Chapter 4: Learning

Despite his promise to Miss Huang, the allure of the gambling dens was too strong for Li Yang to resist. Every chance he got, he'd sneak into the "Gamblers' Haven" alley. Instead of participating, he'd lurk in the shadows, carefully observing every game, every move, every strategy.

The range of games was vast — from card games like 'Pai Gow' to dice games and even betting on cockfights. Every evening in the alley was a cacophony of shouts, curses, laughter, and the unmistakable clinking of coins. Li Yang was a sponge, absorbing the rules, the nuances, and the psychology behind each bet.

However, his frequent presence didn't go unnoticed. Many of the regular gamblers began to recognize the young face that was always lingering, always watching.

"Hey, boy! Why do you keep coming here? Looking for some quick money?" one of the gamblers, a man with a thick beard and piercing eyes, called out one evening.

Li Yang hesitated, then replied, "I'm just... curious."

Another gambler, an old man with a limp, chuckled, "Curiosity killed the cat. This is no place for a kid."

But there were some who were intrigued by the boy's audacity. "Let him be," said a woman known as 'Red Phoenix', one of the few female gamblers in the alley and reputed for her exceptional card skills. "Maybe he's our future king of gamblers."

Li Yang's observations were not limited to understanding the games. He began to grasp the subtle tells and signals each player had: a twitch of the eye, a nervous finger tap, or a change in breathing. It became evident that gambling wasn't just about luck; it was a complex interplay of strategy, psychology, and timing.

However, the path he was treading was fraught with danger. While some gamblers were amused by his presence, others saw him as a potential threat or easy prey. Li Yang overheard hushed conversations about him, with some gamblers suggesting that he be "taught a lesson."

But Li Yang's determination was unwavering. He believed that if he could master the art of gambling, he could alter the trajectory of his life, escaping the confines of the orphanage and the disdain of his peers.

Each day in the alley was an education, and Li Yang, with his exceptional memory and observational skills, was a quick learner. But as he delved deeper into the world of gambling, the stakes got higher, and the line between friend and foe became increasingly blurred.