Chapter 53: Do You Believe Money Can Crush You?

The meal lasted a full hour and a half. Of the three types of wine Zhang Mingzhi ordered, each was brought up in two large jars. Especially the fine Hedong Qian and grape wine; later, Zhang Mingzhi even said there would be another “battlefield” to open up. Even if he wasn’t fully satisfied, in the end, only one more jar of grape wine was added.

As they were leaving, the excellent service of the Caiyun Pavilion once again revealed itself. Just as they stepped out, Ding Li saw the two women in green he had noticed earlier. They had been kneeling outside for who knows how long, and as soon as the door opened, they lowered their heads and raised a jade tray filled with lead ingots shaped like silver sycees.

At the edge of the tray was a golden silk pouch. With just a glance, Ding Li understood this was likely the gambling chip used in the underground casino. Zhang Wu, prompted by a look from Zhang Mingzhi, hurried forward, grabbed the pouch, didn’t even bother to count the lead ingots, and swept them all into the pouch. He then glanced back and sighed helplessly.

“Let’s go! Still looking?” Zhang Yurou, cheeks puffed with annoyance, pushed Zhang Mingzhi, wishing she could dig out the pair of bright eyes he kept fixed on the chests of the women in green. The two women, likely because they had their heads lowered, pressed their lips together, trying to stifle smiles but failing.

“A love of beauty is only human! Especially when they’re so...” Zhang Mingzhi began to recite, swaying his head and walking forward without a care for his image, but was suddenly struck on the back of his head by Zhang Yurou. He yelped, turned to see his natural nemesis, and could only pout and descend the stairs in resignation.

The lower deck of the pleasure boat was modeled after the hold below the deck of a large ship, but its size was astonishing—nearly three times that of the top-floor VIP level. Even so, it was packed to the brim, making Ding Li marvel at how wealthy those in the import business must be.

Just the meal they had upstairs, along with the lead ingots in the two pouches Zhang Wu held, would amount to several years of income for an ordinary family. Looking around at the gamblers shouting and crowding the tables, many of them holding not one but two gold pouches, Ding Li couldn’t help but feel astounded.

“Hey! Brother Wu, let me ask you something!” After scanning the room, Ding Li remembered what happened as they came down and, a bit puzzled, nudged Zhang Wu—who was busy seeking a good seat—and whispered, “Why didn’t anyone check us when we came down? Shouldn’t there be some kind of inspection?”

“Inspection, my ass! Country bumpkin!” Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe being interrupted annoyed him, but Zhang Wu shot Ding Li a disdainful look, waved the gold pouch before Ding Li’s eyes, and explained impatiently, “See this? This is your pass! In Fifth Master Hua’s casino, this is all you need. If you’ve got it, no one bothers you. Otherwise, you’ll probably get thrown overboard to sober up!”

“Oh...” Ding Li nodded blankly, a bit contemptuous—Fifth Master Hua’s security was laughable if a mere silk pouch was all it took for access. But he was also a little relieved; at least this would make things easier for him if he ever needed to act in the future.

“Brother Li, want to try your luck?” While Ding Li was lost in thought, Zhang Yurou’s rosy face appeared before his eyes, waving the spoils she’d somehow snatched from Zhang Wu. Whether it was intentional or the effect of all the grape wine Ding Li had drunk, he thought he detected a hint of coquettishness in her words, which sent a shiver down his spine, as if he’d been doused in icy water.

“I... I don’t really know how to gamble...” Ding Li scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed by Zhang Yurou’s expectant gaze. He forced a laugh and whispered, “Miss Zhang, just call me Ah Li, otherwise the whole seniority thing with Second Brother gets all messed up...”

“That’s none of your business! I’ll call you whatever I like! Are you really turning down my invitation?” The words slipped out before Zhang Yurou realized her slip and quickly stuck out her wine-stained tongue, then tossed her head and gave Ding Li a threatening glare. “I don’t care if you know how or not. Are you coming or not?”

