I Become The Richest Man With A monthly Salary of Twenty Thousand Yuan-Chapter 740 - 506 Scheme_2

For impromptu magic tricks like this, the Magician has no prior preparation and doesn't know what they'll be performing. Once a trick is decided upon, they certainly need to prepare props.

Peng Changye's decision to do so was understandable, and Xia Liang paid it no mind. However, props or anything of the sort were unnecessary for him.

He approached the old woman, squatted down, and said, "Ma'am, what's wrong? Do you need my help?"

The old woman was taken aback. She looked up at Xia Liang, wiped the tears from her face, and whispered, "Young man, aren't you afraid I might try to extort you?"

She had fallen ten minutes ago, and although dozens of people had passed by, not one had dared to ask if she was alright, let alone help her up.

However, the old woman didn't seem to mind. She knew this happened because there were too many bad elderly people in the world who had completely exhausted everyone's capacity for kindness.

Xia Liang offered a faint smile. "I'm not afraid. There are plenty of people here to witness what happens."

Hearing this, the old woman showed a warm smile. "Young man, if you want to help people, you first have to learn how to protect yourself. The conscience and kindness in this society have been over-exploited by certain shameless individuals."

Xia Liang was surprised to find the old woman so sensible. He smiled and said, "By the way, Ma'am, I'd like to ask how you fell. Can you still walk? What happened that's made you so sad? If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

The old woman smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, I can walk. I'll be fine after a little rest. I just tripped over my own feet and fell. The pain kept me on the ground for a bit, and I couldn't get up. It just made me feel like I'm getting old and useless."

At this, the old woman sighed. "I was just trying to buy some oranges for my husband, but now they're all ruined. I'm so upset. My husband's health is worse than mine, and he has trouble eating. He really just loves a good orange, and now I've gone and spoiled them all. Ah, well."

Xia Liang pondered for a moment before speaking. "Ma'am, may I discuss something with you?"

The old woman smiled. "Go ahead, young man."

"I am a Magician, and so is he," Xia Liang said, gesturing to Peng Changye. "We're in the middle of a magic competition. We happened to see you sitting here looking so downcast, so we decided that whoever can make up for your loss and cheer you up again will win. What do you think? Would you be willing to take part in our magic show?"

"Magic?" The old woman looked startled, then a hesitant expression crossed her face. "Is it like the Ancient Colored Tricks? My husband and I loved watching the Ancient Colored Tricks when we were young, especially the ones at the Moon Gate. They were so breathtaking, I've never forgotten them. Is your magic as amazing as that?"

Ancient Colored Tricks are a unique folk art from the Dragon Country that reached its peak during the Southern Song Dynasty. In fact, Western magic evolved from these very tricks. Nowadays, however, performers of Ancient Colored Tricks are gradually disappearing, while Western magic continues to produce new talent and spread throughout the world.

But ultimately, magic and Ancient Colored Tricks share the same origin.

Xia Liang, of course, understood this. Upon learning the old woman was a fan, he smiled. "Ma'am, magic and Ancient Colored Tricks are one and the same. To be precise, magic evolved from Ancient Colored Tricks. So please, rest assured. Even if our magic isn't as exquisite as that of the ancients, I guarantee it will be a feast for your eyes."

Hearing this, the old woman's face broke into a smile. "Alright then, young man. Go ahead and perform. How can I help?"

Xia Liang shook his head. "You don't need to do anything. Just tell us, what would it take to make up for your loss?"

The old woman chuckled. "I'm actually much happier already, but I did come out today to buy oranges. The ruined oranges are my only regret."

"I understand," Xia Liang nodded. He then stood up and looked at Peng Changye. "Master Peng, will you go first, or shall I?"

"I'll go first," Peng Changye said without hesitation.

He approached the old woman, picked up her tattered plastic bag from the ground, and said, "Ma'am, while I can't restore your oranges to their original state, I can give you an even bigger surprise."

As he spoke, he took out a red cloth, picked up one of the crushed oranges, and covered it. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Peng Changye flicked his right hand, shaking the cloth continuously. Then, with a sudden flourish, he whipped it away, revealing a fruit basket.

This basket contained apples, bananas, grapes, and more, but not a single orange. Even so, the trick earned a round of applause from many onlookers.

"Ma'am, this fruit basket might not be oranges, but it's worth much more," Peng Changye said. "It's good for the elderly to eat a variety of fruits. Compared to just oranges, this selection has greater nutritional value, wouldn't you say?"

The old woman smiled and took the fruit basket from his hands. She picked through its contents for a moment before looking up at him. "Young man, you must have spent a lot of money on this fruit basket. Although your trick was impressive, it isn't really magic. At best, it's just a clever swap. It's not that this old woman can't afford fruit; it's that my husband loves oranges. If I take these other fruits home, he'll definitely be upset. You should take this back."

With that, she handed the basket back to Peng Changye.

Peng Changye's face flushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't cause a scene with so many people watching. He forced an awkward smile. "Well, alright then. I wish you good health."

He stood up and passed the fruit basket to his assistant, mentally cursing the man's entire lineage.

You damn fool! Couldn't you have just bought some oranges? This fruit basket has every fruit imaginable *except* for oranges. Do you expect me to create them from thin air?

The surrounding audience let out knowing smiles. Clearly, Peng Changye's magic had failed.

Still, they could understand his predicament. A Magician needs props to perform; they can't just create something out of nothing. The fruit basket had obviously been purchased beforehand, and making it appear from under the cloth was, in itself, quite remarkable. Technically, the magic trick was a success. It just wasn't what the old woman wanted.

"My turn?" Xia Liang glanced at Peng Changye with a faint smile.

"Be my guest," Peng Changye said politely.

Xia Liang smiled faintly, then turned back to the old woman. "May I have your bag?"

The old woman nodded and handed the tattered plastic bag to Xia Liang. He took it and crumpled it into a tight ball with both hands. After rubbing it between his palms, he flicked it open, and a brand-new bag appeared before everyone's eyes.

Moreover, the new bag, right down to its logo and design, was identical to the one the old woman had been carrying.

This time, not just the old woman but the entire crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

"Young man, that was incredible! Your magic is amazing! How did you make the bag new again?" the old woman asked excitedly.

"Hehe, that's my secret. I can't tell you!" Xia Liang said with a modest smile.

"I understand, I understand. That move was really something. It has the same flair as the Ancient Colored Tricks," the old woman said, giving him a thumbs-up.

Nearby, Peng Changye had to admit to himself that Xia Liang's trick was impressive, but he refused to concede defeat. He smiled and said, "Young brother, making the oranges reappear is what would be truly impressive. Conjuring an empty bag is pointless. Are you expecting the old lady to eat the bag?"

Xia Liang replied nonchalantly, "Oranges need a bag to be carried in, of course. Don't be so impatient."