Chapter 77: 77. The Manager Takes Action
Chen Che’s hand had already slipped into Xia Na’s skirt, stroking her smooth belly, even boldly tracing upward along the line of her abs.
Sitting on his lap, Xia Na just stared intensely at the gambling table, seemingly indifferent to his mischievous hand.
Chen Che’s lips curled into a playful smile; everyone harbors a gambling demon within.
The thrill of betting small to win big, vast amounts of money, can entrap anyone.
Engrossed, unable to extricate oneself.
Perhaps because of her environment, Xia Na never lacked money, nor did she have extravagant expenses.
She was unconcerned with those luxurious pleasures; being able to eat well, dress warmly, and walk beside An Nishang was enough to satisfy Xia Na.
So ordinary money could not sway Xia Na.
But when the amount exceeded a certain threshold, even those indifferent to money would be tempted.
The chips piled before Chen Che had everyone in the casino green with envy.
Starting with 100,000 chips, he had won nearly ten million.
A full 100-fold increase.
In the pre-Wasteland civilization, tens of millions was a fortune beyond the reach of most in a lifetime.
Especially in the Wasteland!
Sufficient for a family to live well and comfortably for a lifetime.
Ulat wanted a simple game with Chen Che, Blackjack.
Blackjack, originating from pre-apocalypse civilization.
The game played by 2 to 6 people with a deck of 52 cards, excluding Jokers. The players aim to get as close to 21 without exceeding.
However, the Wasteland’s Blackjack rules have adapted slightly.
Players begin with a base bet, then are dealt one card each. After receiving a card, a player can choose to hit, fold, or hold.
If you choose to hit, you must follow another round of bets or raise.
The process continues until you choose to hold your cards or fold.
During this, aim to get your hand close to 21, with the one closest to 21 winning.
If it’s a tie, the chips are split evenly.
To reveal cards, wait until all players stop hitting even if you hold, waiting for reveal means you must follow any raises by subsequent players, or you may raise yourself!
This is a highly stimulating game.
Even if you have 21 early, it doesn’t assure victory; within the rules, a tie below 21 splits the chips.
Holding 21 early won’t guarantee victory; if a following player also hits 21, the next wins!
A psychological game and intense test of luck.
Seeking a good hand means continual hits.
But greed leads over 21, making all investments null.
With Mind Reading Technique, Chen Che’s win rate was at least above 70%.
He could see the size of everyone else’s cards.
Chen Che’s heap of winnings though stirred envy among gamblers, aware of his skill and luck, many still chose to join in.
Horus Grand Casino was hosting an event, coupled with a rare ecological silence around the Wasteland, most ecological beings were resting.
The silence was good for commerce.
The safety rate of caravans greatly improved.
Ninth Special Zone was bustling with caravans and mercenary groups, the wealthiest visitors.
Allowing Chen Che to win such huge sums in a single day.
Normally, there wouldn’t be gamblers with such wealth.
The game officially started, ten players at the table!
Round one.
Chen Che kept hitting, reaching 20, his highest at the table; hesitated and held, catching snippets of others’ thoughts, the highest was 19.
Ulat was only at 16.
Everyone gradually stopped, except Ulat who drew a final card, got a seven, totaling 21.
"Anyone left for another card? If not, we reveal."
Chen Che frowned; not drawing would mean loss, hitting... hoping for an Ace.
But all the Aces were held by others.
Lost twenty thousand in the first round.
Previously, if Chen Che lost this much at once, Bobby and Xia Na would be anxious.
But having seen his gambling skill, neither was worried. Chen Che surely had a plan to reclaim his losses.
Second round.
Chen Che had 19, his right had 20, losing ten thousand.
Third round, he had 21, Ulat behind him had 21, Ulat won.
Chen Che raised an eyebrow as the dealer reshuffled.
Casino rules stipulate a new deck every three rounds.
The game continued.
For unknown reasons, Chen Che’s luck worsened; not a single win, losing ten, twenty, fifty, even totaling 200 thousand!
Such losses made Bobby and Xia Na tense on their seats.
Chen Che felt the grip of Xia Na’s buttocks painfully pinching his thigh.
An unruly hand couldn’t help but press.
With a painful yelp, Xia Na looked down, frowning: "You! Bruised me! Damn you, be gentle, otherwise I’m done being your companion!"
Xia Na didn’t dwell, glanced at the bruising on her pale skin, yet focused more on the table.
Players came and left losing tens of thousands.
Each reached personal limits.
Not everyone had Chen Che’s caliber to lose millions and continue at the table.
Now it’s Ulat’s turn to sweep the room.
With almost three million chips piled before him!
Ulat smiled at Chen Che: "Mr. Chen, seems luck isn’t on your side."
"Ah..." Chen Che sighed, resting his head on Xia Na’s pale shoulder, stared at Ulat and said, "Mr. Ulat, your luck is extraordinary, so much that I suspect you might be cheating."
Ulat replied solemnly: "Mr. Chen, it’s inappropriate to speak recklessly. Neither I nor Horus Grand Casino resort to such tactics; reputation is paramount here. If you’re trying to blame the casino for your loss in front of esteemed guests, we won’t ignore your accusations!"
"You’re watching the cards dealt by the dealer; if suspicious of her, request any other dealer from the casino."
Chen Che chuckled: "Don’t rush, Manager Ulat. I’m just speaking freely; consider it lousy talk. Let’s continue; I’ve only lost 200 thousand, but can regain over 900 thousand! I want to see how high Manager Ulat’s skill and luck go!"
Gambling proceeded.
Xia Na felt her ear itch, the man had taken her pale earlobe between his lips, playing with it, Xia Na’s beautiful face knitted in displeasure.
Only now did she realize the oddity of herself today, typically despising the man abusing her sister’s body.
Ordinarily, she’d avoid glancing at Chen Che, yet now had become his companion, allowed him intimately close, thoroughly fondle her.
Even teased...
Xia Na restrained the strange discomfort welling in her chest, fiddled with her purple short hair, whispering: "Stop licking my ear... perhaps stop gambling... we’re winning anyway..."
"Tsk tsk tsk, it’s not up to us to stop now..." Chen Che nibbled Xia Na’s ear, smiling: "Don’t rush, take your time..."
Xia Na rubbed her legs, enduring the unprecedented oddity and discomfort.