So apparently, this place had unknowingly been transformed into a cockfighting arena.

However, the cockfighting was secondary. The main reason these people were gathered here was because of gambling!

Cockfighting was originally a competitive entertainment game, but with the addition of gambling, the nature of the game had changed.

Could it be... that all the money Zhao Shuang lost was because of cockfighting?

"Oh, isn't this Zhao Shuang's wife? You're here? Did you manage to collect the money?"

Just when Ling Zhenfei was staring in a daze at the frenzied fighting chickens in the arena, he heard a sinister laugh from behind him.

He turned around to see a bald man in a suit, flanked by two lackeys, approaching Zhang Qin with a mocking smile on his face.

The bald man looked fierce, and the evil glint in his eyes was particularly nauseating.

As he walked over with a sleazy demeanor, Ling Zhenfei felt an urge to gouge out his beady eyes.

"I've brought all the money. Where is Zhao Shuang?"

Zhang Qin clearly found this bald man extremely repulsive, glaring at him in disgust before whispering to Ling Zhenfei, "His name is Hong Du. He owns this cockfighting arena, and most of Zhao Shuang's fifty-thousand debt is owed to him."

Hong Du?

Ling Zhenfei, hearing this, couldn't help but look at Hong Du. He could see clearly that this man exuded an air of malevolence, and judging by his mannerisms, he had significant connections with the Jianghu underworld.

But even if this guy had deep connections, so what?

Ling Zhenfei could handle all the city big shots. Dealing with a Local Snake in a small town shouldn't be a big deal, right?

"Heh, my dear Zhao family lady, don't worry. Zhao Shuang is fine. He won't die for now. As long as you hand over the money, I'll release him immediately!"

Hong Du's eyes were still filled with lust as he stared at Zhang Qin, looking as if he wanted to devour her whole.

"This..."

Zhang Qin, being a woman, was at a loss upon hearing Hong Du's words. She could only glance at Ling Zhenfei for a solution.

Ling Zhenfei gave Hong Du a cold glance and said in a deep voice, "No way, we need to see Zhao Shuang safe and sound before we give you the money!"

"Who the hell are you, kid?"

Although Hong Du had noticed Ling Zhenfei earlier, he had only taken him for a lackey accompanying Zhang Qin. Seeing Ling Zhenfei speak up, he couldn't help but turn his eyes disdainfully towards him.

"Don't worry about who I am. I'm here to redeem someone, so release him quickly!" Ling Zhenfei kept his expression calm and unafraid, staring directly into Hong Du's eyes.

"You..." Hong Du initially wanted to overawe him with a fierce look, but upon locking eyes with Ling Zhenfei, he felt his own momentum was subdued.

Frightened in his heart, he thought to himself, "Who the hell is this kid? He doesn't seem to come with good intentions!"

"Alright, kid, you win. Follow me!"

Hong Du didn't dare look Ling Zhenfei in the eye any longer. He growled fiercely to bolster his own courage and then turned around to lead the way.

"Zhenfei, what should we do?"

Seeing Hong Du's fierce demeanor, Zhang Qin felt a bit fearful and glanced at Ling Zhenfei.

"Since we are here, we might as well settle down! Sister Qin, don't be afraid. Since we've come this far, we shouldn't be afraid!" Ling Zhenfei encouraged her with a look, then followed behind Hong Du.

With Ling Zhenfei by her side, Zhang Qin felt she had found a solid support. She followed him towards the backyard.

The backyard had a two-story building, old but still habitable. Hong Du led Ling Zhenfei and Zhang Qin inside, instructing a doorman to open one of the rooms.

This room had evidently been abandoned for some time. It was filled with clutter, filth, and cobwebs everywhere. However, on the floor lay a disheveled and stinky man.

The man's hands were tied behind his back, and he leaned against a pile of straw on the floor. When he saw the door open, he tried to stand up but froze upon seeing Zhang Qin at the door.

There was no doubt that the man held captive in such a miserable state could only be Zhao Shuang.

Zhao Shuang must have cursed his parents for giving him such an unfitting name. Locked up like a dog in this dark room, he was utterly depressed—there was nothing "shuang" about it.

Worse yet, he could see a kind of despair and disappointment in his wife's eyes.

"Xiao Qin..."

Seeing his wife standing there, Zhao Shuang felt extremely uneasy.

Despite his gambling addiction, he loved his wife dearly but couldn't control his habits. Even after gambling away everything, he couldn't quit.

"Zhao Shuang, you..."

Zhang Qin had tried countless times to persuade Zhao Shuang to quit gambling, and she'd heard him swear to reform just as many times. But the results always left her heartbroken.

This time, she had made up her mind to confront him and insist on a breakup. But now, seeing Zhao Shuang tortured like this, her heart softened, and the harsh words she had prepared just couldn't come out.

"I..."

Seeing the hopelessness and sorrow in Zhang Qin's eyes made Zhao Shuang want to explain, but he was rendered speechless.

In reality, he hated himself, but what good did it do? Even after each remorse, he'd still gamble again...

Now, Zhao Shuang felt he couldn't even forgive himself, let alone hope for his wife's forgiveness.

He walked over, fell to his knees before Zhang Qin, and tearfully said, "Xiao Qin, I'm sorry. I'm sorry to you and this family!

I know you're beyond disappointed in me. I hate myself too. This time I gambled too much and lost tens of thousands. No one can save me. I don't want to drag you and our child down. You should leave and raise our child well. Forget about me!"

This time, Zhao Shuang seemed genuinely remorseful. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.

As the saying goes, "Men don't cry easily," but it was only now, with things beyond repair, that he truly showed regret. It seemed... too late!

Hearing her husband's remorseful words, Zhang Qin felt her heart shatter.

She was a fragile woman who couldn't control her emotions. Although she was indeed desperate with her hopeless husband, could she really just walk away?

"Bastard, Zhao Shuang! If you're telling your wife to forget about you, how are you going to settle the fifty thousand you owe me? Heh, you can't leave a single cent unpaid!"

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