I shook her hand; her fingers were slender and long, but her palm was very soft, though her hand was very cold, as if it had no warmth.
Before leaving her, I suddenly had a thought. I leaned a little closer and said with a low smile, "Cangyu, I'm really not a rich person."
After saying that, I turned and walked towards Jinhe, silently following him away.
After passing through the casino, I followed Jinhe into the corridor. Through Cangyu's introduction over the past hour, I already knew that there were VIP rooms on both sides of this corridor. Not only does it provide the best environment and service, but most importantly, there are no restrictions on the amount of money that can be wagered in the VIP rooms!
Several security guards in black stood at the entrance of the corridor, and each VIP room inside had a guard at its door. I followed Jinhe to the end of the corridor, turned a corner, and then entered the innermost room. After pushing open the door, I saw Huan Ge sitting behind a square table, a cigar in his mouth and a deck of cards in his hand. Seeing me come in, he threw down the cards and shook his head at a guest sitting opposite him, saying, "My luck is bad tonight. I'm not playing anymore. Continuing to play is just giving you money."
Then he glanced at me and asked, "Xiao Wu, how are you feeling?"
I saw that the customer sitting opposite Huan Ge was a woman, wearing a black suit jacket and a short skirt. Unfortunately, she had her back to me, so I couldn't see her face.
I took a breath, thought for a moment, and said, "It feels good. It's just that I'm having bad luck tonight; I lost all the ten thousand dollars you gave me."
Huan laughed, his eyes calm and showing no surprise: "Not bad. It's your first time in a casino, and you've taken so long to lose ten thousand dollars. You've held on for a long time. I thought you would lose it all soon."
I shook my head: "Brother Huan, actually I didn't play much. I mostly watched others play."
"Oh?" Huan looked at me with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and then slowly opened my mouth.
“I’ve observed it all. There are thirteen types of games in the main hall: slot machines, baccarat, Russian roulette, BLACKJACK…” I rattled off all the names before continuing, “These thirteen games, excluding slot machines, have forty-nine tables. I’ve looked at every single one. For example, with BLACKJACK, I played for ten minutes and lost a thousand dollars. In those ten minutes, someone else at the table lost about four thousand dollars, and someone else won about two thousand dollars. That means that one table brought the casino a profit of two thousand dollars in ten minutes. There are four BLACKJACK tables in the casino. If we estimate on average, those four tables can earn the casino at least forty thousand dollars per hour. As for the others, like roulette, baccarat, and all the other games, I’ve observed them carefully. Based on my calculations and the total number of tables in the casino, the main hall outside earned the casino nearly two hundred thousand dollars in the hour I played.”
I tried my best to stay calm as I said these words, but my heart was still pounding!
Two hundred thousand US dollars per hour, which is equivalent to one and a half million RMB!
So how much money can the casino make in one night?
How much can I earn in a week?
What about a month?
A year?!
And don't forget... my calculations don't even include the VIP lounges inside!
After I finished speaking, Huan Ge's eyes showed satisfaction, and a smile gradually spread across his face. He nodded: "Very good, Xiao Wu, you are observant and understand why I kept you outside. Very good!"
Then he smiled and said, "Alright, come over here and meet Miss Yang. She's an important business partner of mine..."
Then, the woman who had been facing away from me—no, I should say the girl—turned around, looked at me, and smiled…
I must say that even many, many years later, the first smile she gave me when I first met her that night remains deeply etched in my heart!
At that moment, she looked at me with a faint smile and gently tapped her softly curved chin.
Looking at the woman before me, at her almost flawless face, I felt a sudden rush of light in my head…
Without a doubt, she possesses the most perfect face I've ever seen on a woman! And her beauty is exceptionally sharp! Like a razor-sharp knife, it carries a fierce, aggressive quality! When you face her directly, you can't remain unmoved by her beauty!
After a faint smile, she said, "Hello, my name is Yang Wei."
Part One: A Man in the Martial World, Forced to His Own Destiny Chapter Twenty-One: Entering This Circle...
