Chapter 23 — The Game of Shadows
After the remaining classes at the end of the school day, Bai Xia quickly left the school before anyone could stop her. She had already received too many sympathizing gazes and flowers to last her a lifetime. It was exhausting — and she had no use for meaningless pity.
She had plans. Real plans. And she didn't need distractions.
Bai Xia walked through the school gate and waved down a taxi. In 1995, taxis were considered a luxury — something only the wealthy or the desperate would often use. For ordinary people, they were far too expensive. But Bai Xia, who had once lived decades into the future, wasn't comfortable with taking motorcycles. A taxi was safer… and faster.
She gave the driver an address. When the man saw it, he frowned slightly.
What would a rich, beautiful young lady be doing there? That address was well-known — not a place for someone from a respectable family. Unless… she was the owner's daughter?
The driver said nothing. The taxi pulled away, the humming of the old engine echoing faintly through the quiet evening streets.
When they arrived, Bai Xia stepped out and paid him. Her eyes lifted toward the building before her.
It was the Golden Dragon Casino, one of the most luxurious in all of Jiang City in 1995. The massive structure shimmered under the golden neon lights that crowned its roof, shaped like a coiled dragon that looked ready to strike. Red and gold banners hung from the upper floors, and the grand glass doors reflected the glow of the city lights like mirrors to another world. The faint sound of jazz music and coins clinking mixed with the low murmur of wealthy gamblers inside.
Bai Xia straightened her uniform and walked through the doors.
Every eye turned.
A high school girl — in uniform — walking into a casino? Her calm elegance and the faint smile on her lips made her stand out like a painting come to life. Some men paused mid-sentence, others whispered behind their cigarettes.
Unbothered, Bai Xia walked straight to the front desk.
"Excuse me," she said softly. "Can I meet the manager?"
The receptionist blinked, unsure if he heard her right. A young girl, still in her school uniform, asking for the manager? At first, he thought she might be the owner's daughter — but she didn't seem to know him. Her demeanor was refined, but… too calm. Too self-assured.
"Young miss," he said politely but firmly, "this isn't a place for you to play around. There aren't good people here. Why don't you go spend some time at the mall or with your friends?"
His words were a dismissal dressed in kindness.
Bai Xia's lips curved slightly. "I see." She didn't argue — but the quiet gleam in her eyes said everything.
She turned and walked away, her gaze sweeping across the game floor. If the manager wouldn't come to her, then she would make him.
The Big or Small table caught her eye. Dice games — simple, fast, and noisy. Perfect. She approached a well-dressed man who was clearly a regular, judging by his smug grin and heavy gold watch.
"Hey, sir," she said politely. "Would you like to play a few rounds with me?"
The man raised a brow. His gaze turned sharp, predatory even — but Bai Xia stood calmly, her expression unreadable. That composure intrigued him. "How much do you want to bet?"
"Five hundred yen," Bai Xia replied.
He laughed. "That's a lot for a little girl. Let's start small — say, one hundred."
She nodded. "Fine."
The dealer — the casino employee behind the table — shook the cups briskly, the sound of dice clattering echoing like thunder across the table. Bai Xia's eyes narrowed.
She had already seen through the cups. Her Crystal Eyes, the ability to pierce through solid objects and observe motion, glimmered faintly behind her lashes.
"Big," she said simply.
The man smirked. "Small."
The dealer lifted the cup.
Big.
Bai Xia had won.
Round after round, the same pattern repeated. The man's smirk turned to disbelief, then irritation, then defeat. By the time he finally gave up, Bai Xia had made over 1,000 yen.
Her calm smile never changed.
Soon, others — wealthy men with thicker wallets and even thicker pride — stepped up to challenge her. And one by one, they fell.
Dice rolled. Cups clattered. Cheers and gasps filled the air.
By the time Bai Xia's school bag was heavy with cash, she had won over 100,000 yen. The entire hall was watching her now — part admiration, part envy, part suspicion.
Unbeknownst to her, a man was watching from the top floor.
He leaned casually against the railing, a glass of red wine in his hand, his dark eyes reflecting the golden glow of the casino lights.
