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

Zeng Hong clung to me tightly. I stroked her hair; it was so soft. In my youth, I had dreamt countless nights of Zeng Hong in my arms, yet now, it felt like a burden.

I've been cruel to Zeng Hong, but I can't make her leave me. Must I resort to even crueler methods?

I thought perhaps…

I said, "I've heard that women in unfamiliar cities feel the most insecure."

"Yes, I feel incredibly insecure…" Zeng Hong echoed.

I smiled, and said, "Therefore, they are easily exploited by men, and end up sleeping with them."

My words caused Zeng Hong to lift her head. Her face flushed as she looked at me. I lowered my gaze and asked, "Is that what you mean?"

Zeng Hong narrowed her eyes, a captivatingly alluring expression, and demurely replied, "If you wish…"

I shook my head, cupping her face in my hands. "Why demean yourself? You're so wealthy and beautiful; you could find someone better, someone more handsome than me. Why cling to me? I have a girlfriend…"

Zeng Hong silenced me with her warm, yet slightly trembling hand pressed against my lips. "Compared to Xuan Ling, I'm a thousand, ten thousand times better. I surpass her in every way. Why don't you like me? No, you do like me, you're just temporarily captivated by her. She must have used despicable, base methods—her body—to keep you, that's the only explanation. Otherwise, a woman as base as she is, how could she possibly win against me?"

I looked at Zeng Hong's earnest, furious face. In her heart, Xuan Ling was despicable and base, a woman who only used her body to keep a man. Unfortunately, that wasn't true.

I laughed. "Truly, a person's heart is their own mirror. How you perceive others is a reflection of yourself. Everything you said, Xuan Ling never did. What you've done is precisely what you accuse her of. I'm telling you clearly now: you don't like me; you simply don't want to lose to Xuan Ling. Face reality, Miss."

I started to leave, but Zeng Hong scrambled down, her weakened body collapsing. "No, it's true I want to win against Xuan Ling, but… I've discovered I love you, truly. That night, the feeling you gave me… I've never experienced anything like it. You terrified me, made me feel unreachable, yet also exhilarated me. I truly fell in love with you, Zhao Fei, truly."

Zeng Hong crawled towards me on her knees, clinging tightly to my legs. I looked at her; she was crying profusely, her expression sincere. That night…

Recalling that night with Zeng Hong, she'd been terrified, yet afterward, she seemed excited. In the car, she tempted me, causing a shift in my emotions. Could it have been then that she fell for me?

If so, I'd truly blundered. Xuan Ling rose, seizing my hand and pressing it against her chest. There was no resistance. I tried to pull away, but she held on firmly. "Do you feel it? I'm sincere. I can give you everything—my youth, my beauty, everything, even my dignity. You can take it all. You can even retaliate for everything I've done, as long as you return to me. I beg you, come back. Xuan Ling can't offer you anything."

Zeng Hong's hand pressed firmly, her rapid heartbeat palpable. She looked at me, tears streaming down her face. This emotional outburst left me stunned.

Suddenly, Zeng Hong unfastened her nightgown. I watched the white robe slowly slip down, revealing a woman of perfect form, standing before me without a single barrier. Zeng Hong said, "If my past actions have caused you irreparable pain, you can retaliate now. I'll accept it, as long as you return to me…"

I looked at Zeng Hong. She was truly a beautiful woman, her skin firm and smooth, flawless. Her perfect waistline was captivating, her long, slender legs mesmerizing. Her current posture was intoxicating. With a single reach, I could possess this alluring crimson apple.

She waited, expectant, her eyes closed, as if awaiting an impending storm. She spread her arms, seemingly prepared for anything. A slight smile played on her lips, as if celebrating an imminent victory. She'd made such a sacrifice, abandoning her dignity, giving it all to me. Surely, I should return to her.

But, unfortunately, I felt nothing. I only saw a statue, a beautiful statue…

I said, "Zeng Hong, if you don't love someone, you don't. Coercion is useless. I don't love you, so even if you stand naked before me, I feel nothing. Nothing at all. Do you understand? I have nothing left for you. To me, you're nothing more than a beautiful statue…"

My words were cruel. Zeng Hong opened her eyes, staring at me, her lips trembling in disbelief. I turned and left. She collapsed to the floor. I paused, but then reasoned that I'd already been cruel enough; why bother with tenderness? Let her be.

