'Was this really a game for a pitiful thing like her? She'd just been kicked out by the Song Family, was injured, and had only ten-odd yuan to her name.'
"Come on, sis-in-law, play! Is there anything Brother Hao can't do? He'll give you all his winnings," Liu Mingkun said, sidling up with a grin. "I'll cover the buy-in for you and him. Afterward, we'll all go to my courtyard house for a barbecue. We've got authentic Inner Mongolian lamb!"
Xia Zhaoyun glanced sideways at Huo Tianhao. 'I made one little joke at his expense, and he strong-armed me into coming here,' she thought. 'Better not to rely on him.'
If she took any more favors from him, she could kiss any hope of a peaceful life goodbye.
With a bold flourish, she slapped the ten-yuan bill she'd been carrying for days onto the table. 'It's just a game of pool. You think I'd be afraid of this?'
"I'm not his girlfriend, so you can't call me sis-in-law," Xia Zhaoyun stressed, wanting to protect her reputation.
