Seeing my expression, he gave me a knowing smile: "I know you can't afford it. At this stage, we don't expect the product to be accepted by the market, so our strategy is to promote it to customers who don't have the purchasing power through rental."
Rent?
"As I said, this product is still in the trial phase. We need to conduct follow-up investigations on the first batch of products launched on the market, identify the shortcomings of the product, and make necessary improvements and modifications. Therefore, the rental I mentioned does not require you to pay a penny, but as a condition, you must send us an investigation report every month according to our requirements."
Is there really such a good thing?
However, I immediately became alert again.
Why?
It's very simple. When a scammer says to you in a friendly tone, "I don't want your money..."
At times like these, you need to be extra careful to protect your wallet!
"Hmph, so nice to me?" I don't believe it.
The tall, thin man smiled slyly: "I already said, of course we won't refuse customers with purchasing power. As for customers like you who have no purchasing power, since we can't get money from you, we should at least get something else in return, right? Who would do business without a return? What do you say?"
Hmm, that...that does make some sense...
The tall, thin man glanced at the sky, stood up, and without a word, shoved the cheap, low-quality ring into my hand: "Alright, this ring is temporarily yours. But please remember, on the first of every month, please fill out the survey form carefully and send it to the address provided." He pulled a stack of papers from a folder, handed them to me, and smiled: "This is the instruction manual and the survey form; the mailing address is on it."
At this point, he practically dragged me off the rooftop and led me to the elevator. As I approached the elevator, he smiled and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Chen Yang. I've finally completed my sales target. Thanks to you, I can finally go back to headquarters. Alas, the sales of this product developed by the company are really difficult. When I get back, I will suggest to the company whether it's necessary to develop other products and abandon this product with no future."
I couldn't help but ask, "But what about renting a place you mentioned at the beginning..."
With a cunning look on his face, he said, "Mr. Chen Yang, as I said, you can only become a formal member and enjoy member benefits by purchasing our company's products. Our member benefits include not only housing, but also exquisite gifts every month, and free overseas travel every year, etc... Unfortunately, you are only renting our company's products and cannot enjoy these benefits."
Perhaps afraid I'd be angry, he sighed, gave me a deep look, and said seriously, "However, in conclusion, out of gratitude, I can offer you a piece of advice free of charge..."
"?"
"Sigh..." The tall, thin man adjusted his glasses and then spoke quickly in a steady, professional tone: "As a seasoned salesman of fortune-telling products, I see that your face is neither red nor black, but your forehead is glowing, indicating that you've been having good luck lately. You might encounter some petty people causing trouble, but as long as you sincerely do good deeds, you'll get through it smoothly. However, you're facing a minor disaster during this period of good fortune, and you might experience another bloodshed soon! But don't worry, it's just a minor issue. That's all I have to say. Finally, I'll leave you with a few words: 'Twenty years of fame and fortune are hard-earned, and vast wealth is easily attained. Once you embark on the road to success, remember to be wary of flattery.'"
What? A bloody disaster? My expression turned strange...
Damn! Is this guy a salesman or some damn fortune-telling charlatan?
But I didn't have a chance to speak. The elevator doors had already closed, and it carried me down to the first floor.
As I walked out of the building, I felt a little dazed.
Did I encounter a conman or a madman?
You could call him a conman... but he didn't manage to swindle anything from me; in fact, he even slipped a ring into my hand.
Strange things happen every year, but this year there seem to be more than usual... I shook my head.
"Hmph, saying I'm going to have a bloody disaster soon? What a load of rubbish!" I couldn't help but look up at the building...
Suddenly, something fell from the sky, growing larger and clearer in my vision...
Damn! It's a flowerpot...
This is my last thought.
Bang! With a crisp cracking sound, blood spurted from my head, and I collapsed.
Sun...bloodshed...bloodshed disaster...
...
It hurts! It hurts!
It's not just any ordinary pain!
I was lying in the hospital bed, and a serious-looking doctor was treating my wound. Despite the anesthesia, I was still sweating profusely from the pain.
This is actually the hospital I visited last night... and the doctor who treated my wound is the same person who treated me last night.
