Hidden Assassin 298

“Your Japanese friend cheated in our gambling game. What do you say we do about it?”

Two men stood at the doorway, their words sharp and harsh. Jia Ming looked back at Ya Han, who was sleeping soundly in bed, then pressed his forehead, a touch of helplessness in his expression.

“Uh…you guys lost so fast?”

“What are you saying?!”

“Gu Jia Ming, what do you mean?”

Jia Ming’s words, seemingly innocuous, struck a nerve, provoking a violent reaction from the two. One pointed a finger accusingly, while the other seemed ready to grab Jia Ming or push him. Even though Jia Ming was a person who wouldn’t be bullied easily, that didn’t mean everyone feared him. In the Huang family, it was more likely that people just found him boring and ignored him.

Jia Ming furrowed his brows. Being shoved was one thing, but if the door opened a bit wider, they would inevitably see Ya Han in bed. Although they were “brother and sister” in the purest sense of the word, it wouldn’t be good if these strangers saw them. Taking a step back, he slammed the door shut in their faces.

“What’s there to talk about? It’s against the rules. Whoever cheats gets dragged out and beaten.”

The two men pounded on the door a few times, shouting, “Gu Jia Ming, you’ll remember this!” If they were still eleven or twelve, they might have already broken down the door and stormed in. But now they were older, and things like fighting wouldn’t be so readily resorted to. Hearing their footsteps fade away, Jia Ming shook his head.

If Tian Yu Zheng Ze really wanted to cheat, why would he be caught by these rookies? They probably just assumed that he was a foreigner with no connections. They lost money and wanted to find an excuse to shirk their debts. If they were really going to drag Tian Yu Zheng Ze out and beat him up, he’d go out and have a look. It was just that it was hard to say who would end up getting beaten up. He sat down by the bed, about to grab another new comic book, but then hesitated.

Something wasn’t right. These guys, although they liked to cheat and win money, wouldn’t be so low as to do this. The Huang family was facing a difficult time right now, but it was still a wealthy family. These young adults wouldn’t have any trouble coming up with a few thousand or ten thousand. Tian Yu Zheng Ze’s gambling skills weren’t ordinary. If you just looked at the wins and losses, Huang Jianpeng, a petty thug, should have realized the other man’s prowess after losing money. This guy had a bad reputation, and most people knew he cheated, but if he blamed others for cheating every time he lost, how could he possibly keep running a gambling den? That being said, the fact that they were so quick to accuse the other party meant there was something else going on…

After thinking for a while, he pulled up the covers for Ya Han, who was still asleep, closed the curtains, and then pushed the door open, heading towards the reception room to watch the commotion.

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The Huang family villa was large. The reception room in the main house wasn’t just one room, but several. Today, for the funeral, one of them was being used as a gathering place for the younger generation. A large group of young men and women were standing or sitting around, chatting and joking, enjoying themselves. This particular gathering consisted mostly of young people under thirty who were closely tied to the Huang family. As a result, unlike other areas, the atmosphere here wasn’t filled with gloom and oppression. Some people were solemn, some were mysterious, and some were lively and boisterous, creating a chaotic scene.

Most of them were used to being spoiled brats, but compared to others, they had a certain amount of ambition. They had always been successful, so they were less likely to be worn down by reality. Now that the Huang family was in such a predicament, these people were naturally using their imaginations, coming up with one plan after another, all aimed at rescuing the Huang family from its predicament, to save the sinking ship. Those who were more down-to-earth, having experienced the harsh realities of society, called on everyone to work together and prove that even if Huang Bingxiang fell, the future of the Huang family was still in their hands, and they still had hope.

One after another spoke eloquently and passionately, even though most of it was just empty talk. But the atmosphere was still fairly good. In this lively atmosphere, two seventeen or eighteen-year-old girls rushed in from the outside with excited expressions, whispering something to their companions. When Jia Ming arrived, he saw a group of young men and women heading towards the lawn from the other door, all heading towards the mourning hall. He didn’t know what kind of big shot they were interested in, but something had clearly caught their attention.

Suddenly, half the crowded reception room emptied out. Jia Ming could easily see that in the corner of the hall, at a long table, the two cousins who had called him out earlier, along with Huang Jianpeng and his group, were arguing with someone. Tian Yu Zheng Ze, clad in white leisure sportswear, sat there with a look of helplessness, while beside him stood two rarely seen Huang family cousins, one big and one small, pounding on the table and confronting Huang Jianpeng.

Jia Ming rarely stayed in the villa, only appearing for occasional clan gatherings. He knew that these two women were his cousins based on their generation, but he had never even greeted them. However, he had an uncanny memory, and he knew that the younger woman in a black dress was called Huang Fei Fei. She was currently attending university in a nearby city. The other woman, in her late twenties, was a white-collar worker named Huang Ruoxin. She had already entered the workforce and was currently the financial manager of a subsidiary of the Huang Group.

