Chapter 9: I Shall Be the God of Gamblers!

"One hundred thousand?" Fan Tianlei’s eyebrows shot up the moment he heard the figure! This kid, Chu Yuan... he certainly knew how to make a shocking statement! One hundred thousand yuan—even in the 21st century, that was not a small sum. However, fortunately, it was something he, Fan Tianlei, could afford.

Fan Tianlei gave a hearty laugh and patted Chu Yuan on the shoulder. "Haha, good! One hundred thousand, I agree! I’ll have the cash for you in half an hour. Seven days from now, why don't you send someone to wait at the entrance of Southeast University?"

"Oh?" Chu Yuan had expected Fan Tianlei to feel a bit of a sting, but he hadn't anticipated such a crisp and decisive agreement. This made Chu Yuan view the Chief of Staff in a new light.

"Very well! Since you are so straightforward, Chief of Staff Fan, I, Chu Yuan, will not go back on my word. See you in seven days." Chu Yuan smiled faintly, quite satisfied with the outcome.

Half an hour later, outside the bank, Fan Tianlei handed over the 100,000 yuan in cash personally. He wore a brilliant smile. "Chu Yuan, as for your student status, I will send someone to the university to handle the arrangements. We’ll meet in seven days."

"See you then," Chu Yuan replied with a smile, extending his hand. Fan Tianlei’s grip was firm and calloused. With that, Chu Yuan took the money and left. From childhood until now, this was the first time he had ever held so much money! The reason he demanded it was partly to make Fan Tianlei bleed a little, but also as a small test. If the other party wasn't willing to offer anything to get him to enlist, then honestly, even if there were rewards involved, Chu Yuan wouldn't have stepped foot in the barracks. But it seemed Fan Tianlei was quite savvy and knew how to handle people. Having such a... well, temporary superior, wasn't bad at all.

With the money in hand, Chu Yuan strolled away. A moment later, not far away, a green jeep pulled up. Lei Shen, tall and with sharp, piercing eyes, stepped out and slammed the door shut with a loud *bang*.

"Chief of Staff, is this the guy Violet recommended? He’s clearly just a little money-grubber, isn't he? Is he really worth 100,000 yuan of your money?" Lei Zhan gazed at Chu Yuan’s departing back, lit a cigarette, and looked on with disdain. As a soldier—a special forces soldier—he would never sell his life for money. Those who did that were nothing but foreign mercenaries.

"What's this? Lei Shen, do you doubt my judgment, or An Ran’s?" Fan Tianlei countered with a playful glint in his eyes. Everyone in the military district knew about Lei Zhan’s feelings for An Ran; his intentions were as clear as day. The only problem was that in this world, An Ran had no interest in Lei Shen whatsoever. Yet, Lei Shen was not the type to give up easily.

Lei Zhan was instantly annoyed. He threw the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it under his boot. "Chief of Staff, of course, I trust An Ran’s judgment! But... this kid is acting out! He hasn't even entered the barracks yet and he’s already taken 100,000 from you! Once he’s in the army, won't he just turn the place upside down?"

"Turn the place upside down?" Fan Tianlei chuckled. "Lei Zhan, don't you love managing troublemakers? How about this: when he joins, I'll put him under your command."

Lei Zhan’s eyebrows arched in surprise. "Hand him over to me? That’s actually not a bad idea! Hmph, don't worry, Chief of Staff. What I love most is dealing with arrogant recruits who think they're hot stuff! Give this soldier to me, and I’ll make sure he learns what a real special forces unit is all about!"

"Haha, good!" Fan Tianlei laughed brightly. "I look forward to it."

...

At the entrance of the orphanage, Chu Yuan bid farewell to the director, Grandma Sun. "Goodbye, Grandma." Chu Yuan waved with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

"Little Yuan, remember to come back and visit often. I’m very gratified that you’re going to serve in the military," said Director Sun, her face peaceful and her hair silver. She adjusted her reading glasses with a gratified expression. After leaving Fan Tianlei, Chu Yuan had come straight here. He had bought many fruits, clothes, and other daily necessities for the children, along with a selection of books he had carefully chosen. Books, as they say, are the spiritual food of mankind; his own ability to get into university was largely due to his deep love for reading.

"Don't worry, Grandma, I will come back," Chu Yuan said with a smile, embracing her.

"Goodbye, Brother Chu Yuan!" The children waved back obediently.

"Goodbye, everyone," Chu Yuan replied. In that moment, he felt a warmth in his heart—a genuine, friendly warmth.

He left soon after. After stopping by a shopping mall, Chu Yuan changed his attire. He wore a black suit and a pair of dark, polished sunglasses. Coupled with his intentionally restrained expression, he carried the air of a cold-blooded assassin.

"Wow, Minmin, look! That guy is so handsome."
"Wow! He's too handsome! I can't... I think I'm going to faint."
"He's way more handsome than my idol! Is this what a real heartthrob looks like?"

Girls on the street couldn't help but gawk at him. One bold, tall girl even approached him to ask for his WeChat, but Chu Yuan just smiled and kept walking. He had business to attend to.

Seven days was a long time. He had a major plan. Since he had no ties in this city, and once he joined the army he wouldn't be able to roam freely, he needed to secure some assets for himself. Spending 3,000 yuan, he paid someone to arrange a travel permit, and then he boarded the ferry to Hong Kong.

The sea breeze was cool, and the night was enchanting. Chu Yuan stood alone on the deck. The moonlight felt a bit chilly, yet Chu Yuan’s heart was racing with excitement. His target was the Hong Kong casinos.

"If I, Chu Yuan, am unwilling to live a mediocre life, then everything I do must be extraordinary! This time, I will become the God of Gamblers!" Watching the coastline draw nearer, his smile grew even wider.

He had spent a small fortune on his outfit—over 40,000 yuan—and his trip to the orphanage had cost over 30,000. With travel and food expenses, he had less than 10,000 yuan left in his pocket. But for a God of Gamblers, even without capital, one could win. "Back in the day, Chen Xiaodao could turn 20 yuan into 26 million. All I need is 1,000 yuan in capital, and that will be enough."

As he felt the cold sea breeze on the deck, his smile widened. He was out here to build his fortune.

However, back at the Langya Special Operations Brigade, a loud *bang* echoed through the halls. Lei Zhan burst into Fan Tianlei’s office, furious. "Chief of Staff, we have a problem! The kid took your money and ran away!"

"What? He ran away?" Fan Tianlei, usually calm, stood up abruptly. He frowned and pondered for a moment. "Impossible! That shouldn't be right. I’ve read countless people; Chu Yuan is not the type to run off for such petty gains. Besides... doesn't he know that swindling a soldier is a serious crime?"

No matter what, Fan Tianlei was unwilling to believe it.

"But Chief of Staff, he really ran! I just got word! The kid took the money and went to Hong Kong!" Lei Zhan said, his voice filled with indignation.