The casino was still in its soft opening phase, yet it was already quite busy. Many of the gamblers who used to frequent Jack Zhao's place had found their way to The Summit Lakeside Resort through various channels.
Serena brought a beer to Ethan, and the two sat in the back office, over twenty screens monitoring every corner of the casino before them.
"You just gave the money to Grant Gong like that? Aren't you afraid he won't pay it back?"
Ethan took a sip of his beer. "He never intended to pay it back in the first place."
Serena shot him a glance. "Then why give it to him?"
"What authority do I have to approve a ten-million loan based on an IOU?" Ethan wiped his mouth. "I'm just a junior manager. I approve it, but Finance would never release the funds without authorization. The fact that the money came through means it was The Boss's intention, doesn't it?"
Serena gave a thumbs-up. "You see things clearly. But even if it was The Boss's intention, it's still your job to collect the debt."
"I know," Ethan nodded. "I passed Mr. Kun's test. Now I have to pass The Boss's test as well. I'm not naive enough to think taking one trophy means I can just waltz into running a casino."
Serena turned to face him fully. "Before, you told me this was your first time, that you didn't want to step into this world. Changed your mind suddenly... is it because you need money? I heard your mother's surgery and recovery are expensive."
"Not for now," Ethan smiled. "I just want to do a good job."
"And then?" Serena was curious.
"Make Gwendolyn apologize to my mom." Ethan finished the beer in his bottle. "Didn't Mr. Kun say that by taking over the casino, my seniority is on par with Michael Langford's? If I do well, get promoted from manager to VP, then I'll go make trouble for Gwendolyn."
Serena shook her head, a look of amusement on her face. "You certainly hold a grudge."
"It's not about holding a grudge," Ethan adjusted his collar. "Mainly, I'm not close with Gwendolyn. Why should my mom have to suffer any indignity from her?"
"You're something else..." Serena was speechless. "You already cracked her head open!"
"That was just her being a bitch and getting what she deserved. Just cracking her head open doesn't resolve my anger. I need her to stand in front of my mom, politely, and apologize."
On the screen, a gambler was being led towards one of the credit rooms.
"Time to work." Serena put down her bottle. "But Ethan, your motivation is quite unusual. Others are usually in it for money or power."
Ethan countered, "Doing things for your mom... nothing is strange about that."
"I suppose you're right. What could be more important than your mother?" Serena seemed lost in thought for a fleeting moment but quickly composed herself and strode off towards the credit room.
Ethan leaned back in his seat, watching the screen as Grant Gong fed all his ten million in chips into a slot machine, losing it all, before striding out of the casino.
"Heh. Intentionally losing the money back to the casino, afraid The Boss might intervene personally. This tells me a bit more about The Boss's character."
After watching Grant leave, Ethan returned to his room, pulled out his homework, and started writing furiously.
The senior year curriculum was intense. Furthermore, Ethan needed to maintain his good grades. Everyone said once you stepped into this circle, it was hard to get out. But Ethan was already planning his exit strategy.
Staying in this circle meant there was no chance of a peaceful end. After all, at any moment, someone could come for your trophy.
Ethan believed if he could become the province's top college entrance exam scorer, no one in this circle could hold him back.
A provincial top scorer wasn't just met by bureau-level officials; even department-level leaders would personally receive them. Top universities would send invitations proactively. The influence behind those people was on a completely different level from someone like The Boss.
Whether he eventually left the circle or not, he needed to keep an escape route open. If he didn't have the ability, that was one thing. But since he did, he had to push in that direction.
Around midnight, Ethan left his room. As he reached the hotel lobby, he saw Serena sitting there.
"You're really living the easy life. I signed off on seven markers tonight. I'm exhausted. Here, this is for you."
Serena tossed him an object.
Ethan looked at it. Car keys. "I don't know how to drive."
"You might not, but someone does." Serena nodded towards the hotel entrance.
The middle-aged man who had helped Ethan before was standing just outside.
When Ethan walked out, the man came forward.
"Guess I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Wade. Wade Qi. You can call me Seven. Like the number."
Ethan looked at him. "So, you've decided to work for me?"
"Yeah," Wade nodded. "We had a deal at the casino. I work for you."
Ethan smiled. "You didn't lose that hand."
Wade smiled back. "You never intended to win it."
Wade was highly capable. Since he had offered, Ethan didn't stand on ceremony and tossed him the keys.
A Range Rover flashed its lights nearby.
"Whoa. The Boss sure isn't stingy with his people," Wade remarked appreciatively.
Ethan moved to open the passenger door but was stopped by Wade.
"You should sit behind the driver's seat. It's the safest spot in the vehicle. This is the long-wheelbase version, so don't worry about comfort. Since you've decided to be in this world, you need to start developing certain habits, build up that aura gradually."
Ethan took the advice and got in the back.
"To the hospital."
On the way, Ethan was curious. "You found me at critical moments before, always knew where I was. You're from the circle, and with your skills, making a hundred or two hundred thousand wouldn't be difficult if you wanted."
"Aren't you the same?" Wade chuckled. "You and your mother could live comfortably if you were just willing to compromise your principles a little."
"Understood." Ethan nodded and asked no more.
Just before getting out, Ethan asked one more question. "The Gong Family Martial Arts School... what's your take?"
"Strong a century ago. The branch here now... all flash, no substance."
"Good to know."
Ethan entered the hospital and chatted with his mom for a while.
"Goodnight, Mom."
The next two days were relatively dull for Ethan. School during the day, checking in at the casino at night.
One afternoon, officials from the Board of Education specifically visited the school to condole the senior students. The Director himself met with Ethan, talked with him at length, clapped him firmly on the shoulder, and urged him to work hard, hoping he could bring home the top provincial score next year—it would be a great honor for the city.
That evening, Serena found Ethan. "The official opening is tomorrow. You need to start collecting that ten million debt from Grant Gong. It's bad luck otherwise, gives people ammunition. Both The Boss and my father care about these things."
The Gong Family Martial Arts School was located in the southern district, where it enjoyed a considerable reputation.
Inside the school, Gwendolyn sat drinking tea with Lucas.
Grant Gong walked over, wearing his training uniform and wiping sweat from his brow.
Gwendolyn took a sip of tea. "The casino opens tomorrow. If that bastard fails to get the money back, The Boss will be very displeased."
"He won't get it back," Grant grinned. "I'll be right here at the school. If Ethan dares to come here to collect, I'll make sure he doesn't leave!"
Gwendolyn thought for a moment. "Ethan has someone with him. A bit odd. That guy who acted last time was very skilled."
"Sis, we are the Gong Family, with a century of legacy. We don't just let any stray dog come and kick us. So he can fight? Can he fight my whole school? In this circle, I've never heard of anyone collecting debts just by being able to fight!"