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

The Mao Shui jade wasn't inherently poor quality, but its presence could easily mislead one into mistaking it for black mist, thus overestimating the likelihood of high-quality jade. This piece deceived me, causing me to overvalue it.

In the jade gambling world, Mao Shui significantly diminishes the quality of most jade. It's best described as a secondary coloration, a result of chlorite-like substances distributed in a web-like pattern within the jade's micro-fractures. This coloration obscures the jade's intrinsic mineral color, resulting in greyish-green, dark green, or bluish-green hues. These colors stem from secondary minerals, not the jade's original chromophores, hence their classification as secondary coloration.

Essentially, Mao Shui is similar to water-stained jade, both being minerals, yet their prices differ by millions. This piece had a decent base, but lacked any color, and the Mao Shui infiltration was too pervasive; the material was ruined.

I declared, "Boss Wei, the jade is worthless. As a dealer in finished jade, you should know this piece, devoid of base color, is a case of 'green devoured by black.'"

My words struck them like a bomb, instantly souring their expressions. Boss Zeng exclaimed, "Zhao Fei, you son of a bitch, you've swindled me! This is a worthless piece of junk, and you had me pay thirty million? Are you even human?"

I chuckled, replying, "Uncle Chen, jade gambling is inherently risky. I warned you beforehand, so you must bear the consequences."

Boss Zeng, enraged, grabbed my collar, poised to strike. But Qian Guang rose, calmly stating, "Boss Zeng, think carefully before resorting to violence."

"You... you… you're conspiring to bully and swindle me, aren't you? Humph, Zhao Fei, I'm not finished with you. We'll see," Boss Zeng fumed, shoving the jade to the floor, shattering it.

I looked down, a cold smile playing on my lips. Boss Zeng, a mere wealthy merchant, would have to swallow his losses, and I certainly didn't fear him.

Chen Xi, however, was different. He stared coldly at the fragments, asking, "Zhao Fei, you bought the jade. Shouldn't you take responsibility for this situation?"

My laughter boomed. "Should we split the winnings if we'd made a profit? How old are you? Don't you know jade gambling is risky? Did I force you to buy it?"

"Exactly," chimed in Ma Lan, adding fuel to the fire. "We wanted to buy it too, but you snatched it up. Chen Xi, be reasonable. You're the fool here, so why blame others?"

Chen Xi glared, "I've heard rumors of your conspiracy in Fatty Zhu's death. I didn't believe it, but now I've experienced it firsthand. It's true! I suspect you conspired to deceive me. I won't let this go."

Boss Wei, furious, retorted, "Chen Xi, what do you mean? I conduct business honestly. I've done nothing wrong. Don't wrongly accuse me. Besides, you were the one who wanted to buy the jade. You win some, you lose some. I lost thirty million too."

"What the fuck are you talking about, lost? Zeng bought yours for thirty million, I bought mine for three thousand. You didn't lose a single cent, you bastards! You're all in cahoots!" Chen Xi spat, pointing angrily at us.

Qian Guang stepped forward, calmly saying, "Chen Xi, I advise you to stop."

He loosened his tie, but Chen Xi remained undeterred, pulling out his phone. "You think you're untouchable? You must return my thirty million, or I'm not finished with you. If you dare conspire against me, you'll regret it."

He made the call, and I smirked; everything was proceeding as planned. Ma Lan sneered, "If you can't handle losing, then don't play..."

Ignoring Ma Lan, Chen Xi spoke into the phone, "Get me some men, at the Da Chang Jade Shop, bring the tools, damn it…"

He hung up, saying, "Nobody's leaving until this is cleared up. Otherwise, we'll settle this the old-fashioned way. You conspired to swindle your own people, huh?"

Chen Xi's words revealed his cunning. If we had indeed swindled him, fear of the Seventh Uncle's authority would compel us to return his money, putting us in a difficult position. Chen Xi's close ties with the Seventh Uncle were evident. Our first use of this method, eliminating Fatty Zhu, was effective, but a second attempt felt contrived, giving Chen Xi confidence in winning before the Seventh Uncle.

However, we intended to target him, so we showed no sign of backing down. I said, "Winner takes all. We're not playing."

I started to leave, but Chen Xi blocked me, "Try leaving, you son of a bitch?"

Qian Guang intervened, "Chen Xi, if you're going to resort to blackmail, we don't have time for your games."

Chen Xi erupted in laughter. "Qian Guang, thirty million. Until this is explained, nobody leaves."

