BELONGING TO YOU

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Su Zhenghao stared at his father in confusion, unease tightening in his chest.

"What do you mean… it's time I knew everything?"

Old Man Su didn't look at him. His gaze was fixed on the soft morning light filtering through the hospital window.

His features, once proud and commanding, now seemed carved by time and remorse.

"You're my closest son, Zhenghao." His voice was hoarse, cracked like dry paper. "The only one I trust. The others… they only circled like vultures while I was in a coma, didn't they?"

Su Zhenghao clenched his fists under the blanket of guilt and frustration. His father had heard everything.

"They called, didn't they?" Baotian asked, his voice distant. "Your brothers."

Su Zhenghao nodded reluctantly. "Yes… each of … but really asking if—not when—you were going to die."

Old Man Su chuckled, the sound bitter. "So predictable. If I had died, this family would've been torn apart before the body turned cold."

He turned slowly to face his son. "That's why I need to tell you. Everything. Before it's too late."

Su Zhenghao swallowed.

The weight in his chest deepened.

"I, Su Baotian… I wasn't always the man you know. I was once a fool. Arrogant. Reckless. Blinded by privilege and pride."

He paused, eyes glazing over. "It started thirty years ago… I was thirty-four."

Su Zhenghao nodded. That matched his father's current age—sixty-four.

---

Su Baotian had been a different man back then. Younger, proud, reckless.

He was the youngest of three children—two sons and a daughter—born to the then-Minister of Internal Affairs.

His sister was married off to an official, and his older brother was groomed for politics. He was already heading a provincial office.

He was the jewel, the untouchable favorite. Spoiled. Selfish.

His mother called him her baby even in his thirties. His father gave him too long a leash. He had no direction, no limits. Just privilege.

Pampered by his mother, spoiled by his powerful father, he was the textbook definition of a rich second generation.

And like most of his kind, he was aimless.

That particular night, the streets of the Capital were alight with neon lights and thumping basslines.

Su Baotian had just stumbled out of a posh bar in the Sanlitun district, laughter ringing in his ears.

Four of his closest friends staggered beside him, equally drunk.

They were the glittering trash of prestigious families—sons of generals, politicians, and billionaires.

Untouchable. Or so they thought.

One of the men, the most playful of them, hiccupped and pointed at the road.

"Why don't we hit Black Viper?" he slurred.

Su Xuanming raised a brow, intrigued despite the fog of alcohol.

"Black Viper?" he echoed.

"Yeah!" another chimed in. "That underground casino… people say it's better than Vegas. Dangerous, though."

The others laughed, the kind of laugh only drunk, invincible men could produce.

"Sounds like fun," one said. "What about you, Brother Tian?"

Su Baotian looked at the glowing screen of his expensive gold watch. It was almost 11 PM.

Home was the last place he wanted to be at this time.

"Why not?" he grinned.

They roared in approval, piling into his black BMW, and zoomed off, loud music blaring from the speakers.

Wei Shaojin, the friend who'd mentioned the casino guided them through winding alleys, until they reached a dark building guarded by two tall foreign men in black suits.

—

They opened the doors and they stepped in.

The inside of Black Viper was a frenzy of wealth and ruin.

The heavy scent of smoke clung to the velvet-lined walls.

Red and gold chandeliers swung slightly overhead. Loud jazz played in the background. Dice clattered, cards slapped, coins spilled.

Drunken laughter echoed alongside bitter cries of loss.

Half-naked women served wine, and men in dark suits watched from the shadows.

But Su Baotian and his friends were drawn to one spot—a circular table near the center, where a crowd had gathered.

A man sat at the head of the table. Cold eyes. A scar across his temple. Arrogance seeped from his every gesture.

A game of Blood Chess was underway.

A twisted, underground version of high-stakes poker mixed with real-time betting.

The rules were simple: play, bet high, and if you lost and couldn't pay, you'd either lose property… or blood.

At the table, a cocky middle-aged man in a scarlet shirt tossed his chips in.

"Brother Zhou is unstoppable tonight!" someone cheered.

"He's already cleared out five men!"

He laughed as another man lost, snatching the man's Rolex with a lazy smirk.

The loser bit down his anger, bowing his head before slinking away.

Another man in a business suit staggered away from the table, clutching his bleeding thumb.

"Next?" Brother Zhou asked with a lazy grin, stacking his winnings.

His fingers bore rings of gold.

"He's good," one of Su Baotian's friends whispered. "I heard he's been unbeaten for seven months."

Su Baotian felt the fire of youth. The drunken, indignant kind.

"I'll take him," he'd said, loud enough for the whole floor to hear.

The casino hushed.

"Who's the rich brat?"

"Does he even know the rules?"

"Run back to your mama, silk boy."

Su Baotian ignored them all.

He couldn't back out now.

His friend tugged on his sleeve. "Let's go, brother Tian. This isn't for us. People disappear here."

But he shook him off. "I'll teach this guy a lesson."

Brother Zhou smirked. "You sure, little prince?"

Su Baotian smiled. "How do you want to play?"

"Name your stakes," brother Zhou said.

Su Baotian thought for a second.

He then slapped his watch on the table on the table.

The crowd went wild.

His friends gasped.

"That thing's priceless!"

Brother Zhou's eyes gleamed. "Interesting. That'll do. And if you lose?"

Su Baotian shrugged. "You can have the car outside."

Brother Zhou burst into laughter. "I like you already. Let's begin."

---

In the hospital room, old man Su let out a long breath, his voice raspy.

"I should've slapped myself that day. Where did I get the audacity?"

Su Zhenghao stared at his father, stunned.

This was a side of the old man he had never seen before.

This wasn't the strict, commanding pillar of the Su family.

This was a reckless youth who had danced too close to flames.

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