43: This is a good thing!

The air in the second-floor gambling hall seemed to freeze at that hoarse, desperate accusation.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Chuan's pinned-down left hand.

At that moment, it felt as if even time had stopped flowing.

The hands of Mr. Liu and Master Zhang, wrapped in gauze and still seeping blood, served as a reminder to everyone of what had just happened here.

"Heh."

A light chuckle broke the suffocating silence.

Lin Chuan didn't struggle, letting the lackey who was acting like a mad dog press down on his hand. Instead, his eyes held the leisurely look of someone watching a play.

"Catch a cheat, catch the loot."

Lin Chuan spoke unhurriedly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chill that made one's skin crawl.

"Broken Finger Qiang, we all know the rules of the underworld."

"Are you sure you want your man to accuse me?"

Broken Finger Qiang stared intently at Lin Chuan's cuff.

That scene just now was too obvious!

He definitely hid cards!

No matter how brilliant Lin Chuan's technique was, it was impossible for him to make three playing cards disappear right under his nose!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not only could he win back what he lost, but he could also bite back and make this kid leave his life here!

"Positive!"

Broken Finger Qiang gritted his teeth, his tone grim.

"These two eyes of mine aren't blind yet!"

"I saw it crystal clear! You've definitely got goods in your sleeve!"

"Fine."

Lin Chuan nodded, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp as a knife, piercing straight at the lackey holding him down.

"Then let's settle this account according to the rules."

"This round, we're playing fried golden flower."

"The ante is one million, no limit."

Lin Chuan held up three fingers.

"Now, I'm going to bet another five million on top of this ante!"

"Meaning, if you find anything, I'll admit defeat. My hands go to you, and the money goes to you."

"However!"

Lin Chuan's tone shifted, his voice suddenly rising like a clap of thunder.

"If you don't find anything!"

"According to the rules set just now, that's framing the dealer!"

"You'll have to pay me double! That's ten million!"

"And you'll have to leave both hands behind!"

Lin Chuan pointed at Long Wu, who was standing nearby, cracking his neck.

"Ten million, do you have it?"

The lackey trembled all over, his eyes instantly filling with terror.

Ten million?

He wouldn't be worth that much even if he sold his entire family!

"If you don't..."

The corner of Lin Chuan's mouth curled into a cruel arc.

"Then it won't be as simple as losing hands."

"I'll have Long Wu kick you straight into the wall, just like he did that trash earlier. You'll be plastered on so well they won't be able to scrape you off!"

Boom!

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the lackey's head.

He subconsciously loosened his grip, and his legs began to shake uncontrollably.

Ghost Hand Cheng's miserable state was still fresh in his mind, and the hole in the wall hadn't even been patched yet!

Being kicked to death?

That way of dying was too terrifying!

"Qiang... Brother Qiang..."

The lackey spoke with a sob, turning to look at Broken Finger Qiang with eyes full of pleading.

"Maybe... maybe we should just forget it..."

He was truly afraid.

This wasn't catching a cheat; this was gambling with his life!

"Useless trash!!"

Broken Finger Qiang slapped the lackey across the face.

"What the hell are you afraid of!"

"I saw it! It's in his sleeve! I can't be wrong!"

Broken Finger Qiang was also in a bind. If he backed down now, all his momentum would vanish. How would he lead his men in the future?

Besides, he was certain! One hundred percent certain!

"Search him!"

"Fine!" The lackey could only steel himself to proceed with the search.

He searched several times, but found the sleeves empty. It was the same even after Lin Chuan took off his trench coat.

"How the hell is that possible!"

Broken Finger Qiang shoved the cowardly lackey aside and rushed forward himself, his eyes as fierce as a vengeful ghost out for blood.

"I'll search you myself! I don't believe you could make them vanish!"

"Be my guest!"

Lin Chuan spread his arms wide, looking perfectly composed.

"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled!"

"Lest you find nothing and then say I, Lin Chuan, am bullying people!"

