Power and Wealth

“Good evening Sir. Are you ready?” It’s the female croupier in the afternoon.

Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette. “Yes. When is it starting?”

“The games had started. Please wait. I will bring you there.”

After a while, the female staff knocked on Dong Xuebing’s door and brought them deeper into Jin Di Mansion. After a series of turns and walking past a courtyard, they stopped in front of a massive door. It looks like the entrance of a high-end conference hall and two men in suits was standing guard outside. The female staff spoke to the men, and they started to search Dong Xuebing and Chu Feng’s body. Maybe they are worried that guests would bring recording devices or cheating devices into the Casino. They don’t even allow mobile phones.

After a while, one of the men nodded. “You can enter.”

The other man who was searching Chu Feng said. “He is fine.”

The door opened, and it was bustling with activities inside. Dong Xuebing entered and saw men and women crowding at a small table, staring at three dices. The dices jumped and knocked against each other before stopping, showing the number. Some of the people at the table laughed excitedly, and some slapped their foreheads in frustration. On the other side of the hall, there are several smaller rooms. It should be a place for people to play Mahjong or Three-card Brag. The bets here should be much higher than the rooms outside.

The hall was noisy, and Dong Xuebing could hear shouts, cheers, cursing, etc.

Chu Feng swallowed his saliva. “Boss, what are we going to play?”

Dong Xuebing has not decided and looked around. “Hmmm... let’s play roulette first.”

Chu Feng was nervous. Chief Dong only has slightly more than 20,000 RMB, and he only has a few thousand with him. Can they win a few hundred thousand with their capital? From the Three-card brag game earlier, Chief Dong’s gambling skills are not as excellent as he claims. Will this be a wasted trip? Chu Feng knew Chief Dong’s plan might work. But the problem is how are they going to win so much money from the Casino? This might be difficult even for an expert!

Roulette is common in Casinos.

Dong Xuebing had never played roulette before and didn’t know this is the US version, or the European version is. There are many sections on the wheel, and there are more than 30 numbers. Every number is either red or black. Dong Xuebing knew he could bet on the color or the numbers. The payouts for odd/even, red/black should be 1:1. Payouts for the numbers are higher. He can choose to bet on a single number, two numbers, or rows of numbers. As long as the small ball lands on the number which you bet, you win.

The roulette dealer is standing at the table with his hands on his stomach. He was waiting for the players to place their bets.

Dong Xuebing looked at him and asked. “Are there any limits? What’s the maximum bet?”

The dealer smiled. “Sir, we don’t have limits here. You can bet as much as you want.”

Dong Xuebing looked at the payout table. Hmmm.... The smallest payout 1:1 is the colors and odd/even. The biggest payout is a single number, and it’s 1:35. Dong Xuebing thought for a while and threw 5,000 RMB on the table. “Number 5.” This Casino is not like those legal Casinos where players use chips. They only accept cash.

The players around looked at Dong Xuebing as it’s rare to see people betting on single numbers.

Chu Feng was panicking. 5,000 RMB on the first bet, and it’s still on a single number? Is Chief Dong here to give the Casino money?

Even the craziest gambler seldom bet on a single number. There are more than 30 numbers on the wheel, and it’s almost impossible for the ball to land on the number you bet. If not, the payouts will not be 1:35. Most people will bet on odd/even, colors, for multiple numbers.

After everyone had placed their bets, the dealer spins the wheel.

After a few seconds, the dealer dropped the ball. Ta... ta... ta... The small ball jumped around on the wheel as the wheel spins. The wheel slowed down to a stop, and the ball rolled to number 13.

“Ah... Lost again!”

“Hahaha... I won!”

The dealer starts to collect money and issue the payouts to the winners.

Chu Feng moved closer. “Boss...”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand and took a deep breath. It’s time to start.

The players were throwing their money on the table, placing their bets.

The dealer smiled. “Are there any more bets? If not, I will start the wheel.”

“Wait.” Dong Xuebing thought for a while and threw 10,000RMB on the table. “Number 7. 10,000 RMB.”

