Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 864: Chapter 108: Forget Worry, 97 (Part 1)

Just like vegetable vendors in the market, merchants of Electrical Street, or various eSports teams, there are always some frictions among them, well interpreting the concept of ‘peers are enemies’.

In the mainland’s gambling industry chain, there are also many combinations of foes and arch-enemies.

For example, both the Song Dynasty and Four Poles Group are rising stars in the gambling industry, and coincidentally, the leaders of these emerging forces are women in their prime, which makes it easier for gossipers to compare them.

When Ouyang Jie slightly stepped aside, allowing Zhong Luoyue to appear in the sight of everyone, people realized what it truly meant to compete fiercely when they saw the fierce look exchanged between the Song family’s little princess and the Elegant Lady from Hua Country’s renowned family.

Zhong Luoyue was dressed in a white women’s suit, with a blue shirt underneath, and had shoulder-length short hair, looking capable and intellectual. In contrast, the Song family’s little princess had brightly dyed pink-purple long hair, giving off a completely different vibe.

Of course, it ultimately comes down to the fact that their looks can carry them.

As soon as Song Yingpu saw Zhong Luoyue’s appearance, she slightly frowned, showing obvious disgust that was easily detectable yet didn’t make her look ugly. After all, being good-looking also means being able to act willfully.

Zhong Luoyue suddenly reached out to Ouyang Jie, who gently placed the No. 9 Crystal Ball into her palm.

Zhong Luoyue walked directly to Luo Qiu, opened her palm, lifted the No. 9 Crystal Ball, placed it in front of Luo Qiu’s eyes, and then slowly returned it to the tray, saying, “Sorry for the intrusion.”

Luo Qiu simply nodded slightly.

Zhong Luoyue then turned her head and said, “A Jie, let’s go.”

Ouyang Jie shrugged indifferently and followed behind Zhong Luoyue, passing by Luo Qiu. He paused slightly and then whispered, “Seeing the difference between 9 and 6 from so far away… good eyesight, kid.”

Luo Qiu merely smiled slightly, moving aside a bit.

Ouyang Jie glanced weirdly, frowned slightly, and said nothing more.

Zhong Luoyue, however, also paused briefly in front of Song Ying, calmly saying, “Two cars and the medical expenses for five accompanying personnel, I will have the bill sent to your office.”

Song Ying acted innocent, saying, “What bill? I don’t know? Oh dear, did your people get into a car accident? How serious? Did you buy insurance? But since you are guests from afar, if you encounter any difficulties with compensation, feel free to find me, I can speak here.”

“Say hello to Old Master Song for me,” Zhong Luoyue said before leaving directly from Song Ying’s side.

Ouyang Jie then waved his hand, “Alright, it’s fine, it’s fine, everyone continue.”

Following his indication, six or seven servants suddenly appeared in the hall, carrying drinks and snacks, starting to approach the guests here.

Tu Shenyi had no offspring, and as his closed-door disciple, Ouyang Jie naturally assumed the role of the host here—the music started playing, it was a band specially hired to ease the atmosphere, and they began to perform ahead of schedule.

Song Ying sighed at this moment, walking to Luo Qiu, “Are you really not angry, or are you just pretending not to be angry?”

“Are you angry?” Luo Qiu instead asked back, watching the distant backs of Zhong Luoyue and Ouyang Jie, “You seem to really dislike this Miss Zhong?”

Song Ying, with arms crossed, said, “When studying in Britain, she was in the same school as me. She was a year ahead of me. When I just entered, this woman was already quite famous inside, don’t know what means she used, gathered a lot of noble children around her, almost ruling the order within the school behind the scenes. I couldn’t stand it, didn’t want to listen to her, naturally, as time went on, many things happened… Why do I even need to tell you this?”

“Probably because you also hope someone can listen,” Luo Qiu gently said, “It’s okay.”

“Why would anyone want to be related to you?” Song Ying rolled her eyes, turned her head to the dining table, picked up a glass of water, and started drinking big gulps.

Seeing Gan Hong at this moment with a hesitant look, Luo Qiu had to ask, “Is there anything you want to say?”

Gan Hong lowered her head, “Young Master Qiu, I’m sorry, I wasn’t capable enough, made you lose face.”

“They don’t know me,” Luo Qiu shook his head, “The so-called face is usually given by those you know… If you don’t know them, naturally, such things don’t exist. As for apologies, I think whether you’re capable, or if you’re a competent person, shouldn’t be measured this way.”

