12: Chapter 12 The Car Theft Scandal, The First Pot of Gold

The pickup's engine gave one last weary roar and finally died in front of an abandoned auto repair shop in the western suburbs of Los Santos.

A faint hint of white appeared on the horizon, outlining the dilapidated factory building in a desolate manner. The rusty iron gate hung crookedly on its frame, groaning with a creak every time the wind blew, as if it might fall apart at any moment.

Lin Fan pushed open the car door, and his legs buckled the moment they touched the ground; his bones ached as if they were falling apart. He leaned against the car door and dry-heaved a few times, the leftover stomach acid burning his throat.

Damn it, I almost lost my life in the sewer last night. Lin Fan rubbed his throbbing temples, looking at the brightening eastern horizon, and muttered with lingering fear.

Michael jumped out of the car, tucked his pistol into his waistband, and looked around, his brows furrowed: It should be temporarily safe here. The Snake Fang Gang and the police won't be able to find this place for a while.

Franklin squatted on the ground, checking the pickup's tires, cursing incessantly: This piece of junk is going to fall apart sooner or later! Last night, just to dodge the police cars, I almost shook the shock absorbers right off!

The three of them had been tossing and turning all night, and now they were all exhausted, their eyes bloodshot.

Lin Fan leaned against the cold car body and took a look at the system panel. The cooldown for his Primary Hacking skill still had 23 hours remaining; the golden countdown numbers flickered on the panel, as if reminding him that for the next day, he shouldn't count on using hacking skills to pull any tricks.

We need to get some money now. Michael lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a ring of smoke. Gas costs money, food costs money, and hiding out costs money too. We can't really just drink the northwest wind, can we?

Franklin curled his lip: Get money? How? Rob a bank? Have you forgotten the consequences of the last bank robbery? Haven't you had enough of the five-star wanted level?

Shut up! Michael glared at him. I'm being serious! We are currently at a three-star wanted level, we can't cause any more trouble. We need to find a gig with low risk and quick pay.

Just as the two were arguing, Lin Fan's phone suddenly rang.

An unknown number.

Lin Fan hesitated for a moment before answering.

Hello?

A greasy, middle-aged man's voice came from the other end of the line, with a hint of impatience: Is this Lin Fan? I'm Simeon, the owner of the Los Santos luxury car dealership. Michael should have mentioned me to you, right?

Lin Fan was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Michael.

Michael nodded, signaling him to keep listening.

Mr. Simeon, hello, Lin Fan said.

Cut the crap. Simeon's voice was direct. I heard you boys have good skills, and... you're a bit short on cash right now?

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. This Simeon was a smart guy, and very well-informed.

I have a job here that I want to entrust to you, Simeon paused and continued. In the wealthy district in the west of the city, there is a limited-edition Lamborghini Veneno, and the owner is currently abroad. I need you to steal the car and deliver it to my dealership. The reward is generous—fifty thousand dollars.

Fifty thousand dollars!

Lin Fan's eyes instantly lit up. This was a huge sum of money! Enough for them to splurge for a while.

No problem! Lin Fan agreed without a second thought.

Wait! Michael snatched the phone and said to the other end, Simeon, you need to be clear, who exactly is the owner of this car? Don't let it be another trap by the Snake Fang Gang!

Simeon chuckled: Michael, you're still as cautious as ever. Don't worry, the owner is just an ordinary rich kid with no background. However... you'd better be clean, don't leave any traces.

Got it. Michael hung up the phone and looked at Lin Fan. Fifty thousand dollars, are we doing it?

Do it! Why wouldn't we? Lin Fan said excitedly. With this money, we can get a better car and find a safe place to hide!

Franklin also perked up: A limited-edition Lamborghini Veneno? This thing is a rare find! It must be exciting to steal!

The three hit it off and began discussing the action plan.

The next night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

The three of them changed into black clothes and silently infiltrated the wealthy district in the west of the city.

The villas in the wealthy district were more luxurious than the next, and the yards were filled with various famous sports cars. Following the address given by Simeon, Lin Fan quickly found the Lamborghini Veneno.

The bright silver car body shone under the moonlight; the streamlined body design and the aggressive wheel hubs clearly indicated it was worth a fortune.

Damn, so cool! Franklin couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Driving this thing out, I'll definitely be able to pick up girls!

Stop talking nonsense, let's do it! Michael took a screwdriver from his arms and carefully pried the car door lock.

Lin Fan stood guard on the side, vigilantly observing the movements around them.

