I was forced to start the second round because I was raised in poverty

Chapter 330 High-End Game
After taking a couple of sips of water, Ma Shuning went up to play against Ma Ru again, while Su Cheng sat on a chair, resting and watching.

The two players are far superior to Su Cheng in terms of their alertness in posture, timing of split-step, switching between forehand and backhand grips, use of open footwork, and the completeness of their follow-through. They are clearly not on the same level as Su Cheng.

A deep knee bend and a low center of gravity provide a stable and powerful base, resulting in an absolutely solid lower body.

When catching the ball, push off the ground, rotate your hips, rotate your shoulders, and swing your arms, channeling power throughout your body.

The two fought for several rounds.

Ma Shuning was sweating even more now. She had only sweated a little when she was fighting with Su Cheng, but now she was drenched in sweat.

The rise and fall of her chest as she hydrated had an almost suffocating rhythm.

Each deep breath caused the fabric to sink even deeper into its full, undulating shape.

The sunlight greedily licked her fair skin, and the rising heat made the air scorching.

The sweat no longer slid down her body, but flowed down her flushed cheeks, along her swan-like, elegant yet powerful neck, and into her sweat-soaked collar.

The tight vest Ma Shuning was wearing had long since lost its purpose of covering up; the soaked fabric clung to every inch of her curves, clearly outlining the erect contours caused by intense friction and her body's high temperature.

Sweat beads slowly slid down this path, eventually disappearing at the waist tightly bound by the short skirt.

Beneath the short skirt, her long, shapely legs were slightly parted, supporting her still trembling body.

Sweat clung tightly to the inside of the skirt, clinging to the smooth skin of the inner thighs and outlining the full contours of the upper thighs.

A few beads of sweat slid down the back of his firm thighs, winding along the taut curve of his calves and disappearing deep into his ankles, which were tightly wrapped in white tennis socks.

The unconscious grinding of the sneaker toes against the ground revealed a restless, unreleased energy deep within the body.

The strong smell of sweat mixed with the hormones baked by the sun permeated the air, creating a dizzying, primitive and wild atmosphere.

Next, Su Cheng and Ma Ru will play, while Ma Shuning will rest.

The three took turns playing, stopping and starting, until 12:30 pm when they finally finished their morning tennis activity.

Su Cheng was taken by the housekeeper to take a shower and change her clothes before meeting the Ma siblings at the dining table.

Ma Ru sat in the main seat and looked at Su Cheng, who had just arrived: "Steak or salmon?"

Su Cheng doesn't have the habit of eating fish: "Uh, I don't really like eating fish."

"Row."

Ma Ru helped Su Cheng order: "How about steak? How about Angus?"

He then tilted his head up to the butler beside him, signaling to the kitchen staff that they could start preparing.

Soon, the three of them were served their meals on a small cart.

A slice of steak, a few florets of broccoli, a few slices of salmon, and a small mound of rice.

This is their lunch.

It's all high-quality protein, high-quality fat, and some carbohydrates.

They got all the nutrition they needed from playing tennis for two or three hours in one meal, including vitamin C from freshly squeezed orange juice.

If you exercise like this every day and eat like this every day, who wouldn't have abs!

During the meal, Su Cheng's phone rang.

He glanced at the message; it was from Zhang Yangwen, asking how Su Cheng was doing.

Su Cheng didn't arrive here until 10 o'clock, and now it's almost 1 o'clock, so it's only been about three hours.

Su Cheng didn't reply to Zhang Yangwen, but she did find an opportunity to bring up Zhang Yangwen's gambling debts in the following chat.

He hoped that Ma Shuning could help him resolve the issue.

Actually, this matter is very easy to resolve.

If you owe two million, just pay back two million.

But that's where the difficulty lies.

Zhang Yangwen did not have two million.

Su Cheng couldn't mobilize such a sum of money to help Zhang Yangwen pay it off.

After listening, Ma Ru frowned. His reasoning was very compelling and irrefutable.

"President Su, neither Shu Ning nor I are the creditors, so we cannot make decisions directly on behalf of Shu Ning's friends."

"Secondly, it is only right to pay back debts, and neither Shu Ning nor I should get involved."

“Shu Ning was the organizer of that day’s event. If she helps to settle the debt, it will affect her reputation in the industry in the future.”

Ma Ru didn't beat around the bush with Su Cheng; he made his point very clear.

If Ma Shuning waives this fee, then in the future, no one might come to any card games she organizes.

So money definitely has to be spent.

"Since you've brought it up, Mr. Su, we're willing to help."

Ma Shuning didn't say a word from beginning to end; it was Ma Ru who was talking to Su Cheng.

Su Cheng sensed something amiss; he smelled a conspiracy.

