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墨書 Inktalez
On the night of January 21, 2002, at Teng Zhen Ting's home, eight villagers sat around a worn square table, half a bottle of white liquor and a few small dishes in front of them. However, no one had the appetite to eat; an indescribable tension hung in the air.
"Is everyone here?" Duan Haiming scanned the room.
"Here," Guo Xuefeng replied, lighting a cigarette with noticeably trembling hands.
Duan Haiming took a deep breath. "Alright, tonight is the last time we discuss this. After tonight, it’s either action or we disperse."
The room fell silent, with only the sound of breathing filling the space.
"I went to check on Zhang Xing's situation again yesterday," Duan Haiming lowered his voice. "His girlfriend Huang Yan is going back to her hometown in Hubei tomorrow. I even saw her train ticket for the 22nd."
"So that means Zhang Xing will be home alone tomorrow night?" Li Zhiwei asked.
"Exactly! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Duan Haiming slammed his hand on the table. "If we miss this chance, who knows when we'll get another."
Xiao Renquan swallowed hard. "Brother Haiming, are we really going to do this?"
"What? Are you scared now?" Guo Xuefeng shot him a glare. "We've been discussing this for days; are you having second thoughts?"
Xiao Renquan explained, "I just think... this is too risky."
Duan Haiming scoffed. "We're just going to demand money; we're not killing anyone. Zhang Xing is a coward; if we scare him a little, he’ll definitely give us the password."
Xu Yulin hesitated further. "What if he doesn’t say anything?"
"Doesn't say anything?" Guo Xuefeng said fiercely. "Then we'll make him understand what he's up against!"
"There’s always a way to make him talk."
Seeing that everyone was still hesitant, Duan Haiming decided to lay down the law. "Alright, enough chatter. It’s settled for tonight. Those who are willing to go through with this can stay; those who aren’t can leave right now. But..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over each person. "If anyone walks out now, don’t expect to see each other again after this. No one can speak about this; otherwise..."
The threat was clear.
The eight of them exchanged glances, none daring to speak first.
"Since no one is leaving, it means everyone agrees," Duan Haiming nodded with satisfaction. "Now let’s divide the tasks."
"How do we divide them?" Li Zhiwei asked.
Duan Haiming pulled a deck of cards from his pocket. "The old way, let the cards decide."
"This," he said while shuffling the deck, "whoever draws a Red Heart will go inside, those who draw Spades will keep watch, and those who draw Squares will handle the lock. As for the Clubs... well, that's for other matters."
"What do you mean by 'other matters'?" Xiao Renquan asked.
Duan Haiming paused for a moment. "It means in case of unexpected situations, they will handle it."
Everyone understood what "handle" meant, but no one dared to say it out loud.
"Let's start dealing!" Duan Haiming spread the cards on the table.
Eight people formed a circle, each drawing a card. Duan Haiming drew the King of Hearts, Guo Xuefeng drew the Queen of Hearts, and Li Zhiwei drew the Jack of Hearts.
"Good, you three are responsible for going inside," Duan Haiming announced.
Teng Zhen Ting drew the Ten of Spades, Xu Yulin drew the Nine of Spades, and Xiao Renquan drew the Eight of Squares.
"Zhen Ting and Yulin will keep watch, and Renquan will handle the lock."
The last two drew one Club and one Square.
"You two will take care of other matters," Duan Haiming said vaguely.
After the cards were drawn, the eight looked at each other in silence.
"What time should we set for tomorrow night?" Guo Xuefeng asked.
"After nine," Duan Haiming calculated. "By then, there will be fewer people on the street, and Zhang Xing should be home."
Suddenly, Xu Yulin spoke up. "Brother Haiming, what if... what if Zhang Xing really doesn't cooperate?"
This question left everyone in silence.
Duan Haiming's expression darkened. "Doesn't cooperate? Hmph, I don't believe his resolve is that strong!"
"But..." Xiao Renquan wanted to say something more.
"No buts!" Guo Xuefeng interrupted him. "We've come this far; why hesitate? Zhang Xing was ungrateful first; we can't be blamed for being ruthless!"
Li Zhiwei thought about his son's illness and gritted his teeth. "Let's do it! After all, my son has no money for treatment; he might as well die trying! There might still be hope!"
These words seemed to inject a dose of courage into everyone.
"Right! Since there's no way out, we might as well take a gamble!" Teng Zhen Ting declared, fully committed.
Duan Haiming assessed the timing and stood up. "Since we've all made our decision, there's nothing more to say. We'll meet at the old place tomorrow night at nine. Remember, no one can bail out at the last minute!"
A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Duan Haiming's eyes. "If anyone runs, don’t blame us for turning against you!"
"Also," Guo Xuefeng added, "once we succeed, the money will be split evenly. No one gets to keep it all!"
The eight of them nodded in agreement.
After finishing their last drink, they gradually left the bar. Duan Haiming was the last to go. He stood at the door, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.
Tomorrow, they would set out to change their fate.
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