Chapter 75: The End

Only one ball remained, and he no longer had any chance of winning. He noticed people around him occasionally pointing at Zuo Zhicheng, Jiang Qing, and the others, then pointing at him while whispering. Clearly, the bet had spread.

Thinking of this, Xiao Changhe clenched his fists tightly. He watched Zuo Zhicheng on the platform, who still showed no intention of stopping and shot the last white ball into the pocket. A murderous intent ignited in his eyes.

‘Did he already know how to play? Was he pretending earlier?’ The murderous intent in Xiao Changhe’s heart grew hotter. ‘This kid, at the year-end competition, I will break all your limbs on the stage and make you a cripple for life.’

‘I will make you understand what happens when you oppose me.’

But no matter how much Xiao Changhe fantasized about crushing his opponent at the year-end, the present defeat was something he could not escape.

When Zuo Zhicheng finally pocketed the last ball, loud applause erupted all around. Jiang Qing and Xiao Lan cheered and rushed over, hugging Zuo Zhicheng together.

Suddenly, Jiang Qing smacked Zuo Zhicheng on the head. “You brat, you were deliberately losing to us earlier, teasing us, weren’t you? You made us worry for nothing.”

Zuo Zhicheng chuckled. “I really wasn’t very skilled before. I played it a long time ago in the Central Plains, but it’s been ages.”

Jiang Qing ignored him and ran up to Xiao Changhe. “Xiao, a bet is a bet. Since you lost, get out of here.”

Xiao Changhe’s face turned bright red, and he glared furiously at Jiang Qing in front of him and at Zuo Zhicheng, the one to blame. “Jiang Qing, don’t go too far. Leave some room for people, so we can meet again in the future.”

“Leave some room? Now that you’ve lost, you want to leave room. Why didn’t you leave room earlier?”

Others nearby chimed in. “Yeah, a bet is a bet. If you lost, just go.”

“Changhe, don’t be a sore loser.”

Xiao Changhe stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay, his face so red it seemed about to drip blood.

Zuo Zhicheng put down his cue and walked out first. “I told you before that I could play this. We’re going out to eat now. Senior Brother Xiao, you can keep playing slowly.”

Jiang Qing followed him. “You got off easy.”

Watching Zuo Zhicheng’s retreating figure, Xiao Changhe’s eyes filled with resentment and hatred.

Seeing Xiao Changhe’s awkward situation, Yao Youwei, the person with the highest status present, spoke up. “Alright, everyone was just joking. You don’t really expect Changhe to roll out of here, do you?” Noticing Xiao Changhe’s flushed face and somewhat grateful expression, he added, “We’ve seen enough billiards. It’s almost dinnertime. Let’s go eat.”

This move naturally won over Xiao Changhe while reaffirming his own authority in front of everyone. As for Zuo Zhicheng and the other two, judging by their clothes, they were just ordinary commoners without any background, not worth his consideration.

So, with a few words, Yao Youwei dispelled Xiao Changhe’s embarrassment and left with Miss Qing. The others, seeing Yao Youwei’s stance, naturally didn’t dare to argue. After all, it was just a game. No matter how skilled Zuo Zhicheng and Xiao Changhe were at this, to them, it was little more than a sideshow—hardly worth making a big deal over.

However, the bet Zuo Zhicheng mentioned before leaving piqued some people’s interest. Those in the know began whispering and spreading the story among the crowd.

Yao Youwei listened to his guard’s report and said, “Oh? So they’re from the Haoran Martial Hall.” But even as he said it, his eyes showed a hint of disdain.

Meanwhile, Miss Qing beside him asked, “When is the grand competition?”

Yao Youwei smiled. “Miss Qing, you want to watch? It’s just a bunch of low-class folks…”

“I want to watch.”

Yao Youwei frowned and looked at his guard.

The guard cupped his hands and said, “It’s on the seventh day before the New Year. It’s considered an exhibition match among the eighteen martial halls that day.”

…

Elsewhere, Zuo Zhicheng, Jiang Qing, and Xiao Lan found a small tavern for dinner. According to Jiang Qing, the snacks here were the real specialty of Xinlu Port.

After eating, drinking, and making a bit of noise, Zuo Zhicheng brought the slightly drunk Xiao Lan back home. Jiang Qing watched their fading figures from behind. The flush from the alcohol made her face look like a ripe peach. Suddenly, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

“Ugh. What are you thinking, Jiang Qing?” She patted her cheeks and headed toward the martial hall.

Meanwhile, by the time Zuo Zhicheng brought Xiao Lan back to her room, she was already fast asleep. Zuo Zhicheng nudged her a few times, but Xiao Lan showed no sign of waking up.

“Mmm… Let me sleep a bit more.”

“Brother Zuo… Stop it.”

Zuo Zhicheng shrugged. He could only wipe her face, hands, and feet for her, take off her outer clothes, and then carry her to bed.

Then Zuo Zhicheng went to his own bed. He usually slept until after midnight, then went to his secret base to train and practice, before coming back to sleep a little more and prepare to wake up early.

But today, after dozing for about half an hour, he heard rustling sounds. Someone came over and slipped directly under his blanket.

It was a curvy, delicate, yet elastic body. Zuo Zhicheng had recognized who it was even before she came up.

“Xiao Lan?”

The other person murmured groggily, “Brother Zuo…”

The naked girl’s body wrapped around Zuo Zhicheng like an octopus. He could even clearly feel two soft mounds and their peaks rubbing against his chest.

Xiao Lan was young, but her figure was excessively fiery. In Zuo Zhicheng’s memory, it was almost comparable to those busty supermodels or Playboy cover girls from his previous life. Compared to her, Jiang Qing was almost like an underdeveloped girl.

Sighing inwardly at the girl’s unfairly good figure, he patted Xiao Lan’s cheeks. “Are you awake?”

She didn’t answer. Light snores already came through. After Zuo Zhicheng patted her cheeks, Xiao Lan squirmed a little.

As she squirmed, Zuo Zhicheng felt what seemed like two small apples bounce against his chest. Thinking they were quite substantial, Zuo Zhicheng let out a breath, picked up the still dazed Xiao Lan, and carried her back to her bed.

‘Her alcohol tolerance is so poor. Looks like we can’t let her drink from now on.’ Zuo Zhicheng watched her curl up in her own blanket again, revealing an innocent, kitten-like expression. He shook his head and went back to his own room to sleep. After resting a while, he would start tonight’s training.