Chu Feng sighed in his heart. He is betting on a single number again. What are the chances of winning? What is Chief Dong thinking?

The roulette wheel spins...

5 seconds...

10 seconds...

20 seconds...

Under the watchful eyes of the players, the small ball landed on 32 first, before jumping to the number 15 beside it!

Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. BACK 2 minutes!

Everything flashed!

The roulette wheel is stationary, and the players are placing their bets.

The dealer looked at Dong Xuebing and smiled. “Are there any more bets? If not, I will start the wheel.”

“Wait.” Dong Xuebing tried his best to use the same expression and tone and threw 10,000 RMB on the table. “Number 15, 10,000 RMB.” Because of the probability of the Butterfly effect, Dong Xuebing maintained the same movements and expressions. He does not want to influence the dealer and change his strength when he spins the wheel. If that happens, BACK will be useless.

The dealer spins the wheel.

30 seconds...

60 seconds...

80 seconds...

The wheel slowed down, and the small ball landed on number 17 and jumped to number 32. Dong Xuebing did feel some difference from before, and the ball bounced from number 32 to 15 and stopped. Dong Xuebing was relieved. That’s a small butterfly effect, but it did not change the result.

The dealer was stunned to see the ball stop on number 15.

The surrounding players looked at Dong Xuebing, thinking to themselves what a lucky man.

Chu Feng took a deep breath and clenched his fist tightly. 15! It’s number 15! This is winning the top prize!

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I won, right?”

“Congratulations. Please wait for a moment.” The dealer looked at Dong Xuebing and walked to a box not far away. He took out 350,000 RMB from the box and passed it to Dong Xuebing.

Chu Feng did not expect Chief Dong to be so lucky to pick the winning number from over 30 numbers. 350,000 RMB! They had accomplished their mission with this amount. Based on their plans, they should inform Chief Liang to send his men to raid this place. He waited for Dong Xuebing to give him the signal, but Chief Dong did not even look at him. He was continuing to gamble!

Chu Feng was stunned. What is Chief Dong doing?

Dong Xuebing wants to continue. 350,000 RMB is not sufficient to bring down Jin Di Mansion. Since he is here, he must make sure he shut down Jin Di Mansion with a heavy blow! Dong Xuebing wants to settle the score for Yu Meixia, Zhou Mei, and the villagers!

“Please place your bets.” The dealer smiled.

Dong Xuebing threw a stack of notes without thinking. “50,000 RMB on number 14.”

Dong Xuebing did not use BACK for the following few rounds and lost 5 to 6 times. He only has 100,000 left! It’s not that Dong Xuebing doesn’t want to win, but people will get suspicious if he wins every round.

The 7th round.

Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and pushed all his money forward. “100,000 RMB on number 8!”

The dealer and other players are used to Dong Xuebing’s crazy antics, and they continued with their bets.

The wheel starts spinning!

The small ball is moving along the wheel.

After about 1 minute, the wheel starts to slow down, and the ball stopped on number 33!

BACK 2 minutes!

Time returned to 2 minutes ago!

“Please place your bets.” The dealer had a smile on his face.

Dong Xuebing pushed his money forward. “100,000 RMB on number 33.”

But this time, the result is different from before. Maybe the dealer had used more strength. After around 1 minute, the ball did not stop on number 33. It stopped on number 17, and the number beside it is 33.

Dong Xuebing did not waste a second and mumbled: “BACK 2 minutes!”

Time returned to 2 minutes ago, again!

“Please place your bets.” The dealer said.

Dong Xuebing had hesitations in his heart as he pushed his money forward. “100,000 RMB... on number 17!”

The wheel starts spinning.

Chu Feng was staring at the small ball, and sweat was rolling down from his forehead. That’s all the money they have. If they lose, the plan to take down Jin Di Mansion will fail. What is Chief Dong thinking? How can he depend on luck to carry out this plan? It’s too risky!

When the ball stops, Chu Feng could not believe his eyes!

17!

It’s number 17!

The dealer’s face changed and looked at Dong Xuebing!

“Dong Xuebing laughed. “I won... 3.5 million? It’s a big win!”

