Trafford's Trading Club

672: Chapter 85: The Night Before 672: Chapter 85: The Night Before The continuous high-stakes gambling had been hitting everyone’s nerves repeatedly, making most people flushed, their hearts racing.

Unexpectedly, in the second round, Liu Zixing acted out of character and placed the minimum bet.

Quit while you’re ahead?

No, if he truly understood that, he shouldn’t have won so much in the first place.

So what’s the point of retreating now?

Such behavior is likely to thoroughly infuriate the people in this gambling hall. “Ten thousand?” A Jie looked at Liu Zixing, seemingly intending to confirm once more.

Liu Zixing didn’t hesitate in the slightest, simply nodding, then suddenly said, “Last time my representative drew first; this time it’s your turn.

That’s fair.” “Alright.” A Jie smiled slightly.

His representative… under A Jie’s indication, he could only brace himself to draw again—this time, even if he lost, he’d only lose ten thousand.

It seemed like there was no psychological pressure…

Bullshit!

In the last round, he had already lost nearly three hundred million from his hands—it totally crushed him inside.

Originally, he thought this one-million labor fee would be easy to earn, thinking he was representing A Jie, the consultant of the gambling hall, and that it was a sure thing.

He didn’t expect to fail so miserably before starting, losing the first round.

He already saw his future fate—although his responsibility wouldn’t be pursued, words are just words—after this time, he probably wouldn’t be able to leave the back of this hotel club, having to work for a lifetime… being toyed with by various kinds of women.

He was completely broken, thinking he must win this round at least once… even if he won, he couldn’t recover that much money, but at least on the surface, it would look better for the gambling hall.

He closed his eyes, drew aggressively, then forcefully slapped the card onto the gambling table, daring not to look, only daring to listen… listen to the reactions of the people around him.

He heard quiet murmurs and sounds of surprise, couldn’t help but open his eyes apprehensively, and upon seeing the card he drew, he immediately slumped into the chair—Diamond 2.

Done for.

The bet was only ten thousand, this round wasn’t about the money, but about face.

The representative’s face was pale, looking fearfully at A Jie beside him—he clearly saw A Jie’s brow twitch slightly.

It’s really over now… he didn’t even have the strength to stand up. “So… is it my turn to draw?” Hou Chen Yuhuan looked anxiously at Liu Zixing.

Liu Zixing suddenly said, “Draw the first card on your left.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan was taken aback, then he remembered, although both sides let their representatives draw, at the beginning it seemed there wasn’t any rule against actively instructing the representative on which card to draw—the consultant on the opposite side seemed to tacitly consent as well, not objecting.

Hou Chen Yuhuan was no longer so nervous, even if he didn’t understand gambling, he could distinguish between big and small… With the opponent having drawn a Diamond 2, among the remaining dozens of cards, only four would lose—it’s practically a situation where any draw would win.

Liu Zixing probably chose casually for him to draw because of this, right?

Hou Chen Yuhuan nodded, directly drawing the first card on his left, then flipped it open… Club A?!! “Lost?

Damn it!” “Holy shit…” “I… I actually won?” The representative suddenly jumped up incredulously.

Everyone was amazed by this unbelievable situation… only A Jie’s gaze became heavier.

Liu Zixing seized the moment, directly tossed another ten-thousand chip, starting the final third round without giving anyone time to react. “Club…4.” The representative drew for the third time, another very low point value.

He remained entirely shattered, eyes red, grievances nearly driving him to tears.

Liu Zixing now looked at Hou Chen Yuhuan: “Second card on your right.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan drew again… Spade 3—the third round, lost again. “Alright, the last three rounds are over.” Liu Zixing stood up now, looking at A Jie and asking, “Can I cash out now?” “Of course.”

The answer didn’t come from A Jie, but from a middle-aged man quickly walking in with a smile.

Only a few present knew this middle-aged man was the true handler of the casino…

But among those few, only one or two knew even Feng Shan was merely a worker—behind, there were far more terrifying people.

Feng Shan smiled slightly and said, “However, we can’t provide you with so much cash, Mr.

Liu.

We can only do bank transfers or checks…

Which would you prefer?” “Two checks, please,” Liu Zixing said calmly, “One for eighty-nine million five hundred thousand, and the rest… deposit it into this account.”

