Details reveal character.
Judging from Zhang Chengxiang's initial reaction upon seeing Han Jinlun, the gesture of standing up to greet him was telling.
It seemed that even after years apart, Zhang Chengxiang still placed the brotherhood they once shared in the highest regard.
This not only touched me but also moved Han Jinlun to tears, his eyes reddening as he walked over and gave Zhang Chengxiang a big hug.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries,
"Everyone, quiet down, brothers and friends!"
After a loud announcement, Zhang Chengxiang, pulling Han Jinlun along, introduced him: "This is my brother since elementary school, his name is Han Jinlun!"
Pausing slightly, Zhang Chengxiang then gestured towards us and Cheng Minglang, saying, "Those two friends are Han Jinlun's brothers, and they are also considered our own!"
After introducing Han Jinlun's side, Zhang Chengxiang began introducing the people on his side one by one.
"Sitting next to me is Wu Shan, nicknamed Shan Pao."
"Next to Shan Pao is Li Jing, nicknamed Tuo Diao Li Tianwang."
"The one behind Li Jing is Wang Xiaolong; these three are my work buddies."
"The few others are their friends, and also my friends. In short, anyone who can enter this room is one of us!"
Although these were just a few simple words, spoken casually by Zhang Chengxiang, I was still able to discern his attitude towards his brothers and friends.
As expected of someone who had been out in the world for many years, Zhang Chengxiang clearly understood who his true people were.
Up to this point, my interest in him had only grown, and my desire to win him over had become even stronger.
After acting as an introducer and presenting both sides, Zhang Chengxiang smiled and asked if we wanted to join in for a few rounds.
When we arrived, I had already prepared Han Jinlun mentally: today's recruitment drama was his show, and I was there to assist.
Therefore, the decision to play or not rested with Han Jinlun.
After a moment of thought, Han Jinlun took out money from his pocket and said that since we were here, we should go with the flow.
Seeing this, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Honestly, I was afraid that the simpleton Han Jinlun might suddenly say something unreliable, like wanting to talk privately.
After all, when men are playing cards, they are most sensitive to interruptions.
If it was just to join in, it would be fine. But if he wanted to have a private chat, nine out of ten people would feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Han Jinlun had grown and made the right choice.
Seeing Han Jinlun take out money, Zhang Chengxiang immediately instructed one of his three brothers to make space for him.
While Zhang Chengxiang reshuffled and dealt the cards, I hid behind Cheng Minglang, using the gap to send Han Jinlun a message.
The message was concise: just play cards, say nothing else.
Because the card table was never the place for serious business; the drinking table was.
Under the guise of joining in, we would happily play a few rounds of San Gong and contribute some money, then after it was over, we would invite Zhang Chengxiang for a meal under the pretext of catching up.
After shuffling the cards, Zhang Chengxiang, as the banker, began calling for bets.
They were playing for significant stakes, with bets starting at fifty and capped at two hundred.
The win or loss in a single round was around four figures, with unlucky players losing five to six thousand.
If there were any card sharps present, the stakes would at least double or triple!
Therefore, people playing San Gong in private circles rarely agreed to sit at the same table with strangers.
From the moment the game began, I focused all my attention on Zhang Chengxiang.
Because he was the banker for this round.
After only a few glances, I discovered a problem.
Like many seasoned gamblers, Zhang Chengxiang divided the deck into two stacks and shuffled them by interleaving them.
While this shuffling technique appeared common, it had a significant flaw.
A tell-tale sign!
San Gong is different from Golden Flower; the consequences of a tell-tale sign in San Gong can directly affect the outcome of the game.
Since we had just arrived, Han Jinlun only bet fifty for this round.
After Zhang Chengxiang finished dealing, Han Jinlun began to reveal his cards.
After revealing his cards, Han Jinlun placed them on the table, waiting for others to reveal theirs.
At the end of the round, a well-groomed young man emerged as the winner.
Although the young man had a nine, he didn't want to be the banker, and no one else was willing to take over, so Zhang Chengxiang continued to be the banker.
After five or six consecutive rounds, I noticed that everyone was playing by the rules, with no tricks, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
After another half an hour or so...
Han Jinlun, who had intended to lose money, not only didn't lose money but surprisingly won over a thousand yuan.
During the break for shuffling, Zhang Chengxiang, while shuffling, said to Han Jinlun with a light smile, "Well played, Jinlun! It seems your luck is good!"
Hearing this, Han Jinlun replied with a grin, "Thanks to your care, Brother Xiang, and all your brothers and friends. I'll treat everyone to drinks after the game!"
"Drinks are fine, but winning money is your skill; I didn't let anyone take care of you!"
"On the contrary, I want to win your money to treat you to a big drink!"
Hearing this, I immediately confirmed that I hadn't misjudged Zhang Chengxiang; his character in cards reflected his character as a person.
Those who can afford to lose at the card table are usually not lacking in magnanimity and tolerance.
People who get upset over losing a little money or who curse incessantly are not worth befriending.
This is because, subconsciously, such people place a great deal of importance on money.
And so, another five or six rounds passed.
Finally, someone outside got a nine and was willing to take over as the banker.
In the new round, the banker became that well-groomed young man; I think they called him Jiang He earlier.
Because he was winning, Han Jinlun gradually began to let loose, betting the maximum of two hundred yuan.
After the cards were dealt, Han Jinlun actually got a nine, which tripled his bet, truly a case of the fool's luck; he couldn't lose even if he wanted to!
Even Zhang Chengxiang marveled at Han Jinlun's incredible luck.
Only Jiang He, the banker, stared grimly at Han Jinlun's cards, muttering, "So what if it's a nine? Three times the money isn't that easy to get!"
After muttering to himself, Jiang He began to reveal his cards.
The first card, a face card, J.
The second card, a face card, Q.
Seeing this, my brows furrowed tightly.
I hadn't paid much attention to Jiang He when he was shuffling earlier.
Because he had been losing, and everyone else seemed normal.
But for some reason, I had a nagging premonition that in this round... Han Jinlun was in trouble!
As expected!
Just as this thought crossed my mind, Jiang He suddenly, with a look of joy, slammed the third card onto the table.
"Hahahaha~ San Gong! Everyone double your bets!"
The moment Jiang He finished speaking, a thought flashed through my mind.
He cheated!