Chapter 106: Entry Time

Xiong Daichuan’s expression also grew serious.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Feng Yuxiao let out a hum before hanging up the phone.

At the same time, back at the hotel.

Xiong Yibai hurried out of her room and quickened her pace toward the elevator area.

She had just stood still when she heard a somewhat disorderly sound of high heels approaching from the other end.

Turning her head, she saw that it was actually Zhao Shutong.

The two locked eyes, both seeing the same haste and surprise in each other’s gaze.

Zhao Shutong straightened her slightly crooked collar while panting as she said,

“Yibai? You haven’t gone yet either!”

Xiong Yibai nodded.

“Yeah, I overslept. What about you?”

Zhao Shutong looked annoyed.

“Don’t even mention it. I overslept too! That Ren Queyue, she didn’t even wake me! She went ahead on her own!”

Xiong Yibai speculated, “She probably wanted you to sleep a bit more.”

“But this is Miwan’s most crucial race! How could I miss it!”

Zhao Shutong stomped her foot and anxiously pressed the down button on the elevator.

“This damn elevator, why hasn’t it come up yet!”

The two waited at the elevator for a moment until it finally arrived with a ding.

They hurried inside.

As soon as they exited the hotel doors, they jogged toward the nearby racecourse entrance.

Zhao Shutong, wearing high heels, couldn’t run fast at all.

Seeing this, Xiong Yibai slowed her pace to match hers.

“Don’t worry, there should still be time.”

Zhao Shutong quickened her steps while asking worriedly,

“Do you think we’ve been so late that they won’t let us in?”

Xiong Yibai analyzed,

“Usually, the entry cutoff is a bit earlier than the official race start. Even if we’re late, we should still catch the race.

“We have VIP tickets, so they should make an exception.”

Hearing this, Zhao Shutong felt a little more at ease.

The two quickly wove through the crowd, heading toward the racecourse entrance.

At the entrance, as expected, staff had set up barriers and politely stopped them.

“Ladies, sorry, but entry time has closed.”

Zhao Shutong quickly pulled out her phone and showed the electronic ticket interface.

“We’re guests in the VIP box. We got held up on the way. Could you make an exception?”

The staff member saw it was the highest-level VIP ticket and became even more polite.

“Please wait a moment. I need to check with my superior.”

He stepped aside to make a call and briefly explained the situation.

After hanging up, he turned back to them with a smile.

“Alright, no problem. Please follow me, and I’ll take you to the box.”

Zhao Shutong and Xiong Yibai exchanged a glance, joy appearing on their faces as they prepared to follow the staff inside.

Just then, a man in event management uniform with a stern expression strode over quickly. The badge on his chest clearly indicated a higher position.

He raised his hand to stop the staff who was about to let them through.

“Time’s up means time’s up. Rules are rules. No exceptions for VIPs. No more entries.”

Zhao Shutong panicked upon hearing this.

“We’ll pay extra! Double, no, triple the ticket price as compensation? Just this once!”

The man shook his head.

“Miss, this isn’t about money.

“The racecourse has its regulations. To ensure the absolute safety of all spectators and the event, no one can enter after cutoff, no matter how much they offer.”

His attitude was exceptionally firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Zhao Shutong wanted to argue further, but Xiong Yibai pulled her arm and gave her a look.

“Alright, we understand.”

Xiong Yibai said to the man, then pulled the reluctant Zhao Shutong away from the entrance to a less crowded nearby area.

“Why’d you pull me away!”

Zhao Shutong was a bit annoyed. “If we’d kept pushing, maybe it would’ve worked!”

Xiong Yibai frowned slightly and whispered,

“Don’t you think it’s strange? VIP channels usually have some flexibility, and that guy who showed up later—his attitude was unusually rigid.”

“Yeah, something’s off.”

Zhao Shutong caught on too, and the two were pondering their next move.

At that moment, a man in a flashy shirt with slicked-back shiny hair approached. He looked a bit sleazy but not menacing, his face beaming with the enthusiastic smile typical of a salesman.

“Ladies—”

He drew out the word, glancing slyly left and right before lowering his voice.

“Here to watch the race? Want to… place a little bet? For some excitement!”

Zhao Shutong instinctively wanted to retort.

“Bet on what? We…”

“Bet.” Xiong Yibai suddenly spoke up, interrupting Zhao Shutong.

Zhao Shutong looked at Xiong Yibai in surprise, her eyes questioning: What are you doing?

The bookmaker perked up at the opportunity, his smile even more fawning.

“I can tell you two know your stuff! Which racer? Just tell me, and I guarantee fair odds!”

He had clearly mistaken Xiong Yibai and Zhao Shutong for pre-arranged clients.

Xiong Yibai said, “Bet on Feng Miwan.”

“Feng Miwan? The Rain Battle Goddess! Good eye!”

The bookmaker gave a thumbs-up, then pulled out his phone and tapped away.

“Hold on, let me check the current live odds…”

While he was focused on his phone, Xiong Yibai quickly turned her head and whispered two words into Zhao Shutong’s ear.

“Call the cops.”

Zhao Shutong instantly understood and nodded to Xiong Yibai.

At this point, the bookmaker looked up and asked,

“Alright, Feng Miwan’s odds are… So, how much do you two want to bet? Minimum is this amount.”

He made a hand gesture.

Xiong Yibai countered,

“What’s the current spread? What are Song Zhe’s odds?”

She started asking details to stall for time.

“Well…”

The bookmaker scratched his head, about to explain in detail.

Zhao Shutong seized the moment, dialed the emergency line, and immediately held the screen to her ear.

“Hello? Oh, Mr. Li! Hello, hello!”

Xiong Yibai said to the bookmaker,

“You mentioned high rebates earlier. How much exactly? Any tiered rates? Like, if the bet exceeds a certain threshold, does the rebate go up?”

The guy’s attention snapped back, rubbing his hands with a grin.

“You’re real pros, miss! Easy to arrange—volume discounts! If you’re interested, we can talk details…”

At that moment, Zhao Shutong’s call connected.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s me! Go ahead… That 30 million project, right? Yep, I’m listening to the details…

“Yes, I’m outside VIP3 entrance at Rongcheng Racecourse right now. Got something urgent, can’t make it.

“Yeah, it’s pretty critical. The other party’s rep is discussing contract details right now. Hope you can send your project evaluation team over to coordinate ASAP! The sooner, the better!”