OFR – Chapter 285 What is cold, what is king! (Part 2)

Mu Bai’s cool, magnetic voice wasn’t loud, but because the Zijin Pavilion was perched high and equipped with sound-transmission devices, it swiftly echoed throughout the entire venue.

In the corner, Zhang Guozhi couldn’t help but clench his fists tightly, his expression tinged with excitement.

Behind him, Yun Wenqing and Jiang Wenwen stared up at the tall and slender boy standing in the pavilion, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They had met Mu Bai in person and had believed him to be a kind, gentle, and approachable young man.

But today’s scene completely overturned their perception.

The arrogant, overbearing aura carried in those calm words made it clear—this boy wasn’t just kind and gentle; he was also overwhelmingly dominant!

“Welcome, Young Master Rong, to the Zijin banquet. I! Codename Cold! Ask you five questions. Should you lose today—how will you handle it?”

Should you lose today—how will you handle it?
That sentence instantly captured the attention of everyone present.

Who would have thought that someone would dare to ask this so brazenly, facing Rong Qingwen—the direct heir of the Rong family—and the powerful lineup he had brought?

Cold!
That was the very same “Cold” who ranked fifth on the Nanjing rich list, above even Li Shaofeng and Pulvin.

His words were even more forceful than the ones before, adding a perfect conclusion to this dramatic scene.

The atmosphere at Zijin Pavilion, once oppressive, began to heat up.

The five-question challenge from the likes of Nalan Yunshao, Chen Yunzhi, Mu Bai, and others made the situation crystal clear.

There would be no more vague politicking or subtle scheming.

Everything was laid out in the open, fair and square!

The five sharp questions left Rong Qingwen with no room to dodge or retreat.

He had no choice but to face them head-on!

The ordinarily unremarkable-looking Rong Qingwen gently raised a glass of freshly served champagne and downed it in one go. Then, with a soft smile, he calmly looked across at his challengers and said,

“Very well. Since the nobles of Nanjing have spoken, allow me to respond one by one.”

“First, Young Master Yun asked why I came to Nanjing. I bring no lessons, only to represent the Rong family in promoting the China Business Alliance—nothing more. If you are dissatisfied, feel free to enlighten me.”

“Second, General Manager Chen asked how the Rong family dares to swallow the ancient capital of Nanjing? Heh. I had to laugh. They say you are low-key and precise, never missing a detail. Yet today, I am disappointed. But since you ask sincerely, I shall answer seriously:
For over 200 years, since the 18th century, the Rong family has done business without interference or question. So whether we can take Nanjing today—why should anyone else question or criticize us?
Let me be bold: before questioning the Rong family, ask yourselves—can you bear the consequences?”

“Third, CEO Qing Yanchen said Nanjing has no shortage of talents—do I not fear crashing and burning here? To that I say: when the tide of destiny rises, not even the most talented few can stand in its way.”

“Fourth, Queen Dongfang asked what our intentions are in emerging from seclusion. I say this: the Rong family never hid, so how can we be making a comeback? As for intentions—Queen Dongfang, you overthink it.
We merely seek to promote a business alliance destined to benefit all merchants across China. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Fifth, Cold asked: If I lose today, what will I do? Even before the battle begins, he declares me the loser. How can I answer that?
All I can promise is this: if I am defeated and leave Nanjing today, when I return, I will reclaim every ounce of face the Rong family lost!”

Rong Qingwen answered all five questions from Nalan Yunshao’s side alone.

Neither submissive nor arrogant, his presence grew even stronger with each response.

Especially when he responded to Chen Yunzhi, that sentence—

“Before questioning the Rong family, ask yourselves—can you bear the consequences?”

—shocked everyone and fully displayed the Rong family’s two-century legacy of power and pride!

Even before Yu Youxiong, Li Shaofeng, and the others had spoken, Rong Qingwen’s aura had already grown to the point where no one could ignore him.

It was clear—this heir of the Rong family was a youth of exceptional eloquence, presence, and boldness.

He seemed born to rule with calm assurance.

After he finished speaking, servers with tall figures and sweet looks brought out a variety of fine wines to the banquet.

At past Zijin banquets, there had always been tables full of delicacies and wine. But today—only red wine.

Rong Qingwen opened a rare bottle of Louis XIII, let it breathe, and poured a glass for each person present. Then, raising his glass, he said softly:

“I know, no matter what I say, Young Master Yun, Cold, and General Manager Chen may still not trust me.
I also know Zijin Pavilion has always been a favorite retreat for Nanjing’s elite—where fortunes are spent like water and legends are made.
So why not join in the fun of a lavish night—ease some of our misunderstandings? Who knows, perhaps we’ll create a legend of our own.”

Everyone knew that Rong Qingwen’s so-called “lavish night” referred to Zijin Pavilion’s most popular pastime:

Lone Star of the Isle, also known as Texas Hold’em Poker.

It was a globally recognized card game—on the table, it represented the most direct confrontation of strategy, money, and charisma.

So Rong Qingwen wasn’t trying to ease tension—

He was declaring:

“If you want to stop the Rong family’s advance, ask yourselves—can you?”

Gambling is restricted in China, so Zijin Pavilion never allowed bets over a thousand yuan.

But the wealthy devised a clever workaround—a new kind of high-value chip:

Bitcoin.

Although not legally recognized by most countries and often dismissed as shady, Bitcoin had created a virtual financial empire.

Its global trade power surpassed any single currency. Despite worldwide crackdowns, it couldn’t be stopped.

Because at its core, Bitcoin was just a string of code—untouchable, ungovernable.

In reality, these strings of code were represented by delicate chips on the poker table.

And the manager of Zijin Pavilion happened to be the chief agent of Bitcoin in southern China.

He understood: the people at this table would need far more Bitcoin than anyone before.

Sure enough, before anyone could speak, Rong Qingwen drained his wine, flicked a violet-gold bank card toward the manager, and said calmly:

“Shopkeeper, bring me fifty billion yuan worth of Bitcoin.
Tonight, I’ll play a few rounds with Young Master Yun, Cold, and GM Chen.”

Fifty billion!
Everyone who heard the amount looked up in shock at Rong Qingwen, standing confidently at the pavilion railing.

Because fifty billion wasn’t just eye-popping—it exceeded the net worth of most of Nanjing.

Even here, in a place filled with the ultra-wealthy, fifty billion was an awe-inspiring number.

But Rong Qingwen tossed it out without hesitation.

Within seconds of his words falling, Nalan Yunshao, Chen Yunzhi, Dongfang Jing, Qing Yanchen, and Mu Bai all stood up in unison.

Calm-faced, silent, each of them tossed a bank card toward the pavilion manager.

They answered Rong Qingwen in the most direct and forceful way possible:

No matter what—
We’re in. To the end.

The manager, still reeling from the shock, hesitated to ask how much each needed—only to hear Nalan Yunshao down his wine and reply lightly:

“Shopkeeper, give me fifty billion in chips as well.
Since Young Master Rong has come from afar and wants to play—let’s make it worthwhile.”

One after another, Chen Yunzhi, Dongfang Jing, Qing Yanchen, and Mu Bai followed suit.

Each with fifty billion.

Even for billionaires like them, this was the upper limit of what they could bring to the table.

No one expected that from the very start, this banquet would explode into such a storm of money and power.

Below the pavilion, the other wealthy guests were left stunned.

What does it mean to throw money around like dirt? What is true opulence?

Now they knew—

This. This was it.