"Your dad's on a lucky streak," Gao Min remarked, watching Liu Jianyi's triumphant demeanor at the gambling table.
"No matter how lucky he is, he won't be taking that money with him, right?" Liu Yutong replied calmly, cracking sunflower seeds between her fingers.
"Exactly. According to the rules, all that money will be confiscated."
"Then there you go. The higher he jumps now, the harder he’ll fall later. I just hope he learns his lesson and turns over a new leaf after this."
"Sis, you must think I’m heartless right now. But let me tell you, I do have a soft side—at the very least, I’ve already hired him a lawyer."
Gao Min froze.
A lawyer?
Her younger sister, Liu Yutong, had even prepared that in advance?
This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment act of "justice against family."
Then again, this was typical of her. She always planned everything meticulously, setting traps for others to fall into step by step.
Gao Min studied Liu Yutong’s impassive profile. While she agreed with the principle of upholding justice, seeing her sister so coldly orchestrate the downfall of her father—technically her adoptive father—left her unsettled.
What if she ever displeased Liu Yutong or stood in her way? Would she too face this kind of "justice"?
Honestly, given the young mistress’s temperament, it wasn’t out of the question.
As the two silently munched on sunflower seeds, observing the gamblers, Wang Ergou stepped away from the table and sidled up to Liu Yutong with an ingratiating smile.
"Yutong, you’re back and didn’t even stop by my place? I’ve missed you so much."
Though inwardly repulsed, Liu Yutong kept her tone light. "I wouldn’t dare visit. I’m afraid your dad might come at me with a knife."
Wang Ergou waved his hands dismissively. "No way! When my old man heard about our families arranging a marriage, he was over the moon! He promised to make it a grand affair—at least a hundred banquet tables! It’ll be unforgettable!"
Liu Yutong smirked. "Wang Ergou, this engagement was something you and my dad cooked up in private. I never agreed to it. And let me educate you—this isn’t the old days. Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words don’t hold up anymore. The law guarantees marriage freedom and prohibits arranged or forced marriages. Got it?"
"Still, I’m a filial daughter. Since my dad made the decision, I might… consider it. Just a little."
Wang Ergou’s heart had sunk at her initial refusal, but her last words sent him into a frenzy of delight.
He wasn’t worried about Liu Jianyi backing out—he had ways to handle the old man. His real concern was Liu Yutong’s reaction. If she outright refused, things could get messy.
But now, it seemed she really was as obedient as she claimed.
"R-really? You mean it?"
Liu Yutong nodded. "Ergou, I’ll give you a chance. Be at my doorstep tomorrow, and I’ll accept this engagement."
Wang Ergou nearly jumped for joy. "Yutong, you’re even more eager than I am! It’s a deal!"
For a split second, he considered letting Liu Jianyi win a few rounds to celebrate.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Better to bankrupt the old man completely. That way, he could keep both father and daughter under his thumb—just in case she changed her mind.
Gao Min watched the exchange, her admiration for Liu Yutong’s cunning reaching new heights.
The girl was toying with a man who was about to land in jail.
"By the way, isn’t gambling at this scale risky? Aren’t you afraid the police will raid this place?" Gao Min interjected suddenly.
Wang Ergou tensed at the unfamiliar girl’s question. There was something about her that put him on edge—an inexplicable unease, like a mouse sensing a cat.
Liu Yutong smoothly intervened. "Ergou, meet my sister."
Instantly, Wang Ergou’s guard dropped, and his demeanor shifted. "Ah, if you’re Yutong’s sister, then we’re family! And among family, we speak frankly."
"Let me tell you, Wang Ergou has connections. Not just in this village, but in town, even the county! If the cops were coming, I’d know well in advance. You’ve got nothing to worry about."
Gao Min nodded. "Impressive. You must be quite the influential figure, with contacts even in the county. I’ll have to rely on you in the future."
Wang Ergou puffed out his chest. "You come to me for anything. With your ties to Yutong, I’ll make sure no trouble touches you."
"My old man knows people in the county, and my cousin? Even more powerful. He runs things in Wushui County. Ever heard of Master Jin, the underground kingpin there? They’re tight."
"Anyway, whether it's black or white, I can find the right people, so don’t worry. Tonight, even if the heavens themselves intervene, they won’t ruin my uncle’s game or let him get arrested."
