Ye Fan, Mengyao, Ling Xue, and Jian Tao chatted about the past and talked about their friendship. The atmosphere was joyous.

Ling Xue focused her gaze on Ye Fan and said earnestly, "When you have time, shall we spar with each other on gambling skills? Or could you teach me your experience and techniques? We can improve together, how about that?"

Whether it’s sparring or secretly learning, Ling Xue felt these are areas she seriously needed to study. In Ye Fan’s hands, she was thoroughly defeated without the slightest bit of confidence to make a comeback. The title of Little Gambling God was simply not worth mentioning in front of Ye Fan.

Her intention to rely on Ye Fan to improve her gambling skills was self-evident. Sparring and mutual improvement were just nice words for herself. The only one who could improve was herself. For Ye Fan, beating her was as easy as playing, so he had no need to spar with her.

"Not interested," Ye Fan said nonchalantly. "Gambling is just a trick to fool people; there’s nothing worth delving into. If you’re interested in exploring this path, you should go figure it out yourself. I don’t have the interest to compete with you because we’re simply not on the same level."

Ye Fan’s domineering words left Jian Tao full of disbelief. She looked at Ling Xue and said, "You’re not as good as him in gambling skills?"

"Not just not as good, I’m no match at all. I lost miserably." Ling Xue said seriously.

"How is that possible?" Jian Tao was increasingly dumbfounded. In her memory, Ling Xue was very talented and had never lost in gambling skills. But now, seeing Ling Xue’s expression of conceding defeat to Ye Fan, how could she not be shocked?

"It’s not impossible. This guy is not only a master, but a freak." Ling Xue said sincerely.

"Impressive. In my knowledge, Ling Xue has never truly lost or admired anyone so much. You’re the first." Jian Tao said to Ye Fan, astounded.

"Gambling skills are just a small art; nothing to make a fuss about." Ye Fan said calmly.

"Only someone of your skill level could say something like that. For those who don’t know the situation, it would seem like you’re being arrogant, but I know that’s not the case. You’re full of confidence." Ling Xue looked at Ye Fan and said earnestly, "However, I can’t agree that gambling skills are just tricks. It’s a wide-ranging and profound discipline, not just small tricks."

"Think what you want." Ye Fan said indifferently.

"Even if you’re not interested in sparring with me, surely it’s okay for me to ask you for guidance? For you, gambling skills might not be a big deal, but for me, it’s a craft that I can’t let rust. Teach me a few moves, and I’d benefit a lot." Ling Xue pleaded.

"Are you unfamiliar with the principle that knowledge should not be passed outside the circle?" Ye Fan replied dismissively.

"You’re just brushing me off, I can see your reluctance." Ling Xue complained, "Since when did you become so pedantic? You’re not usually like this."

"Ahem, ahem!" Ye Fan coughed awkwardly, not responding, unable to withstand Ling Xue’s resentful gaze.

"If we spar, you wouldn’t stand a chance. As for a contest, how about gambling for clothes?" Mengyao interjected, successfully diverting Ling Xue’s attention.

"What do you mean gambling for clothes, that’s a boring game." Ling Xue’s face turned red. The first time she met Ye Fan and Mengyao was at the gambling table, and she had lost completely. That was a big embarrassment. Mengyao hadn’t mentioned her shameful past, but now that she had brought it up, Ling Xue was worried Jian Tao would find out, leaving her with no face to show.

What Mengyao said was a warning, and Ling Xue dared not ignore the implied meaning.

"I was presumptuous. Such advanced gambling skills shouldn’t be casually imparted to others, should they?" Ling Xue said unwillingly, "If you’re really concerned about the master-disciple title, I could become your disciple. That way, you could openly teach me gambling skills. You see, I have a decent talent and won’t tarnish your reputation."

Ling Xue was very sincere, wholeheartedly eager to learn the craft of gambling from Ye Fan.

"It’s not that I won’t teach you; I just have nothing to teach. Even if I did, you wouldn’t be able to learn it." Ye Fan said, "My hearing is exceptional, which is something you can’t imagine or compare to. Therefore, I can’t teach you. Your gambling skills rely on experience and technique—true skills—and while you’re intelligent and remarkably talented, I can directly hear winning moves. I have an inherent advantage you can’t match."

"I see, no wonder..." Ling Xue said, full of admiration, "Your ears are like super-ears. How did you train your hearing? Did you cover your eyes, like some people who can’t see often have especially sharp senses of smell and hearing?"

"Don’t be curious," Ye Fan replied calmly.

"Stop chatting and let’s go eat. Before you know it, we’re all hungry." Jian Tao suggested.

"I want to go to the sky restaurant." Ling Xue said bluntly, "Food, drink, and entertainment, you guys need to cover it all. It’s the responsibility of the hosts."

"Alright, it’s my treat. Everything will be to your satisfaction." Jian Tao laughed happily.

Ye Fan and Mengyao could only accompany them.

After they finished eating, they took Ling Xue to a karaoke bar.

Ling Xue was having a blast. As Jian Tao described it, Ling Xue seemed like a little girl playing.

Xixi naturally didn’t join the adults and was looked after by the servants.

At night, the four finally headed back.

After bidding farewell to the two women, Ye Fan and Mengyao headed home.

Ling Xue was, of course, staying at Jian Tao’s place.

That night, Ye Fan and Mengyao had a peaceful night.

But for Ling Xue and Jian Tao, it was not peaceful.

Jian Tao could not confide in others about Zhao Hai’s death, but she could completely open up to Ling Xue. Naturally, she could vent her grievances and sorrow.

Jian Tao wept while chatting with Ling Xue.

Ling Xue, as the sounding board, dutifully comforted and guided Jian Tao, letting her release the pain in her heart.

Ling Xue knew Zhao Hai, and she felt sorry for the death of her close friend’s husband and good friend.

But what’s done is done, what else could be done?

Jian Tao was familiar with Ye Fan and Mengyao, but only to a certain degree, not enough to treat them as confidants.

That’s why Jian Tao couldn’t share her innermost thoughts with Ye Fan and Mengyao.

Jian Tao’s grievances couldn’t be revealed to her family or elders. She could only share them with Ling Xue.

Ye Fan and Mengyao understood this, seeing the subtle emotions between Jian Tao and Ling Xue, and thus accompanied the two women, ultimately leaving the space for them to vent alone.