Chapter 47: Taste Zhang Fei’s Mighty Hammer
Ximen Island.
Although this island is small in size, it is hailed as the world’s second largest city of gambling. Every day, countless so-called tycoons lose their fortunes overnight here. Naturally, there are also many bold adventurers who, armed with passion and cunning, win vast riches and ascend to the heights of life.
Among them, the biggest winner is Riley International, for it is the largest house on Ximen Island. The 208-meter-tall Riley five-star hotel stands proudly at the heart of the island, its influence radiating across the entire territory and attracting throngs of visitors from both home and abroad.
Luo Ying’s CEO office occupies the top floor of the Riley Hotel, gazing across the sea towards the distant mainland coast. Alone at this moment, she looks out at the myriad lights shimmering on the opposite shore.
“We agreed it would only be three years.”
“But then three years became another three, and again, three years after three…“
“Have I been forgotten?”
Twelve whole years!
Luo Ying’s undercover career has even outlasted her years as an agent. She climbed step by step from a humble dealer to her current lofty position. At Riley International, she is second only to the owner, above all others. This means she possesses inexhaustible wealth and status.
Knock knock!
Two soft taps sounded at the door, and after Luo Ying gave her permission, it opened.
“Ms. Luo, there are a few young men from Mingzhu City downstairs who’ve won thirty million from us!”
Luo Ying’s brow furrowed slightly. “Thirty million? Is that really worth reporting to me?”
Riley International’s daily cash flow is measured in billions; thirty million is hardly noteworthy. Yet the assistant added a detail: “They started with just fifty thousand in chips, won thirty million in ten minutes, and it looks like they plan to keep playing.”
Now Luo Ying was truly startled.
From fifty thousand to thirty million in ten minutes?
“What are they gambling on?”
“Dice cup. Every round, they go all in. If they win, they keep going; if they lose, it’s as if they’re ready to jump off the roof.”
That meant these young men had been winning from the start, with each round multiplying their winnings exponentially…
From fifty thousand to thirty million in ten minutes—if they kept this up, winning three billion might be just a matter of one night.
“I’ll go take a look.”
Sensing something amiss, Luo Ying strode quickly into the elevator…
…
“Thirteen points, open!”
“He guessed right again—it really is thirteen!”
Amid the excited screams, all the chips on the table swept to one side.
“That pretty boy is incredible! He started with fifty thousand in chips, kept doubling up, now he’s at six… how much?”
“He’s already past one hundred million.”
“If I were him, I’d have stopped at five million. If he loses a single round, it all goes back to zero!”
No matter what the crowd said, Lu Ye pushed all his chips forward without hesitation, a carefree smile on his face as he said to the dealer, “Continue!”
Casinos are a place where all sorts congregate—naturally, it’s also a prime spot for intelligence trading. As a skilled agent, Lu Ye was naturally adept in this regard.
The dealer shaking the dice cup opposite him looked increasingly uneasy. If the guy across kept winning so recklessly, his own job was surely at risk…
“Go take a break. I’ll handle this.”
“Yes, Ms. Luo!”
Seeing Luo Ying arrive, the dealer let out a breath of relief and ceded her spot.
Luo Ying gazed deeply at Lu Ye. To his left sat a beauty of stunning grace, behind him a group of young men of similar age, all dressed as scions of influential families.
Lu Ye seized the moment to scrutinize Luo Ying as well.
She was the kind of woman who doesn’t stun at first glance, but becomes more appealing the longer you look, like a cup of fine tea to be savored slowly. Now in her thirties, her feminine charm was ever more pronounced.
“Boss, would you mind if I roll the dice cup for you?”
Lu Ye shrugged indifferently, “Doesn’t matter who rolls.”
Yet the seasoned gamblers around couldn’t help but exclaim, “Didn’t expect Ying herself to step in—now that pretty boy is done for!”
“Just wait and see, all the money he won will soon be taken back by Ying!”
