Qin Libao smiled as he approached Xu Xiangbei, appearing courteous: "President Xu, I forgot last night that today is the gathering of our Zijin Real Estate Association. Entrepreneurs from half of Earth Sea are here. During our gathering, to liven things up, we have a small ga—a simple ga. The ga ti is coming up soon. President Xu, wait a bit; after we’re done playing, I’ll settle the paynt I owe you."
Inwardly, Xu Xiangbei thought, this old guy, if he acted, he’d definitely win an Oscar. He speaks like it’s all real, but every sentence is a trap, waiting for soone to walk right in.
Xu Xiangbei smiled and asked, "So, a gathering of business elites, I happened to co at the right ti. What ga are you playing during your ga ti?"
Qin Libao’s smile shone particularly bright, like an old hand at fishing, feeling the bait in the water stir, revealing a crafty smile.
He enthusiastically introduced to Xu Xiangbei: "Speaking of it, it’s a bit embarrassing. We’re getting older and can’t play any profound gas; we usually play very simple ones, the kind even kids play. For instance, dice gas often played in bars or KTVs. One person shakes the dice, and another guesses big or small. If you guess right, you win a substantial prize."
Guessing dice size is indeed a simple ga. Following the topic, Xu Xiangbei curiously asked, "Oh? A substantial prize? How much exactly?"
Qin Libao gently extended one finger, smiling without a word.
Internally, Xu Xiangbei cursed, what a sly old fox, just say it! No need to be mysterious and keep people guessing.
Xu Xiangbei suppressed his temper and asked, "Is it one million?"
"Ha, you’re smart, you guessed right, one ga, a million."
The old fox finally dangled the bait. Such a simple ga, guessing correctly could win a million—truly tempting.
Xu Xiangbei feigned surprise: "So much prize money? Can I participate in this ga?"
Qin Libao put on a look of difficulty, which Xu Xiangbei saw and resented, wanting to punch his old face. More acting again.
"President Xu wants to participate too? If soone else made this request, I wouldn’t agree because only business elites can participate in ga ti on these occasions. But since we are both shareholders of the Thunderbird Group, comrades in the sa trench, as the host, I’ll surely help you."
"Thank you so much, President Qin, you are such a friend. I’m really looking forward to playing this ga."
To Xu Xiangbei, Qin Libao’s deceit was very childish and nauseating—like most conn, their tricks are simple, laughably naive to those with vision, but once you believe them, it’s like being under a spell, utterly convinced.
Qin Libao lightly tapped his glass with a fork, producing a clear dinging sound: "Friends, our ga ti is about to begin. Last ti, President Huang of Qinghai Film and Television won big. I wonder who will participate in the ga today?"
As Qin Libao spoke, he cast an encouraging look at Xu Xiangbei.
From the guests’ secretive expressions, it seed this ga wasn’t as simple as Qin Libao claid.
Xu Xiangbei looked to Young Master Shen for a signal. Young Master Shen shook his head, indicating he shouldn’t join.
Qin Libao was relentless and approached Xu Xiangbei with a smile, determined not to let him off the hook today.
He gently patted Xu Xiangbei’s shoulder with a familiar air, introducing him: "We have a new friend at our gathering today, the new president of the Thunderbird Group, Mr. Xu Xiangbei. Let’s all give him a round of applause."
Everyone unfamiliar with Xu Xiangbei’s face looked over in surprise, having heard that Thunderbird Group had a new president, pulling the group from dire straits. No one expected him to be a young, unknown fellow.
The hall resounded with enthusiastic applause and hushed conversations.
Qin Libao smiled and spoke to Xu Xiangbei, but loudly enough for everyone around to hear: "Mr. Xu, becoming the president of the Thunderbird Group at such a young age and attending our business gathering for the first ti, why not volunteer and join our ga today?"
Neighborhood guests cast attentive glances, President Huang bore a look of watching the drama unfold, while Young Master Shen continued to shake his head, signaling Xu Xiangbei not to be coaxed.
Knowing there’s danger yet walking towards it.
Xu Xiangbei smiled and nodded: "Alright, this ga seems quite interesting, I’ll give it a try."
As soon as Xu Xiangbei spoke, the expressions on the guests’ faces varied. Huang Qinghai laughed even more gleefully, while Young Master Shen was helpless—Xu Xiangbei’s confidence seed unfounded as he ignored Shen’s advice.
Most, however, looked worried and focused their attention on him.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei finally agree to join the ga, Qin Libao seed relieved, giving a quick glance to his son Qin Daming standing in the corner.
His gaze contained complex emotions—excitent, satisfaction, contempt—as if saying to his son: "Son, see how your father avenges you. He wants money from ; by then, he’ll probably lose everything including his pants."
Xu Xiangbei walked towards the table in the center of the hall and sat down on one of the chairs. A hostess handed Xu Xiangbei a glass of wine with ice, the glass glistening with amber foam.
Qin Libao led a round of applause: "Good spirit, young people should be daring; let’s applaud President Xu’s courage."
Amid applause, soone erged from the crowd and sat down opposite Xu Xiangbei. It was Uncle Qin, who had clashed intensely with Ah Rong the night before.
Uncle Qin gazed intently, a disdainful smile on his face: "President Xu, our ga is guessing high or low. We roll three dice at a ti, totaling eighteen points. More than nine is high, less than nine is low. One ga, a million. The rules are simple. How many rounds does President Xu intend to guess?"
Xu Xiangbei glanced at Uncle Qin, realizing it was this guy who was rolling the dice. His skills weren’t impressive, but he seed quite confident about rolling the dice.
Xu Xiangbei playfully smiled: "If I lose, do I pay out of pocket? If I win, who pays?"
Huang Qinghai laughed loudly and interrupted: "If you lose, of course, you pay from your own pocket; your money goes to the Zijin Real Estate Association as funding for our activities, considered a charitable deed. If you win, the mbers of Zijin Real Estate Association, we all pitch in to pay you."
Uncle Qin picked up the dice cup on the table, placed three crystal dice inside, and gently shook them.
Xu Xiangbei smiled as he sat beside him, the sound of the dice magnifying in his mind. He could clearly distinguish the sound of the dice hitting each other, contrasting with their collision with the cup.
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