3.5 million??

The surrounding players were stunned when they heard Dong Xuebing! They started whispering among themselves. Since this Casino is opened, some people won more than 1 million RMB. But no one had ever heard of anyone winning 3.5 million! This amount is almost the Casino’s one-day takings!

Dong Xuebing looked at the dealer. “Are you going to give me my money?”

“Sorry. We need some time to prepare.” The dealer paused for a while and went to make a phone call on a counter beside.

Chu Feng looked at Chief Dong’s relaxed look and drew in a deep breath. Luck? Coincidental? Chu Feng felt roulette was a game of chance, but now, he doesn’t believe it. How can someone bet on the winning number twice? This is impossible! The probability is lesser than 1/1000! Chu Feng noticed both times Chief Dong bet on the winning number were when he does not have any money left. Coupled with what Chief Dong said before coming to Jin Di Mansion, Chu Feng has reasons to believe Chief Dong knew the winning number!!

But is this possible?

Chu Feng doesn’t believe it, but this is the fact! He was shocked. The more he followed Chief Dong, the more he discovers how miraculous Chief Dong is. Is there anything Chief Dong is not good at? He is an expert in unarmed combat! He is a marksman! Now, he proved himself to be an expert in gambling...

At the same time.

Ma Dakai, the ‘boss’ of Jin Di Mansion, and also the person in charge of Casino, is in his office talking to Qian Fei over the phone. They are discussing how to deal with the newly posted Deputy Bureau Chief Dong. Ma Dakai knew Jin Di Mansion is not clean, and he is eager to get rid of Chief Dong. If any Public Security leaders are going to pursue the murder case or other related cases, Jin Di Mansion will have to take precautions, and their businesses will be affected.

“We cannot be heavy-handed and blow up this matter.” Qian Fei grumbled.

Ma Dakai asked. “Yu Meixia’s incident should have given Dong Xuebing a warning, and I think he should not come after us anymore, right?”

Qian Fei replied. “Not necessary. We need to prepare against him. If he still wants to find trouble with us, then don’t blame me!” Qian Fei paused for a while and asked. “How’s the mansion? Are there any problems with the Casino?”

Ma Dakai laughed. “How can there be problems with the Casino?”

“It’s better to be careful. The other cases can be easily deal with as all the evidence had been destroyed. Even if anyone wants to touch us, they cannot do anything. But the Casino is the mansion’s weak point, and nothing must happen to it. If the Casino is caught, the mansion will be gone, and even my father cannot do anything. Understand?”

“Don’t worry. I am here.”

Ma Dakai and Qian Fei knew the Casino is Jin Di Mansion’s lifeline. Jin Di Mansion’s annual profits are not even the Casino’s one-week earnings. That’s why Ma Dakai took pains to set the location of the Casino in Jin Di Mansion. Also, if the Police are at the main entrance of Jin Di Mansion, Ma Dakai will still have a few minutes to move the gambling tools and money away. The Police will not get any evidence of the Casino.

Ring, ring... The phone on the desk rang.

Ma Dakai hung up with Qian Fei and answered the phone. “Hello.”

“Manager Ma, someone had just bet on a single number and won 3.5 million at the roulette table.”

Ma Dakai’s face changed. “3.5 million? How did he place his bets? Did he cheat?”

The dealer quickly replied. “I don’t think so. He bet on a single number every time, and I think he might be just lucky. Errr... should we pay him the money?”

Ma Dakai thought for a while. “Get his room number and pay him his winnings. But the roulette table must be close today. Tell the players that there is some problem with the roulette wheel and get someone to check it.” Ma Dakai must uphold the reputation of the Casino. If the Casino refuses to pay out the winnings, no one will come again. But Ma Dakai will not just payout 3.5 million like this. He plans to get the money back after this guest leaves!

Casino’s main hall.

The dealer carried a big box to Dong Xuebing. “This is 3.5 million. Please check.” The Casino has cash for its operations. But after paying out so much money, the Casino does not have much left.

Dong Xuebing nodded and looked at Chu Feng.

