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

Di Jiao Tian Ya in Ruili is an idyllic haven, encircled on three sides by water, separated from Myanmar only by a slender river. A casual drift downstream might unexpectedly find one awakening on Burmese soil.

Dozens of black vans were parked near a modest eatery on the outskirts of the Di Jiao Tian Ya scenic area; a small, unassuming folk restaurant, now thrown into a chaotic flurry by the sudden influx of visitors.

Emerging from the vehicles, we stepped out into the torrential downpour. The waters of the Yingjiang River churned with tempestuous fury. Zhao Kui shielded me with an umbrella as I watched Chen Xi, Qian Guang, Si Yan, and the others enter the restaurant. I followed suit. The folk restaurant, though small, boasted numerous rooms in its rear outbuildings, constructed in the characteristic stilt-house style. The sound of a dozen footsteps shattered the slumbering children's dreams within the darkened restaurant on this rain-lashed night.

We were ushered into a private room, already set with a feast: a rustic chicken stew, Yunnan rice noodles, and an array of exotic insect dishes. As we settled, Chen Xi ignited the fire beneath the chicken pot, instantly dispelling the chill in the air with a wave of warmth.

Chen Xi produced a bottle of Moutai, poured drinks, and began, "Apologies for any shortcomings..."

He raised his glass in a toast. Though I rarely imbibe spirits, this one proved surprisingly palatable. After draining his glass, Chen Xi tapped his chopsticks together, aligning the ends, before selecting a chicken head and placing it in his bowl. He turned to Qian Guang, saying, "Qian Guang, you never served under Seventh Master, yet you've achieved remarkable success. You've risen to prominence, and heeding his call to return demonstrates your loyalty. Fei Zhu, Liu Qiang, Shou Hou—we're all like you, having made our mark elsewhere before returning to Seventh Master's side. We secured the northern business, our seniority established before yours. But now, those four are gone, leaving only the two of us. Seventh Master is aging, and soon, once he's passed, the north will be ours."

His words hung heavy in the air, leaving us speechless. Was he already plotting for succession?

His intentions were crystal clear, laid bare as the chicken head in his bowl.

Chen Xi continued, "Qian Guang, after Shou Hou's death, his Ruili Grand World is mine; the remaining seven or eight enterprises are yours. With only two of us remaining as Seventh Master's right and left hands, when he ascends, we'll let him decide who takes over. No objections?"

Qian Guang smiled, nodded, and took a sip of his drink. Chen Xi followed suit, a smile playing on his lips. I observed him, recognizing the cunning in his eyes. Let Seventh Master decide? Humbug! Seventh Master trusts him most, so the leadership would inevitably fall to him.

However, I remained silent. Si Yan and I were latecomers, lacking the standing to intervene in their internal affairs; meddling would only prove fruitless.

Chen Xi addressed me, "Zhao Fei, let's share a drink. Past grievances were my fault, and I apologize. Let this toast erase our past differences."

I clinked glasses with him and drank. Chen Xi possessed both resolve and vision, unlike the stubborn Shou Hou. He knew I wouldn't let him off lightly, yet he still sought reconciliation, demonstrating his strategic foresight.

Setting down his glass, Chen Xi declared, "Chen Xi values money above all else. Loyalty in this world is a farce; only money is real. Zhao Fei, your business acumen is exceptional. Ruili's fortunes are built on jade. Continue, and if you need capital, come to me. With your elder brother protecting you, no one in Ruili will dare touch you."

"Thank you, Elder Brother Chen," I replied.

Chen Xi nodded, checking his watch. At that moment, a middle-aged man entered, announcing, "Brother, he's arrived."

Chen Xi's face lit up. Rising to his feet, he exclaimed, "I'll go take care of this. I'll call you when it's done..."

He left, clapping me on the shoulder. Only the three of us remained. Qian Guang tossed his chopsticks onto the table, fixing me with his gaze. "Zhao Fei, do you trust him?"

I shook my head. "Do you?"

Qian Guang shook his head. "Of course not. Si Yan, you'd best not trust him either, or you'll end up like Shou Hou."

Si Yan nodded firmly. "Brother Guang brought me up; I only trust him."

I smiled; Si Yan was shrewd. Despite his elevated position, he remained humble, remembering his benefactor.

