Chapter 45
After getting off work early, Qin Zhao went to the bank and withdrew 100,000 yuan. This was the minimum buy-in at the Ghost God Casino.
502 reminded her: "Host, you're going to gamble, 100,000 may not be enough. Most people only last five minutes in there with that little."
Qin Zhao was unconvinced. "That's other people."
"Host, do you know how to gamble? I didn't know you learned that in your previous world."
"I don't."
502: "..."
"Have the casino dealers gone soft, or are you getting cocky, host?"
"Don't worry, I won't fight a battle I'm not prepared for."
Outside the bank, Qin Zhao noticed someone was tailing her.
She glanced in the person's direction and they quickly turned their head, pretending to wander around.
Qin Zhao sneered, thinking to herself: With such amateurish tailing skills, it seems I'm being underestimated.
She continued walking casually towards the Ghost God Casino.
But the eunuch is more anxious than the emperor.
502: "Host, aren't you going to deal with him? It's annoying having someone follow you like that."
"Humph, I'm looking forward to it. If he doesn't follow, how will I draw out the people behind him? Let nature take its course."
Forty minutes later, Qin Zhao briskly arrived at the entrance of the Ghost God Casino.
Glancing at the pitch black sky with barely any stars, she stepped forward.
But her phone suddenly vibrated.
Who would be calling at this time?
Really bad timing.
"Hello?"
The other end was silent for a while. Just as Qin Zhao was about to hang up impatiently, the person finally spoke: "Qin Zhao, if you want to live well, leave Yuncheng as far as possible.
If you don't, you'll face mortal danger soon."
Qin Zhao tsked twice, "Another threat call? How many does this make?
You're not tired of it but I'm too lazy to even answer now."
"It's not a threat, just a warning."
"I see." Qin Zhao looked at the security checkpoint at the casino entrance and said, "Nanyue, isn't it tiring to disguise your voice like that?"
The other end was briefly at a loss for words. When he spoke again, it was with his original voice.
"Zhaozhao, you're so smart. I really can't trick you."
"It's not about being smart. You didn't even try to hide it."
She paused, then asked, "Are you living well?"
"Living well or not, those two extremes can't describe my current circumstances.
I can only say, I'm living according to my own wishes."
"Then that's good. Thank you for calling me. I'll consider what you said.
But I have to remind you, if you want to care about me, it has to be face to face.
As for what kind of face to face, you know."
Nanyue's face turned red. He yelled "Pervert!" into the phone before hanging up abruptly.
Putting down her phone, Qin Zhao suppressed the involuntary smile on her face.
She walked to the casino entrance and went through security.
The man with a goattee asked, "Little sister, first time here?"
Qin Zhao nodded.
"Alright, I'll take you in."
The Ghost God Casino had no signage. The real entrance wasn't here either.
The goattee man led her through a winding path of underground stairs and corridors for over 20 minutes.
Only then did they hear the commotion coming from the casino.
The casino itself was a repurposed abandoned subway station.
The goattee man pointed at the train tracks. "There are 9 train cars total. Each car has a different type of gambling. The deeper you go, the higher the buy-in."
"You can choose for yourself."
Qin Zhao pretended to be shy. "Thank you, goattee brother."
"Hahahaha, little sister, I like what you call me." The goattee man handed Qin Zhao his business card. "If you have any questions, give me a call."
Qin Zhao took the card and casually put it in her pocket.
As they were leaving, the man tried to cop a feel of Qin Zhao's butt with his filthy hands. Qin Zhao nimbly dodged it.
The goattee man laughed and shook his head. "You're so petty, girl. What's a little touch gonna cost you?"
Qin Zhao glared at him before striding into the first train car.
In the past, Qin Zhao attracted attention wherever she went.
But here it was different. Everyone was focused on gambling.
Most were men, with a few scattered women, likely accompanying the men.
Some had bloodshot eyes from staying up nights on end.
Some were unshaven, probably taking care of all bodily functions in the casino.
Some were greasy-faced with acne all over, the result of extreme emotional volatility.
The first car wasn't too bad yet.
The game was simple Draw Poker.
This car was much bigger than a traditional subway car, easily holding over a hundred people by Qin Zhao's estimate.
She found an empty table and sat in the "dealer" spot.
Resting her chin in hand, she watched others gamble disinterestedly.
Soon, a man in black slacks and white shirt approached.
About half the men in the car were dressed this way.
Qin Zhao shifted her gaze. The man seemed to be headed for her, intentionally blocking her view.
As he got closer, the strange smell coming off him also entered Qin Zhao's breathing space.
"Beauty, want to play cards together?" the slacks man asked.
Qin Zhao placed the card shoe against the man's belly and slowly pushed. "No."
Despite the pressure, the slacks man didn't back away, locking strength with Qin Zhao.
"You're already here, how can you leave without playing?
Beauty, you're alone and so am I. The two of us together, isn't that a perfect match?"
Qin Zhao almost laughed out loud at his cheesy chat-up line.
She pointed at the "dealer" sign on the table. "Casino rules. The dealer decides who to play with.
If you don't accept that, go talk to casino management instead of annoying me."
Hearing Qin Zhao curse, the slacks man's expression changed. "I'm giving you face here!
Don't think you can do as you please just because you're a bit pretty. I have no qualms about hitting women!"
By this point, their contest of strength was reaching its conclusion.
The man's face was purple from exertion while Qin Zhao remained composed with a rosy complexion.
The slacks man's eyes bulged in disbelief!
Qin Zhao pushed her arm forward and the man tumbled back uncontrollably.
He hit the ground before reacting to yell in pain, struggling to get up.
Just as he was about to charge at Qin Zhao again, a burly man suddenly appeared and kicked him flying!
The burly man roared, "No causing trouble in the casino!"
After hitting the ground, the slacks man slid several meters before slowly coming to a stop.
Blood poured ceaselessly from his mouth.
Soon, he had nothing left to spit out. His head slumped to the side and he moved no more.
Some busybodies went to check him.
After holding their hands under his nose for a few breaths, they laughed. "Bro couldn't even take a fall? He's dead just like that!"
Hearing this, the other gamblers paused their games and broke out in raucous laughter.
"Hahahahaha, so weak yet he's here gambling? Should've been home helping his wife pick vegetables!"
"Hahahahaha..."
The laughter died down and people soon came to remove the body.
Qin Zhao withdrew her gaze, only to see a handsome middle-aged man sitting across from her.
In a deep voice, he said: "You didn't like the previous man. Let me keep you company for a round, what do you say?"