The dealer began dealing for a new round. In the first round, Wei Chao held the best visible card, an Ace. It was his turn to speak, and he immediately threw in ten million. Since it was only the first round, everyone at the table matched his ten million.
The dealer continued dealing. After the second round, the white Earl’s King was the highest card. He called a bet of fifty million, and everyone followed suit.
In the third round, Wei Chao got another Ace. He raised the stakes, calling for a hundred million. Everyone glanced at their hands, and thus, all but the Arab prince called the bet.
It was in the final round that Han Junxi drew an Ace.
Han Junxi surveyed his cards and the chips on the table, then laughed, “My visible cards are Ace, King, King, Two. I likely have Three of a Kind Kings. I’ll bet a bit larger this time. After all, I’ve already won quite a bit tonight. I’ll wager five billion US dollars this time.” Saying this, he pushed forward the large stack of chips piled in front of him.
Jin Hu Pingyang and the white Earl shook their heads and folded their hands, leaving only Wei Chao who had not conceded.
Seeing Wei Chao hesitate, Han Junxi taunted, “Boss Wei, are you perhaps giving up too? Your visible cards are Ace, Ace, Ten, Nine, which are better than mine, aren't they? Are you really that timid?”
Wei Chao smiled, “This has nothing to do with courage. I’m just assessing whether it’s worth the call.”
Han Junxi chuckled, “It seems you’re still agonizing over your money. How about this: if you win this hand, you take all my money. If you lose, your woman has to spend a month with me.” As he spoke, he leered suggestively at the mature woman standing beside Wei Chao.
The mature woman instantly flushed crimson and lowered her head, speechless. Wei Chao became furious and declared, “I have plenty of money, so stop eyeing my woman. However, the scale of your fifty billion dollar bet just now is far too small. This hand is easily worth over ten billion dollars. How about this: I raise to fifteen billion dollars. Show me your hole card.”
Han Junxi’s expression shifted. After a moment of consideration, he replied, “Agreed. But if you lose, I want all the shares of your Dream Investment Company.”
Wei Chao sneered, “You Korean bastard, you are unbelievably arrogant. Setting aside whether you can win, Dream Investment Company is merely a subsidiary under my umbrella, but its market value is at least twenty-five billion dollars. You think you can snatch it for just fifteen billion?”
Han Junxi paused to think, then had his attendant bring over a certificate of assets, stating, “This is the share certificate for Korea Myth Group. According to today’s closing stock price, this equity is worth over twenty-five billion US dollars. I will use it to wager against your Dream Investment Company.”
Wei Chao felt a flicker of hesitation seeing Han Junxi’s supreme confidence, but then Han Junxi stared lustfully at his mature woman again. This enraged Wei Chao, who stated, “Since that’s the case, we’ll settle it all on this one hand today. I want to see if you can truly draw that final King.”
The financial officers accompanying both parties then came forward to verify the credentials provided by each side. Half an hour later, the officers certified the authenticity of the documents, confirming everything was in order.
Looking at the financial documents spread on the table, Wei Chao sneered, “Show your cards. I want to see if you truly have Three of a Kind Kings.”
Han Junxi sighed, “I didn't expect you to see through it. You’re right, my hole card isn't a King.”
The mature woman’s face lit up with joy as Han Junxi flipped over his hole card—it was an Ace, the very last Ace in the deck.
Wei Chao was momentarily stunned. Han Junxi then sneered, “Boss Wei, I have two pairs, Aces and Kings. That’s better than your hand. Moreover, the last Ace is with me, so you can’t possibly pull off Three of a Kind Aces. Therefore, you lose this round.”
Wei Chao slumped back into his chair in defeat. There was no need to reveal his own hole card; there was no way he could win now. The mature woman’s face turned deathly pale, rendering her speechless.
Liu Hui, with his sharp eyes, noticed that when Han Junxi turned over his card, he had actually flipped the card hidden up his sleeve, while the real hole card had long been concealed there.