Just then, Lin Fan's gaze inadvertently swept over the license plate on the front of the car.

In the lower right corner of the license plate, there was a small snake-shaped logo.

A snake-shaped logo?

Lin Fan's heart sank.

He was all too familiar with this logo! Members of the Snake Fang Gang would carve this logo on their belongings!

This car owner was not some ordinary rich kid at all! He was a member of the Snake Fang Gang!

Lin Fan hurriedly pulled Michael, who was picking the lock, and whispered: Something's wrong! The owner of this car is from the Snake Fang Gang!

Michael's movements paused, and he looked at Lin Fan with a frown: How do you know?

Lin Fan pointed to the snake-shaped logo on the lower right corner of the license plate: Look at that logo! It's the Snake Fang Gang's!

Michael and Franklin leaned in to look, and their expressions changed instantly.

Damn it! Simeon, that old fox! Franklin gritted his teeth and said, He wants to borrow a knife to kill someone! He wants to make us fight the Snake Fang Gang!

Michael's expression was also gloomy: Fifty thousand dollars... it really wasn't that easy to earn.

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned.

What are you afraid of? Lin Fan patted the two on the shoulders. So what if it's the Snake Fang Gang? They are a gang; even if their car is stolen, they wouldn't dare to call the police! This is a great opportunity for black-on-black!

Michael and Franklin looked at each other, and both saw a hint of excitement in the other's eyes.

That's right! How could members of the Snake Fang Gang go to the police station to report a crime? This was practically a piece of fat delivered to their door!

Let's do it! Michael gritted his teeth. Anyway, we've already made an enemy of the Snake Fang Gang, one more time won't hurt!

The three of them didn't hesitate any longer. Michael pried open the car door in a few quick moves, and Franklin climbed into the car and began to tinker with the ignition device.

Not long after, the Lamborghini's engine let out a low roar.

Done! Franklin said excitedly.

Wait! Lin Fan said suddenly. If we drive out like this, it's too conspicuous! We will definitely be discovered by the Snake Fang Gang!

Then what do you suggest? Michael asked.

Lin Fan's eyes rolled, and he suddenly thought of an idea.

Let's spray the car with a police car paint job! Lin Fan said. That way, even if we run into patrolling police, they won't suspect us! This will be our 'stealth vehicle'!

Michael and Franklin were stunned for a moment, and then their eyes lit up.

This is a good idea! Franklin clapped his hands. It's simply genius!

The three said and did it, finding an auto repair shop that was still open nearby. The owner of the shop was a timid old man; scared out of his wits by Michael pointing a gun at his head, he could only cooperate obediently.

What... what color do you want? the old man asked, shivering.

Police car paint job! Blue and white! Lin Fan said.

The old man didn't dare to delay and quickly mixed the paint and started spraying the Lamborghini.

But who knew, this old man's craftsmanship was really poor.

The blue and white paint sprayed on the car body was crooked, like a child's graffiti. And the quality of the paint was also very poor; after it was sprayed on, it gave off a pungent smell.

Lin Fan looked at the police car in front of him, and his mouth couldn't help twitching.

Where was this any kind of stealth vehicle? This was simply a cartoon police car!

The boundary between the blue and white on the car body was blurred; some places were sprayed thick, some places thin, and there were even a few drops of paint on the car window.

Franklin was also dumbfounded: This... will this work? Won't the police see through it at a glance?

It should... work, right? Lin Fan didn't have much confidence either. Anyway, it's dark, you can't see clearly.

Michael sighed: Forget it, just make do with it! It's better than driving a bright silver sports car and showing off!

Just as the three were about to leave, Lin Fan suddenly saw a pile of stickers in the corner of the auto repair shop.

The pattern on the stickers was Hello Kitty.

Lin Fan's eyes rolled, and he thought of another sleazy move.

He picked up a few Hello Kitty stickers and stuck them on the car body.

What are you doing? Michael asked suspiciously.

Adding a little bit of deception! Lin Fan said seriously. Think about it, what police officer would drive a police car covered in Hello Kitty stickers? This way, it's even safer!

Michael and Franklin looked at each other, both feeling that Lin Fan's brain circuit was too strange.

But as things stood, this was all they could do.

The three of them got into this cartoon police car, and Franklin stepped on the gas, and the sports car rushed out like a bolt of lightning.

Along the way, they indeed encountered several waves of patrolling police.

But strangely, those police officers just took one look at them and ignored them.