"Interesting," he murmured, lips curving slightly. "A high school girl who can read dice?"
He watched as she placed another bet — bold, confident — with not a single flicker of hesitation.
"Boss," one of the bodyguards beside him said cautiously, "should we stop her?"
The man took a slow sip of wine. "No. Let her play." His eyes followed Bai Xia's figure as she claimed another win. "I want to see how far she goes."
Moments later, as if summoned by fate, a staff member approached Bai Xia.
"Excuse me, young miss," he said with a nervous smile. "Our boss would like to speak with you."
Finally.
Bai Xia calmly packed her money into her bag — now so stuffed it was nearly bursting — and followed him upstairs.
The second floor was quieter, darker. A long hallway led to a pair of tall black doors guarded by two men in suits.
When the doors opened, Bai Xia stepped into a room that looked nothing like the chaos of the casino below.
The lighting was dim, casting deep shadows across the polished marble floor. A grand desk sat at the center, behind it — a man.
He looked about twenty-four, wearing a black tailored suit that fit his tall frame perfectly. His face was sharp, every line carved with quiet arrogance — sword-like brows, dark eyes that seemed to pierce through lies, and lips curved in a faint, dangerous smile. Behind him stood several bodyguards, silent and still as statues.
Bai Xia paused for a moment — not out of fear, but curiosity.
He was handsome.
Dangerously so.
The man tilted his head slightly, voice smooth as silk. "You caused quite a storm down there."
The tone of his voice… deep, magnetic. Bai Xia almost felt her ears tingle.
"I didn't mean to," she replied evenly. "I just wanted to play some games."
He chuckled, low and amused. "Then… would you like to play one more game? With me."
There was something hidden behind that tone — danger, or perhaps challenge.
"Only if you wouldn't be a sore loser," Bai Xia countered.
That earned her another soft laugh. "I assure you, I never cheat. And I always honor my losses."
"Then I'll play."
He leaned forward slightly, the dim light catching the sharp line of his jaw. "Here's how we'll play: You shake a cup, and I shake a cup. If I guess your number correctly, I win. If you guess mine, you win."
Bai Xia almost laughed aloud. This kind of game — pure guessing — was practically endless. Nobody could accurately predict dice numbers through luck alone. But she simply nodded.
They both bet 100,000 yen.
The dealer brought the cups. The air turned thick — every sound muted except for the rattle of dice and the soft thump of the cups landing.
"Three," the man said, eyes on her.
"Six," Bai Xia replied.
The dealer lifted the cups. Bai Xia had guessed correctly.
A faint silence filled the room. The bodyguards exchanged quick looks — none of them had ever seen anyone win against their boss.
But the man didn't look angry. Instead, he smiled. Slow, dangerous, and… intrigued.
"Someone bring my checkbook," he said.
The guards almost stumbled over themselves.
Before he could sign, Bai Xia spoke softly.
"I'm willing to leave this money behind if you can help me with something."
He arched a brow. "Is that why you were looking for me earlier?"
"Yes," Bai Xia said simply.
"Speak."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but firm. She explained her request in a few quiet sentences.
When she finished, the man chuckled. "Is that all?"
"That's all I want."
"This is an easy favor," he said, tone suddenly light. "I almost feel bad taking your money. Why don't you ask for something more?"
The guards behind him froze. What's wrong with him today? Did someone replace our boss?
Bai Xia studied him. He was dangerous, yes — but strangely, she didn't sense hostility. Still, she was cautious.
"If it isn't too much trouble," she said, "I'd like you to change this cash into a check."
His smile faltered slightly. He hadn't expected that.
"…Very well."
He signed the check — 99,000 yen — and handed it to her.
Bai Xia accepted it calmly, tucked it into her bag, and stood. "Thank you."
As she turned to leave, the man watched her back, his dark eyes unreadable. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Bai Xia…" he murmured under his breath. "You're quite the interesting little storm."
Outside, Bai Xia walked into the night, her steps light, her expression unreadable.
She had completed another phase of her plan — another step toward freeing her family.
And the game had only just begun.