Are you crazy? (Updated for the Purple Bamboo Crown)

After Ye Shenghan was discharged from the hospital, Bai Yuchen had a few drinks. Using an excuse to leave early after dinner, he kept Linglan behind to keep Ye Shenghan company. When he returned to the Bai family villa, the living room was shrouded in darkness. Although it was only eight o'clock in the evening, the house felt as stagnant as still water.

Bai Yuchen felt a sense of unease. This was not his father’s style. Suspicious, he didn't turn on the lights or alert anyone, treading silently up the spiral staircase. The second floor was equally pitch-black, save for a sliver of dim light leaking from the gap in the study door.

Bai Yuchen frowned and walked slowly toward the light. As he gripped the doorknob, he heard the faint sound of an argument inside. He froze, leaning closer to the door crack.

"I have told you countless times, if you must gamble, at least be aware of whose territory you are in," the old man said in a low, angry voice.

Bai Yuchen’s eyes dimmed. His mother frequented "Night City" for gambling, but his father’s words seemed to deliberately avoid mentioning Mo Zhicheng. Why did his father react with such terror whenever that man’s name was brought up? Was there truly a hidden secret?

His mother was ten years younger than his father. Ever since she became pregnant with Yuchen, she had been a full-time housewife. His father doted on her, and over the past decade, she had been spoiled into a state of arrogance. Bai Yuchen grew up in this bubble of indulgence, surrounded by adoration, which fostered a somewhat reckless, rebellious streak in him.

"You know I never involve myself in your business affairs. I simply cannot control my own hands," his mother replied.

The elder Bai sighed. "Do you think I have ever questioned how much you win or lose? Yuchen’s temperament is just like yours. I have told him repeatedly not to provoke 'Sky City,' but he refuses to listen and insists on working with Shenghan. And you—I have warned you many times that the Yu family and the World casino are the top two in Nanjiang, yet you insist on being invited by those wealthy wives to gamble at 'Night City.' Between the two of you, by provoking 'Sky City' and Mo Zhicheng, do you want the Bai family to be wiped out and bankrupt just like the Ye family before you are satisfied?"

"I think you are just worrying needlessly," his mother said languidly.

Bai Yuchen’s heart tightened. Hearing the implications in his father’s words, the old man’s desperate avoidance of Mo Zhicheng made him wonder what kind of history existed between them.

"Worrying needlessly? Look around you. Which of the original elders and shareholders of the Ye group didn't end up withdrawing? Do you think the Ye family simply went bankrupt? That they were just outcompeted by market forces? You are being naive. At that time, because of a failed investment project, the Ye family's finances were in trouble. They were expanding in Nanjiang with many investments, and if not handled correctly, they faced a broken capital chain. Old Ye and I worked frantically to raise funds to fill the gap.

"To appease the directors, Old Ye was a bit careless in securing the money. That tiny bit of carelessness became a trap set by the opponent. Old Ye was forced into high-interest loans, and the massive interest snowballed. We never realized who had set that trap. It was a classic 'mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' move—fast and ruthless. The Ye family didn't even have a chance to breathe."

Recalling that commercial war, the elder Bai’s memory was vivid, his voice filled with endless sighs. "It wasn't until the Ye family went bankrupt and was annexed that the mastermind behind the scenes finally surfaced. It was Mo Zhicheng who was the ultimate winner. I understood immediately then."

"Understood what?" his mother asked instantly.

Outside the door, Bai Yuchen was even more anxious to know the answer. Just as he pressed closer, a bright light flickered on above his head. "Young Master, you’re back? Why aren't you turning on the lights?"

"Shh!" Bai Yuchen quickly turned, pressing a finger to his lips to signal the housekeeper to be quiet. But it was too late.

The study door suddenly swung open.

"Yuchen?" his father’s voice rang out from behind him.

Bai Yuchen stiffened, then forced a grin, turning to face the elderly man. "Dad!" He shrugged, asking innocently, "Why so surprised?" He watched the subtle shift in his father’s expression.

