"Of course, the antiques I bring out will be of equal value to these items. Excuse me, I need to make a phone call first."
After seeing that Zhuang Rui agreed, Shu Wen picked up the phone and went out of the private room to make a call.
"Zhuang Rui, let's just forget about this. I think you're going to become a gambling addict."
Qin Xuanbing had remained silent to protect Zhuang Rui, but now that she saw Shu Wen leave, she quickly pulled Zhuang Rui aside. She knew Shu Wen well; he never fought a battle he wasn't sure of winning. Qin Xuanbing wasn't optimistic that Zhuang Rui would win the bet.
“Xuanbing, I can do without the money, but I absolutely must take these things back with me. They are all treasures of our Chinese nation. What good would it be if they fell into the hands of foreign devils? It’s alright, your husband is very lucky.”
Zhuang Rui spoke with great confidence and grandeur in the first few sentences. Of course, he wouldn't reveal his intention to fill his treasure room with treasures. However, even if he kept them in his basement, it would be better than keeping them in a foreigner's collection room.
"Fine, whatever you want. Anyway, these things were won."
After thinking for a moment, Qin Xuanbing stopped trying to persuade him. She was still a little confused. In just one afternoon, Zhuang Rui's net worth had increased by nearly 100 million yuan. If it weren't for the stacks of chips on the gambling table, Qin Xuanbing wouldn't have believed it.
"Mr. Zhuang, the betting game starts tomorrow morning. It's a two-way all-in game. Do you have any objections?"
At this moment, Shu Wen finished making the call and walked back into the casino. He had just contacted the gambling king, and it was the gambling king who suggested he bet on Texas Hold'em.
"All in?"
Zhuang Rui frowned slightly upon hearing the name, but quickly relaxed. He hadn't watched those Hong Kong gambling movies for nothing; besides Dou Dizhu and Upgrading, the poker game he was most familiar with was Stud Poker.
Chapter 394 Things Have Gone Wrong
"Alright, let's go all in then. I hope the antiques Dr. Shu brought won't disappoint me. If I don't like them, I'm sorry, the betting will not proceed."
After rolling the dice for ages without any skill, Zhuang Rui was honestly fed up with it. But when he heard Shu Wen wanted to play Texas Hold'em, his eyes lit up. Although Zhuang Rui had never played Texas Hold'em before, he had looked up the rules and methods of the game after watching the movie "God of Gamblers" years ago, so he was not unfamiliar with it.
Stud Poker, also known as Sand Crab, is a type of poker game. The winner is determined by the arrangement and combination of five cards. At the start of the game, each player receives one hole card (which is only revealed at the end). After the second card is dealt, the player with the better hand decides the betting amount. Other players have the option to 'call,' 'raise,' fold, or go all-in. After all five cards are dealt, all players reveal their hole cards for comparison.
Before the cards are dealt, each player must pay a mandatory ante. Then each player is dealt two face-down hole cards and one face-up face-up card. The player with the lowest face-up card must pay the initial bet, which is usually half of the small bet, or sometimes the entire small bet. If two players have the same rank, the suits are ranked in ascending order to determine who pays, in the order of clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades.
Five-card stud poker is the most widely played game in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan because it is easy to learn, highly competitive, and requires both skill and a certain amount of luck. Stud poker masters must have good memory, comprehensive judgment, calm analytical ability, and a bit of luck.
True winners in Texas Hold'em rarely do not employ underhanded tactics, since there are no invincible generals who rely solely on luck. Of course, Zhuang Rui is an exception, but he is still very interested in those underhanded techniques.
Zhuang Rui was already imagining what would happen if the so-called skilled gambler Shu Wen invited tried to cheat him with small cards. Anyway, he could see through the other party's cards, and as long as he wasn't so unlucky that he lost the ante every time, he was sure to win tomorrow's bet.
"Alright, Mr. Zhuang, what I bring tomorrow will definitely not disappoint you. Now I'll take my leave."
Seeing that the matter was settled, Shu Wen stood up. He greeted Zheng Hua and then took his leave. He had come by helicopter and was now returning to Hong Kong for a meeting. As for the gambling business, he had already entrusted it to the Macau gambling king, so he didn't need to worry about the manpower.
However, Shu Wen was unsure what kind of antiques would satisfy Zhuang Rui. After leaving the gambling hall, Shu Wen said to someone next to him, "Go and investigate the background of this Zhuang Rui and see if he is an expert in antiques."
