King of Gamblers: Growing from a Student to a Jade King

I looked at Ma Lan and asked, "How much do you know about Sang Ling?"

Ma Lan, putting away her phone, scoffed, "She's just an employee. Damn it, once off duty, she dresses provocatively, trying to seduce people. Women like that are the worst—lazy, wanting to live off their youth and beauty by finding a rich man to cling to. It's obvious she's no good."

Her words were cutting and served no real purpose. I pressed, "Have you looked into her background?"

"Why would I bother investigating her background?" Ma Lan retorted, eyeing me suspiciously. She tilted my chin with one finger and asked, "What are you implying?"

I smiled faintly, brushing her hand aside. "Nothing. Just focus on the material. Figure out a way to get it to Skinny Monkey without raising suspicion—that's your task."

Ma Lan nodded but glanced at the jade and hesitated. "What about the other half? Shouldn't we sell it off?"

"No," I replied firmly. "Keep it stored for now. Once this issue is resolved, there'll be plenty of time to sell it. Don't let greed cloud your judgment. The bigger picture matters—understand?"

Reluctantly, Ma Lan nodded. Not wanting to engage in further chatter, I left her office quickly.

Once outside, I sat in the car, lost in thought, absently rubbing my chin. I couldn't deny that I felt drawn to Sang Ling. Her delicate fragility stirred a man's instinct to protect. Yet, a certain air of mystery about her intrigued me, as if she were hiding something. I couldn't resist the urge to uncover her secrets.

"Let's find Sang Ling," I said.

Zhao Kui drove us toward her apartment complex. Sang Ling hadn't shown up for work today, and I wondered if she'd be home. Upon arriving, Zhao Kui and I got out and climbed to the second floor. At her door, bloodstains on the ground made me frown, and faint cries drifted from inside.

"You filthy whore! When are you paying up?"

A man's enraged voice thundered from within, followed by the sharp sound of a slap. Zhao Kui and I exchanged a glance. Without hesitation, Zhao Kui produced a small wire and picked the lock with practiced ease. The door swung open, and we stepped inside.

Two men standing near the entrance froze in surprise. Zhao Kui acted swiftly, kicking one in the leg and sending him sprawling. A sharp blow to the other's neck left him writhing on the ground.

"Don't move!" Zhao Kui barked, his commanding voice startling the six or seven people in the room into stunned silence.

I walked in and surveyed the scene. A young man with bright red hair rose to his feet, brushing his hair back flamboyantly. "Who the hell are you? You got the wrong place, buddy," he sneered.

My gaze fell on Sang Ling, bound and drenched, her hair plastered to her face. Blood stained the corner of her mouth, and hot wax from a lit candle dripped onto her skin, eliciting muffled cries of pain. Despite her disheveled state, her beauty remained unblemished, a tragic allure that made my anger surge.

"What are you doing to her?" I demanded.

The red-haired man laughed coldly. "Who are you to ask? Who the hell are you, anyway?"

"I'm her friend," I replied evenly.

"Oh, her friend? Perfect! This bitch owes us six million yuan. If you don't want her dead, you better pay up," he spat.

"Six million?" I glanced at Sang Ling in disbelief. She didn't seem like the type to rack up such a colossal debt.

"Don't spout nonsense. Do you have proof of the loan?"

The man smirked, pulling out documents. "We're legit lenders. Here's the contract, with her ID and signature."

I examined the paperwork—it appeared authentic. Frowning, I returned it to him.

"Look," the man said, his tone almost reasonable, "we're just here for the money. Pay up, and there won't be any trouble."

Taking a deep breath, I said, "Fine. I'll pay her debt. Tomorrow, I'll transfer the funds."

"We'll wait right here until tomorrow," he said smugly, settling into a chair.

"Zhao Kui, escort them to retrieve the money now," I instructed, handing him a bank card. "Make sure you get back all the loan documents and evidence."

Red Hair narrowed his eyes. "I've seen you before. You're that lackey who follows Qian Guang around, right? But let me warn you, this woman isn't worth it. Don't let her looks trap you—it'll cost you dearly."

Ignoring him, I turned back to Sang Ling. As the men left with Zhao Kui, I shut the door and approached her. She was trembling, tears streaming silently down her face. Her vulnerability stirred a wave of pity within me.

I gently untied her restraints, and she collapsed against me, sobbing uncontrollably. Her fragility tugged at my heart, and I found myself brushing a hand over her damp hair.

"Tell me this debt isn't really yours," I urged softly.

Sang Ling pulled back, her tear-streaked face filled with despair. "It's mine," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I borrowed six million, but I can't repay it. I've been hiding, terrified they'd hurt my family. But they still found me."

"What did you need so much money for?"

She looked down, murmuring, "I don't even know anymore. So much money… What was I thinking?"

Her voice carried the weight of self-reproach.

"Was it someone else?" I asked.

Her bitter smile answered my question. "He stole my ID and took out the loan. Then he disappeared, leaving the debt to me. My house is gone. My life—ruined."

Her voice cracked as she buried her face in her hands, her sobs wracking her slender frame.