[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob":3,"chapter-reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob-reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Reborn 2008: The Gear System God",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223724,4100,"Chapter 17: Thanks for the TV, buddy","reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>In one's life, one will pass through countless alleys and walk through countless doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the physical sense, not biological.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhai Da had to admit, he hadn't expected tonight's developments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he thought Lu Wei had come to this old Da Mao residential area to deliver some documents to a coworker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after winding through to the innermost area of single-story houses, this was the scene that greeted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The edge of the old residential area suddenly had light; wires were pulled from inside the houses and wrapped around trees, tethering a massive light bulb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of men, some shirtless, some in black short-sleeved shirts, were playing cards in a haze of smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of them had tattoos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding single-story houses seemed to have been bought or rented, enclosing a relatively closed space. Several oil-stained tables were set up in the open space in the middle, smoke swirling like fairy mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Straight flush! Winner takes all, pay up, pay up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tattooed brute laughed and gathered the fifty and hundred-yuan banknotes on the table in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a hidden gambling den, and judging by the setup, it wasn't temporary, but long-term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gaunt, middle-aged man in his forties threw his hand of cards on the table in frustration, irritably opened his cigarette pack, only to find it empty. He turned his head and happened to see the two people who seemed to have wandered in by mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was wearing a school uniform, looking completely out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaunt man beckoned, but Lu Wei shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he had no choice but to get up and walk over: \"Where's the cigarette?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei handed over the Grey Liqun from her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was unwrapping and lighting the cigarette, the gaunt man looked at Zhai Da, his gaze scrutinizing, but in the end, he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a puff, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you get paid today? Where's the money?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei took a thin envelope from her pocket and handed it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaunt man opened the envelope, took a look, spat, and said: \"Why is there only five hundred? Isn't it 1300 a month?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei's voice was devoid of emotion: \"The probation period only pays 80%. I ruined a plate, got fined a bit, and I kept 300 for myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaunt man scoffed, waved his hand and said: \"Go, go, women are bad luck, my luck is gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei stood still until Zhai Da pulled her hand and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could already feel some prying eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaunt man just watched Lu Wei as she walked back into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to their joined hands, thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until they had completely left the area with light that Zhai Da said: \"Is that your dad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da sighed, his tone very serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You shouldn't have done that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could have told me in advance, even if it was just to wait a moment when we were almost there, instead of letting me see it with my own eyes. This puts me in a difficult position, and it's not safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei was silent for a long time, only responding with one sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do people always forget... that one can only show their good side...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way back seemed even darker, but Zhai Da didn't take Lu Wei's hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei's footsteps also silently fell a few steps behind Zhai Da.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until she heard Zhai Da say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I report them like this, they'll suspect if a high school student did it tonight...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da took out his phone: \"Let me be clear, I have always been irreconcilable with gambling and drugs, and I hate evil. Even if it's your dad, I won't let go of this opportunity to make money... I mean, to clear out the bad atmosphere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei stood blankly on the spot, her little brain seemingly having crashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have any objections, right? After all, you don't want your dad to gamble anymore, do you? I'm helping you by letting him go in for a few days to sober up, it's for your own good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were an ordinary student, they would probably have been scared weak at the knees just seeing the tattoos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhai Da wasn't. He only knew that waiters in restaurants in big cities, delivery guys, barbershop Tonys, and pure-love warriors at matchmaking clubs all had tattoos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And their service attitude was excellent, and they smiled super sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tattoos weren't a sign of ferocity; tattoos were just traces of loneliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that wasn't the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the rules of the fragmented province where reporting gambling is rewarded, one phone call could earn him 3-6% of the seized gambling funds, with a minimum of 500 yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered how much money was in the pot in this small place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only regret was that he had accidentally shown his face just now. If it was reported immediately, they might link it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zhai Da's eyes, this wasn't a gambling den; it was his own little treasury...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the buddies for sending the TV.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da pulled Lu Wei aside and whispered: \"Here's the deal, I'll wait two days before taking action, don't let the news leak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei finally returned to normal, and Zhai Da saw a look of shock for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to say: You can do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember, keep it secret.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei nodded heavily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't tell anyone else. Dad really should... calm down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da nodded: \"They might not open the pot every day here. We'll keep in touch. When your dad comes again, you come find me, at my house or the school gate, it doesn't matter. I'll take eight, you take two, you'll get your share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei shook her head: \"I don't want the money...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da said: \"Stop pretending, you poor thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the \"support\" relationship between Lu Wei and her dad, Zhai Da didn't say much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nothing more than a weak mother, a gambling-addicted father, and a broken her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen too many such people and heard too many such stories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The indifference of adults is because they know that reasoning can't save anyone, and actual action requires too much cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Wei still took that meager salary to give to her dad for gambling...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then just report it again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the connection with Lu Wei isn't broken, and Lu Wei's loyalty is pulled to his side...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little treasury directly becomes a mobile ATM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The TV finally had a source; he had almost gone to start a low-quality startup...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corner of the alley was too dark, and Zhai Da couldn't see Lu Wei's expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor could he see the smile melting the ice at the corner of Lu Wei's mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back, Zhai Da gave some precautions to his \"partner.\" As for the darkness, he was no longer afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was now full of the light of the righteous path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknowingly, his right hand was picked up by a slightly cold, slender hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da: \"What? Afraid of the dark now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei held it in for a long time before popping out a sentence: \"Lecherous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da: \"...You know that humor isn't something you can just copy, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl who lacked emotional fluctuations was occasionally a bit off-the-wall~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way back was much faster than the way there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance of the residential area, Yu Xiaoli was still there, but a taxi was parked in front of her, and she was haggling with the driver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is Sunma Village 20? 15 is enough. You take Xintian Road, turn right at Xingfu Road...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the two of them come out, Yu Xiaoli smiled happily, while Zhai Da silently broke free from Lu Wei's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao Lu, there happens to be a taxi going to Sunma Village. It's so late, don't wait for the bus, it's not safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wei shook her head: \"Taking a taxi is too expensive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xiaoli: \"It's fine, I've already negotiated, only ten yuan, no meter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taxi driver tried to speak up, but eventually gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Lu Wei couldn't refuse and got into the taxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xiaoli didn't forget to add: \"Driver, be careful on the road. I've already noted your license plate number, don't raise the price halfway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Da silently gave a thumbs up. ===== CHAPTER 18 =====\u003C\u002Fp>",1440,"2026-06-17T20:36:24.634Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a9fd695cdcaace16e81103e390362e44c9623e319df6f3d42e94ca7b4e24db43","reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob-chapter-18","reborn-in-2008-the-gear-obsessed-heartthrob-chapter-16",326,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freborn-2008-the-gear-system-god-cover.jpg"]