But even if everything was a trap, Xue Manting wanted to try.
Otherwise, she would never have a chance to turn her life around!
Xue Manting's words stunned everyone present.
Whether it was Qiao Ruosheng or Su Mo Yao, who wanted to torment Xue Manting, or the anxious Lin Xingwan, they all turned their surprised gazes to Xue Manting.
"Manting, twenty billion is not a small sum. Moreover, gambling is ten losses and nine wins. The ultimate winners are always the casino operators. I know you are very angry and anxious right now, but you need to calm down."
Liu Mengqin quickly walked to Xue Manting's side and gently tugged her arm. To her, a life lost meant nothing was left. Many people paid with their lives due to impulsiveness.
Furthermore, an occasion like tonight was hardly a place for tolerance or kindness.
It was filled with extravagance and decadence, and permeated with hostility.
"Sister Qin, I'm fine. I'm very calm now. Instead of living like an ant every day, it's better to end it all at once. I've had enough of these years."
Living every day for the sake of appearances, living so tiredly every day. In the end, the man she loved was marrying another woman, and her father was being humiliated like this.
This was the last shred of pride she had as the pampered daughter of the Xue family. If she didn't fight back after being bullied to this extent, she would despise herself.
"Alright, then it's a deal." Qiao Ruosheng, fearing Xue Manting would go back on her word, spoke again, "In that case, please come inside."
Soon, several people arrived at a table.
The table was large, with various chips and games laid out.
As Lin Xingwan and the others approached the table, a sexy dealer appeared.
She bowed slightly to everyone and then asked in a mature voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, what would you like to play tonight? Blackjack? Bullfight? Running fast? Higher or lower? Or Poker, Dou Dizhu?"
As she asked, Qiao Ruosheng and Xue Manting took their seats on opposite sides of the table.
"Anything is fine with me. You can ask Miss Xue specifically, as I will accompany her in whatever she wishes to play."
Qiao Ruosheng wore a dignified and generous smile, but her eyes were filled with frost from beginning to end.
She had waited for this day for a very, very long time.
Su Mo Yao stood beside Qiao Ruosheng with a grim expression. If he had known something like this would happen tonight, he should have had someone tie her up and lock her in a room.
As for Lin Xingwan, who stood behind Xue Manting, she couldn't help but lower her voice and ask Zhou Jinbai, "What kind of grudge do Qiao Ruosheng and Manting have? Why do I feel like Qiao Ruosheng really dislikes Manting?"
Lin Xingwan had encountered all sorts of peculiar women over the years.
But she could see through their ugly faces at a glance.
Now, her first impression of Qiao Ruosheng was not like the ugly and deceitful Lin Shirou, but rather that she had a deep-seated hatred for Xue Manting.
Zhou Jinbai lowered his head slightly, his thin lips close to Lin Xingwan's ear, and explained in a voice only they could hear, "Xue Manting and Qiao Ruosheng were once very good friends. They attended the same classes from primary school to high school. Later, Xue Manting stole Qiao Ruosheng's boyfriend and made Qiao Ruosheng's pregnancy public knowledge. Eventually, Qiao Ruosheng developed depression and attempted suicide. Qiao Ruosheng's boyfriend died trying to save her, and Qiao Ruosheng, due to excessive grief, miscarried her child. Later, Qiao Ruosheng went abroad to study, and their feud was thus established."
Xue Manting stole Qiao Ruosheng's boyfriend?
What kind of outrageous move was that?
"After Qiao Ruosheng went abroad, she seemed to transform into a different person. She began to study diligently and took over the family business. Despite being only the third daughter of the Qiao family, she outperformed her two brothers and became Qiao Zheng's most favored successor. If nothing unexpected happened, the entire Qiao family would belong to Qiao Ruosheng in the future. After returning to the country, she targeted the fallen Xue family everywhere. Furthermore, Xue Manting's father, Xue Wencong, disrespected the Dongfang family at a banquet, which was likely orchestrated by the Qiao family."
Zhou Jinbai's words sent a chill down Lin Xingwan's spine.
The so-called 'killing without bloodshed' must refer to the feud between the Xue and Qiao families, right?