I smiled, "So what if we leave? Are you going to bite me?"

I turned and walked away, Zhao Kui and Wang Gui following. Qian Guang and the others didn't linger, descending the stairs. Chen Xi, furious, loosened his tie, "If you get out of here, I'll be impressed."

The sounds of a brawl erupted outside. Chen Xi's men had arrived, but were being held at bay. I smiled, confident and composed, and walked downstairs.

Torrential rain lashed down. Many people, armed with knives and pipes, clashed in the downpour. Without hesitation, we reached the entrance. Zhao Kui went to get the car. Qian Guang smiled, watching the escalating violence, saying, "Zhao Fei, victory without fighting, excellent."

Each person was enraged, brutal, treating their opponents as murderers of their fathers. The fight was vicious. We watched Chen Xi descend the stairs, his face grim. Seeing the brawl, he stormed out, shouting in the rain, "Stop it, damn it…"

"Go fuck yourself, you bastard…"

Someone, blinded by rage, struck Chen Xi on the head with a club. He fell to his knees, clutching his head, yelling, "Bastard! Dare you hit me? I'll kill you…"

Chen Xi, losing control, picked up a knife and started hacking. The scene was chaotic. Soon, we heard police sirens. I said, "The show's over."

I got into Zhao Kui's car, Ma Lan joining us. Qian Guang chuckled, "The show's just begun…"

He was right. We left the Da Chang Jade Shop, watching the frenzied crowd and arriving police. I smiled. Next time, it wouldn't be so simple. Someone would die.

We reached Qian Guang's bar. In his office, he opened a bottle of red wine, pouring us each a glass. We clinked glasses.

We took a sip, celebrating. I produced a card, saying, "Ma Lan, deliver thirty million to Shouhou tonight."

Ma Lan took the card, pained. "Damn, thirty million! That's a lot of money. That bastard Shouhou got off cheap."

I said, "Don't be greedy. This money must be delivered. Guang Ge, send out the message; Shouhou and Ma Lan fleeced a fat sheep, taking thirty million from Chen Xi."

"Will Chen Xi believe it?" Qian Guang asked.

I smiled, "Thirty million is in his hands, in cash. Even if Chen Xi doesn't believe the rumors, he'll believe the money."

Qian Guang nodded, "Zhuzi, arrange it."

Zhuzi left. Ma Lan drained her wine, saying, "I'm going to get the money. I'll make sure it's done…"

She left, leaving Qian Guang and me. He took two cigars from a red box, lit one, and offered it to me. I don't smoke, but today felt special, and it was a fine cigar, so I accepted. Wang Gui lit it for me. "Light Guang Ge's first…"

Wang Gui smiled, lighting Qian Guang's first. He didn't refuse, taking a few puffs and leaning back. I lit mine, taking a couple of puffs. It wasn't harsh; it was good quality.

Qian Guang leaned back, "It's a shame we didn't get Wei to bleed. Sixty million would have been more satisfying."

I smiled, "We still need him. If Wei had lost money, Chen Xi might believe it was bad luck, but Wei didn't lose a cent. Do you think Chen Xi will let it go? Besides, Wei will take the fall for us. So it's not a shame."

Qian Guang exhaled smoke, looking at me. "Sixty million, just gone. Don't you feel it's a waste?"

I shook my head. "Security is paramount. If I'd kept that sixty million, but lost my life to Shouhou, it wouldn't be worth it. I know what's truly important."

Qian Guang clapped my shoulder approvingly. "Good. I didn't misjudge you. You understand the bigger picture. Eliminate Shouhou, and no matter how powerful Chen Xi is, he's just one man…"

I smiled, "And after Chen Xi, the Seventh Uncle will lose his right-hand man…"

Qian Guang frowned, silent. I felt a pang of anxiety. I shouldn't have said that, though I'd seen through his thoughts. I took a sip of wine, masking my apprehension.

Qian Guang lowered his head, "If I marry Miss Ma Er, what are the odds of succeeding him?"

A twinge of jealousy struck me. Ma Qing was beautiful, more so than Ma Lan, intelligent and refined. Who wouldn't want her? Hearing Qian Guang's words, I felt a pang of bitterness. I would, of course, sabotage them.

I said, "Think of Fatty Zhu. Though you're different, the essence is the same. If the Seventh Uncle wanted to retire, he would have. He doesn't want to. At least, not for the next ten years."

Qian Guang narrowed his eyes, muttering, "Ten years… too long…"