The spectators watching were thrilled and awestruck. They hadn't expected such a simple card game to culminate in losses and gains worth hundreds of millions. The other people at the table broke out in a cold sweat, realizing how lucky they were not to have been drawn into the wager, or they would have suffered massive losses.
Although Wei Chao lost the hand, he maintained his gentlemanly composure. “Very well, the Dream Investment Company is yours now,” he said, rising to leave with the mature woman.
Liu Hui suddenly stood up and called out to Wei Chao, “Please wait a moment.”
Wei Chao paused, puzzled why Liu Hui had stopped him. Liu Hui smiled, “I just watched your fascinating duel, and I’ve suddenly become very interested. I also wish to wager a hand and win this company. I would appreciate it if you could serve as a witness.”
Wei Chao asked, “What role do I play witnessing a bet between you two?”
Liu Hui chuckled, “Because this company might very well become mine, having you as a witness will make the handover process much smoother later on.”
Wei Chao said no more and sat down in a nearby chair with the mature woman, eager to see how Liu Hui would win the company.
Liu Hui walked forward and took Wei Chao’s former seat. Miss Six felt a pang of worry; she knew Liu Hui never gambled, so his skill must not be very high, whereas Han Junxi looked like a seasoned professional. She feared Liu Hui would lose money.
Liu Hui smiled, “Han Junxi, you look like an extremely skilled gambler. This is my first time participating in such an event; I hope you’ll be gentle with me.”
Han Junxi smiled back, “Boss Liu has arrived. I’ve met both of the most outstanding young men from China—this truly makes me proud! But I must warn you, I am an expert at gambling; you must be mindful of that.”
Liu Hui laughed, “In my hometown, there is a saying: ‘A novice’s hand is strong,’ meaning newcomers have great luck. Today, I won't compete with you on skill; I will compete with you on luck.”
Han Junxi laughed heartily, “That’s exactly what I want! My luck has always been excellent.”
Liu Hui addressed the few gamblers remaining at the table, “Today, I am betting on luck against Han Junxi. I ask all of you to watch from the sidelines and enjoy the show.”
Seeing Liu Hui step forward, the gamblers became very excited and all agreed to watch the spectacle. They knew Liu Hui and Han Junxi were about to wager heavily and wanted to witness it.
The dealer opened a new deck of cards. Liu Hui requested to inspect the deck. The dealer handed over the deck and the box. Liu Hui picked up the deck, examined it closely, then placed the cards back in the box and threw the box into the trash, saying, “This deck doesn't match my luck. Please bring another one.”
The dealer opened another new deck. Liu Hui again requested inspection, then packed the cards into the box and threw it away. After several repetitions, the onlookers were utterly bewildered, unable to fathom what Liu Hui was doing. Han Junxi, sitting opposite Liu Hui, merely smiled, seemingly unconcerned by Liu Hui’s actions.
Finally, after inspecting another deck, Liu Hui smiled, “Alright, this one will do. It matches my luck best.”
Han Junxi also said, “I want to inspect the cards too.” He took the deck, examined it carefully, and then handed it back. Liu Hui’s eyes were fixed on him, and he noticed that the instant Han Junxi returned the deck, he deftly palmed a Spade Ace and tucked it into his sleeve. Han Junxi’s movement was swift; no one in the room, except Liu Hui, noticed this action.
With both parties satisfied, the dealer began shuffling and then asked them to cut the deck. Liu Hui declined to cut, but Han Junxi made a single cut. The dealer began dealing.
Liu Hui’s face-up card was the Four of Spades, but he did not look at his hole card; he covered it with his face-up card. Han Junxi’s face-up card, opposite him, was the Ten of Spades.
Han Junxi glanced at his hole card and laughed, “I have a Ten, and you have a death sign [4]. I’ll start with a one billion dollar bet for the first round.”
