If she won, she'd get another ten million; if she lost, she wouldn't lose anything except that she'd never be able to see that heartless daughter of hers again.
Not allowed to see her? She didn't even want to see her!
It sounded like a bet with no risk and only gain.
It was such a huge temptation that Zhang Sumei was still a bit unsure. "Really... you'll give me ten million?"
Fu Lian gave a faint smile and generously spread his hands in front of her. "I never go back on my word."
Zhang Sumei beamed. "Okay, okay. What game does Mr. Fu like to play?"
Fu Lian had a gentle expression and seemed very approachable. "The simplest one, blackjack."
Zhang Sumei had no objections and just urged the dealer to deal the cards quickly.
The dealer quickly cleared the table again, skillfully cut and dealt the cards, giving one card to each of them.
Fu Lian looked calm. The win or loss of ten million seemed to mean nothing to him.
He tapped the table with his finger, signaling the dealer to deal the second card.
Seeing this, Zhang Sumei quickly asked for her second card too.
The gamblers around stopped gambling at this moment and stood at a distance, surrounding the card table in a circle.
Each person could draw at most two cards. The one whose card total was closest to but did not exceed 21 would win.
Zhang Sumei flipped over her cards. The moment she saw the numbers, she was overjoyed. She turned the cards face - up. One was a 10 and the other was a 9.
"Mr. Fu, it seems that the God of Wealth has come to my home today. I'll graciously accept the ten million."
At this time, Wen Baozhu, who had been taken by the bodyguards to the private VIP room on the second floor, was watching every move at the card table through the transparent glass.
When she saw that Zhang Sumei's total was 19, she unconsciously tightened her fingers.
Was she really going to win?
Or was fate blind this time, insisting on giving good luck to a villain and being her best friend?
Fu Lian still looked very casual. Under everyone's gaze, he didn't even bother to look at his cards. He just flipped them over and threw them on the table.
One was a K and the other was an A. Added together, it was exactly 21.
The whole place was instantly in an uproar, and then it fell silent as if everyone had held their breath.
Zhang Sumei was also caught off guard. Her pupils dilated instantly, and the smile on her face that was like celebrating victory halfway through froze at the corner of her mouth.
Fu Lian stood up, tidied his collar with both hands. "The game is over."
Zhang Sumei couldn't smile anymore.
Her whole expression turned gloomy. She seemed to have suffered a huge blow and slumped in her chair.
Her eyes were dull, and she still couldn't believe the outcome.
Obviously, this was the best - luck draw for her!
The blow of failure made her seem out of her body. She still murmured to herself, "Ten million... I missed out on ten million!"
The casino bodyguards around came to drive her away. She was still in a daze, as if she had lost her soul, and her steps were unsteady.
It was not until she walked out of the casino that a chill gradually filled Fu Lian's eyes. "From now on, she is not allowed to set foot in Hong Kong or Macau ever again."
He lowered his head and took out a handkerchief to wipe the fingers that had just touched the cards. "If any junket operator exchanges chips for her again, their whole family will be expelled from the territory immediately and their permanent entry qualifications will be revoked."
"I, Mr. Fu, always keep my word."
As he said this, he was looking at the one - way glass on the second floor, his eyes deep.
...
The reversal came so quickly that Wen Baozhu rubbed her eyes several times and still couldn't believe that Fu Lian had actually won the bet.
He was so calm, so carefree, and so confident.
It was as if...
At this time, there was a knock on the door of the private VIP room. Then Fu Lian pushed the door open and came in.
"Was it exciting to watch?" he asked.
Wen Baozhu pursed her lips. "It was very thrilling. Her total was so close. I thought Mr. Fu was going to lose."
"Do you hope I win or lose?" he asked casually, but with a hidden meaning.
Wen Baozhu replied, "I've always hoped Mr. Fu would win."
Fu Lian was silent for half a second, then the corner of his lips lifted slightly. Obviously, he was very satisfied with her answer.
His Baozhu would, of course, only hope for his victory.
Wen Baozhu stared at Fu Lian and finally asked the question in her heart. "Why did Mr. Fu insist on playing this game with her?"
She had heard that he had ordered that Zhang Sumei was not allowed to enter Hong Kong or Macau again.
Since he had the ability to get the customs and ports to put Zhang Sumei on the blacklist, why did he waste his energy playing this game?
"Gambling is all about the 'luck'."
Fu Lian undid the buttons of his suit, relaxing his tense state a bit. "To make you relax and to try to make you happy, isn't that okay?"
The love words came so suddenly that Wen Baozhu was flustered. Her earlobes also turned red visibly.
They were so charming that it made one feel pity.
Fu Lian caught every change in her expression and raised his eyebrows.
It had been a long time since he had seen such a lively her.
She would blush, get annoyed, and want to glare at him angrily, but then quickly dodge timidly.
This natural reaction of hers greatly pleased him.
He was in a very good mood. He sat on the single - person sofa in the VIP room, leaned back, and beckoned to her. "Come here."
Wen Baozhu hesitated for a moment. There was a flash of reluctance in her heart, but finally, she took a rational step forward.
She walked up to him. Without being told, she skillfully sat on his lap and nestled into his arms.
The man grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer into his arms until every gap in his body was filled by her. Then he let out a comfortable sigh.
He had hugged her recently, but most of the time, she was too stiff, either absent - minded or listless.
Today was different.
Her genuine obedience made the man extremely happy, and he felt a sense of relief.
Only then did he explain his plan. "A gambler who is addicted to winning and losing is not most afraid of losing, but of 'almost winning'."
"Her card total was so good that she thought she could easily earn this ten million, but then she lost it in an instant. This kind of blow is much more painful and profound than losing completely."
"Seemingly, she didn't lose anything, but from her perspective, she directly lost ten million from her pocket. Of course, she couldn't accept such a blow."
Only then did Wen Baozhu suddenly understand.
Sure enough, Mr. Fu was a master at manipulating people's hearts. With just a simple plan, he had completely destroyed Zhang Sumei.
No wonder she looked like she had lost half her life when she walked out.
While Wen Baozhu was feeling admiration in her heart, she also felt a kind of inexplicable awe and submission.
Who could have a chance of winning when facing someone like him?
"What if Mr. Fu had lost?" Wen Baozhu suddenly thought of another outcome. "Wouldn't you really have to give her ten million for nothing—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Fu Lian covered her lips with his finger.
"I've already spent ten million for you. It's worth doing it one more time."
He lowered his head, resting his chin on her shoulder, enjoying this long - awaited intimacy. "For you, I'm willing to accept the outcome of the bet."