When the old shipping magnate was alive, he had quite a lot of contact with the mainland. Even now, he still has a certain network of connections. As soon as Shu Wen and his group arrived at the helipad of the gambling ship, they received information from the mainland.
"Hmm? Ouyang Gang's grandson, an expert in jade gambling, currently a director of the Jade Association, and also an expert in ceramics, bronzes, and antiques, and a former guest expert on television treasure appraisal shows..."
Shu Wen looked at the text messages on her phone. She couldn't quite believe that Zhuang Rui, at such a young age, was so proficient in so many things. However, she abandoned her earlier plan to find a few fakes to make up the numbers. If Zhuang Rui recognized them, she would lose face big time.
"Uncle, are we just going to leave like this? We can't let that brat get away with it!"
When Niu Hong saw Shu Wen get on the helicopter, he looked reluctant and said that in his opinion, this matter was likely to be left like this.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble? Let's go, come back tomorrow. I've invited someone from the Macau gambling king to gamble with him tomorrow. But regardless of winning or losing, you have to stay with your aunt for a month and you're not allowed to run around, understand?"
Shu Wen glanced at Niu Hong, feeling helpless. As his father-in-law's own grandson, he had to take care of him, but the boy was really useless. He knew nothing about the family business and only knew how to play with women and gamble all day long, yet his wife still doted on him the most.
Although Shu Wen wanted to hand over the old shipping magnate's business to Niu Hong, the young man was simply incompetent. He could only raise his own son and daughter to take over his business.
"Okay, as long as I can vent my anger, I'll do anything."
Niu Hong was overjoyed to hear that his uncle had enlisted the help of the Macau gambling king's men. He knew that the gambling king had several associates who had participated in the Las Vegas gambling tournament, and one of them had even won the title. Using him against Zhuang Rui, Niu Hong could already picture Zhuang Rui losing everything.
Zhuang Rui, who remained in the private room of the gambling hall, had absolutely no interest in who his opponent would be tomorrow. The outcome was already predetermined from the moment Shu Wen proposed the bet. What Zhuang Rui was concerned about now was what kind of stake Shu Wen could come up with. If it was something that was really similar to these antiques, then Zhuang Rui would make a fortune this time.
After receiving the bearer draft from the Swiss bank issued by the casino, Zhuang Rui took Qin Xuanbing to the French restaurant on the gambling ship for a candlelight dinner, rewarding himself. Afterwards, he accompanied Qin Xuanbing to watch a musical on the gambling ship before returning to their room.
"Zhuang Rui, why aren't you worried about tomorrow's betting?"
Qin Xuanbing dragged Zhuang Rui to see a musical, hoping to help him relax and not be too nervous. But looking back, it was she who was nervous. Zhuang Rui acted as if nothing was wrong.
"What's there to be nervous about? At worst, we can just lose those antiques back. Honey, you don't know, I've been blessed by a living Buddha. Who can be as lucky as me?"
Zhuang Rui pulled Qin Xuanbing to sit on the sofa, burying his face in her high, firm breasts, causing Qin Xuanbing to tremble all over. She tried to push Zhuang Rui away, but felt weak and powerless.
"Honey, you haven't taken a shower yet."
Qin Xuanbing's almost moaning voice rang out.
"I'll carry you to the bathroom."
Zhuang Rui never tired of taking a bath together with his wife, so he immediately picked Qin Xuanbing up in his arms and carried her towards the bathroom.
"The phone's ringing! The phone's ringing..."
Before they had taken two steps, Zhuang Rui's phone rang in his pocket, and then Qin Xuanbing's cell phone also rang in her handbag.
"Okay, let's answer the phone..."
Zhuang Rui put Qin Xuanbing down, both amused and exasperated. Luckily, they hadn't gone into the bathroom yet; otherwise, if this had happened when things were about to escalate, his little guy might have lost his virility.
"Hey, Wu'er, your trip to Hong Kong caused quite a stir. You actually went to gamble with the Niu family, and even Grandpa knows about it. By the way, Grandpa is staying at your courtyard house now. Do you want to talk to him?"
After a few days in Hong Kong, all he heard was gibberish. At first glance, Ouyang Jun's words sounded quite friendly, but the content of his words startled Zhuang Rui. How did this matter alarm his grandfather?