Although nearly half the people in the reception room had left, the excitement here remained, with many people gathered around to watch. Judging from the situation, it seemed that the two women were joining forces with Tian Yu Zheng Ze to debate Huang Jianpeng and his seven companions. Tian Yu Zheng Ze was currently cutting his nails in a bored manner, saying nothing. This left the situation as a two-on-seven battle. But when it came to arguing, women always had the upper hand in a situation where violence wasn’t possible. Huang Fei Fei, normally not known for being a shrew, was glaring at Huang Jianpeng with anger. Huang Ruoxin, on the other hand, was coldly smiling, calmly dealing with Huang Jianpeng and his crew’s loud voices.

Huang Ruoxin had been working for a long time. She was recognized for her ability and managed a group of people. Her OL attire with stockings, heels, and earrings was somewhat similar to Ya Han’s usual style when she attended social events. But Huang Ruoxin was from a collateral branch of the Huang family, and she had gone through a lot of struggles and hardships before gaining recognition. Although her temperament was also cold and arrogant, it had a certain sharpness like ice picks. Ya Han, who had received a proper aristocratic education, was also often perceived as arrogant and aloof, but her sense of distance was peaceful and serene. Her every gesture and expression conveyed a sense of composure without being overly hurtful. However, Huang Ruoxin’s sharpness and coldness were clearly suppressing Huang Jianpeng and his crew’s arrogance, giving them the impression of a negotiation. She calmly spoke, her slender fingers tapping elegantly and calmly on the table with her left hand, putting psychological pressure on the other side.

“…You’re not making any sense, and you have no evidence. Huang Jianpeng, everyone in the family knows you’re the one who cheats! This man is a guest from afar, and you’re accusing him of cheating without any logic or proof. Today is a special day, and I really don’t want to swear. You better watch your mouth!”

“What…what are you saying? I cheat? If I cheated, I wouldn’t have lost to him! Eleven games in a row, and every single time, he just cut my cards! How could there be such a coincidence?”

“Huang Jianpeng, I’ll tell you, I’ve seen gambling games where people bet hundreds of thousands in Macau. If you’re saying someone cheated, you better have evidence. If you can’t afford to lose, don’t worry. We’re all family. I have money here. Do you want me to write you a check?”

“Huang Ruoxin, you…”

Huang Ruoxin’s words were sharp and direct, putting Huang Jianpeng in a position of being incapable and dependent. Because she was a woman, and because Huang Ruoxin also held a certain position in the family, she couldn’t be easily cursed or beaten up. The man across from her instantly flushed red, then repeated things like “He cut my cards eleven times in a row, clearly cheating, on purpose…” and so on. The six or seven people beside him chimed in, but they were ultimately at a disadvantage. Everyone watching was filled with disdain. However, the first thing Jia Ming noticed was the silver ring on Huang Ruoxin’s left index finger. It also swayed on the table as she tapped with her finger.

According to international custom, there was only one meaning to wearing a ring on the index finger: waiting for love.

Standing at the doorway, Jia Ming chuckled knowingly. When Tian Yu Zheng Ze sensed Jia Ming’s arrival, he deliberately tilted his head and glanced in the rearview mirror. After the two sides had argued for a while, he stood up with a smile. “It’s just a misunderstanding. It’s just a game. Why take it so seriously? Since Huang brother feels it’s unfair, just take these twenty thousand back, and let’s pretend it never happened.”

“I don’t want your money!” Huang Jianpeng protested loudly. Huang Ruoxin had been arguing with Huang Jianpeng for a long time, and now seeing the man beside her change sides, she said, “You don’t have to give him face.” Huang Fei Fei chimed in from the side. Tian Yu Zheng Ze smiled and said a few polite words, looking like he was done with this. He pulled back his chair, turning to leave, but Jia Ming had already walked over to him, pointing two fingers at him and disdainfully pursing his lips. “You Japanese devil…cheating.”

“Do you have any objections?”

Tian Yu Zheng Ze shrugged with a smile. Jia Ming looked indifferent. “Do I need to say anything? Cheating…” He spread his hands, as if it were obvious. “Of course, you get dragged out and beaten. I’ll kick your ass every time I see you from now on…”

Their dialogue, for the two men with secret identities, was naturally just a joke. But for the others, it wasn’t so clear. Before Tian Yu Zheng Ze could reply, Huang Ruoxin slapped the table. “Gu Jia Ming, this doesn’t concern you. What are you doing here? Get out of here!”

In front of him, Jia Ming spread his hands, stunned for a moment, a smile of amusement spreading across his face. Tian Yu Zheng Ze, on the other hand, looked away, towards the foot of the bench on the side, and pinched the bridge of his nose with a smile. Women…

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