Chapter 416: Sharing the Risk

After his stunning performance in the World Cup, Chen Yang quickly became the star of the Worry-free Abode bar. Even the members who had previously opposed him came over voluntarily to discuss their views on the match.

Chen Yang wasn't familiar with them, so he merely gave a perfunctory response and didn't give an accurate answer.

Because he wasn't sure whether tonight's match was being bankrolled by Yexin or by an overseas betting company. If it were Yexin acting as the banker, he would surely be ripped apart afterward.

Chen Yang's perfunctory attitude immediately drew complaints from the bar patrons.

"What a so-called gambling god, with no personal opinion at all—laughable!" a young man with dyed yellow hair scoffed at Chen Yang with contempt.

His behavior immediately angered Chen Yang's friends. Shen Anna retorted bluntly: "Little Yellow Hair, do you have no shame? Eavesdropping on others' conversations and spouting nonsense. If you're capable, come give us some guidance!"

Lan Qiyun also chimed in: "If he had any skill, he wouldn't be eavesdropping."

The yellow-haired youth hadn't expected his words not only to fail to anger Chen Yang but also to provoke an attack from two beauties, his face slightly flushing. Yet his tone remained tough: "A mere charlatan, you just know how to sweet-talk and deceive ignorant girls. If you don't listen to me, you'll end up crying later!"

Shen Anna found the little yellow hair somewhat cute, even mistaking her for a girl. She laughed and said: "Little Yellow Hair, I, as your older sister, don't mind being deceived—do you even have the right to interfere?"

What the yellow-haired youth resented most was seeing Chen Yang enthusiastically surrounded by the three beauties Shen Anna, Lan Qiyun, and Yexin. Hearing Shen Anna's words only deepened his disappointment.

However, although the yellow-haired youth was furious, he dared not act out, knowing that Worry-free Abode was Yexin's turf—even his family's backing couldn't afford to offend her.

Since Shen Anna was willing to be deceived, he could only return to his seat to drink his sorrows away.

Meanwhile, Yexin and Huang BaiMing resumed their debate over whether the Old Lady or Milan was stronger.

Around 2:30 a. m., the number of people in the bar began to increase, with guests who had been resting in other private rooms also filing in.

To Chen Yang's surprise, Zhou Zhixin and Wu Junhui also arrived.

However, Zhou Zhixin merely greeted Chen Yang briefly before joining others at another booth.

"Sister Xin, is Director Zhou also a member here?" Chen Yang asked Yexin softly.

"No, he and Wu Junhui were brought in by other members." Yexin remained calm about Zhou Zhixin's arrival, after all this was her turf, and he couldn't cause trouble here.

Chen Yang's first visit to Worry-free Abode was also arranged by Liu Shijie, so he wasn't surprised.

When the crowd had nearly gathered, Yexin began instructing the bar's female servers to hand out betting slips to everyone.

Chen Yang whispered to Yexin: "Sister Xin, are you the banker for tonight's match?"

Yexin also replied softly: "I'm merely a spokesperson for Worry-free Abode. The betting here, wins and losses, are handled by the team behind the scenes."

Chen Yang immediately asked curiously: "Who are the people on that team? Do I know any of them?"

Yexin gave Chen Yang a sideways glance and said: "Don't pry into what you shouldn't!"

Seeing her unwillingness to satisfy his curiosity, Chen Yang felt a bit disappointed.

At that moment, Qi Yunxiang suddenly handed his betting slip to Chen Yang, saying: "Manager Chen, I don't know much about football, so please help me pick! I'll just bet one million for fun."

Although Qi Yunxiang had earned a lot of money following Chen Yang in stock trading, those profits were for Xingcheng Securities; his own share of dividends was small. To Chen Yang, one million was a trifle, but to Qi Yunxiang it was a huge sum.

So Chen Yang directly filled in a draw for him.

He chose a draw, and the other people present, including Huang BaiMing and Zhao Feiyang, also chose a draw.

Yexin muttered a reprimand: "Mr. Huang, Mr. Zhao, you've changed your stance before the match even started. In wartime, that would get you shot!"

Huang BaiMing laughed: "I didn't bet on Milan to win, so it's not a change of stance."

Zhao Feiyang echoed: "Mr. Huang is right; we still favor the Old Lady to win in overtime or a penalty shootout."

Yexin gave them a sideways glance, then began collecting everyone's betting slips.

Just then, an Old Six suddenly rushed over, swiftly snatched the betting slip from Yexin's hand, glanced at it, and then ran back.

This act annoyed Yexin, but she couldn't lash out, for according to Worry-free Abode's rules, even if someone peeked at others' bets, they still had the right to continue betting.

After that Old Six ran off, the number of members betting on a draw immediately increased, especially Zhou Zhixin, who actually placed fifty million.

This situation gave Yexin a headache. She whispered to Chen Yang: "Tonight's match won't really end in a draw, will it?"

Understanding Yexin's worry, Chen Yang leaned in and said: "However many people bet on a draw tonight, you simply place the same amount on a draw in the outer market. Doesn't that spread the risk?"

Yexin sighed: "Your idea is good, but if no draw occurs, we'll earn much less."

Chen Yang reminded her: "Boss, nine out of ten gamblers lose. To remain invincible, the only way is not to gamble at all. With this kind of betting, you should aim for the commission on customers' winning bets, not gamble on them guessing wrong."

Yexin thought for a while, then decided to accept Chen Yang's suggestion. After the bar's servers had collected all the betting slips, she called to have someone place an equal amount on a draw in the outer market.

After issuing the order, she made another mysterious call, relaying Chen Yang's suggestion to the other party. They neither agreed nor objected, merely telling her to finish hosting tonight's event first.

After Yexin returned to the bar, the match had already begun, and everyone's attention shifted to the game displayed on the bar's LCD screen.

As the match progressed, everyone present became fully engaged—cheering excitedly one moment, cursing regretfully the next. Only after regulation time ended 0-0 did they realize how quickly time had flown.

Soon, a wave of cheers erupted from the bar, because most of those present had followed Chen Yang in betting on a draw. Even the yellow-haired youth who disliked Chen Yang shamelessly bet on a draw as well.

Seeing this scene, Yexin also let out a long sigh of relief. Had she not listened to Chen Yang, Worry-free Abode would have suffered a huge loss tonight.

"Everyone, overtime is about to start. Members who wish to bet, please place your wagers promptly."

"Furthermore, starting now, we will charge a five percent handling fee on members who bet on a winning outcome."