The next morning, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan came out for breakfast and happened to run into Robert and Nancy at the hotel entrance.
Robert greeted them. “Good morning. We just got back from outside.”
“Had breakfast?”
“Yes,” Robert said. “The race is about to start. Let’s find a good spot.”
Lu Zheng blinked. The Monte Carlo circuit was set on city streets. What special good spots were there?
“A side slope along the acceleration straight. Best viewing position,” Robert explained.
See, the benefit of a local guide. Otherwise, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan would likely just stand anywhere streetside.
So Lu Zheng went along, taking Lin Wan’s hand and following Robert to this supposed prime location.
It was a grassy slope about ten metres above the street, fenced off and not open to the public. They entered only because of Robert.
On the lawn, well-dressed men and elegantly attired women sat in small groups. Clearly wealthy.
“Seems not easy to get in here,” Lu Zheng remarked, glancing around.
Robert nodded, pointing to a nearby building. “Only VIPs from there can bring friends. I’m a three-star member, so up to three guests.”
Lu Zheng looked at the building’s side view. It appeared aged.
“What’s that?”
“Monte Carlo Casino.”
Lu Zheng nodded understandingly. “The famous Monte Carlo Casino!”
Robert smiled. “After the race, we can go in and play. If you’re not skilled, stick to the main hall. Or if interested, we can enter a VIP room.”
“No interest,” Lu Zheng shook his head.
“Gucci’s show is on. Chanel’s tonight. Afternoon free anyway. Monaco’s most famous is this casino. Though gambling, it’s also a unique attraction. Since here, treat it as sightseeing?” Robert persuaded.
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered. He exchanged a glance with Lin Wan, then smiled. “Alright, sightseeing it is.”
As they spoke, the F1 Monaco Grand Prix began. The first Ferrari roared past like lightning.
“Ferrari!”
“Knew it!”
“Whoa! So fast! Cool!”
Lawn spectators grew excited, discussing animatedly.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan chatted too, pointing at the track.
“In middle school, I loved watching F1,” Lu Zheng said.
“Didn’t expect you into F1?”
“World’s fastest cars. Boys who love speed all like it, right?”
“No, I mean F1 isn’t very known domestically.”
Lu Zheng nodded helplessly. “Because our cars aren’t competitive. Same as boxing or fighting.”
“So weird why football is so famous,” Lin Wan wondered.
Lu Zheng: “…”
Good question. Don’t ask again.
“You really going to the casino later?” Lin Wan asked.
Lu Zheng nodded. “Just realised we haven’t earned any side income this trip. Thought our free-travel streak broken. Turns out waiting here.”
Lin Wan speechless. “But every free trip seems to involve trouble!”
Bad premonition…
…
Race ended, midday.
No elsewhere. They turned into Monte Carlo Casino. It had restaurants, high quality.
Robert guided Lu Zheng and Lin Wan through the hall, explaining.
“Want to play? Simplest: dice or polar bear roulette.”
“Cards: blackjack, baccarat here.”
“But hall is tourists and casuals. I usually play VIP rooms with others.”
“Lu, hall or join me inside?”
Lu Zheng smiled faintly. “We’ll play outside. You go in.”
Robert blinked. “No rush. Guests first. I’ll show you more.”
…
Moments later.
“Lu! Great luck! Your lucky day. Try VIP room?”
“Though high stakes, with your winnings, enough for a few hands. How about it?”
Robert urged. “VIP guests rich but average skill. You’re so good—go play? If short chips, I can lend. Only five percent interest. Deal?”
Seeing Lu Zheng calm, Robert grew slightly urgent, provoking. “What? Afraid to lose? Or not enough money?”
“How could it?” Lu Zheng’s lips curved. Since you offer money, I won’t refuse.
“Alright, let’s play inside.” Lu Zheng nodded, feigning excited control after wins. “Got money. No need to borrow.”
Robert smiled, snapped fingers, summoning waiter. “Which VIP room open?”
“Mr Robert.” Waiter knew him. “Your usual Caesar Room playing Texas Hold’em. Going?”
“Of course!”
…
Caesar Room.
Besides Robert and Lu Zheng, four at table.
Middle Eastern man, bearded guy, old woman, ordinary middle-aged man.
Middle Eastern flanked by Persian beauties. Bearded with a taller-than-supermodel woman. Old woman with young hunk. Middle-aged alone.
“Robert.”
All four knew Robert. Greeted, glanced at Lu Zheng and Lin Wan, resumed dealing.
Lu Zheng sat. Lin Wan beside, waiting for their move.
…
“Lu, impressive! Great luck!”
Early, Lu Zheng won several hands, mostly from middle-aged man.
Then wins and losses balanced. Opponents controlled rhythm perfectly. Even Lu Zheng detected no anomaly.
They masterfully managed outcomes. Lu Zheng nearly lost all table chips, always just short.
Meanwhile, Middle Eastern, bearded, old woman broke even.
“Experts!”
Lu Zheng’s lips smiled.
Since I’m in your trap, you’ve relaxed vigilance? Time to close the net!
Lu Zheng beckoned. “Waiter! More chips.”
…
Afterwards simple.
After intermittent losses over three million, Lu Zheng seemed frustrated. Next hand, showed account to waiter while still dark cards, exchanged fifty million chips, all-in.
Middle-aged man’s eyes reddened. Urgently phoned outside. Robert excused himself briefly.
Finally, middle-aged scraped one hundred million, called. Winner takes all.
Showdown obvious.
“Impossible!”
Middle-aged stunned. Robert wooden.
“Luck exploded! Knew I’m chosen one!”
Lu Zheng laughed heartily, tossing ten-thousand chip to dealer. To Lin Wan: “See? Free trip again, plus profit. When short money, just travel.”
Lin Wan lips twitched. Glanced ashen middle-aged, pale angry Robert. Silent.
Lu Zheng lips hooked, smiling at Robert. “Robert, thanks. Without you, wouldn’t play or win so much.”
Robert forced smile, checked phone suddenly.
“Lu, amazing. Congrats! But company urgent message. Must go. Won’t join Chanel show.”
“Oh? Fine! Business first,” Lu Zheng smiled.
Robert hurried out. Middle-aged left without pleasantries.
Remaining three glanced meaningfully at Lu Zheng and Lin Wan, exited.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan instantly calm. Their hearing extraordinary. Robert’s first phone words outside door clear.
“Gather men. Bring guns!”