Zhuang Rui was unaware that today's events had already caused a huge uproar in Hong Kong's wealthy circles. The old man knew about it because Director Wang of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office reported it. Firstly, the old shipping magnate had a good relationship with high-ranking officials on the mainland, and secondly, Zhuang Rui was the general's grandson. So, someone directly informed the old man about the matter.
"Fourth Brother, I won't talk to Grandpa anymore. Let me tell you, the reason I agreed to that foreigner's bet is because he has a lot of precious cultural relics that were looted from China during the Eight-Nation Alliance. As Chinese people, we can't just watch these items fall into the hands of foreigners, can we? Fourth Brother, do you think I'm right?"
Zhuang Rui didn't know what the old man's attitude was towards this matter, but he knew the old man wasn't very fond of foreigners. On the phone, he only said the nice things, practically portraying himself as a great hero who had served the country and its people.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Go ahead and bet with confidence. I'll give them a heads-up later, and they won't dare to pull any tricks. Otherwise, I'll send two warships to international waters under the guise of a military exercise..."
There was a moment of silence on the phone before Ouyang Gang's voice suddenly rang out, startling Zhuang Rui so much that he almost dropped the phone. Fortunately, the old man wasn't angry and even encouraged him, which surprised Zhuang Rui greatly. With the old man's words, those cheating techniques shown in the movies probably wouldn't be used tomorrow.
"Grandpa, don't worry, I'll make sure those foreigners lose their bearings tomorrow. That would be bringing glory to our country, wouldn't it?"
Hearing that the old man was in a good mood, Zhuang Rui started joking around on the phone.
"Well, your grandpa was born a dozen years too late, otherwise I would have fought them to the death during the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion. Kid, don't come back if you lose the bet. Your grandpa can't afford to lose face like that..."
Zhuang Rui almost laughed at what the old man said. If he had been born more than ten years earlier, he would probably still be wearing open-crotch pants. How could he have fought with others? However, Zhuang Rui still agreed repeatedly. After listening to the old man's boastful words about "back in the day" for a while, he finally hung up the phone.
"Xuanbing, why are you looking at me like that? Who called you just now?"
After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Rui turned around and saw Qin Xuanbing standing behind him with a strange expression on her face.
"It's my dad calling, Zhuang Rui. This will blow up tomorrow..."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Rui immediately laughed and said, "What's there to be afraid of? My grandfather knows about it too. He just called me. Don't worry, the other party won't dare to resort to dirty tricks."
"No, it's not that. Tomorrow, my daddy, mommy, and a lot of other people will be coming to watch your betting game."
Qin Xuanbing became anxious. Hong Kong Island was in an uproar. Anyone with a bit of status was trying to get on the gambling ship to watch tomorrow's betting match.
Chapter 395 Master
According to Qin Haoran, almost all of Hong Kong's top tycoons will be present to watch tomorrow's bet, and the Macau gambling king will also be there in person. In other words, what was originally just a battle of wits has escalated into a contest between Shu Wen, a Hong Kong tycoon, and Zhuang Rui, a rising star from the mainland.
This is no longer just a matter of tens of millions and a few antiques. For both Shu Wen, who controls a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, and Zhuang Rui, money and antiques are no longer the most important things in this gamble. What matters is face. Shu Wen is naturally representing the Niu family and his own Global Shipping.
Zhuang Rui was unaware that if he lost, he would be the one who would lose face for the Ouyang family. Although Zhuang Rui believed that he only represented himself, others would not see it that way.
"When did I become a new tycoon in mainland China? There aren't many people in mainland China who know me!"
After hearing Qin Xuanbing's words, Zhuang Rui was somewhat amused and exasperated. Just six months ago, he was nothing more than a poor boy. He had absolutely no connection to the word "noble" in any way. Although he had recently recognized his maternal grandfather's family, Zhuang Rui had never thought of taking advantage of them. In Zhuang Rui's heart, family was family, and he would never combine kinship with self-interest.
Seeing Zhuang Rui's troubled expression, Qin Xuanbing stepped forward and hugged him, resting her head against his chest. She whispered, "That's what you think, but others won't see it that way. No matter how outstanding you are, people will always add the Ouyang family's halo behind you. But Zhuang Rui, I know that everything you have is the result of your own hard work. You are the best!"
Zhuang Rui had only known his maternal grandfather's family for a short time, and he had no idea what kind of power the bedridden old man he first met wielded in mainland China. He also didn't know what changes his kind uncle would bring to the Ouyang family after he reached the pinnacle of power. It was no exaggeration to say that the Ouyang family's political status in mainland China was even greater than Li Ka-shing's influence in the Hong Kong business world.
