Chapter 57: Meeting Me, She Can Quit Gambling

Ning Kou was left dumbfounded, choked by Xia Yuan’s words.

After being pampered for over twenty years, she had never been so openly targeted before.

Ning Kou nearly ground her silver teeth to dust, barely controlling the urge to pull Xia Yuan’s hair.

She was a lady; she couldn’t lower herself to the level of someone from a small background like Xia Yuan.

Xia Yuan paid no mind to Ning Kou resentment. Since starting a relationship with Qin Mohuai, she had disturbed many people’s plans, and there were countless who hated her—Ning Kou didn’t even have a rank.

She casually swirled her crystal glass, drinking the sparkling water in one go. Her slender, white neck was smooth and graceful, with a touch of playful pink on her cheeks. She might be shallow, vulgar, and air-headed, but from head to toe, she was impeccably beautiful.

For a moment, all the men and women gathered around Xia Yuan stared in awe.

Ning Kou thought to herself, with Xia Yuan looking like that, it was no wonder Qin Mohuai was enchanted. Men love little vixens.

Pity her cousin, who was pure as a lotus flower, didn’t get appreciated by Qin Mohuai.

A couple of wealthy men seemed very interested in Xia Yuan, but given that she was Qin Mohuai’s wife, they dared not stare directly, sneaking glances instead.

Under the opulent crystal chandeliers, they had created an atmosphere that felt almost like an affair!

What a sin!

Zhou Mao felt that Qin Mohuai’s reputation was being tainted.

As someone who called Qin Mohuai “Third Brother,” she couldn’t just stand by and watch him being disrespected. So she spoke up, “The marble floor is hard and wearing high heels is tiring. Why don’t we all sit down and have something to eat?”

“Maxence’s uncle has brought in a Michelin-starred chef team from France. The food and desserts they’ve prepared are excellent, and there are many fine wines to taste!”

The Maxence family had been running a winery for generations. Initially, they supplied beverages to high-end French restaurants and top clubs, but their signature rosé champagne had gained a reputation in Southeast Asia, and the family business had rapidly expanded.

The wine for this family banquet was managed by his team, not only as a gesture of goodwill but also to promote their champagne in Xiangzhou.

“This is the same at every banquet, nothing new,” Ning Kou said with ill intentions, eyeing Xia Yuan. “Instead, I’m more interested in Miss Xia. I’d like to play a little game with her. I wonder if she dares?”

Zhou Mao frowned. “Stop it. This is a family banquet for the aunt and uncle. Everyone is dressed in tails and evening gowns. What games are appropriate here?”

Ning Kou gave her a sidelong glance. “Why are you protecting her so much? You were taking a Bentley to school while she was still helping out in her mother’s humble fast-food restaurant.”

People looked at Xia Yuan with a different, mocking expression.

It seemed they were ridiculing her poor background.

Xia Yuan took a deep breath. Ning Kou actually dared to mock the most lovable and hardworking Liang Min.

Good.

If a small-time rival delivered themselves right to her doorstep, she wouldn’t be blamed for being ruthless!

Xia Yuan’s voice was calm. “What game do you want to play?”

Ning Kou lifted her chin with a look of arrogance and self-satisfaction. “How about rolling dice?”

Xia Yuan replied, “Alright, let’s play that!”

Her straightforward agreement left Ning Kou’er and the others momentarily stunned.

Was Xia Yuan truly confident, or just putting on a show? Ning Kou quickly regained her composure, thinking that Xia Yuan was merely bluffing.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll roll dice and compare sizes. If it’s just one round, it would seem like I’m bullying you. So we’ll do three rounds, best of three. If you lose, you’ll give me the white custom-made Maybach.”

“And if you lose?” Xia Yuan countered.

“What do you want?” Ning Kou frowned.

Xia Yuan’s gaze turned colder. “If you lose, you’ll have to bark like a dog in front of everyone and repeat ‘Qin Mohuai and Xia Yuan are a match made in heaven’ three times.”

Ning Kou gritted her teeth and agreed.

