Chapter 167: Money Game (4)

He Yu put down his chopsticks after eating only a little. Little Stone, on the other hand, devoured the food viciously, only stopping when he physically couldn't swallow another bite. He was so stuffed his eyes rolled back.

He Yu handed him a cup of water.

"Slow down. It's not your last meal."

Little Stone froze, then looked at him in disbelief.

"Isn't this a condemned man's final meal? Don't tell me we're actually going to survive?"

What a joke.

They had offended the Third Young Master. How could they possibly live?

The corners of He Yu's lips lifted slightly, his eyes devoid of emotion.

"If I don't let you die, then you absolutely won't die."

His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable dominance and certainty.

He looked exceptionally thin and frail. Compared to the unusually robust Federation citizens, he resembled nothing more than a weak little chick. His voice remained gentle and husky, completely unremarkable.

Yet the overwhelming authority that seemed to come from the depths of his soul was enough to shake people.

The audience already knew it well.

He Yu appeared weak on the outside but was unyielding within, elegant on the surface and pitch-black underneath.

At the beginning, almost everyone had believed Wanrenzhan could split He Yu in half with a single swing of his axe.

But now?

Even in a situation like this, nobody believed He Yu would die.

—He had survived so many desperate situations.

—If he died here instead, it would almost feel ridiculous.

Little Stone stared at him blankly for a long moment.

Then he pursed his lips, stood up while holding his swollen stomach, and said,

"You don't understand the Bray family's power at all. The Third Young Master's temper is terrible. Don't think being noticed by him is something amazing. He's only eighteen, but he already has countless lovers."

The little fellow glanced at He Yu, putting on the airs of a mature adult despite his age.

"You may be very good-looking, but what kind of people hasn't the Third Young Master seen? He won't change his principles for you. You embarrassed him in public. He'll definitely kill you."

Of course, if that big beggar died, then he, the little beggar, would die too.

Neither of them would escape.

Thinking of that, Little Stone lowered his head. Even the feeling of being full no longer brought him much happiness.

Hearing this, He Yu merely smiled without saying a word.

—Kill him?

—Plenty of people had wanted to kill him.

—So far, not a single one had succeeded.

—

After eating and drinking their fill, a servant led He Yu toward the Third Young Master's room.

Little Stone was left in the side building. Looking at He Yu's retreating figure, he hesitated before shouting,

"Hey! Try flattering the Third Young Master. Maybe, for the sake of your face, he'll let you live a little longer."

He Yu looked back, smiling.

"Little fellow, are you worried about me?"

Little Stone curled his lip.

"Who cares about you? I just don't want you dragging me down. Living one extra day is still one extra day!"

The little boy deliberately turned his head away, wearing an expression full of disdain.

He Yu smiled, turned around, and leisurely followed the servant without the slightest hint of urgency.

Servants weren't strong fighters.

But guards were stationed throughout the entire villa. Quite a few were S-rank, and there were even two SS-rank experts. He Yu could feel several gazes fixed on him, all watching him cautiously.

Escaping from this place was impossible.

The Third Young Master had casually decided to keep him and ordered him brought back, but the people hidden in the shadows would keep constant watch, eliminating any potential threat.

He raised a hand to adjust his glasses, slipped both hands into his pockets, and walked at an unhurried pace.

Calm.

Composed.

As though he weren't someone brought here to serve another...

But rather—

The owner of this place.

He strolled leisurely through the grounds as if taking a relaxing walk.

The people secretly observing him were speechless.

Who exactly was this guy?

Did he think this place belonged to him?!

The Third Young Master hadn't returned yet, so the servant merely brought He Yu inside and told him to prepare in advance.

The room was immaculate, without a speck of dust.

Every decoration radiated luxury and grandeur.

The enormous bed looked large enough to sleep ten people, wild and extravagant.

The servant instructed He Yu to wait on the nearby sofa.

However, after the servant left, He Yu walked directly toward the enormous bed.

He lay down.

Closed his eyes.

And fell asleep.

Entirely at ease.

The people secretly watching him: "..."

Gradually, He Yu could sense the eyes watching him disappearing one by one.

The corners of his lips curved upward.

Then he completely drifted off to sleep.

—He'd be staying up late tonight.

—Better catch up on sleep first.

—

When the Third Young Master returned, he didn't immediately head to his room.

Bodyguard B reported,

"We've investigated them. The little one is called Little Stone, a young beggar from City A. His parents are both dead, and he survives by digging through trash for food."

After a pause, he continued,

"The older one is called He Yu. Also a beggar. He survives the same way, searching dumpsters for food."

He added,

"We don't know why they approached you, Third Young Master. Most likely... they wanted to attract your attention."

The Third Young Master wasn't surprised by their motive.

