Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1373: Chapter 100: King’s Game (Part 3)

After the lady with butterfly wings continuously threw out two pairs in succession, the number of cards in her hand had dwindled to zero… This meant she was in an absolutely safe position before the game even officially started.

The only ones who hadn’t drawn cards were Mina and Boss Luo.

The true dragon of China didn’t need to use fingers this time; just by sight, she could determine everyone’s card count… She already had six cards in hand but no King’s card—there was even an open Spade A!

Currently, Mina, who had not yet drawn cards, still held four cards, and Luo Qiu, who also hadn’t drawn, was left with two cards after being drawn twice… the maid had three cards.

“Now, it’s my turn!”

The girl’s gaze swept across the card groups of the remaining three, then she chuckled, “Actually, there are some skills to this game. For example, in this case, I don’t have the King’s card in my hand, and with someone already winning prematurely, it’s easier to pinpoint the King’s card… It’s indeed more advantageous to draw from Noble Master.”

If one of Boss Luo’s remaining two cards was the King’s card, the probability of drawing it would become fifty percent. Of course, it might not be there, making Boss Luo left with one card and in a very favorable position.

The girl might end up with five unmatched cards, increasing her own risk—of course, this assumes she truthfully said she didn’t have the King’s card; if it’s a lie, it’s another scenario—most favorable to the girl.

Perhaps the girl also had a card that could pair with the Spade A; if so, drawing the open card from the true dragon could eliminate a card in her hand, but the benefit isn’t as great as drawing from Luo Qiu.

Moreover, even if neither of Boss Luo’s remaining two cards is a King’s card, the girl still might draw a card from those two that could pair with one in her own hand…

Another possibility is that the girl has a card that can pair with one of Long Xiruo’s open cards, but she doesn’t plan to draw it in order to keep the open card with Long Xiruo…

This was the analysis made by the little butterfly monster who, after throwing away all her cards, lay on the shoulder of the true dragon of China, putting pressure on her chest as she looked at her Sister Long’s cards.

The true dragon of China’s shoulders felt increasingly heavy, causing her legs to twitch with the urge to lash out… but she needed to maintain a smile—rule four, don’t get angry, stay smiling.

This damn game… Who invented it?!

“I wonder what cards the boss has left.”

Seeing the girl already reaching toward the boss, the little butterfly monster watched with curiosity.

“Noble Master, my apologies.” The girl smiled, glanced at the card she drew back, and then said happily, “Seems like my luck isn’t bad.”

With that, the girl threw out two cards, a 5 of Clubs and a 5 of Diamonds.

The girl’s turn ended, and she held: 3 cards.

Finally, it was Boss Luo’s turn.

“One card left.” Boss Luo looked at his hand, smiled slightly, and said, “My luck isn’t bad either… I wonder if I can also draw a matching card at the end. So…”

The targets for the boss were only the girl, the maid, and the true dragon of China.

“Are you going to draw from me?” The maid looked at Boss Luo with a gentle smile.

Boss Luo smiled, “Well… I already have a target in mind, maybe next time.”

“Oh dear, what a pity.” The maid continued to smile.

Then, amidst these smiles, Boss Luo directly looked at the true dragon of China, “Miss Long, can you give me the card on your far left?”

——My, my open card!

This cunning merchant actually would…

The true dragon of China seemed unable to withstand the gaze of the boss, turned her head, and said, “Hmph, do you take me as someone who can’t afford to lose? I don’t value such cheap charity.”

“How could that be?” Boss Luo said with a smile, “I truly want that card in your hand.”

“If you… if you want it, then take it!” The true dragon directly placed the leftmost card face down on the table, and pushed it toward Boss Luo.

Then, Boss Luo took the card, turned it over for a quick look, then smiled and threw out his two cards, “I have no cards left… Thanks, Miss Long.”

“!!”

Damn cunning merchant!!!!

The true dragon of China, feeling a mix of emotions in her heart… her legs stopped twitching as she dumbfoundedly stared.

The first round of Fate’s Correction… ended.

Mina: Heart 3, Club 3, Spade 4… 3 cards.

Little butterfly monster: …0 cards.

