Resurgence of the Unknown

Chapter 30: The Swindler

"Is that ghost never coming back?"

Yang Jian had spent the entire night awake, his eyes bloodshot and his body exhausted as he stared at the open door. He had kept it ajar, hoping to be the first to spot the ghost if it returned. But things didn't go as he had hoped.

"I can't just stay here waiting for that ghost to show up. If it's already left and doesn't intend to return, then I'm just wasting my time. And right now, time is precious."

Yang Jian rubbed his bloodshot eyes, trying to clear his head and relax a bit. Staying tense like this all night would drive anyone mad.

"If I can't find that ghost quickly, I need to have a backup plan." Yang Jian stood up from the couch, took a shower, and packed some things before heading out.

His backup plan had two parts: first, finding a way to survive if possible; second, if he couldn't, then earning enough money to ensure his parents would be taken care of after he was gone.

With a backpack slung over his shoulder, Yang Jian walked out of the old apartment building. He squinted against the bright sunlight outside, feeling slightly dizzy.

"But it seems ghosts aren't afraid of sunlight," Yang Jian thought, touching the eye on his hand. It didn't react, confirming that ghosts could appear even during the day. The common belief that ghosts only come out at night was debunked. Daylight might provide a sense of security, but it didn't actually ward off spirits.

"Hey, boss, do you buy phones?"

Yang Jian approached a small shop that repaired phones.

The shop owner glanced at him. "Not interested in those old bricks; I only buy smartphones from the past couple of years."

Yang Jian sat down and said, "I'm not selling those; I'm selling these."

He pulled out the phones that Zhang Wei, Wang Shanshan, Zhao Lei, and others had discarded.

"So many? Where'd you steal these from?" The owner eyed him suspiciously, seeing the variety of recent models.

"A friend gave them to me. They're not stolen. Besides, who steals brand-new phones like these? Just give me a price, and I'll sell them all to you," Yang Jian replied.

The owner examined the phones; they were indeed high-quality, some worth two or three thousand yuan, others seven or eight thousand.

"This one's not worth much; I'll give you three hundred for it. This one's better; I'll offer a thousand for it. And this one, I'll give you thirteen hundred..." the owner began assessing the value of each phone.

Just then, one of the phones on the counter rang.

Yang Jian glanced at the caller ID: Dad.

Who knows whose dad that might be?

"The owner's calling, I suppose," the shop owner chuckled. "If they trace the phone here, it'll be trouble for me. I can only offer you five hundred for it."

He reached over to turn off the phone.

Yang Jian picked up the phone and answered, "It's not the owner, just a friend's dad."

"Hello."

A middle-aged man's voice came through the line. "Is this Yang Jian?"

"Yes, it's me. Who are you?" Yang Jian asked.

"It's Wang Shanshan's father, Wang Bin. I have something to discuss with you. Are you free? I'd like to meet," Wang Bin said.

"Oh, Uncle Wang. I'm a bit busy these days. Not sure I can make time right now," Yang Jian replied.