Chapter 82: The Grand Opening of the Casino

Work had already begun inside. When Ye Chen arrived at the scene, he stared at the expensive materials—the redwood imported from Europe, carpets from Australia, and French crystal chandeliers. He couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. Damn, this is outrageous. Such lavish renovation materials, and before the money’s even been made, Feng Zixiao is already learning how to be extravagant?

“Big brother, you looking for me?” Feng Zixiao emerged from inside, covered in dust. The interior was being demolished for a complete renovation. To save on labor costs, Feng Zixiao had brought his own men to toil alongside him. Seeing Feng Zixiao in this state, Ye Chen couldn’t bear to scold him and instead asked, “Zixiao, these materials…”

“Oh, big brother, I have to thank you! You managed to get me such top-notch materials!” Feng Zixiao flashed a row of white teeth.

“Damn it, that’s not what I meant. Explain yourself!” Ye Chen grew anxious. The materials here were worth at least two million. Feng Zixiao quickly explained the situation. Ye Chen immediately understood and gritted his teeth, muttering, “That fat witch, she actually dared to play tricks on me. Fine, since she sent so many good things, we can’t just let them go to waste.”

“Big brother, what’s wrong?” Feng Zixiao grew worried, sensing trouble. “Should we send all this stuff back?”

“No need!” Ye Chen waved his hand. “If it’s free, we’ll take it. Oh, right, let me introduce you—this is Jiang Wei, you’ve met him before!”

“Haha, Jiang Wei, aren’t you—” Feng Zixiao began, but Ye Chen shot him a look and Feng Zixiao instantly shut his mouth, not daring to continue.

Ye Chen chuckled, “Jiang Wei, this place is about fifteen hundred square meters. I plan to open a large casino here. What do you think?”

“A casino?! Damn, a place to make money every day! Awesome!” Jiang Wei was beside himself with excitement. But opening a casino wasn’t just a matter of wishful thinking; it required start-up capital. For a casino of this size, the initial investment would be at least ten million. Jiang Wei frowned. “Big brother, do you have enough funds? And if you’re so blatant, Yan Buer surely won’t let you off…”

“Heh, don’t worry about the funds,” Ye Chen grinned. “This time, we’re going to snatch food right from Yan Buer’s mouth. He has four casinos in the east, south, west, and north, but ours is right in the center. Our location is obviously superior. I believe most of the traffic will flood into our casino!”

Ye Chen’s words stirred excitement in everyone’s hearts. What they needed most now was money. Seeing cash pouring in would be the most exhilarating thing. Feng Zixiao, sweating profusely, explained the renovation layout to Ye Chen—over a thousand square meters, divided into several sections: a main hall for slot machines and ordinary gaming, a mid-sized casino for bets between ten thousand and a hundred thousand, and a VIP room for high-roller bets exceeding a hundred thousand.

Ye Chen was very satisfied with this arrangement, as it met the needs of all types of customers.

“Excellent, keep going!” Ye Chen nodded.

Inside the hotpot restaurant, a single light illuminated the dusty, chaotic interior. Most of the men had gathered in the main hall, listening to Ye Chen speak. Feng Zixiao sat on the floor; a few others sprawled on the tabletops, and some perched on the windowsill, cigarettes dangling from their lips, all eyes on Ye Chen.

“Brothers, running a casino isn’t a long-term plan,” Ye Chen addressed them. “But opening a casino is our first step toward success. Our goal is to topple the Yanlong Gang and become the number one faction in Jianghuai City. Then, we’ll clean up our act and live the good life.”

“Alright!” Everyone applauded. Some of the younger men asked curiously, “Brother Chen, if we become the top gang, why clean up? Wouldn’t it be great to keep living like big shots?”

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“Exactly, we’d walk with swagger and everyone would give way!” The men chimed in.

“Brothers,” Ye Chen looked at them, “the underworld isn’t a long-term path. The authorities will never allow a gang to develop unchecked—unless we could control them, but that’s just empty talk, nonsense, clichés!”

“Haha…” The crowd burst into laughter.

