When Song Liang received Xiao Ji’s next message, Ms. Fei was informing him that he would be working the night shift.
Upstairs, in the VIP area—somewhere most people never had the chance to enter.
His services were simply too much in demand. Even one of the VIP area’s powerful regulars had heard of his reputation and paid specifically to have him there that evening.
The plan was to use him to ruin an opponent’s luck.
Song Liang was briefly too speechless to respond.
Chi Yi, on the other hand, was visibly envious. He said Song Liang had struck it lucky. VIP guests were extraordinarily generous, paying their assistants a percentage of their winnings.
Song Liang immediately agreed.
His eagerness only made Ms. Fei more concerned. She repeatedly warned him never to ask about the guests’ identities.
Even if he recognized someone, he must not tell anyone outside.
Otherwise, no one could protect him.
At first, Song Liang didn’t understand why she was so insistent.
Then he went upstairs.
Unlike the casino floor where he usually worked, the VIP area had clearly been furnished according to a professional designer’s taste rather than the owner’s eccentric preferences.
It was spacious and elegant, like the grand hall of a luxury hotel. Antique mechanical clocks and artistic oil paintings adorned the walls. Chandeliers and wall lamps cast an intoxicating glow, while faint traces of cigar smoke mingled with the scent of liquor.
Luxury and indulgence in their purest form.
The most unusual feature, however, was the guests themselves.
Every single person in the hall wore a mask.
The designs varied, but all concealed the eyes, nose, and other distinguishing features, leaving only the lips and chin exposed for conversation.
At first glance, it felt as though he had wandered into a masquerade ball.
“The games in the VIP area are different from those downstairs. The guests also need to keep their identities private, so the casino has them wear masks. Of course, after enough visits, the staff can recognize them anyway. That’s why new employees aren’t usually allowed up here. If someone leaks a guest’s identity, the casino could owe an enormous amount in compensation.”
“…”
Song Liang looked at Chi Yi beside him.
“You know quite a lot.”
Chi Yi glared.
“Obviously. I started a year before you. I’m practically a veteran. I’ve worked in the VIP area before, too. Why else would Ms. Fei tell you to listen to me?”
They followed Ms. Fei along the VIP corridor, speaking quietly, and failed to notice a middle-aged man in a suit approaching them.
Only when Ms. Fei greeted him as “Mr. Hu” did they look up.
“Hello, Mr. Hu.”
Chi Yi greeted him, then nudged Song Liang.
Song Liang followed suit before openly staring at the man’s face.
Even Hu Yue, who prided himself on his composure, was amused by such a frank, fearless appraisal.
He regarded the young man with interest and asked Ms. Fei, “Is this the newcomer covering the shift today?”
She nodded.
“This is Song.”
“Song, is it? He’s got some nerve.”
Hu Yue chuckled, then lowered his voice.
“The young master will be here today. Be attentive.”
Ms. Fei nodded, and Hu Yue left.
Song Liang asked Chi Yi, “Who’s the young master?”
“You don’t know?”
Chi Yi stared at him in disbelief.
“Aren’t you here to seduce him?”
Song Liang: “…”
What the hell? Since when was he here to seduce anyone?
His baffled expression left Chi Yi confused too.
“…Didn’t you come here because you couldn’t get Xiao Ji and decided to change targets?”
Song Liang: “…I came here to work.”
“You’re a rich heir. You need a job?”
“I want to buy Xiao Ji a car.”
“…”
Chi Yi’s eyes widened.
“You still haven’t given up?”
Song Liang remembered Xiao Ji’s message.
“We’ll be getting engaged soon.”
Chi Yi: “…”
He gave Song Liang an indescribable look.
“Forget work. Go see a psychiatrist.”
He wasn’t deliberately trying to hurt him, nor was he jealous.
They simply weren’t a suitable match.
Song Liang might be a rich heir compared with ordinary people like them. To Xiao Ji, however, he was no more significant than a stranger by the roadside.
An engagement?
Had he lost his mind?
Song Liang offered no further explanation.
“I’ll send you an invitation.”
Chi Yi had nothing left to say.
Psychiatry probably couldn’t help this man. He needed electroshock therapy.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Song Liang continued. “Who’s the young master? Isn’t Hu Yue the casino’s controlling owner?”
“Call him Mr. Hu.”
Chi Yi glared before explaining.
“The young master is the casino’s real owner, of course. Mr. Hu works for him too.”
Song Liang didn’t understand why the controlling owner wasn’t the actual owner.
“So it’s a family business?”
“You could put it that way. But casinos are sensitive businesses. To reduce risk, they generally have someone else hold the controlling interest on paper.”
“Then who exactly is the real—”
Before Song Liang could finish, several people approached from the opposite direction.
The man leading them was terribly familiar.
Strong, rakish features. A brazen, swaggering air.
And that wheat-colored skin.
Song Liang: “!”
He abruptly turned away and caught Chi Yi’s arm.
“The young master you’re talking about is Liang Ziyu?”
Chi Yi blinked.
“Yes. This casino belongs to the Xinglong Society.”
Song Liang: “…”
【…】
When it rained, it poured.
Fate certainly enjoyed tormenting an unlucky host.
Chi Yi frowned at his silence.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“My stomach hurts. I need to take leave.”
Chi Yi’s eyes widened.
“Are you serious? You’re taking leave now?!”
He spoke loudly enough to attract attention.
Liang Ziyu immediately looked their way.
Song Liang was about to leave when that familiar, languid voice sounded behind him.
“You two. Come here.”
Song Liang: “…”
3085 panicked.
【Run! Liang Ziyu really will hurt you!】
Song Liang stayed still.
【Look on the bright side. Perhaps he’s already forgotten me.】
“Song! Young Mr. Liang is calling you. Get over here!”
Seeing him rooted to the spot, Ms. Fei hurried to call him over, then explained to Liang Ziyu.
“He’s a recent hire. He normally works downstairs, but a guest specifically requested him, so I brought him up to cover the shift.”
“Oh.”
Then Liang Ziyu seemed to remember something.
“What’s his name?”
“Song Liang.”
Liang Ziyu nodded.
“Fine. As long as it isn’t Kevin. These days, just hearing that fucking name makes me want to hit someone.”
Ms. Fei smiled.
“Of course. The previous Kevin has already been dismissed. This one’s taking his place.”
Liang Ziyu gave a satisfied acknowledgment.
A short distance away, Song Liang: “…”
【…】
Ms. Fei grew annoyed when he still didn’t move.
“Song, hurry up.”
With no alternative, Song Liang took a mask from his pocket and put it on. Then he turned, approached, and lowered his head.
“Young Mr. Liang.”
There was a brief silence.
Then Liang Ziyu spoke, sounding puzzled.
“Why do you look familiar? And why am I suddenly pissed off for no reason?”
Song Liang: “…”
【…】
Now that was holding a grudge.
He hadn’t even recognized the man yet.
The anger had arrived first.
Leave a Reply