Chapter 8: Silver Hook Gambling House

Look at what you can do! Should we buy large or small

The bystanders were first taken aback, and then they burst into hearty laughter

Zhang Facai ran through two alleys, shrinking his head and neck, and when he noticed there was no movement behind him, he thought he had escaped a calamity. Relieved, he forcefully blew his nose, as if to vent his frustration. Tightening his belt, he straightened his back and swaggered on towards his destination.

Just as I turned around and was about to leave, I heard a familiar rustling sound coming from next door

"Then hand over the money on you!" Zhang Jinbao seized the opportunity to extract a confession

Zhang Facai spoke with some hesitation, wondering whether to buy large or small

Wait! Seeing that others had already placed their bets, Zhang Facai became flustered and pulled out two coins from his shoe

In a large room, the air was thick and murky, and even during the day, the windows remained closed. Dozens of dim oil lamps flickered, casting shadows of figures on the four walls. Amidst the haze, only pairs of eyes, eager for quick wealth, shone brightly.

Upon hearing Zhang Qingtian's words, no matter how shameless Zhang Facai was, he could no longer maintain his composure, "Don't! My daughter, please don't! I truly have no money!"

The renowned "Pig Slaughtering Girl" has gained a formidable reputation; these gamblers, upon seeing her piercing gaze, dare not jest and turn to their own games.

What are you betting on

She turned around gracefully, hm! How dare they think of hiding their private savings right under her nose? The Zhang family is also large and noisy, and money and jewelry go missing from time to time. The maids and servants in those grand households are much more cunning than this family; if one does not have some means to deal with them, they would even dare to sell their master!

Zhang Qingteng shot him a glance and said, "What are you still dawdling for? Hurry up and chase after him! Be careful not to let him notice you."

Ah, how cunning this old fellow is! Zhang Jinbao spat in frustration at his back, attempting to cover up his own ineffectiveness in handling the matter

Zhang Facai skillfully squeezed into the place where the guessing game was taking place, just in time for this round to place a bet

Before long, a curtain was lifted, and he entered the largest silver hook gambling house in the market

Although he did not understand the meaning, Zhang Jinbao still followed the instructions and pursued.

Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Zhang Facai suddenly turned around and ran out

Place your bets! Hurry up and place your bets!" the dealer shouted loudly

You also follow along! Zhang Qingtian has assigned Zhang Xiaodie as the second scout, while he himself continues to maintain a ladylike demeanor, leisurely playing the role of the yellow sparrow behind the scenes.

Who!" Zhang Facai was furious and shouted: "Which son of a turtle dares to steal my money?"

Look at your unfortunate state, I bought a small one

Zhang Facai turned around and retracted his raised hand, while Zhang Qingteng stood leisurely at the entrance of the gambling house, observing coldly.

Zhang Qingtian looked at them pulling and tugging at each other, finding it quite unseemly. He frowned slightly and spoke, "If you don't have money, then strip him of all his clothes! Don't even spare his shoes, burn everything clean with a fire!"

The squeezed gambler spotted Zhang Facai and greeted him with a smile, "Oh! Old Zhang, you are here again! Has your daughter been slaughtering pigs again?"

Daughter, we can't play this thing. If you want to play a couple of rounds, let's go outside, and I'll teach you how to gamble!" Zhang Facai, who had lost his fortune, stood beside his daughter, trying to curry favor. Unable to gamble himself, he found great pleasure in watching others play, which is the mark of a hopeless gambler

"Hehe! Daughter, you have come too?" Zhang Facai rubbed his old hands, which resembled dry tree bark, and awkwardly offered a smile.

Zhang Facai, filled with rage and humiliation, stepped forward to strike Zhang Jinbao. However, Zhang Jinbao, undeterred, leaned forward and said, "Go ahead, hit me!"

Is it possible that Beian Country also has horse-drawn carriages? Zhang Qingteng became interested and graced the humble abode next door with a visit

"How much money do you have hidden on you? Hand it over!" The speaker was Zhang Xiaodie, and the one searching was Zhang Jinbao. "Sister, you even used a pig slaughtering knife; do you still have the face to gamble? I'll chop off all ten of your fingers, and then let's see what you have left to bet with!"

I bet on big! It has already opened small twice in a row, I don't believe it can open small again

Zhang Xiaodie, after all, is a young lady, and she turned away. Although Zhang Jinbao had received the authority from his elder sister, he still did not dare to be too arrogant and reckless in front of his own father. He muttered to himself, "Elder sister, this is really too much, isn't it?"

The entire family was unaware of her intentions, all holding their breath and standing quietly to the side, waiting for her to speak

Yet the owner of that hand calmly straightened up and said, "It's you, the son of this old turtle. What's the matter!"

The space inside is not large, and there are very few people, only two tables. Each table is covered with a red cloth, and the atmosphere is quite tranquil as they play cards quietly. No wonder there was not much noise heard from outside at first.

Zhang Qingteng looked at him coldly, pondering in his heart how to deal with the root of this prodigal.

With a slight lift of her chin and a subtle gesture of her eyes, Zhang Jinbao immediately understood that this action from her elder sister was a signal for her to gather information. Not daring to delay, she hurried over, lifted the curtain, and stretched her neck to take a look, saying, "Elder sister, this is where the horses are tied up."

Place your bets quickly! Don't dawdle like a woman giving birth! The dealer provoked the gamblers with his words, and in no time, many chips were put down again

Players who had not returned all night, eager gamblers who managed to gather some money early in the morning to try to recoup their losses, were bustling about, jostling for space. Groups gathered around different tables, shouting and cheering, creating a lively atmosphere.

Although Zhang Facai was still vigorous despite his age, he ultimately could not compete with those two young rascals. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape, he was brought before Zhang Qingtian.

Zhang Facai, who had just lost face in front of his daughter, said with considerable displeasure: "I don't need to rely on her; I can make money even without her pig farming!"

As soon as it was placed into the pile of large characters with a "bang," a thin, black hand unexpectedly emerged and forcefully snatched away the silver!

"You came to this casino without any money? Who would believe that!" Zhang Jinbao tugged at his clothes, not knowing where this old fellow had hidden the money, truly unable to find it.

Zhang Qingtian stopped in her tracks and listened carefully; she indeed did not hear incorrectly

Staring at him with a gaze as sharp as a butcher's knife, Zhang Facai felt goosebumps all over his body and could no longer hold back, "Daughter, please stop looking at me like that..."

Zhang Jinbao flatteringly presented the silver to the elder sister, but Zhang Qingting immediately detected a sour odor, wrinkling her brow in distaste. After considering that even if it was foul, it was still money, she decided it was better to keep it in her own pocket for peace of mind. She then took out a small money pouch from her bosom and instructed Zhang Jinbao to place it inside.

"Watch out! My luck has not been good lately, but be careful this time as I might turn my fortune around and leave you with nothing!"

Zhang Qingting frowned in displeasure, and Zhang Xiaodie immediately understood and pushed her father back a step. The eldest sister now preferred not to speak, but to convey orders through her gaze

"Don't touch me! I'll beat you like a little dog!" Zhang Facai was pushing and shoving with his son, but in front of his eldest daughter, he did not dare to be too reckless, "I have no money!"

"What? Daughter, if you don't kill the pig, what will the whole family eat?" Zhang Facai's eyes were bulging as if they were about to pop out.

The money has been received, and there is no need to linger here any longer

Daughter! I truly have no money!" Zhang Facai attempted to seek external assistance

Zhang Qingteng stood by, observing for a while, when suddenly a smile-like expression appeared on his face.