Chapter 4: First Glimmers of Talent

Zhao Kai followed Zhao Yan’er to meet the head of the Zhao family. Though Zhao Yan’er was a spoiled and willful young lady, her father was a gentle and reserved man.

However, Zhao Yan’er, intent on humiliating him, deliberately kept his identity vague, merely introducing him as a reckless troublemaker.

“Father, it’s him,” Zhao Yan’er said with open disdain. Lord Zhao understood her meaning and offered a faint smile, displaying a host’s courtesy. “Please, have a seat.”

Zhao Kai did not bother with pleasantries. Since Lord Zhao had agreed to see him, it meant he was willing to witness his abilities. Without hesitation, Zhao Kai took out the wooden cards he had crafted.

“Lord Zhao, I would like to propose a business deal with you.”

Lord Zhao did not answer immediately. Instead, he sipped his tea at leisure and replied, “People wishing to do business with me line up from East Street to West Street. You have neither status nor capital. On what grounds do you talk business?”

Zhao Yan’er scoffed coldly at his words. Clearly, the intent was to shame him.

No matter. What he held in his hands was his capital.

“Lord Zhao, I heard you built your fortune from nothing, relying on luck. Why don’t we make a wager today and see if I can best you with my luck?”

Before arriving, Zhao Kai had inquired about Lord Zhao’s background. As expected, the moment a wager was mentioned, Lord Zhao’s interest was piqued.

Everyone knew the Zhao family’s wealth had begun with his creation of a gambling house. For this young man to challenge him was audacious indeed.

“Someone, bring the dice,” Lord Zhao ordered.

“One moment,” Zhao Kai interjected, placing the wooden cards on the table. “Would you be willing to wager using my method?”

“How presumptuous, making demands when your skills are so meager,” Zhao Yan’er sneered.

Zhao Kai remained unruffled. “Lord Zhao, I promise you will not be disappointed by this wager.”

“Very well, let’s give it a try,” Lord Zhao agreed.

Zhao Kai then began to deal the cards. What he had made was a deck of playing cards, suitable for all ages and with a variety of games.

While the people of this era were no strangers to gambling, they had never seen playing cards, much less the game called “Fight the Landlord.” This was the game Zhao Kai intended to introduce.

“Lord Zhao, the Jokers are the highest cards in this deck. You can use them to beat any single card, but I can also use four of a kind to beat you…” Zhao Kai gave a brief explanation. Lord Zhao, who had run gambling houses for many years, was astonished by this novel way of play.

“Let’s begin, Lord Zhao.”

Once all the cards were dealt and the rules explained, it was time for Zhao Kai to showcase his skills.

This game, though seemingly simple, was not without its subtleties. It was still a game of chance, but its novelty and variety opened the eyes of everyone present.

Zhao Kai played move after move, rendering Lord Zhao unable to keep up, while Zhao Yan’er watched in stunned silence.

This peculiar game was indeed far superior to the monotonous games of the gambling house.

“Lord Zhao, are you still confident?” Zhao Kai asked, self-assured.

He had played four or five rounds, and Lord Zhao had lost every one, even when Zhao Kai drew the worst hand. Zhao Kai always managed to turn the tables with his plays.

Despite his years of experience in the gambling world, Lord Zhao was utterly defeated for the first time.

“What sort of gambling art is this? I have never seen its like!” Lord Zhao exclaimed.

Zhao Kai smiled calmly. “There is always someone greater, and there are always new heights to reach. Even in gambling, there are other worlds beyond our knowledge. Would you care to continue, Lord Zhao?”

Continuing would only mean further losses. Lord Zhao was already thoroughly impressed. “I concede.”

Zhao Yan’er had never expected her father to utter the word “concede,” and now looked upon the young man before her with newfound respect.

Knowing when to advance and when to retreat, Zhao Kai took the opportunity to give Lord Zhao an out. “It’s not that you lost, Lord Zhao, but simply that you’d never played such a game before.”

Indeed, Lord Zhao regarded the young man before him with admiration.

Zhao Kai accepted his scrutiny, confidence shining in his eyes. “Lord Zhao, if this card game were introduced and became popular in your gambling houses, would your business not reach new heights?”

Everything depends on innovation. With a deck of cards, Zhao Kai had captured the interest of this wealthy patron; the future would be smooth sailing.

Lord Zhao nodded eagerly. “You are right. That is exactly my thought.”

The situation had shifted. Lord Zhao was now looking at him with admiration.

“There are many other ways to play with these cards, for instance—”

Before he could finish, Lord Zhao interrupted, “Since you have such talent, you should put it to use. I have always valued capable people. Since you understand business, why not stay and manage my gambling house? I’ll give you twenty percent of the profits. What do you say?”

“Then I shall gratefully accept,” Zhao Kai replied with a respectful salute, sealing the deal.

Of course, this was only the first step in a grander ambition.

Lord Zhao’s decision to keep Zhao Kai was not merely about managing the gambling house. He intended to use this as a springboard to regain his former glory as a business leader.

“Father!”

Once Zhao Kai had left, Zhao Yan’er complained, “How could you let that rascal manage the gambling house? He may be clever, but does he truly deserve such regard?”

“What do you know?”

Lord Zhao, seasoned by years in business, could discern talent and acumen at a glance. This seemingly ordinary young man possessed both intellect and boldness, nothing like the rumors.

Moreover, the playing cards he’d crafted were unparalleled, his ideas unique. If used in the Zhao family’s gambling house, the rewards would extend far beyond money.

Zhao Kai was no ordinary man—a talent worth keeping close. He could also provide a safeguard for Yan’er’s future. With only one daughter, it was time to cultivate a worthy successor for both the family and Yan’er…

“Fei’er…”

After finalizing the agreement, Zhao Kai hurried to find Lin Feier, but as soon as she heard his voice, she quickly hid away.

“Fei’er, it’s me. I came especially to fetch you,” he explained anxiously.

“I don’t believe you,” came the reply, her voice choked with tears.

Realizing she still did not trust him, Zhao Kai could only approach her slowly. Seeing Lin Feier’s tear-stained, heartbroken face, his heart ached.

In the past, women had never been lacking at his side, but none had ever been truly devoted to him. Here, Feier was the only woman whose whole heart belonged to him—a blessing earned over many lifetimes.

Although it was not truly he who had married her.

But since fate had brought him here, and with Feier’s sincere affection, guilt welled within Zhao Kai.

“Feier, everything just now was a misunderstanding. I only want you to live a good life.”

He pleaded earnestly, wishing he could lay his heart bare. Watching from nearby, Zhao Yan’er found herself looking at Zhao Kai with new eyes.

She had taken him for a slippery rascal, attributing his victory over her father to luck. She never expected him to be so genuine in his feelings.

His persistent efforts to win over Feier were enough to move anyone.

In truth, Zhao Kai was not bad-looking—tall and straight, with sharp brows and clear eyes. If he tidied himself up, he’d look every inch the gentleman.

As Zhao Yan’er observed and drew closer, she said, “Though Sister Feier seems delicate, she’s stubborn to the core. Your approach won’t work.”

As the saying goes, women understand women best. As long as Feier forgave him, all would be well.

“Then how can I earn Feier’s forgiveness?” Zhao Kai asked humbly.

This modest, repentant manner only deepened Zhao Yan’er’s favorable impression of him.