I never expected Hao Qi’s background to be so significant!
But if Shen Mengqing had already seen through Hao Qi’s identity, why didn’t she appear immediately to stop this gamble?
Could it be that this petty woman was still holding a grudge because I had fallen out with her over Yang Yuanyuan, and wanted me to make a fool of myself in front of Yun Jin?
Although I wasn’t sure why Shen Mengqing waited until the last moment to show up, at least she had saved me from a difficult situation.
Secretly heaving a sigh of relief, I turned my gaze directly to Hao Qi.
This scoundrel had given me a really hard time just now! It was time for him to be the one in trouble!
…
After his only reliance was swept away by Shen Mengqing’s raised hand, Hao Qi’s entire face fell.
Hao Qi, with his eyes narrowed, stared intently at Shen Mengqing, not hiding the surge of anger in his eyes.
“Shen Mengqing, is it fun to expose people’s secrets?”
Anger and a cold glint appeared simultaneously. It was clear that Hao Qi was truly furious.
With the favorable situation ruined, if it weren’t for his current predicament, I imagined Hao Qi would have flipped the table right then and there.
Hearing this, Shen Mengqing retorted, “You, who have been blacklisted by major casinos, changing your name and running to Ruichi to cause trouble, is that considered fun?”
Suppressing his anger as much as possible, after taking several deep breaths, Hao Qi suddenly spoke, “Fine! Since you’ve said so, don’t blame me for not playing by the rules!”
With that, Hao Qi directly took out his phone and started making a call to gather reinforcements.
In a confrontation between people from the underworld, once one party has the other cornered, there’s absolutely no chance they’d let them call for backup.
But the world of the Thousand Gates is different.
Those who operate in the Thousand Gates primarily seek wealth.
As long as the enmity isn’t too great, they’ll leave a sliver of hope for the other party.
Because, living people are the most valuable!
Moreover, Hao Qi was a top expert specializing in multi-deck card tricks.
Therefore, even standing right next to Hao Qi, Shen Mengqing had no intention of interrupting or stopping him.
I initially thought that since Hao Qi was a pariah rejected by casinos collectively, Ying Baolin might not actually take him in.
Then, his targeting me earlier might have had some other unknown reason.
After all, Hao Qi had a terrible reputation, and for Ying Baolin to take him as a subordinate would be a very demeaning act.
But unexpectedly, as soon as the call connected, I heard Hao Qi shout into the phone, “Boss Ying, I’ve failed!”
While Wenzhou isn’t small, it’s not that big either.
Anyone Hao Qi would address as “Boss Ying” could only be Ying Baolin, no need to even think about it!
At this moment, I, who had just relaxed, felt all my nerves tighten again.
Because Hao Qi’s words meant that Ying Baolin, the king of Wenzhou’s underground gambling scene, had indeed made a move against me!
If nothing unexpected happened, Hao Qi was likely one of the “dark lights” mentioned by Luo Qiven.
If he couldn’t even handle his subordinate, and Ying Baolin himself appeared, then the outcome…
At this point, I no longer had the mental capacity to care about what Hao Qi was saying to Ying Baolin.
I just wanted to know if Yun Jin would truly protect me as she had promised last time, after Ying Baolin had indirectly attacked me.
…
I couldn’t tell what Ying Baolin on the other end of the phone said, but I only saw Hao Qi’s expression begin to shift from gloomy to cheerful.
Moreover, after a series of “uh-huhs,” Hao Qi directly handed the phone to Shen Mengqing.
Just as Shen Mengqing was about to take the phone, Yun Jin suddenly flashed out from the group of dark lights and snatched the phone first.
Seeing this, Hao Qi was about to reprimand her, but when he looked up and saw the person’s face, his expression immediately changed.
I assumed he recognized Yun Jin.
Yun Jin, taking Hao Qi’s phone, immediately announced her identity.
I thought this was Yun Jin’s prelude to a direct confrontation with Ying Baolin.
But after Ying Baolin spoke on the other end, Yun Jin’s expression changed drastically, and it became very complex.
From initial indifference, to shock in the middle, and then to surprise…
Even after the surprise, a hint of nervousness appeared!
Seeing the nervousness on Yun Jin’s face, my heart sank.
Following her reaction, I also became somewhat nervous.
Yun Jin’s expression would directly determine the fate that awaited me.
If she could remember the two times I had bled and sweated for Ruichi, and gritted her teeth to say she would protect me, then I wouldn’t have to worry about immediate danger.
But if she succumbed to Ying Baolin’s prestige and decided to turn a blind eye, it would undoubtedly be like pushing me into a fire pit.
Just as I was becoming anxious and uneasy due to the various expressions on Yun Jin’s face…
After a few more exchanges, Yun Jin hung up the phone.
At this moment, Yun Jin’s expression had returned to its usual calm.
The moment she handed the phone back to Hao Qi, Yun Jin first gave me a meaningful glance, then coldly said to Hao Qi, “You can take him away! But remember one thing!”
“If he doesn’t come back, I’ll hold you directly responsible!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Jin waved away the surrounding dark lights and security guards, and then led Shen Mengqing away towards the elevator.
Seeing this, I knew that Hao Qi’s intention tonight was to take me away.
And if my guess was correct, I had been abandoned by Yun Jin, becoming a pawn.
After everyone dispersed, only Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun remained by my side.
Behind Hao Qi stood two bodyguards in sharp suits.
Lighting a Black Lucky cigarette and exhaling a large puff of smoke, Hao Qi said smugly, “Little brother, are you going to come with me obediently, or should I have someone escort you?”
When saying the word “escort,” Hao Qi’s nasal tone was very heavy.
Hearing this, I didn’t answer. Instead, I first considered the consequences of refusing or accepting in my mind.
Seeing this, Hao Qi wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he repeatedly scrutinized me with a rather mocking gaze.
His expression was incredibly arrogant!
At this moment, the true meaning of the idioms “dog relying on power” and “fox borrowing prestige” was vividly displayed on Hao Qi.
At the same time, through today’s events, I once again profoundly experienced and recognized… just how ugly human nature can be!
I don’t know how long it took.
Finally, I decided to meet Ying Baolin.
I could escape for a moment, but not for a lifetime!
As long as I haven’t obtained the clue to the Thousand King Token, I cannot leave Wenzhou.
Whether it’s a mountain of knives or a dragon’s lair, I’ll just go for it!