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

Leaving Da Chang Jade Stone Shop, I drove to Ruili Airport. Why did Mr. Zeng, who clearly owned a car and could have driven, choose to fly?

It was Zeng Hong's handiwork, no doubt.

Arriving at the airport, I saw Zeng Hong and her father standing at the entrance. Zeng Hong was exquisitely dressed in an off-the-shoulder dress, a blend of girlish innocence and womanly allure. Her aqua-colored high heels accentuated her height, making her appear strikingly glamorous.

I alighted from my vehicle, umbrella in hand, and approached them. Zeng Hong waved enthusiastically, while her father displayed a disgruntled and dismissive air. Upon seeing me, he snapped, "What took you so long?"

"I was negotiating a deal with the owner of Da Chang Jade Stone Shop…" I explained.

Mr. Zeng glared at me, then pulled Zeng Hong away. I trailed behind them. The rain was torrential. He snatched my umbrella, shielding himself and his daughter, leaving me drenched to the bone. A searing pain shot through my back wound.

"Dad, what are you doing? Zhao Fei's getting soaked…" Zeng Hong chided, wresting the umbrella from her father and offering it to me.

She drew close, her arm linked through mine. Mr. Zeng, though clearly irritated, hurried towards his car and slipped inside.

Zeng Hong clung to me, her perfume a fragrant cloud around us, her body warm against mine. She was undeniably beautiful, and her embrace drew envious glances, though I felt anything but comfortable.

"Why did you come?" I asked.

"Oh, Dad said he was coming to gamble on jade, so I invited Hua Hua to join me for a trip to Ruili. Don't worry, it won't interfere with your business," Zeng Hong replied.

I opened the car door for Zeng Hong, stowed my umbrella, and slid in beside her. The backseat felt cramped.

"What's this? Picking me up in this junker? I thought you were doing so well in Ruili. Driving a Volkswagen… how embarrassing…" Mr. Zeng grumbled.

I swallowed, managing a nervous laugh. If he knew the car was rented, I shuddered to think of his reaction. Zeng Hong intervened, "Dad, Zhao Fei just finished a business deal. Where would he get the money for a car? Why don't you buy him one?"

"Are you crazy? Buy him one? Who does he think he is? Enough nonsense. Take us to the Ruili Century Grand Hotel," Mr. Zeng retorted angrily.

Zhao Kui drove off. Suddenly, Zeng Hong embraced me, wanting a photograph. Her forceful hug tore open my back wound, causing me to instinctively push her away, cold sweat beading on my forehead, my jaw clenched, my face contorted in pain.

Zeng Hong recoiled, fear evident in her eyes, unsure of my reaction.

"What's the meaning of this? You dare push my daughter? What's the matter with you, you brat?" Mr. Zeng roared.

"Brother Fei, are you alright? Is your back wound serious?" Wang Gui asked anxiously.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my pain. "I'm fine…" I murmured.

Zeng Hong, a mixture of fear and remorse in her eyes, said, "Zhao Fei, you're injured. Let me see…"

She reached for my shirt, her face suddenly contorted in horror. "It's… it's bleeding! I'm so sorry…"

I felt the dampness on my back, the blood welling up. Rage surged through me. The scar had barely healed, and now she'd ripped it open again. The pain was unbearable.

"This kid's going to get himself killed here. Daughter, stay away from him, come here…" Mr. Zeng sneered, pulling Zeng Hong towards him.

I stared out the window, silent. I didn't know when this wound would heal, but I knew one thing: Mr. Zeng, you will pay dearly for this.

The car pulled up to the Ruili Grand World Hotel, a five-star establishment, a jewel in Ruili's crown. We disembarked at the entrance.

Hua Hua, in a different outfit, stood waiting. She met Zeng Hong, and I realized their rendezvous was pre-arranged. A cunning and calculating woman, her presence here made perfect sense.

I escorted Mr. Zeng and his daughter to the elevator, pressed the button, and accompanied them to their suite. It was vast, opulent, a palace-like residence with a homely touch.

Once inside, Zeng Hong said, "I'll change," and dragged Hua Hua into the bedroom.

