Chapter 5

C5 – Big Prize

The portly man clutched a handful of scratch-and-win tickets.

Observing the chubby man meticulously counting each scratch-and-win ticket, Ye Hao’s heart sank. He thought, “Is he seriously planning to buy all these scratch-and-win tickets?” With this in mind, Ye Hao moved forward and lightly nudged the plump man.

Startled, the rotund man looked at Ye Hao and asked, “Brother, what’s up?”

Ye Hao whispered, “I saw someone pull a winning ticket worth a hundred yuan from your stack of scratch-and-win tickets just now.”

“Oh my goodness.” The plump man nonchalantly discarded the stack. Clearly a seasoned scratch-and-win player, he knew a stack usually had only one winning ticket.

Seeing this, Ye Hao was overjoyed.

Glancing at the stack of lottery tickets, Ye Hao looked away momentarily. Seizing the moment when the plump man’s attention wavered, Ye Hao swiftly tore off the twenty-thousand-yuan winning scratch-and-win ticket.

“Boss, I want to buy this scratch-and-win ticket.” Ye Hao handed over ten yuan and requested.

Rather than scratching it there, Ye Hao pocketed the ticket and left.

The owner of the lottery shop lacked the authority to redeem a twenty-thousand-yuan scratch-and-win ticket. Ye Hao had to head to the city’s sports lottery center.

Storing the lottery ticket in his pocket, Ye Hao mounted his bicycle and headed home.

“If you fail to settle the bank loan tomorrow, we’ll proceed with legal action against you. When the court forecloses on your property, don’t blame me,” a bespectacled staff member warned.

Ye Zhiguo hurriedly requested, “Can we have another two weeks? By then, I’ll have the funds to repay you.”

“This payment has been overdue for three months already,” the bank employee responded with an icy tone.

Before Ye Zhiguo could say more, the young man declared, “I’ve already notified you of the final deadline for payment.”

Then, the young man turned around and left.

Ye Zhiguo’s eyes immediately dimmed.

Guo Xiu tried her best to hold back her tears.

“Zhiguo, can’t we stay here any longer?” Guo Xiu asked, choking with sobs.

“I will think of a way,” Ye Zhiguo said in a deep voice.

“Zhiguo, why don’t we sell the house?” Guo Xiu said after a moment of silence.

“No,” Ye Zhiguo refused decisively.

“But if we don’t sell the house, we won’t be able to pay off the bank’s loan at all. When the court confiscates our house and auctions it, we won’t be able to sell it for much money. ” Guo Xiu said.

“In short, I will think of a way.” Ye Zhiguo shook his head.

He was determined not to sell the house.

At this moment, Ye Hao arrived home on his bicycle. He smiled and said, “Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

It was at that moment that Guo Xiu comprehended what she had blurted out.

“Hao, your father and I will handle this lottery ticket for you,” Guo Xiu spoke softly.

“Mom, you don’t need to worry. After converting the lottery ticket into cash, you can use it as needed.” Ye Hao smiled and said, “I’ll head to my room to rest.”

Upon returning to his room, Ye Hao stretched out on his bed. With his keen sense of hearing, he could, of course, pick up his father’s conversation with the bank personnel.

Understanding that his parents wished to keep this from him, Ye Hao pretended not to be aware.

Ye Hao comprehended his parents’ intention behind this decision. On one hand, as he was approaching his college entrance exams, this sort of situation would only augment the stress he was feeling. On the other hand, from Ye Hao’s parents’ perspective, even if he were aware, he wouldn’t be able to provide any assistance.

“Zhiguo, when Hao goes to school, we can visit the city’s lottery center and cash in the winning tickets for money,” Guo Xiu stated after glancing towards Ye Hao’s room.

“Yes, let’s go together.” Ye Zhiguo affirmed.

“Finally, we can take a breather.” At this juncture, the anxiety on Guo Xiu’s face eased somewhat.

The days marked by incessant debt repayments had burdened Guo Xiu with immense stress.

Ye Hao felt a wave of relief wash over him upon hearing this. It appeared that the twenty thousand yuan had provided a temporary solution to his family’s plight. As for the remaining debts, they would be cleared sooner or later.

Ye Hao believed that he would unearth a means to amass wealth within these upcoming months.

Yet, he had a critical duty to attend to — his studies. Presently, Ye Hao’s focus was on committing all the knowledge from his books to memory.

Time slipped by with each passing day.

The following day was slated for the monthly examination, resulting in the school omitting evening study hours.

Riding his bicycle homeward, Ye Hao pedaled through a small alley, where he caught the sound of an astonished cry.

“Help!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Hao turned and headed towards the narrow alley.

“Who’s there?” Ye Hao’s voice resonated with authority.

As he spoke, he spotted the girl seated on the ground. She was dressed in a school uniform, her beautiful face etched with fear.

“Lee Qianqian,” Ye Hao exclaimed in surprise.

Ye Hao had been neighbors with Lee Qianqian for years; he couldn’t possibly not recognize her.

Although Lee Qianqian’s family had moved away a few years ago, severing their contact, Ye Hao hadn’t anticipated her transformation. She had grown exceptionally beautiful over those years, even eclipsing Lan Xiaodie’s charm.

“Ye Hao, help me!” Lee Qianqian immediately cried out upon seeing him.

“Don’t worry, I’m here.” Ye Hao comprehended that he was her sole refuge, and he had no intention of stepping back.

Ye Hao left his bicycle to the side. In his peripheral vision, he caught sight of a brick near Lee Qianqian. Swiftly, he closed the distance and grasped it.

Then, Ye Hao turned around to ascertain who was tormenting Lee Qianqian.

However, upon recognizing the individual, Ye Hao couldn’t help but feel a shiver of dread.