Chapter 23: I Can Win Too

In the first round, Zhang Ziqi took the role of the landlord and easily defeated the other three, winning 96 yuan. For the second round, Zhang Ben was dealt a great hand and confidently claimed the landlord position. His face radiated with excitement as he smirked, clearly thinking victory was within his grasp. Zhang Ziqi noticed his smug look and teased, "Feeling pretty confident, aren't you?"

Zhang Ben grinned and said, "Haha, not really, just a bit of good luck! Let's see how it goes."

Zhang Ben started strong, leading with a series of pairs. Zhang Ziqi quickly countered, and soon, Zhang Ben played a bomb. Zhang Yi followed up with another bomb, and then Zhang Ben hit them with yet another bomb.

Chen Yuchen's hand wasn't particularly strong, and while he could have made a play, he felt his chances weren't great. Instead, he opted to stay low and simply observe the game. Zhang Ziqi, noticing his lack of action, teased, "Do you even know how to play?"

Chen Yuchen chuckled lightly. "Not often."

Zhang Ziqi giggled and scooted closer to him, playfully suggesting, "You seem like a good student. After this game, let me borrow your phone, and I'll teach you how to play properly."

She inched even closer, catching a whiff of Chen Yuchen's subtle cologne. Being a meticulous thirty-year-old man, Chen Yuchen was always particular about his personal hygiene.

Several rounds went by, and five bombs had already been played. Zhang Ben finally played his last set—six threes—and was left with only two cards. He looked around triumphantly and asked, "Anyone care to challenge that?"

Chen Yuchen, unfazed, shook his head. "No bombs here."

Zhang Ziqi also shook her head. "I can't challenge."

Zhang Ben grinned confidently. "Well, I guess that's it then, huh?"

Suddenly, Zhang Yi spoke up, "Bomb—six sevens!"

"Nice one!" Zhang Ziqi cheered, clapping her hands. "Zhang Yi, you're amazing!"

Encouraged by her praise, Zhang Yi smirked at Zhang Ben. "So, still think you've got this?"

Zhang Ben's smile vanished instantly. With seven bombs played, he now owed 64 yuan per person. As the landlord, he had to pay all three of them, which meant a total of 192 yuan. His face turned pale as the reality sank in.

Zhang Ziqi teased, "Running out of cash?"

"Of course not," Zhang Ben muttered, forcing a smile, though everyone could see his discomfort. Reluctantly, he handed over the money.

Feeling slightly guilty, Zhang Yi suggested, "Maybe we should stop playing for money. After all, we're just students—no need to take it too seriously."

Zhang Ziqi shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't mind either way, but it's been fun winning."

Zhang Ben, however, was determined. "What do you mean 'no more money'? I've already lost—I need a chance to win it back! Let's keep playing!"

In the third round, the landlord position came to Chen Yuchen, but he chose not to take it. Zhang Ben hesitated too, not wanting to risk it again. Zhang Ziqi glanced at her cards and, sensing an opportunity, boldly declared, "I'll take it! If none of you have the guts, I will."

The landlord's bonus cards included three twos, and Zhang Ziqi's hand was nearly flawless. She opened with a smooth sequence, and Zhang Ben immediately realized he was in trouble. Zhang Yi shook his head. "I can't beat that."

At that moment, Chen Yuchen calmly said, "I can."

Zhang Ziqi raised an eyebrow in surprise, then threw down a bomb.

Chen Yuchen, still composed, replied, "I can't follow that."

Zhang Ben breathed a sigh of relief and played his own bomb, turning to Chen Yuchen with hope in his eyes. "Chen, it's all on you now!"

Chen Yuchen smiled. "If I had a good hand, I would've taken the landlord earlier."

Zhang Ben had no response to that and continued playing. Zhang Ziqi and Zhang Ben went back and forth, the tension rising as the game reached its climax.

Finally, Zhang Ziqi was down to her last two cards, with five bombs already played. Zhang Ben, desperate to turn the tide, threw down another bomb, leaving himself with only one card. He smirked and said, "Got any bombs left? Only five have been played. Just one more, and we double the stakes."

Zhang Yi grinned and said, "I do—four aces."

Zhang Ben froze, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief as the game once again shifted dramatically.

Chen Yuchen furrowed his brow, eyeing his cards. "Zhang Yi, your move didn't make sense. We're on the same team, yet you keep throwing bombs at your own side. Do you even want to keep playing?"

Zhang Yi chuckled. "Relax, Chen. I've got this."

"Alright then," Chen Yuchen said, his voice calm but firm. "Six sixes."

Zhang Yi's smile faded. "Chen, don't do this…"

Chen Yuchen smirked. "I'm finishing this. Sequence—no more cards left."

And just like that, Chen Yuchen played his last card, securing a surprising victory.