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

Marlan's terse statement sent a jolt through my nervous system.

Without a word, I dashed out, my shoes barely on. Seeing Zhao Kui and Wang Gui's puzzled expressions, I roared, "To the Jade City…"

The car sped to the Jade City. My mind was a blank. The city was calm, merchants plied their trade, the crowds flowed ceaselessly. I hurried to Marlan's shop, only to find her sales staff standing there, bewildered, Marlan nowhere in sight.

I immediately went upstairs to her office. There, in the corner, I saw her safe, open and empty…

Frantically, I rummaged through it, finding nothing. Bewildered, I stammered, "Marlan, stop it. If the jade's gone, it's gone. Don't joke with me."

Marlan sat on the sofa, chain-smoking, furious. "I'm not joking," she said, "It's been stolen…"

My anger flared. Standing, I suppressed my rage, "Damn it, Marlan! Of all the merchants here, why yours? Don't lie to me! Did you sell it? You can't just swallow it whole like this! That's my entire fortune, my life savings! I'll die! Give me back the jade!"

Marlan rose, equally incensed. "Damn you! What do you think I am? Do I need to steal your jade to get money? It was stolen! It was stolen when I arrived this morning! You're slandering me!"

Her outburst ignited my temper. Even if it was stolen, she dared to yell at me? Whose fault was it?

Wang Gui and Zhao Kui stood at the doorway, attempting to intervene. Marlan suddenly bellowed, "Get out! Get out!"

Startled, they retreated. They probably realized their interference would only worsen the situation.

Marlan paced the room, viciously crushing her cigarette. Enraged, I shouted, "You're still smoking? Get the jade back! It's not in your possession!"

Suddenly, Marlan shoved me, her voice laced with fury, "Do you think I want this? I'd already found a buyer, ready to make the deal! How am I supposed to explain this?"

I was enraged by the shove. My fury exploded. Without thinking, I slapped her hard. The resounding smack only fueled my anger. I'd had enough of this woman. She'd done wrong and didn't even apologize, still acting so arrogant.

Marlan, stung by the slap, dropped her cigarette, her eyes blazing with fury. She lunged at me, punching my stomach, then slapping me repeatedly. My head was hot, completely enraged. I grabbed her hair, threw her onto the sofa, and slapped her mercilessly.

Marlan fought back, her slaps raining down on my face. She pulled my hair, and soon we were grappling, a furious, unrestrained brawl. I didn't hold back, venting my frustration, while she, equally enraged, pummeled me.

My anger burned. This woman was incredibly strong and fast. Though not terribly painful, the blows were relentless and infuriating.

With a sweeping arm, I sent Marlan sprawling to the floor, momentarily stunned. A sudden fear gripped me as I saw her head bleeding again. I swallowed hard, knelt, and covered her head, unsure what to say, consumed by anger and remorse.

Marlan remained still, blood smeared everywhere, but she didn't move, just stared at me, her expression unreadable.

"What are you doing? Why didn't you dodge?" I said angrily.

Marlan didn't answer, her breathing ragged. Soon, she began to cry, trying to suppress it, but the sobs overwhelmed her. A sharp pang of remorse pierced my heart. She was a woman, and I knew she could be difficult. Why did I have to argue with her? Damn it…

I wanted to slap myself.

"You always dodge. Why not this time? Why?" I lamented.

Marlan remained silent, biting her lip, fighting back tears, but already weeping uncontrollably. I knew I was in trouble. I must have truly hurt her.

The door opened, and Zhao Kui and Wang Gui cautiously entered, their faces etched with surprise at the scene.

Wang Gui stammered, "Brother Fei… should… should we help?"

"Help your mother! Get her to the hospital!"

I roared, lifting Marlan onto my back. Amidst the astonished onlookers, we rushed to the hospital.

The midday sun was stifling. Wang Gui offered me a cigarette, which I lit and took a harsh drag. I stared out at the scenery, my mood utterly bleak. Marlan's head wound was severe. To prevent infection, the doctor shaved her head. Touching my own hair, I cursed, "Damn it, I'd just grown it out…"

Last time, it was for Xuanling, to spare her feelings, that I shaved my beloved long hair. It had only just grown back, and now I felt I'd have to shave it again…

"With all that commotion, you couldn't hear anything? Usually so alert, and today you're so clueless?" I grumbled, inwardly regretting my harsh treatment of Marlan.

"Brother Fei… really, you and the young miss… we'd be courting death if we'd come in earlier, Brother Fei…" Wang Gui said apologetically.

"Alright, alright…"

I was annoyed, but I understood. They dared not enter. My relationship with Marlan was unique; they couldn't help either of us, only watch from outside.

I stubbed out my cigarette and entered the ward. Marlan sat on the bed, silent, her eyes fixed on something, unblinking. I spoke to her, but she didn't respond. I knew she was furious; a woman's silence, especially Marlan's, was her most potent weapon.

I sat down, taking her hand, but she pushed it away, still silent. "I'm sorry," I said, "I was wrong. I went too far…"

Marlan remained silent, not even looking at me. My temper flared. "Do you think you're right? You lost my jade, my entire fortune! You didn't apologize, and you hit me! Do you think you're justified?"

Marlan suddenly turned to me. "I'll find it back."

I chuckled. "I called the police. They investigated the scene. Do you know what they said? This was a highly intelligent crime. The thief had a key, opened the safe, no fingerprints, no footprints, even the security camera's main unit was stolen. Where the hell are you going to find it?"

Marlan cried again. "I stole it? I stole it? Only I have the key to the safe…"

I scratched my head. The whole thing was suspicious. I didn't think Marlan stole it. She wasn't that kind of person, and she wasn't stupid. She had no reason to steal it.

I asked, "Is there really no one else with a key?"

"No…" Marlan said firmly.

I sighed. "Marlan, the public auction is coming up…"

Marlan immediately pulled out her phone, making a call. "Sell the villa. Appraise my car. And…"

Hearing her, I felt a pang of regret. Why did I say those things?

"Damn it, what do you mean? Can't sell it? Not five years yet? Damn it, why didn't you tell me when I bought it?" Marlan raged.

She hung up, furious. I quickly said, "Marlan, it's okay, don't worry, we'll find a way."

Marlan got out of bed, a little dizzy. I rushed to help, but she pushed me away, falling to the floor, jarring her chest.

She looked at me. "Help me up…"

I immediately helped her. Why was I acting like her grandson? My things were lost, and I was the one trying to appease her. I owed her something…

Despite this, I helped her up. She pulled me out of the ward, to the parking lot, got in the car, and said, "Go to my father's hotel. I, Marlan, don't owe anyone anything. Even if I borrow, I'll pay it back. Zhao Fei, remember that…"

I was furious, but I didn't speak. Eighty million wasn't a small sum. It was my entire fortune, but I was starting to panic. I said, "Marlan, we should be focusing on finding the jade."

"I stole it. I admit it," Marlan said.

Her words choked me. I was speechless. The car headed towards Old Seven's restaurant. We got out, and everyone stared at Marlan. She was a mess—bloody and bald—naturally attracting attention, but still beautiful, just… a sorry sight.

We went to Old Seven's office. Opening the door, I saw Old Seven and Ma Qing talking. Seeing us, they both stood up in surprise.

"Sister, what happened…" Ma Qing asked worriedly.

Marlan ignored her, running to Old Seven, angrily pointing at me, and crying, "Dad, he hit me…"

Hearing this, my heart sank. Damn it, was she here to tattle?