After bidding farewell to Mr. Jin, Hailong went to the bank in the afternoon, exchanged the 5 million yuan check for cash, and then deposited the 5 million yuan along with his original savings into the same account. Seeing the 8 million yuan in his account, Hailong felt a sense of pride.
Indeed, Hailong was just an ordinary college student, who had just entered school and had not yet learned any skills to support his family. Yet, he had earned 8 million yuan, a sum that many people might never earn in their entire lives, a fortune that they might not even dare to dream of. He had earned it in just a few short months. Moreover, Hailong had originally thought that to avenge Guan Dahai, he would have to wait until he was in his forties, when he had the corresponding social status and connections, and even then, he might not succeed and would have to take considerable risks. But now, he controlled the Dragon King and personally killed those who had insulted him. Seeing Guan Dahai's head bitten off by the Dragon King and his terrified expression, Hailong felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
Hailong couldn't help but marvel that it was all thanks to the Dragon King's avatar that he had been given by heaven. Otherwise, how could he have earned so much money and personally killed those who had insulted him and his mother?
Now, his bank account had over 8.6 million yuan. Looking at the female clerk who was almost swooning, Hailong felt elated. He withdrew 8 million yuan and deposited it into a new account, leaving 600,000 yuan in his original account as a reserve. Hailong planned to give the 8 million yuan to his mother, telling her that he had won it from the lottery.
Thinking about all the hard work his mother had done for him over the years, Hailong felt a wave of warmth and gratitude. When his father had just passed away, his mother, despite her grief, had taken on the responsibility of supporting the family, bringing him back to the small fishing village to sell fish for a living. Even when they were extorted by Guan Dahai, his mother had worked harder to ensure that he didn't have to worry about money. Later, when he couldn't tolerate Guan Dahai's extortion and got into a conflict, his mother had protected him, taking more of the beating for him.
After moving to the city, his mother had worked as a cleaner and sold steamed buns, enduring all kinds of hardships to support him.
Now that he had finally earned money, he no longer needed to live under his mother's protection. He could spread his wings and protect his beloved mother, allowing her to live a happy life. His mother was only in her forties, with many good years ahead of her.
Hailong planned to send his mother on an overseas trip, getting a six-month tourist visa so she could have plenty of time to see the world. Then, he would choose a good city to settle down in, so she wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.
There was another benefit to this plan: in a few months, Guan Daqiu would be back, and that would be the most critical time for Hailong's plan. He was afraid that if Guan Daqiu couldn't find him, he might go after his mother to force him to show up. If that happened, all his plans would be ruined, and Hailong would have to admit defeat.
After receiving the bank card from the female clerk, Hailong placed the two cards separately and returned home. His mother was selling goods, and there were a few customers in the house. Seeing Hailong return, his mother happily said, "Son, you don't have class today? Why are you back?"
Seeing the customers, Hailong smiled and said, "No class today." He didn't say much more.
Hailong didn't go into the inner room but sat next to his mother, helping her sell goods. Hailong had never helped her sell anything before, and seeing his strange behavior, his mother asked, "Son, is something wrong? Why are you helping me sell things?"
Hailong smiled and said, "Nothing, just saw you were tired and wanted to help." Hearing this, his mother felt very happy.
Hailong thought that once the customers were gone, he would close the shop and tell his mother about the lottery win. He imagined that when his mother learned he had won 10 million yuan, she would be so excited she wouldn't know what to say. Thinking about this, Hailong couldn't help but laugh.
However, the more you want something, the less likely it is to happen. Seeing the increasing number of customers, Hailong felt frustrated. "Why are there so many people today? Usually, there are only a few."
His mother was delighted by the increasing number of customers, her face beaming. She said to Hailong, "Business is so good today." Hailong could only nod helplessly.
Standing at the counter, Hailong spent over an hour serving the last customer. By then, he had sold over 500 yuan worth of goods. His mother looked at the money, took out 100 yuan, and gave it to Hailong, saying, "Son, it seems the heavens are smiling on us today. Here's 100 yuan. You need money for university, go have fun with your friends."
Hailong was embarrassed. He thought his mother assumed he was helping because he needed money. She thought he was too embarrassed to say it, so she offered the money.
Hailong quickly put the money aside, went to the shop door, and pulled down the roller shutter, then tightly closed the glass door.
Seeing Hailong's sudden actions, his mother asked anxiously, "Son, what are you doing? Why are you closing the door?" She was happy about the good business, having sold nearly 700 yuan worth of goods in the morning, with a profit of about 200 yuan. She was thinking about buying Hailong some good food to nourish him, but seeing him close the shop, she couldn't help but worry.
Seeing his mother's worried face, Hailong made a shushing gesture, looked around, and found no neighbors talking. The old house had poor soundproofing, and Hailong was afraid the neighbors might hear. Seeing no one around, he pulled his anxious mother into the house and said, "Mom, I have some good news, but don't get too excited." His mother had high blood pressure, and Hailong was afraid she might not handle the excitement of winning 10 million yuan.
