Performance Opening

"Can I borrow your phone for a second?"

The city buzzed with traffic, neon lights flickering against the night sky.

A woman in a striking red dress leaned against the riverside railing, idly scrolling through videos when a crisp, youthful voice interrupted her.

"Sorry, this’ll just take a moment."

A young man named Zhou Ke appeared beside her, his expression disarmingly innocent.

The woman arched a brow, wary, but when Zhou Ke held out his hand, she hesitated before handing over her phone.

Zhou Ke took it, tapped the screen a few times, and pulled up an image—

A single coin.

The woman frowned, confused.

"Actually, I’m a street magician. Practicing a trick."

"In a second, I’ll pull this coin right out of your phone."

Her skepticism melted into curiosity.

"Alright then, little magician. Show me."

Zhou Ke’s fingers glided over the screen, and a metallic glint flashed.

The next instant, a silver one-yuan coin rested in his left palm, catching the light.

The woman’s eyes widened, a gasp escaping her lips.

Two seconds later—

Clap clap clap!!!

"That was amazing!" she cheered, applauding.

Nearby, passersby turned at the commotion, drifting closer.

Zhou Ke bowed gracefully. "Thank you for the praise."

As he moved to return the phone, a cold gust swept by.

"Achoo!"

His hand jerked slightly.

The phone slipped—

And plummeted in a perfect arc toward the river.

Splash!!!

Ripples spread across the water’s surface.

The woman’s outstretched arm froze mid-air.

Zhou Ke offered an awkward smile and pressed the coin into her palm.

She stared blankly at the single yuan.

"...Where’s my phone?"

"It turned into this coin."

Zhou Ke blinked, radiating innocence.

"You think one yuan can buy my phone?!"

"Uh… how about I cover the rest with my magic performance fee?"

Her face darkened, eyes locked on him.

Zhou Ke sensed the danger and edged backward.

Their standoff drew more onlookers, murmurs rising.

"Can you believe this?! He threw my phone in the river and tried to run!"

Her voice sharpened, the crowd thickening, necks craning for a better view.

Zhou Ke hid a smirk.

Perfect.

With a calm smile, he said, "Apologies for the scare, ma’am."

"As a magician, everything is part of the act."

"A trick never fails—you just fell for the illusion."

"Now, check your bag."

Skeptical, she unzipped her LV purse—and stiffened.

"Huh?"

Inside lay a pink phone.

She pulled it out, inspecting it.

"My phone?!"

She held it aloft.

The crowd erupted in gasps.

A child’s ice cream dripped onto his father’s shoe, forgotten.

Two seconds later—

Clap clap clap clap!!!

Thunderous applause erupted.

"Sorry for doubting you, kid!"

……

In the next few minutes, Zhou Ke performed trick after trick.

Coins vanished, roses bloomed from his palm, flames sparked from thin air—

The crowd swelled, excitement crackling.

By now, the audience was electric.

"Alright, sister. This next one’s the grand finale!"

Zhou Ke fanned out a deck of cards.

"Pick one, any one."

The woman in red tapped a card and drew it.

Seven of Clubs.

A trace of her perfume clung to it.

Zhou Ke slid it back into the deck and shuffled.

"Quick quiz—how many suits are in a deck?"

She smirked. "Easy. Spades ♠, Hearts ♥, Clubs ♣, Diamonds ♦. Four."

"And how many ranks per suit?"

"Thirteen. Ace to King."

"Impressive! Last one: how many cards in a full deck?"

"Fifty-four. Fifty-two for ranks and suits, plus the Jokers."

The crowd chorused: "One in fifty-four!"

Zhou Ke spread the deck face-down, scanning.

"Not this one… not this one either…"

All eyes tracked his hands, waiting for the Seven of Clubs to reappear.

Got it!

He plucked a card and raised it high.

"This is the one!"

The woman braced for awe.

The crowd lifted their arms, ready to cheer—

Then froze.

Not the Seven of Clubs.

Silence.

"Mommy, he messed up!" a little girl giggled, tugging her mother’s sleeve.

Zhou Ke turned the card around.

Why so serious?

The card’s face smirked back—

The Joker.

"Hey, you were close—" the woman started, but Zhou Ke flung the card skyward.

Moonlight glinted off its surface as it spun, slicing through the night.

"Remember what I said—"

Zhou Ke grinned, voice booming:

"A trick never fails!"

"You just fell for the illusion!"

The card whirled, casting fractured reflections from a distant skyscraper’s lights—

Then—

BANG!!!

Like a switch flipped, every light on the commercial street went dark.

"What’s happening?!" Voices murmured in the blackness.

"Look! The tower!" someone shrieked.

Lights blazed to life across the skyscraper’s windows, climbing floor by floor.

Dots of white raced upward, arranging themselves—

Until, high above, a colossal image formed:

The Seven of Clubs, etched across the skyline.

The river mirrored it, doubling the illusion, as if the city had tumbled into a deck of cards.

"WOOOOOW!!!"

The crowd roared.

Hands clapped, cheers shaking the night.

Zhou Ke slipped away unnoticed.

Softly, he whispered:

"Magic… curtain call."

The ovation echoed through the streets, endless.

……

After distancing himself from the crowd, Zhou Ke stretched lazily:

"Ah, today's magic show was another success... Huh? Who are you?"

Suddenly, two men who appeared to be police officers blocked his path and flashed their badges:

"We're from the Supernatural Ability Regulatory Department of Dragon Country."

"Sorry, but we've detected unauthorized use of [supernatural abilities]. You’ll need to come with us."