To all the brothers who enjoy this book, please do me a favor and add it to your collection so that Hongchang Facai can see your support. Thank you!

Wagering on a clean sweep victory meant only the difference between a 2-0 clean sweep and a 3-1 clean sweep. If betting on the scoreline, it would be similar to Wang Zhuo’s previous match against Zhao Zijun. If one had a significant lead in the overall score, even if the stake per point wasn't high, the total return from the wager could be quite substantial.

Seeing Jing Yunquan’s eager expression, Wang Zhuo turned to Wang Chaoqun with a shake of his head and a smile: "No, I think betting on the score is more thrilling."

As expected, a look of satisfaction flashed in Jing Yunquan's eyes—it was exactly what he hoped for. Wang Zhuo ignored him and continued speaking to Wang Chaoqun: "Ten thousand per point, double for a break of a century, and five times the stake for a maximum break. How about it?"

There was no need for historical verification; Wang Chaoqun was certain that no one had ever achieved a maximum break in the ten-second speed play. The fastest recorded maximum break in snooker belonged to O’Sullivan at five minutes and twenty seconds. Although the average shot time was under ten seconds, it didn't mean every ball was struck within ten seconds. Some shots were done in three seconds, while others reasonably took twenty seconds of contemplation.

Thus, the five-times multiplier for a maximum break sounded like a joke to Wang Chaoqun, and all the bystanders simply laughed it off, not taking the jest seriously.

However, the doubling for a century break caught Wang Chaoqun’s attention. Although achieving such a score was rare even for him, it was certainly worth a try!

He considered it briefly and felt that winning against Wang Zhuo with a total score exceeding one hundred points shouldn't be an issue. That would put him ahead by seventy or eighty points, resulting in a profit of over a million after two matches, which was far more lucrative than participating in cup tournaments or exhibition matches. Even shooting a domestic endorsement commercial only brought in a few hundred thousand. This bet was truly an unexpected windfall.

Despite the glamorous facade of snooker players, the sport was actually a sunset industry. Wang Chaoqun’s income paled in comparison to that of the notoriously underperforming national football team players. After years of saving, he could barely afford a decent apartment in Jiangzhou, let alone the wetland villas, which were still worlds away!

"Deal, then it's settled!"

Lured by the substantial monetary incentive, Wang Chaoqun finally cast aside his reservations about winning undeservedly. He steeled his resolve and muttered to himself, Damn it, it's not that I’m dishonorable, it’s just that housing prices in this country are too damn high!

"Wang Zhuo, do you dare to bet with me again?" Jing Yunquan suddenly called out.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Wang Zhuo was already moving his shoulders, warming up his joints for the upcoming match. "But I know Young Master Jing is quite wealthy. A simple token bet like the one between Mr. Wang Chaoqun and me doesn't seem substantial enough, does it?"

Jing Yunquan was thinking exactly that. Hearing this, he immediately replied, "Fifty thousand per point, and the rules are exactly as you just set them. What do you think?"

"Fifty thousand? Not betting." Wang Zhuo flicked his hand lightly. "Either one hundred thousand, or forget it."

One hundred thousand? Jing Yunquan quickly calculated. His analysis of Wang Zhuo’s strength was similar to Wang Chaoqun's; he also believed Wang Zhuo would lose both frames, handing Wang Chaoqun over a hundred points lead. That meant he could potentially win over ten million!

But then he hesitated again. He thought that Wang Zhuo was extremely cunning. Last time, he had schemed against his father, who, although recovered from the cerebral hemorrhage, still suffered from drooling as a residual effect. Earlier today, Wang Zhuo had also gotten lucky and won his Jaguar. Did he have another trick up his sleeve?

Wang Zhuo didn't rush him. He even turned his face to watch the speeches on the main stage. A bet of one hundred thousand per point was already considered a high-stakes gamble, and he could certainly give Young Master Jing time to consider.

"Xiao Kai, come here for a moment."

After hesitating for a moment, Jing Yunquan decided to confirm the situation first.

Calling Shen Kai out of the crowd to a corner of the venue, Jing Yunquan stared into his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Kai, tell me the truth, was this match specifically set up for me?"

Shen Kai was startled, his eyes widening. He frantically waved his hands and said, "Brother Jing, please don't misunderstand. How could that be! Do you suspect I deliberately lost to An Qi just now?"

"That’s not it." Jing Yunquan forced a smile and shook his head, continuing to stare at him. "Xiao Kai, don't blame Brother Jing for being suspicious. I just lost my beloved car unexpectedly and got flustered. Moreover, you know that one hundred thousand a point is absolutely not a small sum. Even if I trust you and Wang Chaoqun completely, I still need to ask to confirm."

"Brother Jing, rest assured!" Shen Kai quickly patted his chest to guarantee: "Snooker is played out in the open. Even if Brother Chaoqun dared to go easy on Wang Zhuo, you would see it immediately. We all know what kind of person you are, Brother Jing. If he dared to conspire with Wang Zhuo to cheat you, he would have to consider the consequences!"

Jing Yunquan pondered carefully and found Shen Kai's words reasonable. Simply put, Wang Chaoqun was only superficially successful; at his core, he was rootless floating duckweed. If he dared to cheat Jing Yunquan for a few hundred thousand from Wang Zhuo, the consequences would be something an athlete like him could not bear.

Hiring a couple of thugs to deliberately break an independent athlete's finger—that was child's play for a wealthy second-generation heir with some connections, wasn't it?

Thinking this, Jing Yunquan relaxed. His expression immediately shifted to a warm smile as he patted Shen Kai's shoulder, saying, "Brother Jing was overthinking things just now. Xiao Kai, don't take it to heart. Once we win the money, Brother Jing will take you on a trip to Russia. Xiao Kai, you can experience riding a foreign horse too!"