“I... I...” Ding Li was a bit speechless. He’d never been into gambling, though back in his special forces days he’d had professional courses on it—so playing was no issue. It wasn’t that he was worried about losing money and losing face before Zhang Yurou; he simply had no interest in gambling.

More importantly, as he turned to seek help from Zhang Mingzhi or Zhang Wu, he saw only their retreating figures. When he looked back at Zhang Yurou, he caught the sly glint in her eyes and realized she had probably sent the other two away on purpose. Instantly, he felt even more apprehensive; this beauty was not someone to trifle with.

In the end, though, Ding Li caved and nodded reluctantly, then jerked his head toward a nearby empty spot at a gaming table and said tersely, “Let’s go. Over there.”

Seeing Ding Li walk off without waiting for her, Zhang Yurou pouted unhappily, then remembered she was dressed as a man. She quickly glanced around to make sure no one noticed, patted her chest in relief, and hurried after Ding Li, who had already sat down brazenly at the table.

Sitting down, Ding Li finally relaxed a bit. The game was just dice—a simple even-odd bet, pure luck unless the dealer was cheating. It required no skill at all.

He lounged back, hands behind his head, and suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, saw a stranger sit in the seat he’d saved for Zhang Yurou. Ding Li frowned but politely asked the young man to move: “Excuse me, brother, I’m saving this seat for a friend. Would you mind moving to the other vacant spot?”

There weren’t many at this table, and Ding Li gestured courteously to the other empty seat, smiling warmly.

But his so-called signature smile had no effect, especially on a brash young man reeking of alcohol. The youth, seeing Ding Li’s friendly manner but noticing his empty hands, sneered and snorted, “No money and you’re saving seats? If you’re just here to spectate, go stand in back. These seats aren’t for penniless nobodies like you.”

“Is that any way to speak to people?” Ding Li’s eyes narrowed and his tone went cold.

“Oh? Did I say something wrong?” The young man, having already noticed Ding Li’s plain attire—frugal even after changing at the Zhang residence—wasn’t impressed. Unlike the sons of wealthy merchants or nobles, who dripped with imported goods and expensive trinkets, Ding Li wore nothing of the sort.

With a flourish, the youth thumped his bulging pouch onto the table, casting Ding Li a contemptuous glance. “See that, pauper? That’s more money than your family spends in a year!”

Though the youth was a bit younger than Ding Li, his arrogant demeanor was infuriating. Ding Li forced down his anger, but just as he was on the verge of losing his temper, the dealer spoke up, clearly displeased: “Young man, here at Caiyun Pavilion, everyone is treated the same, regardless of status. This is a gambling hall—luck decides everything, not wealth. It’s just a seat. Besides, Fifth Master Hua has always said: as long as you’re a guest, you’re welcome here. Otherwise, well, you might find yourself tossed overboard to sober up!”

At the mention of Fifth Master Hua, the youth’s expression changed; clearly, he was intimidated by the name. He fell silent, though not before shooting Ding Li a venomous glare as if blaming him for the whole affair.

Ding Li had no interest in further argument, but Zhang Yurou, who had just arrived and heard the youth’s insults, was having none of it. Her pretty face cold, she marched to the table and slammed her large pouch down.

With a resounding thud, she glared at the young man and shouted, “Who’re you calling poor? Care to see if I can bury you in money?”

The entire area fell silent as eyes turned to the handsome “young master” who dared provoke such a scene.

When the youth saw the pouch—bigger and likely twice as heavy as his own—he was stunned. Even the nearby gamblers, who’d only cared about the dealer’s dice before, now turned to watch, some smirking.

A few troublemakers even called out, “Hey kid, looks like you just got shown up! That pouch holds at least twice as much as yours!”

Ding Li, far from relieved by Zhang Yurou’s sudden intervention, was even more on edge, dreading what she might do next with so many onlookers egging things on.

Rubbing his aching temples, Ding Li stood and pulled at Zhang Yurou’s arm, his face expressionless. “Let’s go—find another table.”