There are girls in this world who, when they smile at you, make you truly believe that angels exist.
Yang Wei!
I silently repeated the name in my mind, took a deep breath, tried my best to keep my tone normal, and then slowly said, "Miss Yang, I am Chen Yang."
She smiled and watched me, seemingly aware of my lapse in composure, but she didn't show the slightest displeasure. She didn't even linger on my face for long; she just glanced at me casually before turning to Huan Ge. Then I heard her say, as if softly, "Is it him?"
Huan nodded, a cigar between his fingers, and then beckoned to me. When I walked over to him, he gestured for me to sit down next to him, poured me another glass of wine, and then glanced at Yang Wei: "Miss Yang, Xiao Wu is the person I trust the most."
“Okay.” Yang Wei thought for a moment and nodded. “I accept your request. Anyway, it’s your money.” Her tone seemed slightly dissatisfied.
Huan Ge didn't speak. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table a few times, then said in a very serious tone, "Ms. Yang, I hope you understand one thing. You and your family may be very powerful in America, but here, everything must be done according to my rules! I am the one who sets the rules!" After saying this, he slowly raised his head and glanced at Yang Wei: "Just as you said, I paid the money, so I have the right to make demands, don't I?"
Yang Wei narrowed her eyes. I noticed that when this woman narrowed her eyes, a sharp light flashed in her eyes, as if she was full of spiritual energy, yet with a hint of sharpness.
I have never seen a woman's eyes have such a powerful presence. It's as if, in that instant, she is not a delicate beauty at all, but a person who holds the power of life and death!
However, this glance only lasted a few seconds before Yang Wei's face gradually blossomed into a smile. She looked at me deeply again, then extended her hand: "Alright, Mr. Chen Yang, I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration."
I stared blankly at the slender, jade-like hand extended towards me, unsure of what to do. But I quickly reached out and grasped it, then tried to say in a steady, neither humble nor arrogant, "Thank you."
I have noticed that Yang Wei seems to have a slight disdain for me, a very contemptuous attitude.
What frustrated me even more was that this slight disdain wasn't due to Yang Wei's pride, but rather seemed to be a completely instinctive reaction.
How should I put it? It's like an elephant looking at an ant. If an elephant looks down on an ant, I don't think anyone would accuse the elephant of being arrogant, right?
Yang Wei's posture had completely returned to normal. She then spread her hands and smiled, "Alright, the business is over, Mr. Ye. I don't think you'd be stingy to treat me to some entertainment here, would you? I'd also like to try my luck at the casinos outside."
Huan Ge smiled, pressed a bell on the table, the door opened, and Jin He walked in from outside.
"Take Miss Yang out to get a share of the chips."
Yang smiled and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I've heard this is the largest casino in South China. I'm just afraid I'll win too much, and Mr. Ye might feel bad about it."
I noticed that the muscles around Huan's eye twitched slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "I hope you have a good time."
When Yang Wei walked out of the room, she passed by me and seemed to pause for a second. I noticed that she glanced at me, but her eyes remained indifferent.
When it was just Huan Ge and me left in the room again, Huan Ge finally leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed. He frowned slightly, took out a small medicine bottle from his shirt pocket, swallowed two pills, and then rested for a while with his head down.
I was a little surprised and took a closer look at the medicine bottle in Huan Ge's hand. The writing on it was all in a foreign language, which I couldn't understand at all.
"Xiao Wu." Huan Ge beckoned me to sit closer to him. "I originally planned to train you for another two years, but it seems that won't work now." He seemed to smile. "I don't have much time left."
"Brother Huan, what about your health?" I blurted out.
Huan shook his head, then took a breath and suddenly sat up straight. His eyes gradually sharpened. "Hmph, don't worry, your Huan isn't that easy to fall down." He stared at me. "Xiao Wu, I have something to tell you now. Don't interrupt me or ask any questions while I'm talking. After I'm done, I'll answer any questions you have."
"Yes." I sat up straight instinctively.