Instead, he frowned, his expression turning unpleasant.

"Beggars? They dig through garbage for food?"

Bodyguard A immediately recognized that expression.

The Third Young Master had become disgusted with He Yu.

Rich people were always especially repulsed by the poor.

Originally, He Yu's face had sparked a bit of interest.

But the moment he heard the man survived by rummaging through dumpsters, that interest disappeared.

Sure enough, the Third Young Master waved dismissively.

"Drag him away. Kill him."

"Yes, sir."

Bodyguard B turned to the others.

"Where is he?"

Someone immediately answered,

"In the Third Young Master's room... sleeping."

Bodyguard B: "?"

The Third Young Master frowned.

"Sleeping? I'll go take a look."

Bodyguard B: "..."

That beggar might rummage through garbage, but his methods really were impressive.

Hadn't he managed to make the Third Young Master curious all over again?

The group headed toward the Third Young Master's residence.

The door wasn't closed.

As soon as he stepped inside, the Third Young Master saw the man lying comfortably on his bed.

He was sleeping peacefully, as though he were resting in his own home.

The blanket had been casually pulled over himself.

Everyone entering the room fell silent for a moment.

Was this man incredibly skilled...

Or simply fearless?

Apparently hearing movement, He Yu slowly opened his eyes.

Still carrying traces of drowsiness, he looked toward them.

He leisurely propped himself upright, appearing utterly lazy.

His gaze drifted across the group with complete indifference.

He had no intention of standing.

Nor any intention of greeting them.

Arrogant.

Utterly disrespectful.

Completely lacking in courtesy.

Just as Bodyguard B concluded this man was definitely dead—

The plump Third Young Master waved his hand.

"Leave us."

Clearly...

His interest had returned.

After all, someone constantly fawned over might occasionally find a skinny yet untamed beauty rather intriguing.

The entire group filed out, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Bodyguard B now looked at He Yu with admiration.

Bodyguard A still looked at him with contempt.

The Third Young Master narrowed his eyes, smiling.

"So... you're deliberately trying to seduce me? Jumping out this afternoon was also just to get my attention?"

Although he'd already investigated everything, he still wanted to hear the answer from He Yu himself.

He Yu adjusted his glasses.

Because he'd been sleeping, they had become completely crooked, making him look faintly playful.

After straightening them, he looked at the Third Young Master and admitted frankly,

"It was to get your attention."

His face remained expressionless.

His eyes were slightly cold.

[Bullet Screen: "He Yu is definitely angry!!"]

[Bullet Screen: "This Third Young Master is almost as narcissistic as Wanrenzhan."]

[Bullet Screen: "Who's Wanrenzhan matched against this round?"]

[Bullet Screen: "Main Planet's Owen."]

[Bullet Screen: "That'll be interesting, but I still want to see what He Yu is planning."]

[Bullet Screen: "Siya and Ling Buchen are in the same arena too. Their arena this round is based on strength. Siya is dozens of times stronger than Ling Buchen, but Ling Buchen has Li Zhan's zither, so it's still impossible to say who'll win."]

Seeing He Yu admit it so readily, the Third Young Master's smile became even more mocking.

He walked over, placing his fingers on his belt as he prepared to unfasten it.

He had already decided.

After having his fun with this man...

He would kill him.

Although He Yu's background disgusted him, the man looked clean enough now.

And he was exceptionally beautiful.

The Third Young Master found himself reluctant to kill him immediately.

He undid his belt and walked toward the bed.

He Yu watched him attentively.

As the man approached, He Yu straightened his posture.

The Third Young Master's eyes filled with ridicule.

His expression turned even more contemptuous.

So.

After pretending to be so aloof just now...

Was he finally acting like everyone else?

His interest waned slightly.

But then He Yu pulled out a deck of playing cards.

Looking up at the Third Young Master, he smiled brilliantly.

"Third Young Master, want to play poker?"

The Third Young Master: "..."

What kind of strange new term was that?

Why did it sound... somewhat improper?

He looked at He Yu.

Then at the playing cards in his hand.

Silence.

He Yu smiled.

"Trust me. It's a lot of fun."

His voice was filled with temptation.

His almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as his charm reached its peak.

For some inexplicable reason...

The Third Young Master nodded.

"Fight the Landlord? Blackjack? Or Three Card Brag?"

He Yu's long, elegant fingers danced with the deck.

The movements were mesmerizing.

The cards seemed to come alive in his hands.

Even the names he spoke sounded irresistibly enticing.

His fingers moved with extraordinary dexterity.

Card after card flipped gracefully between them.

As he shuffled—

Shh-shh-shh—

The cards blurred into afterimages.

Every motion alternated between speed and ease, completely capturing the Third Young Master's attention.