Just a few words could reduce a once-thriving wealthy family to its current state of struggling for survival.
"Then let's play Poker."
Xue Manting was agitated and had little energy for other games.
Especially when she saw her father, Xue Wencong, being supported to a seat on the side, his head slumped, she worried about potential problems if he wasn't sent to the hospital quickly.
"Okay."
Qiao Ruosheng glanced at the dealer, who immediately nodded and took two dice boxes, handing one to Qiao Ruosheng and the other to Xue Manting.
"What is Poker?" Lin Xingwan frowned. She didn't even know how to play Mahjong, let alone these casino games.
"In 'Poker,' each player has five dice. After shaking the dice, different combinations can be formed. Different numbers are called a straight, which requires a re-roll. Two identical dice are called a pair, two pairs are called two pairs, three identical dice are three of a kind, three of a kind with a pair is a full house, four identical dice are four of a kind, and five identical dice are three of a kind. Players with smaller dice can choose to leave some dice outside and re-roll the rest. If they still don't beat the opponent, they lose. In Poker, an ace is the highest, a two is the lowest, a straight flush is the highest, and a straight is the lowest."
Zhou Jinbai patiently explained to Lin Xingwan. Bai Xiao couldn't help but interject, "When it comes to Poker, among the people I know, Jinbai plays the best. Once, Lu Shiyan and I each gave him a house and a car... that unremarkable Volkswagen car you're looking at cost over ten million to modify. It's a tractor's exterior with a Ferrari interior."
"What? You lost so much money gambling?" Liu Mengqin's eyes began to show danger.
Bai Xiao immediately shut his mouth.
Why did it feel like women's ability to grasp the key point was completely off track from his intended point?
The onlookers also began to discuss.
"Playing Poker? Why don't we place bets too? I bet on the third young lady of the Qiao family to win. I'll bet a hundred thousand."
"Only a hundred thousand? Are you looking down on the third young lady of the Xue family? I'll bet a million."
"I remember the previous Gambling King was cultivated by the third young lady of the Qiao family, right? Since she can cultivate a Gambling King, she must be even more skilled than him. Ten million! I'm in!"
Everyone was flattering Qiao Ruosheng, even praising her as an omnipotent goddess.
But when it came to Xue Manting, those who praised her shook their heads and sighed:
"Her own father is in such a bad state due to gambling, and she's still following Xue Wencong's path. It's true that like father, like daughter. It won't be long before this father and daughter are carried out feet first."
"I heard they're going to be thrown into the sea to feed the fish. Then their remains will be utterly annihilated."
"I feel sorry for them, so I'll bet two hundred and fifty on them."
"I'll bet two hundred and fifty too."
...
Xue Manting clenched her fists. The overwhelming insults and curses made her anger surge.
But she couldn't curse at these people like a shrew. Even if her combat power was off the charts, she was still just one person.
Lin Xingwan was also anxious but didn't know what to do.
She didn't notice a man approaching middle age walking towards them, squinting his eyes to carefully examine the necklace Xue Manting wore around her neck.
The man's expression changed rapidly, and finally, his eyes turned vicious.
He had been searching for this necklace for many years, and unexpectedly, it had appeared before him without any effort.
However, how could this necklace be on a member of the Xue family?
The man whispered a few words to his subordinate. The subordinate's eyes darted around, and after nodding repeatedly, he quickly ran off.
"I bet one hundred million," Qiao Ruosheng said lightly, and then began to shake the dice in the box.
Xue Manting also threw a hundred million chip and began to shake her dice.
Soon, the sound of colliding dice stopped. Xue Manting and Qiao Ruosheng opened them simultaneously. Xue Manting had a pair, while Qiao Ruosheng had four of a kind.
Xue Manting silently shook her dice again. It was still a pair.
In the first round, Xue Manting lost.
The second time, Qiao Ruosheng still bet one hundred million, and Xue Manting lost again.
By the third round, Xue Manting bet two hundred million, and Xue Manting still lost.
In the fourth round, Qiao Ruosheng bet four hundred million, and Xue Manting continued to match.
However, after losing three consecutive rounds, Xue Manting's composure completely shattered.