She knew that a rare few gifted individuals could accurately judge the dice count by the dealer’s technique or the sound of the cup, but Lu Ye’s precision in calling numbers clearly surpassed even those. Thus, she resolved not to give Lu Ye any chance at all. She scooped the dice into the cup, did nothing flashy, merely gave it a gentle shake and slammed it back onto the table.
Luo Ying smiled and looked at Lu Ye. “Please.”
Lu Ye, full of confidence, grinned, “One point. Open it.”
The crowd erupted!
“He knows he’s going to lose, so he’s just throwing his money away?”
Three dice, the minimum total is three—how could it be one?
Even Su Qianqian beside him was stunned—that was a mountain of cash! You little rascal, why surrender so easily? Even if you can’t guess, a random shot has better odds.
But Luo Ying’s heart was in turmoil!
As she slowly lifted the cup, everyone saw the three dice stacked in a pillar, with the top die showing one.
“Damn, it really is one!”
How much had Lu Ye won now?
Two hundred and forty million!
Suddenly, as if bored, he slumped back in his chair and stretched lazily, sighing in satisfaction, “Invincibility is so lonely.”
Come on, could you be any more smug?
Luo Ying felt a flash of resentment, biting her lip, forcing a smile. “Boss, aren’t you interested in playing something else? Maybe poker?”
Lu Ye’s eyes flickered, and he whispered, “Will you play with me?”
“I can. Let me arrange a private room.”
Lu Ye drew a fifty-thousand chip from the pile, distributing the rest to Su Qianqian and the other young men—Zhang Yunjie and the rest—chuckling, “Go ahead, have fun. I only need fifty thousand to start.”
Bringing his wife and a few playboys to Ximen Island for high-stakes gambling—there’s no better excuse than this.
Yet Luo Ying’s lips twitched imperceptibly…
Damn, are you looking down on me?
This pretty boy is too arrogant!
Her staff quickly set up the private room. Only Lu Ye followed Luo Ying inside, while all those eager to witness the battle of the giants were blocked at the door.
Half an hour later.
Lu Ye’s chips had piled into a small mountain once again, and here on Luo Ying’s turf, he had no chance to cheat.
Luo Ying lost utterly, her face drained and despondent.
Lu Ye said, “I don’t want to play anymore. How about we chat?”
Luo Ying, face dark, replied, “What do you want to talk about?”
“Ying, you’re not a native of Ximen Island, are you? How long since you returned home?”
The question touched Luo Ying’s heart, long adrift. Unconsciously, she replied, “Twelve years.”
Lu Ye smiled. “Don’t you plan to visit, even for a short while?”
Luo Ying sighed. “I wouldn’t know who to see. Left home young, return old.”
That was exactly what Lu Ye was waiting for, and he continued, “Eat my Zhang Fei’s swinging hammer.”
Correct passphrase!
Luo Ying froze, stunned for a long moment.
Her eyes brimmed with tears, and finally, she broke down, sobbing sorrowfully, “Why did you only come now? Do you know how hard it is to be an undercover agent? I’ve become the boss of Riley International, and only now you arrive!”
Lu Ye said with guilt, “I’m sorry.”
“I am Lu Ye, captain of the Walkers. Cheng Qimeng is my mother.”
At these words, Luo Ying wiped her tears and exclaimed, “You’re Sister Cheng’s son? Where is she?”
“She sacrificed herself, so she never contacted you.”
Twelve years waiting, and what arrived was dreadful news.
Back then, Sister Cheng was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most outstanding agent. How could she…
Though Lu Ye shared her grief, this was not the time for sorrow. Every extra moment he lingered on Ximen Island increased his danger.
“Ying, do you plan to stay here as CEO, or will you return with me?”
Luo Ying paused, swiftly regaining her composure, and replied decisively, “I must stay.”
Seeing Lu Ye’s disappointment, Luo Ying quickly explained, “It’s not that I can’t let go of the wealth and status here, but I have an unfinished mission.”
“The true owner behind Riley International is a member of Hong Ying Society.”