The two people's conversation left everyone scratching their heads, exchanging bewildered glances.
Even Huo Xiaohua looked somewhat surprised.
"Yo, Si Ge, you know this little sister? Don't tell me she's another one of your conquests. Tsk tsk, she looks so pure, but her methods are quite high-level."
"The young girls nowadays are all incredibly capable."
"I underestimated you."
"Brother Xiao Hua, don't be fooled by this vixen."
"Brother Huo, don't misjudge her."
A few of them chimed in one after another, making malicious assumptions about Shi Ran.
Shi Ran was furious at their offensive remarks, but she carried a heavy responsibility. She had to seize the opportunity to discuss cooperation with Huo Xiaohua today, or Meng Jingwei would be kicked out of Chaoyun Esports.
"Mr. Huo, I'm sorry, I was too nervous just now and made a wrong move with the cards. Can I… have another chance to win it back for you?"
She gathered her courage, trying her best to appear less nervous.
Tang Si noticed the burning star in Shi Ran's eyes when she looked at Huo Xiaohua and couldn't help but furrow his brow. He walked directly to the seat above her and sat down. "You? Don't lose Huo Xiaohua's entire fortune."
His words drew a burst of laughter from everyone.
Shi Ran's heart pounded, and she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, so nervous she could clearly hear her own heartbeat.
Huo Xiaohua leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and smoked silently, saying nothing.
The four of them pushed the mahjong tiles into the mahjong machine and began to play.
Tang Si rolled the dice, "Two."
He announced.
Then, everyone's gaze turned to Shi Ran. Shi Ran looked at them, completely bewildered, not understanding.
"With you playing like this, can you even play?"
Tang Si gave her a sideways glance, moved two stacks of mahjong tiles away from her, and then took two more stacks.
Only then did Shi Ran realize that the dice showed 'two', and the tiles should be drawn from her side.
She immediately pushed the mahjong tiles forward, took two stacks, and began to arrange the tiles.
The crisp sound of mahjong tiles colliding filled the air, and everyone fell silent. Shi Ran, with one hand by her side, was so nervous her palms were sweating. She wiped them on her pants.
This action happened to catch Huo Xiaohua's eye. The man's eyebrow on one side slightly arched, and a faint smile curved his lips.
"Little bird."
Tang Si played a mahjong tile.
When it was Shi Ran's turn to draw and play, she put down a tile, "Three of Bamboo."
"Pong."
Tang Si called for a pong. Shi Ran drew a tile and played another, "Nine of Bamboo."
"Pong!"
Tang Si called for another pong and winked at Shi Ran with a smile, "Thanks."
"Can't you play? I haven't drawn a single useful tile."
"Yeah, what's going on with you?"
"You play even when you don't know how."
"This is really a buzzkill."
...
A few people grumbled unhappily.
Shi Ran felt so tense she could barely breathe and didn't dare to speak. She silently drew another tile and played a 'Four of Wan'.
"Hu!"
Tang Si pushed his tiles forward and clapped his hands. "We really are telepathic, you give me exactly what I need."
"Did you deal the winning hand, you?"
"What the heck are you doing?!"
"Intentionally letting him win, aren't you?"
"Cheating?"
"Little sister, each hand is a million yuan, and carrying a hand is fifty thousand. You've been sitting here for less than five minutes, and you've already helped Brother Xiao Hua lose two and a half million. What amazing luck."
...
Two and a half million?
Shi Ran's jaw dropped.
She knew that rich people played for high stakes, but she never expected a single hand to cost a million.
Her breathing hitched. Even though the private room had air conditioning, she still felt extremely hot and was breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Mr. Huo... Mr. Huo, I..."
Shi Ran looked at Huo Xiaohua fearfully. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to."