Chapter 89: The Lottery

After hanging up the phone, Wang Lang's expression had already calmed. Yet his gaze wandered among the crowd, pondering who else, apart from Guo Jing, he might be able to squeeze something out of.

The others’ chatter gradually quieted, and all eyes turned expectantly toward Qiao Mian.

"Do you still want me to perform?" Qiao Mian hovered above the bonfire, his voice ethereal.

"Let's just do the lottery," Bumblebee called out first, worried that Mr. Qiao might take offense at his earlier suggestion. Never mind the hundred thousand game coins—even fifty thousand would make him willing to sing upside down for a whole month.

"Yes, draw the prizes!" Hong Qigong shouted.

Aside from a few beasts and the lady ghost who seemed indifferent, everyone else urged for the results to be announced quickly. Even the viewers in Liang Xiaoyu’s live stream, though unsure of the purchasing power of these game coins, clamored for things to move along.

"Then let us begin," Qiao Mian declared.

With a wave of his hand, the prize wheel floated from before him and landed in front of the bonfire. The rules of the lottery were relayed directly to the crowd through Number Zero.

"Step forward in turn and form your own line," Qiao Mian instructed.

Occupying the best position, Bumblebee was the first to step forward and stand before the wheel.

"Start!" he said.

A point of light appeared on the wheel, darting between the sections at a speed barely perceptible to the eye.

"Stop!" Bumblebee called nervously.

The light froze.

His section read "20,000 game coins."

Bumblebee clutched his head and wailed, "I'm so unlucky!"

"Move aside!" Drift poked Bumblebee's rear, urging him to leave.

He started the lottery in the same fashion.

Moments later, the light stopped at the "10,000 game coins" section.

His eyes blazed as he cried out, "Impossible! How could my luck be this bad!"

Qiao Mian shot him a glare, and only then did he reluctantly retract the beams from his eyes, bowing his head in frustration.

"So, there’s someone even unluckier than me!" Bumblebee put his hands on his hips and laughed at Drift.

Drift drew his sword: "Bumblebee, I challenge you to a duel!"

Optimus Prime scolded them from the side, "Enough, both of you!"

Infighting—just giving others something to laugh about.

Optimus Prime felt exhausted. He restrained Jazz, who was eager to step forward, signaling for Zhou Botong, who was further back, to go first.

With such an unlucky start, perhaps it was better to wait a moment.

The mischievous old man gazed up at the massive wheel, rubbing his hands together. He wasn’t a fool—he understood the importance of these game coins. There were quite a few valuable items among the prizes. Not to mention, those special abilities were intriguing. If he could get a basic hypnotism skill, wouldn’t he be able to scare people like a ghost?

Seeing the others grow impatient, he called out softly, "Start."

The point of light whirled and stopped in an instant.

When the crowd saw where it landed, they were stunned.

Fifty thousand game coins!

How could this guy be so lucky?

Zhou Botong scratched his head, then grinned from ear to ear. Such a windfall left him overjoyed.

Next up was Jazz, who won twenty thousand game coins.

Optimus Prime quietly stepped aside.

Huang Rong drew ten thousand game coins.

Her mother’s face darkened, as though suffering a menopausal fit.

Hong Qigong got twenty thousand coins and sighed heavily.

Granny Sun drew ten thousand coins, saying nothing, but casting a hopeful glance at Little Dragon Maiden.

The maiden, right behind her, drew fifty thousand game coins.

She glanced shyly at Qiao Mian in the distance, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red.

Noticing her look, Qiao Mian shifted his gaze slightly. He hadn’t directly decided the results, but unable to refuse his mother’s persistent requests, he’d allowed Number Zero to slightly increase Little Dragon Maiden’s chances of winning a big prize.

Unfortunately, she didn’t win the hundred thousand game coins.

As for the hundred thousand game coins...

They ultimately went to Guo Jing.

The chivalrous hero stood before the wheel, dazed for quite some time.

Only when a chorus of envious "Congratulations" resounded did he finally turn and clasp his fists to everyone in thanks, unable to suppress the joy on his face.

"Brother Jing!" Huang Rong happily seized his arm.

Huang Yaoshi muttered, "Fortune favors the foolish," and stood with his hands behind his back, saying nothing. He had only won ten thousand game coins.

Once the remaining beasts and the lady ghost had taken their turns, the bonfire party came to a close.

Liang Xiaoyu exchanged a few casual words with her viewers before ending the stream. She planned to return with Little Dragon Maiden.

She was in no mood—tonight, she’d be crashing at her friend’s place.

Wang Lang quietly stashed the dinosaur skins and tendons he’d collected into a plastic bag that had previously held ingredients, wrapping them layer by layer, intending to hitch a ride back with the Transformers later.

He and Guo Jing had already agreed to meet at the park entrance first thing in the morning.

He needed to head home early and prepare, to confer with those so-called experts adept at spinning tall tales, and discuss how best to liberate Hero Guo from his feudal mindset.

...

After instructing Number Zero to transfer the game coins directly to the participants, Qiao Mian couldn’t help but smile at the sight of everyone’s reactions.

Yet the ones who owed debts still showed no intention of repaying. The Transformers had already started approaching King Kong, Berserker Raptor, Ugly Eagle, and Python to borrow more money.

Little Dragon Maiden was radiant, Guo Jing and the others were all beaming with delight.

Sadako had already slipped away into the night, alone.

Scanning the crowd, Qiao Mian noticed Liang Xiaoyu and Wang Lang.

He turned and walked into the depths of the forest.

Moments later, Drift brought the two before him.

"Mr. Qiao," they greeted in unison.

"How did you enjoy yourselves today?" Qiao Mian asked with a smile.

"It was a lot of fun, and I learned so much..." Wang Lang began, but suddenly let out a satisfied belch.

He smiled sheepishly at Qiao Mian. "Too many good things—I may have overindulged."

Liang Xiaoyu fixed him with a burning gaze and had just begun, "I—" when Qiao Mian waved her off.

"This bonfire party was rather rough," Qiao Mian said nonchalantly. "I’ve long wanted to open a restaurant in the park, but I never found the right chef."

Liang Xiaoyu looked at him with a hint of grievance, about to speak, but Qiao Mian interrupted her once more.

"In the future, you’ll have a chance to taste true culinary delights," he said with a smile. "But for now, to thank you both for supporting Fantasy Park’s development, I have two small gifts for you."

...