"I believe you must have been quite surprised to come here tonight. Everyone thinks that I, Ye Huan, am just a little rich man in this city, with a few nightclubs and restaurants, totaling only tens of millions in assets. I am a small-time tycoon with some local influence and can talk to the higher-ups. To put it nicely, I am a local hero; to put it bluntly, I am a local nouveau riche."
I didn't show any expression on my face.
"But now I'm going to tell you about some things I have in mind, little by little. The casino you saw tonight, and this hotel, are both assets under my name... but they are not my private property."
With your intelligence, I'm sure you can guess how much power it takes to run such a large casino in this place! I can tell you, the annual profit of this casino is absolutely astronomical! A number that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to dream of! However, although I manage and handle this money, it doesn't all belong to me; I can only take less than ten percent of it.
What I can tell you is that behind this casino are many people, or rather, many forces and organizations. The casino's profits are distributed to these big shots behind the scenes! Some of these big shots invest money to directly own a certain share in the casino, while others don't invest money, but their presence provides the casino with the safest protection... As long as these people are there, the casino can continue to survive.
This casino, this hotel—it's a conduit for vast amounts of money that can't be brought into the open, a channel for these organizations, powerful figures, and influential individuals to amass wealth! And I, Ye Huan, although in charge here, am merely a representative pushed to the forefront. I represent the people behind these entities; my responsibility is to manage these businesses for them and oversee the annual profit distribution. In other words, I'm a manager, but not the real owner. Do you understand?
I nodded, and at the same time, I secretly swallowed, feeling my throat getting a little dry.
Huan Ge's expression was serious: "I can't tell you who the organizations or forces behind me are, and it's even more impossible for you to know these things... In fact, even I myself don't know very well. The only thing I know is that a lot of the profits that pass through my hands every year flow in astonishing directions..."
I unconsciously changed my sitting posture.
"Xiao Wu, I've always liked you, kid. I've admired you for four years now, and considered you one of my own. You're smart, but you never flaunt it. I've said it before, I like smart people, but it's even more valuable to be smart without being ostentatious. It's rare to have this kind of mentality in a young person. I put you in the nightclub to hone your skills, and you've kept a low profile for the past two years, knowing how to handle things appropriately. I'm very satisfied. Now, you've seen it tonight... those two nightclubs I own, as well as the restaurant and taxi company in the city, are just small businesses. In other words, they're a cover for my true identity. My real businesses are here. I can also tell you that there are similar places not only in this city, but also in other parts of the south. There are two or three similar businesses in total, and half of them are under my name, generating huge profits every year!"
"Every country has corruption, things that can't be brought to light, which we call dark forces. These dark things exist in officialdom, in business, and in every industry! And the source of funds behind my place is very complicated."
To put it simply, all the profits I make here are 'dirty money.' I'm not a criminal organization, but no criminal organization could ever achieve this scale! Because no criminal organization could possibly have so many powerful figures backing them up! I didn't originally intend for you to be exposed to these things so soon..."
Huan rubbed his temples, and I suddenly noticed that Huan's face was a little pale, and there was something very weak in his eyes.
“Xiao Wu, I truly consider you one of my own. I even consider you my little brother, or nephew. I, Ye Huan, have no relatives, no wife or children. Sometimes I hesitate about whether to bring you into this circle. Perhaps, letting you stay in the nightclub, earn some money, and in the future find you a place where you can sit in the sunlight and work peacefully for the rest of your life would be the best thing for you.”
I felt something stuck in my throat, my body trembled uncontrollably, and I called out in a hoarse voice, "Brother Huan..."
I know Huan-ge is good to me and has always treated me differently, but I never expected that Huan-ge would see me this way.
Looking back now, Huan Ge often asked me to have tea and meals with him, and to accompany him in boxing and fitness. He would occasionally pat me on the shoulder, as if he treated me like his own little brother.
Huan waved his hand, signaling me to be quiet. Then, with a solemn expression, he slowly said, "Xiao Wu, there's something I need to decide tonight. I'm giving you a choice: whether you're willing to join this circle with me. I can tell you very clearly that once you join, you might gain unimaginable wealth, money, and status! You'll get everything an ordinary person dreams of! But at the same time, you'll never be able to escape these things... You'll never be able to leave this dark circle, even if you want to, unless... you die!"