You, Ma Ru, wouldn't you also be one of the accomplices in plotting against Zhang Yangwen, would you?
Su Cheng never intended for the Ma family to simply wipe out the gambling debts from the beginning.

His proposed bargaining chip was to use the profits from Zhang Yangwen's coffee shop after the case to offset this debt.

Su Cheng had already calculated that, based on the approximate profit share Zhang Yangwen would receive and the coffee shop's profits, the principal and interest would be enough to pay off the debt for about a year.

"If you don't believe me, I can vouch for him."

“Sure, no problem.” Ma Ru readily agreed to Su Cheng. “I trust your reputation, President Su.”

However, Ma Ru found a different solution.

"President Su, how about this?"

“Shuning and I can pay off this money first. When your friend has the money, Mr. Su, he can pay it back whenever he has the money. The interest will be calculated according to the standard interest rate of the Australian Bank.”

Su Cheng felt that this was the best solution, so she agreed.

"However, Mr. Su, I have a request, I don't know if you can agree to it."

ha?
Any more requests?

Su Cheng has already done Ma Ru a favor and even made Zhang Yangwen pay interest.

At this point, Su Cheng was basically certain that Ma Ru was Ma Shuning's accomplice.

Did he predict that Su Cheng would definitely stand up for her best friend and get things done?

"What request?"

Ma Ru explained, "I have a card game with some friends tonight, and I hope you can join me and Shu Ning."

Su Cheng: ???
nmd.

A nested trap?
Do you want me to be burdened with debt too?
Faced with this request, Su Cheng was not afraid to offend Ma Ru and firmly refused him: "I'm sorry, Mr. Ma, I don't participate in gambling."

"I may not have explained it clearly, Mr. Su. Tonight is our private card game. You don't need to pay for anything. You just need to help Shu Ning with her cards and make sure she doesn't lose too much."

"No matter how much money you lose at the card table, you won't have to bear the consequences."

Ma Ru has already made things very clear; Su Cheng will not face any risk.

There was no risk involved, so Su Cheng had no reason to refuse his advice on the cards.

Having said all that, it would be very unpleasant for him to refuse now.

"Alright then," Su Cheng finally agreed. "What games are you guys playing?"

"Do you know Texas Hold'em?"

"can."

The card game doesn't start until around 10 p.m., so there are still eight or nine hours to go.

Ma Ru told Su Cheng that she and Ma Shuning could make their own arrangements: "I'm going on a date with my girlfriend later. You two can decide what to do, go shopping or something."

Ma Shuning said, "I don't really want to go shopping, I want to catch up on my sleep. Mr. Su, why don't you sleep here for a while?"

Su Cheng asked curiously, "You get carb sickness even though you didn't eat any carbs?"

"No, I'm taking a beauty nap."

Ma Shuning's lifestyle is to sleep when she's tired, eat when she's hungry, exercise when she has plenty of energy, and occasionally go out for socializing.

Su Cheng was a little envious. Ma Shuning's way of life was actually the best way to live.

"If you're not sleepy, how about we watch a movie here? You can sleep whenever you want, and I'll have someone prepare a room for you."

Su Cheng didn't want to stay here for long. If it weren't for Zhang Yangwen, he wouldn't even have come to play tennis with them: "I actually have to go back to the company for a meeting this afternoon. I'll come over tonight. I'll also go change my clothes."

Ma Ru smiled and said, "Okay, then Mr. Su, you can go back later. Should I send a car to pick you up?"

"No need, I'll drive myself."

"Okay, I'll send you my location when the time comes, just be there on time."

Had lunch.

Su Cheng was escorted to the door by the butler. The car was already parked in the driveway, ready to leave as soon as she got in.

He got into the driver's seat of the Lexus and slowly drove away from Ma Shuning's small estate.

The car hadn't gone far when Su Cheng stopped by the roadside. He took out his phone and texted Zhang Yangwen, telling him to go home and wait for him.

When the two met, Su Cheng relayed the conditions that Ma Ru had offered to Zhang Yangwen.

"Pay according to the bank's interest rate?"

"Yes."

"Is it roughly the annual dividend?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yangwen was anxious all day, sitting behind his desk constantly shaking his leg and twirling his pen, and he didn't even feel like eating.

After receiving Su Cheng's message, he ran home without stopping.

Su Cheng told him that the matter had been resolved, and only then did Zhang Yangwen feel relieved.

This was like the sky falling down for him.

Two million is a huge sum of money for Zhang Yangwen, and such debts usually accrue interest on interest.

The speed at which you earn money may not even keep up with the speed at which interest rates rise.

Su Cheng resolved the issue simply by playing tennis and having a meal with someone.

Based on bank interest rates, wouldn't that be equivalent to almost no interest?

This matter doesn't need to be brought up at home, nor does it require going to court or becoming a person who has lost credibility.

