Chapter 174: Chapter 114: Like a Fish in Water_4
What’s the point of winning those tens of thousands? Winning once or twice isn’t enough for much, and if you win every day, no one will want to play with you. Since ancient times, only casino owners have made money. Who ever got rich by winning at the tables?
A calm mind naturally exudes grace.
Han Lie just smiled serenely and replied with utmost humility, "I can’t guarantee anything, so I just treat card games as entertainment. If I weren’t here to pass the time with you older brothers, I’d be back in my dorm washing up by now. It certainly wouldn’t have reached the point where Brother Jun had to stake me, right?"
Nice one!
When it comes to smooth talking, he’s the expert...
As soon as he said this, even the onlookers began to develop a favorable impression of this young underclassman. Talented yet modest—who wouldn’t like someone like that?
Liu Yingjun laughed heartily and signaled his underling to deal the cards. "Hurry, hurry! Deal Young Master Han some good hands. One way or another, I’m making sure Young Master Han wins something tonight!"
As it turned out, his words became prophetic. By 11 p.m., Han Lie indeed hadn’t lost.
"Brother Fang, Brother Jun, Young Master Wang, I had a wonderful time today. Let’s get together again soon."
The moment it was time, Han Lie promptly excused himself without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright, Little Brother Han! Brother Fang welcomes you back anytime!"
In those two hours, Fang Tongzhi, Liu Yingjun, and Wang Hong all had pleasant conversations with Han Lie. Dan Zihao, Zhou Ci, and two other sophomores still harbored animosity towards Han Lie but were powerless against him.
He was as composed as a seasoned veteran; what could anyone do?
He strategically folded hand after hand, regardless of whether he should have or not. He played so methodically that everyone developed a conditioned reflex: the moment Han Lie raised the bet, their minds would buzz. Then, when he occasionally bluffed, even a strong hand like a flush would scare everyone into folding.
After settling the accounts, Han Lie had actually won a little over ten thousand. Uh, it was mostly from that hard-headed kid, Zihao, who’d practically bang his head on the table after a bad call, and Zhou Ci, who got spooked by any big bet. They certainly contributed a lot.
After leaving the table, Wang Xiaotian wanted to give Han Lie his winnings.
Brother Lie waved his hand. "Come on, Brother Wang, don’t kid around. How shameless would I have to be to actually walk away with the money? Use it to buy ten cartons of Platinum Crystal cigarettes. It’s my first time here today, so consider it a small token from me—borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha, as they say. A treat for you older brothers."
Damn, what an impressive young man. Who wouldn’t give him a thumbs-up?
Inside the room, everyone, from the older guys to the younger ones, now looked at Han Lie with genuine approval. The cigarettes weren’t the main thing; it was his attitude and the way he handled himself. He had real class!
After Han Lie left with Ding Ding and Little Northeast, Wang Xiaotian enthusiastically saw him all the way to the stairwell.
When Wang Xiaotian returned, everyone was discussing Han Lie.
Dan Zihao rubbed the back of his head. "I just don’t get it. What the hell did that bastard come down here for?"
"Damn it! You pig-brain!" Zhou Ci cursed, his face dark. When others asked, he sneered, "It’s obvious he heard something and got scared of a beating, so he came to suck up to the older brothers!"
Liu Yingjun, taking it personally, wasn’t happy. "Damn it! You’ve got a foul mouth!"
Although Liu Yingjun was wealthy, Zhou Ci’s family was even more powerful, so Zhou Ci wasn’t afraid in the slightest. The two of them bickered for a few moments.
Finally, Liu Yingjun laid down the law. "Don’t fucking bullshit me! So what if you’re locals and think you’re hot stuff? I’m telling you right now, in this school, whoever tries to mess with Little Han won’t get anywhere!"
Are you fucking bored or something? Zhou Ci thought. What the hell does Han Lie have to do with you?!
Zhou Ci looked for support, but only two sophomores sided with him. Fang Tongzhi didn’t get involved at all. Wang Hong, ever the peacemaker, just smiled. "When you’re chasing girls, it’s all about your own skills, right? We’re all brothers here; there’s no need to take sides."
"PFFT!" Liu Yingjun spat on the floor, his face full of disdain. "It’s just a woman. Look at you all, so pathetic!"
You don’t know shit! Zhou Ci was so angry he was practically hyperventilating. You hick from out of town, how would you understand the Pan Family’s power and influence? The garden villas on Sinan Road aren’t just for sale to anyone; they’re family heirlooms, understand?! In the entire Magic Capital, there are only a little more than fifty privately owned old mansions with clear property rights. The remaining four thousand are all state-owned—for rent only, not for sale! Do you think those are like your village’s 3,000-square-meter farmhouse? Moron!
Zhou Ci had already cursed Liu Yingjun thoroughly in his mind but didn’t dare voice any of it. The fewer people who knew about these things, the better for him. Marrying Pan Ge wasn’t just about marrying an ordinary pretty, rich girl; it was, in a sense, a leap in social class. If a family had ten billion, they naturally wouldn’t need to concern themselves with the Pan Family’s local background and extensive connections. The problem was, Zhou Ci’s family didn’t even have 500 million; they were counting on Pan Ge to give them a lift. Otherwise, Xi Luting’s looks were in no way inferior to Pan Ge’s, and those long legs of hers were even more striking. So why weren’t any of the local second-generation scions pursuing her? That was the crucial difference.
Those who understood all this felt an unquenchable jealousy and hatred towards Han Lie. Even if they had no chance themselves, the feeling persisted. Human nature is just like that; who can control it?
Zhou Ci didn’t want to argue with Liu Yingjun any longer. The idiot knew nothing; it was pointless.
"Are you leaving or not?" Zhou Ci asked Dan Zihao coldly, wanting to drag him away to quietly strategize about Han Lie.
But Dan Zihao just looked up in confusion, then quickly lowered his head again, excitedly tossing a poker card into the pot. "I’m in!"
What a fucking idiot! Zhou Ci fumed. He was so furious he turned and stormed off. Dan Zihao, however, played on, carefree, for the entire night.
Pan Ge? Who cares? he thought. Girls got nothing on a good game of cards!
And so, he lost for the entire night...
Yawning as he trudged upstairs, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and his senses slowly returned.
No! That bastard Han Lie is too good at sucking up! He fawns over women and doesn’t spare the men either. I can’t let him keep showing off like this!
Dan Zihao was too agitated to sleep. He turned right around and went to find Zhou Ci.
Meanwhile, Han Lie woke up from a comfortable night’s sleep feeling a bit off, as if something was missing.
What was I missing?
Right, it’s almost been 24 hours. I’ve built up so many toxins; time for a cleanse!
He excitedly opened his phone, only to suddenly discover that Xi Luting was unreachable...
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Special thanks to Bai Zhou for becoming our fourth Alliance Leader! This big Chapter is dedicated to you.