Broken Finger Qiang no longer cared about decorum and went straight to work.

First, the left cuff.

Nothing!

Completely empty!

Broken Finger Qiang's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Impossible!

How could there be nothing? He clearly saw them being stuffed in just now!

He felt the right cuff, the pockets of the trench coat, and even checked Lin Chuan's armpits and back.

Nothing!

Still nothing!

Those three cards seemed to have evaporated into thin air!

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

Broken Finger Qiang looked as if he'd seen a ghost, muttering to himself, completely stunned.

He grabbed the remaining cards on the table and began counting like a madman.

"One, two, three..."

Not a single one missing!

Fifty-two cards, perfectly intact!

Meaning, from a physical standpoint, the deck was never short a card!

Since none were missing, how could Lin Chuan have hidden any?

Was the so-called card-hiding just an illusion shared by Broken Finger Qiang and his lackey?

Or rather, was it a feint Lin Chuan deliberately performed for them to see!

"How can this be..."

Broken Finger Qiang slumped onto the floor, the cards in his hand scattering everywhere.

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

Everyone looked at Lin Chuan as if he were a monster.

This move was played too perfectly!

It was divine!

The movement had clearly been so clumsy, yet when actually searched, he was as clean as a blank sheet of paper!

This was a true master! Blending truth and falsehood, playing you in the palm of his hand!

"Hahahaha!"

A wild laugh broke the silence.

Chu Xiong, who had been feeling stifled to death, finally exploded.

The sensation of soaring from hell to heaven in an instant made his old face smile like a blooming sunflower.

"Good! Excellent!"

"Broken Finger Qiang! You finally have your day!"

Chu Xiong strode forward, pointing at the terrified, slumped lackey, his voice booming like a bell.

"Weren't you acting tough just now? Didn't you want to chop off hands?"

"What do you have to say now?!"

"Framing an innocent man! And in front of everyone!"

"Just now, you broke the hands of two of my Chu Family's masters!"

"Now, the tables have turned!"

"Mr. Lin!"

Chu Xiong turned to look at Lin Chuan, his eyes filled with admiration and awe.

"I say we don't waste any more breath. Let's not even take his hand. Just let Brother Long Wu send them on their way!"

"Consider it our way of ridding the Hong Kong Island underworld of a pest! Hahahaha!"

"Good idea."

Lin Chuan nodded slightly, his gaze indifferent.

"Long Wu."

"That one..."

Lin Chuan pointed at the lackey slumped on the floor.

"It seems he can't pay. In that case, send him to the wall to keep that other one company."

"Yes!"

Long Wu responded. His tower-like muscles tensed again, and he exuded a terrifying baleful aura as he walked toward the lackey step by step.

"Aaaah!!!"

The lackey was so scared he lost control of his bladder on the spot, and the smell of urine instantly filled the air.

"No! Brother Qiang, save me! Brother Qiang, save me!!"

He desperately tried to hide behind Broken Finger Qiang, crying with snot and tears streaming down his face.

Broken Finger Qiang's face was also deathly pale, and his whole body was shaking.

Save him?

With what?

He was the one who set the rules, and he was the one who forced the man to step forward.

Now that they'd lost, according to the rules, this lackey was a dead man!

But.

If he really didn't save him...

Broken Finger Qiang glanced at the eyes of the other subordinates around him.

Terror, disappointment, even hostility.

It was true; he had forced the man to make the accusation. If he didn't protect him now that things had gone south, how could he ever lead again?

If he let Lin Chuan kick another lackey to death right in front of him today, his crew would completely fall apart!

Who would ever risk their life for him again?

This was a psychological execution!

"Wait!!"

Seeing Long Wu's terrifyingly large foot about to lift.

Broken Finger Qiang suddenly lunged up from the floor and roared.

"Don't do it!!"

"I'll pay!!"

"I'll pay, alright?!!"

After shouting those three sentences, Broken Finger Qiang looked like a defeated rooster, his entire being slumping in defeat.

