KN | Chapter 25

King of Clubs

The meeting with He Shengyuan took place as scheduled, set at a restaurant on Xiaotan Mountain, with an entire floor reserved.

As usual, Chen Wan arrived the earliest. It was not his home ground, but he preferred to prepare everything thoroughly.

Some people from the other side had already arrived as well. All of them were seasoned figures who had fought their way through the world of power and profit, and before the true principals appeared, they had already warmed up the atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Shengge was the first among the main figures to arrive. Not early, but exactly on time, and alone.

Seeing that Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian had not yet arrived, Chen Wan took the initiative to step forward to greet him and, along the way, introduced the guests present.

Zhao Shengge shook hands with them one by one.

Among these people were some from He Shengyuan’s circle, others veterans of the industry. None were insignificant. Each would play a pivotal role in tonight’s gathering, which was half entertainment and half negotiation.

The guests soon noticed that the rumored powerful heir of Minglong Group, no, already its current head, was not as aloof and unapproachable as expected. He was simply far younger than they had imagined, and excessively handsome.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Shengge turned to look at Chen Wan.

Chen Wan had just finished raising his glass toward someone across the room and, as he lowered it and turned back, met Zhao Shengge’s composed, unhurried gaze.

“Mr. Zhao,” he greeted with a smile.

Chen Wan was pleased. It had been some time since that dinner with Shi Zhangmin, yet he had thought of Zhao Shengge many times since.

In many late nights in Central, when the last ferry leaving the harbor sounded its horn, when both his body and mind seemed pushed to their limits and sending out signals for help, Chen Wan would think of Zhao Shengge.

Every time he saw Zhao Shengge in person, he would suspect that his body would involuntarily produce a kind of light, buoyant excitement, like bubbles rising.

But very quickly, he remembered his own situation, and the atmosphere at that last dinner had not been particularly pleasant. The excitement in his nerves soon settled again.

Zhao Shengge noticed that Chen Wan, who usually carried a smooth and socially adept smile, had become slightly restrained. His posture appeared gentle and respectful, but there was still that trace of restraint.

Completely different from how his secretary had described him. As if they were not the same person.

So what kind of person was Chen Wan, exactly?

Zhao Shengge felt as though he were meeting him for the first time.

Every time he observed, examined, and analyzed Chen Wan, he arrived at many wrong conclusions. His supposedly subtle scrutiny failed to capture even a fraction of the real Chen Wan, yet fully exposed his own uncertainty and lack of method.

Still, regardless of anything else, Zhao Shengge did not quite approve of this approach. He stepped forward toward Chen Wan, but before he could say anything, Shen Zongnian, Tan Youming, and He Shengyuan entered together. They had run into each other downstairs.

Zhao Shengge could only turn to greet them with a handshake. During it, he glanced back once at Chen Wan.

Chen Wan felt that Zhao Shengge’s gaze carried a certain seriousness. Recalling the misunderstanding at the dinner with Shi Zhangmin last time, he kept himself very restrained throughout the evening, doing his best to minimize his presence.

From time to time, when Zhao Shengge glanced toward the corner, all he could see was a black head turned away, speaking with others.

Chen Wan’s head was quite round from the back.

Round heads tend to be stubborn.

The discussions progressed relatively smoothly. Although He Shengyuan had established himself in Haishi with a solid foundation, in recent years he had been planning to shift his main operations toward new Northern European routes. Building good relations with the Zhao and Shen families would reduce future concerns.

He Shengyuan was in high spirits. These young masters were not as difficult to deal with as he had expected. After the drinks were halfway through, he called over some young men and women to accompany them. Nothing crude or excessive, just some cards, dice, and drinking to liven the mood.

Even Chen Wan had a pretty girl seated beside him. This was not a setting where he could refuse, nor was He Shengyuan someone he could decline.

The dining table was cleared by the staff and turned into a card table.

Chen Wan had intended to remain a quiet attendant, pouring tea and running small errands, but Tan Youming slipped an arm around his shoulders and instructed in a low voice, “Wan, tonight you’re the only one who can play the bailian. I’m not counting on those two poker faces, Zhao Shengge and Shen Zongnian.” Tan Youming was nearly worn out from worrying.

Chen Wan laughed and agreed.

Though it was not a formal negotiation table, it was still business. On the surface everything was calm, but underneath there were hidden currents. Zhao Shengge and Shen Zongnian could not take on the “bailian” role, that would weaken their side’s momentum.

Otherwise, there would have been no need to call so many people.

The dealer began. Tan Youming was delighted. In the first round, things went exactly as he had hoped, pushing the advantage toward their side.

Unexpectedly, He Shengyuan also burst into laughter. He had a good impression of Chen Wan. Holding an unlit cigarette between his teeth, he beckoned Chen Wan over and said cheerfully, “Looks like the Dragon King’s temple is about to get flooded.” Having Chen Wan play against Zhao Shengge would be entertaining.

Chen Wan smiled, without any hesitation, and moved directly to He Shengyuan’s side.

