IC C9

Chapter 9

“Xie Wei, you win.”

Lei Jun’s calm voice announced the result. At the same time, Peng Tao rubbed at his temple with his elbow resting on the table, his face far from cheerful.

It was only natural. In the third round, Siwon had won 10,000 with just 10,000.

In the next round, he made 20,000 from 20,000.

Then again, 40,000 from 40,000.

And finally, won 80,000 from 80,000.

No matter how rich one was, losing 80,000 patacas in a flash would sting. More unbearable still was watching an opponent—whom he had expected to break easily—pile up victory after victory. Especially for an arrogant man like Peng Tao.

“Congratulations, Xie Wei.”

Lei Jun slid the chips over to Siwon. Before long, they were stacked high in front of him. Round, flat pieces of plastic, yet their true value—160,000 patacas—was heavy with weight.

Peng Tao had said clearly: if Siwon won chips, he could keep them. Someone of that vain character would never go back on his word, his pride forbade it.

Which meant—in less than an hour, he had gained 160,000 patacas. Nearly a year’s wage if he’d been working in Korea.

An exhilaration beyond ordinary achievement flooded his body. He kept his face composed and asked evenly:

“Shall we continue?”

“Haha… Interesting. Xiao Wei, is this really your first time playing poker?”

“Yes.”

“You’re kidding me. Beginner’s luck has its limits.”

Peng Tao gave a hollow laugh and barked toward Lei Jun.

“Deal the next hand.”

“Yes. Please open your bets.”

At Lei Jun’s words, Kang Siwon checked his cards.

K♦, Q♠. Again a strong start—king and queen together. But he played conservatively.

“10,000 patacas.”

“Call.”

“Revealing the flop.”

Lei Jun flipped the cards.

Q♦, 8♣, 2♥.

Top pair. A solid beginning. Just as he thought he might take this one—

“100,000 more.”

The pot ballooned. Peng Tao slammed down ten chips, then stared across at Siwon as though to test him; a goading gaze plain for all to see.

“Call.”

He accepted the provocation with composure. Lei Jun revealed the turn card.

6♠.

Siwon shifted his gaze subtly. Peng Tao rubbed at his mouth with one hand—an affectation. Was he dampening excitement, or just pretending to? Either way, a flimsy mask.

“Raising 30,000.”

Siwon pushed three more chips forward, pressing the attack. As expected, dismay flitted across Peng Tao’s face. Subtle, a drop of ink in clear water—but Siwon caught it immediately.

“Hah… so you’ve got something good then, Xiao Wei?”

“Who knows.”

“Trying to send me home already? Hiding some special skill all along?”

No, not an overreaction. This brat really was spouting nonsense. Siwon pressed down the urge to sneer, holding expressionless.

“I think I’m finally starting to understand the rules.”

“Good. Call.”

The pot surged to 140,000. If Siwon could take this, his stack would hit 300,000.

An unreal number. His mind buzzed, light with dizziness—imagining groceries, dining out, a savings cushion. Desires long suppressed unfurled wildly. Things he’d denied himself, cut away, suddenly seemed within reach. His head reeled with dopamine.

But the awareness itself struck cold, like ice water.

He was dreaming of getting rich quick. Just like his father.

In an instant, elation plunged into the mire. He felt revolted by himself—succumbing to the very vice he despised most. So much effort to avoid gambling, yet the moment opportunity knocked, his instincts rushed to answer. Proof, perhaps, that he was rotten from the start. That addiction ran in his bloodline.

“…”

He drew a long breath in and out. Calm washed back in, drowning the frenzy and disgust.

Reality settled over him, showing him the face of his recent disgrace. He felt shame flare again—but he had no leisure to wallow. With a clear mind, he made his decision.

“Hmm…”

Meanwhile, Peng Tao was staring directly at the cards in his hand. Finally, he quirked his lips.

“Betting 10,000.”

A weak, cautious play. The look on his face suggested things weren’t going his way. Could be bait, of course. But to Siwon, the detail no longer mattered.

Eyes lowered, he murmured,

“Fold.”

“Fold? You’re giving up now?”

“Yes.”

If he swore he had no regrets, it would be a lie. But that was all the more reason to step away.

“We were just warming up—what’s this, Xiao Wei? Is this part of your strategy?”

“No. Just… I’m a coward, that’s all.”

Outwardly he never looked cowardly. But that was the truth. Anxious and fearful of ending up like his father. A coward who’d rather lose everything he had than become that kind of addict.

“Congratulations, Mr. Peng Tao. You win this round.”

“Tch, boring end.”

He tossed his cards aside carelessly, signaling Lei Jun with his eyes to deal again.

But before that, Siwon stepped in.

“Sir, did you enjoy yourself?”

“Of course. You’re much better than those idiots earlier, Xiao Wei. More than just a pretty face.”

“In that case, shall we end here?”

Peng Tao frowned.

“What? It hasn’t even been an hour. You promised to keep me company.”

That was forced on me, you bastard, Siwon thought, swallowing down the insult poised on his tongue. Harder than masking his face during poker was keeping up the mask of a service worker in front of this man.

“I felt you seemed to have enjoyed yourself already. Surely that effort alone made your trip worthwhile.”

“…Hmm.”

He stared at Siwon. Yesterday, the gaze had been one of sizing up. Today, it carried a deeper interest.

“Fine. Today isn’t the only day.”

“This, I’ll return.”

Siwon set down a single 10,000 chip in front of him, like placing a go stone.

“Keep it.”

“Sorry. I can’t.”

“You’d refuse my generosity?”

“Regulations forbid us from accepting valuables from guests. I ask your understanding.”

Peng Tao creased his brow at the slight, but pressed no further. Instead, he snorted and pivoted.

“Difficult man. Then at least cash out the chips. You can do that, can’t you, Xiao Wei?”

“Yes, I’ll assist you.”

And in that moment, he felt eyes on him. Looking up, across the table, Lei Jun’s dark gaze locked onto him. Something unreadable flickered there. Siwon ignored it, gathered the chips, and turned them over.

Now, finally, the chips felt like mere bits of plastic.

Not during the game. Then, they had become his money; shimmering illusions of fortune he could taste in his palm. He had let himself be swept up, even knowing it was a mirage.

But now, the fever was gone. So too the foolish hunger. Siwon knew with certainty—he had stepped away from the madness again.

He had returned to reality. A reality shabby but his own. And for now, that was enough.

After a particularly exhausting shift, Siwon left the casino. On the way back to the dorm, he encountered Lei Jun. Same evening shift, same direction—it was inevitable.

He walked at a cautious distance. Since they weren’t strangers—but weren’t quite close either—the silence hung heavier. After sharing that private room earlier, he felt a pressure to say something about it. But Siwon was not the type to open conversation. He kept his mouth shut, trudging along.

On any other day, Lei Jun would have chatted first. But tonight, he too remained silent. Perhaps even he had been worn down by such a troublesome patron, Siwon guessed.

Not a word was exchanged in the elevator ride up to the dorm. Only once they passed the front door inside did Lei Jun break that silence.

“Xie Wei—you lost on purpose, didn’t you?”