"Ten thousand yuan!"
It had been ages since he’d seen that much cash. And now, here came a fat target walking through the door with it. Originally, Tiger Wang only intended for Ding Chuong Sinh to lose everything and end up deep in debt. But to his surprise, the fool had brought real money.
“No! No one’s replacing me! I lost all my money to him, so why should he get to leave? I need to win it back!” Ding shouted, his voice full of manic desperation — the look of a gambler gone completely off the rails.
“See? It’s not that I won’t leave — Little Ding here insists on continuing. Fine, let’s keep going!”
“This back-and-forth is boring! This is my parents’ savings for my wedding. I’ll bet it all — one round, winner takes everything! If you win, these eighty thousand yuan are yours. Just one hand. Do you dare, Tiger Wang? If you don’t have enough money, wager something else!”
The entire room went dead silent. One hand to decide it all?
“I… I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Besides, I don’t have that kind of cash.” Tiger Wang hesitated.
From behind his glasses, Ding Chuong Sinh watched the table closely. He’d had his hand dealt first and knew he was holding a sure win. This was the moment. Every loss before had been bait, to make Tiger Wang greedy and careless.
“Tiger bro, your house is worth something — maybe thirty thousand?” Chen Tieu Tu chimed in, jealousy dripping from his words. He couldn't stand that all the night’s winnings had ended up with Tiger Wang.
“Thirty? That dump of a house worth thirty grand? Who’re you trying to fool?” Ding scoffed.
“Then what’s it worth to you?” Tiger Wang smirked.
“At most, twenty!” Ding growled.
“Fine! Twenty it is. But I’m still short fifty.” Wang frowned. Something felt off tonight — things had gone a little too smoothly.
“Throw in your wife! That ought to make up the difference!” laughed Luu Ma Tu.
“Screw you! Why don’t you bet your wife?” Tiger Wang roared.
“Haha! Just messing around, Tiger bro. No offense!” Luu Ma Tu chuckled awkwardly.
“Are we doing this or not?” Ding pressed. He wasn’t giving Wang time to think — he wanted to strike while the man’s greed was hot. He pulled out a plastic bag stuffed with cash — over eighty thousand yuan.
“Fine! One hand! I’ll throw in my wife, Lý Phụng Ni — total stakes: eighty thousand. If you accept, we play. If not, forget it.”
“Your wife worth fifty grand? Come on! Even virgins don’t go for that much these days! I say she’s worth twenty tops.”
“The hell did you say?! Forget it! I’m out!” Wang barked.
Ding scratched his head, pretending to struggle with the decision.
“…Fine! Let’s play. Someone bring paper and a pen!”
“What for?” Wang asked, frowning.
“Spoken words are wind. We write it down.”
A handwritten contract hit the table — Wang listed his house (worth 20k), his wife (50k), and 10k in cash. If he lost, it all went to Ding. If Ding lost, Wang kept the money.
“All right, deal the cards!” Chen Tieu Tu urged.
“Wait!” Ding interrupted.
“What now? Chickening out?” Wang sneered.
“I have a request. You’ve been dealing me first all night — and I’ve been losing nonstop. This time, I want you to deal to me first. Just want to change my luck.”
“You suspect me of cheating?” Chen’s face darkened.
“No, Brother Chen, I trust you. Just a superstitious change.”
“What do you say, Wang?”
“Fine! Deal to you first!” Wang agreed — a decision he’d regret for the rest of his life.
Ding looked at his hand. Strong — stronger than Wang’s for sure. But gambling was never certain. He stayed cautious — Tiger Wang was a seasoned player who might try something.
“Wang, reveal your cards first — unless you’re scared, in which case I’ll go first.” Ding prodded, using a gambler’s taunt.
“Fine! Let’s see how cocky you are after this!” Wang snapped, flipping his cards.
“Ten, six, twelve — that’s 28 points! Your turn, Ding!” said Chen, his voice trembling. He’d gambled for over a decade, but never seen stakes this high.
“Wait! Put Wang’s cards and the contract in the center! If I win, I want it all in plain view!” Ding said smugly.
“Just flip your cards already!” Wang growled. He was getting a bad feeling about this.
“Alright, everyone — watch closely!” Ding turned his cards.
“No way! Eleven, twelve, seven — thirty points! Ding wins!” Luu Ma Tu gasped.
“What?! How?! Chen, what kind of dealing was that?!” Wang’s head spun. He lunged for the contract, but Ding was faster — he swept up the cash and paper in one move.
“What, can’t take a loss? Planning to back out, Tiger Wang?”
“Back out? You little punk — you set me up! Hand it over or you’re not leaving here alive!” Wang bellowed.
“Set you up? Your own man dealt the cards! Don’t blame me for your loss! And hey, your wife — not bad. Wasted years with you. I’ll make sure she eats well, dresses nice. As for this house? It’s mine now. Pack your crap and get out — or I’ll call someone to help you move!” Ding sneered.
“Bastard! You think I’ll let you get away with this?!” Wang roared, raising a chair to strike.
Just then, the door slammed open. A tall, burly man stepped inside — Do Son Khoi, personal driver to Khau Dai Bang. After Ding’s recent political climb, he’d kept Khoi around as a bodyguard for moments just like this.
“Who the hell are you?! Stay out of this or I’ll smash your face in too!” Wang growled.
“Blind, are you? That’s Do Son Khoi — bodyguard of Khau Dai Bang. That’s my uncle. You think he’ll let you lay a finger on me? Brother Do, teach this dog a lesson — the bastard won’t honor his loss.”
“Wanna try me?” Do Son Khoi said coldly.
It wasn’t even a fight. Two moves, and Tiger Wang was on the floor, arm twisted behind his back, howling in pain.
“Officer Ding — just say the word! What does he want from me?” Wang gasped.
“You picked the wrong man to cross, Wang. Tried to burn down Ly Kien Thiet’s house too? You tired of living?”
“You… you knew about that? Who told you?”
“Does it matter? Now, do you admit defeat or not?”
“Yes! I admit it! What do you want me to do?”
“Simple. Tomorrow morning, you sign divorce papers with Ly Phuong Ni. Do that, and I’ll give you the house back. If not… good luck showing your face in this village again. You gambled your wife away — what kind of man does that?”
“I’ll do it! I’ll do it! Was it Chen who told you?”
“Does that matter? You know the answer.” Ding smirked.
“Brother Do, let him go. Let’s go. Wang — remember this: if you ever cross me again, I won’t be so gentle next time.”
Ding's face was so cold, so grim, that even Do Son Khoi — a man who’d once killed in war — felt a chill run down his spine.