This made Zhang Yangwen admire Su Cheng immensely and feel deeply grateful.

"Cheng-ge, you're awesome!"

"I promise I'll never touch this stuff again, no matter who calls me!"

Su Cheng told him not to be too happy yet: "This isn't over yet!"

"what?"

"I have to accompany someone to a card game tonight."

Zhang Yangwen's face suddenly fell again. He was worried about Su Cheng: "Brother Cheng, you have to be careful. Don't get carried away like me."

He remembered Su Cheng saying that even experts would be confused once they entered the game.

You can see everything clearly from the outside, but once you're in the game, you get blinded and your mind can't make clear and rational judgments.

Su Cheng was the most powerful person he had ever relied on in his life, and he didn't want to see anything happen to Su Cheng again.

If Su Cheng also owes gambling debts, and even huge debts of tens of millions, then everything would be over.

The future of the Emperor Group is ruined, the cooperation with the Ma family has fallen through, and he may even face imprisonment for this exorbitant gambling debt!

Zhang Yangwen said that Su Cheng had already considered everything that Zhang Yangwen could think of: "I know, I told them I don't participate in gambling."

Zhang Yangwen didn't understand: "Brother Cheng, why is Ma Ru's condition that you participate in the card game?"

Su Cheng didn't really understand.

But strictly speaking, this wasn't a condition set by Ma Ru... Su Cheng was probably just playing the role of a "playmate" for a big shot.

Just like the tennis partner who plays with them?

Another possibility is that Ma Ru didn't want Su Cheng to feel guilty about owing favors, so she used this small matter to get rid of Su Cheng's favor on the spot.

Perhaps he wanted to build a long-term relationship with Su Cheng.

"Brother Cheng, how about I go with you? I'm a little worried about you going alone."

"You'd better not go. This is a private card game. Don't you understand the principle of not bringing guests?"

Zhang Yangwen was still worried, but there was nothing he could do, so he could only remind Su Cheng to be careful.

What time are you going?

"Ten o'clock."

"It's 10 PM? Is there anything I need help with to prepare?"

Zhang Yangwen was thinking about whether or not to scout out the location beforehand.

"No need, my preparation is just to catch up on some sleep and sleep until around eight o'clock."

This is Su Cheng's secret to maintaining high energy levels.

go to bed.

But unlike Ma Shuning's lifestyle, Su Cheng discovered the secret based on the laws of energy circulation.

It's not really a secret.

Once you put it simply, it's easy to understand.

Energy, attention, or in other words, the consumption of energy cannot be stopped or stored.

Even though I didn't do anything, I'm still extremely tired. Ordering takeout makes me so exhausted, but actually, ordering takeout is a very energy-consuming activity.

You need to choose from different restaurants, check the negative reviews and taste, select dishes, and finally consider whether you can use coupons. It's a collection of countless decisions.

Such a brainstorming session consumes energy equivalent to running five kilometers.

One of the biggest reasons Su Cheng rejects the idea of ​​raising children in poverty is precisely this: because of poverty, one has to make decisions very carefully, and all the energy is consumed on these things.

I just order takeout without looking at the price or considering whether to use coupons, which saves me a lot of energy.

Then I channeled all my energy into studying, working, and building my career, which naturally resulted in higher efficiency and quality compared to others.

They might not get back until very late tonight. I don't know what time they'll finish playing. If they adjust their schedules, their brains will slow down around midnight, and they're more likely to expose their weaknesses.

One way to maintain a high energy level is to avoid letting your energy idle.

Even if Su Cheng does nothing for several hours, her energy will still be depleted.

Just like a mobile phone consumes power when it's in standby mode, the human body consumes far more power than a mobile phone in standby mode.

Furthermore.

Su Cheng couldn't just do nothing.

Humans are such awful creatures; they feel uneasy if they don't have something on their minds.

Every thought in my mind and every decision I make is precious.

As long as your eyes are open, energy is being consumed. Every action you take consumes energy, and even resisting temptation consumes energy. Only sleep can stop the recharging process.

Doing housework, cleaning the room, meditating—these simple things simply reduce the rate of energy consumption and adjust the speed and manner of energy expenditure.

Zhang Yangwen, however, was in a different state at this time.

He was restless and needed to do something to calm himself down; only by doing something could he feel that "things are moving forward".

Su Cheng thought for a moment and said to him, "If you want to help, go and iron my suit."

"Okay, I'll iron it right now." Zhang Yangwen agreed without hesitation. "Brother Cheng, which outfit are you wearing?"

"The set that Xiao Chen gave me, Ermenegildo."

"it is good!"

"I'm going to sleep now, keep your voice down outside... Don't ruin it, or you'll have to pay me back!"

"Uh-huh!"

(End of this chapter)