She goes crazy, he'll cover for her; the darling of the group is someone no one dares to mess w

That port project alone required an initial investment of over 10 billion yuan. A 15% stake is equivalent to betting billions of yuan in assets on a gamble!

For the past few months, everyone in the industry knows that the Lu family has been following this project, and the Han family is also involved.

The two companies have clearly reached a tacit understanding and intend to cooperate in order to jointly win over the project.

With the project almost in hand, why would Lu Jie make such a request?

He... he's trying to discard someone after they've served their purpose!

Using a seemingly absurd game to kick out Han Xi, the investor?!

Indeed, no one from a wealthy and powerful family is simple.

Looking at Lu Jie's carefree and nonchalant smile, Fang Li's heart sank.

Lu Jie did this on purpose; he not only wanted to win against Han Xi in terms of face, but also wanted to deliver a fatal blow to him in business.

She looked at Han Xi and found that his expression remained unchanged, only his fingers hanging at his sides were slightly curled. She knew him too well; this gesture meant that he was plotting something.

Han Xi was indeed making quick calculations in his mind.

Lu Jie thought this would force him to back down, but he forgot that Han Xi was never one to be afraid of risks.

He was determined to win that port project. The Lu family's overseas cash flow had recently run into problems, and they simply couldn't sustain a long-term stalemate.

Lu Jie's move now is merely an attempt to use the gambling as a pretext to force him to cede some of his profits.

"can."

Han Xi said almost without hesitation, "I hope Young Master Lu can keep his word and not gamble and then lose, only to be thrown back overseas by Chairman Lu to dig roadbeds."

Lu Jie's pupils suddenly contracted.

It was him last year!

If he hadn't complained to his father, he wouldn't have had to spend months in that godforsaken place basking in the sun!

Let's settle all our old and new scores today!

Old Lu was still scolding him on the phone last night for not doing his job properly, saying that if any of his projects ran into problems, he should immediately go back to the African branch.

therefore.

He cannot lose, especially not to Han Xi.

"Okay! I promise you!"

Lu Jie gritted his teeth, the bloodshot veins in his eyes spreading out like a spider web.

The atmosphere at the scene instantly went from freezing to boiling.

Wen Yang was the first to react, raising his glass and shouting, "Since both of you big shots have said so, let's quickly choose a game! I suggest! How about playing billiards? This thing tests both skill and mentality, it's the perfect way to determine who's the best!"

The suggestion was immediately met with approval from everyone.

Only Lu Jie.

He and Han Xi had a love-hate relationship, fighting since childhood. Although they were enemies, they also understood each other the most.

Although he had never seen Han Xi's billiards skills, he had to admit that over the years Han Xi seemed to have done nothing wrong.

Lu Jie's billiards skills can only be described as above average.

If Han Xi doesn't know how, he'll win for sure; but if Han Xi happens to be highly skilled...

Lu Jie glanced at Han Xi, who showed no reaction, with a slightly cold look in his eyes, and his heart sank.

There is a billiards room next to the first floor of the clubhouse, which is specially prepared for guests.

The group surged forward in a grand procession, instantly filling the originally spacious room to capacity. Many people couldn't get in, so they peered out from the floor-to-ceiling windows to watch.

The billiard room lights were a cool white, reflecting a faint glow onto the dark green cloth of the billiard room.

Han Xi and Lu Jie stood facing each other, separated by a snooker table.

"Would you like to go first, Mr. Han?"

Lu Jie picked up the golf club, rubbed the tip with chalk, and spoke with undisguised provocation.

Han Xi didn't say anything, but bent down and set up the cue stick.

His posture was textbook perfect, with his left arm outstretched, forming a stable triangle, and his chin almost touching the pole.

The light fell on his straight nose, casting a small shadow that made the lines of his profile appear even more hard and cold.

Fang Li stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching his hand holding the golf club.

"boom!"

Han Xi's white ball accurately struck the pile of red balls, and the red balls scattered like exploding fireworks, with one of them landing steadily in the bottom pocket.

"nice shot!"

Wen Yang was the first to clap, which drew a chorus of applause.

Lu Jie's expression darkened; he really knew it.

But things had already come to this point, and it was obviously impossible to request the project be returned at the last minute, so they had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.

Lu Jie bent down to observe the situation.

His skills were actually quite good, but compared to Han Xi's near-perfect opening, he seemed somewhat inferior.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and then struck the ball with a powerful stroke!

The white ball collided with a colored ball, but because it didn't control the force well, it rolled past the bag opening.

"Tsk, what a pity."

Someone whispered.

Lu Jie's heart stirred slightly, but he simply curled his lips indifferently.

He could feel all eyes on him, some pity, some mockery, and most of all, amusement at the spectacle.

This feeling instantly transported him back to his childhood.

Back then, the scions of prominent families in the capital all took equestrian lessons at the western suburbs horse farm. When he was a child, during equestrian competitions, everyone cheered for Han Xi's perfect jumps, while he fell into the mud, and could only listen to everyone's sighs and see his father's disappointed eyes.

Han Xi didn't give Lu Jie much of a chance to breathe.

He's like a precision machine; every shot he makes is terrifyingly accurate.

Red and colored balls are pocketed alternately, and the numbers on the scoreboard keep climbing.

His expression remained unchanged, as if he were not engaged in a gamble involving billions of dollars, but simply passing an ordinary afternoon.

Fang Li looked at his focused profile and felt a slight sense of relief.

"Mr. Han's skills are probably at a professional level, right?"

"I think Mr. Lu's skills are pretty good too, he's not far behind."

"That's hard to say. Judging from the current situation, President Han's chances of winning are clearly greater than President Lu's!"

The whispers reached Lu Jie's ears intermittently, like needles pricking his nerves.

His breathing became more and more rapid, and his grip on the club tightened.

When Han Xi successfully potted another black ball into the middle pocket, he finally couldn't help but slam his cue on the table.

"I'm willing to admit defeat!"

Han Xi raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Lu Jie stared coldly at Han Xi, then raised his hand, ripped off the tie around his neck and threw it away. With a flick of his wrist, he also took off his coat in an instant.

He tossed his clothes onto the pool table and began to lower his eyes to unwrap his watch.

The people around them began to whisper among themselves.

"Oh my god! Is President Lu really going to drag this out?!"

"Look at him, he's clearly going to honor his bet!"

"I think President Lu is so handsome! Look at the way he takes off his clothes, so manly!"

"He looks handsome now, but he's going to embarrass himself terribly later. There are so many people here, including quite a few media. If he really strips naked today, he'll be famous overseas tomorrow!"

"I reckon Old Lu would skin him alive!"

Lu Jie had already started unbuttoning his shirt, and Fang Li couldn't help but frown, noticing that a hand was now looming over her.

Han Xi: "Don't look, or you'll get a sty."

"..."