had a challenge to overcome near the river later on.
"Hey! There're still other dishes that are yet to be served! Can't you wait for Auntie and Ling Yu to join us and eat together?" Tang Meng was displeased with Ling Yun. "This is basic meal etiquette!"
"Alright then. Let us use this free time to discuss some money-making ideas!" Ling Yun proposed.
"What about the money for the phone number? Do you still want it then?" Tang Meng whispered, as he secretly hoped for Ling Yun to say no.
"Obviously! Look at my family's financial state and you tell me I'm not in need of money?" Ling Yun asserted. "Anyway, you do not have to worry. I'll make sure you have your fair share of earnings."
Ling Yun walked towards the sofa and sat abruptly on it, causing it to produce squeaking and cracking sounds.
The culprit for that depression on the sofa must be no one other than Ling Yun. "If you want to return me the whole sum of money you owed me, then you had better listen to what I have to say next."
Tang Meng could no longer hide his curiosity. "Go on bro, tell me what you have up your sleeves!"
"My idea is just one word, gamble! Since your nickname is the Little Gambling God, why not we have a small bet?" Ling Yun smiled sneakily.
Just that one word alone was essential to send vigor and enthusiasm springing up in Tang Meng. However, that did not last long after he realized the limited opportunities for people to place bets on, given their graduation ceremony soon.
"Can't we bet on something else? Something more interesting and worth the thrill. Let's bet on whether I, Ling Yun, am able to admit into university. We can bet on my score as well!" Ling Yun smirked, knowing Tang Meng would find his request absurd.
Deep inside his heart, Tang Meng, like anyone else, knew that was virtually impossible. Pigs and snakes would fly if Ling Yun could get into a university.
"Listen here, not only will I admit into just any local university. I will make sure you see me in Yan Jing University and my name on Qingshui City's honor roll!" Ling Yun added to his statement after Tang Meng took him as a joke.
This time around, Tang Meng could not take it any longer. There is really a need to purchase more bulls in Qingshui City, especially at the intensity of how Ling Yun spewed his bullsh*t. "Brother, if I didn't get you wrong, your intention is to have Ning Lingyu replace you for your year-end examinations, isn't it?" Tang Meng made a logical statement as Ling Yu had never flunked any tests or examinations before.
"I'm being very serious over here! Don't force me to punch you!" Ling Yun was infuriated. How could his buddy not support him?
"I'll just have a question for you? Do you believe what I've said earlier? If you trust my abilities, just follow my instructions; if not you can take your time to ponder over how to get money yourself."
The year-end examinations were only two months from now. How would Ling Yun be able to pass with flying colors and admit into Yan Jing University, given his outrageous results and Yan Jing University's reputation?
However, there's something to not forget about; Ling Yun's incredible memory. "Brother, if you really put in the effort to study diligently, there should be a chance for you to enter into a university course. But, Yan Jing University is out of the question. Your memory might be mind-blowing, but that will only aid your content-based subjects. How will you fare for English and Mathematics, your worst subject?" Tang Meng decided to be honest with Ling Yun.
"You do not have to worry about how I go about securing a place in Yan Jing University. All you have to do is to have complete faith in me. That is the idea behind gambling, isn't it? You only gamble when there are challenges or obstacles that are seemingly impossible to overcome!" Ling Yun uttered, as he was too lazy to explain how he is going about to do it.
"Can you recall how you lost your bet on how many rounds I could run yesterday?" Ling Yun added.
Looking at how confident Ling Yun was, Tang Meng chose to do an exception and have faith in his buddy. "Alright then. Let's gamble on this! But how are we going to go about doing this?" he queried. It was obvious Ling Yun had done enough risk assessment and calculations before initiating this offer.
If he initiated this bet in the past, no one would even bother to consider the impossible. But after the display of his phenomenal memory that set everyone's eyes on fire, the enticement to bet for his entry to university has increased. After all, it was not just one or two that witnessed his unbelievable ability but the whole class, including the teacher-in-charge Mr. Wu.
On the other side of the coin, getting into university is one thing. Admission into Yan Jing is another totally different story. Many scholars have wished their whole life to enter into Yan Jing but were rejected in the end. This goes to show how low the probability is for Ling Yun and his grades to get into the institution.
With these uncertainties, it made the bet an enticing and thrilling one.
Ling Yun himself knew he would be able to get in Yan Jing without any error, but since he had the Little Gambling God by his side, he would not waste this money-making opportunity.
Ling Yun whispered to Tang Meng's ear discreetly about his plan. This got Tang Meng's heart pumping and over the moon! "Are you really serious about this idea? Isn't that as good as digging every last cent from Xie Junyan and Gou Junfa? Wouldn't it be too harsh on them?" Tang Meng was worried as he listened till the end of Ling Yun's grand plan.
"A butcher only slaughters a meaty boar. If you want to earn more, you have to aim for the big fish, my friend!" Ling Yun guffawed, as he talked from experience.
"Wait, brother! What if eventually, you failed to admit into Yan Jing University? Even sacrificing myself and my Ferrari would not be sufficient to pay the winner!"
"Do not think so much, buddy! If I am not able to get into Yan Jing, I'll cover all that you have to pay!" Ling Yun assured Tang Meng with a firm and loud pat on his shoulder.
"That's not what I meant, bro." Tang Meng murmured.
"I know. I understand." Ling Yun said in an unfailing voice.
The buddies' project has been set and they carried out to discuss the minor details and considerations.
"Hey, can you guys help to bring the dishes out, please?" Ling Yu shouted as the two guys smiled cunningly at each other before making their way to the kitchen.