Reversing Heavenly Gang: Starting with a Slap in the Face at Work

Chapter 3 The Rise of a Business Genius

I leave work promptly at 5 PM.

On his way home from get off work, Wang Lang changed his social media profile picture to that of a robber.

For no other reason than this robber's famous quote:

I just want to make money right now.

In fact, Wang Lang was not short of money.

As long as he doesn't pay rent or utility bills, doesn't attend parties with friends, doesn't buy clothes, doesn't get sick, doesn't date, and has occasional hobbies... he won't lack money.

"We need to do more of the 'Rebel Heavenly Gang' stuff! This stuff makes money faster."

"But what exactly constitutes reversing the Heavenly Stems?"

I always use this phrase, but if I were to do something completely contrary to the natural order, my brain would short-circuit a bit.

Wang Lang opened the webpage, still in incognito mode, and began searching for "Reversed Heavenly Gang":

"Reversing the Heavenly Gang" is a popular internet slang term originating from the Chinese classic novel *Water Margin* and the concept of "Tian Gang" in Taoist culture. Originally referring to actions that defy the natural order and challenge authority, in the internet context it often refers to abnormal, reversed, or illogical phenomena involving roles, status, or logical relationships.

As an expression with a strong sense of contrast and charm, "Daofan Tiangang" uses serious classical vocabulary for humorous satire, often used to describe scenarios of "insubordination" or "putting the cart before the horse," such as juniors lecturing seniors, subordinates ordering superiors, or illogical cause-and-effect relationships. It not only reflects young people's playful deconstruction of traditional order, but also embodies the innovative linguistic vitality of "using big words for small things" in internet culture.

Tsk—

Upon seeing this, Wang Lang couldn't help but wonder: "Does the number of 'water' characters count as an inverted Heavenly Stem?"

hum-

My phone vibrates. It's a notification from Xiancai (a Chinese online marketplace): Someone has inquired about the power bank you listed.

Wang Lang listed the power bank, which was part of the annual party raffle, for 15 yuan, waiting for the right person to own it.

"Is the baby still there?"

"Yes, shipping not included, self-pickup in Baxian County, Chongqing."

"I can pick it up myself, but shipping isn't included. Can you give me a 10 yuan discount?"

Wang Lang's lips twitched. "Damn, the price was marked at 15, but it's 10 yuan cheaper. Do you owe me money? I'll just give you the money back."

"You're such a jerk, I'm such a jerk."

Wang Lang typed very quickly, tapping his phone repeatedly.

and many more……

Just as he was about to send the message, Wang Lang suddenly remembered something.

Paying for things is a matter of course.

If we were to pay the buyer out of our own pocket, wouldn't that be going against the natural order?

"I'm such a genius," Wang Lang exclaimed, shaking his head, before deleting the elegant and harmonious passage.

"Sure, when are you free? I can transfer another 10 yuan to you during the transaction."

To show his sincerity, Wang Lang sent another emoji of a little person making a heart shape with their hands.

"You're crazy! If you're not going to sell, just say so! You hermaphrodite."

"No, I'm serious. How about I transfer you 20 yuan?"

A red exclamation mark indicates that Wang Lang has been blocked.

Wang Lang stuffed his phone into his pocket, leaned back in his seat, and stared blankly at the roof for a while.

"You won't even take it if I pay you? That's truly going against the natural order. Here, take the system; you can make money."

Back home, Wang Lang kicked off his shoes and rummaged through a drawer, pulling out a bunch of odds and ends—a Bluetooth headset that came with his phone, a thermos he received from his company two years ago, an electronic photo frame still in its original packaging, and a half-empty box of steam eye masks that he didn't know when they were left over.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I photographed, listed, and priced each item.

Headphones are 15 yuan, thermos cups are 10 yuan, digital photo frames are 20 yuan, steam eye masks are 5 yuan...

Trading is all about casting a wide net and finding the right opportunity.