Ye Chen’s words were honest, but they struck a chord within everyone. Who didn’t want to be in the underworld? Who didn’t want to make big money? Who didn’t want beautiful women? Life’s goals boil down to career and love—or, more bluntly, money and women.

Ye Chen gave a few simple instructions and took his leave, with Jiang Wei following him out.

“Big brother!” Jiang Wei looked earnestly at Ye Chen. “Can what you just said really be achieved?”

Ye Chen paused, then stepped forward and patted Jiang Wei’s shoulder. “It all depends on us. As long as we have dreams and work hard, we can make it happen. Believe me, Jianghuai City will be ours!”

“Alright!” Jiang Wei nodded, moved. “If you help me realize this dream, I’ll follow you for life!”

“Haha, rest assured, not just you—Feng Zixiao and the others all want to achieve this dream!” Ye Chen laughed heartily.

Beep, beep, beep…

The phone rang. Ye Chen hurriedly fished out his Nokia 1110—so sturdy it could be used as a brick. A true retro phone, indestructible.

“Director Li, you looking for me?” Hearing Li Ruo’s voice, Ye Chen quickly asked, “What’s up?”

“Where are you?” Li Ruo demanded.

“I… I’m busy with company business,” Ye Chen stammered, not daring to admit he was at University Town. Li Ruo snorted, “Everyone else from the office has returned, only you’re missing. Do you think I don’t know?”

“What?!” Ye Chen was startled. “I… I’m coming back right now!”

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“Get to the company within ten minutes, or else…” Li Ruo’s cold snort was an unmistakable threat. Ye Chen didn’t dare defy her. He jumped into his Alto and sped off toward Tianya Group.

When Ye Chen, panting and out of breath, arrived at Tianya Group, Li Ruo and Lin Ziwen were sitting in the business team’s office, waiting for him. Fang Fei, Liu Shang, and the others hung their heads, not daring to look up, each buried in their work. Li Ruo’s authority was such that no one could raise their head. Ye Chen rushed into the office, saw Li Ruo sitting in his seat, paused for a moment, then smiled, “Director Li, you’re here!”

“Hmph, Ye Chen, you’ve been running around during work hours again and again?” Li Ruo frowned.

“How have I been running around?” Ye Chen protested. “I’m busy with company business!”

“Then tell me, do you have results?” Li Ruo snorted.

“Come on, it’s only been a few days! For others, this business takes three months or half a year, right? I’ve only had three days, and you’re already asking for results?” Ye Chen was furious. Damn, isn’t this just messing with people? Li Ruo realized she might have been too harsh, stood up from her chair, and said, “Come to my office.”

With a sway of her hips, Li Ruo led Lin Ziwen out of the business team’s office.

“Ye Chen, the whole business department is laughing at our team now!” Liu Shang propped his head on his right hand. “Today I met a guy from another team—when they heard we took on this project, they couldn’t help but laugh.”

“Yeah, Ye Chen, even Director Li is involved now. Shouldn’t we just apply to drop this project?” Chen Qiong asked anxiously.

“We’ll have an answer within a week!” Ye Chen said coldly, tossing his black bag onto the desk and following Li Ruo out.

The twentieth floor. The president’s office was always filled with the scent of flowers. Every day, someone sent Li Ruo flowers through a florist. There was always a fresh bouquet of roses on her desk. The office was spacious and bright—Li Ruo’s office was almost as large as the entire business team’s office, with a small lounge and a tiny gym. To maintain her figure, Li Ruo followed her doctor’s advice, exercised regularly, and ensured she got enough sleep.

Ye Chen pushed open the door. Li Ruo was already seated on the sofa and beckoned him over. Ye Chen hurried over and sat across from her, immediately noticing some scenery—Li Ruo facing him, legs together, the hem of her skirt revealing a hint of edge…

Ye Chen was a man, inevitably drawn to such sights.

“You scoundrel, where are you looking?” Li Ruo snapped, crossing her legs. In that split second, Ye Chen caught a glimpse of pink, cute underwear. He drew in a sharp breath, quickly straightened himself, replaying the scene in his mind. Damn, that was truly intoxicating. Li Ruo frowned, but inwardly rejoiced—at least she could captivate this man.

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