"Hey, I'm telling you young people, are you all so brave and aggressive, always wanting to fight?" Although the doctor was wearing a mask, I could still recognize him—he had a very distinctive Mediterranean hairstyle.
He clearly recognized me: "You got your head smashed last night, and you got it smashed again today. You're really lucky..."
My head was spinning, and I managed to open my mouth and ask, "Doctor, how did I get here?"
"You're lucky you were brought here. Otherwise, you could have died on the roadside and no one would have cared."
After treating my wound, he helped me sit up and said with a smile, "You're lucky, it's just a minor external injury. But anyone who suffers a severe blow to the head will feel a little dizzy. It will be fine in a day or two."
When I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but let out a scream!
"My hair!!"
The head in the mirror had its hair shaved off completely in the middle, leaving only the hair around the edges, forming a classic Mediterranean pattern...
"What are you yelling about!" the doctor said, displeased. "You were hit hard on the head twice. Of course, I had to cut your hair when I was treating your wounds."
After saying that, he stood up and patted his clothes: "You should rest for a while. Oh, by the way, someone outside wants to see you. It seems to be the person who brought you here."
A short while later, a man walked into the ward. He was in his forties, with a large forehead, small eyes, and a shrewd look in them. He was wearing a dark suit. As soon as he entered, I sensed that his gaze was shifting back and forth, as if he were avoiding something.
"Hello." I nodded and smiled at him. "I heard you brought me to the hospital? Thank you so much... You must have paid for my treatment, right? I'll pay you back right away."
Seeing that I seemed about to take out my wallet, the man suddenly waved his hand to stop me, with an awkward smile on his face: "Well, Mr. Chen Yang, right? The money isn't urgent... I wanted to ask you first, you... um... how did you get injured and fall down there?"
Upon hearing this, a surge of anger welled up inside me. I roared, "A flowerpot fell from that building and hit me squarely on the head! Damn it! I'm not letting this go. I'm going to the building's property management company tomorrow!"
I suddenly noticed that this guy's expression had become even more unnatural. After fidgeting for a while, he sighed, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Mr. Chen... do you think we could settle this privately?"
"Settlement privately?"
"Yes." He pulled out a business card and handed it to me with both hands. I glanced at it, frowned slightly, and looked up at him: "You're from the property management company of that building?"
He gave an embarrassed smile: "This was due to our mismanagement... This afternoon we were doing renovations on the second floor, and one of our employees violated regulations, accidentally dropping a flowerpot from upstairs... Hehe, I'm really sorry. We'll cover all your medical expenses! However, there's no need to publicize this..."
I looked at him with some confusion, not quite understanding why he was acting this way.
Seeing that I didn't speak, the other party probably thought I wouldn't agree. He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "How about this, Mr. Chen? We will not only pay all your medical expenses, but we will also cover your lost wages... Also, if you have any other conditions, you can bring them up... As long as the demands aren't too unreasonable, we can discuss them..."
This time it was my turn to be surprised...
Is there really such a good thing? Judging from the current situation, this guy is basically sticking his head out for me to slaughter, isn't he?
Indeed, my injury is their responsibility, but there's no need to act so weak, is there?
I kept a straight face, but my mind raced with thoughts.
"Ten thousand." Seeing that I still didn't speak, the guy gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and announced a number: "In addition to your medical expenses, we are willing to compensate you with ten thousand yuan for lost wages. What do you think?"
The bottom price isn't here yet!
Suddenly, a thought popped into my head. I cleared my throat and said in a calm tone, "Well... look at my head... I've shaved the top of my head completely! If I go out like this, won't people think I'm prematurely aged? How am I supposed to go out in public like this? Please, I still need to pick up girls. With this appearance, most people will think I'm balding! No girl would want to date a balding man!"
The guy took out a tissue to wipe his sweat, took a breath, and said, "Twenty thousand! The extra ten thousand is our compensation for the damage to your image."
"And what about the future? I don't know if my brain will suffer any lasting effects... What if I get a headache or fever, or a concussion or something? I'll have to keep coming to the hospital for checkups... Sigh, you know, the structure of the human brain is very complex..."
"...Thirty thousand! We'll add another ten thousand as an extension for your future medical expenses. Is that alright?"