After listing the last item, Wang Lang thought for a moment and added a line to the end of the description for each product:

"Enjoy discounts for self-pickup, and get a 10 yuan cashback on the spot for face-to-face transactions."

He nodded in satisfaction. This way, as long as someone came to pick it up, he could legitimately lose money.

hum-

The first inquiry came in. It's for that thermos.

"Is the cup still there?"

"exist."

"Would it be cheaper if I picked it up myself?"

Wang Lang perked up: "Sure! The price is ten yuan, but if you pick it up yourself, I'll only charge you five yuan. Also—"

He typed rapidly: "I'll give you another ten yuan in cash when we meet in person."

The other party remained silent for a few seconds.

"???"

"That's right, you spend five yuan to buy my cup, I give you the cup, and then I give you ten yuan. It's like you make a net profit of five yuan and get a free thermos cup." Noticing the other party's confusion, Wang Lang quickly explained.

A few more seconds of silence followed.

Is the cup broken?

"Brand new, issued by the company, never used."

"Are you out of your mind?"

Wang Lang took a deep breath and patiently typed: "I just want to experience what it feels like to lose money."

The other party did not reply.

or……

Delete the cashback part first? And don't mention it in the chat later?

Wang Lang adjusted the details of the transaction.

hum-

The second inquiry is for that digital photo frame.

"Hello, are you still looking for the picture frame? Is there a discount for picking it up in person?"

"Sure!" Wang Lang adjusted his strategy, no longer mentioning cashback. "The price is twenty, but if you pick it up yourself... just give me one yuan."

"piece?"

"Yes, one piece."

Is the picture frame okay?

"brand new."

"Then why only sell it for one yuan?"

Why would it be for this? It can't be that it's to exploit a bug in the Rebellious Heavenly Gang system, can it?

Wang Lang thought for a moment and typed four words: "Accumulate virtue and do good deeds".

After a long silence, the other party sent two words: "Okay."

They then discussed some more details and agreed to meet at the subway entrance early the next morning before the morning rush hour.

Wang Lang let out a long breath and was about to put down his phone—

hum-

hum-

hum-

The items on the shelves were of good quality and inexpensive, and many people inquired about them, but in the end, only one electronic photo frame was sold, and that was without mentioning cashback.

"It's not important, let's go to sleep!"

"As long as this business model works, hmph..."

Wang Lang tossed his phone onto the bed, leaned back, stared at the ceiling, and dreamed of a wealthy future before falling asleep.

At 5:30 a.m., Wang Lang usually stays in bed longer.

When the alarm clock rang today, Wang Lang, preoccupied with something on his mind, threw off the covers, but failed to get an erection.

I picked up my phone and opened the app to browse – the buyer of the digital photo frame hadn't sent any new messages or canceled the order.

He got out of bed, washed up and changed his clothes, stuffed the digital photo frame into his pocket, and went out to squeeze onto the subway.

During the morning rush hour, the subway entrance was bustling with people. Wang Lang stood there for five minutes holding the photo frame before a young man in a bright green jacket walked over hesitantly.

"Are you...doing good deeds?"

"...It's me."

The young man glanced at him, then looked at the photo frame to make sure it was new, and took a coin out of his pocket and handed it over.

"piece."

"Ha, it's hard to find coins these days."

Wang Lang took the coins and handed the photo frame over. The young man took the frame and was about to turn away.

"Wait a moment!"

"Is there anything else?" The young man thought to himself, "As expected," and became cautious.

Wang Lang clutched the coin, unsure how to express himself, afraid of scaring the man away.

After hesitating for half a second, Wang Lang took out his phone from his pocket. "Should I scan yours, or you scan mine?"

The young man was taken aback: "Sweep what?"

"Cashback, ten yuan back," Wang Lang said matter-of-factly. "It's about doing good deeds, the more the better."