Chu Feng understood and went to check the amount.

After a while, Chu Feng said. “Boss, the amount is correct.”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Can we continue?”

The dealer smiled. “Sorry. The roulette wheel has some problems, and someone will be coming over to repair it.”

The other players grumbled, but everyone knew what was going on. The Casino is afraid this man will continue winning.

Dong Xuebing shrugged his shoulders and pushed his sunglasses twice.

Chu Feng narrowed his eyes. This was the signal they had discussed before. After Dong Xuebing went to play at the dice table, Chu Feng made an excuse and left the Casino. He returned to their room and secretly made a phone call in the toilet.

“Hello, Chief Liang? I’m Xiao Chu from Hui Tian Village Station.”

Liang Chengpeng had just finished dinner and was surprised. Why is an officer calling him on his phone?

Chu Feng quickly said. “It’s like this. Chief Dong and I are at Jin Di Mansion now. Chief Dong wants me to tell you to bring some people here to raid the Casino.”

“Gambling raid? Xiao Dong is ready?”

“Yes. Everything is ready.”

“The gambling money?”

“The gambling money is in our hands!”

Liang Chengpeng paused for a second. “Alright. I will get people there!” He doesn’t know how Dong Xuebing gets the gambling money from Jin Di Mansion, but he should not lie about this. That’s why Liang Chengpeng did not ask for more details and called someone to bring a team of officers to Jin Di Mansion!

The person in charge of this raid is Deputy Team Leader Feng. From the phone call, he could tell Chief Liang is treating this raid seriously, and he immediately calls more than a dozen officers he trusted to go with him. He will not call the officers who had dealings with Chief Hu, Chief Zhao, and Jin Di Mansion. With his team, Deputy Team Leader arrived at the entrance of Jin Di Mansion within 30 minutes.

The captain at Jin Di Mansion saw the Police and quickly ran in to inform the Casino.

Team Leader Feng did not waste any time outside. He ordered: “Rush in! If anyone dares to stop us, you all can open fire!”

A group of officers took out their guns and ran into Jin Di Mansion. At the lobby, Chu Feng, who had washed his hair and removed his disguise, walked over to Deputy Team Leader Feng. Chief Liang told Deputy Team Leader Feng about Chu Feng, and after confirming Chu Feng’s identity, he ordered his men to follow Chu Feng to the Casino.

The Casino was in chaos.

“The Police are here! Get out of the back door! Quick!” A few Jin Di Mansion staff quickly open a back door and blocked the main entrance. Although the staff is in a hurry, they are not panicking as this is not the first time.

Within a minute, the gamblers had all left.

At the same time, a few men in suits carried the gambling tools away, and the dealers went to move the cash. The gambling tools like the roulette wheel, and the money was carried away in small trolleys. These people were well trained, and soon, no one is left in the Casino.

About 2 minutes later, Crash!!! The door of the Casino was kicked opened by Deputy Team Leader Feng and Chu Feng!

Not a single soul is inside! There are only a few tables and chairs!

“Search!” Deputy Team Leader Feng’s face turned black. Damn! He knew he couldn’t get anything again!

The officers spread out to search for evidence. Some even went out of the back door.

At the back, Ma Dakai entered the hall. “Team Leader Feng, what are you doing? Ah?”

Deputy Team Leader Feng replied. “Gambling raid!”

Ma Dakai sneered. “We are running a resort, and it’s a legitimate business. Can you don’t accuse me? Gambling raid? Who is gambling? Where?”

After a while, a few officers returned. “Team Leader Feng, we can’t find any gambling tools and money.”

Ma Dakai sneered. All the money had been carried away, and the gambling tools are hidden. No one can find anything. The few minutes since Police arrived at the main entrance was enough for the staff to clear everything. Before the Casino was opened, he and Qian Fei had trained the staff personally. All of them can run faster than a rabbit!

Deputy Team Leader Feng stared at Chu Feng. “Xiao Chu!”

Chu Feng was troubled and thought, where did Chief Dong go?

Ma Dakai waved his hand. “Everyone! There is no Casino here! Please go back!”