I sighed, "And my clothes... You see, they're all stained with blood! Ugh, these are world-famous brands, top-notch quality and fabric, and now they're stained with blood, no amount of washing can get them clean..."
The guy glared at my "world-famous brand" clothes with hatred, and gritted his teeth, saying, "But... the more I look at your clothes, the more they seem like work clothes..." He suddenly noticed my face darken, and without further hesitation, he quickly said, "Fine! I'll add another five thousand! Consider it compensation for your clothes..."
I sighed again, and when the guy heard me sigh, his face turned green. He pleaded with a wry smile, "Mr. Chen, please don't sigh... If you keep sighing, I'm going to cry... I got hit on the head and lost 35,000 yuan. If it were me, I'd be willing to get hit like that every day."
That's about enough. I know there's not much more to be gained, so I'm going to call it a day.
Suddenly, something else came to mind, and a warm smile spread across her face: "By the way, your property management company probably handles more than just that one building, right? Here's the thing, I'm actually looking to rent an apartment recently..."
A full half hour passed before this guy walked out of my ward looking utterly dejected. Meanwhile, I lay on my hospital bed and breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, in accordance with my terms, he agreed to help me find an apartment in a building near his company for me to rent, with the rent not exceeding two-thirds of the average market price. He also agreed to waive all my property management fees, parking fees, cleaning fees, and all other charges for a year…
Finally, I signed a simple agreement with him to settle the matter privately.
Actually, I still don't quite understand why this guy would come to my door and let me rip him off... In my impression, all property management companies are arrogant and domineering.
Later I learned that the property development I visited today had just been completed and was actively seeking tenants. If news broke at this time that someone was injured and bleeding at the main entrance, it would be very detrimental to the development's tenant recruitment efforts.
Many business people are superstitious these days, especially after blood was seen at the main entrance shortly after the business opened... Once such an incident is exposed, many business people will probably no longer consider renting office space here.
Touching my still aching head, I suddenly remembered the ring that madman had given me.
I got hit and bled, but inexplicably made a small fortune and even solved my housing problem.
Is this considered lucky or unlucky?
Part One: In the Jianghu, Not in Control of One's Own Fate, Chapter Nine: Foxes Have Friends, Dogs Have Friend
Anyway, someone was paying for my medical expenses, so I stayed in the hospital overnight, supposedly for further observation, in case my head had any lasting effects. But by midnight, I couldn't lie down any longer.
I couldn't stand the strong smell of disinfectant in the hospital air; it made me feel cold and lifeless.
What's worse, smoking is not allowed here. I tried to take out a cigarette, but before I could even light it, a middle-aged nurse with a freckled face suddenly barged in and confiscated it.
"Damn! This woman must be a sexually frustrated old maid!" I cursed viciously in my heart as I watched her retreating figure.
Around midnight, I couldn't take it anymore, so I quietly got up and, taking advantage of the quiet of the night, walked out of the hospital alone and hailed a taxi on the roadside.
My head injury is nothing serious, it just hurts a little.
But none of this is a big deal. I've had far more serious injuries since I was a child, so I don't care about this little injury.
I got into the taxi and checked the time; it was exactly midnight. After hesitating for five seconds, I decided not to go home. I had already spent the night in the hospital, and I didn't want to go home and lie in bed again.
"To the 'Old Pawnshop,' quick," I told the taxi driver.
Old Pawnshop is a well-known underground bar, famous for its original rock music and a gathering place for avant-garde youths from all over the city.
Normally, my buddies and I like to kill time there whenever we have free time.
Because the beer there is only ten yuan a bottle, and there are several pool tables in the venue that people can play for free.
When I arrived at the old pawnshop, it was just past 12:30. Since it wasn't the weekend, the place wasn't very crowded at this hour; a quick glance showed that it was only about 30-40% full.
As I stepped through the gate, many people looked at me with strange eyes.
I knew their gazes were mostly fixed on the huge medical gauze on my head. To hold the gauze in place, the doctor had put a simple cover over my head, making me look quite strange.
As I walked in, I looked around, trying to find those familiar figures.
Sure enough, I found my target next to the pool table and strode over.