Qin Xianming didn’t even know how he left the gambling table.
Exciting?
Truly exciting!
A single hand of cards could mean winning or losing hundreds of thousands.
When holding a good hand, one’s heart would involuntarily race, reason urging to quit while ahead, yet an impulse surged to win every chip on the table!
By the early hours, Qin Xianming’s excitement had reached its peak. He had already lost over five million in chips and was about to call for more when Yu Wei, appearing beside him at some point, persuaded him, “Mr Qin, maybe call it a night? The room’s ready for you. Take a shower, get some sleep, and perhaps tomorrow your luck will turn!”
Qin Xianming took the opportunity to step back, reluctantly leaving the table under Yu Wei’s persuasion, though secretly relieved.
This was his third time in Macau.
The first time, Qin Xianming won over three million.
The second was a week before National Day, when Wen Ying and others went to Hunan for the finals. Qin Xianming had visited Macau again, staying briefly and losing a few hundred thousand.
The third time was tonight, losing over five million in one evening!
Qin Xianming knew deep down that Yu Wenhao and his father, along with the casino, saw how frequently he was coming to Macau. They thought he was hooked and were starting to reel him in.
Based on his own judgement, if he returned to the casino tomorrow night, he might win a little. The casino, fearing he’d slip away, would likely throw out some bait to keep him interested.
That’s how gambling addiction creeps in, bit by bit.
Even knowing Yu Wenhao and his father’s schemes, Qin Xianming found it hard to resist. He couldn’t imagine how much worse it would be if he were unaware… His anger showed on his face, and Yu Wei mistook it for frustration over the losses.
“Mr Qin, why not let it go this time? Spend the rest of the time enjoying Macau with young Mr Qin and the others, stay out of the casino.”
Qin Xianming gritted his teeth, “It’s fine, a few million is nothing I can’t afford to lose. I know you’re looking out for me by getting me to leave the table, and I appreciate it, but I don’t believe my luck is *that* bad!”
That night, of the five who entered the casino, only Wen Ying and two others, who had wanted to lose, ended up winning. Qin Xianming lost over five million, and Qin Yi didn’t fare much better, losing tens of thousands in a daze.
Those tens of thousands weren’t something he could comfortably ask his father to cover, as it was his personal savings.
Qin Yi’s savings weren’t inexhaustible. Joining ‘Shrimp King’, Xu Mei’s participation in the talent show, shopping at Macau’s brand stores today, and now losing tens of thousands, Qin Yi would have to tighten his belt moving forward.
After sending Yu Wei away, Qin Xianming washed his face in the bathroom before asking Qin Yi how he felt.
“The environment has a big impact.”
Qin Yi spoke honestly.
Now in university, Qin Yi would occasionally play poker with classmates, but it was the kind where they stuck notes or drew turtles on each other’s faces. Some dorms played for living expenses, but that was rare.
Tonight was different.
Tonight was a proper casino.
Qin Yi had initially wanted to see what tricks Yu Wei was up to, but after playing for a while, he couldn’t help being swept up by the other gamblers’ emotions. He even thought that if luck was on his side and he won a few tens of thousands, he could buy Xu Mei a few more dresses or the handbag he’d seen in the shop today.
The handbag wasn’t for Xu Mei, but it would suit her mother well.
Perhaps because greed took over and clouded his judgement, he ended up losing.
The table Yu Wei had brought him to had high stakes, and with scantily clad women hovering around offering drinks, Qin Yi tried to avoid them, which distracted him further.
These were the reasons Qin Yi came up with.
Qin Xianming stroked his chin, “Interesting. Those who want to win end up losing, while those who want to lose win. Your sister followed Wen Ying’s bets, didn’t use an ounce of brainpower, turned 2,000 yuan into 23,000, and left the table early to watch a dance show before heading back to the hotel to rest.”
“…!”
So why had he followed that little bastard Yu Wei?
If he’d stayed at the baccarat table, expending no effort at all, he’d have won enough to buy his mother that handbag!
Qin Yi looked dejected, but Qin Xianming laughed, “You lost, so be it. You’ve experienced the casino now. Do you still want to gamble in the future?”
Qin Yi thought for a moment, then shook his head earnestly, “I won’t come back. It’s not just about the tens of thousands I lost, but because I don’t trust my self-control.”
Human nature doesn’t hold up under temptation.
If he wasn’t confident, Qin Yi would rather steer clear altogether.
As for the tens of thousands lost, he’d consider it tuition.
It stung, but the odds of winning it back in the casino were slim. Better to return home, focus on getting the ‘Shrimp King’ franchise off the ground, and earn it back through business.
Qin Xianming was pleased.
Qin Jiao had no interest in gambling whatsoever. Qin Yi was somewhat curious but, lacking confidence in his self-control, chose to stay away.
Qin Xianming’s goal of bringing his children to the casino to gain experience had been achieved, and he was naturally delighted.
“Tomorrow, you don’t need to come with me. As the older brother, take your sister and Wen Ying and the others to enjoy Macau properly.”
Qin Yi was a bit worried about Qin Xianming, “Dad, are you sure you’re okay?”
Having lost just tens of thousands tonight, Qin Yi already felt overwhelmed. His father was dealing with wins and losses in the millions, what if he really fell into Yu Wenhao and his father’s trap?
Sometimes, even knowing there’s a pit ahead, emotions can still drive you to jump in.
Qin Xianming placed a hand on Qin Yi’s shoulder.
“I’ll be fine.”
He wouldn’t let anything go wrong, nor could he afford to.
A middle-aged man with a family no longer lives just for himself. Behind him is a household. When faced with choices, thinking of the family makes even the greatest temptations bearable.
If he couldn’t resist, it wouldn’t just be him shattered, but the entire family dragged into the abyss!
…
The next day, Qin Jiao was relieved to hear she didn’t have to go to the casino.
Wen Ying was worried Xie Qian might want to go, and Xie Qian was worried she might, both wary of each other, unsure how to bring it up. Qin Jiao suggested using last night’s winnings for shopping, “Money won in the casino should be spent in Macau. Don’t take it home, and don’t bring gambling habits back either.”
What a great idea!
Wen Ying was already planning what gifts to buy everyone, but Xie Qian reminded her, “You should save some. Buying so much, how will you explain it to your mum?”
No money, can’t buy. Have money, still can’t buy.
After all, this was casino money, something that couldn’t see the light of day in front of Chen Ru.
Wen Ying sighed, but in the hotel lobby, she noticed a guest entering. At first glance, she didn’t think much of it, but after a second look, she froze.
It was a woman in a purple suit, a diamond necklace around her neck, her figure slightly plump, looking rather refined—no, true refinement was like Xie Qian, understated and unassuming, not like this woman, who wore her wealth on her face.
She looked younger than she would years later.
Less refined than she would be years later.
Her eyes sharp and piercing… Heavens, why was she running into He Zhen’s mother in a Macau hotel?!
