Shen Mengqing, despite being the highest-ranking Lantern Keeper, showed no displeasure at the rudeness of the men before her, as if accustomed to such scenes.
Instead, she took the initiative to break the awkward silence.
Swaying her slender, serpentine waist and wearing black high heels, Shen Mengqing walked towards the bald man.
She snatched the nearly empty bottle of white liquor from his hand and directly admonished him, "Li Sheng, stop drinking!"
"At twenty-eight, you look like you're thirty-eight! You earn so much money, why not develop other hobbies instead of getting hooked on drinking?"
"Even if you drink, with your income, you could afford imported beer or even high-end foreign spirits. Yet, you insist on drinking this cheap, high-proof blended liquor!"
"If you keep drinking like this, you'll become completely addled!"
Although Shen Mengqing was scolding the bald man named Li Sheng, her face showed no harshness, but rather a hint of concern.
Hearing this, Li Sheng first wiped his mouth with his hand, then chuckled awkwardly, "I won't drink anymore! I promise, next time!"
Scoffing at Li Sheng's promise, Shen Mengqing turned to the bearded middle-aged man and said coldly, "And you, Qi Bin! You spend all day watching football matches, how much did you lose this time?"
Upon hearing Shen Mengqing's words, the bearded middle-aged man named Qi Bin held up his hands to form the numbers "1" and "2" and replied with his head bowed, "Twelve fang."
"Heh, I'm truly impressed with you!!!"
"Don't you know what you do for a living? There's no such thing as purely winning money through luck when it comes to gambling!"
"The money you earn with your left hand, you immediately send it back to the matches with your right!"
"Twelve thousand on a football match, have you been kicked by a donkey in the head!?"
Compared to her earlier reprimand, Shen Mengqing was now truly berating Qi Bin.
Seeing this, the lean young man beside them, who hadn't yet been addressed by Shen Mengqing, couldn't help but smile with schadenfreude.
However, before he could let out a laugh, Shen Mengqing turned her gaze to the lean young man, suppressing the rising anger in her eyes, and asked sternly, "Lu Yong, did you smoke before coming here today?"
Upon hearing this, the lean young man named Lu Yong immediately deflated, hanging his head.
Seeing this, Shen Mengqing suddenly smiled.
But it was a cold, bitter laugh born of extreme anger.
"Alright! Very good! Our Ruichi Dark Lantern team is outwardly known for its 'Four Great Vajras' second echelon, and it seems everyone in it is truly talented!"
"Alcohol, women, gambling, drugs – not a single one is missing!"
Hearing this, the three men remained silent, and all of them lowered their heads in unison.
From Shen Mengqing's words, it seemed there were only four people in Ruichi's second echelon, and one was missing.
Smoke, meaning to inhale.
As for what it meant, those who understood, understood.
Since entering the room, I had not uttered a word.
Standing quietly to the side, I watched Shen Mengqing scold the three men in turn, while a wave of emotion surged within me…
I still remember Uncle Tuo saying that compared to being a card sharp, being a Dark Lantern, if you could manage it and do it well, would ensure a comfortable life for the rest of your days. But…
The risks hidden behind it, and the potential competitive pressure, were immense.
When we discussed salary and benefits earlier, why did Shen Mengqing proactively offer me a car and bodyguards without me even mentioning it?
It's because catching cheats is a very offensive job.
When you're in the venue, others dare not touch you or retaliate.
But once you leave the venue… try it then?
Providing a car and bodyguards is to help you deal with such situations later.
Behind the seemingly glamorous facade lie countless flashing blades and bloody storms.
The martial world has never lacked ruthless individuals!
And it certainly doesn't lack super ruthless individuals who go mad and fight desperately for money!
Therefore, being a Dark Lantern imposes immense dual pressure, both physiological and psychological.
And this pressure cannot be relieved by simply smoking a few more cigarettes.
I wonder, if I can't find any clues about the Gambling King's Token soon, will I, one day in the future… become like these people, choosing to degenerate because I can't bear the immense pressure?
Gazing into the abyss for too long, the abyss will inevitably gaze back…
He who slays dragons will eventually become a dragon…
Seeing that no one spoke, and as the anger in her eyes gradually subsided, Shen Mengqing turned to me, pointed at me, and said to the three men, "Let me introduce the new member, Chen Xiang."
This time, the three men before me no longer ignored me, but nodded and greeted me repeatedly.
Seeing this, as I returned their nods, I directly took out a pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes from my pocket and offered one to each of them.
Just as I was about to take out another Zhonghua cigarette to offer to Shen Mengqing, I saw her glare at me fiercely and say coldly, "I don't smoke, thank you!"
Honestly, there are countless women who don't smoke out there.
But in a casino, I've truly never seen a woman who didn't smoke!
What's more, I've even seen women who chew betel nuts while smoking!
And this group is not a minority!
As the saying goes: Betel nut plus smoke, boundless magic; betel nut plus alcohol, the world is mine!
For a woman like Shen Mengqing to become a Lantern Keeper at such a young age, it's hard to imagine how she manages to relieve pressure bit by bit under immense stress without relying on any external factors!
Besides self-discipline, what kind of powerful and resilient mindset is required to achieve this!?
Shen Mengqing's answer made me involuntarily look up to her.
After a long silence, Shen Mengqing finally spoke again, "If it weren't for the fact that we've been partners for a while, I wouldn't bother whether you guys are good or bad!"
"Alright, let's talk business!"
"Tonight… there's a job that requires you!"
Upon hearing Shen Mengqing's words, except for me, the expressions of Lu Yong and the other two changed drastically.
There was excitement, eagerness, and greed… but no fear or apprehension.
It seemed that, setting aside their private lives, Lu Yong and the other two were quite confident in their own abilities.
Taking in the expressions of Lu Yong and the other two, Shen Mengqing, for the first time since entering the lounge, showed a rare genuine smile. She looked at me and said, "If Zhang Qiang doesn't show up… Chen Xiang, you'll fill in!"