Qin Xianming was not easily fooled.
When Yu Wei finally couldn’t resist showing his hand, cautiously probing Qin Xianming, the seasoned businessman wanted to laugh.
“So this is the grand scheme of Yu Wenhao and his son? Lowlife thugs using lowlife tactics. That little punk Yu Wei is trying to lure me into gambling!”
Yu Wei’s approach was subtle. When accompanying Qin Xianming on business trips, he arranged for local suppliers to invite Qin to play a few small-stakes games. Qin played along, feigning interest, but soon complained the games were too trivial to be exciting.
Most suppliers urged Qin to keep it casual, saying it was just for fun among friends, no need for high stakes. But one supplier, likely bought off by Yu Wei, mentioned an upcoming trip to Macau and asked if Qin wanted to join.
Qin thought, *After all this buildup, the main act is finally here.*
There’s nothing new under the sun. Yu Wenhao and his son’s plot wasn’t particularly clever. Yu Wenhao had fallen to gambling, and now they aimed to drag Qin Xianming down with him.
Qin feigned hesitation, asking Yu Wei if he should go to Macau. Yu Wei played the good guy, advising against it.
“My dad fell in Macau. Most people can’t outsmart those casinos. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting your intelligence or resolve, but Macau’s casinos are just too good.”
A classic retreat-to-advance move.
Though Qin dismissed their tactics as crude, he didn’t let his guard down.
He had known Yu Wenhao and son’s scheme from the start, never trusting Yu Wei. But what if he hadn’t known? What if Yu Wei had genuinely saved Qin Jiao? What if he’d truly fallen out with Deng Shangwei?
With a diligent, inquisitive young man like Yu Wei by his side, scheming step by step, could Qin have held his ground?
Qin estimated he’d likely have fallen for it.
Even if he didn’t, Yu Wenhao and son could target those around him—his wife or son, Qin Yi—indirectly achieving their goal. The thought sent a chill through Qin, cold sweat breaking out.
Qin Yi was young, his wife guileless; both could easily be ensnared.
Qin suspected that after Yu Wenhao gambled away his fortune and couldn’t repay his debts, he’d become a “stacker” for the casinos, scouting wealthy mainlanders to lure into gambling. The more the guests lost, the bigger the stacker’s cut.
Chengdu had no shortage of rich people, so why did Yu Wenhao fixate on Qin? First, Deng Shangwei’s connection gave him access. Second, Yu likely coveted Qin’s hard-earned business, wanting not just his money but his empire.
“That bastard Yu Wenhao dreams big,” Qin growled over the phone.
Deng Shangwei, wiping sweat from his brow, felt the same. Such a ruthless plan—had Wen Ying not stumbled onto Yu Wenhao’s scheme, he and Qin would’ve been fish on Yu’s chopping block, carved up however he pleased.
“Brother Qin, hearing this gives me chills. Why not send that little turtle Yu Wei straight to prison? We’ve got enough evidence to lock him up for years!” Deng exclaimed.
Qin had not only mentored Yu Wei in business but given him a position in his company. Yu Wei’s underhanded dealings with suppliers behind Qin’s back, likely to pocket some cash, were serious. Qin had consulted a lawyer—the amount involved was enough to put Yu Wei behind bars for years.
“Lock up the son, and the father’s still out there. I won’t rest until both are dealt with. I’ll play along, go to Macau with Yu Wei, and even lose some money if it means putting them both away,” Qin said.
Deng Shangwei grew worried. Qin’s talk of “losing some money” meant gambling.
Once in a casino, could Qin control the outcome? If he lost too much, would he jump into the trap despite knowing it was a setup?
Voicing his concerns, Qin laughed. “Shangwei, the world’s full of temptations. This should teach you something. Sometimes, you don’t want to err, but others scheme to make you. As your business grows, so will the temptations. Can you guarantee you won’t fall? We can’t change the world, but we can stay vigilant, responsible to our families and ourselves. Avoid temptation, and you’ll never know your own resolve.”
Deng flushed.
A young, beautiful college girl ignoring everyone else, devoted to you, asking for nothing in return—Qin, an old hand, wouldn’t believe a word from someone like Pan Li, nor give her a chance to frame him.
But Deng, inexperienced, had been taken in. As Qin put it, he had money but lacked “worldly wisdom,” making him an easy mark.
Qin planned to take not only himself but Qin Yi and Qin Jiao to Macau to see the reality of gambling, fearing they might be lured into addiction later.
“During the National Day holiday, I’ll take Qin Yi and Qin Jiao to Macau. Bring your niece Wen Ying too. Let the kids see the world so they won’t be easily fooled,” Qin said.
What?! Wen Ying too?
Deng knew Qin genuinely liked Wen Ying, including her in his children’s education—something he wouldn’t bother with for just anyone.
But taking Wen Ying to Macau? If Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong found out, or even Chen Li, Deng feared for his safety. After years of marriage, his only choice might be which leg to sacrifice. The problem was, knowing Wen Ying, she’d be thrilled by Qin’s plan and wouldn’t refuse.
They needed Hong Kong-Macau passes, and Wen Ying, hearing Qin’s offer to join the casino trip, didn’t hesitate.
“Uncle Qin’s awesome!” she exclaimed.
Qin Jiao was speechless. In other families, a high school senior would be locked in school, buried in practice tests 24/7. Her dad was taking her to a casino—definitely her real dad, right?
With half a month until National Day, Wen Ying was already excited.
Xie Qian tapped her desk. “The first monthly exam is before the holiday. Flunk it, and guess if you’ll leave Chengdu?”
No need to guess. Forget leaving Chengdu—she’d be lucky to step out of her neighborhood.
Though Xie Qian hadn’t faced Chen Ru directly, Wen Ying’s behavior gave him a clear picture of her mother’s temperament.
Seeing Wen Ying’s face fall, Xie Qian returned to his seat nonchalantly.
Without a nudge, this academic slacker might actually think she could soar. With her math skills, hitting a Macau casino was like serving herself up to be fleeced. Xie Qian was genuinely a bit worried about her going alone.
