The Years I Was The Gambling God

In the realm of my work in the bathhouse, I find relative tranquillity. Each day is spent distributing supplies to various bathing areas and guest rooms. With spare moments awaiting the call on the intercom for replenishments. Today unfolds in a familiar routine. As the supplies are distributed, I settle upon the steps of the bathhouse's rear courtyard, silently indulging in a cigarette.

Midway through a drag, the rear gate suddenly swings open. Two men emerge side by side, both well-known to me. One is Ranulph, who just this morning sought to publicly embarrass me. The other is his childhood companion, Dark, with whom I had a confrontation that night.

Ranulph, with his back turned, remains unaware of my presence. Dark, however, upon spotting me, hesitates for a moment before diverting his gaze elsewhere. Despite their distance, their conversation, though quiet, is distinctly audible to me.

Dark: "I've managed to round up three thousand five hundred dollars for you. Take it for now. I owe you two thousand, and I'll repay you in due time."

Ranulph: "Alright, Dark. I could use the money urgently, which is why I'm asking you for it now. The remaining two thousand, you have a month to settle with me."

Listening to this dialogue, a wry smile creeps across my face. Ranulph, who proclaims Dark as his closest brother, manipulates games, drains Dark of his winnings, and yet extends loans to him. Now, feigning urgency, he demands repayment.

Such duplicity and cunning to the point of betraying even kinfolk. The men exchange further casual conversation, after which Ranulph interjects, "By the way, Dark, our underground gambling den is set to open in a few days. If you can't gather the funds, bring your friends around. For every person you bring, regardless of the outcome, you'll receive three hundred. If your friends happen to lose more, I and Mei can negotiate for an additional cut..."

Dark appears uneasy. "You know, my friends aren't keen gamblers. If I bring them in and they end up losing, it reflects poorly on me..."

"Their losses are not your responsibility. You're not forcing them to gamble. Just bring them over, and we'll see if they decide to play or not..."

Ranulph persists in his persuasion. Unexpectedly, even before the gambling den opens, Ranulph assumes the role of a recruiter. Such roles are prevalent in various gambling establishments, commonly referred to as "junket operators." Indeed, even within the Blue Dao gambling sect, such individuals exist.

As the conversation continues, Ranulph's walkie-talkie crackles to life. It's Su Mei summoning him to the office. After a brief exchange with Dark, Ranulph hurries away. Upon turning back, his eyes meet mine briefly before he pushes through the door, leaving only Dark and me in the courtyard.

We exchange glances, and Dark strides towards me as I remain seated on the steps, unmoving. Upon reaching me, Dark unexpectedly offers me a cigarette, saying, "Take one..."

I accept, light up, and draw a deep breath. Dark does the same. We stand and sit in silence, each lost in our thoughts. After a while, Dark breaks the quietude.

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am."

"Then why did you risk your life against me that day?"

"Because I believe that you fear more than I do."

Dark chuckles, a simple and earnest laugh. "What if I'm not afraid at all? What then?"

"Then we'll see whose luck holds."

I maintain a cool demeanor, while Dark's smile fades into a bitter grin. "Fine, I concede. In all my years, I've never yielded to anyone. Lupan, you're an exception..."

Before he can continue, Dark quickly amends, "Oh, wait. Since I lost that day, I must address you as Master Lupan!"

Although I emerged victorious that day, Dark's spirited beating of me left a lasting impression. He truly embodies the spirit of sportsmanship, standing by his word. He may be somewhat naïve and simple-minded, but to me, it's a virtue.

Taking a drag from my cigarette, I gaze at Dark and nonchalantly inquire, "Have you ever considered why you consistently lose money in Ranulph's games?"

"Bad luck, plain and simple. What else could it be?"

A fool! A genuine, unadulterated fool! This type is tailor-made for adept gamblers. Engrossed in his gambling pursuits, he attributes everything to chance, even when faced with extraordinary odds like his three jacks against Ranulph's three aces, which in turn were trumped by my full house of two threes and a five. Such a bizarre occurrence fails to raise his suspicions.

After another drag of my cigarette, I shake my head slowly. "It's not luck. You've been outwitted by Ranulph. The playing cards he uses are specifically designed for skilled gamblers like him. He's well acquainted with them..."

"Impossible!" Dark interjects loudly, rejecting my claim. "We've known each other since childhood, and our bond is unbreakable. He would never deceive me. Don't try to sow discord between us over a single incident!"

Dark's firm denial surprises me. I seldom smile, but at this moment, I feel inclined to. In this world, one can indeed find individuals who, despite being deceived, willingly count another's money.

"You don't believe me?"

"No."

"It's simple. Visit that supermarket, buy a few decks of cards, and you'll see for yourself..."

My resolute statement causes Dark to falter. After a moment of contemplation, he addresses me, "Well, then accompany me. Show me how to recognize them."

"I'm on duty!"

"I'll ask Ranulph to give you the time off..."

Dark persists, and after a brief pause, I relent, saying, "Fine, I'll request it myself..."

With that decision made, I retrieved my phone and dial Su Mei's number. She had called me once before, and I had saved her contact. Upon connecting the call, I inform her of my need for a break.

I anticipate a reaction akin to her earlier cold or indignant demeanour, yet Su Mei's response is surprisingly composed. "In the future, if you have matters to attend to, go ahead. No need to request time off and it won't be counted as absenteeism. If anyone inquires about your absence, just say you're taking care of things with me..."

I am taken aback by her unexpectedly lenient stance. Is she no longer angry?

The supermarket we frequented lies not far from the bathhouse. As we reach its entrance, a voice from across the street grabs our attention. "Oh, aren't these the two who had about the other night? How swiftly they've reconciled! Too dull—I was hoping to witness another round between you two..."

The speaker turns out to be Old Wu, who had observed our altercation that night from the doorstep. He now sits comfortably in his yard, sipping tea poured from a purple sand teapot, with a handheld fan in one hand. Dishevelled white hair dances in the wind, his carefree demeanour oblivious to his appearance.

Dark and I exchange no words and simply enter the small supermarket. The shopkeeper, evidently caught off guard by our arrival, appears flustered. Without a preamble, Dark demands, "Bring me two decks of playing cards..."

The shopkeeper glances nervously towards the door, likely checking for Ranulph's arrival. Finding no one there, he hurriedly responds, "The cards are sold out; the delivery arrives tomorrow. Come back then..."

"Are you blind?" Dark suddenly roars, startling both the shopkeeper and me. Pointing to the adjacent shelf, he exclaims, "Are those playing cards or your mother's sanitary napkins?"

Two types of playing cards, Yaoji and the familiar Three Aces, are prominently displayed on the shelf. I suspect Ranulph may have tampered with both, but as we always played with the Three Aces, I never bothered to inspect the Yaoji decks for any deception.