Gan Hong raised her head curiously, asked, “Young Master Qiu, are you really not angry?”

“I was, for a moment,” Luo Qiu suddenly said, “Actually, I even had a thought that Mr. Ouyang Jie might have done better, but… but for me, this was already very good. Take it slow, I have plenty of time now.”

Gan Hong listened to this, yet couldn’t quite grasp it, while at this moment, Luo Qiu shook his head, picked up the No. 9 Crystal Ball from the tray and placed it in front of Gan Hong, and she instinctively reached out her palm.

Luo Qiu placed the No. 9 Crystal Ball in Gan Hong’s palm, then softly said, “You see, in the end, it’s still returned to your hand.”

Gan Hong was stunned, holding the No. 9 Crystal Ball thoughtfully.

At this moment, Luo Qiu said to Song Ying, “Can I go outside to get some fresh air… It’s a bit smoky here with people smoking.”

It’s the smoke of cigars, thickly spreading.

…

“Why return the thing?” Ouyang Jie casually took two glasses of champagne and came to Zhong Luoyue.

Zhong Luoyue didn’t mention Ouyang Jie’s proactive actions, instead calmly saying, “Do you have any impression of the man beside Song Ying?”

“From the looks of it, seems like a bag carrier?” Ouyang Jie sat down, tilted the cup in his hand, watching the view outside through the drink.

“The woman who acted with you just now is called Gan Hong,” Zhong Luoyue calmly said, “Last year during the big competition in Las Vegas, she served as Song Ying’s bodyguard, I wouldn’t mistake it.”

Ouyang Jie said, “Well, beautiful boss, I’m impressed with your skill in recognizing people… Heard that since young, you have a photographic memory, is it true?”

Zhong Luoyue looked at Ouyang Jie, saying, “Remember what Gan Hong said before she acted?”

Ouyang Jie was slightly taken aback, frowned a bit, and started reminiscing… Although he wasn’t naturally gifted with a photographic memory, he underwent rigorous training under Tu Shenyi, which also made him extraordinarily proficient in memory.

“Young Master?”

Zhong Luoyue nodded, then picked up the champagne in front of her, “I knew Song Ying since university, from then I observed, there were almost never any men around her. And now this man, called ‘young master’ by her former bodyguard, isn’t it quite unusual?”

Ouyang Jie said, “I heard there is another above Song Ying in the Song Family, named Song Haoran, he is the real successor of the Song Family, is it him?”

“He’s much younger, shouldn’t be,” Zhong Luoyue shook her head, “Song family members, and even those who have ties with the Song family, I’ve reviewed the information, but this person isn’t included. In the domestic and even overseas Chinese circle among the new generation, he’s absent as well…”

“You’re too cautious,” Ouyang Jie disregarded it, “Cautious and meticulous, I’m not tired, but I’m tired for you.”

“Because I’m not a gambler,” Zhong Luoyue looked at Ouyang Jie.

Ouyang Jie suddenly said, “I just thought, where my master might be now.”

…

…

Outside the banquet hall used to entertain guests with various motives, there were a total of six terraces extending outward.

Luo Qiu had arrived at one of the vacant terraces where one could just see a stretch of vineyard planted outside.

Gan Hong naturally followed, as she was now Luo Qiu’s bodyguard. As for the Song Ying side, there was someone to take care of her, and indeed, no one with eyes would dare to do anything to Song Ying on the Song Family’s grounds.

“Those grapes look quite fresh, how about we go pick some?” Luo Qiu suddenly looked at Gan Hong and said.

“Now?” Gan Hong looked at this Young Master Qiu in surprise, “If you want to eat them, there are plenty inside the venue. I’ll get some for you; they should be freshly picked too.”

“For gifting to someone.” Luo Qiu smiled slightly and said, “It’s more interesting to pick them yourself, and you can’t just pick them randomly. You need to choose carefully.”

Gan Hong shook her head, “I don’t understand.”

“The wine reception officially starts at three o’clock in the afternoon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Still about forty minutes to go.” Luo Qiu glanced at the time and said, “Then let’s go now.”

“But over at Miss Ying’s side…”

Luo Qiu took a look inside the venue at Song Ying, who was surrounded by several affluent people and found it hard to extricate herself, and then softly said, “Let’s go, she likely can’t get out.”

Gan Hong now naturally chose to listen to Luo Qiu’s words. So the two quietly left the hall through the side door and walked down the spiral staircase inside the ancient castle, and soon a large vineyard appeared before them.

