Chapter 7: Blessings and Misfortunes Entwined

Master Zhao had, after all, spent many years navigating the world of commerce, and his predictions were not without merit.

After Zhao Kai’s reputation soared, he became the target of Lin Zhenting’s displeasure and envy. Everyone knew what sort of person Zhao Kai used to be. Even if he had turned over a new leaf, how could someone with nothing but a slick tongue rise to become the most celebrated figure in Jinghong County, overshadowing Lin Zhenting himself? Was that not enough to make him seethe?

He, the eldest son of the Lin family, supported from behind by his powerful godfather in the palace—why should he fear Zhao Kai? Was it not merely a deck of cards and a few novel ways to gamble? He could do just as well.

How could such a lucrative business be left for Zhao Kai and the Zhao family to profit from alone? Lin Zhenting was determined to claim a share for himself.

He ordered a team of workers to hurriedly manufacture playing cards modeled after Zhao Kai’s, and also sent people to Zhao’s casino to observe all the games and rules. Once he had figured out Zhao Kai’s methods, Lin Zhenting began to imitate them. To completely trump Zhao Kai, he instructed his workers to build a casino twice the size of the Zhao family’s.

He wanted everyone in Jinghong County to patronize only the Lin family’s casino.

But the very first step proved troublesome.

Though the Lin family was by no means lacking in wealth, coming up with such a large sum at once was not easy. After much deliberation, Lin Zhenting turned to usury.

He sought out Master Gao, a notorious figure in Jinghong County known for shady dealings. After much haggling, Master Gao feigned reluctance but finally agreed.

“Young Master Lin, I’m only lending you this money because you’re so capable. But if you don’t repay me within half a month, I’ll demand double from your father.”

Brimming with confidence in his casino venture, Lin Zhenting patted his chest and declared, “Rest assured, I promise not to delay even a day past the deadline. Just wait to collect your silver.”

With that, Lin Zhenting left with the banknotes, thoroughly satisfied. With this capital, construction on the casino began swiftly.

People throughout Jinghong County were abuzz with speculation, wondering whether the new casino would outshine the Zhao family’s.

Basking in the envy of the townsfolk, Lin Zhenting, still smarting from his earlier defeat by Zhao Kai, decided to stroll into the Zhao family’s casino, intent on making a scene and mocking his rival.

“Where’s Zhao Kai? Tell him to come out,” he demanded.

Lin Zhenting’s lazy, arrogant bearing made Zhao Yan’er bristle with disgust. “Brother Zhao is a busy man. Not just anyone can see him.”

“Brother Zhao? Aren’t you always looking down on men, thinking none are worthy of you? When did you start calling him so affectionately?”

Zhao Yan’er blushed, about to retort, when Zhao Kai appeared at just the right moment, walking to her side.

It had only been a few days, but Zhao Kai not only looked prosperous—he seemed a changed man. His gaze radiated unshakable confidence; his every movement exuded calm assurance. Was this truly the Zhao Kai he’d always known?

“Young Master Lin, do you have business with me?” Zhao Kai greeted with civility. Seeing Lin Zhenting, he knew trouble was brewing, but after waiting so many days, he would have been surprised if Lin didn’t show up.

Lin Zhenting clicked his tongue, casting a critical eye over the casino and sneering, “This place is so cramped—can it even hold a hundred people?”

In truth, it could easily accommodate two hundred, but Lin Zhenting had clearly come to provoke.

Zhao Kai wasn’t bothered. Before destroying a man, one must first let his arrogance swell. He understood Lin Zhenting’s plans and actions all too well.

“Of course not,” Zhao Kai replied, “which is why I’ve been considering an expansion.”

This played right into Lin Zhenting’s hands. Fortunately, he had anticipated this and was already building a much larger casino; Zhao Kai would soon fall behind and surely lose.

Seeing Lin’s smug satisfaction, Zhao Kai suppressed a laugh and continued, “But expanding a casino takes both financial and material resources. I’m merely managing the Zhao family’s casino for now—I don’t have the authority.”

Pleased with himself, Lin Zhenting thought, As expected, Zhao Kai is just a hired hand. How could he possibly compare to someone of my standing?

A surge of superiority washed over him.

“Everyone knows the most formidable figure in Jinghong County is me. Zhao Kai, you’re raking in the silver, taking all the good fortune for yourself. Doesn’t that mean everyone else is losing out?” Lin Zhenting taunted.

The implication was obvious: to lure Zhao Kai into a trap, he might as well butter him up first.

“My only rival is you, Young Master Lin. Please, go easy on me,” Zhao Kai replied.

“Ha!” Lin Zhenting laughed, thoroughly delighted with the flattery.

“You may have the Zhao family behind you, and others may fear you—but I do not. Zhao Kai, no one in Jinghong County can match me but you. What a pity you’re just not up to the task. I’m eager to see you fail.”

A bit overconfident, aren’t you? Waiting for me to lose? In your next life, perhaps.

Zhao Kai cupped his hands. “Then let’s wait and see. By the way, Young Master Lin, you haven’t made a single coin yet, but you’re already boasting so loudly—might that be a bit premature?”

At this, Lin Zhenting resolved to send even more workers, determined to finish construction early and vent his spite.

Once Lin Zhenting left, Zhao Kai finally allowed himself a hearty laugh—Lin Zhenting, that fool, really believed he could build a second Zhao family casino.

Zhao Yan’er, however, grew anxious. “Brother Zhao, he’s imitating us and building his own casino. Shouldn’t we do something? If he finishes and steals our business, won’t we suffer a huge loss?”

“Don’t worry, he won’t be able to take our customers,” Zhao Kai replied with certainty.

“Why not?”

“Because he simply isn’t capable.”

Zhao Kai had long predicted Lin Zhenting’s envy and was waiting for this very outcome.

Lin Zhenting’s only edge was his backing—a godfather from the imperial palace. Apart from him, no other casino in Jinghong County dared to imitate Zhao’s success, cowed by their influence. Even if they wanted to, they lacked the courage. Lin Zhenting understood this and rushed to seize the “opportunity,” not realizing it was a trap set by Zhao Kai alone.

He had no head for business and didn’t grasp that monopolizing the market was a waste of resources. To succeed in business, one must not only dominate but also know when to share.

The day Lin Zhenting’s casino opened would be the day of his defeat.

Watching Zhao Kai maneuver with such ease, Zhao Yan’er still didn’t understand, though she couldn’t help but admire him.

Remembering her father’s words, she said softly, “Brother Zhao, you’ve worked so hard these days. But Lin Zhenting isn’t easy to deal with. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Zhao Yan’er wanted to get closer to Zhao Kai, but he seemed not to notice. Lin Zhenting hard to deal with? Not at all—he found him quite easy to handle.

“No need. I’m grateful you’ve been keeping Fei’er company these days.”

Zhao Kai was so focused on the casino’s business that he barely had time for his beloved wife, which made him feel a bit guilty.

“That’s nothing. Fei’er is like a sister to me; it’s only right that I look after her. But you’ve been so busy and tired lately, Brother Zhao, I can see you’ve lost weight.”

Lost weight? Zhao Kai stroked his chin. He had indeed been running around a lot lately, but for the sake of a good show, a little hardship was nothing.

Most importantly, in just a few days, he would witness Lin Zhenting’s utter defeat and humiliation.