Nearby friends advised her not to be impulsive, fearing embarrassment if she lost.

Ning Kou sneered. “How could I lose to Xia Yuan? Have you forgotten I’ve learned to roll dice from experts?

Ning Kou, with a provocative look, directed her gaze at Xia Yuan, but Xia Yuan remained unresponsive, as if she were an unmoving piece of cotton. It was infuriating.

Zhou Mao expression turned serious. “Yuan, have you ever played dice?”

Xia Yuan responded vaguely, “It’s something you can learn just by watching.”

She had indeed learned it before, out of necessity, to earn money for her grandmother’s medical expenses. She had studied dice-rolling with a retired Taoist priest.

But ‘Xia Yuan’ would definitely not know, so she couldn’t admit to it.

Zhou Mao looked distressed. “Even if you know how to roll dice, it will be difficult to win against Ning Kou. She has trained with experts and has excellent luck, winning nine out of ten times. Few people in the circle dare to play dice with her because they fear losing.”

“Pei Jincheng once played dice with her—a simple comparison of sizes—and lost a Ferrari to Ning Kou!”

Xia Yuan smiled faintly. “If she meets me, she might quit gambling altogether.”

---

Ning Kou called Ouyang Jing.

“Cousin, I have good news for you.”

She gleefully informed Ouyang Jing about the bet.

Ouyang Jing paused for two seconds, then sighed. “You’re sure to win. Xia Yuan will lose badly, but do you think Qin Mohuai will let you off?”

Ning Kou replied, “What do you mean? Pei Jincheng lost a sports car to me, Yang Yi lost a custom surgical knife, and Wei family’s Seventh Young Master lost an antique piano. Losers must accept their fate. If Xia Yuan can’t handle losing, she should just admit defeat. Why involve family to back her up? That’s so cowardly!”

Ouyang Jing said, “She isn’t from our circle after all.”

The pride that comes with their lineage.

Ning Kou responded, “Cousin, you’re right. If she had good character, she wouldn’t have stolen your fiancé. But I’m definitely going to win. If I win the Maybach, I’ll give it to you as your vehicle and make Xia Yuan miserable!”

---

Zhou Mao, unable to stop them and fearing the situation might escalate, arranged a quiet private room for them.

“There are no other people here. If anyone wants to back out after losing, there is still room to reconsider.”

Ning Kou said, “Accepting the bet and losing is part of the game. Anyone who backs out should leave Xiangzhou!”

Xia Yuan smiled brightly. “Alright.”

Ning Kou frowned, unable to gauge Xia Yuan’s true skills. This little schemer was indeed deeply calculating!

Xia Yuan asked, “Who goes first?”

Ning Kou said, “Let’s play together. Zhou Mao will be the referee.”

Xia Yuan’s delicate fingers picked up the black dice cup, and her lazy hand caused the cup to slide a few times on the table.

At that moment, the door to the private room opened. Ning Kou friends, the wealthy men and women who had previously surrounded Xia Yuan, walked in, looking dejected, as if they had been scolded by a strict guardian.

Qin Mohuai walked over to Xia Yuan’s side, placing a hand lightly on the back of her chair, offering clear support.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

Just as Xia Yuan was about to speak, Ning Kou interrupted, “Mr. Qin, as a businessman, you value credibility. Xia Yuan and I have made a bet to roll dice and compare sizes. The best of three rounds wins. If Xia Yuan withdraws, it’s considered a loss. Surely, since Xia Yuan is your wife, you wouldn’t favor her, would you?”

In front of everyone, Qin Mohuai responded with a neutral “Hmm.” He indeed showed no principles in favoring Xia Yuan.

Xia Yuan said, “I want to play.”

Qin Mohuai’s fingers stroked the chair, his eyes stirring with a storm that was then dispelled by a serene, deep smile, making his emotions hard to decipher.

“Alright, let’s play. Win or lose, your husband will support you.”

To Xia Yuan, who had struggled to make a living, this was even sweeter than “I love you.”

Fortunately, she was the one on a mission; otherwise, she might have fallen hopelessly for Qin Mohuai.