Mud beads

The waiter tapped on the table and began dealing the community cards.

The cards are turned face up: 6 of hearts, 7 of hearts, and Jack of spades.

Two red hearts, joined together. Several excited gasps immediately rose from the table, and even guests at the next table craned their necks to look.

Yu Zhu's heart was beating very fast.

The turn card was the 8 of hearts.

Zhou Qiyu nearly dropped her wine glass. Her eyes widened, and she leaned back off the sofa: "This hand is ridiculous!"

There are already three hearts on the table: 6, 7, and 8. The probability of having all three at the same time, regardless of suit or number, is extremely low.

Yu Zhu looked down at her cards, her palms slightly sweaty. She didn't really understand the complexities of probability, nor did she know how to hide her emotions in the game; she only knew that she held two cards that were somewhat relevant.

But the fact that Toru Eshima dared to go all-in pre-flop suggests that it wasn't just a psychological tactic; he must have something else in his hand.

The river card is turned over.

"Five of Hearts? A straight?" Ji Yong narrowed her eyes, then leaned closer. "The cards weren't shuffled properly, were they?"

Aside from the Jack of Spades, the four community cards on the table formed a red straight. Song Ban sat up straight immediately, while Zhou Qiyu first looked down at her cards, then looked up at Yu Zhu and Yue Jian Che, as if she had witnessed something absurd.

"Show your hand," Toru Echizen finally spoke, his voice as gentle as if inviting her to dance.

He revealed his hand.

4 of hearts, King of spades.

Four, five, six, seven, eight—a straight flush. This kind of hand almost always wins in Texas Hold'em.

"It's alright!" Ji Yong laughed first, reaching for the liquor in the center of the table. "We already agreed that I would drink it for Zhuzhu."

"Wait." Yu Zhu pressed down on Ji Yong's hand, exhaled, and gently turned over the trump card.

Hearts 9, Diamonds J.

The five, six, seven, eight, and nine hearts are also a straight flush, exactly one card higher than Echima Toru's.

The booth was silent for two seconds.

Ji Yong cheered, and Song Ban laughed too: "Beautiful!"

"I can't believe my eyes!" Zhou Qiyu stood up, looking incredulous. "How about we buy plane tickets to Macau right now?"

Echigo chuckled softly, then reached out and raised his glass to Yu Zhu across the card table.

"It seems God is on your side today," he said.

Yu Zhu lowered her head, picked up the glass of craft beer in front of her, and took a sip. A faint bitterness spread across her tongue. Listening to the congratulations and praise around her, she did not feel the joy she had imagined.

Ji Yong was the first to react, and hurriedly asked, "How so? The fewer questions, the more truth or dare?"

Toru Echizen shrugged casually: "The truth."

"I'll ask!" Zhou Qiyu leaned forward, her smile lingering on her face for so long that it had taken on a cold tinge. "Why did you let Cheng Fu stay with you for so long?"

Echizen Toru's hand, which was lighting a cigarette, paused.

The flame burned directly on his lips, slowly extinguishing the smile on his face.

When Yu Zhu saw Ji Yong and Song Ban exchange a silent glance, she quickly lowered her head as well.

Cheng Fu.

The moment that name was mentioned, the scene from that night at the old house flashed before her eyes again. A woman in a fuchsia coat stood at the door, charming and petite, her face showing surprise but not panic.

Echizen Toru closed his lighter, exhaled a puff of smoke, leaned back on the sofa, and smiled slowly: "I'll drink."

Although Yu Zhu didn't know about Cheng Fu and Yue Jianche's relationship, at least at the card table, Yue Jianche gave Cheng Fu the respect she deserved. Even if he didn't like her, even if she was just some kind of unacknowledged companion, Yue Jianche didn't just throw her out there for others to laugh at.

He still has some principles when it comes to others.

But they always push her into the brightest, narrowest, and hardest place to retreat.

"Is it that hard to answer?" Zhou Qiyu frowned.

"Hey, let's drink, let's drink." Ji Yong picked up the bottle and filled the glass in front of Yue Jian Che. The golden-brown liquor reached the rim of the glass, a thin layer of light clinging to the glass. "I love watching people with low alcohol tolerance drink."

"I'll make him throw up in a bit," Song Ban added at the opportune moment. "I feel like my luck has turned around."

Zhou Qiyu didn't say anything more; the smile on her face faded and then reappeared.

"Alright, alright, I'll let you off the hook this time." She snorted, quickly regaining her composure. "Hurry up and drink it, don't let the fish get stuck in your tank."

Echizen Toru picked up his cup.

He drank slowly, sip by sip, his Adam's apple bobbing gently. After finishing his glass, a blush quickly spread across his face, and laughter returned to the booth.

Looking at the empty cup, Yu Zhu suddenly felt it was all meaningless.

Everyone at this table knew their limits. They knew what questions to ask, who to touch, and which names, once uttered, would require someone to step in and smooth things over. Even their cruelty was methodical.

The air was filled with a pungent smell, making Yu Zhu feel suffocated. She took advantage of a brief moment to stand up.

"I'm going to the restroom."

Ji Yong looked up: "I'll go with you?"

"Need not."

She stepped out of the booth and walked along the glass railing. Many people were passing by, and every now and then, unfamiliar men would smile at her.

Several girls were lined up outside the restroom, their perfumes strong. Some were applying lipstick in front of the mirror, while others were taking photos with their phones. Yu Zhu didn't go in. Instead, she walked past them to the quietest corner, where she saw an emergency exit.

Open the door, and you'll find a small balcony.

A night breeze swept over her, and Yu Zhu instantly felt her mind clear. The sounds inside were blocked by the door, leaving only muffled drumbeats that echoed from within the walls.

The commercial street downstairs was brightly lit; some people were squatting by the roadside smoking, some were kissing in each other's arms, and some were drunk, leaning against trees and laughing. Further away, the university town and her rented old neighborhood were shrouded in the night, only vague outlines remaining.

That's where she belongs.

Yu Zhu found a step on the balcony and sat down.

High up, the moon hung in the clouds, as thin as a sheet of paper soaked in water. She wasn't wearing a coat, and the night breeze made her feel a little chilly. She hugged her arms tightly, rested her head on her arms, and her thoughts gradually drifted away.

What is Liang Xia doing now? She should be home by now.

She had checked the weather forecast that morning; it should be raining in Liangxia's city right now. The old folks in the mountains say that rain on a new grave brings wealth to future generations—it's an auspicious sign. Liangxia took life and death so lightly; if she heard this, she'd probably curse, "Thank you for your kind words!"

Thinking of this, Yu Zhu smiled.

Behind me, the emergency exit was suddenly pulled open.

Yu Zhu was startled and quickly released her arm and turned her head away.

Toru Echizen stood at the door.

The balcony was narrow, just wide enough for one person to pass through. The dim moonlight shone on him, framing him with a fuzzy arc of light.

She smelled that familiar woody scent again.

Before her heart could race, Yu Zhu stood up, bowed her head, and walked towards the door: "I'm going back now."

Koshima Toru didn't speak, but took half a step to the right, raised his hand, and held onto the door frame.

Yu Zhu's heart began to pound uncontrollably. She took a deep breath and looked up at him.

Echizen Toru lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes blocking the moonlight, making his narrow eyes appear even more unfathomable.

"Yu Zhu," he smiled, "you're much better at lying than before."