The following days saw the "Beauty Trap" proceed in an orderly fashion.
Through real-time surveillance, I observed Mu Haitang had become Xiao Tianyu's companion, openly accompanying him to various events.
As expected of a skilled seductress like the "Orchid Lady," her tactics were layered and intricate. She quickly lured Xiao Tianyu into the trap, making him the ensnared party.
Many people enjoy fishing. Why?
Although the process is incredibly dry and tedious, the joy and sense of accomplishment that naturally surge from within when a fish bites the hook are indescribable.
This is especially true for a gambler who considers himself a hunter. No matter how formidable a person might be, under the carefully crafted layout of a gambler, they will ultimately transform into a big fish, obediently taking the bait.
Of course, a fish biting the hook doesn't mean everything is smooth sailing.
This is because formidable big fish often unleash an unimaginable will to survive, breaking free from the hook!
Therefore, at this stage, even though the process is progressing smoothly, the ultimate decisive factor remains to be seen until the fish is completely pulled out of the water and landed.
Time slipped by silently.
Soon, it was the weekend.
Early in the morning, just as Luo Tuo, a member of the "Missing Door" sect, arrived with his associates to meet me, I received a call from Xiao Tianyu.
On the phone, Xiao Tianyu didn't waste words. He simply instructed me to be at the "Tianci Tower" before 8 PM that evening to accompany him to a gambling match.
After speaking, without waiting for my reply, Xiao Tianyu decisively hung up the phone.
This "mad dog," Xiao Tianyu, was true to his reputation. He hung up the phone before even clarifying details about the gambling match, completely denying me any chance to think or refuse!
At this moment, I had every reason to suspect that the reason I managed to leave unscathed that night wasn't due to the meticulousness of my plans, but rather because Xiao Tianyu had no intention of forcibly keeping me there that night!
Those who can become big bosses don't necessarily need to possess exceptional personal strength; the key lies in having a discerning eye that can recognize and assess people.
Xiao Tianyu's approach to me likely stemmed from him noticing something during my encounter with Wang Chao.
His purpose in letting me go was to ascertain whether there was anyone else supporting me, a new face.
Once he confirmed I was merely a "crossing dragon" from out of town, Xiao Tianyu, as the local power, began to mobilize his forces and send his subordinates to act.
And thus, what followed occurred.
Looking back, it seems Xiao Tianyu had been watching me from the moment I first appeared at the Tianci Tower and then shone brightly in the Sic Bo game!
In other words, from that day on, I was in constant danger!
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and a touch of lingering fear.
Relief that I hadn't been out and about during this period, and that my collaboration with Mu Haitang was agreed upon via phone.
The only time I went out was to find Luo Tuo, but that happened late at night.
In the cold winter night, there were hardly any pedestrians, let alone cars. There was no risk of being watched or followed.
Lingering fear that if my above deduction held true, then this Xiao Tianyu... was definitely not as simple as he appeared!
At the very least, he was certainly not a brainless brute, but a cunning old fox with a hidden depth.
For some reason, at this moment, I suddenly felt a strong urge to call Mu Haitang and ask if Xiao Tianyu had revealed any subtle, unnoticeable side to him recently.
But as soon as the thought arose, I immediately suppressed it.
The trap had been set, and the person had successfully entered the game. Instead of rashly contacting Mu Haitang to ask about unsubstantiated matters, it was better to let things unfold naturally.
Regardless of whether Xiao Tianyu was as cunning and treacherous as I suspected, I had to remain calm and composed at this juncture.
This would prevent me from creating trouble for myself and also protect Mu Haitang, my hidden asset, ensuring her identity wasn't exposed.
I had already placed my bet in this game, and withdrawing midway was impossible.
Who the hunter and who the prey were would become clear after tonight's gambling match.
That evening, around six o'clock.
After dinner, I, along with Cheng Minglang and the other two, and Luo Tuo, whom I had hired at great expense, a group of six, boarded a seven-seater Enclave and headed straight for the Tianci Tower.
Regardless of the type of gambling match, I never arrived precisely on time; I always scouted ahead.
About twenty minutes later.
As I got out of the car, I realized my cigarette pack was empty, and the entire carton I had kept in the car was also gone. I asked Han Jinlun to find a place selling cigarettes and prepare to pull over to buy some.
Stopping at a roadside shop, I got out to buy a pack of "Huanghelou Soft Blue" for immediate use.
Just as I finished buying the cigarettes and was about to get back into the car, a shifty-looking person suddenly darted out from the alleyway beside us.
I assumed the person was a worker from Old Rong's family doing some plumbing, so I instinctively reached into my pocket, gripping the steel plate tightly between my fingers.
Unexpectedly, this shifty-looking person said to me, "Boss, want me to read your fortune?"
To be honest, when I heard this, I was completely stunned.
"Huh?"
"Boss, let me read your fortune! Your face... it's very worth looking at!"
Hearing this, I couldn't help but burst into laughter after regaining my senses.
It's not easy!
It's been almost a year since I entered this line of work, and I've finally encountered someone from the "Golden Gate." Whether they are legitimate or not, I'm not sure.
However, this shifty-looking young man's appearance doesn't resemble someone from the Golden Gate at all, and he's quite young.
He doesn't seem to fit the profession of fortune-telling and physiognomy within the Golden Gate at all; instead, he looks very much like a novice "plumber" just starting out from Old Rong's family.
Originally, I didn't intend to have my fortune told, as I don't really believe in such things. But...
For some reason, I inexplicably followed up on his words and continued, "Then tell me, what's so noteworthy about my face?"
As soon as I finished speaking, I opened the cigarette pack, took out a cigarette, offered it to him, and then lit one for myself.
After slightly bowing to accept the cigarette I offered, the shifty-looking young man immediately got into character and said with full force, "Look at you, your face is radiant, and you walk with the stride of a dragon. Tonight, you're definitely going to strike it rich!"
This was empty talk.
When a man goes out at night, he's either going to play cards or play around.
Although it's a fifty-fifty chance, one can eliminate incorrect answers by observing micro-expressions.
However, it can be said that this young man has some perceptiveness.
So, I didn't refute him but nodded slightly and said, "Continue."
Next, the "Golden Gate" youth said something that struck me as earth-shattering.
"Boss, your fortune tonight won't be easy to come by! And if you're not careful, you might just... die for wealth!"