No. 83 Boundless Thoughts Leading to the Future
The mysterious Pai family hadn’t always been a legitimate organization.
The founder, Pai Lao, was a seasoned gambler from Las Vegas, Nevada, known for his uncanny ability to win every bet. His success attracted both fame and notoriety, eventually making him enemies among the wealthy and powerful. Fearing for his life, he fled back to China, seeking refuge in a small, nondescript city.
He spent the next ten years in hiding, his gambling addiction unabated. He gathered a group of like-minded individuals—small-time hustlers and gamblers—forming the earliest iteration of the Pai family.
It was essentially a group of con artists, their livelihood dependent on their ability to cheat at cards.
But not everyone possessed Pai Lao’s luck. Many members lost everything, their lives spiraling into debt and despair. Some ended up in prison, others took their own lives, and many more abandoned their crooked ways, seeking redemption.
Pai Lao eventually had children, and as they grew older, he realized he couldn’t expose them to the dangers of his lifestyle. He reformed the Pai family, shifting their focus from gambling to magic, from shady backroom deals to legitimate businesses.
They established a company, venturing into the lucrative world of baby products.
Over time, the original members faded away, replaced by a new generation. Pai Lao’s children inherited the family business, transforming it into a thriving national corporation by the time it reached Pai Shu, Pai Ge’s uncle.
“We’re not making any moves until we find Pai Shu. The people who destroyed our family are still out there, lurking in the shadows.”
“Yi Yao, I can tell you this much. We’re using the Black Dragon Society as a stepping stone. The Pai family will support your growth unconditionally. We’ve already informed our members that you’re the boss. Whether you choose to live a normal life or embrace this world, we’ll take care of the Black Dragon Society. And when Pai Shu returns, I’ll officially initiate you into the Pai family.”
“As for our reasons… well, apart from mutual benefit, your former boyfriend, Long Fei, is also a factor. His father, Long Teng, is the most dangerous man I’ve ever met.”
Pai Ge’s parting words echoed in my mind as we drove home.
Was he using me as leverage?
No, our relationship was more than just a business arrangement. The Black Dragon Society, in its current state, was like a company where the Pai family held 90% of the shares. My authority was limited.
I suspected Pai Ge had a network of supporters, perhaps even a dedicated team working behind the scenes.
But he wasn’t forcing us into anything. He allowed us to live our lives, to pursue our dreams. Was it truly because of our friendship? Or was there something more?
Long Teng, dangerous? He was a renowned figure in the tech industry, a pioneer who had made significant contributions to our country’s development. But I had no recollection of him or his son being involved in organized crime.
Could it be related to Huang Tianhai, the son of the provincial party secretary, who had gone abroad?
Given his father’s position, it was certainly possible…
“Still thinking about Luo Wei?”
Xiaodie set down her phone, her voice breaking the silence of the nearly empty bus.
“Yi Yao, you always worry about everyone else, about the state of the world. Sometimes, I wish you could just let go.”
“I’m not…”
It wasn’t about the state of the world. I was worried about her safety, about the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
She placed a finger on my lips, silencing my protest. “I know you’re from the future, but right now, you’re just a sixteen-year-old girl. Remember that. A girl.”
She emphasized the word “girl,” her gaze meeting mine. “I love your serious side, Yi Yao, but I also love your playful side. Don’t frown so much. Smile more.”
Her eyes, like pools of molten obsidian, reflected my own image.
Young, uncertain.
And a stray strand of hair sticking up defiantly.
“You win,” I said, chuckling at her teasing.
“Luo Wei… well, in the Jiangnan Association, he was like Huang Tianhai. He always seemed carefree, always joking, always charming. I remember when there was a conflict between the Jiangnan Association and the Black Dragon Society, he would invite everyone to an expensive dinner, and by the end of the meal, all the problems were solved. We called him the ‘God of Fortune.’”
“I’ve never heard of him deceiving anyone or doing anything truly malicious. He’s like those squeaky-clean celebrities, with no scandals or dark secrets. I don’t think we have anything to worry about. If he wanted to harm us… well, I doubt we could stop him.”