"Oh?"

Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow and signaled for Long Wu to pause.

"Finally willing to pay."

"Since you, Broken Finger Qiang, are so loyal, I'm not an unreasonable person."

"Buying a life with money? Fine!"

"Take all the money Boss Chu lost here, including that IOU, with interest."

"Hand it all over."

"If you're short even a single cent, that kick is still happening."

"I'll give it... I'll give it all..."

Broken Finger Qiang gritted his teeth, his heart bleeding.

Not only had he worked all night for nothing, but he also had to pay out over ten million!

Even the reputation he'd built up before was being lost tonight!

But he had no choice.

Compared to money, lives and loyalty were more important.

Soon.

Several large cases of US dollars, along with the IOU that had just been signed and was still warm, were brought to the table.

Broken Finger Qiang's hands were shaking as he looked at the money.

"Take it! It's all here!"

"In the future! Don't let me see you again! Get out!!"

Chu Tianbiao laughed and walked to the table: "What's the matter, Broken Finger Qiang? You don't dare to keep gambling?"

Broken Finger Qiang's face was dark. He'd lost all his money, and this Lin Chuan was so uncanny. With a one-million-dollar ante and being dealt 4-7-8 every time, what did he have to gamble with?

"It's late. I need my sleep! We'll fight another day!"

Broken Finger Qiang said resentfully.

Lin Chuan remained calm and pronounced the result: "Fine, then this time we from Harbin have won a round. You don't object, do you?"

"Hmph, I, Broken Finger Qiang, can afford to lose. I was up too late with my woman yesterday, so I'm not in top form today. Another day, I'll go to Harbin to get my payback."

Hearing Broken Finger Qiang admit defeat.

The Chu Family party was incredibly excited, and Chu Jiaojiao clapped her hands happily.

"Lin Chuan, you're amazing!"

"As soon as you stepped in, you crushed that Broken Finger Qiang."

"What a satisfying victory!"

Broken Finger Qiang gritted his teeth but could do nothing.

He was truly afraid of this malevolent star, Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan didn't even glance at the money, as if the cases were filled with scrap paper.

He casually picked up the IOU and the case of money.

"Thank you for the compliment, Third Miss."

Then, under the shocked gazes of everyone.

He turned and handed the IOU and a case of money to Chu Yueli.

"Miss Chu."

Lin Chuan's voice was as gentle as jade, with no trace of the ruthless decisiveness he'd shown just moments ago.

"These belonged to the Chu Family in the first place."

"I'm returning them to their rightful owner."

"I know tonight's events must have startled you. Consider this a little something to soothe your nerves."

Chu Yueli stared blankly at the case of US dollars before her, then at Lin Chuan's handsome face.

Her heart was pounding as if it were about to jump out of her throat.

The Chu Family had lost over ten million today, and Lin Chuan had given them back everything he'd won.

Keep in mind.

This was an amount of money many people couldn't earn in several lifetimes!

And he just gave it away so casually?

"How much magnanimity does this take?"

"How deep is his background?"

"Lin Chuan! This... this is too much!" Chu Yueli stammered, wanting to decline.

"Take it."

Lin Chuan stuffed the case into her arms, brooking no argument.

"Compared to a friend, what is money?"

This statement took his charisma to the absolute maximum.

Beside them, Chu Tianbiao's eyes were wide as he swallowed hard.

Good grief!

Is this the power of a white glove for a Young Master from the Capital?

No wonder he could become a white glove for a Young Master from the Capital!

Ten million, and he didn't even blink!

This kind of person must never be crossed!

Not only should he not be crossed, but he also had to be treated like an ancestor!

If they could latch onto this powerful figure, wouldn't they be able to walk tall in the casinos of Hong Kong Island or the mainland in the future?

"Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Lin!"

Chu Xiong was also flushed with excitement. He quickly stepped forward, casting aside his dignity as an elder to give Lin Chuan a deep bow.

