"Don't you worry, he wouldn't have known if you hadn't put it on speaker."
Qing Luan's voice remained dismissive on the other end. After a few seconds, she continued, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. I asked you to bring Li Yang to go shopping with me because I actually need him to do me a favor."
"I made a bet with someone a while ago about a gambling stone competition. If I lose, I have to give myself up to be at the mercy of the other party. I heard that guy is a complete pervert. If I lose, he'll kill me."
"I regret it now, but there's no turning back. So, I hope you and Li Yang can come and help me."
"What? You actually used yourself as a stake?"
Shui Xiang was utterly speechless with her. She said helplessly, "You're really daring, playing such high stakes with others. You wait there, I'll bring Li Yang over right away."
Shui Xiang was exasperated with her best friend!
She had only known before that Qing Luan, in order to get revenge on her husband, had repeatedly exchanged herself with other men, having a great time.
Now, she had gambled herself as a stake in a stone competition and had to bear such serious consequences.
After hanging up, Li Yang asked curiously, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Qing Luan made a bet with someone outside and used herself as the stake. She might lose, and she wants to ask you to help her with the stone gambling," Shui Xiang relayed the situation truthfully.
Li Yang was shocked upon hearing this!
Qing Luan was really playing that big of a game, it was outrageous!
However, as Shui Xiang's best friend, it wouldn't be right not to help. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright, we'll go over. You can tell your friend that if I help her, she has to repay me well. I'm only going to help her because of you."
"Don't worry, I know her character. She will be grateful."
Shui Xiang agreed and immediately took Li Yang to find Qing Luan at her antique shop.
Besides dealing in antiques, Qing Luan also frequently dealt in raw jade stones. The previous bet had also taken place in her own shop.
"Heh heh, beautiful Qing Luan, are you still going through with this bet today? If you surrender now, I might make it a little easier for you. Otherwise, don't blame me for ravaging you tonight."
Inside the Treasure Seeking Pavilion, a middle-aged man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks, drooling, said to Qing Luan with a grin.
He had many disciples behind him, and beside him was a gambling stone master wearing sunglasses. This person was a celebrity in the provincial capital's gambling stone circle, known as the Gambling Saint!
He had swept through half the gambling stone world in the provincial capital. He had recently come to Jiangcheng upon hearing that a gambling stone genius had emerged in Jiangcheng, with a great reputation, and had come specifically to challenge him!
Before he could even find that gambling stone genius, he was first called by his old friend Peng Hai to bet with the beauty.
As long as he won today, he would have a share of this beauty too.
What man in this world didn't like beautiful women? When the Gambling Saint heard that he could play with a beauty, he readily agreed.
"Pah, you wish for me to surrender, you're dreaming!"
Qing Luan shouted angrily. Facing Peng Hai, a fellow competitor, she hated him immensely, wishing she could castrate him on the spot, preventing him from ever having intercourse again.
"Since beautiful Qing Luan refuses to surrender, then let's settle this with our gambling stone skills and see who is superior!"
Peng Hai smiled calmly and turned to the Gambling Saint, saying, "Brother Jiang, this technical competition today depends on you. This beauty is a renowned gambling stone master in Jianghai. You cannot underestimate her."
"Don't worry, I won't underestimate any opponent, but at the same time, I won't show mercy to anyone."
After speaking, the Gambling Saint Jiang Long looked at Qing Luan with a sinister smile and said, "Beauty, however you want to gamble today, I'll listen to you."
"Hmph, what's the rush? Peng Hai knows how to invite help, do you think I don't?"
Qing Luan rolled her eyes disdainfully and snorted, "My friend will be here soon, you can wait here first."
"Very well, no matter who the beauty invites to help, I, Jiang Long, am fearless!" Jiang Long said calmly.
At this moment, everyone present showed anticipation!
They all wanted to know what kind of master the owner of the Treasure Seeking Pavilion could invite to compete against this Gambling Saint!
Jiang Long's reputation resounded throughout the provincial capital. In a small place like Jiangcheng, it was unlikely to find a master who could defeat him.
"Qing Luan, it's quite lively here. Did I miss a good show?"
Just then, a tender female voice came from outside.
Qing Luan turned her head and saw Shui Xiang and Li Yang walking in. Her face immediately lit up with joy. She ran to the two of them and said with a smile, "You're finally here. This guy invited a gambling stone master called the Gambling Saint, and he insists on competing with me."
"Mr. Li, last time you helped me in my shop, I didn't thank you properly. How about you help me again today, and I'll thank you both afterwards. What do you say?"
As she spoke, she winked at Li Yang. Her bright, sparkling eyes were truly captivating!
Li Yang was here to help her today anyway, so he didn't say much. He simply shrugged and said, "No problem, let me see how capable this Gambling Saint is."
"That's wonderful, thank you, Mr. Li!"
Qing Luan excitedly grabbed Li Yang's arm tightly, trembling.
Shui Xiang pretended to cough twice on the side and glanced at her, saying, "Well, Qing Luan, you've gone too far!"
"Heh heh, I'm just excited. Sister Shui Xiang, please don't misunderstand. I don't have any ulterior motives towards Mr. Li," Qing Luan explained with a smile.
Her delicate hand gently released Li Yang. Her gaze lingered on the outline of his muscles through his clothes, and a surge of desire welled up within her.
Li Yang came back to his senses and walked directly towards Peng Hai and the Gambling Saint Jiang Long in the distance.
When Jiang Long saw him, he couldn't help but mock him contemptuously, "Heh, are you the kid who's going to compete with me in gambling stones?"
"Is that not possible? I have some research in gambling stones, and beating you is more than enough," Li Yang said dismissively.
"What big talk. Kid, it seems you haven't seen my prowess and don't know my status in the gambling stone world. In this small Jiangcheng, let alone one you, even all the gambling stone masters in your entire Jiangcheng combined are no match for me."
Jiang Long contemptuously mocked Li Yang, then looked at Qing Luan and said, "Beautiful Qing Luan, you are destined to become our woman, yours and Boss Peng's, today. I suggest you prepare yourself, clean up, and wait for us obediently in bed tonight."
"This kid is completely incapable of helping you win against me."
"Pah, you?"
Qing Luan glared at him angrily and quickly looked at Li Yang, pleading, "Mr. Li, you must win against him. As long as you help me, you can do whatever you want to me."