King of Gamblers: Growing from a Student to a Jade King

The business of exploiting gullible customers is so profitable—why wouldn't they continue? The gambling stone trade depends on two things: luck and skill. If you purchase a fake rough stone, it's your fault for lacking the discernment. Unless you catch someone red-handed, they'll never admit to fraud. It's a high-stakes industry with immense profits. Why would anyone abandon such a lucrative venture?

Malan frowned, pondering for a while before saying, "I rarely meddled in Fat Pig Zhu's affairs. If he didn't tell me, I wouldn't know. As for why they stopped fleecing customers, I found it puzzling too. At that time, stone gambling was becoming an incredibly profitable industry. Many business owners joined in, and our business also improved. However, Skinny Monkey suddenly stopped his operations. Each time, he would approach us, and based on the stones' quality, we would select the 'fat sheep' together. If he didn't contact us, we didn't act further. Later, Skinny Monkey directed Fat Pig Zhu to sell powder instead, which was also highly profitable. Within a few years, Fat Pig Zhu made tens of millions. So we didn't think much of it. If you hadn't mentioned it today, I might have forgotten about it entirely."

Hearing Malan's words, I furrowed my brows. The Third Factory...

Nongdao is a complicated place. Qian Guang once told me it's a hub for drugs, fraudsters, and other criminals. No one wants to interact with its denizens. If someone suddenly stops such a profitable business, there are only two possibilities: either they made a fortune, or they met their end. If it's the latter, Skinny Monkey would undoubtedly know. This likely means they struck gold and decided to wash their hands of it.

Malan looked at me and said, "Skinny Monkey may seem brash and reckless, but deep down, he's meticulous and cunning. He harbors many sinister ideas and has an unholy alliance with Chen Xi. While Chen Xi steers clear of drugs and gambling, he isn't short on ways to make money. Taking down Skinny Monkey means dealing with Chen Xi first. Their mutual interests run deep—deeper than those between Fat Pig Zhu and Liu Qiang. They are truly inseparable."

Malan's words gave me new insights into Skinny Monkey. To bring him down, I'd need to first isolate him from Chen Xi and the people of Nongdao, perhaps even from Qi Ye. I'd make him the target of everyone's animosity.

To break up such a partnership, the best way is to create a conflict of interest. But how could Chen Xi and Skinny Monkey face such a conflict?

I asked Malan, "Do Chen Xi and Skinny Monkey have any disputes?"

Malan shook her head. "Those two are as close as twins sharing one pair of trousers. How could there be any disputes? In all my years married to Fat Pig Zhu, I've never noticed any conflicts between them."

I frowned. Two people without conflicts—impossible. Even the closest of friends will have disputes, though they might be minor and easily overlooked.

Malan asked, "What do you want me to do?"

I shook my head and replied, "I'm not sure yet. I just want your stance."

Malan hesitated briefly, then said, "I'm on your side, of course."

I smiled. "Good. I'll be away from Ruili for a few days. Don't look for me until I return."

After leaving Malan's office, I walked out with Zhao Kui. At the storefront, Sang Ling glanced at me secretly. I ignored her and left directly.

In the car, Zhao Kui asked, "How did it go?"

I replied, "Learned some things, got a few clues, but nothing concrete. Let's head back to Kunming. I need to rest and wait for the right opportunity."

During the drive to Kunming, I remained silent. Once there, I got out of the car and returned home, while Zhao Kui found a hotel for himself.

At home, I knocked on the door. My mother opened it quickly, her expression full of worry. "You've lost weight—so much weight! Has it been tough out there?"

Her words warmed my heart and stirred up my grievances. I wanted to throw myself into her arms and cry, but I couldn't. My near-death experience would only make her anxious. Smiling, I said, "Mom, it's normal for a man to work hard outside. I'm hungry—could you make me some tapioca soup?"

Smiling, my mother went to the kitchen. Sitting in the living room, I watched her busy figure, tears falling silently. Recalling everything I had endured, I couldn't help but think—if I had died, what would become of her? How would she carry on? Her ordinary figure felt like the greatest treasure in my life.

Wiping my tears, I resolved not to let her see them. I would bring her joy, not worry, no matter what I endured outside.

When she brought me the soup, I drank it happily. Its simple taste was incredibly warm and comforting.

"Zhao Fei, if it's too hard, stop. Focus on studying. I can always find something to do to support us," she said.

Smiling, I replied, "It's not hard, Mom. I just missed your cooking."

"If you miss it, just come home anytime. I'll always cook for you," she said, stroking my head like when I was a child.

I smiled, feeling immense warmth. No matter what hardships I faced outside, I would always be just her child at home, shielded by her unconditional love.

After eating, I went to my room and slept deeply. When I woke up, it was already dark.玄灵 called, asking me to pick her up from school.

Agreeing, I called Zhao Kui. After a one-hour drive, we arrived at her school. While waiting, I reflected on how the university I once aspired to now felt increasingly distant. My life had veered onto a completely different path.

Seeing xuanling run toward me, I couldn't help but smile as she embraced me tightly. "I missed you so much!"

"How much?" I teased, stroking her hair, now long enough for a ponytail.

"So much!" she replied, laughing.

We left for dinner, but a familiar figure disrupted our evening...