Chapter Forty-Five: Nine Out of Ten Bets Are Lost!

The commotion here was so great that everyone else in line turned to look. Stealing? Someone actually dared to steal something at the Jiangdong Bay party, and it was the highest-tier Diamond Membership Card no less? Truly, even as a thief, this person was hopeless.

“He couldn’t possibly have stolen your card. Are you sure you’ve got this right?” Lin Peipei was the first to step forward and deny it.

“There can be no mistake. The Diamond Membership Cards are all personally issued by the organizers. Every recipient is a renowned figure in society. You students have no qualifications to obtain one,” the security captain said coldly.

“Why don’t you call and confirm? What if someone really transferred their card?” Lin Peipei was nearly frantic.

“No need! If this isn’t explained clearly, we’ll just call the police and let them handle it!” At the mention of the police, Sun Ling and the others immediately backed away, wishing they could distance themselves from Qin Mu as much as possible.

They berated Qin Mu for his shamelessness, claiming he had humiliated them before thousands. Above all, they wanted nothing to do with the police.

Sun Ling tried to pull Lin Peipei away, but saw her standing firmly in front of Qin Mu, refusing to budge.

At that moment, Chen Wenqing stepped forward. “Let’s not make a scene. I’ll apologize on behalf of my friend. Perhaps he picked it up somewhere and claimed it was a gift to save face. I’ll just get a regular membership card. My friend’s birthday is today, and I’d appreciate some flexibility.”

Pushing his glasses up, Chen Wenqing handed over his credit card, with his business card tucked beneath it.

The security guard glanced at the card, and his stern expression immediately relaxed. “So it’s Young Master Chen. Allow me to assist you.”

Once the security captain had left, Sun Ling and the others hurried over. “Young Master Chen, why did their attitude change so suddenly?”

“My family has some connections with the organizers. They’re willing to give me this courtesy,” Chen Wenqing replied, as though it were only natural.

“Thank you, Young Master Chen. If it weren’t for you, who knows how humiliated we’d be today.” Sun Ling twisted the facts, taking the opportunity to belittle Qin Mu both openly and subtly.

After all, he’d arrived so grandly in a Bugatti, yet tried to show off with a stolen card.

“It’s Peipei’s birthday today. We can’t let things turn unpleasant,” Chen Wenqing said.

The security captain returned, handing Chen Wenqing a laminated card. “Let’s go,” Chen Wenqing said, leading the group toward the VIP entrance.

“Qin Mu, they must have made some kind of mistake!” Lin Peipei followed Qin Mu, still unconvinced.

Qin Mu simply shook his head, unconcerned with such trivial matters. Just before entering, he cast a sidelong glance at the security captain.

That single look sent the burly, fierce-looking captain stumbling backward in fright, nearly dropping his stun baton.

That gaze was terrifying—completely unlike the gentle demeanor Qin Mu had shown before. “Let’s hope we never meet again,” Qin Mu said, then boarded the ship.

“Uh…”

“Captain, should we report this? Ask the higher-ups?” another guard asked.

“Go, quickly! Damn it, I really think I misjudged that guy,” the captain muttered, feeling a deep and unprecedented unease. He posted someone to stand guard and went himself to make a report.

…

The group followed the crowd upstairs. The dazzling splendor of the building captivated many classmates who’d never seen such luxury. Luminous pearls hung from the ceiling, suspended high above, radiating extravagance.

It was still early, so most people gathered in the second-floor hall, which was dedicated to food, drink, and entertainment. There was a massive dance floor, where many swayed to the music. In front of the dance floor was a small casino, with over a dozen tables for poker, dice, and more.

Many business owners clustered in the casino, shouting excitedly and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

“Want to join in?” Chen Wenqing suggested.

“I think I’ll pass,” Sun Ling hesitated. Though their families were well-off, they’d always been cautioned to keep their distance from such places.

“It’s fine—the casino manager is a good friend of my dad’s,” Chen Wenqing assured them, patting his chest. There was still plenty of time before the main event, and they needed something to pass the time.

With his encouragement, the group entered to take a look.

Chen Wenqing pulled out a credit card and loaded fifty thousand yuan, at which point several women in sexy bunny costumes approached with trays of chips.

“Play as you wish—if you win, it’s yours; if you lose, it’s on me,” Chen Wenqing said, distributing the chips.

“There’s no need. In casinos, nine out of ten bets lose,” Qin Mu warned. He’d seen more than one person lose their entire family’s fortune gambling.

Seeing this, Lin Peipei declined Chen Wenqing’s offer.

Chen Wenqing frowned, feeling a bit put out. “Friend, you’re really killing the mood. Besides, I’m paying to liven things up. It’s not your money.”

Qin Mu ignored him, and Lin Peipei stayed by his side instead of joining the others.

Seeing Qin Mu’s calm indifference, Chen Wenqing could only chuckle awkwardly and lead the other classmates to gamble.

A few bold ones placed bets with him.

Soon, after several rounds, those who followed Chen Wenqing had doubled their chips. Seeing this, the rest could no longer restrain themselves and joined in.

In no time, Sun Ling came over with a heap of chips. In just that short period, she’d won thirty thousand—several months’ worth of living expenses.

“Peipei, come on! Just bet with Young Master Chen—it’s basically free money!”

Chen Wenqing’s luck was exceptional that night. He’d been winning non-stop, and everyone except Qin Mu was swept up in the excitement.

Although Lin Peipei was reluctant, Sun Ling dragged her over and egged her on until she placed a bet.

“Peipei, I don’t know why you stick with him. Anyone would think you two were a couple,” Sun Ling sneered, glancing at Qin Mu, who sat calmly sipping his tea.

“He’s from a remarkable background. It’s normal for him not to like this sort of thing,” Lin Peipei explained.

At this, Sun Ling and the others nearly burst out laughing. That guy? First, he tried to pass off a stolen card, and now he was too stingy to gamble even a little, making Lin Peipei borrow money to play. That’s what she called a remarkable background?

“Maybe he’s just remarkably poor, ha!” someone snickered.

“He killed the fun earlier. If Young Master Chen weren’t so tolerant, he’d have been kicked out by now,” others chimed in, mocking Qin Mu as they continued to bet with Chen Wenqing.

The first few rounds were all wins—even Lin Peipei won a tidy sum. But soon, Chen Wenqing’s luck turned, and those following him began to lose money.

“Stop now,” Qin Mu said, seeing the trend shift. He walked over and glanced at the table.

But by now, they were already hooked, blind to his warning.

“Can’t you stop interfering? You were a nuisance before, and now you’re annoying us again!” Sun Ling snapped, having lost a sizable chunk of money and feeling irritable.

“Don’t listen to him, Peipei. Let’s keep playing—our luck will turn soon,” Sun Ling insisted, dragging Lin Peipei along to place another bet on ‘big.’

When the dice cup was lifted—

It was ‘small.’