"Mr. Lin! Before, I, Chu, failed to recognize your greatness!"

"I have offended you greatly!!"

"Not only did you help us win back the money, but you also saved the Chu Family's face!"

"From now on, you are the benefactor of our Chu Family! If there's anything you need, just tell me!"

"As long as it's within my, Chu Xiong's, power, I will not refuse!"

This bow was given with complete sincerity.

At this moment, Lin Chuan's status in the hearts of the Chu Family members was elevated to that of a god!

"Uncle Chu, you're being too polite."

Lin Chuan smiled as he helped Chu Xiong up. "Since Yueli and I are friends, then we're family. No need for such formalities."

"Yes, yes! Family! Family!"

Chu Xiong nodded repeatedly, then turned to look at Chu Yueli, who was still standing there in a daze, his tone becoming exceptionally solemn.

"Yueli! You must get closer to Mr. Lin in the future!"

"Mr. Lin is a dragon among men. You should learn more from him!"

"Do you hear me?"

The hint in his eyes couldn't have been more obvious.

He might as well have said it directly.

Daughter, hurry up and snag this golden son-in-law for me.

"I know, Dad..." Chu Yueli lowered her head, her face flushed, but her heart was full of joy.

However.

Just then.

Chu Jiaojiao, who had been standing by silently, had a strange light flickering in her eyes.

From childhood, she had always wanted to snatch away whatever her sister, Chu Yueli, had.

Clothes, jewelry, toys, even their parents' affection.

And now.

Looking at Lin Chuan—who had dominated the casino, treated money like dirt, and was both handsome and cool.

Then looking at her sister's shy and timid appearance.

The competitive drive and jealousy in Chu Jiaojiao's heart began to grow like wild weeds.

Such a perfect man.

Why should he only belong to that pretentious sister of hers?

"I want him too!"

"Besides, I'm younger than my sister, I'm better at acting cute, and I'm more open!"

"I don't believe I can't snatch him away!"

"Brother Lin~"

Chu Jiaojiao suddenly adopted a sickly sweet voice and swayed her hips as she walked over to Lin Chuan, her peach-blossom eyes fluttering.

"I was almost scared to death just now."

"Thanks to you. You're just too amazing!"

"Can you take Jiaojiao along to play in the future too? I want to learn a few moves from Brother Lin~"

As she spoke, she deliberately rubbed her soft chest against Lin Chuan's arm and gave Chu Yueli a provocative look.

Chu Yueli's expression changed, and her brow furrowed.

This brat is at it again!

In his previous life, Lin Chuan had lost his two 'big players' and never had any feelings for women.

In this life, being rubbed against by a top-tier beauty like Chu Jiaojiao...

...instantly gave him a comfortable sense of pleasure.

Damn, men should really hang out with women; this is fun!

It would be even better if Chu Yueli held his other arm.

Lin Chuan thought to himself.

"Haha, sure, there'll be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Brother Lin, you're so nice."

Mwah!

Chu Jiaojiao excitedly leaned in and kissed Lin Chuan on the cheek.

She left a lipstick mark on Lin Chuan's right cheek.

Chu Yueli gritted her teeth: "Jiaojiao, what are you doing!"

Chu Jiaojiao laughed: "Sister, don't think I didn't see. Lin Chuan has a lipstick mark on his left cheek that looks exactly like your lips. If you can kiss him, why can't I?"

"You!" Chu Yueli was suddenly speechless.

It was true. Downstairs just now, in her excitement, she had indeed kissed Lin Chuan.

Chu Tianbiao went to Chu Xiong's side and whispered: "Dad, this isn't good, is it? Two sisters pursuing Lin Chuan together... it'll become a joke."

Chu Xiong watched his two daughters being jealous and squabbling. Far from being angry, he was actually very happy.

If both daughters pursued Lin Chuan together, wouldn't the probability of securing him be even higher!

Chu Xiong looked at Chu Tianbiao and gave a mysterious smile: "This is a good thing!"