As I uttered those three words, the entire gambling hall seemed to freeze instantly!
Not a sound, not a single person moved!
Everyone wore the same expression, frozen in place.
They had no idea why I would voluntarily concede before the cards were even dealt!
Naturally, I had no intention of explaining myself to these strangers. After taking a deep breath, I looked directly at Isabella and said in a low voice, "I hope you'll keep your promise!"
Hearing this, Isabella raised her eyebrows triumphantly and replied, "Since you're being so straightforward, why would I play games? Besides..."
"I wouldn't dare do anything illegal! Don't worry, just go wait in the lounge!"
"Soon, your two friends will be back on their feet, appearing before you again!"
"Sorry about that, Chen Xiang! Victory and the prize money are all mine!"
In this world, no one remembers the second place finisher.
Because second place is a loser!!!
For me, losing the ten million winning prize money in this final was secondary. What was truly unacceptable was that despite investing considerable thought and effort, I still couldn't directly get in touch with Yun Jin.
But thankfully, I was still on the cruise ship. As long as I could find out Yun Jin's exact location and then rack my brain for a plan, there was still hope of meeting them in another way.
With this thought, after gritting my teeth, I glared at Isabella and said, "Remember what you said! If anything happens to my two brothers, I swear... I will make you pay a hundredfold!"
Before my words had even finished, amidst the overwhelming boos and curses from the crowd who had snapped back to reality, I stood up and left the gambling hall with incredibly heavy steps.
Seeing me leave without explaining anything, despite her own doubts, Xu Shiyu made the same decision as me.
She forfeited the match and conceded.
In the eyes of the crowd, Xu Shiyu's chips, less than three million, had no bearing on the outcome of this decisive game.
Therefore, her departure did not cause much of a stir...
Following her instructions, I went to the lounge. However, I didn't just wait as Isabella had told me to. Instead, I took out my phone and sent several messages.
The first message was to Xu Shiyu. Just in case, I asked her to quickly meet me in the lounge.
As for the subsequent messages, they were sent to Leng Meng, Yang Liuqing, and Qin Manli.
The content of the messages was simple and almost identical.
First, I asked them to be vigilant and ensure no further problems arose. Second, I asked them to help me inquire outside and see if they could gather any information about Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun.
I specifically emphasized that it would be best for them to explore the areas near the cruise ship's work zones while concealing their identities.
Women draw less attention than men, especially beautiful women.
No matter where they appear, it's difficult for them to immediately arouse suspicion like men do.
After I finished composing and sending the messages, I saw Xu Shiyu enter carrying a tray and sit on the sofa opposite me.
Seeing my dejected mood and the subtle strangeness in my eyes, Xu Shiyu didn't speak immediately. Instead, she took a wine glass from the tray and poured me a glass of fine red wine.
Drowning my sorrows with alcohol? That was indeed a good idea.
After downing a glass of red wine...
I lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said with immense melancholy and loneliness, "I... lost!"
Hearing this, Xu Shiyu replied with a calm expression, "I know!"
"Don't you want to know why?" I asked, nodding slightly and frowning.
Shaking her head, Xu Shiyu sighed softly, "My master taught me that when collaborating with others to set up a scheme, besides clarifying all financial matters in detail..."
"Other matters, especially the personal affairs of your partners, should never be casually inquired about!"
"In this day and age, the worst thing that can happen is that after collaborating multiple times and becoming friends, what should have been a transaction for money gradually turns into doing favors out of obligation!"
"There are many people who don't repay debts, let alone favors!"
"I don't want to owe you a favor, nor do I want you to owe me one, so I'm very sorry!"
"I can only share a drink with you, but I can't listen to your troubles."
Xu Shiyu's personality, which clearly separates business from personal relationships and only discusses money without involving favors, is indeed quite unconventional. However...
At least she was upfront about it, so it didn't cause too much of a stir in my heart.
Since Xu Shiyu had made her stance clear and didn't want to get too close to me for any reason other than business cooperation, I naturally wouldn't force it.
Soon, I suppressed the urge to confide in her.
Just as I was about to push all my negative emotions down, an indescribable feeling suddenly arose in my mind for no reason.
Following that, Xu Shiyu, sitting opposite me, began to blur.
I could clearly feel something deep within me being ignited.
That thing was called: desire.
Before long, a thick atmosphere of "ambiguity" filled the surrounding air.
Because, before my vision completely blurred, I saw Xu Shiyu's expression change too!
And it seemed to have become exactly the same as mine!
I tried my best to regain control of my brain and body, but the moment Xu Shiyu's warm, soft body fell into my arms...
Heaven and earth erupted, and all reason vanished into thin air, completely extinguished at this moment!
...
When I regained consciousness and my senses again, I found myself still on the sofa in the lounge!
My outer clothes, pants, underwear, and innerwear were scattered all over the floor!
And flowing down the edge of the sofa onto the ground was... a smear of red, dry but extremely striking!
Seeing this, I was instantly stunned.
Struggling to jump up from the sofa, I found that the left side of my body was pinned and I couldn't exert any strength.
Turning my head, I saw Xu Shiyu, completely naked, lying on the left side of my body!
At this point, I was utterly dumbfounded!
Originally, I still held onto the hope that I was dreaming.
But the reality before my eyes cruelly slapped me in the face!
Without a doubt, I had been drugged!
As for Xu Shiyu...