Deeply Affectionate Male Supporting Character Topped the Protagonist 60

Chapter 60: Breaking the Rules

Around the same time Qiao Yusen went to teach Rong Haigao a lesson, news of Rong Haigao’s gambling addiction also reached Min Zhi’s desk.

According to illegal loan records, his gambling started sixteen years ago, when Xi Leng was only four.

Rong Haigao used to run a small supermarket, his first wife’s dowry, which he later lost, along with their house. He moved to a low-rent apartment with Xi Leng, using a rented car to coax another woman into marrying him, and Rong Xingyi was born less than a year later.

About ten years ago, Rong Haigao’s gambling stakes grew larger and larger, escalating from mahjong and poker to slot machines and other forms of gambling.

The casino he frequented was the same one, a familiar place.

Min Zhi had investigated this casino before, discovering connections between its investors and the company run by his uncle, Jiang Jingxian.

A gentleman in public, a criminal in private, this was a common characteristic of these people. The richer they were, the greedier they became.

This wasn’t much different from Rong Haigao’s insatiable demands.

Rong Haigao learned a painful lesson, but after just a few days, news about Xi Leng was leaked online.

Exactly what Rong Haigao had said when asking him for money.

Facing the anxious Zhu Minglang, Min Zhi said calmly: “Jiang Songnan did it.”

For years, Jiang Songnan had been diligently trying to ruin his reputation, his main goal being to undermine him in the competition for the family inheritance.

But unfortunately, the old man was experienced, compared to those who were truly morally corrupt and engaged in illegal activities, his scandals were just petty squabbles, insignificant.

He instructed Zhu Minglang expertly: “Deal with it, let those marketing accounts know my stance, tell them not to push their luck.”

After a moment of thought, he added: “And also, our CP super topic…”

Zhu Minglang couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, tentatively asking: “…Shut it down?”

“No.” Min Zhi denied immediately. “Get rid of those troublemakers, whether they’re paid trolls or not, clear them out. Isn’t a CP super topic for shipping us? Can’t they follow the rules?”

Zhu Minglang: “…”

Min Zhi’s team’s professional handling of the situation was swift, silent, and timely.

Xi Leng was still looking at the screenshots of the malicious posts Qiaoqiao and Luo Jiayan shared in the group chat, the two arguing on his behalf, when the posts disappeared.

Xi Leng thought for a moment and found “Zhengzhu (Idol)” in his chat list.

He hesitated until the next evening, then sent the message he had drafted earlier: 【Did you do something recently?】

Min Zhi didn’t answer his question, but brought up something he would never have imagined.

【I’m going to the casino to see your dad, want to come?】

He naturally had to go.

They were neighbors now. After Xi Leng replied with a “yes,” Min Zhi came knocking, and they went in Min Zhi’s car together.

Min Zhi was driving again. Rather than asking about the reason, Xi Leng first asked the most pressing question: “You’re going to see him alone?”

Min Zhi deliberately joked: “Aren’t you coming with me?”

Xi Leng: “…”

Min Zhi then explained: “My people are already there, don’t worry.”

Xi Leng then asked for the reason.

Min Zhi only briefly replied: “You’ll see.”

Outside the window, the tall buildings and neon lights gradually receded. The SUV drove all the way to the outskirts of the city, to an unremarkable resort, but its basement held a hidden world, extravagant and lively, even surpassing the bustling city center.

The two entered through the VIP lane, arriving at a place that looked like a luxurious hotel suite. Min Zhi directed Xi Leng to a hidden door, then went to the room next door.

Min Zhi didn’t explain further, and Xi Leng didn’t question his arrangement either. As soon as they separated, Xi Leng turned around and, through a large one-way mirror, saw Min Zhi’s figure again.

He could see Rong Haigao sitting there, while Rong Haigao was oblivious, only noticing Min Zhi approaching him.

The two sat opposite each other, a card table between them.

A dealer stood beside them, two bodyguards in the corner.

Xi Leng felt slightly reassured; at least Min Zhi wasn’t facing Rong Haigao alone. But he still didn’t understand what Min Zhi was planning to do today.

“Min-zong, you asked me to come here…?”

Rong Haigao’s voice reached Xi Leng through the loudspeaker in the corner.

Facing Min Zhi, Rong Haigao’s attitude was still somewhat respectful, but with a hint of something strange, like resistance, or perhaps fear.

One of his arms was in a sling, his face and neck covered in bandages, a bruise still visible at the corner of his eye.

So Min Zhi did do something.

Min Zhi, now surprisingly calm, said: “We’re here to play cards, of course. Didn’t you want money? Then win it yourself.”

Rong Haigao, hearing this, unexpectedly hesitated. He didn’t think Min Zhi would go easy on him, yet he couldn’t suppress the greed in his blood.

He gulped and asked: “What are we playing?”

Min Zhi said: “I don’t really know how to play these games, let’s just play something simple, Blackjack.”

The moment he said “I don’t really know,” Rong Haigao’s eyes lit up. He tried to control his expression, saying insincerely: “It’s fine, I’m not very good at it either.”

“Then let’s deal.” Min Zhi gestured to the dealer. “I’ll be the banker.”

Xi Leng didn’t gamble himself, but he knew these casino games very well. Blackjack had one of the highest win rates for players, almost 50%, but still less than 50%. As long as the dealer didn’t cheat, in the long run, they would still lose more than they won.

But there were always people who thought they were lucky, that they could beat the house.

The rules of Blackjack were also very simple, easy to learn. The card values in hand were added together, exceeding 21 was a bust, and the one closest to 21 without busting won.

