Xiao Qingzhu's face instantly flushed crimson. The vendor was already beginning to usher people away, but Lu Changqing was nowhere in sight. She didn't dare continue occupying the seat, so she stood up. "Boss, we're not taking up space; we won't hinder your business. Just wait a little longer, my husband will be here any minute." Despite the despair in her heart, she could only force herself to deal with the boss.
The boss snorted. "I've never seen people like you. You haven't paid for two baskets of buns, so you can't go far! How unlucky. On New Year's Eve, you only eat two baskets of buns but hogged the table for half an hour!"
Xiao Qingzhu's expression grew even uglier. He was afraid she would run off without paying. Several diners cast strange glances their way. Xiao Qingzhu felt like a thief caught in the act, her face burning, utterly humiliated! She clutched Tongtong, her heart pounding with anxiety. *Maybe he'll be here soon. He'll come quickly.* She tried to reassure herself repeatedly, but soon fell back into despair. Lu Changqing must have run off because he had no money! Four large dishes, plus two baskets of buns, amounted to nearly twenty yuan—a considerable sum. Lu Changqing definitely didn't have that much money! The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. Her heart sank deeper and deeper. As time passed and Lu Changqing still didn't appear, she paced back and forth, anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
The new customers had finished their meals and left. The vendors selling fried dough sticks and soy milk nearby had already started packing up, preparing to go home for their New Year's Eve dinner. The steamed bun boss completely lost his patience. "Do you two have money or not? I'm closing up and going home for New Year's! Hurry up and pay!"
Xiao Qingzhu, holding her child, was frantic but could only keep apologizing. "I'm sorry, just a little longer, he'll be back soon." She herself held no hope for Lu Changqing's return, yet she could only appease the bun boss this way.
At this moment, the Happiness Restaurant owner also came to collect payment. "Steamed fish, braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, original chicken pieces—eighteen yuan in total. Please settle the bill!"
Xiao Qingzhu was almost in tears. "I'm sorry, wait a little longer. I didn't bring money with me; my husband has it."
Not far away, Li Fulin, carrying two catties of meat, stood watching everything. He resented the slap he'd received. He knew Lu Changqing's family situation inside out—they were so poor they couldn't even put food on the table. For them to be eating a grand feast today was illogical. So, after buying two catties of meat, he hadn't gone home but instead lingered, circling back. Now he was absolutely certain that Lu Changqing was freeloading; not only couldn't he afford the buns, he definitely couldn't pay for this grand meal. That slap he took was truly unjust! This matter absolutely couldn't be let go.
He stepped forward to expose their deception. "You two, you've been tricked! She's penniless; she has no money at all. Her husband just got out of prison and has even less. She's just taking advantage of you two, thinking you're easy targets, deliberately freeloading!"
The bun shop owner immediately grew angry. "I'm not easy to bully! How dare you eat buns without money, and two baskets at that! You can't leave today without paying!"
The Happiness Restaurant owner was also completely enraged. "If you had no money, you should have just eaten some buns! You even ate a grand feast, and that's eighteen yuan! If you can't produce eighteen yuan, I'm sending you to the police station for New Year's today!"
Li Fulin added fuel to the fire. "Convicts start swindling as soon as they're out! You two, mother and daughter, are both involved! You'll both end up locked up! Make a call, find a landline, and call the police!"
Xiao Qingzhu's face turned pale, her legs weak. She didn't want to go to jail, and her young daughter certainly couldn't be without parents. "I beg you, please don't call the police! My daughter is still small; if I go in, her life will be ruined!"
Li Fulin's expression was sinister. "Eating without paying, serves you right! I'll call the police. I'm going to find a public phone right now to call 110."
Xiao Qingzhu collapsed, her body limp, sitting on the snow with Tongtong in her arms, tears flowing like a burst dam. "Lu Changqing, haven't you hurt us enough? Why, why did you say you had money when you clearly didn't? On New Year's Eve, you abandon us, an orphan and a widow, and run off... How could you be so heartless... *Wuwuwu...*"
On the plaza in front of the People's Department Store, the crowd grew denser, three layers deep. There were aunties carrying ribbonfish, ready to go home, young wives with freshly bought old hens, and many old men puffing on unfiltered cigarettes. People bustled about, discussing animatedly. All curious to see what was happening. Someone buying a truckload of thermal flasks, a large color TV, and over ten thousand towels. Department store staff were now carrying tables outside. It seemed as if this person intended to empty the People's Department Store. They were still busy, having brought out many boxes of candy.
