Gold Heart, Warm Soul

17| Good Strategy

I stood in front of the table containing all the leftover cards, memorising all the details of each card as quick as I could. My eyes scanned through all the cards at lightning speed, as each detail, however minute it was, is copied into my memory like a computer. Working with codes and softwares during university has helped me with my memorisation skills. Felicia was beside me and could feel her rooting for me. Both of us were too relaxed and murmurs could be heard. The majority of the males in the hall didn't believe Felicia could win with my help and well, I just had to prove them wrong. As the time was up, the attendant flipped the remaining 26 cards closed.

The time started up again. Without a moment of time wasted, I expertly flipped the cards that matched with fast hands. Every pair of cards was flipped open simultaneously with a beat. From the projector, the audience could see the game and they started to cheer me on as I was left with less than 10 cards. Everyone could tell bothered Felicia and I were winning by a large margin. Felicia was a smart woman with good strategical skills. She took the risk of partnering up with and knew we could win. Unlike Niya Hong, who did not want to partner with anyone and only depended on herself, Felicia strategically swap spots with me, knowing with a fresh set of mind, she could easily win. This of course is one of the loopholes for winning. Sometimes, being smart is more advantage that being too prideful. As I turned the last card over, the timer went off. Both Felicia and I had won the game, by correctly matching all 52 cards, even with the smallest details challenging us. The crowd went wild as they did not expected this development to take place. With a loud voice, so boisterous, the announcer immediately said, "The winner goes to the Felicia from the Hong Family, with help of the young miss of the Lee family, Ambar!" The audience clapped for us and wolf-whistled could be heard. The announcer continued, "Now I would like to present the prizes to the Felicia Hong and of course, the transaction of the Key of Cloud Palace Library will go to Ambar." My brother, Kace stood up, happily clapping for me with a pride that his little sister was so skilful. Ambar turned towards me and happily smiled with joy. "See, I knew you could do it! Thank you! Thank you so much," she said as she hugged me. The prizes were given to Felicia. As I climbed down the stairs from the stage where the game took place, Felicia called out to me. "Ambar, catch this!"

With quick reflexes, I turned around and caught whatever Felicia thrown towards me. It was an access card. I must look confused because Felicia said, "That's the key of the Cloud Palace Library, love. I'll never break my promise." I flip the card to examine it. It was the real key. "Thanks a lot Felicia!" I said as I blew a kiss towards her and put the precious key in to the front pocket of my jeans. I walked back towards my table where my dad patted me on the back and mother sang praises to me. My brother shook his head out of disbelief that I could obtain the rare key card. He mumbled something along the lines of "crazy sister and must have knocked her head somewhere. I grinned widely at him as if teasing him. Peng Li Shan who requested for the help from Kace must be very jealous right now, after all he could have requested for my help and won. It doesn't matter, as I probably wouldn't have help him either way.

The dinner ended smoothly with Felicia bragging about her prize to her husband and Niya Hong looking envious towards Felicia. Everyone congratulated Felicia and praised me for my memorisation skills as well as helping the Lou family for winning. Even the Zhang Family came up to me with congratulatory praises for getting the key card for the Cloud Palace library. Kace asked me what I would do with it and I blatantly told him I was going to read books there with an unamused expression. He put up his hands to surrender and patted me on my head.

As it was getting late in the night, the employees ushered the guests to their rooms. Some family members was still talking about Felicia's win and her strategy. Some even said not to underestimate us, especially if we were partner in crimes when we go to the casinos in the five star hotels they owned. No one expected the young miss from the Lee family was very skilled. They thought she was overshadowed by her talented brother who won many award winning prizes in business and finance. Who would have thought Ambar is talented and have a good head on her shoulders? They always thought that she was meek and shy. Now they knew that Ambar did not bring shame to the Lee family and she just never showed her true talents. We ended the day on a good note and the elders planned their day tomorrow for the temple visit.