286: Why act in a melodramatic play?

Lei Jun was not heartless.

Moreover, the faces of Atapong and his wife utterly disgusted her.

Allowing such scum to succeed and seize such ill-gotten wealth also made her feel very uneasy.

But how could she help?

Give them money directly? What good would that do? Besides, it might not solve the problem; Atapong might just raise the stakes again.

Forcibly stop the gambling match?

There was no reason to.

Just as she was thinking quickly, Su Cha, hugging her leg, cried out in despair, “Is there really no other way?! I... I just borrowed another two hundred thousand in online loans! If I lose, how will I pay it back?! They'll pressure me to death!”

What?

Lei Jun looked down at Su Cha, who was a sobbing mess at her feet.

Two hundred thousand? Online loans? Was he crazy? He was already at the end of his rope, yet he still dared to take out online loans?

Su Qing and Su Ya looked thunderstruck, staring blankly at their older brother.

Two hundred thousand... online loans?

How could Brother dare?

They both worked hard and knew how difficult it was to earn money, and how terrifying online loans could be.

What?

Two hundred thousand in online loans? Su Cha actually went and borrowed another two hundred thousand in online loans at a time like this? Had he completely lost his mind?!

Wenchalong, who had been slumped in his chair, shot up as if electrocuted when he heard his son's cry!

Two hundred thousand... online loans?

Not only was his son about to lose all the family's fixed assets, but he had also taken on two hundred thousand in online loans?

That was usury!

Interest compounding interest would kill them!

He could almost see those fierce debt collectors blocking their doorway, splashing paint, writing large characters, loudly cursing, and making the whole village aware—all shortly after his son's wedding day... The good reputation their old Su family had honestly and painstakingly maintained for a lifetime would instantly shatter into pieces, becoming the laughingstock of the entire village, even the entire county!

Everywhere Wenchalong went, people would point fingers and whisper that his son was a gambler who owed a mountain of debt!

“No!!!”

He scrambled and lunged toward Lei Jun, crying and pleading incoherently.

“Miss Lei! Boss Lei! Noble person! Living Bodhisattva! Please! Have mercy! Save our family! Save this disappointing, rebellious son! We can't lose! We truly cannot lose! Losing the money is one thing, but if... if the debt collectors come knocking, our family will be utterly disgraced!”

“How... how can I continue living in the village after this! I might as well die! Please! You are so capable, you must have a solution! As long as you can help us get through this, our whole family will set up an eternal memorial tablet for you! We'll burn incense and pray for you every day! We'll repay you by serving you like oxen and horses! Please! I beg you! I'm kowtowing to you!!”

Looking at the desperately pleading Su family father and son, the tearful Su Qing and Su Ya, and Pinya, who stood pale-faced beside them with a look of determination and hope, Lei Jun sighed.

She genuinely did not want trouble, but the misery before her, the family's despair, and the loyalty of Su Qing and Su Ya made it impossible for her to remain completely uninvolved.

But how could she help?

The game itself, Atapong's cards, Su Cha's cards, the stakes, the rules, Atapong's personality weaknesses... Suddenly, an idea became clear.

The only way she could legally intervene and change the situation was to sit at the table herself, replace Su Cha, and use her God-level Gambling Skill to defeat Atapong in the game!

Only this way could she win back the stakes and resolve the crisis.

However, there was one huge prerequisite: Atapong had to agree to the substitution!

Was that possible?

Atapong wasn't stupid; he was about to win everything, so why would he agree to let an outsider replace his collapsing opponent?

Difficult.

Extremely difficult.

She stated directly.

“If I went up there, relying on... well, relying on my understanding and calculation of the game, I might have a chance to win back some of the money from Atapong, or even turn the tables.”

“But there is one major problem: Atapong is not an idiot. Why would he agree to switch players midway? It doesn't comply with the rules, nor does it benefit him in any way. Therefore, it's almost impossible.”

After she finished speaking, she looked at Su Cha, her meaning perfectly clear.

I've said it, but it amounts to nothing; just give up.

Su Cha had already been despairing.

He hadn't expected Lei Jun to actually propose a method. Although the method was ridiculous, it was still a method!

It was better than losing everything he owned!

If Lei Jun could play for him, with her mysterious capabilities, maybe she really could win!

This thought was like a shot of adrenaline, restoring a bit of strength and the ability to think to Su Cha.

He let go of Lei Jun's leg and his mind began racing wildly.

Lei Jun was right; the biggest hurdle was why Atapong would agree.

That Atapong fellow—cunning, stingy, and vicious—was about to win everything. How could he possibly allow a substitution and introduce variables?

What should he do? How could he make Atapong agree?

Su Cha's eyes darted around anxiously, and the veins on his forehead pulsed.

Threaten him? They had no leverage. Bribe him? They had nothing left to offer. Reason with him? As if Atapong would listen!

Should he... use reverse psychology? Or say something to provoke him? Or... beg him? Appeal to their kinship? Bah! If Atapong cared about family ties, he wouldn't have pushed him this far!

Su Cha's mind was a mess. The more he thought, the more desperate he became, and the small glimmer of hope that had just risen quickly faded.

Atapong was currently frowning, watching the commotion on Su Cha's side with suspicion.

He saw Su Cha look at the cards Lei Jun had shown him, then lose all spirit, suddenly break down, cry out, and even grab the Silver-haired Beauty's leg.

Su Qing and Su Ya also followed suit, crying and pleading.

What were they doing?

What exactly did that Lei Jun show Su Cha?

Or rather, what did she do?

Atapong started to feel uneasy.

Could it be... that Lei Jun really had something strange about her?

Or were Su Cha and the others deliberately putting on an act to gain sympathy or distract him?

Atapong guessed and guessed but couldn't figure it out.

But he instinctively felt that something was wrong.

“Hey, Su Cha!”

He shouted impatiently.

“What melodrama are you acting out over there? Crying and wailing—have you no shame? Are you going to match the bet or not? If you can't produce two hundred thousand, just concede quickly! Don't waste everyone's time!”

He mocked loudly.

“Look at you! Losing a bit of money and acting like your parents died, even grabbing that young woman's leg? Have you no dignity? Do you, in your pathetic state, deserve to play for such high stakes? Go home and farm, and stop embarrassing yourself!”

Su Cha trembled with rage but was powerless to refute him.

Wenchalong was so ashamed his face was crimson, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at anyone.

Having finished his humiliation, Atapong felt slightly better, and he rapped on the table.

“I'm giving you one minute! Su Cha, if you can't produce two hundred thousand to match the bet within one minute, or put up something else of equivalent value, then you forfeit!”

“Everything on this table will then belong to me, Atapong!”