Even if Zhuang Rui were a distant relative, let alone the direct grandson of Old Master Ouyang, in the eyes of Hong Kong businessmen, he would still be considered to be of noble birth. As the saying goes, it takes three generations to produce an aristocrat, and Zhuang Rui is exactly the third generation.
What's my best feature?
Upon hearing Qin Xuanbing's words, Zhuang Rui's heart stirred with desire. He casually grabbed his and Qin Xuanbing's phones, pressed the power button, and then picked up Qin Xuanbing and headed towards the bathroom.
Before long, water splashed everywhere in the bathroom, and the sounds of slapping and groans filled the air. The battle between the man and woman continued from the bathroom into the living room, filling the room with a decadent atmosphere.
The sea breeze blew into the room through the window, lifting the white curtains. Gentle, pure moonlight streamed into the room, creating a hazy, ethereal atmosphere. The bright moon over the sea, visible above, greatly aroused Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing; their heavy breathing continued for a long time. ...
"Ding-dong, ding-dong. Ding-dong!"
Zhuang Rui felt like he had just fallen asleep when the doorbell in the living room kept ringing. He tried to ignore it, but the doorbell kept ringing. Fighting off his drowsiness, Zhuang Rui looked up at the clock on the bedside table. It was 5:30! Looking at the sky outside, he saw that it was indeed the moon, not the sun. He was furious. Who was so inconsiderate as to knock on the door at 5:30?
"Zhuang Rui, who is it?"
Qin Xuanbing woke up at this moment and stretched out her jade-like arms to hug Zhuang Rui. The soft, elastic flesh of her breasts made Zhuang Rui feel a surge of desire. However, his little brother was uncooperative and, after fighting for half the night, was no longer vigorous.
"I don't know who it is. You go to sleep first, I'll get up and go check."
Zhuang Rui pulled the sheet over Qin Xuanbing, then got out of bed, found his pajamas scattered on the floor, and put them on. His well-proportioned muscles made Qin Xuanbing on the bed feel intoxicated.
After rubbing his eyes and walking out, Zhuang Rui closed the bedroom door behind him, while the doorbell in the living room continued to ring incessantly, its sound extremely jarring.
"Fourth Brother, it's you guys?"
Upon opening the door, Zhuang Rui, who was about to unleash his anger on the person who entered, froze. Four people stood outside: Zheng Hua, Ouyang Jun, Xu Qing, and a middle-aged man in his forties. Zhuang Rui swallowed the harsh words that were rising in his throat.
"Nonsense, Wu'er, what's wrong with you? Your phone has been off the whole time. What a waste that your brother traveled all night to come and support you. Alright, you've been standing at the door for ages, let's go inside and talk."
Ouyang Jun looked at Zhuang Rui with displeasure. After making that call, the kid turned off his phone, which meant that if he hadn't contacted Zheng Hua, he wouldn't have been able to find the gambling ship at all. He had to use military planes and helicopters to transport people back and forth. It wasn't easy for him.
"Okay, wait a minute, wait a bit..."
Zhuang Rui subconsciously agreed, but immediately realized something was wrong. He slammed the door shut, ran back to his bedroom, and told Qin Xuanbing to go to sleep first, saying he would come back later.
"Hey kid, what's wrong with you?"
Ouyang Jun was stunned by Zhuang Rui's actions. Seeing that it was him, he was given the cold shoulder. Little did he know that Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing's underwear was scattered all over the living room floor. If they were let in, Zhuang Rui would lose face big time.
"What are you yelling about? Didn't Xiao Rui come to Hong Kong to see his girlfriend? Don't be so tactless. Let's rest for a bit and talk about it in the morning."
The big star had guessed a bit of what was going on and nudged Ouyang Jun, telling him to stop talking. They had traveled overnight from Beijing to Guangzhou by military plane, then, after finding out the coordinates of the gambling ship, they flew here by helicopter. The big star was feeling quite exhausted.
"My sister-in-law is so understanding. Fourth brother, you're really good at disturbing people's sleep!"
Before Xu Qing could finish speaking, the door opened from the inside again. Zhuang Rui came out, closed the door behind him, and then said, "Brother Zheng must have arranged rooms for you. Let's go to your room to talk."