"Hey, speaking of which, my uncle’s luck today is really something. He’s already won nearly a hundred grand, hasn’t he?"
Gao Min, however, became intrigued by the so-called "underground emperor" Wang Ergou had mentioned.
"Master Jin? The underground emperor? Sounds impressive. Is he really that powerful?"
When it came to underworld topics, Wang Ergou grew even more animated.
"You just don’t get it, do you? Master Jin is absolutely untouchable in Wushui County. Rumor has it he’s backed by someone with immense influence—just a flick of his wrist was enough to wipe out the former local kingpin, Niu Ben."
"So, with my connections, if you ever run into trouble in the county, just say the word. No one would dare mess with you."
"Then, could I meet Master Jin?"
"Of course, no problem!"
Nearby, Liu Yutong listened to Wang Ergou’s boasting and felt it necessary to have someone investigate the situation in Wushui County.
Since when did Master Jin become the underground emperor?
Had he gotten too big for his boots?
If that were the case, she wouldn’t mind handing another achievement to her sister, Gao Min.
Gao Min was thinking along the same lines.
Anyone bold enough to call themselves the underground emperor must be a ruthless, lawless scourge on society.
She decided it was worth reporting to the police chief, especially since Wushui County was where the chief had once served.
Also, by Liu Yutong’s estimate, the local police should have arrived by now. Why was there still no sign of them?
But she quickly figured it out.
Wang Ergou was a local power player, after all, and his father was the village head. It wasn’t impossible that someone had tipped him off.
Plus, the town’s police force was understaffed—only one or two officers might be on duty at night. Handling so many gamblers would be tough, so calling in backup from the county made more sense.
Time passed slowly.
Wang Ergou, satisfied, returned to the gambling table and started betting even bigger—sometimes tens of thousands in a single round.
Liu Jianyi’s luck soon took a turn for the worse. Before long, he’d not only lost all his winnings but was down over half a million.
Of course, he didn’t have that kind of money on him—but someone was willing to lend it to him.
Just as Liu Jianyi’s eyes were red with desperation—
"Woo-woo! Woo-woo!"
The shrill sound of police sirens suddenly pierced the air outside.
The gamblers panicked instantly, their first instinct to flee.
Wang Ergou was frantic too. Sure, his father had connections and could bail him out if he got arrested.
But this was different—he’d borrowed a million yuan to fund this game. If the money was confiscated, he was finished!
"Quick! Grab the cash and run! I’ll get someone to hold off the cops!" Wang Ergou shouted.
The gamblers, reminded by his words, lunged at the table, snatching money before bolting for the door.
Just as the first one was about to escape—
Gao Min suddenly stood up, blocking the exit, and kicked the man back inside.
Before anyone could react, she flashed her badge and barked, "Police! Nobody move!"
For a second, time seemed to freeze.
The gamblers, mid-scramble for cash, stiffened in shock.
They all recognized her—wasn’t she Liu Jianyi’s daughter’s friend?
Since when was she a cop?
But there was no time to dwell on it. Escape was the priority.
"Damn it! It’s the cops!"
"Run for it!"
"..."
Despite Gao Min’s warning, the crowd still tried to force their way out.
She couldn’t hold them all back alone.
But her brief delay bought enough time for the police outside to surround the house.
In the end, not a single gambler escaped—all were caught.
Liu Yutong, who had been watching the scene unfold, leisurely popped the last sunflower seed into her mouth, brushed off her hands, and stepped forward.
She walked up to the group of gamblers, now kneeling with hands on their heads, and met their furious glares.
They all knew her friend was the cop—she must have been the one who tipped off the police.
Ignoring their hostility, Liu Yutong stopped in front of her father, Liu Jianyi, and feigned innocence.
"Dad, I asked the police for you. All the money from illegal gambling like this counts as gambling proceeds—it’ll be confiscated by law."
"Remember how you couldn’t sleep, worrying about paying back the debts you owed to Brother Ergou and the others? Well, now the law’s solved it for you! You don’t have to repay a single cent. Your debts are completely wiped out. Aren’t you happy?"
The moment she said this—
The looks in Wang Ergou and his men's eyes instantly changed as they glared at Liu Jianyi, each one seemingly ready to tear him apart.
Well, well!
Liu Jianyi, you damn bastard! What a cunning scheme! To avoid paying back the money, you actually had your daughter call the cops on us!
"Liu Jianyi, go fuck your ancestors!!"