Unexpectedly, his father asked, "Did you hear something?"

"What could I possibly hear?" he replied flippantly. He knew his father’s temper better than anyone and intended to brush it off. But tonight, his father’s complexion was poor. Looking at the deep lines etched into the corners of his father’s eyes, a sudden pain struck his heart. "Come into the study." The orange light cast shadows on the old man’s slightly hunched shoulders. As his father walked with a faltering gait, Yuchen realized for the first time that his father had truly grown old.

"I know you heard everything," the elder Bai said steadily. After dismissing his wife, he patted Yuchen’s shoulder thoughtfully. "I will say it again: do not fight Mo Zhicheng. With his current wealth and status in Nanjiang, let alone Shenghan, even the Bai family might not be his match. I am old and should have withdrawn from this strife long ago. It is time for you to take over the Bai family’s foundation."

"Dad—" Hearing this, Bai Yuchen felt a heavy weight in his heart.

"I am only worried..." he sighed. "Worried that your wings are not yet fully grown. But I cannot let you avoid taking over forever. You have yet to learn that while conquering a city is easy, holding it is difficult. Furthermore, you have been helping Shenghan outside, unaware that your own family business is already caught in a dilemma."

"Dad," Bai Yuchen looked at his father firmly. "What are you talking about?"

Only now did Yuchen realize what he meant to the Bai family. He and Shenghan were not just family members; they were heirs meant to shoulder the entire burden of their families—a burden that was now falling squarely onto his shoulders.

"In the past, I told you not to provoke Mo Zhicheng. Now, you must remember to guard against him."

"Why?" Bai Yuchen stood up abruptly, steadying his father. "Why are you so terrified of him? Why avoid him at all costs?" The urgency in his voice revealed his desperation to uncover the final mystery. He gripped his father’s shoulders, pressing for an answer.

"Because Mo Zhicheng has returned for revenge!" Finally, a low roar from the elder Bai shook the man to his core. "He will not let a single one of the conspirators who harmed the Mo family go!!!"

"Revenge?" He finally realized. "Harm?" His body trembled, his mind reeling like a rushing river. "What on earth did Uncle Ye do to the Mo family back then? What did he do?"

The elder Bai’s ragged breathing gradually calmed. That was a past he had never wished to recall again.

***

On Friday afternoon, Linglan received a call from Xiao Zhou. Due to sick leave, Xiao Zhou asked her to go to the casino to collect a performance report for the main gaming area for February from the person in charge.

She did not refuse. After finishing her work, Linglan hurried to "Night City." As the weekend approached, many gamblers from the Pearl River Delta flocked to the venue, and the casino was packed.

The Baccarat tables, in particular, attracted many bettors due to their simple rules and high entertainment value. In contrast, the Blackjack and Stud Poker tables had many empty seats, with neatly dressed dealers standing like statues. The entire casino exuded an air of thriving prosperity.

Passing through the bright corridor, Linglan suddenly stopped, staring in astonishment at a familiar figure at a gaming table. The man snuffed out his cigarette, his star-like eyes narrowing as he glanced at his hole cards. With a look of defeat, he listlessly discarded his cards and pushed his stack of chips forward. She gasped—was he crazy?

Forgetting the report, Linglan hurried away, rushing up the grand spiral staircase to the second floor. Hiding behind a large pillar, she dialed the man’s number. After the phone rang for a long time, it was finally answered. "Hello!" The man’s voice was full of frustration.

"Bai Yuchen, have you lost your mind?" Linglan suppressed her voice, clearly watching the man’s figure at the Stud Poker table from the second floor.

"Damn right I’m crazy!!!" a low, angry voice retorted unexpectedly.

Ye Linglan was even more shocked. What was wrong with him today?

"Why are you at 'Night City'?" Her voice trembled with anxiety. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here?" she demanded.