Chapter 22: Playing for High Stakes

Yang Shihao's face became even more unpleasant. He had heard that Miss Xu from the Xu family was sharp-tongued, but experiencing it firsthand was another matter.

Knowing that Xu Xingbai never backed down from a challenge, Gu Mingzhu didn't interfere.

Her eyes skimmed the display screen beside the gambling table, which showed the results of the last twenty hands and the wins and losses. After looking it over, Gu Mingzhu calculated silently and then shifted her gaze away.

"Please place your bets," the dealer reminded in a gentle voice after dealing the cards.

Xu Xingbai immediately placed ten million in chips on the banker. Following her lead, Yang Shihao and other gamblers bet on the player.

Gu Mingzhu remained silent, her eyes fixed on the cards, silently calculating.

Considering the circumstances, the chances of a tie this round were higher, so it seemed like no one would win.

Seconds later, the dealer revealed the cards. A disappointed murmur spread throughout the crowd as everyone looked upset.

Yang Shihao was no exception. He had believed, based on his calculations and luck, that he would win this round. Instead, an unlikely tie came up.

Xu Xingbai was in a good mood, not because she won but because Yang Shihao lost. "Oh dear, Boss Yang, how did you lose? You led everyone to bet against me, isn't that deceitful?"

"Yeah... if it weren't for you saying that betting against Miss Xu would guarantee a win, I would've bet on a tie," someone chimed in.

Many started blaming Yang Shihao, feeling they wouldn't have bet so much without his earlier comment. But in gambling, people only had themselves to blame when things went south.

Sensing the discontent around him, Yang Shihao smirked and placed a bet on the player side again, then looked at Xu Xingbai, "Miss Xu, want to join me? You don't have many chips left."

Xu Xingbai glanced at him and chuckled, "Join you? Weren't you just losing? Besides, Boss Yang, are you a sure winner or a millionaire? You don't seem to have much money left!"

While speaking, she placed another ten million bet on the banker, clearly intending to challenge Yang Shihao further.

Hearing Xu Xingbai's taunts, people around laughed, and Yang Shihao's face became even more sour.

Since the last few rounds were unpredictable, only Yang Shihao and Xu Xingbai placed bets this time.

Yang Shihao's eyes wandered over Xu Xingbai's curvaceous figure, a calculating look flashing in his eyes, "Since only the two of us are betting this round, how about we raise the stakes?"

Xu Xingbai stacked her chips neatly and looked up at Yang Shihao, "What do you have in mind?"

Yang Shihao smirked and said slowly, "The loser removes an article of clothing, until they're naked."

Xu Xingbai paused for a moment, clearly taken aback by his audacious proposal. She sneered, feeling the urge to give him a slap to wipe that smug look off his face.

"You're quite daring," she said coldly, staring at him.

"What, scared?" Yang Shihao stared back, his eyes filled with challenge.

Before Xu Xingbai could respond, someone from the crowd couldn't resist chiming in, "Miss Xu, play with him! Make him run out of the casino naked!"

"Yeah, show him who's boss! Let him know his place!"

"Yang Shihao is really overstepping, who doesn't know he's a casino veteran?"

"He must have really angered Xu Xingbai; he's not afraid of Mr. Xu coming after him."

"..."

The atmosphere grew more heated. Just as everyone waited for Xu Xingbai to speak, Gu Mingzhu, who had remained silent beside her, looked up at Yang Shihao and said calmly, "I'll play for her."