He wrote down an account number and handed it directly to Feng Shan. “Sure.” Feng Shan maintained his gentle smile, “Mr.

Liu, you’re welcome to wait in our VIP room for a moment.” “No need, I’ll wait right here.” Liu Zixing sat back in his original seat. “Please wait a moment.” Feng Shan didn’t say much, nodded, and left with A Jie.

Nobody approached Liu Zixing at this moment—even those who knew him, they all avoided… Even with him about to hold nearly six hundred million in cash. “Could this be a show put on by the casino?” asked an uninformed but conspiracy-theory-loving boss. “Hard to say, you all don’t know this hotel, but behind… it isn’t necessary.” said a small leader from a provincial land department, knowing a bit but not much. “Tell me?” asked a curious rich young master. “Six hundred million seems a lot to us, but for what’s behind this casino, it’s not even a drop in the bucket,” explained a wealthy businessman from another province, who knew a bit more, conveniently there to assess the market.

The discussion continued, seemingly unable to reach a conclusive result… they could only wait for further news about Liu Zixing.

After all, he was someone from the circle; eventually, someone would know a bit. …

Feng Shan was arranging for the checks to be prepared, now looking at A Jie and asking, “Has his good luck been broken?”

Clearly, he was more concerned about such an unusual thing.

A Jie shook his head, his expression complex, “Frankly, it hasn’t been broken.

Director Feng, I’m sorry for losing the three hundred million this time.

I’ll cover it for the gambling hall, but I need some time.

There’s still two months before the Las Vegas gambling tournament; I need to wait.” “There’s no rush for this.” Feng Shan shook his head, puzzled, “You say it wasn’t broken, but didn’t he lose the last two rounds already?” “What if he lost on purpose?” A Jie suddenly said. “You mean… he deliberately lost?” Feng Shan asked in surprise, “He doesn’t understand gambling, and even used others to help; how is that possible?”

A Jie let out a breath, marveling, “Director Feng, it’s not just winning that counts as good luck.

True good fortune is… getting what you wish for, winning if you want to, and losing if you choose to.”

Feng Shan thought about it and found it made some sense, seeing Liu Zixing’s calm demeanor, he was inclined to believe it a bit more, “Indeed, the world is vast, and anything can happen…

This guy, we’ll have to keep an eye on him…

Hmm, the checks are ready, deliver them.

I have other matters to follow up on.”

A Jie nodded, took the checks and left directly.

A moment later, another man came to Feng Shan’s side, whispering, “Brother Panther’s people are on their way, expected to block Liu Zixing outside.” “No one noticed?” Feng Shan asked calmly. “No, I let a security guard inside the gambling hall spread the news.

Brother Panther’s side was already looking for Liu Zixing everywhere, with a bounty, so they shouldn’t suspect we deliberately leaked the information.

Besides, with Liu Zixing being so high-profile today, even if we didn’t say, Brother Panther would know.” “Alright.” Feng Shan smiled, “Then we’ll wait and watch the show…

However, if Brother Panther dares to directly take him at the door, step in.” “Director, are we helping him?”

Feng Shan said calmly, “It’s the gambling hall’s rule to ensure the guests leave safely… at least within our range, they are absolutely safe, understand?”

The man nodded, his expression serious, “Neither black nor white can take anyone within our sight…

I understand.” “But still, try to be careful, avoid conflicts if you can.” Feng Shan instructed again, “We need to keep a low profile, don’t let them catch us by our weaknesses.” “Haha, the old master is still around, who would dare to act?” The subordinate was unimpressed.

Feng Shan said nothing, only feeling that while this person’s work was efficient, they still lacked foresight… ultimately unsuitable for great tasks.

He waved his hand, “Go.” … … ——Thank you, winter’s snow ——Thank you, dearest snow ——Though you are part of my poetry ——Alas, you’ll melt one day ——I’ll have to patiently wait ——To meet you again in winter

In a corner of the square, a man wearing a duckbill hat and sunglasses, dressed in the most ordinary clothes, was gently playing and singing.

Not many people stopped, but there were some.

On the guitar case were some scattered bills and coins—of course, he didn’t need to worry about earnings now.