Huan Ge took a deep breath: "Xiao Wu, do you remember what I often told you... Everything in this world comes at a price! You have to pay the price for everything you gain!"
After saying all that, Huan looked at me intently, his eyes filled with expectation, yet also a hint of reluctance. Looking at Huan, I felt a surge of emotion.
I may not understand much else, but I only remember one thing!
Five years ago, I stood up for a good friend and ended up assaulting someone, seriously injuring him. I sold the house my parents left me to pay compensation and still owe a lot of money! Back then, I was working as a waiter at Huan Ge's nightclub, barely making ends meet with a few hundred yuan a month! Even so, because I still had to pay off my debts, sometimes I didn't even have money for food!
The most ridiculous thing is that my good brother disappeared without a trace afterward!
I only remember one day, I was so hungry that I stole a portion of duck necks that were prepared for the guests in the kitchen, and I was caught and taken to a private room.
Later I found out that the snack was prepared for Huan Ge.
Huan didn't do anything to me at the time; he just asked me why I stole things, and I told him.
Huan looked at me for a while and asked me a question: "Your brother ran away, do you regret sticking up for him?"
I don't know where I got the courage, but I looked up at him and said, "There's no going back! I didn't know he would betray me back then, so I still considered him my brother! As long as he's my brother, I'll definitely stand up for him!"
Huan was silent for a moment, then said to me, "Starting today, you're with me. From now on, you're my person, Ye Huan's person, and I'll protect you if anything happens."
Without Brother Huan, there would be no Chen Yang today!
"Brother Huan, my life belongs to you, I said that five years ago. Without you, I might still be working as a waiter in a nightclub, sleeping in the slums!" I said slowly, "Whatever you ask me to do, I, Chen Yang, won't even flinch! In my heart, you are my big brother!"
Huan Ge's face was expressionless, but there seemed to be a faint sadness in his eyes. Then he sighed, "Alright, Xiao Wu, I knew you would make this choice. Your temper is just like mine back then... Hehe! Back then, someone brought me into this circle, and today, I'm bringing you into this circle. It's all fate!"
He shook his head, then tapped his fingers on the table a few times, coughed, and said seriously, "Now there's something you need to listen to carefully."
"That woman's name is Yang Wei, and she's from the United States. Her family owns a casino in Las Vegas, one of the most powerful families behind the city. I have a business deal with them. Simply put, all the profits I generate every year are illicit; they can't be made public. But gambling is legal in the United States! So, our business is to find a way to transfer these huge profits to the casinos and launder them!" He paused, then slowly continued, "I'll naturally handle this myself, but I need someone I can trust, and besides you and Jin He, I can't find anyone else I can trust."
My heart was pounding!
Just then, a small intercom on Huan Ge's desk suddenly rang. Huan Ge frowned, pressed a button, and Cang Yu's calm and elegant voice came from the intercom: "Huan Ge, Miss Yang has just received a sum of chips, and there are some things that need to be reported to you."
"What?" Huan asked briefly.
Cang Yu was silent for two seconds on the other end: "The two guys she brought with her are both experts. In less than ten minutes, they have already swindled two million in front of the two VIP rooms, and judging from Miss Yang's appearance, she doesn't seem to have any intention of stopping."
Huan Ge sneered and said indifferently, "Let her be. Give the order: let her win as much as she wants!"
After saying that, Huan Ge turned off the communicator and glanced at me: "Xiao Wu, it seems this Miss Yang is quite dissatisfied with me. She's probably doing this to deliberately express her displeasure... Hmph. Chen Yang, this woman is very arrogant. She doesn't seem to think much of us. The cooperation with us is her family's idea, and she seems to be against it. Now, you'd better do your job well. Let's put on a good show and let her see!"
Part One: A Man in the Martial World, Not in His Own Hands Chapter Twenty-Two: Night of Desire