Her face was almost ashen, and Su Mo Yao couldn't bear to watch any longer. He walked to Xue Manting's side and forcefully grabbed her hand, "I'll cover the money you lost tonight, and I'll also help you repay the twenty billion for your father. Xue Manting, I advise you to stop while you're ahead, or you and your father will lose your lives."
Su Mo Yao's usually refined face revealed anger and seriousness. He hadn't been this angry in a long time.
And the reason for his anger was entirely due to this woman, Xue Manting.
"Stop while I'm ahead, and then go back to being your nameless kept woman? Su Mo Yao, I am Xue Manting, the eldest daughter of the Xue family. Even though the Xue family has declined over the years, I am still the eldest daughter of one of the four great families. I yearn for the ocean and the sky, not the cage you've tailor-made for me."
Xue Manting forcefully shook off Su Mo Yao's hand, showing a determined attitude of preferring to be shattered jade rather than intact tile.
"Xue Manting, if you regret it now, I can let you go. However, you've already lost four hundred million to me. Considering our acquaintance, if you carve the words 'bitch' onto your face with a knife, I'll spare you and your father."
Compared to the pale Xue Manting, Qiao Ruosheng had a ruddy complexion, and her cold eyes now sparkled with excitement.
"Qiao Ruosheng, you are simply going too far." Liu Mengqin couldn't stand it any longer. This was not gambling; it was playing with their lives.
"Where did this common shrew come from? Do you have the right to speak to me?" Qiao Ruosheng's eyebrows held a commanding air. She was a born noblewoman, and the inherent deterrence she exuded exerted immense pressure on ordinary people like Liu Mengqin.
Liu Mengqin was filled with fear. Thinking of her ordinary background and ordinary family, she dared not offend Qiao Ruosheng and could only close her mouth aggrievedly.
Even though Liu Mengqin was furious!
"No need. Open them." Xue Manting finished speaking and opened her dice. This time, her luck was a bit better, and she actually rolled three of a kind.
Those behind Xue Manting breathed a sigh of relief. After losing so many times, heaven had finally favored Xue Manting. Even in Xue Manting's despairing and dejected eyes, a glimmer of hope appeared.
Qiao Ruosheng, seeing everyone's excited reaction, simply curled her lips into a smile.
Then, she slowly opened her dice.
"Leopard." Qiao Ruosheng's voice was not loud, but everyone present heard it clearly.
They looked at Qiao Ruosheng's dice with disbelief. Six fives!
"Xue Manting, I'm truly sorry, but I've already won four hundred million from you so quickly." As the dealer placed the chips in front of Qiao Ruosheng, Qiao Ruosheng actually pushed the four hundred million chips she had just won forward, "This time, I'll bet eight hundred million."
Her statement caused astonishment throughout the hall.
Eight hundred million!
No matter how rich one was, one couldn't be so extravagant!
Xue Manting's expression turned extremely grim, and she felt a chill run through her body. Her heart pounded wildly.
But she had already lost eight hundred million. She needed to win twenty-eight hundred million to leave with her father.
However, her mind was blank now. The more uncomfortable she felt, the less she could concentrate.
"Jinbai, let's think of a way quickly. Manting can't keep losing like this." Even though Lin Xingwan didn't gamble, she now felt that Xue Manting couldn't afford to lose any more.
Zhou Jinbai squeezed Lin Xingwan's palm and said a few words.
Lin Xingwan looked at Zhou Jinbai in astonishment, her heart becoming even more tense, "Is this really going to work?"
"Trust your husband." Zhou Jinbai's tone was full of confidence. In fact, in front of this man, Lin Xingwan felt like she had nothing to worry about.
"Okay." Lin Xingwan took a deep breath and then walked towards Xue Manting.
"I'll bet eight..."
Before Xue Manting could finish speaking, Lin Xingwan interrupted her, "Wait—"
Xue Manting looked up at Lin Xingwan. Tears welled up in her fox-like eyes. She no longer looked like the pampered, beloved young lady.
"It's okay," Lin Xingwan patted Xue Manting's shoulder, comforting her emotions.
Everyone looked at Lin Xingwan with surprise. Even Qiao Ruosheng couldn't help but narrow her eyes and asked in a very calm tone, "What, you want to meddle in other people's business too?"