"Let's go, Brother Song. This mountain resort has nice scenery. I'll take you around."
After a few pleasantries, Guo Jun noticed Song Qiao's interest in the mountain views and immediately offered to show him around.
"Sure, I was just wishing for a guide," Song Qiao replied cheerfully.
Then, he and Guo Jun began to wander around.
Xia Xueqing felt too constrained in the presence of someone like Guo Jun, so after a brief greeting to Song Qiao, she went off to play elsewhere on her own.
Song Qiao supported this decision, as he didn't want Xia Xueqing constantly by his side, which might lead to misunderstandings.
"Hey, Young Master Guo, what are those people over there doing?"
Song Qiao and Guo Jun arrived at a secluded courtyard and saw a group of people gathered, intently watching something and appearing quite lively.
Without waiting for Guo Jun's explanation, he walked directly towards the crowd.
He then saw that people in the circle were gambling with cards.
"Are you interested in this, Brother Song?" Guo Jun asked curiously, catching up to him.
"Not interested. Let's go," Song Qiao said, shaking his head, unwilling to recall past events, and pulled Guo Jun to leave.
However, the next second, he suddenly felt that the two people gambling in the circle looked familiar. He quickly looked closer and realized he knew both of them.
One was Ye Zhiwei, whom he had just rescued two days ago, and the other was her arch-rival and competitor, Mo Ling.
"Why are they both here? And why are they gambling?"
Song Qiao was completely baffled. To understand what was happening, he had no choice but to stay and watch.
Ye Zhiwei was sweating profusely, completely unaware that Song Qiao was watching from the crowd.
She was having bad luck today and, provoked by Mo Ling in such a setting, got caught up in the moment and started gambling against her.
However, she was no match for her opponent and had already lost several rounds.
"Ye Zhiwei, it's come to this. I advise you to admit defeat." Mo Ling glanced dismissively at the cards in Ye Zhiwei's hand and said calmly.
"But you must honor your bets. Sign that annexation contract from last time."
"In front of so many important figures, you, the head of Lan Hai Industrial, won't back out like a little girl, will you?"
Every word Mo Ling spoke was filled with provocation, making Ye Zhiwei, who was already lacking confidence, turn even paler.
"Hmph, I haven't lost yet. Don't get ahead of yourself." Ye Zhiwei said stubbornly, frowning, even though she knew her situation was dire.
At this moment, she couldn't help but regret her impulsiveness, agreeing to the bet so carelessly after being provoked.
The onlookers also shook their heads helplessly. The possibility of Ye Zhiwei turning the tide in this game was minuscule. Losing all her chips was only a matter of time.
Song Qiao also saw the situation and couldn't help but feel anxious for Ye Zhiwei.
"I wonder if I can play for her," Song Qiao thought.
After a moment of hesitation, Song Qiao suddenly squeezed into the center of the crowd and said to Mo Ling with a faint glance, "May I play for her?"
"It's you?" Ye Zhiwei, who had already fallen into despair, her eyes lit up when she saw Song Qiao.
After he saved her last time, she had developed an inexplicable trust in Song Qiao. Now, she saw him as her savior again.
"Who are you, and what right do you have to play for Miss Ye?" Mo Ling's victory was in sight, but an unexpected obstacle appeared, causing her to frown.
For some reason, from the moment she saw Song Qiao, she felt an inexplicable aversion, a feeling that made her very uncomfortable.
"He's my friend. I can let him play for me. If we lose, I will naturally honor the bet." Ye Zhiwei, no longer able to care about anything else, quickly pushed Song Qiao into the seat, clearly telling Mo Ling that he could represent her.
"Hmph, then Ye Zhiwei, don't regret it. If you lose, don't use any excuses to back out." Mo Ling cast a disdainful glance at Song Qiao and then began dealing the cards.
Based on Song Qiao's previous demeanor, she immediately judged that he was not skilled at cards. Furthermore, with Mo Ling holding a clear advantage, she naturally relaxed her vigilance.
"Hey, isn't that President Song from Xiang Piaopiao Group?"
"Why is he suddenly helping President Ye gamble?"
Many of the onlookers recognized Song Qiao and exclaimed in surprise.
They were all surprised that Song Qiao, with his status, would personally step in to help, and it struck them as odd.
"I wonder what the relationship is between President Song and this President Ye, that he would step in to help when the situation is so unfavorable? If they lose, it might be difficult to salvage the situation." Some people, seeing Song Qiao's confident expression, began to speculate like gossips.
Xia Yuqing, after greeting several wealthy businessmen, was also drawn by the commotion and came to watch with her sister.
The moment she saw Song Qiao in the circle, holding cards and gambling against Mo Ling, her vision went black. She was so angry she almost exploded.
She had thought that Song Qiao had completely given up gambling and was focused on doing business. She never expected him to be gambling again today, especially in such a public setting.
If prominent figures in society saw this, they would likely form a very bad impression of her husband.
Thinking of this, she couldn't hold back any longer. Disregarding her sister's attempts to stop her, she rushed forward and grabbed Song Qiao.
"Song Qiao, what are you doing? Didn't you promise me you wouldn't gamble again?" Xia Yuqing's accusation was filled with deep disappointment, startling Song Qiao.
How could he have forgotten his wife was here? Although there was a reason for his actions, his wife had always disliked him gambling.
"Wife, don't worry. I'm confident in these two rounds. Once I win it back for Ye Zhiwei, I'll stop." Song Qiao gently patted his wife's arm to comfort her.
"That won't do either," Xia Yuqing's brows were tightly furrowed.
"Don't worry, I will win." As Song Qiao spoke, Mo Ling began dealing the cards, forcing him to cut short his explanation and shift his attention back to the game.
Looking at her husband, who was determined to go his own way, Xia Yuqing felt as if she had returned to a few months ago. She was so angry that she wanted to slap Song Qiao.
"Song Qiao, you're really something. You've achieved a little success and you're ready to go back to your old ways, aren't you?"
However, with so many people watching, Xia Yuqing still saved her husband some face. After a quiet reprimand, she stood aside and said nothing more.