Liu Hui smiled, “It’s only the first round. No reason not to call.” He tossed one billion dollars into the pot.
The dealer continued dealing. Liu Hui took the next card and flipped it over—it was the Three of Spades. Han Junxi’s card was the King of Spades.
Han Junxi chuckled, “Both are Spades, but mine is much higher than yours. Let’s keep it simple this time—fifty billion dollars!”
Liu Hui smiled, “Betting doesn't always mean losing. I’ll call.”
The spectators were on edge; the hand had reached a critical point, and they were all sweating nervously.
The dealer dealt the fourth card. Liu Hui took it and gently flipped it open—it was the Two of Spades. Han Junxi’s card was the Queen of Spades.
Han Junxi laughed, “Ten, Queen, King of Spades. It looks like I might have a flush. With such good cards, I have to go big. I’ll bet one hundred billion dollars.”
Liu Hui smiled, “You might have a flush, but I also have Two, Three, Four of Spades; I could have a flush too! Why shouldn't I call?” He threw another hundred billion dollars onto the table.
Han Junxi chuckled, “Boss Liu, you still haven't looked at your hole card, have you? Are you really relying on your good luck, hoping for a Straight Flush of Spades: Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five?”
Liu Hui laughed, “Why not? Didn't I say we have an old saying back home: a newcomer’s luck is good?”
Han Junxi said, “I was just reminding you. If you don't care, why should I meddle further?”
The dealer dealt the final card. Liu Hui took it and also flipped it open gently—this time it was the Five of Spades, while Han Junxi’s card was the Jack of Spades.
Han Junxi exclaimed, “It seems Heaven is helping me! Ten, Jack, Queen, King of Spades—this is almost a straight flush of Spades!”
Liu Hui hesitated for a moment and said, “You’re trying to intimidate me, trying to steal the pot?”
Han Junxi laughed, “I am trying to steal the pot. But do you dare to play?”
Liu Hui said, “Why wouldn’t I? If my hole card is the Ace of Spades, I win for sure, don’t I?”
Han Junxi laughed, “Then shouldn’t Boss Liu look at his hole card before deciding? That card is crucial.”
Liu Hui shook his head, “I don’t need to look at my hole card. I trust my luck.”
Han Junxi laughed, “Since this is the final card, what does Boss Liu wish to wager?”
Liu Hui smiled, “The same thing Wei Boss was betting just now: the Dream Investment Company. I’m quite interested in it too.”
Han Junxi laughed, “That’s no problem, but what does Boss Liu have to bet with?”
Liu Hui pulled a promissory note from his inner pocket. “This is a three hundred billion dollar Swiss Bank note. I will use this to bet against the Dream Investment Company you currently hold.”
Han Junxi’s financial officer immediately stepped forward to take the bank note and, after verifying it, nodded to Han Junxi. Liu Hui then threw the bank note onto the table, saying, “I’ve placed my bet. What about you?”
Han Junxi placed the transfer agreement for the Dream Investment Company he had just acquired onto the table. Once the stakes were on the table, they could never be taken back. Feeling assured, he said mockingly, “Boss Liu, I didn't expect you to trust your luck so much. But at the gambling table, my luck is always exceptional. I’m afraid I might disappoint you.”
Liu Hui smiled, “Is that so? If my hole card is the Ace of Spades, I win, right?”
Han Junxi laughed, “Yes, if your hole card is the Ace of Spades, everything on this table becomes yours.”
Liu Hui took a deep breath, shouted loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Ace of Spades!” Then he gently flipped over his hole card—it was indeed the Ace of Spades.
Miss Six, watching from the side, was overjoyed and kissed Liu Hui soundly on the cheek several times. The onlookers behind them were in disbelief. How could Liu Hui’s luck be so incredible? He actually managed to hit the Ace of Spades!
Han Junxi couldn't believe his eyes. That Ace of Spades was clearly in his sleeve. How could it have ended up in Liu Hui’s hand? Could a deck have two Aces of Spades?