The player could choose to hit or stand, meaning, the closer they wanted to get to 21, the higher the risk of busting. As for the dealer, they had to hit if their hand total was less than 17 and stand if it was over 16.

The game had just started, and Xi Leng couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Min Zhi really didn’t know how to play, just as he said.

He kept asking for cards, until the dealer reminded him: “Your hand total is over 16, you can’t hit anymore.”

Min Zhi seemed unconcerned: “Fine then.”

Rong Haigao estimated that Min Zhi’s hand total was at most 16 or 17, otherwise he wouldn’t keep hitting, so he immediately changed his plan and hit.

Min Zhi deliberately hid his cards, even avoiding Xi Leng behind the glass, so Xi Leng could only see Rong Haigao’s.

22.

Trying to push his luck, Rong Haigao’s hand total just happened to bust.

His chips were moved to Min Zhi’s side by the dealer. Then Min Zhi revealed his hand, it was 16.

So close! Rong Haigao was frustrated, his competitive spirit ignited by this near miss. He even called out to the dealer: “Deal again, I want to bet…”

He glanced at Min Zhi, who indeed didn’t know how to play, and thought, since the chips were given by Min Zhi, he wouldn’t lose anything, so he bet half of them.

Rong Haigao was experienced, and Min Zhi kept unintentionally revealing his hand, so Rong Haigao actually won quite a bit.

Rong Haigao’s spirits rose, but he was still a little unsure, so he confirmed: “Can I really exchange these chips for cash and take it with me?”

“Yes.” Min Zhi said. “But you also have to pay back what you lose. Whether you can afford it or not, I’ll make you pay.”

Rong Haigao thought of the three bodyguards last time, couldn’t help but shudder. He knew very well what methods those people would use to make him pay his debts.

“I’m giving you a chance to choose now.” Min Zhi smiled. “Do you want to continue?”

If Xi Leng knew that Qiao Yusen was the one who dealt with Rong Haigao last time, he would immediately know that the two were playing good cop/bad cop.

Neither had any good intentions, not to mention Qiao Yusen was sent by Min Zhi.

Even without this information, he still knew very well that the best answer was no.

Gambling would only lead to ruin.

But there was no need to think about this now, the smug Rong Haigao had already given his answer, his face flushed with excitement: “Continue, of course I want to continue.”

As expected.

Hopeless.

Xi Leng’s eyes were cold, he couldn’t even bear to look at him, his gaze shifting to Min Zhi, who still looked relaxed and unconcerned.

However, as an amateur, Min Zhi’s nonchalance didn’t seem to stem from his wealth.

“Hit.”

He chose to hit most of the time. Xi Leng guessed that as long as his hand total wasn’t over 16, he would instinctively hit, not caring if he busted or not.

The dealer dealt him a card.

Min Zhi flipped it over and checked, finally letting Xi Leng see it, it was a King, 13.

He had bet three-fourths of his chips this time, it would be troublesome if he busted. Xi Leng unconsciously frowned.

Who would have thought that Min Zhi, his expression unchanged, would place the card back down, push it towards the dealer, and say calmly,

“Change it.”

“…?”

“Change it? What??”

Rong Haigao almost jumped out of his seat, but the bodyguards were faster. He could only watch as Min Zhi changed his card twice.

Then revealed his hand.

Rong Haigao’s best hand so far, 20, unfortunately lost to Min Zhi’s perfect 21.

“You’re cheating!” Rong Haigao pointed at Min Zhi angrily, “This doesn’t count! Dealer…”

The dealer ignored his accusations, moving the chips.

A small mountain of chips had already accumulated in front of Min Zhi.

“You agreed to play with me, didn’t I just ask if you wanted to stop? And you refused.” Min Zhi looked down at him with disdain, smiling faintly.

“Now, you can’t just leave whenever you want.” Min Zhi rested his chin on his hand, saying casually, “Isn’t this how casinos work? You should be more familiar with this than I am. Winning and wanting to leave?”

Rong Haigao’s lips trembled, speechless.

With the two bodyguards watching from the side, he could only continue this unfair game.

Finally, even the heavens couldn’t bear to watch this bullying and sent him a stroke of luck. His first card was an Ace, representing 1 or 11. He doubled his bet and hit, unexpectedly receiving a 10, not only making 21, but also the highest hand, a Blackjack.

This was undoubtedly his luckiest day at the gambling table!

Min Zhi opposite him still looked relaxed and bored, his chin resting on his hand, his gaze drifting towards the glass wall.

He couldn’t see Xi Leng, but through the glass, Xi Leng clearly saw the Blackjack in Rong Haigao’s hand.

Min Zhi currently had two face-down cards, and a face-up card of 10, he hadn’t even looked at his other card yet.

Rong Haigao deliberately put on a regretful expression, as if his hand was bad, testing him: “You’re not hitting this time?”

“No.” Min Zhi said nonchalantly. “Reveal your hand.”

A one in several dozen chance, Min Zhi’s other card was an Ace.

Blackjack.

Same hand total, the banker wins.

Rong Haigao’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Just now, Min Zhi hadn’t asked to change his card? Winning against him by luck was even more devastating for an arrogant gambler than cheating.

“Impossible! You must be cheating!” Rong Haigao shouted, his face contorted. “You’re breaking the rules, this doesn’t count!”

As if hearing a hilarious joke, Min Zhi burst out laughing: “Breaking the rules?”

This laughter wasn’t entirely mocking, Xi Leng could tell that he was genuinely amused.

He smiled and said to Rong Haigao: “I am the rules, so what?”