CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28 CAUGHT UP IN TROUBLE

The boss watched the person walk away, then handed the coins to Shi Yang, saying, "That guy always comes to play, and every time he plays the fruit machine. Don’t pay him any mind. Here, consider these coins a gift from me."

Shi Yang didn’t take them, instead righted the chair that had fallen and apologized politely, "I’m sorry. If that guy hadn’t bullied my sister, I wouldn’t have fought with him."

Shi Yang had a good appearance, and outsiders would quickly feel trust and affection upon seeing his face.

The boss nodded, "No worries, it’s not your fault at all."

Qu Chaozong had gone out to buy water, and upon returning, saw Shi Yang talking with the game room boss and quickly joined them, "What’s going on? Buying more coins? I’ve still got some!"

Shi Yang waved his hand, "No, just had a fight with someone earlier."

Qu Chaozong slapped his thigh, "Damn! Which ************.

The boss seemed amused, dismissing them quickly, "Go play now, it’s all good."

Shi Yang turned to look at Zhao Meimei, her little eyes were twinkling with admiration as she looked at him.

Shi Yang took the drink from Qu Chaozong, opened the cap and placed it in front of Zhao Meimei, "Drink up."

Zhao Meimei’s eyes lit up, "Brother Yangyang, you were so cool just now!"

Shi Yang chuckled awkwardly, and ruffled her hair, "Go play your game!"

Zhao Meimei turned back to find the start button, noticing two more characters beside it. She only recognized the word "add" at the front, so she pulled Shi Yang’s arm, "Brother Yangyang, what’s this add for?"

Shi Yang glanced, "Double."

Zhao Meimei memorized the word and asked, "What does it mean?"

Shi Yang explained, "It means that when you bet, you can increase the multiplier."

Zhao Meimei pressed the button, and the machine emitted an enthusiastic shout, "Awesome!"

Zhao Meimei was extremely surprised and pressed it two more times, the machine called, "Great, doubled again!"

Zhao Meimei giggled with delight, her fingers rapidly pressing a few more times until she used up all the stored points before letting go.

Qu Chaozong was pestering Shi Yang about the fight earlier when suddenly they heard Zhao Meimei exclaim in surprise, followed by a burst of clinking sounds.

They both turned simultaneously and saw Zhao Meimei jump off the chair, crouch by the coin outlet, reaching in with her hands while turning back to call, "Brother Yangyang! Come quick!"

Others in the game room heard the commotion and turned to look as well.

The fruit machine kept spitting out coins in rapid succession.

The game room boss came over too, not appearing upset at all, smiling as he talked to Shi Yang, "No wonder that guy was so upset earlier; he was waiting here to hit this big win!"

Shi Yang paused, realizing what had happened.

The guy had probably been playing for a long time, figuring out the patterns, anticipating the machine was about to give out coins, and decided to stay close. Little did he know that today they’d stumble upon this opportunity.

When the machine finished dispensing coins, the game room boss helped count them one by one, pulling out 280 yuan from the cash box and handing it to Shi Yang, "Here, you won this."

Shi Yang took it and politely thanked the boss, but didn’t continue playing. He left with Zhao Meimei and Qu Chaozong.

Once they were out of the game room, Shi Yang counted out 140 yuan for Qu Chaozong.

Qu Chaozong refused, squinting, "What’s this? Really dividing it evenly?"

Shi Yang saw he wouldn’t accept, and didn’t force it, glancing down at Zhao Meimei’s little leather sandals. They were a gift from his mom who bought them in the city.

Shi Yang turned to ask Qu Chaozong, "Want to go shoe shopping with you next week during break? We need sneakers for the sports meet."

Qu Chaozong agreed, "Sure."

Shi Yang added, "Then let’s save this money to buy Meimei a nice pair of sneakers. She doesn’t have any for the sports meet."

Zhao Meimei heard they were buying her shoes and smiled happily, "Really? Take me with you!"

Shi Yang smiled and ruffled her hair, "Okay."

That afternoon, Shi Yang gave Zhao Meimei a ride home, reminding her on the way, "Don’t tell your parents we went out today, okay?"

Zhao Meimei nodded earnestly, "I won’t tell anyone."

Shi Yang rubbed his chin on top of Zhao Meimei’s head playfully, rewarding her.

The next morning, Zhao Meimei was having breakfast when Shi Yang knocked on the door to pick her up.

Liu Xiue was more than grateful, seeing that Shi Yang had already eaten; she urged Zhao Meimei to hurry up while carrying out three cooked white eggs from the kitchen, dividing them into two plastic bags, giving one to Zhao Meimei and two to Shi Yang.

Since that day, Shi Yang picked up Zhao Meimei every morning consistently, taking her to school, rain or shine. Later, Liu Xiue suggested Shi Yang come over earlier in the mornings to have breakfast together with Zhao Meimei.

Shi Yang usually just grabbed whatever cookies, milk, or bread at home, but gladly accepted the invitation.

Zhao Meimei developed the habit of staying in the classroom every evening after school to do her homework, waiting for Shi Yang to come pick her up.

Everyone in Zhao Meimei’s class knew she had a brother in eighth grade at the junior high.

Zhao Meimei’s deskmate was envious, saying to her, "Meimei, your brother is really handsome, isn’t he the most handsome guy at our school?"

Zhao Meimei proudly replied, "Of course, he’s the most handsome!"

After school, Zhao Meimei sat on the front bar of Shi Yang’s bike, telling him, "My deskmate complimented you today."

Shi Yang was riding side-by-side with Qu Chaozong and laughed upon hearing this, "Really? What did she say?"

Zhao Meimei eagerly reported, "She said you’re the most handsome boy in the whole school."

Shi Yang laughed coolly, "What do kids know about being handsome!"

Zhao Meimei habitually touched Shi Yang’s Adam’s apple, admiring his beautifully curved chin, "Why wouldn’t they know? You are handsome! You wouldn’t have girls chasing you if you weren’t. Sister Jing came over to find me today and wants to treat me to an ice pop."

Qu Chaozong chuckled loudly, asking Zhao Meimei, "Did you get swayed?"

Zhao Meimei turned her head, raising her sharp chin high, "No way! My stance is firm! I resisted and didn’t eat!"

Shi Yang laughed too, "Looks like you really wanted to eat. Tell me, what kind of ice pop was she offering? I’ll buy you one later."

Zhao Meimei was thrilled, quickly turned her head, leaned her head back, and pecked Shi Yang’s neck, "Thank you, Brother Yangyang! You’re the best!"

Seeing this, Qu Chaozong decided to tease Zhao Meimei, pointing to his face, "Come on, Meimei, give me a kiss too, and I’ll buy you one."

Zhao Meimei’s little eyes rolled and she shook her head, refusing, "No need."

Qu Chaozong was curious, "Why not? Didn’t you say you wanted to eat?"

Zhao Meimei sat upright again, holding onto the bike handles and said a bit regretfully, "I did but I can’t eat two. My mom is cooking fish for me and Brother Yangyang tonight. If I eat too much ice pop, I won’t have room for fish."

Ha ha ha!

Shi Yang and Qu Chaozong burst into laughter, Qu Chaozong wobbling his bike handles uncontrollably, laughing so hard he couldn’t straighten up.