1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 16 $168

Powerball has permeated every aspect of American life and has long been an integral part of American daily life.

In April of this year, the New York Lotto awarded a massive $1.8 million prize, which was won by a construction worker in Pennsylvania, drawing the attention of countless New Yorkers.

Well, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I'm dissatisfied!

The New York Lotto was won by someone from out of state?

$1.8 million emptied the New York Lotto jackpot.

That's New Yorkers' money!

However, it was later learned that although the construction worker won the lottery, the ticket wasn't his alone; it was purchased jointly by 28 construction workers. Therefore, the $180 million should have been divided equally among the 28 people. But the construction worker refused to share the money, believing that since he bought the ticket in New York, it rightfully belonged to him alone.

This incident made the news.

The New York Times also reported on it, which attracted a lot of attention.

However, after that, the New York Lotto suffered a major setback, with no winners for eight consecutive draws.

Today happened to be the lottery draw day, and Zhang Ping'an's words immediately attracted Xu Shengjie's attention, causing him to ignore Zhou Wenqiong.

As for why Zhang Ping'an was also there?

It was purely a coincidence.

Zhang Ping'an happened to be having dinner at Hehe Restaurant with a few of his underlings when they unexpectedly ran into Xu Shengjie and Tu Paike, so they decided to join them at the same table.

"I've always had terrible luck. I've been buying lottery tickets since I was ten, and I've never won a single time, damn it."

He chuckled and took out his wallet, pulling out a lottery ticket.

Just in time, the Powerball draw revealed the first number: 10!

"Hey, I won!"

Xu Shengjie exclaimed.

In fact, he had some vague suspicions in his heart.

The day he traveled through time, this string of lottery numbers unexpectedly appeared in his mind; it certainly wasn't without reason.

In his past life, he never dabbled in gambling, let alone after 26 years of government policies that even the pleasure of posting erotic pictures in group chats was gone.

Yes, so he doesn't touch drugs, prostitution, gambling, or drugs; he's an upright and good man.

After transmigrating, a string of numbers appeared; there must be some story behind it.

Is it a newbie gift pack?

possible!

His resurrection and the removal of his scars are a bonus; his fluency in English, French, Spanish, and Italian can also be considered a bonus; then, his enhanced memory, especially his vivid recollection of movie and book plots, should be the third bonus. So, is this lottery ticket the fourth bonus? To solve his financial problems?

He's almost starving!

There were only a little over $800 left in the bank account, and only a little over $300 in cash on hand.

David's electric typewriter and word processor bills haven't been settled yet, and I filled up the tank again while refueling my motorcycle today.

This year, prices in New York haven't fluctuated too much; a gallon of gasoline is 75 cents, up eight cents from last month.

The Harley-Davidson's fuel tank, a standard 5-gallon tank, cost him almost four dollars... oh, that doesn't seem like much.

The key issue is that tonight's meal will cost two or three hundred.

If he doesn't make any money soon, he's really planning to sell his blood!

Tupac had helped him so much, he couldn't be stingy, could he? Before, he received a monthly salary from the gang. But now Mr. Yin was asking him to leave the Ghost Shadow Gang, which meant he wouldn't have any income next month.

And then there's Mr. Yin's $50,000...

He even considered asking Tupac for a loan if all else failed.

Even though he knew Mr. Yin wouldn't really hold the $50,000 against him, it was a matter of face! Besides, he also hoped to take this opportunity to truly leave the gang. So, no matter what, he had to hand over the $50,000.

If this really is a perk of time travel...

Xu Shengjie appeared nonchalant, but inwardly he was feeling uneasy and a little nervous.

The second powerful ball has been hit, 14.

Then came the third, the fourth...

41/45!

Is this really a benefit?

Xu Shengjie suddenly stood up and shouted at the waiter, "A Liang, turn the TV volume up! I think I'm about to win the lottery!"

"Ah Jie, you must be dreaming."

Those who knew Xu Shengjie couldn't help but joke about it.

However, Tupaike and Zhang Ping'an came over to watch TV and then looked down at the lottery tickets on the table.

"Bro, you're going to be a fucking rich man."

"Yes, yes, I think so too."

At this point, the fifth Powerball is about to appear.

Zhang Ping'an shouted loudly, "48, 48, 48... WTF, is it really 48?"

His expression changed as well.

Because he also bought the same lottery numbers, could it be that...?

Despite Zhang Ping'an being Kenny Zhang's biological son and the Ghost Shadow Gang having a lot of money, he actually has very little at his disposal.

Kenny Zhang is an old-fashioned gangster, and also an old-fashioned Chinese-American parent.

So, while the Ghost Shadow Gang is wealthy, Zhang Ping'an... is probably a bit better off than Xu Shengjie, having previously had seven or eight thousand US dollars. However, when Xu Shengjie celebrated his birthday this year, he gifted him a used Fat Boy, instantly reducing Zhang Ping'an's wealth by almost half. For the past few months, he's been scrimping and saving, hoping to fatten his wallet again.

"53, 53, 53..."

When the sixth powerful ball was launched, Zhang Ping'an lost his composure!

He shoved Xu Shengjie aside and picked up the lottery ticket.

"By the way, does anyone know how much the Powerball prize money is this round?"

Even Mr. Cai, the owner of Hehe Restaurant, came over. He's a lottery player, almost every single time, and always loses. In his words: "I've been buying Powerball for thirty years, why doesn't the lottery god smile on me?"

He bought this issue as well.

However, after the second Powerball came out, it was too late.

But that didn't stop him from coming over to join in the fun.

You can always get a bit of luck by following someone who wins the lottery, right?

"168 million, I remember it was 168 million, I don't remember the exact amount."

"168 million?"

Zhang Pingan, Tu Paike, and even Xu Shengjie were all unsettled.

If the two of them split it, that's $840,000 per person!

Xu Shengjie snatched the lottery ticket, staring intently at the TV screen, muttering repeatedly, "42, 42, you motherfucker, give me 42!"

The Powerball was spinning continuously, and everyone in the hotel had their eyes glued to the screen.

At another dining table, Zhou Wenqiong was stunned by this scene.

She noticed that even the usually gentle and refined Zhang Disha had stood up and walked over to stand behind Xu Shengjie.

"Is this some kind of exaggeration? They can get 168 million just like that?"

Gong Xue glanced at her and smiled, "This is America, this is New York, the City of Miracles!"

Vivian, you have to get used to this kind of life!

Before the words were even finished, a series of wailing and howling erupted from the nearby dining table.

"42, it's fucking 42, it really is 42, I knew it, I fucking knew it, good people will always be rewarded!"

In his past life, he had spoken up for Zhou Wenqiong's niece.

Xu Shengjie simply held the lottery ticket, raised his arms high, and burst into laughter.

I knew it! How could I be unlucky in two lifetimes in a row? I was laughing even in my hospital bed. A boy who laughs a lot must have good luck...

Zhang Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"168 million, 168 million... I'm fucking rich!"

The entire restaurant was filled with a restless, frenzied atmosphere.

……