Chapter 115: You Cannot Win

Fu Ziyang's words only deepened Su Wanwan's discomfort, making her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

"Sis-in-law, your face seems even redder now. I'll check the fridge to see if there's anything to drink," Fu Ziyang said, rising to fetch two bottles of chilled beverages. Just as he handed one over, Fu Liangmu intercepted it.

Fu Ziyang forced a nervous laugh, wiping away a nonexistent bead of sweat from his brow.

"Brother, I'm just bringing a drink for sis-in-law, no need to get jealous…"

Ignoring him, Fu Liangmu turned to Su Wanwan, his penetrating, fathomless gaze locking onto her. The scorching intensity of his stare ignited a string of sparks within her.

Just as Su Wanwan was about to lose composure, Fu Liangmu finally spoke.

"Don't drink anything cold."

"Why not?" Su Wanwan asked, puzzled.

Without a word, Fu Liangmu stood and poured her a cup of warm water, handing it to her.

"It's been a month."

"Huh?" Su Wanwan took the cup absentmindedly, not grasping the meaning behind his words.

"You married me a month ago."

"Relatives should be arriving to visit soon, right?"

Only then did Su Wanwan realize, placing the cup down on the table like a hot potato, murmuring an indistinct reply.

Fu Ziyang scratched his head in confusion and asked foolishly,

"Brother, does the Su family still have relatives coming?"

Xie Cheng, lying on the floor trying to ease his pain, rolled his eyes with effort.

Xia Kelan returned from a distance, stepping over Xie Cheng and giving him a kick.

"Get up, quit playing dead."

"That mahjong table's too heavy for me to move alone—help me out."

Xie Cheng forced a smile as sweat trickled down his forehead.

"Are you sure I can help you carry this now?" Xia Kelan teased, arms crossed.

"Then I'll call Fu Ziyang for help."

Xie Cheng immediately got up, and the two struggled to lift the mahjong table.

"There are five of us. Since you're not feeling well, the four of us will play."

Xia Kelan promptly excluded Xie Cheng.

Annoyed, Xie Cheng laughed bitterly,

"So I'm just a tool for you?"

Fu Ziyang eagerly cracked his knuckles,

"Come on, come on, let's play a few rounds! I've got great luck today—I'll win so thoroughly you won't have a stitch left!"

"Really?" Xia Kelan eyed him suspiciously.

Fu Ziyang proudly lifted his chin,

"If you don't believe me, ask my brother—I always win the most every New Year!"

"Last year, I won three shops, two mansions, and eight sports cars!"

Xia Kelan gasped,

"Wow, do you guys gamble this big?"

"Scared?" Fu Ziyang smirked provocatively.

Instinctively, Xia Kelan glanced at Su Wanwan, who shivered slightly.

"Let's just play with a dollar or two, I'm a bit tight on cash lately…"

"Tch!" Fu Ziyang scoffed, shaking his head disdainfully,

"Then step aside and let Brother Xie play!"

Hearing this, Xia Kelan readily gave up her seat and helped Xie Cheng up.

"Then let him come—just don't regret it."

Fu Ziyang didn't ponder the deeper meaning of her words.

His eyes gleamed as he slapped a sheet of paper on the table and grabbed a pen,

"Place your bets! Put all your chips on the table!"

Xie Cheng sipped his drink and forced himself to speak,

"A three-bedroom apartment downtown."

Fu Ziyang grinned mischievously,

"Brother Xie, are you scared of losing to me that you're betting so small?"

"I'll bet the car I came in, the latest model, worth ten million."

"Big brother, sis-in-law, what about you two?"

A greenish gleam sparkled in Fu Ziyang's eyes. He knew Fu Liangmu held hefty stakes, but unfortunately, Fu Liangmu always claimed he wouldn't play and never joined in—today, he intended to make him lose everything!

Su Wanwan replied coolly,

"I'll pass. Let Kelan play—I'm not very good."

Fu Ziyang's eyes lit up even more. This was not good—he loved bullying novices!

"Don't run away now, sis-in-law."

"I can teach you if you don't know how to play!"

"I'm really good—I'll go easy on you, won't let you lose too badly!"

This round was basically money falling from the sky into his lap. Two novices plus Xie Cheng, who was only half-competent—he was destined to win!

Fu Liangmu spoke calmly,

"I'll bet my house."

"As for Wanwan's bet, count it on me."

Fu Ziyang immediately frowned,

"Brother, don't cheat."

After a moment's thought, Su Wanwan slapped down a bank card,

"If I lose, you can have this."

"Tch…" Fu Ziyang sneered disdainfully,

"Sis-in-law, how paltry—a single card can't hold much money."

"It can buy you three cars."

Fu Ziyang quickly recorded Su Wanwan's bet.

The crisp clatter of mahjong tiles echoed, signaling the start of the game.

Xia Kelan tore open a bag of chips, standing aside with a pitying gaze at the three players.

"Pathetic, truly pathetic."

Fu Ziyang spoke passionately, cheeks flushed, vividly explaining the mahjong rules.

"Sis-in-law, got it?"

Su Wanwan gave him a polite thumbs-up.

"East wind."

"White dragon."

"Nine bamboo."

"Chow."

Su Wanwan spoke calmly.

Fu Ziyang smiled happily,

"Sis-in-law, you're quite perceptive—looks like you have a talent for this!"

Su Wanwan curved her lips politely.

"Two circles."

"Kong."

Fu Ziyang blinked in surprise, watching Su Wanwan's deft tile placement, a strange premonition stirring uneasily in his heart.

"Sis-in-law, you're impressive! Seems like you have a great hand."

Fu Liangmu's steady gaze rested quietly on her.

At that moment, Su Wanwan seemed to sense something, her eyes lifting lightly. Their gazes met.

Fu Liangmu casually discarded a tile.

Su Wanwan said lightly,

"Hu." (Winning hand)

Fu Ziyang:

"???"

He stared at Su Wanwan's tiles in disbelief, his entire face etched with shock. This was nothing like what he had imagined!

Su Wanwan smiled faintly,

"Thank you for letting me win."

Fu Ziyang snapped back to reality, pretending not to care as he waved his hand, though his smile was stiff.

"No worries, no worries. Winning the first round, you should know how to play now."

"Sis-in-law, I won't go easy on you next time."

Su Wanwan nodded with a faint, teasing smile.

"Bring it on."

After placing new bets, the four resumed play.

Xia Kelan, intrigued, dragged a chair to sit beside Xie Cheng, whispering,

"Bet smaller next round."

Xie Cheng raised an eyebrow, confident,

"Why?"

"Because you can't win."

"I'm great at cards. When I win that sports car, I'll sell it and buy you some crayfish."

Xia Kelan glanced at Su Wanwan's gentle, serene expression and shook her head softly.

"No chance."

"Oh?"

"Wait and see."

As she spoke, Su Wanwan once again pushed forward her tiles.

"Thirteen orphans—Hu."

The tiles in Fu Ziyang's hand clattered to the floor with a loud thud.