The Most Random System

He tugged at the Lookout Man next to him, signaling it was time to retreat. Staying any longer, watching someone else's supposedly shining pockets, made him feel rather inadequate with just a car battery in his hands. It was frustrating.

The Lookout Man naturally agreed.

Just as the two turned around, getting ready to either continue their work or simply find a new place to lay low, Lin Li's voice sounded again, with a casual probing tone:

"Wait."

The two paused their steps and looked back at Lin Li with confusion.

Lin Li's gaze, at this moment, fell on the Lookout Man, or more accurately, on the tools in his hands, using a casual tone: "Hey, do you guys... know how to pick locks?"

The Lookout Man and the other guy were both taken aback, not understanding why this seemingly young yet seasoned veteran suddenly asked about this.

But the Lookout Man instinctively nodded: "A bit, basic locks, like cross and straight types, those are not much of an issue."

The other guy added: "More complicated ones... give us some time to think, we might be able to try too."

In their line of work, lock picking was one of the basic skills; breaking scooter seat locks, cutting U-shaped locks were common, and occasionally they had to deal with simple door locks too.

Lin Li seemed to be quite satisfied with their response, nodding before throwing out a more specific question: "Hmm... if it's a padlock with some old-style anti-theft pins, and the lock body isn't particularly sturdy, can you open it without damaging it? And it can't be noisy."

The description seemed like there was indeed such a target lock.

The Lookout Man responded quicker this time, with a hint of professional confidence: "That kind isn't too difficult. Use some special tools, or if skilled enough, a sturdy card or tin foil can do the job, and even if that fails, with a bit of cleverness, it can be opened without much damage to the lock core, ensuring minimal noise."

The other guy nodded in agreement, indicating this was indeed within their skill set.

"Oh?" Lin Li's lips under the black silk seemed to curl into a smile, with a hint of interest and opportunity, "So... are you two interested in teaming up with us for a job?"

With these words, the eyes of the two across widened instantly, and their breath momentarily halted.

Also, a bit unable to process this sudden turn of events.

Without waiting for them to fully digest, Lin Li sped up his explanation, with a sense of urgency:

"Our crew's locksmith had a mishap tonight and can't make it.

But tonight's target is set, we've been scouting for months, the timing is perfect, and after tonight, who knows when the next good opportunity like this will come?

Seeing that you guys know your stuff, and your skills seem decent, I'm asking if you'd like to lend a hand?"

Lin Li paused, seemingly assessing the value, and said plainly:

"Of course, since this is a last-minute replacement and our first collaboration, the pay you'll get won't be that high.

For this job, it'll be like this, the two of you together, you'll get ten thousand bucks afterward.

Consider it an internship. If you do well and can keep up, we can discuss how to split the loot in the future."

"Ten thousand... split between the two?" The Lookout Man and the other guy instinctively exchanged glances, seeing the shock and... a strange sense of assurance in each other's eyes.

Is it a lot of money?

For their usual battery-stealing gigs, this was a huge sum.

But was it a lot?

Compared to the gold Lin Li had just flaunted, worth hundreds of thousands, this ten thousand seemed like mere crumbs, practically insignificant, even a bit stingy.

Yet, this modest ten thousand turned out to be the most convincing factor!

If Lin Li had offered them several tens of thousands from the start, they'd suspect it's a trap — when does such a big pie just fall from the sky?

"Bro... is it safe?" The Lookout Man asked the most crucial question.

"Heh, haven't I said? We've scouted for months, it's as safe as they get, an old neighborhood, no surveillance, and there's currently no one at home. The prep work is thorough, that's why it's a rare opportunity."

Lin Li chuckled with a tone of disdain,

"If things go wrong, I'll write my last name backward from now on, heh."

"Bro, can we think about it for a moment?"

The Lookout Man noticed a spark of interest in the other guy's eyes but still asked.

Lin Li nodded, his expression under the black silk unreadable, but his tone calm as ever:

"Alright, not much time, just a minute. Agree, and we'll do it, if not, it's fine too, since it's so sudden. Take it as making friends, maybe we'll have a chance to work together again later. Frankly, it's my abruptness."

The two immediately huddled aside, their heads almost touching, whispering rapidly.

Voices low, but their body language betrayed their excitement and struggle — nodding one moment, shaking their heads the next, glancing at Lin Li's seemingly gold-filled pockets, then back at their own canvas bag filled with batteries.

But not even a minute passed before they, almost simultaneously, turned around, eyes filled with a determined resolve and eager excitement, quickly returning to Lin Li.

"Bro!" The Lookout Man's voice quivered slightly, disregarding the ages of Lin Li and the stool, starting with a firm "Bro," his voice unusually resolute, "We're in! Please lead us!"

Brother Lin Dong, bless our thieving sect!

He nodded vigorously, and the other guy followed with a resolute nod, eyes burning as they stared intently at Lin Li.

In merely seconds, they tacitly confirmed one thing —

They had definitely encountered a benefactor tonight!