Crazy Detective

"Eh?" Sensing that Zhao Yu was implying something, Miao Kun did not clink glasses with him. Instead, he clarified somberly, "Kid, don't get the wrong idea! It wasn't a rigged matched as you thought! It was a necessary development! Understand?"

"This was an act for the others!" said Miao Kun. "Firstly, I'm trying to establish your reputation, so that they take my son-in-law seriously. I can't allow them to think that your last victory against Thorngrove was solely based on trickery!

"Secondly, although they appear to be my friends, they have hidden agendas and can't wait to see me crumble! So, I need you to build up my might! Let them know that I have a son-in-law who could defeat even the world champion!"

"Therefore…" Miao Kun continued as he took another swig of his wine, "This isn't about the money!"

"You're right!" said Zhao Yu, who also guzzled a mouthful of the wine. "But… there's something I don't quite understand. Thorngrove is the world champion, why would he be willing to do something like this? Five million isn't that much!"

"Ha!" Miao Kun snickered. "You're probably not familiar with his current predicament. He's no longer a well-regarded boxing champion. Back in his hometown, he's not only riddled with debts but also face the prospects of going to jail! He's willing to do anything for money!"

"Oh…" Zhao Yu nodded. "Father-in-law, you said my performance was too exaggerated, but the script you designed was itself problematic. Wasn't it too much for the guy to collapse after one kick?

"We should have gone for at least a few hundred rounds and fought to the death before determining the victor. That would have been more convincing."

"Well…" Miao Kun furrowed his brows. "That did occur to me… but the more rounds there are, the more likely it is for our cover to be blown. Besides, today is a joyous occasion; there shouldn't be any bloodshed!

"I was also worried that if it had dragged on, Ying Ying and your parents would have eventually come over. That would have ruined things for us!"

"Right, right, right! You're so meticulous. Allow me to toast you!" The two of them finally raised their glasses and downed them all.

"Of course…" Miao Kun said, obviously on a roll. "I also wanted you to understand through this, that money is always in the grasp of those who determine the rules!

"So, if you were to encounter a similar situation in the future, remember what I've told you. If you're not the most powerful player making the rules, then don't participate, no matter how attractive the profits are. There could very well be an ambush waiting for you!"

"This, I understand. Gambling is a vice! I hate betting!" Zhao Yu said as he poured more wine into his glass. "For example, the people who wagered that I would lose the match. They might appear to have a good chance of winning, but who would have known that there was no way Thorngrove was going to win?"

"Yes! All these are considered child's play." Miao Kun mused. "It's nothing compared to commercial warfare. You've still got much to learn!

"Zhao Yu, you're right. I was a little too impatient. You better acquire more experience in the Criminal Division first, it'll be useful!" Miao Kun said as he grabbed the wineglass Zhao Yu handed him. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future! I'll guide you along!"

"Mm, don't worry, father-in-law! I will work hard!" Zhao Yu said.

Feeling agreeable, both of them were about to drink to their hearts' content. However, Miao Ying's voice was suddenly heard outside the changing room.

"Scram! I know they're inside…" she said.

"F*ck…" Miao Kun was so startled upon hearing Miao Ying's voice that he let out a curse.

He put down the wine glass and was about to escape when Miao Ying rushed into the changing room.

"Wow… The two of you… the two of you…" Miao Ying was at a loss for words. She stormed towards them, scolding them. "Why is it always like this? You guys are always up to something as soon as I have my back turned. Have my words fallen on deaf ears?"

"Erm… that…" Sweat formed on Miao Kun's forehead as he attempted to soothe his daughter. "Ying Ying, it's not what you think… this matter… he, he, he…"

"What were you thinking, dad?" Miao Ying grumbled. "Why did the same thing happen twice? Don't you know what the occasion is today? Why did you let Zhao Yu go into the ring? How did he manage to win the match? Do you dare to say that you had no part in it?"

"I… no… no… keep it down, keep it down…" Miao Kun scratched his cheek anxiously. He pushed Zhao Yu in front of him out of desperation.

"Ah, Miao Miao." Zhao Yu was trying to explain the situation to Miao Ying. "Listen to me, it's got nothing to do with our dad! That foreigner was bent on seeking revenge, you've gotta…"

"Zhao Yu!!" Miao Ying was even angrier at the sight of Zhao Yu. Grabbing him by his arms, she roared, "I haven't even gotten to you! Was everything you said previously bullsh*t? You're inhuman! Why did you risk your life again? You forgot what you promised me, huh!?"

Tears threatened to spill from Miao Ying's eyes. Realizing this, Zhao Yu hurriedly pushed Miao Kun aside, saying with his hand gestures: "You better leave first, I'll handle this. Let me talk to her, go…"

"Aye! Aye!" Miao Kun snuck out eagerly.

"Zhao Yu! You'll be the death of me, uwu…" Miao Ying started crying out of exasperation.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

After Miao Ying had been crying and shouting for more than 10 seconds, Zhao Yu finally snapped his fingers and told her, "Alright, darling. Stop crying. Your dad must have gone far by now. Take a break!"

"Oh…"

Upon hearing this, Miao Ying immediately ceased yelling, reverting from her hysteria.

She then picked up a bottle of wine from the table and poured herself a glass.

"How?" Zhao Yu walked toward Miao Ying, asking expectantly, "Did you bet? How much?"

"Wah!" Miao Ying took a sip of the wine. "I almost didn't make it! You were already in the ring when the odds were released! Too risky!"

"Huh? Then…" Zhao Yu was visibly anxious.

"Fortunately, I had VIP access to the betting system. I bet $800,000 on you as instructed. The odds were 8 to 1. After deducting the banker's commission, I barely made $6 million in profit!"

"Oh, yeah!" Zhao Yu held Miao Ying in his arms and planted two kisses on her cheek.

"What happened to your morals?" Miao Ying pushed Zhao Yu away. "Look what've you done. You and your father-in-law were so opportunistic. And you actually asked me – his daughter – to place a bet? What were your intentions?"

"That wasn't the case!" Zhao Yu hurriedly clarified. "I didn't take advantage of my father-in-law. It was those people who were obsessed with profits. It's not my problem that they looked down on me, and were willing to place huge bets on my loss! Humph!"

"Oh? Is that so? Why didn't you let me bet more, then?" Miao Ying rolled her eyes.

"No way! Your dad was the banker, and he only made a profit of $8 million. It would have been wrong of us to have bet more!" Zhao Yu raised his wineglass and clinked glasses with Miao Ying. "I'm a man of integrity!" Zhao Yu boasted.

"Chey!" Miao Ying rolled her eyes again.

"Actually, it's not about the money. I just wanted your dad to know that he may be older and wiser, but I'm not too bad either!

"Hahaha… c'mon…" Zhao Yu said as he linked arms with Miao Yu. "Darling… today is our big day, let's drink wedlock wine."