Having made up my mind, I turned and left, closing the door behind me, feeling much better. Men are strange creatures, not much different from women. If a man doesn't like a woman, he won't try. Feeling is a magical thing; without it, a man loses all motivation.

Outside, I saw Hua Hua, reclining seductively on the sofa, her usual avant-garde expression of disdain for the world.

Seeing me emerge, she stood, glancing at Zeng Hong's door. "You're incredibly heartless. A woman who encounters a man like you… it's worse than death."

"You should be grateful you won't fall for someone like me," I said.

Hua Hua looked at me icily. "I won't fall for anyone. You're all merely pawns in my game. In my world, you're all my puppets, dancing to my tune."

I said, "Is that so? Everyone's your puppet? But this time, you'll be mine."

Hua Hua looked at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She narrowed them, her thoughts unreadable, but quickly said, "Deposit it into my account. Within three days."

I laughed. I knew she'd ask for money. "Fine. Have your father come and collect it."

Hua Hua frowned. "I warn you, don't break the rules. Otherwise, you'll die a horrible death. I won't compromise, never."

I grabbed Hua Hua by the neck, pulling her close. She resisted, glaring at me fiercely. Her perfume was peculiar—a fresh scent tinged with a faint stench, simultaneously attracting and repelling. A strange girl indeed.

I said, "Have your father come get it, or you won't receive a cent."

She abruptly wrenched herself free. "We'll see."

I frowned, unsure what she meant, but ignored her, curious to see what tricks she had up her sleeve. The money was mine; without her father's appearance, she wouldn't get a dime. I said nothing more and left the hotel, got into the car. Zhao Kui looked at me and asked, "Brother Fei, feeling good?"

I shook my head. I wasn't exactly happy, but I felt better. Hua Hua wasn't someone to be trifled with. Her threat was one I needed to take seriously. My only concern was my mother and Xuan Ling. I called Wang Gui.

The call connected. "Wang Gui, take the brothers to Kunming. Rent a place in Lanqiao District. Keep an eye on things. If anyone tries to harm my mother or Xuan Ling, take care of them."

I hung up. Wang Gui and his men needed to lay low anyway; Kunming was a good option, killing two birds with one stone.

Zhao Kui asked, "Is someone threatening Auntie?"

"No, better safe than sorry," I said with a smile.

Zhao Kui didn't ask further, driving away from the hotel. I didn't care about Hua Hua—a girl who thought she was a master manipulator, treating everyone like pawns. She thought she'd fleeced a few fat sheep, gained the trust of a girl like Zeng Hong, and thought she was something special. To me, she was just a porcupine—lots of quills, but once you opened her up, she's nothing.

As for Lao Niu, I really wanted to see him again. He'd fleeced so many fat sheep, he should pay the price.

The rain in Ruili continued to fall. Yunnan's rainy season was a headache. Judging by the situation, it would likely last two or three months, maybe even until the New Year. If so, it was rather worrying.

I stayed in Ruili for two days. It was peaceful—no fights, no trouble. But I knew this calm was the prelude to a storm.

The heavy rain continued. I saw a car pull up in front of my shop. Qian Guang got out and entered. Zhuzi put away his umbrella. Seeing Qian Guang, I knew something was about to happen.

"Brother Guang…" I said, gesturing for him to sit.

After Qian Guang sat, Zhao Kui poured him a drink. Qian Guang waved his hand. "No need for pleasantries. Seventh Master is playing peacemaker again tomorrow."

I chuckled. "If he wants to, let him. He's just a peacemaker."

Qian Guang laughed, took a sip of his drink, and swirled the glass. "They still listen to Seventh Master. With him mediating, the two won't fight. Strike while the iron is hot. If they have time to react, they'll surely join forces against us."

I frowned. Qian Guang was right. Strike while the iron is hot…