After Zhang Chengxiang personally took the stage to direct the "butchering the pig behind closed doors" act, I didn't say a word and immediately signaled Han Jinlun to leave.
As we walked out of the mahjong room and before we even got into the car, I saw Han Jinlun looking at me with a confused expression. He asked, "Brother Xiang, didn't you want to win over Old Zhang? Why are you leaving now?"
After handing Han Jinlun a cigarette and lighting one myself, I replied in a low voice, "It's easy to add flowers to the brocade, but hard to send charcoal in the snow."
"If I choose to stay, and Zhang Chengxiang loses everything later, would you step in or not?"
Upon hearing this, Han Jinlun, without even thinking, blurted out, "Of course, I'd step in!"
"Exactly!" I nodded and said with a slight smile, "Zhang Chengxiang thinks the same way. So, I have to leave!"
"Why?"
As he asked, Han Jinlun still looked at me with a completely bewildered gaze.
"Because he can't bring himself to ask me, and more importantly, he's a smart man who knows I wouldn't stand by if you were present!"
Before Han Jinlun could ask further, I continued, "You recognized this big brother when you were in junior high. He's not just a little bit sharp!"
"His purpose in going on stage himself is so that after he loses, I'll help him unconditionally. That way, he won't feel indebted!"
"Zhang Chengxiang knew he couldn't handle those three people, but he didn't want to trouble me directly, so he employed a strategy of 'retreating to advance'."
"He's smart, but I'm not stupid!"
"So, do you understand now?"
After hearing my words and digesting them for a while, Han Jinlun finally showed a look of partial understanding.
Seeing him open his mouth as if he wanted to ask again, I had no choice but to pull him towards the car and patiently explain, "Simply put, your big brother Zhang Chengxiang dislikes cheaters."
"But now, the situation in the room requires a cheater to step in, so he's trying to use his relationship with you to get me to help him unconditionally!"
"If this works out, those three people will be dealt with by me, and all the money will fall into Zhang Chengxiang's pocket. I won't get any credit, essentially working for him for free!"
"Now, do you understand?"
As soon as I finished speaking, I decisively pulled open the passenger door and got into the car.
Following me into the car, Han Jinlun grumbled somewhat unhappily, "No way! Old Zhang isn't that kind of person! He always says what he means."
"Heh heh~" I let out a dismissive cold laugh and looked directly at Han Jinlun, saying, "People change, and he already has a prejudice against cheaters!"
"Besides, even you knew he was bound to lose against three opponents. Doesn't he know it himself?"
"Since he's fully aware, why would he rush to give away money?"
After a series of rhetorical questions, I saw Han Jinlun roll his eyes and remain silent, likely still processing my words.
The car started, and the air conditioning on the center console blew warm air, seemingly trying to dissipate the awkward silence.
After an unknown amount of time…
"Brother Xiang, I'm hungry and want to get some supper. Do you want some?"
"Whatever!"
Hearing this, Han Jinlun immediately followed up, "Then let's go, my treat!"
He found an excuse to get supper, smoothly steering away from the awkward atmosphere.
I have to admit, Han Jinlun has some brains, but not a lot.
I just hope he can improve himself more in the future.
Seeing that I didn't refuse his suggestion, Han Jinlun didn't say anything else. He shifted into gear, stepped on the accelerator, and drove away.
On the way to the supper stall, my mind was replaying the events of the evening…
As a cheater, I wouldn't get angry or surprised if I were subtly calculated against by strangers or acquaintances.
This is because the profession of a cheater inherently involves a constant dance between calculating and being calculated.
However, I honestly couldn't accept Zhang Chengxiang's calculating method of wanting to have it both ways.
I do want to win him over, but he's clearly overestimating his own importance.
If I can't have your rotten egg, does that mean I can't make a sponge cake?
If Zhang Chengxiang hadn't lost all his money and left the table in tonight's "pig charging people" gamble, I would consider him capable!
If he later comes back to me when his greed leads to overreach and he can't handle it, I'll make him perform a "three visits to the thatched cottage" act… otherwise, my name isn't Chen Xiang!
………………
As I was deep in thought, Han Jinlun had already slowed down the car and driven me to a brightly lit street. He then parked the car in front of a barbecue restaurant called "Oyster Charms and Shark Fins."
As soon as we got out of the car and entered, Han Jinlun greeted the owner and several waiters, passing out cigarettes.
Judging by the scene, he must have frequented this place for late-night snacks before venturing out with me.
We found an empty spot and sat down. Han Jinlun skillfully picked up the menu and ordered, scribbling down several lines on it.
They say that morning porridge is tastier than late-night supper, but for us cheaters, being able to safely walk away from a turbulent gambling table and then enjoy a roadside supper is also a unique kind of happiness.
At the very least, a late-night supper proves that we night owls of the city… are still alive!
People in society, regardless of the industry they are involved in, generally operate with the mindset of "enjoy today while you have the chance."
No matter how glorious they may appear during the day, it's merely a facade.
The loneliness and desolation behind the glory can only be understood by those who share the same path.
It's not that I'm feeling overly sentimental tonight; it's just that I have absolutely no confidence about the gamble seven days from now.
To put it bluntly, I'm scared.
I'm afraid that this time, I'll capsize in the gutters of Longxi, and it will be a complete wreck, sinking the boat and drowning the person.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard Han Jinlun say, "Brother Xiang, I'm really grateful to you!"
"If it weren't for you, I might still be stuck in my small corner of Longxi, living a muddled life of drunken stupor!"
Hearing this, I instinctively looked up at Han Jinlun and asked with confusion, "Why are you suddenly saying all this to me?"
"Actually, it wasn't until we got out of the car just now that I finally understood what you said earlier!" Han Jinlun scratched his head sheepishly.
I knew the unspoken meaning behind Han Jinlun's words. He likely believed my deduction that Zhang Chengxiang was trying to manipulate me.
After a slight pause, Han Jinlun immediately stated, "Don't worry, Brother Xiang!"
"If he calls for help later, I definitely won't help him anymore…"
Before he could finish, I interrupted him, "No! You still have to help him!"