Mr. Zeng sat on the sofa, legs crossed, tapping a cigarette on his thumbnail. "Zhao Fei, my time is valuable. You invited me to gamble on jade today. When do we begin?"

"I need to contact a few more people," I replied, smiling. "And I recently acquired a piece of raw jade, a fine black Wusha stone. I don't usually gamble on black Wusha, but this piece is exceptional. I bought it, not to gamble, but to show some friends. Why let the good stuff go to outsiders?"

Mr. Zeng fixed me with a stare. "Light my cigarette…" he demanded.

He impatiently put the cigarette in his mouth. I felt a surge of irritation. "I'm sorry, Mr. Zeng, I don't smoke."

"There are matches on the table…" he snapped.

I saw the matches and, though annoyed, bent down. A searing pain ripped through my back. "Sorry, I have a back injury. I can't bend."

Mr. Zeng eyed me disdainfully. "No worries. The weather's awful anyway. I'm not in the mood for jade. Forget it. Go have fun with your friends."

My anger flared. Was this blackmail? I forced a smile. "Understood, Mr. Zeng. It's a pity to miss such a fine piece of jade, but it's your loss. I'll be going then."

I feigned departure, a strategic retreat to gauge his reaction. If he truly wasn't interested, I'd find another way. I could always make Old Seven my target.

As I turned to leave, Zeng Hong emerged, freshly dressed. Seeing my departure, she hurried to stop me. "Zhao Fei, why the rush?"

"I don't want to disturb your rest," I replied, smiling.

"Nonsense, Dad, you're supposed to discuss the jade gambling. Didn't you say you wanted a good gamble? Why are you letting Zhao Fei go? You haven't asked him many questions, have you? Tell me!"

Mr. Zeng, his inner motive exposed by his daughter, looked at me helplessly. "Zhao Fei, when do we start? How do we play? Tell me."

"Tomorrow. Investment will be divided proportionally. Of course, it's not compulsory. Those who want to play can join, those who don't, that's fine. I don't need you, I just want to let you play, so you should understand."

Mr. Zeng jumped up, furious. "You little brat, you've got a lot of nerve…"

Zeng Hong quickly pulled me away. "Dad, don't swear. Zhao Fei, don't talk to him. Come, let's go to my room."

She practically dragged me into her room and shut the door. She leaned against the door, a little embarrassed. She was wearing a new outfit: a pretty face framed by blue-rimmed glasses, a slender waist leading to shapely hips, and a blue miniskirt. It looked like she'd dressed up on purpose. "There's nothing to talk about," I said.

Zeng Hong suddenly pulled me towards the bed. The bed was soft. I lay down, and Zeng Hong lifted my shirt, then shrieked. I turned, seeing her covering her mouth in horror.

"No need to bother, I can go to the hospital," I said.

Zeng Hong quickly pressed my arm. "Don't move, I'll take care of it."

She fetched a first-aid kit. I felt her warm, smooth hand on my back. Zeng Hong's hands were artistic—white, delicate, and smooth. I'd dreamt of holding her hand, but it never happened. Now, her artistic hands were on my back.

I felt a twinge of pain, then coolness as she applied the ointment. I closed my eyes, enduring it. After a while, I felt her placing a bandage on my wound. It felt almost healed.

Suddenly, I felt Zeng Hong's body slowly pressing against mine, carefully.

Without turning, I said coldly, "What are you doing?"

Zeng Hong's voice was choked with tears. "It must hurt terribly! What are you doing? Why did you get hurt like this?"

My anger boiled. If it weren't for you and your father, forcing me into this desperate situation, would I be in Ruili gambling and struggling? You're the root of all this.

"What am I doing? What can I do? Just surviving. In this world, it's either you cut me or I cut you. Get up, I'm leaving."

Zeng Hong remained there for a moment. Then, I saw her in the mirror, taking a picture with her phone. I sprang up, and Zeng Hong fell to the floor.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

"Nothing, just… some news. Zhao Fei, if you don't want to work so hard, you could come to my father's company…" Zeng Hong said, rushing to embrace me.

I coldly pushed her away. "Thanks, but no…"

I left, rejecting her pity. She'd driven me to this point, and I would fight my way out. I would show her, and her family, that the lowly driver could rise from the ashes.