I think, before tonight, Leng Meng had certainly never experienced anything like what she went through today.
She didn't want to gamble, yet for various reasons, she had to.
Not only that, but without anyone noticing, she was gradually trapped by the other party, slowly losing enough money to buy a house.
That feeling of being forced to do something yet being powerless to stop it... few people can withstand it.
Moreover, this feeling of powerless frustration would continue.
In less than half an hour, the ten thousand yuan that Sister Ran had taken was lost by Leng Meng again.
After once again clearing Leng Meng's chips, the middle-aged man who had spoken earlier looked at his watch and said with a knowing smile, "Young lady, you've been playing with us on behalf of the boss until now, and you've lost a total of twenty thousand! I think we'll call it a day for now."
"When your boss gets back, we'll come by again for some fun if there's a chance."
As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, the other three people in the group immediately chimed in.
"Yeah, yeah! Your boss hasn't said when he'll be back, and if we wait any longer, the flowers will have wilted! So... let's not wait."
"Anyway, with your twenty thousand, it's not like we're missing your boss's big red envelope! Hehehe~"
"Young lady, I know what you've been trying to do by stalling us, which is to catch us cheating!"
"We've already given you the opportunity. If you didn't seize it, then that's your own problem."
"As the saying goes, 'He who gambles must accept defeat.' So, goodbye for now, and we'll meet again in the jianghu!"
It seemed that this four-person cheating group was exactly as Uncle Tuo had described, openly cheating people out of their money.
To catch a thief, you need evidence; to catch an adulterer, you need proof.
Unfortunately, Leng Meng couldn't catch them cheating and couldn't get strong evidence. Dragging it out any longer was useless.
Counting the time, it had been about an hour and a half since I arrived.
Adding the time they played before I came, it was only about two hours in total.
In two hours, Leng Meng hadn't caught the cheating group cheating even once. This wasn't just a matter of a wrong move; it was a complete mismatch of skills, having the ability to deal with things but nowhere to apply it!
So, if she didn't want to keep losing, she had to stop.
Although they lost twenty thousand yuan, if they didn't stop, they would only lose more!
Judging by the situation, this prodigal Leng Meng must have let each of them win at least fifty thousand yuan.
Twenty thousand in two hours, this was the skill of a cheating group!
If this group only had two people, then each person would have a clear net profit of ten thousand!
Cheating groups usually consist of two or more people, and the group size is strictly controlled within the optimal range of four to six people.
They have strict discipline and clear division of labor.
Before they act, they will research and discuss a general amount range based on the chosen location and scale, in order to ensure that the interests of all members are maximized.
In situations like the Baole Chess and Card Room, fifty thousand per person, while certainly not a small amount, is definitely not a lot either!
Seeing that these people were all standing up, pocketing their money, and preparing to leave, I knew... it was time for me to make my move.
Even if I didn't want to get involved, I had to brace myself and do it!
If I didn't act now, it wouldn't be about the flowers wilting, but the withered flowers would be completely ruined!
Walking quickly to Shi Jianguo, I whispered a few words in his ear.
Half a minute later...
Shi Jianguo, with a Xiaosu cigarette in his mouth, slowly walked to the card table and said with a smile, "Friends, are you in such a hurry to leave?"
"Our boss just called and will be back soon."
"Why don't you... wait a little longer?"
"Oh? Really? Your boss is really coming back soon?"
The middle-aged man, who was smoking a 1916, asked as if he were putting on an act. He then casually glanced at Shi Jianguo. Seeing that he was standing in front of him smoking a Su cigarette, his brow furrowed instantly.
Then, the middle-aged man slowly sat down again, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
Seeing this, the other three people sat down in tacit understanding without saying a word.
"Heh heh. I'm sorry, friends! Although we are convinced we lost this twenty thousand, it also pains us greatly!"
"After all, this is our boss's money, so the boss said to give her a little more time, and when she returns, she will personally greet you all."
Although Shi Jianguo had a forced smile on his face the entire time he was speaking, anyone with eyes could see... his smile was uglier than crying!
"Heh heh. No problem! However, there's one condition we need to agree on first."
"Half an hour! We'll wait another half an hour! If your boss doesn't come back after half an hour, then everyone goes their own way."
After ascertaining the bottom line time for these people, I confirmed Yu Shuang's return time with Sister Ran again.
Seeing her still shaking her head without answering, I knew that Yu Shuang was definitely not to be counted on.
If I wanted to get back that twenty thousand yuan... I could only rely on myself!
Taking a deep breath, I first took a brand new deck of playing cards from behind the bar, then rummaged through the cabinet for a pack of Xiaosu cigarettes. I directly put them on a tray and walked towards the group of cheaters.
At this moment, besides being nervous, I also felt a tiny bit excited.
There are no weak players among those who are part of a cheating group!
For me, a newcomer to the world of cheating, being able to compete with seasoned cheaters from a group is undoubtedly very meaningful.
As for how much I would gain, it would depend on whether my skills matched their methods and abilities...
The moment I walked over with the tray, everyone's gaze, including Leng Meng and Shi Jianguo, converged on me.
At this moment, Leng Meng's eyes towards me no longer held the usual hostility and indifference, but were filled with hope and expectation.
Leng Meng knew that before Yu Shuang returned, I was the only one who had the potential to help her win back all the money she had lost.
As for Shi Jianguo, he nodded slightly at me, his eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, without any ripples.
Unlike Leng Meng, Shi Jianguo already knew that I was the reinforcements called by Yu Shuang. Therefore, he showed no emotion when he saw me stepping in to replace Leng Meng.
As for the cheaters in the group, as soon as they saw me walking over with the Su cigarettes, they immediately realized... I was here with ill intentions.
People who play cards hate others offering them Su cigarettes; many people should be aware of this small detail, right?
Although there is no scientific basis for it, most people who play cards fall for this.
Especially cheaters, who are most wary of this. In the eyes of cheaters, Su is equivalent to losing.
Therefore, as soon as they saw me walking over with Su cigarettes, the faces of those four cheaters all fell instantly.
I pretended not to see this and asked with a smile, "Friends, would you mind if I played a few rounds for my sister?"
After saying that, I opened the entire pack of Su cigarettes and distributed two packs to each of them.
Why distribute two packs? Because... good things come in pairs! Since it was clear that you were going to lose, I naturally hoped you would lose as much as possible! Preferably, a double loss.
Hearing my words, the middle-aged man smoking the 1916 immediately looked up and began to scrutinize me carefully.
After a long look, the middle-aged man suddenly chuckled and said, "You kid... you're quite interesting! Since this young lady is your sister, then you'll play with us for the last half hour. Still playing 'Zha Jin Hua' (Exploding Golden Flower), how about it?"
"Okay! It just so happens that I can see if I have a chance to help my sister get her capital back."
In front of these cheaters, I didn't feign hesitation and immediately agreed.