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

The car pulled up at the entrance of the Kunming Hotel. We stepped out, leaving Zhao Kui to park. Zeng Hong, holding the dog's leash, walked inside. A waiter promptly approached her, offering to take the leash, showcasing an attentive level of service.

At the elevator doors, an attendant pressed the button for us. Once inside, he handed the dog back to me before stepping aside to press the button for our floor.

As the elevator doors slid shut, unease stirred within me. A faint fear of confined spaces, something I'd never experienced before, began to creep in. Instinctively, my hand sought something solid to grip—a subconscious bid for security.

Zeng Hong turned to glance at me, her expression tinged with curiosity. Only then did I notice that my hand had latched onto hers. Embarrassed, I tried to pull away, but fear tightened my grip instead.

She frowned slightly but didn't pull back. Instead, she held my hand firmly, offering a soft smile. There was no hidden meaning in my actions, but I couldn't shake the overwhelming anxiety.

That event—a nightmare in my life—had left me with a lasting imprint, an indelible fear that no time could erase.

Sweat beaded on my forehead, and the suffocating atmosphere only heightened my urge to escape. As the elevator doors finally opened, I rushed out, breathing deeply as relief washed over me. Turning back, I saw Zeng Hong following, her expression as graceful as ever. She extended her hand toward me and teased, "If you want to hold it, just do it."

I glanced at her fair, delicate hand but didn't take it. Instead, I reached for the leash in her grasp and asked, "Which room is ours?"

Zeng Hong seemed slightly taken aback, her outstretched hand freezing mid-air. Disappointment flickered across her face. Clearly, she had hoped I'd take her hand, but I didn't. As I turned, she quickly caught up and slipped her arm around mine, holding tightly.

"Be a gentleman," she chided playfully. "You always claimed to be one, didn't you?"

Helpless, I let her hold on. I led the dog as she guided me down the hallway. "I've reserved a VIP suite," she said. "This hotel is usually packed with dignitaries from the Thai consulate and various government officials. It's nearly impossible to get a room here. If it weren't for my father entertaining some clients and having a VIP card, even I couldn't have managed it."

Her words stirred a bittersweet feeling within me. The contrast between the rich and the ordinary was glaring. For people like me, without connections or status, such luxuries seemed out of reach—a fleeting dream.

Zeng Hong led me into the suite. It was spacious, complete with a television and other entertainment amenities. The room was airy, with large windows that offered a breathtaking view of Kunming. The curtains were drawn open by the attendant, revealing the cityscape in all its splendor.

Two dogs scrambled to the window, barking incessantly. Zeng Hong called out, "Zhao Fei, come and sit."

I walked over and poured her a glass of water. She smiled as she accepted it. "Thank you. By the way, why didn't you bring Xuan Ling along?"

Her question held no genuine curiosity; it was meant to show superiority. If I had brought Xuan Ling, the disparity between the two women would have been glaring, leaving Xuan Ling uncomfortable even without Zeng Hong explicitly humiliating her.

"She went grocery shopping with my mother," I replied with a faint smile.

Zeng Hong's face briefly clouded, but she quickly masked it with a composed smile. "I haven't visited your mother in a while. I should pay her a visit sometime."

I gave a polite smile but didn't respond. Instead, I asked, "Why isn't Hua Hua here?"

"Hua Hua? Why would I invite her? It's just us. Why, are you interested in her?" Zeng Hong asked cautiously.

"No," I replied.

Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "If you are, I could arrange something for you two."

Her suggestion didn't surprise me. Zeng Hong was as manipulative as ever. If I got involved with Hua Hua, she'd seize the chance to sabotage my relationship with Xuan Ling. For Zeng Hong, the outcome was irrelevant; her goal was simply to disrupt.

"No need," I said, shaking my head. "But I am curious about her. She's around our age yet isn't attending university, instead mingling with questionable people. Don't her family care? And how did you two meet? Does your father approve of your association with someone like that?"

