The young man who was busted at the table was replaced by a new dealer, as no one else was willing to take on the role of banker.
Over the next few hands, the middle-aged man had his ups and downs, but overall, he was winning.
During this time, relying on my precise memory, I quickly accumulated some chips.
And so, with the rotation of dealers, after going around, it was finally my turn to be the banker.
Gathering all the chips in front of me, over 2,000, and placing them on the banker's spot, I adopted the demeanor of a novice, starting to shuffle and deal the cards slowly.
To gauge the skill level of the dealer, who was solely responsible for collecting the rake, and the woman who was suspected of being a plant by the casino, I began to shuffle the cards leisurely after tidying them up.
Using ordinary shuffling techniques, I executed the perfect shuffle, deliberately slowing down the pace.
Unfortunately, neither the woman nor the dealer showed any reaction.
Seeing this, I immediately knew: these two were completely incompetent!
After shuffling, I handed the cards to the player to my upper right, signaling them to cut the deck.
In reality, regardless of whether the player cut the cards or not, I had a way to cheat.
The so-called perfect shuffle meant that no matter how you shuffled, you could ultimately deal the pre-determined cards to everyone.
After the player to my upper right cut the cards, I began to deal.
For a seasoned cheat, dealing cards was merely a formality, a necessary step in the process.
The order of the 52 playing cards was already firmly etched in my mind.
It's no exaggeration to say that, apart from other cheats, no matter how the gamblers cut the cards, I could clearly ascertain everyone's hand and points.
Sometimes, this feeling of completely controlling everyone's wins and losses at the table was, in a way, equivalent to controlling their lives!
This was because most gamblers valued money over their lives.
For my first hand as the banker, I didn't go all out. I simply dealt cards that aligned with each player's previous betting patterns.
Of course, this didn't mean I was handing over victory.
2, 3, 7, 7, and a King, making a total of nine, a double win.
In one hand, the chips I had put up to be the banker nearly doubled.
My original plan was to play a hit-and-run strategy, using intermittent banking to rapidly accumulate chips.
However, after collecting the chips, seeing everyone's hesitant reaction to taking on the banker role, I understood the situation.
After a perfunctory inquiry, confirming that no one wanted to be the banker, I decided to continue.
To avoid suspicion from a winning streak, I didn't use any tricks in the second hand.
But clearly, the previous cheating had altered my playing style and luck.
Even without employing any methods, my performance in this hand was still impressive.
Killing five, paying one!
I gained 1400, paid out 300, and profited 1100.
The "one" that was paid out was simply because one player had bet 100 yuan and managed to get a triple-point "Niuniu."
For this, the sole winner lamented and regretted for quite some time.
At this point, after just two hands, the money on my banker's spot had directly surpassed 5,000 yuan!
As the chips piled up, this scene instantly sparked a fiery glint in the eyes of the six people at my table.
The saying "gold and silver move the heart" was indeed true.
Just as I finished asking around, and there was still no response from anyone, and I was about to continue as banker and shuffle the cards…
Suddenly, I felt someone gently pat my shoulder.
As if by reflex, I immediately turned my head. I saw that the hand patting my shoulder was exceptionally fair, tender, and smooth.
From this glimpse alone, I deduced that it was a woman's hand.
And this woman definitely knew me.
It was either Yu Shuang, or… Leng Meng.
Turning around, it was indeed Yu Shuang!
Yu Shuang, with her striking wine-red curly hair and lips that shone like a blazing inferno, paired with a bright red cheongsam with a high slit, presented her shapely figure almost perfectly.
Young women simply couldn't capture the essence of the cheongsam, even if they were beautiful; something always felt missing.
Only a mature beauty like Yu Shuang, who had experienced life and possessed unparalleled elegance, could wear the cheongsam with its unique charm.
At the same time, as Yu Shuang appeared, a slow, lyrical song suddenly began to play in the first-floor lobby.
Lonely!
Anyone who has heard "Lonely" knows that in the early 20s, this song was almost universally popular in all entertainment venues across the country.
Back then, in places like roller skating rinks, discos, KTVs, and bars, "Lonely" was undoubtedly among the most representative and frequently played music!
For some reason, the moment "Lonely" started playing, as I turned to look at Yu Shuang, I felt that this song was a perfect match for her!
Perhaps the reason for this feeling was that Yu Shuang gave me such a perfect impression, so perfect that I stubbornly believed that almost no man could be worthy of her.
The heights are too cold!
I thought, Yu Shuang's heart… must be very lonely and desolate.
As I became slightly lost in thought and even indulged in fantasies due to Yu Shuang's appearance, Yu Shuang suddenly smiled and said, "Oh! A rare visitor! What brings you here?"
As soon as she spoke, before I could even reply after regaining my senses, I saw the people at the gambling table casting various expressions at me.
Some were envious, some suspicious, some disdainful, and some indifferent…
Seeing that I hadn't spoken, Yu Shuang changed the subject and suddenly said, "Are you free? If you are, come with me. If not… then never mind."
Hearing this, my heart stirred slightly.
Since Yu Shuang had appeared, my intention to continue sitting here and winning money would likely be dashed!
With her here, forget winning money; being able to leave with empty hands would be a blessing.
In an instant, the area around the gambling table where I was sitting became silent.
It's no exaggeration to say that ever since Yu Shuang came to find me and said those words, I felt that not only the people at the table, but all the surrounding gazes seemed to be focused on me.
All the men were practically glaring at me with eyes that seemed to want to kill me.
As for the women, their expressions were full of gossip and ambiguity, their gazes constantly lingering on me, pausing, then lingering again…
"Yes, I'm free! I'm free now."
Feeling extremely awkward, I quickly replied.
"That's great! Come with me."
After saying this, Yu Shuang turned and left on her own.
Seeing this, I quickly tidied up my chips, bid farewell to the people at the table, and then got up to follow Yu Shuang.