Lin Fan was secretly proud; it seemed his plan had succeeded!

But just as they were about to drive out of the wealthy district, a patrol car suddenly blocked their way.

A tall police officer got out of the car, walked to their window, and knocked on the glass.

Franklin's heart tightened, and he quickly lowered the window.

Officer, is there something wrong? Franklin squeezed out a smile and asked.

The police officer stared at their car for a long time, his brows furrowed, and there was a hint of doubt in his tone: Which... which police station are you from?

Michael hurriedly said: We are from the city center police station, and we are on a secret mission!

The police officer nodded, seemingly believing it.

But just then, his gaze fell on the Hello Kitty sticker on the car body.

The police officer's mouth twitched violently, and pointing at the sticker, he asked in disbelief: How come this police car has Hello Kitty stuck on it? Your police station's aesthetic is too unique, right?

Lin Fan's heart sank, thinking it was bad.

Franklin reacted quickly and said hurriedly: This... this was stuck on by our chief's daughter! She likes Hello Kitty!

The police officer looked them over with half-belief and half-doubt, his eyes full of suspicion.

At this critical moment, Franklin suddenly floored the gas pedal, and the sports car rushed out, almost hitting the police officer.

Damn it! They are fake! The police officer realized, shouted angrily, and quickly jumped into the police car to chase them.

The sound of sirens instantly echoed through the night sky.

Hold on tight! Franklin shouted, and the steering wheel turned sharply, and the sports car wove through the traffic like a flexible fish.

Franklin's driving skills were indeed well-deserved; he dodged left and right, making that patrol car spin in circles.

The police behind were so angry they were yelling, but they couldn't catch up to them no matter what.

Awesome! Lin Fan couldn't help shouting. Franklin, you are too amazing!

Franklin grinned, his face full of pride: That's right! In Los Santos, when it comes to driving skills, I claim second, no one dares to claim first!

Michael was clutching his gun tightly, looking at the rearview mirror vigilantly: Don't get carried away! There are still police cars behind!

A thrilling chase battle took place on the streets of Los Santos.

In the end, Franklin relied on his superb driving skills to shake off the patrol car and drove the car to the entrance of Simeon's luxury dealership.

Simeon was already waiting there, and seeing them drive over in a cartoon police car covered in Hello Kitty, his mouth couldn't help twitching.

You... what the hell are you doing? Simeon pointed at the car body and asked speechlessly.

Lin Fan shrugged: No choice, to avoid detection.

Simeon was too lazy to ask further; he walked around the car and saw that the snake-shaped logo on the car body had been covered by paint, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

Well done. Simeon took a thick envelope from his arms and handed it to Lin Fan. This is fifty thousand dollars, you can count it.

Lin Fan took the envelope and weighed it; it was heavy. He opened it and saw that it was full of brand-new dollars.

No need to count, I trust Mr. Simeon's reputation. Lin Fan grinned and put the envelope away.

This was their first pot of gold!

Just then, Simeon said meaningfully: By the way, I forgot to tell you, this car... is actually Victor's collection.

Victor!

The expressions of Lin Fan, Michael, and Franklin changed instantly.

The boss of the Snake Fang Gang! That ruthless man!

You played us! Franklin said angrily, about to rush up to settle the score with Simeon.

Michael hurriedly pulled him back.

Simeon chuckled: I didn't play you. I just forgot to mention it. But don't worry, Victor is out of town now and won't be back for a while. By the time he finds out the car is missing, you'll be long gone.

After speaking, Simeon waved his hand: Alright, you can go. If there's work in the future, I'll contact you again.

The three gritted their teeth and turned to leave the dealership.

They didn't notice that in the alley opposite the dealership, a man in a black suit was holding a mobile phone and taking a picture of their backs.

The man's mouth curled into a cold arc, and he whispered: Boss, I found them.

On the other end of the phone, Victor's cold voice came: Very good. Daring to steal my car, I will let them know the consequences of offending the Snake Fang Gang!

The man hung up the phone, looked at the direction where the three of Lin Fan had disappeared, and a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

And at this moment, the three of Lin Fan were sitting in a remote little tavern, celebrating their first pot of gold.

Lin Fan took a sip of beer, looking at the brightly lit Los Santos outside the window, but there was no joy in his heart.

He knew that the trouble had just begun.

Having stolen Victor's car, the Snake Fang Gang would definitely not let it go.

A new storm was quietly brewing.

The night in Los Santos was still not peaceful.