Many people, after buying their tickets, were unwilling to leave. They stood under the big screen, singing and dancing, moving their bodies cheerfully as if they had already won the jackpot.
Zhou Qingfeng's eyes quickly locked onto Raul, who was drinking alone at a dining table—of the four people out to play, three were at odds with this guy.
The two students naturally disliked people from the school's disciplinary office, and Jennifer didn't have a good face for Raul either, only tolerating him out of courtesy.
Zhou Qingfeng had no reason to get close to Raul, yet he kept paying attention to him—Raul went to the lottery point, spent money to get a thin lottery ticket, and casually put it in his pocket.
Considering the current jackpot amount and memories in his head, if nothing had changed, that lottery ticket definitely held the winning number worth over two billion US Dollars.
For a moment, Zhou Qingfeng's breathing turned heavy. He wanted to rush over and knock Raul out, then grab the ticket. But in a public place, there was simply no chance.
The big screen at the lottery point suddenly lit up with a time reminder—only one hour left until the end of the current lottery sale.
This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples. The crowd around the lottery point quickly grew, bringing the final buying frenzy.
The enthusiasm of the tourists in attendance grew stronger. The jackpot was too enticing, and there were too many people wanting to take a gamble.
Although you could buy tickets online, many still preferred paper tickets for the ceremonial feel.
The prize pool amount soared, with the jackpot amount surpassing twenty-two billion US Dollars, setting a new record high.
The immersive feeling made people's hearts race; the heated atmosphere made their blood rush—emotions were swept into an irresistible frenzy.
Zhou Qingfeng's breathing grew more erratic, his gaze locked onto Raul's chest pocket like a hawk.
His mind raced, racking his brains on how to get that lottery ticket without anyone noticing.
That thin piece of paper seemed to radiate an alluring glow; it was his only key to wealth and freedom.
Just then, a waiter carrying a tray with several crystal-clear fruit juices walked lightly past the dining table.
Zhou Qingfeng's mind lit up suddenly with an old-fashioned idea.
He quickly stood up, pretending to nonchalantly walk towards the waiter, but at the moment of approach, he slipped, crashing into the waiter's tray.
"Splash—" The fruit juice poured down like a waterfall, splashing accurately onto Raul. The icy liquid slid down his collar, making him shiver all over.
Raul jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face turning blue. He angrily turned to glare at the waiter, roaring, "What are you doing?!"
The waiter looked innocent.
Zhou Qingfeng quickly took the blame, "Sorry, sorry! It was all my fault, I accidentally bumped into him."
As he spoke, he clumsily reached to help Raul take off the juice-soaked jacket, his fingers intentionally or unintentionally nearing Raul's chest pocket.
"Don't touch me, you little brat!" Raul, still furious, forcefully pushed Zhou Qingfeng away.
He let out a cold snort, taking off his jacket himself. He then carefully took the lottery ticket out of his chest pocket, checking if it was damaged.
However, the spilled juice had soaked Raul's entire upper body. The paper was sticky, though the ticket's print was still clear.
Hearing the commotion, Jennifer walked over in her high heels, puzzled, "What's all this shouting about?"
Zhou Qingfeng quickly admitted his mistake, offering to compensate for any losses.
Raul, still fuming, raised the wet lottery ticket and shouted angrily, "This kid ruined my lucky number!"
"What a joke!" Jennifer glanced at the ticket and sneered, "It's just five random picks. How is that a lucky number?"
"Even if it's random, it's my lucky number!" Raul's voice rose several octaves, as if defending something sacred, "It could win the jackpot!"
"One in three hundred million odds, if that wins, God must favor you."
Jennifer waved her hand, dismissing Raul's argument, "Alright, stop the fuss. I'll pay for five more tickets with the same numbers."
Zhou Qingfeng's face remained calm, but he felt a surge of joy inside, wanting to kiss Jennifer on the spot.
He quickly took over the matter, "No, no, no, it's my fault, I should pay. Mr. Raul, give me the ticket, I'll go buy five more for you right now."
However, before Zhou Qingfeng could act, Selena had already taken out her phone and snapped a picture of Raul's ticket without a word. She then walked straight to the lottery point.
Not long after, she returned, tossing a brand-new lottery ticket on the table with a playful tone, "Here, cheapskate.
Keep your lucky number safe, it's worth over twenty-two billion US Dollars; don't let it get dirty or lost again."
Zhou Qingfeng wanted to rush over and kiss Selena twice. He felt relieved, thinking how smoothly the situation was resolved.
Raul, however, wasn't over it, muttering, "You don't get it, it's not my lucky number anymore, my luck has been taken away..."
The words sounded even more absurd. Jennifer and the other two couldn't be bothered with him, turning away and ignoring him completely.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere in the restaurant grew tense, like a taut string ready to snap at any moment.