When the two returned to the center of the venue, the routine events had already concluded. The organizers had painstakingly scheduled the exhibition match after these segments, fearing that the audience would leave after the main competition, causing a lull in attendance for the preceding events. Now that everything else was finished, it was naturally time for the grand finale—the exhibition match!

"I’ll bet with you!"

Jing Yunquan found Wang Zhuo and spoke aggressively.

An Qi, who had just walked off the stage, didn't know what was happening and glanced curiously at Jing Yunquan, who had returned.

Wang Zhuo chuckled and waved to Guan Yingying: "Go ahead, we'll wait here."

"What are you betting on now?" An Qi arrived shortly after, holding a bouquet of flowers, and asked in surprise.

Jing Yunquan glanced at her, thinking how beautiful all the women around Wang Zhuo were. With a hint of envy and jealousy, he coldly snorted: "Best of three, ten-second speed play, one hundred thousand per point."

"One hundred thousand a point?" An Qi gasped out loud. The bet between Wang Zhuo and Zhao Zijun last time was only one hundred yuan per point—one hundred thousand was a thousand times that!

In just a moment, Guan Yingying returned with three middle-aged men. A bet required witnesses, and in high society circles, such people were never lacking. Snooker matches were a favored gambling activity among gentlemen; how could such people be absent from today’s scene?

With mutual agreements written down and signed, the wager was officially established. Wang Zhuo strode onto the stage confidently, but Jing Yunquan's high spirits were suddenly shadowed by a layer of gloom. He noticed Wang Zhuo's three women huddled together whispering in a corner. They didn't seem worried about Wang Zhuo losing; rather, they displayed an intense eagerness, as if anticipating something.

It seemed something was amiss! Jing Yunquan's heart sank, but he racked his brain and couldn't pinpoint the exact issue.

When Guan Yingying secretly shot him a look that seemed to view him as an idiot, his ominous premonition grew stronger. Yet, seeing Shen Kai's tense excitement, Wang Chaoran's calm confidence, and Wang Zhuo's leisurely demeanor, he couldn't figure out the situation at all...

While he was agonizing over the high stakes of the bet, the host announced a change to the upcoming exhibition match. The scheduled performer was Wang Chaoqun, which everyone already knew and anticipated; his participation meant they would witness the skill of an international professional player. The other participant was the famous Wang Zhuo. This sent the audience and competing players into an uproar. Everyone knew Wang Zhuo had fought police, city management officers, and thugs, but this was the first time they heard he would be playing snooker!

High-end clubs were often disguised gambling establishments; the only difference today was that this was an organized, formal competition, so gambling wasn't openly advertised. When the exhibition match participant was switched to Wang Zhuo, the entertainment spirit of everyone immediately ignited. Someone immediately started setting up a book, quietly signaling helpers to invite regulars to place their bets.

"I'm going to place a bet too." Guan Yingying said goodbye to An Qi and An Qi and headed toward the most densely packed betting area.

An Qi hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed: "Me too."

"Tch, only a fool wouldn't go!" An Qi caught up with them in a few strides.

As they squeezed into the crowd right behind Guan Yingying, she turned and pushed them out. The An sisters were completely bewildered when they heard her say with a wry smile: "What kind of bookmaker is this? He’s offering a point spread with odds of one to one point seven, giving Wang Zhuo an eighty-point handicap!"

"An eighty-point handicap?" An Qi didn't quite understand handicap betting and frowned, waiting for Guan Yingying's explanation.

An Qi, however, had experience in busting gambling dens while she was a police officer. She immediately understood and also gave a wry smile: "So, that bookmaker thinks Wang Zhuo will lose to Wang Chaoqun by about eighty points?"

Guan Yingying shrugged and nodded.

"Then why the long faces?!" An Qi immediately cheered up. "If we bet on Master to win, won't it be a guaranteed profit?"

"The odds are too low."

Guan Yingying and An Qi replied in unison, perfectly in sync...

An Qi suddenly understood. Betting one yuan would only yield one point seven in profit, which was indeed not very high compared to Master’s one-to-ten-thousand-per-point bet!

"I've got it!" An Qi suddenly snapped her fingers, her beautiful eyes flashing with excitement. "Let's open a single-outcome book for Wang Chaoqun to win, odds of one to one point five—guaranteed profit!"

Guan Yingying immediately exclaimed that it was a great idea. The three huddled together to discuss. An Qi went to find red paper to write the signs, An Qi prepared a table and chairs, and Guan Yingying went to find the club staff to exchange for chips. They quickly managed to set up the operation.

By the time they had everything ready, the organizers had prepared the largest competition venue. Wang Zhuo and Wang Chaoqun were already in their respective positions, waiting for the referee to toss the coin.

"Wait a moment!"

A clear female voice suddenly echoed through the venue, which had just quieted down.

"We have a single-outcome book here for Wang Chaoqun to win, odds one to one point five. Friends who think Wang Zhuo can’t win this match, hurry up and come over!"

Wang Chaoqun, who was brimming with fighting spirit, meticulously wiping his chalk and preparing to decisively defeat Wang Zhuo, nearly tripped over his own feet when he heard An Qi's voice echoing throughout the hall. He turned with an expression caught between amusement and exasperation toward the source of the shout, just in time to see the tall Guan Yingying standing on a chair, waving a notice board that read, "If Wang Chaoqun Wins, Odds 1 to 1.5." He couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Not just him, but almost the entire audience was stunned by this scene. What was going on with Wang Zhuo and his women? They seemed to be showing too little respect for a professional player who had reached the quarterfinals of a Masters tournament!