A young man was arranged to sit beside Zhao Shengge. Zhao Shengge glanced at him casually and did not stop him.

Chen Wan had played in the same team position as Zhao Shengge before, but never against him.

Now Zhao Shengge sat directly opposite him. Smoke curled all around, yet he was the only one not smoking. He looked at Chen Wan and casually gestured, indicating that Chen Wan should lead the round.

Chen Wan studied his cards seriously. He had no intention of holding back. There was no need. Poor, obvious restraint would be disrespectful to He Shengyuan. Besides, Zhao Shengge’s skill against his was roughly a six-to-four split. Chen Wan had to concentrate completely to handle him.

As he considered his cards, under the table he lightly brushed against the tip of someone’s shoe. He instinctively drew his leg back.

A few moves later, the tablecloth shifted again, and he accidentally brushed against someone’s trouser leg. He had already been very careful.

The leg that was touched seemed to lift slightly in reflex.

Chen Wan could not see, but he could feel that it was a very long leg. It brushed lightly against his ankle and calf, fleeting and almost imperceptible.

He felt apologetic and embarrassed, and again drew his legs back properly, determined not to make the same mistake.

However, his ankles and calves were extremely sensitive. That feather-light contact struck precisely at his nerves, leaving his entire leg faintly numb.

A spectator quietly reminded, “Chen Wan, your turn.”

Chen Wan came back to himself and looked up.

Zhao Shengge was watching him quietly, and with a composed, gentlemanly motion, pushed a King of Clubs toward him.

Chen Wan’s heart jolted. He immediately focused and played his card.

This round was still won by Zhao Shengge. His play was not particularly aggressive, and compared to that time at sea, could even be described as restrained.

He Shengyuan leaned over to count the cards Chen Wan had lost and joked, “Chen Wan, you’re in Cao’s camp but your heart’s with Han.”

Chen Wan only smiled and shook his head. “My skills fall short. I willingly concede.”

Having lost, he took on the role of shuffling.

During the break, Zhao Shengge took out his phone and replied to a message.

A card slipped from between Chen Wan’s fingers and fell to the floor. He murmured an apology and bent down to pick it up.

Zhao Shengge was looking down, likely not hearing him.

As Chen Wan bent over, he saw the fallen card was a King of Clubs. He wondered whether it was the same one Zhao Shengge had used in the previous round to overturn his base score.

The image of Charlemagne on the card flickered dimly beneath the tablecloth. Under the table, the guests’ legs were all in different postures.

Even among so many equally refined suit trousers and polished black shoes, the pair of legs directly opposite stood out.

Long, slightly bent legs, relaxed in posture yet carrying a steady composure, wrapped in black suit trousers. The folds at the thighs revealed the strength and resilience of the muscles, matching the imposing presence of their owner.

Below the straight trouser legs, a section of black sock wrapped around the defined ankle, leading into gleaming black leather shoes, carrying a restrained, disciplined allure.

This person’s shoes and trousers were not the most expensive in the room, but they were the most striking, the most… tempting to reach out and touch.

What would it feel like to be brushed by such legs? To be stepped beneath them. What kind of sensation would that be?

A sudden heat rose in Chen Wan’s nose. He felt something was wrong with himself, and ashamed. He forced his thoughts back under control and straightened up.

Even by the time the second round of dealing began, he was still analyzing. Based on position, distance, and the earlier sensation, it seemed unlikely that the person he had touched was—

Good. Better that it was not.

His distraction nearly caused him to deal incorrectly, but he adjusted in time and did not draw attention. Zhao Shengge suddenly lifted his gaze and looked straight at him. Chen Wan’s heart skipped a beat. The other man’s expression was calm and gentle. Chen Wan suppressed his scattered thoughts and focused on dealing.

Although the stakes at the table were not particularly significant, businessmen valued momentum and fortune.

From the second round onward, He Shengyuan sat directly beside Chen Wan, acting as an advisor and overseeing the play.

He had a strong fondness for cards. Although Chen Wan had not deliberately held back in the first round, he had still lost, and felt somewhat embarrassed. From time to time, he echoed He Shengyuan’s suggestions and respected his input when playing.

He Shengyuan was likely from Xiguan. He spoke quickly, and some of his habitual phrases and wording were difficult for Chen Wan to catch. Chen Wan had to lean closer, half guessing to understand.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder, studying the cards, brows slightly furrowed.

Zhao Shengge, however, changed his earlier gentle style. Move by move, he pressed forward aggressively. Once again, it was that King of Clubs, sharp and ruthless, swallowing the points Chen Wan had painstakingly accumulated.

Chen Wan glanced at him in confusion. He knew Zhao Shengge was supposed to play the “black face,” but this was excessively so.

In the previous round he had been like a Bodhisattva. Now he had turned into a living Yama. Chen Wan was completely caught off guard.

Zhao Shengge lowered his eyes to his cards. The young man beside him handed him a glass of low-alcohol liquor. Zhao Shengge did not refuse. He accepted it and took a small sip. The young man’s lips curved upward in satisfaction.