Chapter 34: The Cost of Fortune

Runsheng pedaled happily ahead, feeling that under this blue sky, among these white clouds, fields, and canals, everything was beautifully perfect.

Ever since he could remember, every time his grandfather said:

"Runshenghou, Grandpa’s off to play cards. If I win, I’ll buy you some meat for dinner!"

At first, Runsheng genuinely looked forward to it. Later on, whenever he heard that line, he'd rush to check the rice jar, to see if there was enough left to make a thick porridge for the two of them.

Today, Runsheng finally realized—playing cards… could actually result in winning money.

Years of “home education” had nearly convinced him that playing cards was akin to making offerings to the Bodhisattva during holidays—a kind of sacrifice.

By contrast, Li Zhuiyuan, seated behind him, didn’t look nearly as cheerful.

Beneath his feet was a bag stuffed with money—crumpled, fresh, old, new—it wasn’t an astronomical amount by city standards, but considering rural prices and wages, it was enough to start a small handmade workshop behind his great-grandfather’s house.

Occasional good luck was normal; after all, who doesn’t have dumplings for New Year? Essentially, it was still a matter of probability.

But when a string of luck kept landing squarely in your lap, the issue gradually shifted from statistics to metaphysics.

Thinking of the memory loss after last night’s Luck-Shifting Ritual, Li Zhuiyuan was almost certain now: the ritual worked.

“Worked” didn’t mean “succeeded”—just that it had taken effect, brought change, whether that change was good or bad remained to be seen.

He didn’t know how much fortune Taigong had transferred to him, but judging by the “cooperative performance” of those at the card table, it had been no small amount.

Liu Yumei had warned him—Taigong’s fortune wasn’t easily taken. It was more like a trade.

Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu, working like oxen and horses in Taigong’s house for measly wages, weren’t doing it for money—they were after the few scattered coins Liu Yumei had mentioned, hidden in the darkest corners.

Now that he had taken so much in one go, what price would he have to pay in return?

At this moment, there was no joy, only a creeping dread.

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head. The fact that he had used this fortune to gamble… felt foolish.

Like a short-sighted grave robber risking his life to break into a tomb, but all he cared about were gold coins, completely ignoring the robes, bronzeware, and ceramics—the true treasures.

"Runsheng-ge, don’t let go with both hands."

"Okay, Xiaoyuan."

"Runsheng-ge, slow down a bit."

"Okay, Xiaoyuan."

"Runsheng-ge, ride a bit more to the side. No, actually, more toward the center."

"…"

"Never mind, Runsheng-ge, just ride normally."

Just now, a chill had crept up Li Zhuiyuan’s spine. He worried—what if an accident suddenly occurred, like a serious bike crash?

But the anxiety passed quickly.

If the backlash of Taigong’s fortune was merely this, it would be too cheap, almost a bargain.

And the cheaper it seemed, the more uneasy Li Zhuiyuan felt. It meant that up ahead, on the road not far away, something big awaited him.

The tricycle rolled into Grandpa Shan’s place. Runsheng scratched his head and asked:

"Xiaoyuan, can I borrow a bit to stock up for Grandpa? I’ll repay you once Taigong pays me."

Li Zhuiyuan stayed silent.

Normally, he would’ve said “take what you need” without a second thought.

But this money, won purely by fortune rather than skill, felt hot to the touch. Handing this hot potato to Grandpa Shan felt a bit wrong.

He dug through the bag and pulled out a few bills—an amount less than what he’d originally had, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

"That’s too much, really too much. Just need a bit for some rice, flour, and oil. You’re giving me too much, Xiaoyuan."

"It’s fine, get more if you need."

"Can’t buy too much. If I stock him up too well, it makes it easier for him to sell it off again. Might end up without even a meal."

"You think everything through."

"Hehe."

"By the way, Runsheng-ge, the gambling win—keep it a secret, okay?"

"But how do we explain the money…"

"Say you won it."

"Okay, sounds good."

"Runsheng-ge, where’s your bathroom?"

"Over there, around back across the field ridge—it’s the neighbor’s, we share it."

"Got it."

Just as Li Zhuiyuan stepped out, Grandpa Shan came rushing back.

Old as he was and despite poor health, he was still full of energy.

Contradictory as it sounded, such elders often didn’t linger in illness. When the time came, they went quickly—snap.

As neighbors often said, “He looked pretty healthy just yesterday—how could he be gone so suddenly?”

Grandpa Shan had two reasons for his haste. First, he had lost all his money at cards.

And he had a rule: lose if you must, but never borrow to chase losses.

Second, he’d heard Runsheng had won a big pot at the gambling hall!

Naturally, the messenger didn’t have the details. Not knowing Li Zhuiyuan, they assumed it was Runsheng who’d won.

"Grandpa, you’re back—"

Smack!

A hard slap landed across Runsheng’s face.

"I told you not to be a degenerate! Going to gamble!"

"I was wrong, Grandpa."

"The money?"

"Huh?"

"I asked, where’s the money you won?"

"In the cart."

Grandpa Shan walked over and saw the bag. His eyes glazed over.

"This… all yours?"

"No, I mean, yes, I won it."

"A kid shouldn’t be holding so much. I’ll keep it for you."

"No, I can’t."

"What, won money and don’t want to give it to Grandpa?"

"The seed money—yeah—the seed money came from Xiaoyuan, it was his pocket money."

"Oh, I see…" Grandpa Shan divided the bag in half. "Then this part is yours. I’ll keep it."

"Grandpa, that’s not right, this…"

"Enough! No more arguing. What are you two still doing home?"

"Aren’t we eating together, Grandpa? I’ll get some meat from town—we’ll have a good meal."

"Eat? You two eat. I’ve got things to do."

He dashed off, clutching the “ammunition” in his coat, heart racing. Never in his life had he fought such a “rich” battle.

Li Zhuiyuan came back to find Runsheng awkwardly standing there.

"Xiaoyuan, I’m sorry…"

After Runsheng explained, Li Zhuiyuan was stunned.

"Xiaoyuan, I waited here to ask for your okay. We’ll tell the truth, and I’ll get your money back from Grandpa!"

"No need, Runsheng-ge. We won it together—giving half to Grandpa Shan is fair."

"You’re not angry?"

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. Not only wasn’t he angry—he was a little moved.

"Runsheng-ge, weren’t you going to buy some things for Grandpa Shan? Better go now."

"But he already took so much money…"

"What needs buying still needs to be bought."

"Xiaoyuan, you’re really a good person."

Runsheng pedaled off to shop. Li Zhuiyuan sat on a small stool in the yard.

Tapping his forehead with a finger, he began recalling what he’d read—specifically, what to do with this money.

He found it. According to the book’s logic: the money could be used.

But only under fairness—or personal gain. In other words, he could either pay fair price or haggle down, but absolutely couldn’t let the seller feel they’d scored a deal or think he was generous.

Otherwise, they’d share in the karma—because they too would have profited from the extra “fortune.”

“No wonder the ancients had collective punishment…”

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