Such a spectacle was unheard of, unseen, truly astonishing! Everyone wanted to see just how much this person intended to buy. Lu Changqing wasn't idle either. He cut a round hole in the top of the TV's new cardboard box, then cut exercise books into finger-wide strips, working tirelessly.
Director Zhao walked over. "Everything you wanted has been brought out. Pay up."
Lu Changqing smiled. "With so many things here, and me here, are you afraid I'll run off?"
Director Zhao was a bit embarrassed by the retort. "No, not at all. You go ahead and work, I'll wait for you."
Lu Changqing was unhurried. "Call a few of your cashiers over, prepare to collect money."
"Hmm?" Director Zhao was puzzled. Didn't he say to wait a bit? Well, this was fine too, but the request was a bit odd. One person was enough to collect money; did he really need so many? He couldn't be bothered to argue and quickly called over a few presentable cashiers. "Alright, pay up!"
Lu Changqing opened a box of candy nearby, took out a bubblegum, chewed on it, then gave each of the cashiers a handful of candy. "Eat the candy first. After you finish, I will pay up immediately."
The cashiers, receiving the candy, couldn't stop smiling. These candies would be a hit when brought home to entertain relatives' children, so they directly tucked them into their pockets. Director Zhao, seeing Lu Changqing's generosity, found it awkward to press him further.
Lu Changqing stood on the table, looking at the dense crowd, and raised his voice. "Fellow townsfolk, friends, today your luck has arrived!"
The people below looked up at Lu Changqing, their eyes bewildered, unsure what he meant. Lu Changqing continued to shout loudly, "If I told you I am the God of Wealth, would you believe me?"
The crowd burst into laughter. A fat man even jeered, craning his neck and yelling, "No! I don't believe it!"
Lu Changqing pointed at the fat man. "You don't believe me, do you? Come, step forward. As long as you come over, I'll make you believe!"
The fat man chuckled as he walked out of the crowd. "It's not that I'm trying to be difficult. I believe you have money, but you say you're the God of Wealth? I wouldn't believe that even if you killed me!"
Lu Changqing wasn't angry. He asked with a smile, "How many catties of candy do you buy for your children for New Year's?"
The fat man pursed his lips. "Candy is terribly expensive. I buy half a catty to keep the kids from crying, that's it. Who can afford to buy several catties!"
Lu Changqing grandly pointed to the box of candy in front of him. "The candy in here is all good candy—White Rabbit, Golden Monkey, Xu Fu Ji[1]. Today, I'm letting you fill your pockets freely. Whatever fits in your pockets is yours, not a single cent."
"Really?" The fat man was suspicious.
Lu Changqing laughed heartily. "With so many people watching, could I possibly go back on my word? My word is my bond. Whatever you put in your pockets is yours, absolutely free."
The fat man hesitated, then grabbed a handful of candy and stuffed it into his pocket, then looked up at Lu Changqing. Lu Changqing smiled. "What are you looking at me for? If you're capable, fill them up! Whatever goes into your pockets is yours!"
This time, the fat man believed him. He grabbed handfuls of candy with both hands, stuffing them into his pockets. In moments, all his pockets were full. Lu Changqing waved his hand magnanimously. "Alright, what's in your pockets is yours. But let me ask you, am I the God of Wealth?"
The fat man was incredibly excited. He hadn't bought so much candy for New Year's since he could remember. He nodded repeatedly. "I believe it! You are the God of Wealth, truly the God of Wealth!" After saying this, the fat man darted into the crowd and ran off, as if afraid Lu Changqing would regret it and demand the candy back.
Everyone watched, their faces filled with envy, regretting that they hadn't stepped forward earlier. Lu Changqing laughed heartily, glanced at the surrounding crowd, and asked again, "Today you are lucky to have met me, because I am the God of Wealth. Do you believe it or not?"
This time, over two thousand people shouted loudly, their voices like thunder, "No! I don't believe it!"
Lu Changqing felt that everyone was cooperating very well and secretly rejoiced. They said they didn't believe it, but in reality, they already did. They believed that as long as they were called upon, they would get candy, which was why they were shouting so enthusiastically. This completed the first step of gaining their trust. Now, he could begin the second step.
[1] Types of candy