I still remember Uncle Tuo saying: "To outmaneuver a thousand people, first outmaneuver yourself; to set a trap, first step into it."
If I didn't reveal my true self, concealing and disguising myself completely, how could I possibly deceive old foxes like Uncle Qiu?!
If I didn't allow Uncle Qiu to gradually lower his guard, becoming arrogant and overconfident, how would he ever reveal a flaw?!
As soon as Lin Jiahuan proposed those unfair conditions, I had already understood his intentions perfectly.
With all the advantages of timing, location, and human support, Lin Jiahuan never expected me to win!
Even if they hadn't caught me red-handed during the gambling match, as long as I was the one who ultimately won, they would have found a way to frame me!
Those "dark lights" weren't just there to stare me down and catch me cheating.
For the "dark lights," the difficulty of catching a cheater might fluctuate depending on the cheater's skill.
However, framing someone was undoubtedly a piece of cake!
If I had actually won the gamble, without Lin Jiahuan even needing to give an order, those "dark lights" would have stepped forward themselves to search me and accuse me of cheating.
Difficulties that don't exist can be created.
Evidence that doesn't exist can be fabricated.
If there's one thing the "dark lights" have in abundance, it's undoubtedly playing cards!
To frame me, all it would take is one or two cards.
Therefore, I couldn't win.
Because winning... actually meant losing!
Only by feigning complete defeat could I turn the tables in a desperate situation!
As for why I cheated just now, the answer lies with Uncle Qiu!
In a strict sense, what I did just now wasn't exactly cheating.
Do you remember me mentioning earlier that Uncle Qiu used the "Sleeve Sword" technique to cheat?
Although I know that move, I've never actually used it in a real situation.
Every cheater has their own methods; the way each cheater hides and transfers cards is completely different.
I had many questions about how Uncle Qiu managed to leave no trace of his cheating.
Therefore, only by dissecting his cheating actions could I uncover the secret.
Knowing something is different from being able to do it, and being able to do it is completely different from mastering it.
Adhering to the principle of "know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles," I chose to put myself in Uncle Qiu's shoes.
When I pretended to be stunned by the cards, I didn't actually swap any cards. I merely replicated the complete actions Uncle Qiu performed during the second and third rounds when he used the "Sleeve Sword" technique, retracing every step.
What my left hand did were the actions Uncle Qiu performed in the second round.
As for my right hand, it replicated his actions from the third round.
This is also why I was certain that the "evidence" from the third round was still on Uncle Qiu!
Although his sleight of hand was indeed impressive, he was also greedy, arrogant, and overconfident.
That's why he gave me the opportunity to make a comeback from a desperate situation.
Fortunately, my prior portrayal of incompetence was very successful, otherwise, I might not have been able to make him completely lower his guard.
While I was lost in thought, Lin Xinyu, who was unaware of the situation, walked up to Uncle Qiu and said softly, "Uncle Qiu, please forgive me."
Although Uncle Qiu nodded with a smile, the flicker of panic in his eyes betrayed his true feelings at that moment.
I knew that this old coffin-dweller must be regretting not transferring the playing cards immediately after he swapped them.
Ultimately, cheating is a matter that the Lin family can see through but cannot openly acknowledge.
If Uncle Qiu didn't admit that I could magically swap cards from a distance, then the cards found on him would become irrefutable proof of his cheating.
If he admitted it, the consequences were obvious.
Whether he admitted it or not, if Uncle Qiu dared to speak rashly, he would not only be embarrassing himself but also the Lin siblings.
So, at this moment, Uncle Qiu was like a mute eating bitter herbs – he had a grievance but couldn't express it!
He could only place all his hopes on Lin Xinyu.
Praying that she would understand the true meaning of "magically swapping cards from a distance" and turn a blind eye.
Meanwhile, the three Lin brothers watched me with grim expressions, as if they wanted to devour me alive!
Before long, Lin Xinyu's delicate hands began to carefully search Uncle Qiu's body.
If I'm not mistaken, those two cards that were replaced by Aces should be hidden...
Just then, Lin Xinyu's hand reached the exact spot I was intently staring at.
Following that, Lin Xinyu, still somewhat bewildered, exerted force and pulled downwards...
*Clack!*
Two playing cards instantly fell from Uncle Qiu's body.
A Five of Diamonds and a Nine of Clubs.
In a showdown of Five-Card Draw, suits are only compared if the ranks of the five cards are identical.
The primary comparison is always the rank of the five cards.
In other words, if Uncle Qiu hadn't cheated by swapping cards, he would have had a weak hand anyway.
And it would have been a weak hand with a lower rank than mine.
Besides the Ace, my highest visible card was a King. His was that belated Nine of Clubs.
The scene before them immediately caused Uncle Qiu and Lin Jiahuan's expressions to change drastically!
At this moment, I believed that as long as Lin Xinyu wasn't genuinely foolish, she should have realized the true meaning of "magically swapping cards from a distance."
They were all stunned! Everyone was stunned!
Uncle Qiu never imagined that due to a moment of carelessness, he would be so unpreparedly caught by his own people!
As he stood there frozen, Lin Xinyu's eyes welled up with an overwhelming disbelief.
"Oh, this..."
"Uncle Qiu, you, how could you..."
"I, I don't know..."
As if encountering such a situation for the first time, Lin Xinyu, after regaining her senses, appeared completely lost and helpless.
She wanted to ask what was going on but was afraid of saying the wrong thing, stammering for a long time without saying or asking anything.
Seeing this, I directly turned my gaze to the solemn Lin Jiahuan and said, "Young Master Lin, the result of the 'magically swapping cards from a distance' is out."
"In this Five-Card Draw game, your Uncle Qiu had seven cards on him!"
"The winner and loser can be announced directly, right?"
The reason I didn't directly expose Uncle Qiu's cheating was that I knew very well that if I did, not only would I fail to avenge Uncle Tuo, but I might not even be able to leave this room!
If it were just me, it might have been manageable.
But Cheng Minglang was still here, and I couldn't drag him into this.
So, I decided to use this opportunity to test Lin Jiahuan's attitude first, and then act accordingly.
However, before Lin Jiahuan could give me a reply, the door to the VIP room was suddenly pushed open from the outside...