This Actor Is Full Of Tricks

The Xinqiao Apartment was structured with long corridors connecting all the rooms on each floor, allowing a clear view of the entire floor from the stairwell.

“Only one household lives on the second floor now, an unemployed drifter in 204.”

Standing at the second-floor stairwell, Mr. Zhu spoke as he walked forward.

“201 is a storage room, filled with things I don’t use. Besides 201 and 204, you can choose either of the two rooms in between; they’re both single rooms.”

He led Lin Jue to 202, took out a set of keys, and opened the door. As soon as the door opened, a cloud of dust rushed out.

Lin Jue waved his hand in front of his face, assessing the room’s layout.

A single room of about twenty-some square meters. The bathroom was to the right of the entrance, with a straight cabinet to the left. Inside was a large room with a bed frame, an old-fashioned printed sofa, and a desk by the window.

“It’s been a long time since anyone lived here, so it’s a bit dusty.”

Mr. Zhu entered the room, patted the dust off the sofa, and smiled. “The furniture is quite complete. Just clean up the dust a bit, buy a set of bedding, and you can move in.”

“Brother Zhu, let’s take this one then.” Lin Jue glanced around, feeling quite satisfied.

“Alright, I won’t take a deposit from you. Let’s say 500 yuan a month.”

Lin Jue felt around in his pants pocket for money, pulling out several hundred-yuan bills, along with some crumpled change that fell out.

Fives, ones, and tens were among them.

Seeing this, Brother Zhu sighed and took four 100-yuan bills from Lin Jue’s hand: “I’ll just take this much. Keep the rest to buy some necessities.”

Young people have it tough.

“This isn’t good…” Lin Jue bent down to pick up the crumpled money on the ground, somewhat embarrassed. “I forgot to take this money out when I did laundry before. It can still be used after it dries.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, let’s just do it this way.” Mr. Zhu put the four hundred yuan into his pocket and said, “Let me see your ID card.”

Lin Jue took out his ID card from another pocket, dropping a few coins that rolled to Mr. Zhu’s feet.

Mr. Zhu took the ID card and looked at it for a long time: “You’re not from Sanjiang?”

“I’m from the north; I came to Sanjiang for university.” Lin Jue bent over to pick up the coins. “Sorry, Brother Zhu, making you laugh. Nowadays, very few people use coins anymore, except to take the bus.”

“Don’t pick them up; they’re just some dime coins. What are you keeping them for?” Mr. Zhu’s eyelids twitched. “You don’t need to buy bedding either. I have a spare set downstairs that I’ll bring up for you later.”

With that, he returned the ID card to Lin Jue and hurriedly left.

This guy named Wang Tianshu kept dropping small change, putting on a pitiful act that tugged at his heartstrings. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would have to give him money instead.

“Thank you, Brother Zhu. I really didn’t mean to act pitiful. These pants have been worn for too long, and the pocket has… has a problem.”

Lin Jue watched Mr. Zhu’s hurried departure and asked, “Um, Brother Zhu, can I record videos in my room? I want to document my new life.”

“Just don’t film me and my wife.” Mr. Zhu slammed the door shut.

The room became somewhat dim, and Lin Jue’s gaze turned calm, his expression restrained.

“This Mr. Zhu seems quite helpful…”

He plopped down on the sofa: “What was his wife about to say just now? I haven’t heard her say a word since I met her. Is she mute?”

Lin Jue recalled the woman’s silent mouth shape, two mouths opening in an “ah” shape.

“Ah, ah… What does that mean?”

His fingers tapped on the sofa armrest, when a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Lin Jue adjusted his expression, his eyes shifting from calm to listless and dull.

Opening the door, it wasn’t Mr. Zhu outside, but a man reeking of alcohol.

“New here?” The man leaned against the doorframe, holding an empty wine bottle.

Lin Jue frowned slightly: “Brother, is there something you need?”

“I’m the neighbor from 204. I didn’t expect anyone to rent this dilapidated place, even though it’s about to be demolished.” The man hiccuped, tilting the empty bottle into his mouth.

No wine came out, and the man became somewhat agitated. “New guy, lend me some money to buy wine.”

Lin Jue resisted the urge to punch this rude guy, pretending to be a little scared, and pulled out a crumpled five-yuan bill from his pocket: “Brother, is five yuan enough?”

The man reached out to take it, but Lin Jue held onto the other end of the bill tightly.

“Give it here.” The man snatched it away, muttering, “So poor you can’t even spare five yuan? It’s not like I won’t pay you back.”

Lin Jue watched the man put the money in his pocket, pretending to ask casually, “Brother, I just saw Brother Zhu’s wife downstairs. Is she mute?”

Perhaps because he received “protection money,” the man’s tone wasn’t as arrogant as before. He replied, “She’s not mute, but it’s strange. Old Zhu has always kept that woman locked up at home, never letting her get any fresh air.”

Not mute?

Then why didn’t she dare to speak then? Was she afraid of something?

Lin Jue was curious, but on the surface, he sighed, “Brother Zhu is a pitiful man, having to take care of his wife and manage such a big building.”

“That guy’s pitiful, my ass!” The man cursed, “He was originally a live-in son-in-law. This apartment belonged to his father-in-law, but four years ago, his father-in-law disappeared inexplicably, and the house fell into his and his wife’s hands.”

“Now that this house is about to be demolished, that’s a lot of money! How is he pitiful at all!”

So the real landlord of this house isn’t Mr. Zhu.

Was the inexplicable disappearance caused by a monster? After all, every time the mist appears and monsters invade, people always disappear, never to be seen again.

This drunk seems to know a lot about Mr. Zhu.

Just as Lin Jue was about to press for more information, the sound of footsteps came from the stairwell. Mr. Zhu came up, carrying a set of bedding, and said unhappily when he saw the man, “You again, borrowing money from others?”

The man clicked his tongue: “This kid looks like a pauper. How much do you expect me to borrow from him?”

“Get lost, don’t stand here.” Mr. Zhu was very unwelcoming to the man. “I’ll give you three more days to pay the rent you owe!”

The man clicked his tongue and walked back to his home, swinging the empty wine bottle.

“Stay away from this guy; all he does is drink.” Mr. Zhu kindly reminded him, handing the bedding to Lin Jue. “Use this for now, and return it to me when you have money to buy your own.”

“Thank you, Brother Zhu, I’m so embarrassed…” Lin Jue took it with feigned trepidation, saying polite words while his hands didn’t hesitate at all.

“Alright, contact me if you need anything.” Mr. Zhu patted Lin Jue’s shoulder. “You’re still young. Don’t rush finding a job, and don’t be discouraged by small setbacks.”

In his eyes, this guy Wang Tianshu was lifeless and lacked the vitality of a young person. He was afraid that if this kid couldn’t find a job during this time, he might do something drastic and commit suicide by burning charcoal in the apartment.