“You answer it. What, you want me to? My mom might start fantasizing about us getting married.”
The corner of Gu Wan’er’s mouth twitched. Who’s marrying you?
“Mom.”
“Xiaoduo, you’ve got a girlfriend now and you’ve forgotten all about coming home, huh?” Tang Ling’s words sounded like a scolding, but her tone was clearly laced with amusement—she was practically rooting for Yu Xiaoduo to work harder.
Gu Wan’er felt a headache coming on. Yu Xiaoduo had slept over at her place yesterday, and he hadn’t even bothered to call home and explain. Honestly, what a piece of work.
“Mom, I had to work overtime at the company yesterday. President Gu had a big contract to sign.”
“Oh, so that’s how it is. If there’s a big contract, then don’t bother her. Don’t keep pestering her—don’t be too forward, be gentle. Trust Mom on this, girls fall for that.”
Gu Wan’er looked at Yu Xiaoduo in surprise. Your mom actually teaches you how to pick up girls?
Yu Xiaoduo swore to himself—it had never been like this before. This is so embarrassing. Mom, please stop.
“I got it, Mom.” Gu Wan’er couldn’t help but laugh.
Then Tang Ling continued, “Xiaoduo, are you coming home tonight?”
Gu Wan’er thought for a moment. Since her little sister was at home, she definitely couldn’t go back there, so she’d have to go to Yu Xiaoduo’s place.
“Yeah.”
“Actually, you don’t have to come back if you don’t want to. You two can work overtime over the weekend and get started on a baby.”
Yu Xiaoduo: “…”
Gu Wan’er: “…”
After a long pause, Gu Wan’er hung up and said helplessly, “Well, now your mom already thinks I’m your girlfriend.”
“You’d better find me someone soon so she stops overthinking things.”
“What’s the rush? It’ll happen next month.” Seeing how impatient Yu Xiaoduo was, Gu Wan’er clicked her tongue.
Yu Xiaoduo was genuinely curious. You’re not planning to introduce me to Yun’er? That way we’d all be family—how great would that be? Or are you deliberately holding back to surprise yourself later? How thoughtful of you.
While they were chatting, Fu Quan walked over from a distance. “We’re switching venues.”
Watching the audience trickling out, Yu Xiaoduo noticed just how well-equipped this Haoting (Grand Court) really was. It had everything.
Walking out of the animal cage, Gu Wan’er took a deep breath. The air in there had been too stuffy and oppressive.
Maybachs and Rolls-Royces lined up one after another to pick up their owners, prompting Yu Xiaoduo to complain, “It’s barely any distance at all. Do they really need to take a car?”
“They’re not riding for the distance—they’re riding for status. Anyone who doesn’t ride ends up looking shabby instead,” Gu Wan’er said calmly.
“We’re walking.” With that, Yu Xiaoduo started down the road ahead. Gu Wan’er smiled and followed, and Fu Quan also decided to skip the car and walked alongside them.
It was already 9:43 PM, and the temperature had dropped slightly. Yu Xiaoduo was in a great mood—he was almost about to start whistling.
Just then, a dark figure ran toward them from a distance. It turned out to be Lu Zhengzhi, who was completely out of breath.
“Why are you guys still here? Why didn’t you take a car? I ran all the way here for nothing,” Lu Zhengzhi said, hands on his knees as he gasped for air, drenched in sweat.
Gu Wan’er asked curiously, “Brother Lu, did something happen?”
“I just overheard some of the big shots talking. You’ll never guess what,” Lu Zhengzhi said.
The three of them stared blankly at Lu Zhengzhi. He cleared his throat and said, “See? I told you guys didn’t know.”
But the three just walked right past him, leaving an awkward silence hanging in the air.
“Don’t you guys actually want to know?” Lu Zhengzhi quickly caught up and asked with a grin.
“I can tell you, you know—I know you want to know.”
“Just by the look on your faces, I can tell you do. Alright, fine, I’ll just tell you anyway.”
“Ye Shishi’s third brother manages the business in Gangmen (Macau), right? He’s got another nickname there—the Thousand-Hand Ye King. He’s never lost a single game at the card table. He plays with such mastery that it’s almost supernatural. The fact that Ye Shishi dared to choose Dou Dizhu means she’s absolutely one hundred percent sure she’ll win.” After finishing his spiel, Lu Zhengzhi waited for the three of them to look shocked.
But to his dismay, they kept walking with completely expressionless faces. That really bothered him. “Come on, give me some reaction! Isn’t this explosive news worth at least a gasp?”
Seeing how dejected Lu Zhengzhi looked, Gu Wan’er was the first to burst out laughing. “Haha, Brother Lu, you got all worked up for nothing.”
Even Fu Quan couldn’t help laughing loudly. Since hanging out with Yu Xiaoduo and the others, he’d been feeling genuinely happy.
Yu Xiaoduo patted Lu Zhengzhi on the shoulder. “Old Lu, you’ve got to learn to keep your cool.”
“You guys—you tricked me like that! No way, Brother Yu, you’ve got to teach me how to pick up girls, and Sister-in-law, you teach me how to fight.”
Gu Wan’er sighed inwardly. Look at these men—they act like they can’t live without women.
“No problem. Let your Brother Yu teach you how to charm the ladies first,” Yu Xiaoduo teased. If you let Gu Wan’er teach you, she’ll just have you end up a lifelong bachelor.
Gu Wan’er: “…”
After the jokes were over, everyone got back to business.
“Brother Lu, was what you just said true?” Gu Wan’er suddenly felt nervous again. That title “Thousand-Hand Ye King” sounded pretty intimidating.
Even Fu Quan seemed not to know and waited for Lu Zhengzhi’s answer.
“Of course it’s true! Which one of those big shots hasn’t gone to Gangmen for some fun? That Ye Shishi is way too cunning—she saved her best skill for last,” Lu Zhengzhi said indignantly.
At that moment, a paid image appeared in Yu Xiaoduo’s mind. She may be a bit overbearing, but she’s still pretty generous—there’s plenty to appreciate, plenty to go after.
“Sister-in-law, aren’t you worried at all?” Lu Zhengzhi asked curiously when he saw that Gu Wan’er didn’t seem the least bit concerned.
Gu Wan’er pursed her lips. “Your sister-in-law here has watched over three hundred gambling movies. She’s already transformed into a gambling king. A little Ye Shishi doesn’t even register on her radar.”
Oh wow, this Gu Wan’er is really hyping me up like this—she’s definitely up to something.
“Honey, you’re flattering me way too much.” And just like that, Brother Yu whipped out his cutesy voice again, instantly sending a shiver down Gu Wan’er’s spine. She’d never felt so utterly disgusted with herself.
As for Lu Zhengzhi and Fu Quan, their goosebumps practically fell to the floor.
Not far ahead stood a magnificent, golden building. Though it was only one story tall, it was surrounded by milky-white Roman columns, with all sorts of fountains of different designs scattered around. Walking up the steps led to the final event of the night.
Dou Dizhu.
Inside the hall, all the tables had been cleared away, leaving only a small square table in the center. Seated around it were the same suited big shots from before, along with the younger crowd that followed Ye Shishi. But their confidence seemed a bit shaken now—they looked listless.
Directly above the small table hung four screens, so that everyone around could watch the action. By now, the seats were nearly full, and some of the bosses had even started taking bets. The final question was: who would come out on top? If Ye Shishi lost, it would be a huge embarrassment. After all, she’d put forward her three strongest skills and been completely defeated—that “number one” title would have to change hands.
