Donggan Game Hall, the only arcade in Xinqiao Town, covered over three hundred square meters. It housed a variety of game machines, including dance machines, basketball hoops, speed racing, slot machines, and fish hunting machines, surpassing even the largest arcade in Chengguan.
Despite being open for less than a month, the arcade was incredibly popular, attracting mostly teenagers. In the past two years, Xinqiao Town had vigorously developed its timber processing industry, establishing hundreds of timber processing plants, from local workshops to foreign investments. This had significantly boosted local farmers' incomes, leading to more pocket money for children.
Xu Zheng's business acumen had always been sharp. He was the first to open this arcade, and its business had been booming from the start, drawing in teenagers from a ten-mile radius around Xinqiao Town.
The most popular attractions were the six fish hunting machines, each surrounded by a crowd of onlookers and those waiting their turn. The players here were generally older, mostly in their early twenties, with some middle-aged men and women in their thirties and forties.
Resembling billiard tables, the fish hunting machines had six gaming positions and a large central electronic screen. Players had to top up at the service desk to unlock the games.
The gameplay was simple. Each gaming position had an electronic cannon. Players would press a joystick to fire, hitting the various fish that appeared randomly on the screen to earn points. These points could be exchanged for cash.
The electronic cannons also had settings, allowing players to adjust the cost per shot. They could set it to one yuan per shot or ten cents per shot. Different settings resulted in different point values for hitting the same fish.
For instance, if two players hit the same two dragonfish, a player using one yuan per shot would earn two thousand points, while a player using ten cents per shot would only get two hundred points.
"Damn it, I lost another two thousand yuan. Save this spot for me, I'm going to top up right away."
A bald man in his thirties angrily slapped the game machine and stormed off. He rushed to the service desk to top up, as it was difficult to secure a gaming spot.
San Pang, who was observing from the crowd, figured out the game rules after ten minutes. It was essentially a disguised form of gambling, a direct bet between players and the computer.
The outcomes of such games were clearly predetermined. Out of ten players, perhaps only two or three would win money, while the true house was the arcade owner, Xu Zheng, who was guaranteed to profit.
This type of gambling game had likely not yet caught the attention of the police, otherwise, it wouldn't be operating so openly on the street.
Since it was a gambling den, San Pang felt no guilt about destroying it. He took out his phone and sent a text message to Yang Jian: "Come for a drink."
Within a minute, a black SUV screeched to a halt at the arcade entrance. Three burly men wearing black masks got out, armed with iron rods, and charged into the arcade.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Two bouncers at the door stepped forward to block them. One was kicked away, hitting two teenagers, while the other was knocked unconscious with a blow.
"Everyone evacuate, or face the consequences."
Yang Jian shouted in Mandarin and casually smashed the electronic screen of a game machine, which then began to smoke and catch fire.
Before anyone inside could react, An Nan and Jun Jun started a frenzied rampage, smashing game machines one after another. The terrified teenagers screamed and scattered.
A few bouncers attempted to intervene but were instantly subdued and trampled by the fleeing crowd.
The entire arcade descended into chaos. Some people fled outside, while others, finding it exciting, grabbed chairs and joined the destruction.
A few opportunistic individuals seized the opportunity to loot the cash register, making off with the day's earnings. The cashiers had long since vanished.
"Withdraw."
Seeing that some people were joining the destruction, Yang Jian waved his hand. An Nan and Jun Jun, acting in unison, rushed out of the arcade, got into the SUV, and sped away.
San Pang had already blended into the crowd and exited the arcade. He then bought some fruit and hired a sidecar motorcycle back to Yang Li Village.
He hadn't been home in a long time and wanted to surprise his parents. He had received over two hundred thousand yuan from Yang Jian's operation the previous night, which was his July dividend. According to Biao Biao, this month's income would be even higher.
With more money, his aspirations had changed. He had initially planned to build a house and get married in his hometown, but now he was considering buying a house in Chengguan and being more selective about his girlfriend.
Following Yang Jian had been the most correct decision, San Pang silently congratulated himself for pulling back from the brink and adjusting his direction in time. If he had continued to follow Brother Mao, he would still be a pawn in his hands, not only risking his life but also his future.
Liang Liang drove the SUV for over ten kilometers before stopping on a secluded, deserted road. An Nan and Jun Jun quickly got out, swapped the license plates, and tossed the fake plates into a pond.
"Brother Jian, any further arrangements?"
An Nan dusted off his hands. Today's operation was perfect, taking down two gambling dens in less than an hour without leaving any evidence.
Yang Jian checked the time. "You and Jun Jun drive back to the Xunsi River casino immediately. Try to pass through the city checkpoint before the police issue a bulletin searching for the black SUV. Leave now."
"What about you? Why don't you come back to Hancheng with us?"
"I'm not going. The house in Chengguan is scheduled to be topped off the day after tomorrow, and I need to prepare for the celebration."
"But staying in Xinhe is very dangerous. The police will definitely look for you."
"We didn't leave any evidence today. Why would the police look for me?"
An Nan sighed. "Brother Jian, although you're two years older than me, your experience is still quite shallow. Do you know terms like framing and forced confession? Xu Zheng has connections. As soon as the police call you in for questioning, they'll find a way to link you to today's incident, leaving you speechless."
"How is that possible? Do things like that still happen?"
"They really do. Don't disbelieve it. I have a friend who suffered a similar fate. Although he was eventually proven innocent, he was detained for half a year and endured considerable torment. Xu Zheng's uncle is the head of the legal affairs department. Even if you deny doing today's deed, he'll definitely find a way to keep you inside for a few months."
"Then what should we do?"
"The best course of action is to lie low. If you don't show up, the police won't issue a warrant without evidence. If they can't find you, Xu Zheng's uncle can't do anything to you. After some time, when things calm down, you can return, and he won't dare to arrest you."
"But I have the topping-off ceremony the day after tomorrow, so I have to be present."
An Nan pondered for a moment and said, "You can have your brother-in-law and father-in-law host the topping-off ceremony. Of course, if you have connections in the police department, invite him that day. Xu Zheng's uncle shouldn't dare to make a move against you. Even if they arrest you, he won't dare to act rashly."
"I understand. You guys should leave quickly and be careful on the road."