His mother, looking at Hailong's strange behavior, said, "What is it? I still have to do business."
Hailong said seriously, "Mom, take a few deep breaths, then I'll tell you." His mother had no choice but to comply. "Tell me quickly."
Hailong smiled and said, "Mom, I won the lottery. Guess how much." He made a gesture with one finger.
His mother, annoyed, said, "Did you win 100 yuan? Is that worth getting so excited? It's affecting my business." She thought Hailong had only won 100 yuan.
Hailong laughed and said, "Mom, you're wrong. Don't get too excited. I won 10 million yuan."
Hearing this, his mother, who had just stood up, looked at Hailong in shock, her eyes fixed on his. She said sternly, "How much?"
Hailong said, "Mom, I won 10 million yuan." His mother, shocked, sat down on a chair. Hailong quickly gave her a glass of water and patted her back, saying, "Mom, don't get too excited. Stay calm."
After about ten minutes, his mother calmed down and said, "Son, is this real?"
Hailong took out the bank card and gave it to his mother, saying, "How can this be fake? I claimed the prize this morning and got this card. The staff told me that 20% personal income tax is deducted from a 10 million yuan prize, so there's 8 million yuan in the card. I've confirmed it."
His mother, clutching Hailong's hand, said excitedly, "Son, let's go to the bank. I don't believe it." She then pulled Hailong to the bank across the street. Hailong felt his mother's arm was surprisingly strong. Looking at her calloused hands and muscular arms, Hailong felt a pang of sadness. His mother, who should have had a comfortable life, had become this way to ensure Hailong's well-being. Hailong vowed to make her happy in the coming days.
At the bank, Hailong watched as his mother inserted the card into the ATM. He told her the password was her birthday. Surprised that her son remembered her birthday, she nodded and entered it. She then saw the large number of zeros and the digit 8.
His mother quickly took out the card and pulled Hailong back home. The neighbors, seeing her lower the roller shutter again, asked if she needed help. His mother, worried that Hailong might have been followed, simply said no and quickly closed the door. She then pulled Hailong into the inner room and said anxiously, "Son, did you wear a mask and sunglasses when you claimed the prize? Were you followed?"
Hailong laughed and said, "Mom, don't worry. I bought a large pair of sunglasses, a big mask, and a large hat to avoid being recognized. After claiming the prize, I went to a department store and bought a new set of clothes to change into, so I wouldn't be followed."
His mother, happy, said, "My son has grown up. Now I don't have to worry about being followed."
She continued, "But how did you win? How did such good luck come to us?"
Hailong smiled and told her the story he had made up. "Last night, I only had 2 yuan left. I bought a lottery ticket on my way home. Later, I watched the lottery draw on TV and found out I had won. It's amazing, right? I felt so lucky."
Hailong continued, "Mom, you don't have to worry about money anymore. You don't have to rely on this small shop to make a living. We have money now. I'll put all the money in your account, and you can buy whatever you want."
Hearing this, his mother was very happy. She thought, "I haven't raised my son in vain. He is so filial. Hailong is still young, so it's right that the money should be with me." She said to Hailong, "Silly son, your mom is old. What do I need to buy? I'm happy as long as you're doing well."
Hailong said, "That's not right. You're only in your forties, still young. I plan to take you, Grandma, and Grandpa on a world tour to enjoy the scenery. We have money now, so you can choose a good city to buy a house and live there."
Hearing this, his mother was also excited. "Okay, I'll go abroad and see which country is good. We can settle there."
The next morning, Hailong took his mother, Grandma, and Grandpa to apply for passports. He gave the official 1,000 yuan for expedited service. The official, seeing it was just an ordinary family, didn't worry and accepted the money. By the afternoon, all the procedures were completed. The official told Hailong, "The procedures are being processed, but the travel visa is good for six months. You don't need to worry about the rest; I'll handle it." Hailong nodded in thanks and left with his mother.
After returning home, his mother prepared with Grandma and Grandpa. The next day, they flew abroad. After seeing them off at the airport, Hailong finally felt relieved. He then went to the small fishing village, where everyone was exercising under Li Guohui's leadership. No one expected that the bookish Hailong would be more diligent than them. In just over ten days, Hailong's progress was noticeably faster. Thinking that even the leader was so hardworking, they felt they had no right to slack off. Thus, everyone worked hard every day. After a morning of exercise, everyone was exhausted. Li Guohui, seeing Hailong arrive, said, "That's it for today's training. Rest, everyone. Your leader is here."
Hearing this, the exhausted group turned around and saw Hailong. They suddenly found the strength to jump up and run to him. Seeing their tired but happy faces, Hailong said, "Sit down. I have something to tell you."
Everyone gathered around Hailong and sat down. Hailong said, "I have something to tell you. From today, all the money from fishing, after paying your salaries, will be saved. At the end of the year, I'll give each of you 50,000 yuan to send your families to Sanya for the New Year."
Everyone was most worried about Guan Daqiu, the gangster, targeting their families. Hearing Hailong's words, they were grateful. If Li Guohui hadn't been there, they would have discussed Guan Daqiu.