Ethan ignored Serena's teasing.
As an eighteen-year-old guy, he was full of youthful energy and naturally curious about and drawn to beautiful women. If he could truly have power, wealth, and beautiful companions, he wouldn't refuse—what ninety-nine percent of men wouldn't?
But not here, not in the casino. Ethan knew full well his position was precarious, his foundation weak, and he had enemies on all sides. At his age, it was already hard to command respect. Getting involved with women in the casino now would be pure irresponsibility towards himself.
He returned to his room, showered, and opened the wardrobe. It was stocked with over a dozen outfits in various styles. Ethan picked out a patterned dress shirt—formal yet not stuffy, fitting for his age without making him look like casino staff.
After checking his appearance in the mirror, Ethan took a deep breath, fixed a slight smile on his face, opened the door, and walked straight to the room opposite his.
The casino entrance was directly across the hall.
He opened the concealed door, walked through the mountain passageway, and the space opened up before him.
The hostesses in high-slit qipaos, all model-level beauties, smiled uniformly and greeted him in unison.
Ethan walked past the marble screen. Some of the slot machines and tables already had people at them. Serena had told him on the way that the casino was in its soft opening phase. The official opening was in three days, but the actual opening ceremony was something neither he nor she would be part of—that was a private affair for The Boss and Mr. Kun.
Bunny girls in sexy outfits holding trays came over to greet him when they saw him. Clearly, everyone knew this young-looking guy was their new boss.
As they passed, the girls intentionally brushed against him with the softest parts of their bodies, their eyes full of teasing looks, forcing Ethan to walk slightly hunched to avoid an embarrassing situation.
Some of the bolder ones even reached out and grabbed him directly, licking their lips and batting their eyelashes. "Hey there, handsome boss. Don't hold back. Need a hand with that?"
"Alright, that's enough, all of you vixens, get lost," Serena's voice cut through as she walked over, now in a professional suit. The pencil skirt showcased her perfectly shaped legs, accentuated by black stockings.
She looked Ethan up and down. "Need five minutes in the restroom to... take care of things?"
Ethan curled his lip. "Try fifty minutes, minimum."
"Keep dreaming," Serena scoffed, giving him another once-over. "Well, if you're not going, let's get down to business. There's someone in the credit room. He's here for you."
Ethan frowned. "Gwendolyn's people?"
Serena snapped her fingers. "Bingo. You cracked Gwendolyn's head open. Given your position working for The Boss, Michael can't move against you directly. But Gwendolyn's maiden family is a different story. They don't work for The Boss. I've sent the info on her family to your phone. Take a look. He's your problem now."
It was 8:30 PM. The northwestern sky was completely dark.
Inside a luxurious villa, Gwendolyn, wearing a hat, questioned Lucas. "You're sure the guy today wasn't sent by you?"
"Really, it wasn't," Lucas shook his head vigorously. "Mom, I had a plan, but I wouldn't dare make a move so openly."
"Good, you'd better not." Gwendolyn felt slightly relieved but warned him, "That bastard passed the Thirteen Blades. If you act recklessly and give them leverage, making The Boss angry, not even your father can protect you."
Lucas was resentful. "Mom, are we just going to let that bastard get away with it? The injuries on my head, on your head... he did that! And the casino! I heard from that position, he pulls in at least over thirty thousand a month!"
Gwendolyn snorted coldly. "You think that seat is so easy to sit in? Your uncle has already gone over. Let's see what that bastard plans to do about it this time!"
A look of delight spread across Lucas's face. "Unle is going to deal with him? If it's Uncle... that bastard is in for a world of hurt!"
Inside the casino, Ethan read the information Serena had sent him as he walked towards the credit rooms.
The Gong Family had some reputation within the circle. They were known for their Xingyiquan martial arts heritage. At their peak, about a century ago, they were in Shanghai, with several members following the infamous "Big Boss Du" and making a name for themselves.
Later, during turbulent times, the family splintered. One branch ended up here in the city, becoming Gwendolyn's maiden family.
Ethan pushed open the door to the credit room. It was hazy with cigarette smoke. A man, looking to be in his late thirties, sat inside.
The man's eyes scanned him. "You're Ethan Chen?"
"Yes." Ethan sat down.
The man flicked his cigarette ash. "Young, but you've got some nerve. Heard you're quite the hotshot?"
Ethan nodded unapologetically. "I'm ranked first at the top academic high school. Of course I'm a hotshot."
A cold glint flashed in the man's eyes as he exhaled smoke. "So hotshot, dare to sign off on a five-million marker?"
"Heh." Ethan let out a soft laugh. "If you have the collateral, I'll sign for any amount."
Through the haze, a business card was tossed onto the table in front of Ethan.
"No collateral. Is this enough?"
Ethan glanced at it.
It read: Head Instructor, Gong Family Martial Arts School - Grant Gong.
Grant Gong crossed his legs. "Ethan, do you think the reputation of the Gong Family Martial Arts School is worth five million?"
From his recent experiences, Ethan understood this circle placed great importance on seniority, pedigree, and legacy.
Given the status of the Gong Family school, its reputation was certainly worth five million. But without tangible collateral, if Grant defaulted and the Gong Family disavowed the debt, it would become a bad debt. Whether he could recover the money would depend entirely on Ethan's personal capability.
A family with a lineage stretching back a century, even if this was just a branch in the city, was not something Ethan could contend with.
"Ethan! Speak!" Grant roared, trying to intimidate him.
Ethan set the card down and smiled slightly. "The Gong Family name? It's worth not just five million, but ten million. Even The Boss himself would show the Gong Family respect. Of course, the Gong Family would surely return the favor to The Boss. An IOU, however, still needs to be signed."
He picked up the pen and paper from the side, his handwriting elegant as he swiftly wrote out an IOU. He slapped it down in front of Grant Gong. "Fill in the amount yourself. Just need your thumbprint."
Grant narrowed his eyes. "And if I don't want to sign an IOU?"
Ethan shrugged. "Then you don't get the money. This is, after all, The Boss's establishment."
A cigarette butt landed near Ethan's feet. Grant looked at the IOU. "Hiding behind the tiger's might?" he sneered, implying Ethan was using The Boss's influence.
Ethan smiled. "In front of the Gong Family, I'm just a nobody. I have no other choice."
Grant's face darkened. He heard the sarcasm loud and clear. Ethan was throwing his own words back at him—if Ethan was 'hiding behind the tiger,' then Grant was 'waving the Gong Family's banner.'
"Make it ten million, then."
Grant filled in the amount and pressed his thumbprint onto the IOU.