Zeng Hong shifted closer, a faint whiff of her perfume drifting to me. Its scent was peculiar, stirring an uncomfortable heat within me.

"Hua Hua's father knows mine. Have you heard of Old Niu?" she asked.

"Old Niu? The one from the jade-gambling shop in Ruili?"

That name was etched into my memory—Old Niu, the man who sold my father fake jade stones, ruining him. Hearing it now reignited a buried anger within me.

"Yes, her father is Old Niu. Whenever my dad gambles on jade, he goes to his shop and often wins big. He even takes business friends there, so they've become quite close," Zeng Hong explained.

Her words left me stunned. I hadn't expected her father to not only know Old Niu but also bring him more customers. A chaotic whirl of thoughts clouded my mind, too scattered to form a coherent picture.

Zeng Hong leaned against my shoulder, fiddling with her phone. I wanted to push her away, but she clung tightly. "What's the big deal? You used to let me lean on you all the time," she said coyly.

I sighed. It wasn't that I didn't want her close; the heat from her perfume was becoming unbearable. But with her insistence, I had no choice but to endure.

"Hua Hua and I have known each other for a long time," she continued. "Her family's financial situation is unstable—sometimes they strike it big, other times they lose everything. They've had to flee from debts more than once. When they couldn't even afford food, I helped them out, introducing friends to her father's shop to ease their troubles."

Her words startled me. "But I thought Old Niu's shop did well?"

"It does, but her father has a gambling habit and, from what I hear, a drug problem. He's squandered fortunes and had to flee from debt collectors. I think he's hiding out somewhere now," Zeng Hong said.

My jaw tightened. Old Niu, the man who had destroyed my family, was now a fugitive. If I ever found him, I'd ensure he paid for his deeds.

"What about Hua Hua's connection to that short guy?" I asked.

"Oh, you mean her mentor? He's quite well-connected. They've known each other since before I met her. I'm not sure of the details," Zeng Hong replied. Then, she pouted. "Why are you so curious about her? Don't tell me you're really interested. Hua Hua may be beautiful, but she's a thorny rose—you'll only hurt yourself. Not like me; I'd never hurt you no matter what."

Her tone carried a hint of jealousy. I chuckled softly at her attempt to fish for reassurance. She suddenly embraced me, leaning in closer. "You seem warm. Are you feeling hot?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Caught off guard, I nodded.

"Does it make you want to—?" she trailed off, her gaze piercing.

Her insinuation left me stunned, and her perfume intensified the heat within me. As she leaned in for a kiss, I quickly raised my hand to stop her. "Is there something in your perfume?"

Zeng Hong pulled back, a mix of frustration and amusement flashing across her face. "Of course not. It's a luxury French brand. You must like me—that's why you feel this way. I know you used to have feelings for me but didn't cherish the chance. Now, fate is giving us another opportunity. Let's not waste it this time," she murmured, leaning in again.

Her persistence grew more aggressive, pinning me against the sofa. The fragrance overwhelmed me, fueling my unease. Summoning my resolve, I pushed her away and retreated to the window for fresh air.

"Zhao Fei, have you really stopped liking me?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "Remember how passionately you pursued me before?"

Her plea caught me off guard. "I've moved on. My focus now is on building a better future. I refuse to remain labeled as a driver's son forever," I replied firmly.

Her demeanor softened, and she wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things before. They were just angry words… like when you called me a… Well, we both said things we didn't mean, didn't we?"

The heat from her embrace, coupled with the scent, intensified. Zeng Hong's machinations were apparent. Yet, despite everything, I found myself stroking her hair, driven by something I couldn't explain.

"I forgive you," I said at last. "We were young and naïve then. But now, I need your help. I have plans, and I can't do it alone. Will you support me?"

Without hesitation, she nodded emphatically. My heart swelled with a mix of relief and guilt. With her help, I knew success would be within reach. But what of Xuan Ling?

No, revenge justified everything. I would not waver in my mission.