According to old customs, as the Lunar New Year approached, everyone should be staying at home busy preparing for various matters, with no time to go out and socialize. It indeed used to be like this in the past.
However, times have changed.
The previous dynasty was gone, and the new Republican era had begun. The high society of Peiping had caught up with the trend; the stronger the New Year atmosphere, the more endless the banquets became.
After all, for people like them, the trivial matters of the New Year were naturally handled by their wives and butlers. They should take advantage of the rare holidays to drink, play, and build good relationships with various factions.
Today's banquet seemed the same.
Yet it was different.
Under the bright crystal lights, the situation in the room could be seen at a glance. The atmosphere was relaxed. People gathered in small groups to play bridge, chat in low voices, or flirt with the socialites.
But everyone's attention, more or less, fell on a spot right in the center—several people sitting around playing mahjong. They all had extraordinary statuses; if they stomped their feet, the city of Peiping would tremble three times.
Only the person sitting at the bottom left was an unfamiliar face.
And it was actually a woman!
Someone who arrived late saw this and curiously asked the person next to him: Who is this... which family's young lady?
The wording was very cautious.
The young women who appeared in this place were basically high-class socialites who mingled in the circles of the rich and powerful. But although she was also young and beautiful, her demeanor and aura would absolutely not let anyone mistake her for one.
Cold, arrogant, domineering... these words suited her perfectly.
Who else could it be, but the one from the Su family!
So it is her.
Even though the name was not mentioned, hearing the word Su was enough. A look of understanding appeared on this person's face. In recent days, this mysterious Miss Su had frequently appeared at major banquets.
Suddenly remembering something, he frowned:
But we do not usually host female guests here, do we? How come... There was a feeling of his territory being offended.
Heh, no rules are of any use. Who would push away a Grandmother of Wealth who comes to the door to give away money? It is not like the host has a brain disease. If it were you, would you?
The man smiled awkwardly.
Of course he would not.
Squinting his eyes toward the mahjong table, he could not help but guess how much money Su Ning would give away this time, and to how many people. Catching a glimpse of Mayor Chen, who was holding the line for her, his mood was also complex.
He looked down on the dignified Mayor of Peiping for acting so subserviently, yet he could not help but envy him for catching a massive financial backer like Su Ning.
Just look at the results.
Vice Mayor He originally had the upper hand.
How many days had it been?
He was beaten back step by step by Su Ning's money. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that his defeat was already impossible to hide... Money, oh money, who could refuse shiny silver dollars?
............
It was her turn to play a tile.
Su Ning frowned deeply, her fingertips rubbing the surface of the tile. The atmosphere was tense. Finally, she tossed the tile out. The second the tile landed on the table—
Big Four Winds, Mahjong.
The person in the seat of honor had shining eyes and was breathing heavily. The wrinkles on his face spread out like a chrysanthemum as he forcefully pushed his tiles down with a clatter.
Oh my, it really is a Big Four Winds... Lao Song, I thought you had bad luck today. You have lost so many rounds, I did not expect you were saving it all up for this!
Hahahahaha, just luck, just luck.
The person called Lao Song was modest with his words, but in fact, even his hair seemed to flaunt his pride. He cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks to the people at the mahjong table, and then laughed teasingly at Su Ning, who had a look of annoyance on her face:
I must thank Miss Su.
Sigh, I knew I should not have played this tile. Everything I won earlier is going to be lost in this hand.
Su Ning shook her head and sighed. Seeing this, the winner, Lao Song, became even more elated. The great victory after losing several rounds in a row made him feel light and euphoric, as if he were drunk.
This was just the beginning.
Next, Lao Song's luck got better and better, and he won hands frequently.
It caused people at the card table to laugh and joke from time to time:
I am not playing anymore, not playing anymore.
Lao Song is extremely lucky today. If we keep playing, we will just be giving him our money. Saying this, he stood up to leave. Chen Huaiqian stood up with a smile and pressed the person back down:
It is rare for everyone to gather together to play, how can we break it up?
Exactly.
Lao Song breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly agreed. Although they could find someone to fill in, what if his good luck was specifically countering these few people? It might be different if they changed players!
You cannot leave. Su Ning also looked like she disapproved, tapping the table and saying: I still need to win back that Big Four Winds hand from Lao Song. What is the point if we are short a person now?
How about this, if everyone loses, it is on me; if you win, you keep it.
Does that work?
How could such a good thing not work? The stakes of their mahjong game were not small, so the person who wanted to leave earlier was half joking, but also half serious.
How could we impose like that.
What is there to be embarrassed about. Su Ning smiled and leaned back against her chair. The dazzling diamond necklace on her neck reflected a brilliant light.
It was mesmerizing.
Anyway, even if I do not do this, I am the one losing the most. She mocked herself, causing everyone to look at each other and laugh.
Ding, the host has secretly bribed a level-three plot character. Due to immoral conduct, you are rewarded one thousand dollars.
Stupid system, stupid detection.
Su Ning almost could not maintain her expression. How was this a bribe... The real bribery had not even started yet, okay? She intentionally lost the game and covered the losses just to ease the atmosphere and get closer to Lao Song.
Lao Song was just a friendly term of address at the card table.
This man was also a powerful and influential figure in his early years.
Even now, although he was semi-retired, his deeply rooted power was still not to be underestimated. Put it this way, even if you gave him money for free, he might not accept it.
It depended on the situation, the introducer, and his mood!
At this time, Chen Huaiqian beside her noticed something different about her and cast an inquiring glance mixed with concern. Su Ning lowered her eyes and shook her head slightly, indicating that she was fine.
This mahjong game lasted late into the night.
Lao Song won until his hands were tired.
The others were not very angry either. If they lost, they lost, and it was not their money anyway. Winning a hand occasionally even meant they could make quite a bit.
Su Ning and Chen Huaiqian were also happy. They successfully achieved their goal—Lao Song had relented. The money did not need to be given directly; his son happened to be studying abroad, so a direct transfer through HSBC would do.
Everyone was happy.
............
Coming out of the party venue.
The cold air blew against her face, but Su Ning actually felt comfortable. Not a single trace of cold air could penetrate her ankle-length fur coat, and blowing the cold breeze cleared her mind.
Sorry.
Chen Huaiqian turned his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, showing a rare look of fatigue on his face: Although there is a smoking room, there is always someone who cannot help but smoke directly.
So that was what he was apologizing for.
However, she did not really pay much attention to it. Even in modern times, there were plenty of men who smoked regardless of the occasion. Oh, no, there were even more.
What is there to be sorry about.
Saying this, Su Ning changed the subject: If you really feel bad about it, when Mayor Chen holds the real power, just make a rule that wherever I am, no one is allowed to smoke.
Alright, I will remember that.
Hearing such a joke, Chen Huaiqian looked at Su Ning and actually nodded solemnly.
He was serious.
No one knew how much Su Ning had helped him.
It was not just about money.
Over the past few days, the two of them had fought side by side like true comrades-in-arms. Whether at the mahjong table, in elegant salons, or within the hidden confines of private reception rooms, Su Ning's brilliance and profound knowledge were on full display.
She was truly an exceptional ally.
Moreover... Chen Huaiqian looked up at the moon hanging high in the sky. While fighting alone offered an exhilarating freedom, it inevitably left him feeling lonely once the dust settled.
"What a slender crescent moon."
Su Ning murmured softly,
"The waning moon is fading, and a new moon is about to rise... the day after tomorrow is the New Year."
