The rivers and lakes run deep, and human hearts are wicked.
Whether Mei Jie was putting on an act or it was genuinely the case, I didn't pay much attention.
Because those matters had nothing to do with me. I was only concerned with whether Mei Jie would make an exorbitant demand and ask for an astronomical price from me…
Uncle Tuo once said that people in the martial world, regardless of their background or affiliations, are fundamentally driven by money.
He also cautioned me that if I ever found myself entangled with such individuals over financial matters, I should try to play along and be agreeable until I had sufficient leverage and strength.
Therefore, keeping Uncle Tuo's earnest teachings in mind, I didn't speak up immediately. Instead, I waited quietly for Mei Jie.
Standing still without a word, Mei Jie's expression flickered with various emotions, and I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
After an unknown amount of time…
Seemingly having made up her mind, Mei Jie turned and took out a box of "Jinling Twelve Beauties" from her handbag on the bedside table.
After taking out a slim cigarette and lighting it, Mei Jie spoke to herself, "Originally, your crossing the line and overstepping your bounds wouldn't be so easily dismissed! But…"
After taking a deep puff of smoke, her tone shifted, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face. She continued, "When I, Han Qingmei, do things, I value rules!"
"When you're in the martial world, you must have rules and follow them!"
"Because my people broke the rules, let's settle this matter with a compromise."
"The hundred thousand yuan in chips that you took from Big Fish must be returned to me, every last cent!"
"In addition, you must pay another twenty thousand yuan to make it one hundred and twenty thousand, to be distributed among my six girls."
"For a Big Fish like Kang Zhiwei, it's not difficult for the girls to pocket ten to twenty thousand yuan from him each. It just takes a little more time."
"Do you accept this outcome?"
Upon hearing this, I didn't answer directly but instead pondered the offer with a thoughtful gaze.
Seeing my hesitation, Mei Jie, who called herself Han Qingmei, did not urge me or show any signs of displeasure. She continued to smoke her cigarette.
To be honest, before coming here, the bottom line I could accept for this overstepping incident was one hundred and twenty thousand yuan.
Kang Zhiwei's hundred thousand would be returned intact, and I would personally contribute an additional twenty thousand yuan.
The extra twenty thousand was both my bottom line and my absolute limit.
If they were still not satisfied and intended to demand an exorbitant price, I would have no choice but to refuse.
Fortunately, Han Qingmei was reasonable and acted with a sense of proportion and adherence to rules. She wasn't someone who was purely driven by greed and obsessed with money.
However, as the saying goes, one must always be on guard!
Regardless of whether she was truly reasonable, I couldn't agree immediately. I had to put on a show and appear to be considering it.
After all, she was an experienced player in the game, and if I agreed too readily, she might become suspicious…
Approximately fifteen minutes later.
"Dust to dust, earth to earth. Let's put tonight's matter behind us."
"As for what you mentioned later, I need time to consider it."
"Remember this, young man! This is a one-time exception, and it won't happen again!"
Saying this with a smile, Han Qingmei personally escorted me and Qin Lei down to the hotel.
Although our team's first attempt at a setup and a trial run had failed, costing me twenty thousand yuan, I felt no resentment.
On the contrary, I even felt a slight sense of exhilaration.
The reason for this unusual emotion was that through our interaction, I discovered that Han Qingmei conducted herself with strong principles and discipline.
In this regard, she was somewhat similar to Uncle Tuo.
Someone like Han Qingmei, who could maintain a sense of proportion, could be a reliable partner if the benefits were sufficient.
At least she wasn't like Yu Shuang, who was purely profit-driven and constantly shifted allegiances in pursuit of maximum gain.
Therefore, after resolving Qin Lei's issue for twelve thousand yuan, I also casually mentioned the matter of the Big Fish to Han Qingmei.
Here, the Big Fish I referred to was not Kang Zhiwei, but someone else entirely.
Although Han Qingmei didn't agree immediately, I knew… she was tempted!
Who doesn't love money?!
For someone like Han Qingmei, who led a small team in the martial world, her daily expenses were much higher than those of professional cheating teams.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they spent most of their money on appearance and maintenance.
Because for women, their most valuable assets are their faces and their bodies!
These are their greatest capital for establishing themselves in society and navigating the martial world.
This is also why Han Qingmei's small group only targeted Big Fish.
And it led to situations where several people competed for the same opportunity, or even started separate ventures privately.
The world bustles, all for profit.
The world surges, all for gain.
If Han Qingmei cannot maintain this status quo, then the disintegration of her small group will not be far off!
I am confident that she will contact me.
Compared to Kang Zhiwei, the person I mentioned to Han Qingmei is the true Big Fish!
Her saying she needed time to consider was likely just to discreetly gather information…
………………
After leaving the Penglai Hotel, Qin Lei and I walked along the road, one after the other.
Neither of us spoke first.
It wasn't until we were about to part ways that I asked, "Do you know why they caught you?"
"Why?"
Qin Lei asked back, confused and lost.
"Because you lacked basic trust in me!"
"You believed hearsay and jumped to conclusions!"
Upon hearing my words, Qin Lei's face first showed a hint of embarrassment, and then he hit his head in frustration.
Seeing this, I didn't blame him further. Instead, I said calmly, "Do you remember what I told you? Before you cheat others, you must first convince yourself. To set up a game, you must first enter the game!"
"From the moment you started setting up the game with me, you were already in it!"
"Once you're in the game, we share honor and disgrace, advancing and retreating together!"
"So, Qin Lei, remember this! From now on, unless it's me who contacts you, don't easily engage with anyone else!"
Hearing this, Qin Lei's expression immediately turned serious, and he nodded vigorously.
After a pause, as if remembering something, Qin Lei suddenly said, "Brother Xiang, the money… I'll get it as soon as possible…"
Before Qin Lei could finish, I quickly waved my hand to interrupt him. "What money? Just go back and rest."
"Tomorrow morning, remember to handle that matter I told you about for me!"