Liu Hui laughed, “Han Junxi, why aren’t you showing your card yet? Let me see what your hole card actually is.”
Miss Six chuckled, “In this situation, Han Junxi has already lost, whether he shows his card or not.”
Han Junxi’s expression changed drastically, but he did not flip over his hole card. He understood he had encountered a master today, yet he couldn't figure out what trick he had used. It seemed best to leave quickly. He glared fiercely at Liu Hui, stood up, pushed open the door, and left with his entourage.
Everyone looked at Liu Hui with envy. He had defeated a master gambler relying solely on luck—it was almost beyond belief.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Wei Chao stood up and left with the mature woman. The other young masters exchanged glances and then followed Wei Chao out of the room. The remaining gamblers, having witnessed that thrilling contest, felt their desire for gambling completely drained and hurriedly left the room as well.
Liu Hui said to Miss Six, “Miss Six, I have something I need to attend to. I’ll come find you later.” He then left the VIP lounge.
Miss Six was deeply moved. She knew Liu Hui never gambled; this hand was his very first official bet, yet his luck was so immense that he defeated Han Junxi. Once the room was empty, she curiously flipped over the card Han Junxi had not revealed—it was the Five of Hearts.
Miss Six was extremely puzzled. If Han Junxi’s hole card was the Five of Hearts, how could he have dared to bet so heavily against Liu Hui? She picked up the undealt portion of the deck and examined it closely. Upon turning over just two cards, she found the Three of Spades in the deck. She paused, then flipped all the remaining cards, discovering the Two of Spades and the Five of Spades among them.
Miss Six’s heart shook. Except for the Four of Spades that had been dealt face-up, none of the other Spades had been dealt. How did Liu Hui get those cards? Miss Six was utterly baffled. Suddenly, she recalled Liu Hui’s strange behavior when inspecting the decks. She picked up the discarded boxes from the trash can; they felt surprisingly light, as if empty. She opened a box and discovered it was indeed empty; the cards inside were missing.
Miss Six gasped. She quickly gathered the empty boxes and the current deck from the table, tucked them into her handbag, careful not to let anyone discover the secret.
Liu Hui stepped out of the room and spotted Wei Chao in the casino hallway. He walked up and called out, “Little Wei.”
Wei Chao turned around, his expression blank, and said, “Boss Liu, what instructions do you have for me?”
Liu Hui said, “I have something I need to discuss with you privately.”
Wei Chao paused, hesitated for a moment, then told the mature woman, “Wait for me here.” He then walked aside with Liu Hui.
“Speak. What is it?” Wei Chao’s tone was cold, clearly still holding a grudge over Liu Hui stopping him from causing trouble at Mei Peng’s wedding previously.
“This belongs to you; I brought it back to return it,” Liu Hui said, handing Wei Chao the financial certificate for the Dream Investment Company.
Wei Chao was surprised but didn't take it. “This company belongs to you now. Why are you giving it to me?”
Liu Hui explained, “That Korean fellow cheated at the table just now and tricked you out of your company. I won it back using my own methods. This company belongs to you; only you can utilize its capabilities to the fullest. Regardless of our current relationship, you once called me ‘Big Brother,’ and I cannot stand by while you are deceived by others.”
Wei Chao was greatly shocked. “That Korean man cheated just now?”
Liu Hui nodded. “Yes. He secretly palmed cards on the table and hid them in his sleeve. That final King he showed was one he stole.”
Wei Chao became furious. “That son of a bitch dared to cause trouble under my nose!”
Liu Hui placed the financial certificate into Wei Chao’s hand and turned to leave.
“Wait a moment.” Wei Chao held the certificate, struggling internally for a moment before calling Liu Hui back.
“Is there anything else?” Liu Hui asked.
Wei Chao said, “Have you ever heard of an organization called the ‘Dragon Slaying Society’?”