Chapter 12: I Am Not a Bargaining Chip, and I Refuse

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Hmm?”
The two of them were pressed so closely together that it was as if not a sliver of air could pass between them. The scent of the man filled Ye Linglan’s nose, and as she gazed into the depths of his eyes, she caught a fleeting, flustered reflection of herself. Linglan froze for a moment before answering, “President Mo, you saw everything yourself. What more is there for me to say?”
Indeed, during the first round, both Mo Zhicheng and Young Master Qin had chosen to fold their cards. So, in the second round while the cards were being shuffled, she made a sly move—swiftly hiding the card originally meant for Mo Zhicheng and replacing it with the Ace of Spades, sliding it his way. She did it for her own survival; if she was caught in the act, she would accept the consequences. No matter what, it was a dead end anyway. She would rather make her own choice than let others decide her fate.
From the very beginning, she knew Mo Zhicheng was a man of deep calculation, never to be taken at face value. Just like tonight, Linglan understood he didn’t make an exception for her; it was because Young Master Qin was too arrogant, relying on his family’s power, acting without restraint. Mo Zhicheng simply used her as a tool to put Qin in his place. Qin’s defeat meant he lost face.
Their eyes locked, and he slowly leaned in, his husky voice brushing her ear, “Who taught you? To play tricks in front of me!”
His breath was hot as it seared her neck, and he continued, “Afraid I’d lose you to him? Hmm?”
Ye Linglan shut her eyes, but his teasing made her tremble all over.
“Do you know that in Night City, some people become fabulously wealthy overnight, while others lose everything? No matter what, the biggest winner is always the house, always me. Even if you hadn’t cheated for me, I still would have found a way to win. On my turf, no one beats me—not with his paltry skills!”
She stared, slowly opening her eyes, frowning as she responded, “President Mo, do you know that the first time I saw you was a few months ago at the company interview? Director Tang asked me why I chose to join ‘Heavenly City Group.’”
He gazed at her intently, his eyes narrowing.
“I said I admired you, President Mo. Maybe you think those are just empty words, but for me, they’re not. There’s an old saying: ‘When you see virtue, strive to match it.’ That’s why I came here. In my heart, President Mo, you are a hero. And tonight, it was the hero I admired who pushed me onto the gambling table and made me the wager. But as you said yourself, shouldn’t you ask the person involved if they’re willing? What if I say I am not a commodity, not a bargaining chip, and I refuse?! I didn’t cheat in front of you on purpose, President Mo. I was trying to save myself. It’s instinct!”
Only after blurting it all out in one breath did she feel a rush of relief. Her words were watertight, flawless. As her last syllable faded, Ye Linglan turned her gaze away, refusing to look at him again.
Mo Zhicheng said nothing. After a long silence, he picked up that playing card, lightly brushing it across the tip of her delicate nose. The next moment, he let go. Ye Linglan stumbled back against the door, lowering her head to watch the card he’d casually flicked away spin through the air before landing on the floor.
He had pushed her aside, striding away as Ye Linglan braced herself against the wall, sinking weakly onto the carpet.
She could still recall the wry smile on his face as he left, as if saying, “Ye Linglan, you really are something.”
Ye Linglan let out a helpless laugh and buried her head with a deep sigh.
After the private room was cleared out, Ye Linglan returned home; it was already midnight. After her shower, exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep, but was soon startled awake by a flurry of urgent knocks at the door.
“Ye Linglan, open up—”
She rolled over, fumbling for the bedside lamp. Who could it be at this hour? Pulling a jacket around her, she made her way to the door. Peering through the peephole, she was shocked to see Ye Shenghan. Sleep vanished instantly as she hurried to open the door.
“What took you so long to open up?” a complaining voice greeted her.
Looking up, Ye Linglan saw the man behind Ye Shenghan—it was Bai Yuchen. Their brotherhood went all the way back to the glory days of the Ye Corporation. Even after the company changed hands, Bai Yuchen had stayed with Ye Shenghan. They were truly friends through thick and thin.
“Shenghan, Yuchen, why are you here so late?”
Seeing Bai Yuchen with him, Ye Linglan couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Before Ye Shenghan could reply, Bai Yuchen spoke first, “Have you checked your phone? How many times have we called you? Not one answer.”
Ye Linglan immediately searched her pockets. “I left my phone at Night City,” she said, frowning.
“From nine to eleven, Shenghan couldn’t reach you and thought something had happened. He was worried, so we came over right away,” Bai Yuchen said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Ye Linglan nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips, her heart fluttering with joy—Shenghan was worried about her!
“What happened to your face?” Bai Yuchen asked, his voice tinged with concern as he peered at her in the dim light.