Days of plain yet fulfilling contentment drifted by in leisurely ease.
As I waited and hoped, spring arrived.
The World Cup kicked off, marking the start of a poor loser's path to turning his life around.
Thinking about how few opportunities ordinary people have, how hard it is to earn that first pot of gold—most are just average folks, relying on a fixed salary to get by. Occasionally, they try to make some extra cash, like buying lottery tickets, stocks, or funds, only to be reaped like leeks.
The biggest reaper can drain your six wallets, a tragic sight.
I'd already scouted the spots early on. The shop owner at the door was sharpening his knife, ready to harvest the leeks too.
No matter how much you earn, I never lose. The shop's small, but the profits aren't. How many restaurants have you seen go under? But how many lottery shops have you seen close?
"Boss, I'll take a draw between South Africa and Mexico," Zhou You said, unsure, buying 500 to test the waters.
After a moment's thought, he added another 500, betting on both teams to score a goal each.
He visited all the nearby sports lottery shops. He couldn't keep fleecing the same place later on; he might even have to head into the city. This was a one-shot opportunity—if he missed it, he'd never forgive himself.
That evening, he sat in front of the computer watching the match. The internet speed and video clarity of this era were barely watchable, not even as fast as text updates.
Without an opening speech from the host nation's leader, a welcome from the organizers, or an entrance ceremony for the participants, the opening ceremony kicked off with 270 women humming African folk songs as they walked. The theme was "Welcome Home to the World." Accompanied by a narration from former South African President Nelson Mandela—"The tolerance in the human spirit can dissolve all hostility; through love, we can create hope!"—the hosts showcased the unique cultural charm of the African continent with distinctive songs, dances, and props. They expressed their passion and longing for life and sports, and fully displayed the friendship of the entire African people welcoming athletes and friends from all over the world.
Then the screen filled with vuvuzelas, jolting Zhou You wide awake.
In the past, he watched for the skills, the star players. Now, he only cared about the result, watching for any changes, any butterfly effect.
Logically, there shouldn't be any—he'd kept a low profile all along.
After the match started, Mexico launched the first attack, but South Africa's goalkeeper, Gintel, performed brilliantly, deflecting multiple assaults. In the 24th minute, South Africa's Tau Shiba scored, breaking the deadlock for the hosts. However, Mexico didn't give up. After several attacks, they equalized in the 37th minute through Marquez. In the second half, neither side scored again, and the final score was 1-1.
After watching the match, Zhou You felt relieved. I'm not the same me, but the world is still the same world.
Small bets are fun; big bets hurt; obsessive bets lead to ruin.
Gambling addicts die a miserable death.
Zhou You wasn't a gambling addict—he had an ATM.
Though the money wasn't in hand yet, Zhou You was already excited. In his past life, earning money was so hard—a fixed salary plus commission, barely breaking ten thousand a month. Now, this wave would bring in at least tens of millions, money he could never earn in a lifetime.
"Big Head, if you had a hundred million, what would you do?"
"Open an internet café, have people play games with me every day."
That dream fit Big Head's personality perfectly—men stay boys forever.
Many people struggle to adapt to society because they're all chasing what others tell them to pursue, not what they truly want.
"Boss, I'm here to cash out," Zhou You said to the shop owner.
"Oh, you're lucky! You got it all right," the owner congratulated him.
"Yeah, just bought a bit randomly, and luck was on my side."
"Boss, how's business? Are there many buyers? Any big spenders?"
"Plenty. This has a much higher win rate than regular lottery tickets. Everyone wants a shot. Besides, earning money's tough now, so they all take a gamble. Quite a few have spent over ten thousand."
"Boss, I'll take a few more parlay bets, 2000 worth."
"Sure thing. Here's your winnings from this time—22,000."
This shop was on Jiulong Road, known as the Jiulong Road Lottery Shop. Nearby was a university, called Luzhou University of Technology, which also had a lottery shop.
In this era, there were no shared bikes. Walking there took half an hour—good exercise, really.
Soon, soon, I'll be enjoying the good life. This time, I won't shortchange myself. At least I'll buy an electric scooter first, or I'll be dead tired going to nearby shops to buy tickets.
Zhou You thought it over and decided to buy an electric scooter first.
There were no new electric scooters for sale near the school. Plenty of second-hand markets, though.
Back then, stealing electric scooters and bikes was still common.
In his past life, he'd bought two bikes, and both were stolen. One of them lasted just one night.
Furious, Zhou You called the police. The officer said, "The chances of finding it are slim, but since you've reported it, we'll file a case. Wait for notification."
That wait stretched for years, and then he came back—never to be found again.
This time, he'd buy a second-hand electric scooter, mainly for use around the school and nearby. He couldn't buy new.
He went to the shop. "Boss, got any second-hand electric scooters?"
"Yes, I do. What brand are you looking for? I've got them all."
"Boss, I want one that's hard to steal. Recommend something," Zhou You said, half-jokingly.
The owner laughed heartily. "Bro, you know your stuff, huh? You're aware these things get stolen way too often—high turnover rate."
In the end, with the owner's recommendation, Zhou You spent 600 on a battered-looking electric scooter that still had decent power.
Without a second word, he paid and left. Today, I buy a second-hand scooter; tomorrow, I'll buy a new one. Well, that's a small goal.
The shop near Luzhou University of Technology was also a small one, packed with people buying tickets.
"Boss, put together a parlay for 4000."
He got the ticket and left.
As he rode the scooter, he looked around at the surroundings. It was really desolate now.
Back then, no one thought much of this area—sparse population, just one bus route.
Who would've guessed that in just five or six years, all the nearby residential complexes would spring up?
The area's popularity took off, and the shops no one wanted before became hard to come by.
Especially around Emerald Lake, the whole area was developed into commercial neighborhoods.
The Rose Garden complex facing Emerald Lake—he'd almost bought into it back then, but the opening price was too steep. At 10,000 per square meter when the average was still 7,000 or 8,000, it was definitely a high-end property. He thought it was too expensive and passed.
There was no "later" after that. The housing prices there skyrocketed, hitting 34,000 per square meter in a month. He couldn't afford it anymore.
He rode leisurely along, arriving near Pearl Square. This was still a relatively bustling center, but even it was looking rundown.
He didn't stay long there, buying another 3,000 worth of tickets.
He headed back. Today's goal was done.