160: My scalp is a little itchy

As soon as these words were spoken, Deco's buzz cut practically bristled.

The dozen or so onlookers simultaneously gasped aloud.

"How is that possible!"

"What kind of cosmic joke is this?"

"Is that for real?"

...The reputations of Wan Xingying and Wang Chao were famously two extremes in the Star Empire.

One cherished her people like her own children, and the prosperity of her territory ranked among the top in the Star Empire.

The other was infamous among all Governors for his methods of exploiting the common populace.

Most people present refused to believe these two could end up together; it was too explosive, definitely qualifying as prehistoric mega-gossip.

Deco looked up at Wan Xingying, and upon seeing her uncomfortable expression, his heart immediately relaxed.

But he immediately sensed something was wrong!

Why wasn't she letting go?

Could it be?

Everyone present also noticed this detail: although Wan Xingying looked awkward, she had not pulled away from He Ming's grasp, which spoke volumes.

Deco ground his back teeth until they felt shattered, lowering his voice and forcing out two words, one by one: "Wang... Chao!"

He Ming had no intention of pressing his advantage further; he immediately let go of her hand and casually typed a message under the table, sending it to Wan Xingying.

Wan Xingying glared fiercely at He Ming, then picked up her terminal to look.

[Cooperate fully. We'll secure a star marrow ore, and split it fifty-fifty.]

Hmm?

Wan Xingying realized what He Ming was trying to do.

But she was still very resistant to this kind of thing.

Although she disliked Deco constantly pestering her, she had never done anything so deceitful since birth... she inevitably felt some resistance.

But the moment she thought about half of an entire star marrow ore, the scales in her heart began to tip toward the star marrow ore... Thinking further, the agreement she reached with He Ming was going to be publicly announced sooner or later anyway.

Revealing it early wasn't really cheating anyone... He Ming said, "What, you don't believe me?"

Although Deco already knew the answer in his heart, he refused to believe it.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't feel as terrible as if he had eaten a pile of excrement.

Who was Wang Chao?

He was a notorious scumbag.

He had countless concubines, and the satisfaction of his subjects ranked among the lowest in the Star Empire.

How could a person like that marry Wan Xingying, who was as dazzling as a star?

Calling it a flower stuck in cow dung wouldn't even be enough to describe it.

Where exactly had he lost?

He might be slightly lacking in looks... but when it came to strength, territorial prosperity, and military power... he could definitely suppress Wang Chao, if not completely crush him.

He Ming then poured a bucket of boiling water onto the raging fire.

"Don't believe me? Ask her yourself."

Deco's lips trembled, but he couldn't speak.

Chris sneered; he desperately wished for the fire to ignite immediately.

"Wan Xingying, you couldn't have actually agreed, could you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze focused entirely on Wan Xingying.

Wan Xingying felt her scalp itch; she truly didn't want to admit her relationship with He Ming in front of everyone—it was too embarrassing.

But the arrow was already nocked, and the contract had been signed... "Yes."

When the crowd heard the answer directly from Wan Xingying, the atmosphere immediately reached a climax and exploded.

"It's actually true!"

"What massive gossip!"

"This will definitely make the intergalactic front page!"

"Coming here today was totally worth it; this news is too shocking!"

"Sigh, a beautiful flower is about to be ruined by a pig. It's painful just thinking about it."

Deco's face turned from red to black, his eyes began to lose focus, and he felt extreme tightness in his chest.

Chris said, "Deco, the card game isn't over yet. Governor Wan Xingying might have been forced to agree for some other reason. You must seize this opportunity."

Hmm!

Deco shook his head, and his eyes instantly brightened.

Thinking carefully, that made perfect sense.

He was doing reasonably well in the Star Empire and knew that the Star Empire was about to go to war with the Glorious Empire in a year!

At this point in time... Deco thought to himself, "Right! Wang Chao must have promised Governor Wan Xingying immense benefits, which is why she agreed!"

"As long as I can take the star marrow ore from Wang Chao..."

Thinking of this, Deco glanced at his card again—the Scepter!

You haven't looked at your card yet, I refuse to believe you drew the Crown!

"Wang Chao, dare to play for high stakes?"

He Ming sneered.

"Oh, it seems you drew a big card. I haven't even looked at mine yet."

Deco said, "Are you afraid to bet?"

He Ming casually picked up his card, blocking the view of the crowd, gave it a symbolic glance, and placed it back on the table.

"What are we betting?"

Deco said, "Two star marrow ores!"

He Ming said, "I won't play."

Chris sneered, "Hmph, no guts?"

At this moment, Max and Fili also cast disdainful looks toward He Ming.

"It's only two star marrow ores, and you're already afraid to bet?"

He Ming glared back.

"Then you guys join in too?"

"Since we're playing, let's make the stakes even higher."

"All four of you, one star marrow ore each."

Max sneered, "I've already folded. If you want to play, play among yourselves."

Fili chimed in, "This is between you two. Don't try to drag me into it."

He Ming turned his gaze to Chris: "What about you? I'll allow you to bet one star marrow ore."

Chris frowned, staring intently at He Ming, thinking, "Something's wrong. Wang Chao's expression is too confident. Did he draw the Crown?"

Not only Chris, but even Deco, who held the Scepter, felt uncertain.

He Ming said, "Deco, since the others don't want to play, let's quickly sign the contract."

"dealer, draft the contract."

The dealer looked at Deco and asked, "Governor Deco, do you choose to raise the stakes by adding another star marrow ore?"

Deco hesitated, the hand clutching his cards trembling slightly.

One star marrow ore—if he lost, it would be devastating.

He Ming said, "If you don't dare to call, then fold."

"Since you were the one who spoke first, don't let your words turn into hot air."

Feeling the gaze of the entire room upon him, Deco felt a lump in his throat and was deeply embarrassed.

But the words were already out. If he backed out now, how could he continue to mix in this circle?

After much hesitation, Deco tossed his cards away like a deflated balloon.

"I fold."

After uttering those three words, Deco let out a long breath, feeling completely relieved.

What was reputation compared to one star marrow ore?

He Ming shook his head slightly and casually tossed his card.

"How boring."

Just as the dealer was about to collect the cards, a busybody suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Deco's and He Ming's cards from the table.

"You don't mind if I look at the cards, right?"

Without waiting for a response, the person flipped the cards over directly.

One Scepter, one 3.

"Damn, he was bluffed."

Chris's eyes widened. He stared disbelievingly at the two cards on the table. He was bluffed?

"Hah, Governor Deco, you could have won with that hand. What a shame—four star marrow ores, just like that."

Deco clenched his fists, his scalp tingling, feeling as if he had been...