Maid: Spade King, Spade 2, Club A… 3 cards.

Luo Qiu: …0 cards

True dragon of China: Spade 3, Heart 4, Diamond A, Diamond 3… 4 cards.

The maid directly played her King’s card, Spade King, “I am the King in the first round.”

“Unexpectedly…” The true dragon of China’s body shook.

The girl congratulated and then laughed, “But this Noble Master can only designate 1~2 numbers. If both numbers are held by the same person, the other is safe.”

“Both… numbers in hand, how’s that?” The true dragon of China furrowed her brow.

The girl naturally replied, “Then of course both commands must be completed… exciting, isn’t it! Auntie, are you planning not to play?”

“Heh.” The true dragon shrugged, looking relaxed, “Then let’s begin, King——Your Majesty.”

The maid’s gaze moved back and forth between the girl and the true dragon, then smiled and said, “Besides this King’s card, I have Spade 2, 3, 4, Heart 3, 4, Club A, 3, and Diamond A, 3, a total of nine cards. It’s suddenly a bit hard to choose.”

“Wait, you…” The true dragon of China opened her mouth then closed it—this scheming maid remembered cards!!

“What’s wrong, Miss Long.” The maid asked softly.

“I said if you have orders, say them quickly! Don’t drag it out!”

The maid chuckled lightly, then slowly said, “Then, my first choice is, Heart…”

The girl remained innocently cheerful, but the true dragon of China stayed expressionless—this little trick obviously couldn’t make her tense enough to give herself away.

She even couldn’t help thinking… her schemes were limited.

Unexpectedly… there was a little butterfly monster behind the true dragon whose emotions showed on her face—when the maid mentioned Heart, the little butterfly monster’s expression immediately tensed up.

“…3,” the maid said.

Mina remained smiling, the true dragon of China remained expressionless… but the little butterfly monster visibly relaxed.

Then, the maid quickly added, “And Heart 4.”

Hearing this, the true dragon of China first froze, then looked at her card set… Suddenly, she turned her head, gazing at the little butterfly monster resting on her shoulder, observing her face as if it signified “traitor,” she was entirely lost.

“You… forget it!” Long Xiruo sighed, “From the next round, keep your distance from me.”

The little butterfly monster, under the gaze, nodded like a pecking chicken.

The maid began to exercise the power of the King.

“Heart 3, please say the name of the second person you like most in your heart.” Ms. Ren squinted her eyes at this moment, “Heart 4… please perform a dance. Of course, because you have Rule 2, you can also exempt from this command.”

“The second person I like most is Brother!” Mina said without a second thought: “My favorite is also Brother! The third, fourth, and fifth, all of them! I like Brother the most!”

Apparently, she didn’t intend to use up an exemption.

“Brother?” Boss Luo suddenly said.

The girl nodded, “Yes, Brother!”

Boss Luo smiled and didn’t say anything more.

At this moment.

“Oh my, it turns out Miss Long is Heart 4… really unexpected.” Ms. Ren looked surprised, “If the command is too difficult…”

So angry!!

But have to keep smiling… Rule 4!

“Dancing, huh.” The true dragon of China showed no expression, she slowly stood up, and glanced at everyone, “Watch closely.”

Without looking at anyone, she just slowly walked to the carpet in the living room, took off her shoes conveniently… and ‘gently’ kicked the Golden Dragon lying on the ground towards the corner.

She closed her eyes and breathed gently… her body seemed completely relaxed.

A wonderful feeling also gently spread from the true dragon of China… obviously still in the living room, but it seemed like, for a moment, they saw Qingfeng Mingyue, and a secluded orchid valley.

Vaguely, it seemed like they saw a younger version of the true dragon of China… fragile, with a body as weak as a willow catkin, standing on the peak of a mountain, accompanied by clouds and mist… the breeze entertaining her.

Her hands began to float gently, and when her eyes opened, it was as if there was a spiritual light, the space became quiet, became gentle.

It was hard to connect her with that reality’s strongest power, the true dragon of China… she was more like a young girl in the bloom of youth, dancing gracefully.

It seemed like they saw the climbing fig draped over her.