No one stopped them—because guests could only enter with an invitation and after going through several checks, ensuring they didn’t carry concealed weapons or sharp objects before being allowed in.

In fact, around the estate, there were still some professionals hiding, keeping a constant eye on safety—they were specially hired professional security personnel from a famous security company.

At this moment, a relatively ordinary-looking RV was slowly driving into the estate.

The RV stopped not far along the path of Luo Qiu and Gan Hong. An elderly white-haired man dressed neatly stepped out from the driver’s seat and then opened the back door.

Just then, with the support of the elder, a young woman slowly came out. The woman wore a black dress, wrapping herself up very tightly, and even wore a hat.

Even so, the elder opening the door still held up a black umbrella beside the woman.

“This girl… so pale.” Gan Hong looked surprised, “Albinism?”

It was not because of the black dress causing a color sensory misalignment that made her appear especially fair, but because the girl’s skin was indeed this white—even pale.

The woman’s eyebrows were also gray-white.

At this time, the woman was holding a long wooden box in both hands. She lifted her head to glance at the ancient castle estate before her and seemed to take note of the gaze falling on her, then looked over towards Luo Qiu and Gan Hong.

The woman briefly glanced and quickly nodded politely before slowly bowing her head, looking timid, as she accompanied the elder towards the entrance of the castle.

“It seems, later not only might we be able to see the legendary ‘Forget Worry·Lethe,’ but might also witness other parts of the ‘Forget Worry’ Series.” Luo Qiu suddenly smiled.

Gan Hong was startled, seemingly recalling something, and subconsciously said, “Young Master Qiu, are you saying that woman might be holding something from the ‘Forget Worry’ Series… Indeed, given that shape and size, it does match the size of a wine bottle. But… how to be sure?”

“I’m going to pick grapes.” Luo Qiu smiled without explaining.

At this moment, within the vineyard, several women were picking suitable grapes. Seeing a young couple walking into the vineyard, they did not stop them.

These women were here from nearby towns to work, naturally not daring to offend the estate’s guests… except most ordinary wealthy people wouldn’t choose to come down here because the muddy ground could easily dirty their shoes and clothes.

Luo Qiu did not linger in front of any grape vines, walking straight ahead. Gan Hong noticed plenty of grapes on the way that seemed worth picking, gave several suggestions, but this Young Master Qiu merely shook his head.

Luo Qiu suddenly stopped in his tracks.

It was to see Zhong Luoyue and Ouyang Jie actually coming over from another direction, both groups bumping into each other within the vineyard.

Seeing Ouyang Jie, Gan Hong quickly walked to Luo Qiu’s side, her expression cold.

Ouyang Jie smiled and looked rather innocent, saying, “Oh dear, it seems I’m disliked… Am I really that disliked?”

“Look in the mirror.” Gan Hong sneered.

Ouyang Jie shrugged and directly asked, “Why are the two of you outside instead of inside… Were the people inside not hospitable enough?”

“No, they’re very polite. We just came out for a walk.” Luo Qiu casually said, “Seeing these grapes growing so well, I couldn’t help but feel like taking some without permission.”

“Is that so…” Ouyang Jie nodded, suddenly pointing to another side, “The ones over there should be good. You can go pick some over there. This side is best not approached; it’s forbidden for outsiders.”

“Is it the rules of the estate’s owner?” Luo Qiu asked back.

“Am I considered the owner here?” Ouyang Jie chuckled lightly.

“Let them go.” Unexpectedly Zhong Luoyue suddenly spoke.

Ouyang Jie seemed as though he wanted to say something, but Zhong Luoyue slightly shook her head, leaving Ouyang Jie to merely shrug.

Luo Qiu smiled gently towards Zhong Luoyue, “Thank you.”

Zhong Luoyue only gestured with a hand, indicating she would follow behind.

Seeing Luo Qiu and Gan Hong walk ahead first, Ouyang Jie couldn’t help but speak to Zhong Luoyue, “I say boss, I’ve already played the bad guy as the heavy, and you’re making it hard for me?”

“This is perfect.” Zhong Luoyue calmly said, “We can’t prevent everything from happening, better to understand their intentions, and take the opportunity to understand what he is to the Song Family… This person reminds me of my second brother.”

“Young Master Zhong Luochen?” Ouyang Jie was startled.

“Should say, my second brother over the past six months.” Zhong Luoyue calmly said, “Their gaze… so similar, looking at others without emotion.”