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

Huahua has been subtly luring me step by step, and it's terrifying to have someone grasp your innermost desires. She could easily manipulate you. To deal with such a woman, one must be ruthless; otherwise, the outcome could be disastrous. Therefore, I have no choice but to destroy this flower with a heavy hand.

With her debt repaid, Huahua no longer needs to remain as someone else's hostage. However, I know little about Huahua, and even less about Nongdao. I feel weary. Should I wade into these murky waters? My life has already spiraled beyond my control. Stirring this pool further—who knows what waves it might unleash?

I stood up, brushing away the thoughts of things yet to happen. Right now, I need money. The public auction is imminent, and I must prepare enough funds.

I drove with Zhao Kui to Jade City. Upon arrival, I saw the bustling crowds, tourists everywhere. I noticed Sang Ling still handing out flyers—it was already past six in the evening, time to clock out. I approached her, but she pretended not to see me, turning instead to hand flyers to passing tourists.

Puzzled, I grabbed Sang Ling and asked, "You didn't see me?"

She glared at me, shook off my hand, and retorted, "Did you see me?"

Her response baffled me. Then, I remembered—perhaps it had to do with that night. I had promised to go home with her for dinner, but due to certain unexpected events, I hadn't shown up. Looking at her now, she suddenly burst into tears, heartbroken.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Something came up."

"Of course, you're busy. I'm busy too..." Sang Ling snapped, pulling away from me before returning to her flyers, ignoring me completely.

I frowned. Soothing an upset woman isn't easy, but I decided not to bother. I don't like childish women and won't waste my time appeasing them.

I entered Jade City and went to Ma Lan's counter. She was sitting at the counter, smoking, phone in hand. When she saw me, she glanced at me lazily but said nothing.

"Did you process the materials?" I asked.

"Do you think materials worth eighty million are that easy to deal with? I just polished them and sorted the pieces, but I haven't found the right master to craft the final products. Don't rush me," Ma Lan replied indifferently.

I sighed. "I urgently need money now. Just give me thirty million for the time being."

Ma Lan bit down on her cigarette and glared at me. "Do I look like an ATM to you? You just open your mouth and ask for thirty million?"

I stared at her. "I brought the materials to you to support your business. If I had handled them myself, I'd have dealt with them long ago. Ma Lan, can you be a little less ungrateful?"

She didn't even look at me. "I don't have it."

Damn it.

Angered, I kicked the counter. This woman could really drive someone insane. "Give me the materials back," I demanded.

She stubbed out her cigarette on the floor. "How about one million? That's all I've got."

"Where's your money? You've made so much, and you've only got a million?" I asked, incredulous.

"I spent it. I bought a villa in Texas—forty million. Just paid for it. Look," she said, showing me her phone.

On the screen was an image of an ultra-luxurious villa. I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated. Damn, her spending was insane—forty-five million gone in a flash. She already had a villa; why buy another house? She's crazy.

Still, I envied Ma Lan. She could spend as she pleased, while I was still repaying debts, carefully calculating my next steps to earn more money. Even with tens of millions in hand, I couldn't spend recklessly, and I had so many promises left unfulfilled.

I ruffled my hair. "Just give it to me. Process the materials as soon as possible. The auction is in a month, and I need the money."

Ma Lan scowled. "You should've said so earlier! I just bought a villa, and now you tell me about the auction?"

I laughed. "I only just found out myself."

Unhappy, she made the transfer. Moments later, my phone buzzed with a notification—one million deposited. Bank transfers these days are incredibly fast.

As I prepared to leave, Ma Lan leaned in coquettishly. "Come to my villa tonight? Have a drink? Tell me who put that mark on your forehead."

Seeing her seductive demeanor, I replied, "You lure me in when you need something, but otherwise, you treat me like a fool. Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"Can't a man show a little generosity and tolerance? I'm a woman! I even risked my neck for you. Can't I have a temper?" she snapped.

I chuckled, said nothing, and left. I couldn't be bothered to argue with her. Ma Lan was flirtatious and beautiful, but she was too domineering. I didn't like being under her thumb. I'd rather put her in her place, so she'd treat me with more respect in the future.

Leaving Jade City, I glanced around, searching for Sang Ling. Suddenly, I saw her being dragged into an alley by a man. Concerned, I hurried over with Zhao Kui.

"Take all this money. That's all I've got. Please, I'm begging you. Give me more time..."

"You're so heartless. Why are you so cruel?"

Hearing the argument, I stepped into the alley. There, I saw Sang Ling anxiously handing a wad of cash to a bespectacled man. He threw the money back at her.

Angered, I shouted, "Who are you? Let her go!"

Startled, Sang Ling urged me to leave. "It's fine. I'll pay you. Just stop bothering me."

The man shoved Sang Ling, and Zhao Kui intervened, grabbing his wrist and kicking his knee. The man crumpled to the ground in pain. Though he looked sturdy, he turned out to be a weakling.

Could he be Sang Ling's ex?

Sang Ling begged us to stop, and Zhao Kui released him. Glaring at Sang Ling, the man stormed off.

Still sobbing, Sang Ling crouched at the alley entrance, crying uncontrollably. I sighed. "Stop crying..."

"Why shouldn't I? All men are liars. One deceived me, and another abandoned me. Do you know how long I waited for you that night? All night! And the next day, I had to endure humiliation at work. I thought I'd finally found someone to rely on, but you're just another liar!"

I pulled Sang Ling to her feet. "I told you I had an emergency. Stop being unreasonable. Let's go home."

I drove her away, ignoring her tears, and laid out my terms. "If you don't believe me, get out now. Let's never cross paths again."

Sang Ling stopped crying, her eyes red and puffy. I wiped away her tears. "Who was that man?"

"My ex-boyfriend. He wants money. I don't even know how he found me. I gave him everything I had, but I'm terrified. I'm scared he'll ruin things between us."

"How much does he want?"

"A lot. He's demanding 1.7 million as a breakup fee. If I don't pay, he'll make my life miserable..."

"Will he stop if you pay him?"

"I hope so..."

Her response felt odd. Why didn't she want me to confront him? Her fear seemed misplaced.

"Fine," I said. "I'll transfer the money tomorrow."

Sang Ling collapsed into my arms, whispering tearfully, "You're so good to me, Zhao Fei. Without you, my life would be in darkness. Thank you..."

I stroked her hair, noting the faint scent of expensive perfume—a fragrance I'd smelled before on Ma Qing.

Where did Sang Ling get the money for such luxury?