As long as someone was willing to stop and listen for a while, he seemed content.

The large screen on the shopping mall wall in front of the square was currently playing an advertisement.

In the ad, a very pure girl was using a lipstick, speaking softly from her heart. “…When you see cherries, will you think of my kiss?

Because my kiss tastes like cherries.” “——Cherry-flavored lipstick, giving your loved one the taste of memory.

Christmas promotions are now hotly launched…”

The man finished a song, then lit a cigarette, smoking slowly, watching the couples in the square come and go, looking at the Christmas decorations already set up and the “Jingle Bells” coming from the mall, he smiled, “Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, isn’t it.” “Excuse me, are you done, packing up?”

In a daze, he suddenly heard someone ask him this, he looked up to find a very young man, accompanied by a beautiful female companion.

Both of them were carrying bags, seemingly filled with decorations, probably a young couple out to decorate for the upcoming Christmas?

At this moment, the young man directly placed a hundred-dollar bill on the guitar case. “Sing on.” The man smiled, “What would you like to hear?” “Hmm, just sing what you feel like singing now.” The young man said softly.

The man was taken aback, then nodded, picked up the guitar, and strummed casually, thinking of what to sing.

Suddenly, he remembered that his friend once mentioned when he was earning some diaper money near the square, he also encountered a couple who would tip a hundred bucks each time.

Could it be this pair…

Should I tell Hong Guan?

It seemed like when he mentioned this, it was with a touch of gratitude…

He smiled, thinking it couldn’t be such a coincidence, so he didn’t think much of it, finger lightly plucking, while watching the large screen’s ad, opening his mouth to sing in a magnetic, increasingly skilled voice: ——Merry-Merry-Christmas ——Lonely-Lonely-Christmas ——Want to bless, but don’t know who to give it to ——Love has tied us into a dead knot… …

Waiting for the red light, looking at the advertisement on the huge screen at the mall wing next to the square, Zhu Maolin was a bit dazed… this was the ad he made for his old classmate’s company, but it’s the one Xiao Lu shot, not the one with a famous model. “Actually placed in this location?”

This is a golden area, if so, then the old classmate’s company probably won’t consider placing Xiao Lu’s ad on TV.

But being able to place it in this bustling area clearly shows some importance. ——When you see cherries, will you think of my kiss?

Because my kiss tastes like cherries…

Vaguely, Zhu Maolin seemed to still hear the lines in the ad—of course, he wrote the ad copy himself, so now, whether heard with his ears or felt in his heart, he couldn’t discern clearly.

Christmas…

Christmas Eve.

The red light passed unknowingly, Zhu Maolin released the handbrake, driving away, and it didn’t take long to reach an old street area.

This is Xiao Lu’s home, having been here before, he still remembered.

He got out of the car, locked it, walked a few steps forward, and saw that on the stairs of the old building, was… well, it’s Xiao Lu.

Zhu Maolin recognized Xiao Lu’s clothes.

She had her head buried in her knees, Zhu Maolin frowned, walked forward, “Are you okay?”

Xiao Lu instinctively raised her head, her eyes red and swollen, and even a bright slap mark and… tear stains on her left cheek.

Xiao Lu opened her mouth, seemingly surprised that the person in front of her was actually Zhu Maolin.

She didn’t say anything, stood up quickly, lowered her head, and walked quickly past Zhu Maolin, not willing to have more interaction with him. “Wait, where are you going?” Zhu Maolin asked calmly.

Xiao Lu paused but quickly started walking again. “Didn’t you say today is your birthday?” Zhu Maolin’s voice raised a bit, “I bought you a small cake, want to eat?”

Xiao Lu turned around, her body slightly unsteady, the red handprint on her face still vivid, but she pursed her lips, sadly nodding. “Manager, can you this time…” She looked at Zhu Maolin, eyes full of hope, “Stay with me?

Just for a while… before midnight.” “When I came, I saw a small park ahead, want to go?” Zhu Maolin then asked. “Cake…” “Hmm?” “Didn’t you say, you bought a cake…” Xiao Lu stared at Zhu Maolin’s hands, like an aggrieved little girl, “Where…”

Zhu Maolin chuckled, “It’s in the car… let’s go.”