Qin Zhao signaled the dealer to start dealing.
This was the third round, twelfth hand.
The two players received their first cards. Ye Jianxiong held the queen of spades and said, "I bet 500 million!"
Qin Zhao: "I call, 500 million."
Ye Jianxiong got a seven of spades as his second card.
Qin Zhao had a two and three of diamonds. It was her turn to bet.
Ye Jianxiong said, "You're out of chips. Should I lend you some?"
Qin Zhao glared at him. "How many times do I have to say it? Even if I have to borrow from the audience, I won't borrow from you!"
Audience: *covering ears tactically*
Ye Jianxiong: "Heh, suit yourself. Just don't hold things up too long."
Soon, Zhuang Sister walked over carrying a stack of documents.
Xiao Ning took them and said to Ye Jianxiong, "These are the deeds to my properties around the world, plus my deposits in Swiss banks, worth over 10 billion. If you doubt they're real, you can have professionals verify them."
Ye Jianxiong laughed. "No need. I don't doubt Boss Xiao's financial resources at all."
With Xiao Ning's assets backing her up, Qin Zhao no longer made small raises. She went straight in: "Raise 20 billion!"
Together with Nanyang's 30 billion, Ye Jianxiong had around 100 billion in chips.
He chose to call the 20 billion raise.
He added, "Don't treat Boss Xiao's money like it's nothing, Miss Qin. At the rate you're raising, you won't last many rounds."
Qin Zhao flipped him the bird. "One more round than you is enough."
Ye Jianxiong's eye twitched. He thought to himself that the youth nowadays were truly lacking in manners!
Qin Zhao got a four of diamonds as her third card. "Raise 40 billion," she declared.
Ye Jianxiong's third card was a five of spades. He continued to call the 40 billion raise.
He then said, "Miss Qin, we're both running low on chips. Why not go all in and show our cards directly?"
Qin Zhao replied, "You can choose to go all in if you want, but I'm calling to the end no matter what!"
Ye Jianxiong's expression turned serious. After this 100 billion was gone, he'd have to dip into his core assets.
If it really came to that, he wasn't worried about losing. But using his real wealth against some upstart youth would be beneath his dignity.
"Miss Qin, don't take on more than you can handle. You're destined to lose no matter how much you bet. Don't challenge my bottom line - the consequences would be too much for you to bear!"
His tone carried an obvious threatening undertone, but that was precisely what Qin Zhao wanted to hear.
She scoffed, "It just so happens I've been finding life dreadfully boring lately. Now that you've said that, I can play with peace of mind.
I call the 40 billion raise!"
Ye Jianxiong called for his assistant to bring over the documents he had prepared. "Fine, I'll show you what real power looks like!"
The assistant took some files out of his briefcase and handed them to Ye Jianxiong, who held them up high. "These are the deeds to my listed entertainment company, worth over 8 billion. I'm betting it all! Let's see what more this pauper girl can do against me!"
Qin Zhao looked to Xiao Ning.
By now, Xiao Ning was drenched in sweat. She kept saying she understood, but the pressure was immense!
Qin Zhao even felt some pity for her.
With slightly trembling hands, Xiao Ning placed her hand over Qin Zhao's and said, "Sister, I can't take it anymore. I feel like I might suffocate at any moment."
Ye Jianxiong advised, "Boss Xiao, give up. Losing 10 billion is nothing. You still have this casino - you'll earn it back in just a few years."
Abruptly, Xiao Ning's eyes lit up as if struck by revelation. "That's right, I still have this casino!"
She excitedly grabbed Qin Zhao's triceps. "Sister Qin, take the casino and crush Ye Jianxiong for me!"
Hearing this, Ye Jianxiong slammed his fist on the table as cold sweat broke out on his back!
Ghost Casino had over 40 billion in yearly revenue, netting at least 2 billion in profit!
An asset like this, which only made money without losing any, would easily be valued at 50 billion in the capital markets!
And here, it could be valued at 30 billion!
Qin Zhao nodded. "Xiao Ning, don't worry. I won't let you lose everything."
For the fifth card, Qin Zhao got a five of diamonds.
Ye Jianxiong received a four of hearts.
Qin Zhao said flatly: "I raise Ghost Casino."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning immediately fainted!
Zhuang Sister caught her collapsing body and threw an angry glare at Qin Zhao!
Qin Zhao: "..."
Ye Jianxiong slammed the table and stood up. "Qin Zhao, don't get too arrogant! It's not just a casino. Even if Elon Musk were here, I could still take it!
Take the Ghost Casino bet back. I'll pretend you never made it. You only get one chance - don't force my hand!"
The crowd also reacted noisily:
"This girl has no sense of propriety! Look at what she's done to Boss Xiao!"
"The gambling god has to teach her a lesson. This unruly woman!"
"Ghost Casino is about to change hands. Feels a bit exciting just thinking about it!"
"Good thing I didn't leave early, or I would've missed the show!"
"Go gambling god, win it from her!!"
...
Qin Zhao watched it all impassively.
She looked to Ye Jianxiong and said, "Still hesitating? Will you emerge a hero or a dog? This single move decides it all!"
Hero...
Dog...
The voices of the crowd faded into the distance for Ye Jianxiong. Though right before him, they now sounded miles away.
Only two words echoed in his ears - hero, or dog?
Suddenly, he let out a bellow: "Silence!!"
The crowd froze, their eyes fixed on Ye Jianxiong.
He raised his hand. "Give me that thing!"
His assistant tried to dissuade him. "Boss Ye, think thrice! That's your entire core asset base. If you..."
"No ifs!" Ye Jianxiong roared. "Give it here!!"
The assistant had no choice but to bring it over.
Ye Jianxiong grabbed it fiercely. In an authoritative voice, he declared, "These are the 10% shares I hold as Chairman of Jingcheng Group, worth 38 billion! I'm betting it all!
Call or fold!"
Qin Zhao lowered her head in thought for a moment. "I fold. Show your cards."
Such a decisive fold caused all the brawny men present to barely restrain themselves from rushing over to punch her!
But remembering she was the boss's friend, they swallowed their urge, though likely clenching their teeth hard enough to draw blood!
Ye Jianxiong breathed a sigh of relief and sat down. To Nanyang he said, "Seems you made a wise choice tonight."
Nanyang smiled politely. "Congratulations first, Uncle Ye."
"Ha ha ha ha! Excellent!"
Ye Jianxiong laughed heartily then flipped his hole card - a jack of diamonds.
His final hand was queen of spades, seven of spades, five of spades, four of hearts, jack of diamonds - nothing but unconnected cards.
He'd been certain Qin Zhao had a straight flush of two through six of diamonds!
Ye Jianxiong declared loudly, "I have the higher hand!"
Qin Zhao picked up her hole card and tossed it heavily onto the table. Laughing, she said, "Who knew the gambling god's legendary reputation would fall to a measly seven of plum blossoms!"
Ye Jianxiong's expression changed dramatically. He cried out in shock, "Impossible! Impossible!!"
He leapt onto the table and frantically rifled through Qin Zhao's five cards, searching for the six of diamonds he knew had to be there!
Qin Zhao lifted the paper file folder to reveal a six of diamonds underneath. "Looking for this?" she asked.
Seeing the six, Ye Jianxiong felt the world spin around him. Clutching his chest in agony, he toppled backward!
His quick-thinking assistant reached out to support him, but misjudged the angle. Ye Jianxiong fell sideways instead!
Next came the harsh sound of a body hitting the floor, followed by the assistant's panicked yell:
"Boss Ye! Boss! Are you alright?? Call an ambulance, quick!"
