King of Gamblers: Growing from a Student to a Jade King

As I pondered, Sang Ling clung to me and said, "From the way you interacted with Mr. Ma, I can tell you're a good man. At least, you're not the kind who would hit a woman. I also know you're kind-hearted, which is why I want your help. But I didn't dare to ask directly—I know this is a lot to ask, and he's a drug addict capable of anything. I had no other choice but to resort to such a shameful method to lure you. I know we're not connected in any way, but only if you feel for me will you help me."

Her words laid bare the reality. Beneath her seemingly innocent facade, Sang Ling understood the pragmatic nature of men all too well. She was just a young woman, fleeing to this place, only to be bullied by her employer after finding a job. She had endured humiliation, even handing out flyers in the pouring rain. All of it might have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

I couldn't have imagined such a tragic story behind Sang Ling. Part of me wanted to help her, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something about her didn't add up.

From that earlier photograph, it was clear Sang Ling wasn't an ordinary person. She had attended a prestigious overseas university, surrounded by foreigners. Someone with the means to study abroad couldn't possibly have no family or background. How could she have ended up with such a worthless man? And as an educated woman, why hadn't she sought help from the police when faced with such a situation?

Sang Ling wasn't a naive girl. If she were someone who had come from the remote countryside, I might have believed her story without hesitation and immediately stepped in to help. But she wasn't that. Furthermore, her description of the man was too vague. True fear leaves an indelible mark, and yet her words sounded like rehearsed lines—a fabricated tale lacking in raw emotion. This made me doubt her even more.

Still, since she had chosen to seduce me, I decided to play along.

"Sang Ling, may I kiss you?" I asked, looking at her tender face in my arms.

"Mm… you can…" Sang Ling shyly stole a glance at me, her cheeks flushed.

I lowered my head and kissed her lips, which felt parched with longing. She responded eagerly, meeting me halfway.

Her swift, passionate response confirmed my suspicions—she was lying. A woman who had been tormented and abused wouldn't so readily embrace another man's advances.

"Mm…" Sang Ling opened her eyes briefly before closing them again, her shyness evident.

I was surprised. Her innocence was only skin-deep.

I sensed that things weren't as simple as they seemed.

I stopped, and Sang Ling rested her face on my chest, appearing gentle and submissive, like a lamb. Looking at her, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection. If only her intentions were pure, I wouldn't have hesitated to indulge in this moment.

My fingers reached for the buttons on her blouse, stealthily unfastening the first one before pulling the collar aside under the dim light.

"Mm… don't… I'm embarrassed…" Sang Ling whispered shyly in my ear.

"Why not? Clearly, you want this too…" I murmured in response.

I held her tightly, kissing her lips fervently, causing her eyes to flutter with desire. She seemed utterly captivated.

"Sang Ling, are you doing this willingly? If you regret it now, I won't force you. I don't want you to do anything against your will," I said softly, looking into her eyes.

"Of course, I'm willing. Why would I regret it?" she replied, her cheeks burning.

"But if you're truly terrified of your boyfriend, how could you accept me so quickly?" I asked.

Sang Ling's hands gripped my clothes tightly, her demeanor flustered. Her shy expression and trembling body suggested suppressed excitement rather than fear.

"I… I don't know how to… answer you," Sang Ling stammered, lowering her head.

I chuckled, pushing her away gently. "Your acting is too clumsy. Whether this man exists or is just a figment of your imagination, I can tell. Perhaps you're in trouble, but it's not as simple as you claim. I understand that you want a man to stand up for you, but lying won't help either of us. So, tell me, what's the real problem?"

Sang Ling looked at me, a hint of embarrassment in her gaze. She swallowed hard before saying, "I'm telling the truth. I'm not lying to you. I have no reason to deceive you… We've only just met. I simply felt you could help me. If you don't want to, then leave."

I frowned. Sang Ling still refused to admit the truth. Yet her poor acting had already revealed so much. What was she hiding?

I noticed the bruises on her body, fresh and unmistakably inflicted recently. She was undoubtedly in trouble but unwilling to share the whole story. This left me conflicted—partly wanting to help, partly resisting involvement.

"I can help you, but only if you tell me the truth," I said.

"I've told you the truth. Whether you help me is up to you. Now leave. I don't want to see you anymore," Sang Ling said firmly, her tone resolute.

With that, she began to cry. Her tears were genuine, yet her cold dismissal left me puzzled. If she truly wanted my help, why was she driving me away? Her sudden shift in demeanor convinced me she wasn't playing games.

I left the room, refusing to be ensnared by her push-and-pull tactics. Standing outside her door for a while, I expected her to come after me, but she didn't. All I heard were her muffled sobs. I frowned.

Returning to my car, I felt a wave of unease. Zhao Kui noticed and asked, "Brother Fei, what's wrong?"

Shaking my head, I muttered, "If a woman, driven to despair by a man, tries to seduce another man to help her escape her ex-boyfriend, yet exhibits a strong desire for the latter, does that make sense to you?"

Zhao Kui furrowed his brows and replied, "Brother Fei, think about how you felt after Skinny Monkey kidnapped you. How did you feel toward strangers afterward?"

"Fear," I said. "Afterward, I was deeply afraid and mistrustful of strangers, even becoming reclusive."

"Exactly. It's clear she's lying. If she were truly abused and desperate to escape her ex, she wouldn't trust or desire any man, let alone seduce one. She'd have a deep aversion to men," Zhao Kui explained.

His words made sense. Sang Ling's actions were indeed suspicious. Her seduction wasn't premeditated; it was spur of the moment. Today's events happened by chance. I'd simply taken her home out of kindness, and she hesitated for a long time before inviting me up. Her seduction was clearly impromptu.

Looking up at her apartment, I felt conflicted. Sang Ling was in trouble, and her beauty tempted me to help. Yet her lies made me wary of stepping into a potential trap.

I was deeply curious about Sang Ling—a stunning woman marked by scars, with stories etched into her very being. My interest was undoubtedly fueled by her allure. Men are, after all, creatures of visual weakness.

My phone rang—it was Guang Ge, asking me to meet him. I instructed Zhao Kui to drive to his bar. By the time we arrived, night had fallen completely.

In the bar's office, I saw Qian Guang. To my surprise, Ma Qing was also there. Her presence made me uneasy.

"Guang Ge…" I greeted.

Qian Guang nodded and gestured for me to sit. "Have a seat."

I sat down, glancing at Ma Qing. Qian Guang said, "Miss Ma here is interested in the gambling stone business, so…"

I chuckled lightly. "Didn't Miss Ma previously question whether gambling stones could really make so much money?"

"Of course," Ma Qing replied. "Doubt requires verification. If I don't investigate, how will I know whether my doubts are justified? That's why I'm partnering with Qian Guang to invest in this business."

Hearing this, I frowned and glanced at Qian Guang. He nodded, confirming her claim.

I felt an instinctive resistance. My heart cursed Qian Guang as a fool blinded by beauty. Damn it! This was the same man who had previously scolded me for collaborating with others in the gambling stone trade, even expressing outrage when I partnered with Boss Wei. And now he brought Ma Qing into the fold himself? The hypocrisy infuriated me.

But what could I say? He was the boss, and his decisions were final. Yet resentment simmered within me. Why should I agree to this collaboration?

Fine. If this was his decision, so be it. But I refused to let them profit. If we succeeded in gambling stones, Ma Qing would gain favor with Qi Ye, further overshadowing Ma Lan. For Ma Lan's sake, I wouldn't let Qian Guang win.

Sorry, Guang Ge. Don't blame me for being ruthless. This time, I'll take you down with me, even at a great personal cost.