Seemed like they saw a crimson panther wandering beneath her.

Seemed like they saw the mountain fox being chased and the fine rain of gods sprinkled down from the sky.

“Sister Long, so beautiful…”

The little butterfly monster seemed to see a fantasy, rubbed her eyes… this was a view of the true dragon of China she had never seen, she dared not speak again, afraid the sound would pop this dreamy scene like a bubble.

Boss Luo couldn’t help recalling a description from a poet’s work from the past.

“Nine Songs – Mountain Spirit.”

——In the dense bamboo forest, I never see the sky, the path is steep and difficult, I come alone.

——Standing alone on the mountain, the clouds gather below.

——Turning dim, dusk even at noon, the east wind blows, the gods’ rain.

As he watched, Luo Qiu seemed to want to reach out and grasp something… in the end, he slowly lowered his hand.

…

Unconsciously, when Long Xiruo stopped her movements… it seemed like the time for everyone, was still stopped in that dancing moment.

The true dragon of China at this time exhaled slowly, silently put her shoes back on, and sat back in her original position, glanced at the silent crowd, then directly glared.

The girl who danced gracefully on the mountain peak, like a fleeting illusion, this moment’s true dragon of China was back to her usual self, impatiently said, “All gone silly?”

“No…” the little butterfly monster came back to her senses, then suddenly hugged the true dragon of China’s arm, looking up, said, “Sister Long, you’re amazing! I never knew!”

“Get off!” The true dragon of China pushed away with a disgusted face, “I don’t talk to traitors!”

“How could you…” the little butterfly monster muttered with a face full of grievance.

The true dragon of China directly crossed her legs, leaned her face on her hand, subconsciously wanted to light a cigarette… in the end, she didn’t light one, her face seemed to say clearly, “Strangers Keep Out.”

“I really didn’t expect, Miss Long had such exquisite dance skills…” Ms. Ren rarely looked directly at this true dragon of China, softly smiled, “I do have some new impressions of Miss Long now.”

“Tsk… thanks.” The true dragon of China still had a disdainful face, pouting, and then inadvertently glanced from Boss Luo’s body.

“Miss Long, this doesn’t seem like an ordinary dance…” Boss Luo spoke softly, “Is there something special about it?”

Long Xiruo tilted her head looking outside the living room window at the courtyard, “Nothing, just an ancient sacrificial dance to worship the mountain god used by the ancients, nothing to be surprised about.”

“I see.” Boss Luo nodded, “No wonder.”

The true dragon of China looked back, “No wonder what?”

Luo Qiu gently said, “No wonder it’s so beautiful. I think, even the mountain god, if they could see such a dance, would definitely be very pleased, right? It really makes one want to see Miss Long wear the sacrificial costume, on the mountain peak, to perform it again… it should be even more unforgettable.”

Thump thump, thump thump… thump thump—!

The sound of a heartbeat.

A purple Phoenix Crowned Robe, quietly flashed through the mind of the true dragon of China.

The true dragon of China suddenly shivered all over, then reached out and knocked on the table, “Are we continuing to play or not! What are you all dazing around for? I’m still waiting for revenge! Who’s the next dealer?”

“According to the order, it seems to be me.” Boss Luo chuckled, then gathered the cards on the table, and proceeded to shuffle.

“Does anyone need to cut the deck?” After shuffling, Boss Luo directly asked.

This time the true dragon of China didn’t request a cut… nor did the others, so Luo Qiu directly dealt the cards in his hand.

Second game begins:

Mina: Heart 5, Club A, Club 5, Diamond 5, Club 3 (face-up)

Little butterfly monster: Spade A, Heart A, Heart 2, Diamond A.

Ms. Ren: Spade 2, Heart 4, Club 2, Club 4.

Luo Qiu: Spade 3, Heart 3, Diamond 2, Diamond 3.

Long Xiruo: Spade 4, Spade 5, Diamond 4… Spade King.

…

At this time, the true dragon of China glanced at her own hand, having played one round and fully understanding the rules and tactics, she snickered coldly.

[King] card in hand!

How can a true dragon lose!

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PS1: (2/26)