He swallowed.

Having never heard any of the three games before, he picked one at random.

Originally, he'd only been mildly interested in He Yu.

Now, watching those impossibly graceful movements, his interest skyrocketed.

He found himself willing to spend a little time...

Playing with He Yu.

He treated it as foreplay.

Good for improving the night's entertainment.

At this moment, however, his attention remained entirely on He Yu.

He couldn't care less about the gambling game itself.

He Yu explained the rules.

They were simple enough.

Federation citizens had enhanced memories, making them easy to learn.

But the Third Young Master's eyes remained glued to He Yu.

His exquisite face.

His exposed collarbone.

His slender waist that looked as though it could be encircled with one hand...

When He Yu dealt him his cards, he couldn't resist brushing his distinctly jointed hand.

He Yu's face instantly darkened.

In that instant...

The Third Young Master felt the surrounding air become noticeably colder.

His overheated mind cleared slightly.

[Bullet Screen: "You're dead. Do you even know that?"]

[Bullet Screen: "Heh. Starting to feel sorry for the Third Young Master."]

The cards were already in their hands.

Beside them were the chips He Yu had taken out.

This was also the audience's first realization that the high-grade equipment could transform into two connected forms.

Both chips.

And playing cards.

The chips looked exactly like Money Planet Federation credits.

Even though the Third Young Master was extremely wealthy, merely holding the chips immediately put him in a good mood.

That was simply how Money Planet people were.

They couldn't live without money.

Money filled their eyes.

Money was as important to them as life itself.

Anything connected to wealth was enough to excite them.

At this moment, however, he still knew nothing about the thrill of gambling.

His eyes lingered on He Yu.

On the chips.

But not on the cards.

The first round began.

The Third Young Master played carelessly.

He lost ten chips.

He wasn't very pleased.

Originally, he hadn't intended to continue.

But seeing He Yu apparently enjoying himself, he decided to indulge him for another round.

The second round began.

This time, the Third Young Master had an excellent hand.

He won twenty chips.

Watching the chips—almost identical to Federation credits—pile up beside him, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.

His mood improved considerably.

He didn't mention stopping.

The third round began.

This time his hand wasn't particularly good.

His smile immediately disappeared.

But He Yu's hand was even worse.

The Third Young Master won another ten chips.

His smile returned.

The fourth round began.

The Third Young Master received an outstanding hand.

Unable to contain his excitement, he watched as both sides raised the stakes to one hundred chips.

He Yu narrowly won.

The Third Young Master's expression darkened instantly.

"Again!"

He impatiently threw down his cards.

The fifth round began.

The Third Young Master received another outstanding hand.

He immediately pushed in all of his chips.

However...

He Yu's hand was even better.

He narrowly defeated the Third Young Master once again.

The Third Young Master's eyes turned red.

He stared fixedly at the chips on the table.

"Again!"

He Yu sighed helplessly.

"Third Young Master, you've run out of chips. The ones I lent you were just for fun. If we continue now without chips, it won't be nearly as interesting."

After a pause, he added quietly,

"Why don't we just go to sleep instead?"

Sleep?

After losing all that money?

How could anyone sleep?!

The Third Young Master refused immediately.

Slapping the bed, he raised his voice.

"It's just money. I'll transfer you more."

[Bullet Screen: "Third Young Master... you've just made the biggest mistake of your life."]

[Bullet Screen: "Heh. You should've chosen sleep."]

The moment he said those words...

He Yu became a completely different person.

He stood up, smiling brilliantly.

"Third Young Master, what's so fun about playing on a bed? Let's move to the table."

The Third Young Master had already developed a taste for gambling.

Naturally, he followed.

The two sat opposite each other.

The atmosphere immediately became more formal.

He Yu produced an enormous pile of chips and smiled gently.

"Third Young Master, how many chips would you like to exchange? We have one-credit chips, one-hundred-credit chips, and ten-thousand-credit chips."

The Third Young Master: "..."

So there was more than one denomination?

Being wealthy, he immediately purchased one hundred thousand credits' worth of chips.

Five ten-thousand-credit chips.

Four hundred one-hundred-credit chips.

And ten thousand one-credit chips.

They formed a towering pile beside him.

He Yu stacked an equally impressive pile beside himself.

He wore loose pajamas with the belt casually tied.

His collarbone was exposed, revealing tantalizing glimpses beneath the fabric.

But the Third Young Master had no attention left for that.

His eyes remained fixed on He Yu's hands as they effortlessly flipped the cards.

Distinct joints.

Long, slender fingers.

Every card seemed imbued with some mysterious magic.

He Yu smiled.

His husky, low voice carried irresistible temptation.

"Come."

"My adorable Third Young Master."