The young man didn't move. His expression seemed to be judging whether Wang Lang was joking. After three seconds of assessment, he realized that the other party was serious, and his expression became even more complicated.

"Dude, let me ask you this: you sell me a picture frame for one dollar, then give me ten dollars back. What's in it for you?"

This is the same question again. Wang Lang thought for a long time before finally uttering a few words: "Just for fun."

The young man raised an eyebrow. He didn't rush to leave or take out his phone. Instead, he took a half step back and stopped in front of the subway entrance steps, looking Wang Lang up and down.

"Okay, then I'll ask you a few questions."

Wang Lang was taken aback: "What are you asking?"

"First, is this picture frame yours?"

"Yes."

"Secondly, selling picture frames is just a cover. You want me to scan the QR code and then steal money from my Fufubao account?"

"no."

"Or is it the kind where I scan your QR code, and a phishing website pops up, asking me to enter my password?"

"No, brother..."

"Or perhaps the ten dollars you gave me was stolen money, and my account was frozen after I accepted it?"

"...No, that's something you only see in movies." Wang Lang took a deep breath. "It's just a simple matter of giving you back ten yuan."

The young man stared into his eyes for three seconds, then took out his phone from his pocket, opened the payment code, and handed it to Wang Lang.

chirp——

Wang Lang took out his phone, scanned the QR code, entered the amount of ten yuan, and confirmed with his fingerprint.

hum-

The young man's phone rang, and he repeatedly confirmed it, even requesting the system's built-in electronic transfer confirmation voucher.

After confirming everything was correct, the young man's eyes suddenly held a hint of apology, whether from having doubted Wang Lang or from getting the money and photo frame for free, it was unclear. He finally said, "Do good deeds, and may good people live a peaceful life."

After saying that, she turned around and left. She even started jogging after a few steps, as if she was afraid that Wang Lang would catch up and change his mind. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared into the crowd at the subway entrance.

Wang Lang did not move.

He opened his arms to the sky, like in "The Shawshank Redemption," waiting for the system's reward.

There is no shame in this; it signifies the birth of a completely new business model and the rise of a business genius.

Wang Lang held the position for five seconds...

Another five seconds passed...

A morning breeze blew by, and a woman passing by glanced at him before quickening her pace.

The system did not provide any notification.

He lowered his arm and glanced at the system panel.

Current Celestial Strength Value: 3300

Only the 300 yuan withdrawn yesterday was deducted; there were no rewards.

"No," Wang Lang muttered to himself, "I'm giving him things and money, isn't that going against the natural order?"

"Does the system not allow this kind of loophole?"

"So that means..." Wang Lang smiled bitterly, "I was busy all night yesterday, listing five or six items and talking to seven or eight people. Not only did someone take the photo frame for free, but I also had to pay them ten yuan."

In the end, he only had one dollar left in his pocket.

……

drop--

"Wang Lang, check-in successful."

Wang Lang got so angry at the subway entrance that he threw a bunch of wild punches, which took up some time, but luckily he still made it in time for the last minute to clock in.

Wang Lang put down his bag and was about to get some water when a scolding voice came from the other end of the corridor.

The voice was high-pitched and sharp, piercing the eardrums, and it drifted over one sentence after another.

Wang Lang frowned, filled the cup with water, screwed on the lid, and turned to walk back to his workstation.

Don't think I can't do anything to you.

Wang Lang's steps suddenly froze, and his hand gripping the cup tightened slightly.

This is Lai Ge Bao's catchphrase, and he usually says it with a forced, insincere smile. Even after being beaten yesterday, he didn't forget to say it before leaving.

The two voices overlapped, and the two faces overlapped. Wang Lang remembered the slap worth 500 yuan from yesterday.

"It's not about the money. No matter who gets scolded today, I, Wang Lang, will stand up for them."

Wang Lang put the cup on the table, ignoring the water that splashed onto his hands, and walked to the other end of the corridor.