She sounded like a devoted wife defending her husband.
Pai Ge was indeed an enigma, the only person from my future whose motives I couldn’t decipher.
“Do you miss your old brothers?” I asked, amused by her fierce loyalty.
“Sometimes. But we have more important things to worry about now, don’t we? The high school entrance exams are just around the corner. Aren’t you nervous, Yi Yao?”
“Not really.”
If I could achieve the top score in the city once, I could do it again.
“Do you even remember the exam questions?”
“Come on, that was years ago. I might remember if I saw them again, but I can’t just recite them from memory.”
“Ugh, I was hoping to save some time…”
The bus speaker announced our stop.
“Starlight Garden Complex. Please move towards the rear exit and prepare to disembark.”
We stepped off the bus, bathed in the crimson glow of the moon.
My father was sitting on the sofa, watching television.
“Why are you so late? Where were you?” he asked casually as we entered.
“We were walking in the park across the street,” I lied, unable to tell him about our harrowing ordeal.
“An after-dinner walk is good for your health.” His gaze swept over me. “Yi Yao, aren’t you cold in that outfit?”
I glanced down, realizing I was still wearing my cosplay costume. “It’s fine. It’s June. It’s hot.”
He neither supported nor opposed my cosplay hobby, simply reminding me not to waste money or neglect my studies.
Perhaps it was because of my assertiveness.
When your child is the top student in her grade, you have little leverage to object to her hobbies, as long as they’re legal.
Conversely, most parent-child conflicts stemmed from poor academic performance.
Parents loved to brag, and grades were the ultimate bragging rights.
But I could sense his disapproval, his discomfort with my “outlandish” attire.
Yi Yao hadn’t been fond of skirts, a reflection of her upbringing. Her wardrobe lacked feminine clothing. My father was still quite traditional in his thinking.
“Okay.” He averted his gaze, then hesitated. “Yi Yao, it’s been almost two weeks since your mother passed away. Would you… support me if I started dating again?”
His words, his tone, were identical to my memories.
“No,” I replied automatically.
It was finally happening.
The beginning of a new life.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I’ll find someone good, someone worthy of your mother’s memory.”
He looked at me with pleading eyes, like a child seeking approval.
“We’re happy that you’re moving on, Dad. You have to keep living. And of course we support your decision. Who else would support you if not your own children?”
Despite knowing the truth, knowing the face of my future stepmother, I offered him my blessing.
“Thank you. Now go take a shower and get some rest. It’s getting late. You need to develop good sleeping habits.”
“Okay.”
I waved goodbye and led Xiaodie to my room.
“So, what are you going to do?” she asked, her voice playful, as we changed clothes.
“I’ll improvise,” I said, folding my cosplay outfit and placing it in the closet. I considered changing into my usual clothes, then glanced at the clock and decided against it. It was almost bedtime anyway.
“Improvise? What does that even mean?”
“You really want me to follow through with that plan?”
She sat up abruptly. “Why not?”
“Think about it,” I said, turning to face her. “Her son isn’t your brother. Won’t you be jealous?”
“Jealous?” She blinked, confused. “You said you only like girls. Why would I be jealous of your brother?”
“…You’re very open-minded.”
“Thank you.”
I was speechless.
“What do I have to do?” I asked, after a long silence.
“We already discussed this, didn’t we? Treat him like your closest confidant, make him fall for you. Is your brother a siscon?”
“I have no idea.”
“Don’t worry, even if he isn’t, I’m sure you can turn him into one.”
“But that plan was based on my father being gone. He went for a check-up recently. He’s perfectly healthy.”
“Why are you so clueless when it comes to relationships? Whether your father is healthy or not, your stepmother is still a problem, right? So she could do something to your family at any time. It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.”
She had a point.
“Alright, it’s settled then. We have no school tomorrow. I’ll teach you how to capture a geek’s heart.”
“…”
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