I beckoned, and Zhao Kui and Wang Gui entered. Wang Gui began, "Brother Fei..."

"Gather the brothers," I instructed. "This is our business, to be settled amongst ourselves. No outside interference."

Wang Gui, brimming with excitement, departed with Zhao Kui. As a dozen figures stirred, I knew my men were ready.

Qian Guang lit a cigarette, Si Yan promptly offering a lighter. Squinting, Qian Guang asked, "After this, we're going to Myanmar. How much capital do you have?"

"Over eighty million," I replied, "though not in cash. Materials are held in Malan; I need to liquidate them."

Qian Guang exhaled a plume of smoke. "Good. You're wealthier than I am now; I still owe the bank over fifty million..."

I smiled. "I'll cover half."

Qian Guang clapped me on the shoulder, his joy quickly replaced by seriousness. "You've been rather disrespectful to Miss Ma Er..."

His words made me frown. Before I could speak, he continued, "I sense she's targeting you, perhaps due to Malan. Even outsiders can perceive the friction between her and her sister, and your close ties with Malan make you a target. I think she's wrong about this."

I was surprised; I expected a reprimand, not this. Grateful, I watched Qian Guang drain his glass, speaking earnestly, "Qian Guang rose through his own skill and the support of his brothers, not through women. If Miss Ma Er continues to target you, don't give me any face. Women must either obey or leave."

His words were bold, even defiant, addressing even Miss Ma Er with such bluntness. How many men possess such audacity? I certainly don't. I admired him for it.

Chen Xi reappeared, dropping two bags to the floor. They spilled open, revealing stacks of cash. He sat down, took a drink, and said, "Thirty million of mine. He took it, but didn't touch it, and now it's back. He only asked me to arrange a boat to Myanmar. The boat's ready, but whether it leads to Myanmar or hell, you decide."

I rose, a smile playing on my lips. "I'll see him off."

I left, Wang Gui and Zhao Kui watching. A dozen men surrounded me, stripping off their jackets to reveal black undershirts. Wang Gui and Zhao Kui followed suit, as did the others.

Our bar, "Nightfall," favored black undershirts. I surveyed the uniformed group, a smile spreading across my face. "Justice will be served. Let's go..."

I led the way, unshielded by umbrellas, the rain soaking us to the bone. I walked ahead, a dozen men behind me, a formidable force. Emerging from the restaurant, I saw a solitary figure by the Yingjiang River, likewise unprotected. The riverside lights stretched his shadow long and thin. We advanced swiftly.

Zhao Kui and Wang Gui flanked him, cutting off his escape routes. I led the charge, shouting, "Go!"

A dozen men surged forward, their footsteps shattering the night's stillness. He finally reacted, seeing himself surrounded, his bag falling to the ground. He retreated toward the river, the Yingjiang's turbulent waters a looming threat. Suddenly, Zhao Kui launched a flying kick, sending him sprawling. A dozen men descended upon him, raining blows.

Groans and the thud of fists and feet echoed through the rain-soaked night. I tossed back my hair, scattering the water. Approaching the melee, I saw Shou Hou, half-dead. He attempted to rise, but Zhao Kui delivered another kick.

He struggled again, but Wang Gui struck his leg with a club, forcing him to his knees. Lai Zi added another blow, leaving him helpless.

Wang Gui declared, "This one's for Myanmar."

Shou Hou, his mouth bleeding, looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Spare my life, I'll give you money."

Before he could finish, Zhao Kui stepped behind him, his hands tightening around his neck like a noose. Shou Hou's strangled gasps filled the air, his legs kicking wildly. I felt no pity; his humiliation and attempted murder in Myanmar had instilled terror. It was either him or me.

I never sought trouble, but I never feared it either.

Zhao Kui's grip was unyielding, Shou Hou's single hand unable to break free. Within moments, he was dead.

I stared at Shou Hou's lifeless form; a moment ago, he was a leader, now a corpse.

Such is the nature of the underworld.

Turning to Lai Zi, I asked, "Did I do it?"

Lai Zi nodded excitedly, speechless with emotion. I clapped him on the shoulder, saying, "I always keep my word..."

Then, I left, walking back into the rain. I didn't look back, but tears streamed down my face.

Yes, I had done it.