Chapter Seventy-Two: Want to Gamble Without Enough Money?

The moment I heard Suli’s voice, my mind went numb. This woman always managed to make things difficult for me at the most crucial moments.

I took a deep breath, turned my head, and stared at her coldly.

“Suli, this is the key moment of the bet. You’re not planning to bring up qualifications now, are you?” I lowered my voice, striving to stay calm.

Suli merely sneered, “Wang Hu, are you scared? But don’t worry, this time I won’t compete with you. I just want to remind you—don’t forget what you promised me. If you lose, you have to take full responsibility!”

Her words put my mind at ease. As long as she didn’t interfere, all would be well.

“So, may I begin?” Gao Youde snorted and looked at me.

I nodded.

At that moment, everyone’s attention was fixed on the stone gambling table.

Gao Youde held his raw stone confidently, as if he was certain of his choice. He handed the stone to the stonecutter, who began to slice it carefully. With each cut, the audience’s hearts leapt into their throats. As the cutting progressed, the inner contents of the stone slowly revealed themselves.

Suddenly, the stonecutter stopped his tool, a look of surprise on his face.

“This... this is High-Ice Jade!” he exclaimed.

The crowd erupted in astonishment, and Gao Youde’s face broke into a triumphant smile. Old Leopard Chen frowned slightly, worry flickering in his eyes.

This was ten million—the last ten million of Old Leopard Chen! Though it wasn’t all his assets...

According to the rules, after the final round of increased stakes, no more raises could be made! Otherwise, the stone bet would have no end!

My heart tightened and I clenched my teeth in secret.

Suli sneered at my side, “Wang Hu, looks like you’d better prepare your wallet.”

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. Gao Youde’s High-Ice Jade was truly astonishing.

Both onstage and off, people began discussing Gao Youde’s stone, their voices rising and falling.

“High-Ice Jade, truly a rare material!” an old gambler sighed.

“I’m afraid Gao Youde will win this round for sure. Wang Hu’s in real trouble this time,” another chimed in, his tone tinged with schadenfreude.

Listening to these comments, I felt a growing calm. In stone gambling, victory and defeat shift in an instant; such chatter meant nothing to me.

Gao Youde gave me a smug glance, victory assured, his eyes full of challenge, as if waiting for me to show disappointment.

I ignored his provocation and instead looked at Old Leopard Chen. Though his brow was tightly knit, his gaze remained sharp. Clearly, he hadn’t given up hope.

He said lightly, “White-yellow, willow-grey—they’re all one family... I leave it all to you!”

Suli, seeing that I wasn’t fazed by Gao Youde’s smug expression, sneered even more coldly, “Wang Hu, you’d better not forget what you promised me.”

I nodded, indicating I hadn’t forgotten.

By now, the stonecutter had fully sliced open Gao Youde’s stone. The dazzling High-Ice Jade sparkled under the lights, drawing gasps from everyone.

The staff at the side reacted differently, too. Several appraisers gathered around, perhaps never having seen such pure jade before.

Its quality exceeded their expectations.

“This High-Ice Jade has extraordinary transparency and no impurities; it’s the finest of the fine,” an elderly appraiser said, his voice reverent.

“Yes, jade like this is extremely rare on the market. Its value must be at least thirty million,” a younger appraiser added excitedly.

Hearing this estimate, the crowd erupted again, chattering animatedly.

“Thirty million! Gao Youde has really struck gold this time!”

“Wang Hu is probably doomed.”

Despite the noise, I remained unshaken.

Suli’s face was dark and grim. Her vicious gaze settled on me. “Wang Hu, if your funds aren’t enough to cover your loss, you’d better figure it out yourself. We agreed, after all!”

The staff’s valuation had clearly startled Suli. If thirty million was the price, the combined funds between Suli and me barely covered the stone. There’d be only a hundred thousand or so left—not nearly enough for three or five stones!

She and I would lose everything to Gao Youde!

I had to admit, Gao Youde’s luck was extraordinary.

Before I could speak, Suli turned to Gao Youde, “Gao Youde, let me ask you something. Aren’t you worried this guy can’t pay up?”

She sneered, “The funds I have with him only make up thirty-two million and fifty thousand, split between us, so we each actually have fifteen million. If he loses, fifteen million against thirty million—is that acceptable to you?”

Frankly, I hadn’t expected Suli to fan the flames at such a critical moment.

Gao Youde looked at me triumphantly, as if he already saw my defeat. Hearing Suli’s words, he suddenly realized, slapping his forehead, “Ah, Wang Hu, I hadn’t thought of that—thanks to Miss Su for the reminder!”

“I have to ask, what about the difference? You’re not planning to borrow my money and win against me, are you? We’re not at the final round yet!”

I replied calmly, “The stone hasn’t been opened yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Gao Youde sneered, “Why am I in a hurry? If the stone is opened and you lose but don’t have the money, isn’t that cheating? That’s against the rules!”

Suli’s mocking laughter echoed in my ears, and Gao Youde’s smugness irritated me further.

Just as the stonecutter was about to slice my raw stone, Gao Youde suddenly reached out to stop him.

“Wait!” he shouted, his eyes gleaming with cunning. “Wang Hu, you haven’t gathered your funds yet—how can you start cutting?”

I frowned, cursing Gao Youde’s slyness inwardly.

Suli sneered from the side, “He’s right, Wang Hu. If you don’t have the money, how can you keep gambling?”

The audience began to murmur, some even questioning me.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

“Fine, Gao Youde, you want me to gather the money first?” I looked at him coldly.

Gao Youde scoffed, “It’s not what I want—it’s the rule. No one wants to play games with a speculator, am I right?”

He laughed heartily, as if victory was already his. “Wang Hu, if you can’t gather the funds, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Then he turned to Lu Yier, “Boss Lu, you’re the organizer of this stone gambling event. Isn’t it reasonable to expel someone who doesn’t have enough money?”