Font Size:
Ming Zhao ignored him.
The stinging pain on Xiao Shaoxun’s face didn’t stop his gaze from lingering on Ming Zhao’s hand. Her tender palm was red, proof of the force behind her slap. Didn’t it hurt?
She was really spicy.
He rubbed his cheek, his voice soft and gentle. “You’re so angry. Another slap?”
“…”
Seeing Xiao Shaoxun like this, the onlookers, after their initial shock, suddenly came to their senses.
Some of the more perceptive individuals quickly brought a chair and placed it behind Ming Zhao. “Miss, you must be tired from standing. Please, have a seat.”
Their flattery was excessive.
Ming Zhao languidly sat down, ignoring Xiao Shaoxun’s offer of a drink, and slightly raised her chin as a signal.
The person received the cue and quickly brought another chair for Zhou Siyu.
“Miss Siyu, please have a seat.”
Zhou Siyu hesitated, feeling a little awkward. Seeing Ming Zhao’s indifferent attitude, she had no choice but to sit.
Xiao Shaoxun, still reeling from the shock of being slapped, finally noticed Zhou Siyu standing beside her.
“Siyu,” he raised his eyebrows in surprise, smiling as if nothing had happened. “Long time no see.”
Zhou Siyu found this smiling tiger terrifying and wanted to cling to Ming Zhao’s arm.
The man gave a subtle signal, and someone immediately came to offer a toast.
Ming Zhao hadn’t expected this. She had only intended to slap him twice, but he was persistent.
The deep red liquid swirled in the glass, releasing a rich yet oddly strange aroma.
Ming Zhao’s family’s main business was overseas. She owned a vineyard abroad and was well-versed in the characteristics of various wines at different stages of aging.
Seriously? Even if he was drugging her drink, couldn’t he use something better? This smelled spoiled.
How did he even grow up in the capital?
Her gaze landed on a Texas Hold’em poker set on a nearby table, and a slow, cunning smile spread across her lips.
“Alright then,” she said sweetly. “Why don’t we play a game?”
“If you lose, you drink all this wine. If I lose, I’ll drink.”
Huh?
Xiao Shaoxun was momentarily captivated by her beautiful face, almost thinking he’d misheard.
Play what? Texas Hold’em? With her?
The man laughed aloud.??
He said bluntly, “Miss Ming, you might as well just drink it directly.”
There was a moment of silence—then an eruption of cheers.
“Play! Play! Xiao can’t back down!”
“Miss Ming, just drink a glass to show your good faith. It’s not necessary.”
“Why isn’t it necessary? You look down on women, huh!” someone shouted, the word ‘women’ laced with malice.
Zhou Siyu’s worry deepened, her anxious gaze darting to Ming Zhao.
Everyone knew that the second young master of Xin Yuan Real Estate only knew how to enjoy himself, was incompetent in managing the family business, but was thoroughly skilled in various entertainment venues.
How could she possibly win against him?
Ming Zhao looked straight ahead. “If you’re afraid, just say so.”
Hearing this, the man stared at her intently for a moment.
“…Fine, let’s do it.” Xiao Shaoxun sat down at the table, casually picking up a card.
“But let me remind you, don’t cry if you lose.”
He lightly pressed a playing card against Ming Zhao’s chin.
“And you can’t call your savior brother for help.” Ming Zhao’s smile didn’t waver.
“If you don’t want me to shove these cards in your mouth, you’d better take your dirty hands off me.”
He moved back. “Tsk, quite a temper.”
The game began.
The initial hands were dealt.
Xiao Shaoxun glanced lazily at his cards and doubled the bet. He didn’t even bother to carefully observe Ming Zhao’s expression, leaning back in his chair.
What did a woman know about Texas Hold’em?
Seeing Ming Zhao hesitate for a moment before calling, the corner of his lips curled up in amusement.
The first three community cards were revealed:
Ace of Diamonds, Seven of Hearts, Jack of Spades.
Xiao Shaoxun calmly tripled the bet.
Zhou Siyu’s fingers clenched tightly. She didn’t fully understand the game’s rules, but Xiao Shaoxun’s relaxed demeanor suggested he had a strong hand.
What would Ming Zhao do?
She secretly reached for her phone, intending to contact Zhou Tingyun for help.
“Hey, little sister.”
A slender woman smoothly took her phone and placed it on the table.
“Watch the game carefully, now.”
Zhou Siyu’s face turned pale.
Ming Zhao coldly glanced at the woman but still called.
Xiao Shaoxun stroked his chin, his eyes lingering on Ming Zhao’s slightly pursed lips, his heart itching.
Seeing her nervous and fearful expression, he almost felt sorry for her.
“Miss Ming, it’s not too late to admit defeat.”
Ming Zhao met his gaze.
“Your bluff is too obvious.”
Xiao Shaoxun laughed heartily.
“Don’t overthink it. With your skill level, I don’t even need to use any tricks.”
He leaned forward. “Since you don’t believe my hand is good, how about we go all in?”
The fourth community card was dealt: the Ten of Spades.
The smile on Xiao Shaoxun’s lips widened.
He condescendingly advised, “I know you, newbies. You love to push your chips when you get an Ace, then you lose everything on the side cards.”
A lighter clicked, and he lit a cigarette.
“I won’t bully you. You still have time to fold.”
“You talk too much.”
Ming Zhao thought silently, he was several years younger than Zhou Tingyun, yet he acted so condescending.??
The final community card: the Queen of Spades.
Xiao Shaoxun pushed all his chips forward.
“It’s this obvious, and you still won’t fold?”
Ming Zhao matched his bet without hesitation.
Xiao Shaoxun smirked. He thought she wouldn’t give up until she saw the coffin, but it didn’t matter—he loved watching women cry.
Thinking of what might happen tonight, he felt a surge of pleasure.
He revealed one of his cards: the Eight of Spades.
As long as his other card was the Nine of Spades, he’d have a Straight Flush: Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen of Spades.
Seeing his confident expression, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
“Wow, Xiao’s hand is incredible!”
“With so many bottles of wine, will Miss Ming cry?”
“Get lost,” Xiao Shaoxun laughed, pushing away the onlookers. His gaze locked onto Ming Zhao as he tapped his fingers on the table.
“Miss Ming, shall I feed you?”
He unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, revealing a hint of his toned chest.
Ming Zhao glanced at him with disdain. Even with a swollen face, he still thought he looked handsome.
She slowly revealed her first card: Ace of Spades.
Xiao Shaoxun exhaled a puff of smoke, smirking.
“An Ace doesn’t help you here,” he said, feigning regret. “I told you not to crash your head against an Ace.”
Zhou Siyu tensed as Xiao’s people celebrating. She reached for the phone on the table, but the woman who had taken her phone whispered, “Remember, little sister, you must accept the outcome.”
Her tone carried a sense of finality, as if the game was already decided.
But then—
Ming Zhao, seated elegantly across from Xiao Shaoxun, suddenly laughed. The sound was clear and melodious, drawing everyone’s attention.
Two fingers covered her last card, her burgundy nail polish gleaming under the lights.
“Xiao Shaoxun… aren’t you celebrating too soon?”
Watching the man’s expression change gradually, she slowly revealed her final card—
The King of Spades.
A Royal Flush: Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of Spades.
Meanwhile, Xiao Shaoxun’s Straight Flush had just been crushed.
*(P.S.: The probability of a Royal Flush against a Straight Flush is astronomically low—but hey, what’s a little luck in a good story?)
—