“Haha... Who says there is no Casino here?” Suddenly, a young man with yellow hair entered through the back door. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses and smiling happily.

Ma Dakai was stunned. “Who are you?”

Other than Chu Feng, no one recognize Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing felt good. “Who am I? Are you asking me? I am gambling here earlier.”

Deputy Team Leader Feng and the rest of the officers were dumbfounded. Damn! This is the first time they had met someone so honest. This young man had gambled and did not run away from the Police? Why did he come back? Is he crazy? Deputy Team Leader Feng had met all sorts of people over the years, but he had never seen anyone surrendering to the Police with a smile on his face!

Ma Dakai stared at Dong Xuebing. “Young Man! Watch your words!”

Deputy Team Leader Feng asked. “Are you gambling here earlier? Where are the rest of the people?”

Dong Xuebing replied helplessly. “They got away.”

Deputy Team Leader Feng frowned. Even with a witness, they couldn’t do anything if they don’t have any evidence.

Ma Dakai gave Dong Xuebing a threatening stare.

Dong Xuebing pretended to be puzzled. “Eh? Manager Ma? Why are you staring at me?”

Ma Dakai roared. “Our Jin Di Mansion doesn’t have Casino! Where did you gamble? Ah? Young Man, you better watch your words, or I will sue you!”

Dong Xuebing smacked his lips. “Manager Ma, this is not right. We should all be honest. I had just gambled at the roulette table. Why are you lying? You are also in your forties. Telling lies is not a good comrade.”

Chu Feng almost laughs out when he heard Dong Xuebing making fun of Ma Dakai.

Ma Dakai was furious. Since when did anyone dare to make fun of him?!

Deputy Team Leader Feng felt the young man in sunglasses is mad. Why is he so happy when he is about to get arrested for gambling?

Dong Xuebing looked at his watch and laughed. “Alright. It’s about time, and I will not joke with you all. Old Feng, arrest them!”

Old Feng???

Deputy Team Leader Feng almost vomit blood. Old Feng? Who are you to call me that?

Dong Xuebing saw no one moving, and he removed his sunglasses. He brushed his hair and asked. “What’s wrong? You all don’t recognize me after I dyed my hair?”

Deputy Team Leader Feng gasped. “Chief Dong?!”

All the officers were stunned, and Ma Dakai’s face changed.

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Old Feng, go ahead and arrest them. I had contacted the higher-ups, and the whole mansion is surrounded. No one can escape today!”

Ma Dakai shouted. “Arrest us? There is no Casino here! Who gives you the right to arrest us? Ah?”

Dong Xuebing looked at him. “Manager Ma, you are so dishonest. No Casino? Come and see for yourself what this is.” Dong Xuebing, who was standing at the backdoor, reached outside and threw a roulette wheel and poker cards into the hall. “Are these things called gambling tools?”

Earlier, when the Casino’s staff and guests are retreating, Dong Xuebing followed them secretly. Amid the chaos, no one noticed Dong Xuebing as he blends in with the other gamblers. In the end, Dong Xuebing saw where the staff hides gambling tools. It was a secluded room. The door of the room is hidden underneath the carpet, and there are more gambling tools inside. Dong Xuebing had used BACK to knock out two men in suits to get these tools. If not, the Police will not find the hidden door.

Ma Dakai turns pale. “Those... those are what we rented out to our guest. It’s for family entertainment!”

Dong Xuebing can’t be bothered to argue with him. He walked out of the backdoor and carried a big box in. He threw the box on the floor, and bundles of cash dropped out. “There are 3.5 million here. It’s what I won from your Casino. Don’t tell me you don’t know what this is called. Hahaha.... This is gambling money!”

MA Dakai was shocked. That person who won 3.5 million is Dong Xuebing?!

Ma Dakai immediately retorted. “That is not our money! You are lying!”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Stop struggling. There are fingerprints on the notes and the box. We can easily find out where the money comes from. Team Leader Feng, we got gambling tools and money. Later, let Xiao Chu bring you to identify the staff and gamblers. Maybe you can find more money!”