While studying at East Phoenix Rose, I often spent time with my friends.

After entering university, although I was studying at Hong Kong University with Zhugan and He Shaofan, I rarely contacted them, only occasionally getting together for meals.

The main reason for this was that I had "grown up," while Baoya Jun and the others were still young.

Even when we met, it always ended up being about eating, drinking, chatting about girls, games, or gossiping about others. Being a bit more mature, I neither liked getting drunk nor was I interested in clubs and gossip anymore. This was the main reason why we didn't meet often.

Although there was less communication, the relationship didn't become too distant. Meeting occasionally and having a lively time was actually quite interesting in my opinion.

The way young people get along always seemed more sincere, giving me a sense of finding my youth again, instead of holding a teacup and reading the newspaper all day, or being preoccupied with how to earn more money.

Coming to Casino, 1997, I never intended to win much money from the start.

More than ten minutes later, after losing my last chip, I gave up on the idea of winning back my initial capital of 60,000 yuan and went to watch Zhugan play the slot machines.

As for He Shaofan, he was chatting enthusiastically with the female dealer at the roulette table, already discussing the topic of "quitting her job to be supported by him."

Remembering that He Shaofan could receive tens of thousands of US dollars from the He family's charitable trust fund every month, I wasn't worried that he would be deceived or anything. Anyway, if he used it all this month, he would get more next month, even more punctual than getting paid.

Like Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai—one willing to hit, the other willing to be hit. Intervening rashly would offend both sides, so I couldn't be bothered to get involved…

While hanging out, I received another call from Zhao Yimeng.

After putting the Nokia phone to my ear, I heard Miss Zhao ask in a helpless tone:

"Have you seen the newspaper? We're on the front page again. These gossip reporters are so annoying. It's even a reputable newspaper like *Casino Morning Post*. Should we clarify things?"

I replied, "Why clarify? This kind of news is clearly good for your family."

"Good? How is it good? It's ruining my reputation. Of course, a playboy like you doesn't care, but how will I ever get married?" Zhao Yimeng said, sounding upset.

"First, it paints a rosy picture, increasing investors' confidence in East Phoenix. Second, the banks will also pay attention. Maybe they'll be willing to renew the loan because my family has a lot of cash. There might even be some investors who are smart alecks, thinking that our two families have reached some kind of deal privately, guessing that the stock price of East Phoenix Group will rebound. There might be a lot of speculators like that. If I use some funds to buy East Phoenix stock now, and the news is inadvertently leaked, it's very likely to rise by 10% in a single day… Maybe your parents released the news. Can't you see such a simple truth?"

I yawned and casually explained, adding, "Whether you admit it or not, my family's overall strength has already surpassed yours. Our assets are healthier, and we have more cash. Looking at it that way, it's a bit like you're clinging to my coattails."

These words successfully aroused Zhao Yimeng's competitive spirit. She spat softly and said, "If you want to surpass my family, wait a few more years."

"My family's assets have indeed been appreciating, and we've been less affected by the financial crisis. The disadvantage is that we're not listed."

After I finished speaking, I asked, "Did you call me just to say this? If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up. I'm having fun in Casino, 1997."

"Wait! How are you considering the financing? I've thought about it again. What conditions do you have? We can discuss it further," Zhao Yimeng said quickly, still not completely giving up.

With no intention of financing at all, I pretended not to hear and hung up her phone…

After asking my friends, I learned that none of them were returning to Hong Kong today.

I left Casino, 1997 first.

Initially, I planned to go directly to the pier to take the yacht, but I suddenly remembered that my old man had mentioned my second wife that day we signed the contract.

Having grown up under the care of my second wife, she wasn't bad to me. On the contrary, she often gave me pocket money, shopping cards, etc. The Porsche 911 that I gave to Yin Liuli was also a birthday gift from my second wife.

Changing my mind temporarily, I decided to return to the Su family mansion in Panlong Villa first, and return the Ferrari F50 by the way.

The previous McLaren had already been registered with a Hong Kong license plate and was being used for daily commuting in Hong Kong.

Nearing noon.

My second wife was wearing pajamas and watching TV at home.

The 1995 version of *The Return of the Condor Heroes*. Gu Le was still a pretty boy, and the plot was no different from what I remembered.

Unexpectedly seeing me come home, my second wife was a little surprised and said with a smile, "You seem to have grown taller again. Have lunch at home, I'll have someone cook a few dishes for you?"

I shook my head, "No, I just came home to say hello. I'll go to Hong Kong in a while. If you want to go out, I can take you along."

"Me? Maybe next time. I've already made plans to play mahjong. I haven't been to your place since you moved to Big Wave Bay. I'll have a cup of tea at your house next time…"

Since the canary, Fourth Wife, left, my old man often comes home to stay.

My second wife's life as a wealthy lady isn't boring or lonely. She has mahjong friends everywhere, and she also has several small businesses of her own. She also took over a beauty salon at the beginning of the year, and she also sells gold, silver, and jade jewelry.

Really just saying hello, I didn't sit for long before I had the bodyguard drive me to the pier.

————————————

Four days passed in a blink of an eye.

The bank gave us too many private jet rental opportunities, so taking advantage of the weekend, I took Nangong Tian and Jiang Yu to Singapore for shopping.

On the night of arriving in Singapore, Baoya Jun called anxiously, telling me on the phone that He Shaofan had been beaten. The injuries weren't serious, but he was very upset.

After asking about the cause and effect, I learned that it was the female dealer's boyfriend who had stopped them in the hotel's underground parking lot. He Shaofan had been whacked on the head, requiring six stitches on his forehead.

In short, it was a dog-blood story about cheating. Even Baoya Jun sighed and said, "What goes around comes around."

Hearing that it was just a minor injury, I wasn't in a hurry to go back and visit.

The little girl's mother runs a small high-end resort by the beach in Singapore. Eating, drinking, and playing are led by locals. It's a small but sophisticated developed area, so it's ordinary and not very interesting.

During this time, good news came. John Zhou called to tell me that the preparations for the international version of TVT were complete. They tested the waters in the Silicon Valley area and unexpectedly attracted the attention of ICQ, an instant messaging software company. Their CEO sent someone to contact them, wanting to acquire TVT for five million US dollars.

I definitely wouldn't agree to a mere five million US dollars.

The fact that ICQ offered to acquire them during the testing phase in Silicon Valley showed that they felt threatened, which excited me.

Therefore, after leaving Singapore, I went to see He Shaofan to show my concern and sent some tonics and dried goods.

Then, I made preparations and set off for Silicon Valley again…