You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 609 The Person Tang Yin Prepares to Investigate
Hualu lowered her head slightly, her frail figure appearing even more slender in the mist. She wore a slightly oversized beige coat, the sleeves of which drooped, covering half her hands. Her messy hair clung to her face, making her look rather disheveled. Her cheeks were red from the cold, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she hadn't recovered from the chill of the night.

"Oh, this kind of flower dew is really rare." Tang Yin looked at her, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and his tone was a little teasing, "You are serious, a little angry, and you speak so fluently."

Hua Lu raised her head, a hint of stubbornness in her deep brown eyes. She clutched her sleeves tightly, her tone unquestionable: "Well, I know you're trying to help others—" She paused, her voice rising slightly, "But you're actually trying to stop Qin Yi from recklessly committing suicide, right? Using that... so, so dirty method."

Tang Yin's expression couldn't be fully seen due to the fog, but judging by his shrug, he clearly didn't care. His tone remained relaxed, "Why is your understanding of the situation so much more detailed and accurate than ever before?"

Hualu tightened her coat, lowered her head and kicked the ground, as if to hide something: "- Because I couldn't find a chance to talk to you, I hid in the thick fog and waited and saw what would happen." Her voice sounded a little unnatural, and the ending tone trembled slightly, obviously she was frozen by the cold wind.

Tang Yin was slightly startled, then his eyes fell on her red, frozen fingers. "You're shivering while talking. You must be very cold." His voice lowered, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "How long have you been waiting outside the cafeteria?"

Hua Lu raised her head and looked straight at him, without answering the question. She took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage, and then said softly, "...Ah, sorry. So, that's indeed the case. It seems Wang Lina wasn't able to talk to you either."

Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, then revealed a helpless smile: "Thank you very much for the banquet."

"Hmm?" Tang Yin raised his eyebrows and tilted his head to look at her, appearing a little confused.

Hualu's voice lowered, as if she was talking to herself: "You should just vote for me."

"...No, no, I don't want anyone to die." Tang Yin's voice suddenly became serious, his tone less cynical and more heavy.

Hualu raised her head, a complicated look flashing in her eyes: "What are you thinking about?"

Tang Yin was silent for a moment, then sighed: "...Ah, that, sorry, I lied. No, it should still be true. In fact, I think this way -" He paused for a moment, as if considering his words, and lowered his voice a few degrees, "I don't want to see Hualu, you, or Xiaome die."

Hua Lu was stunned, a trace of shock flashed in her eyes: "...What do you mean?"

Tang Yin didn't answer, but just shook his head slightly, with a meaningful smile on his face: "Who knows?"

Hua Lu opened her mouth, as if about to say something, but ultimately closed it. She lowered her head, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. Tang Yin looked at her, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, but he quickly changed the subject.

"Ah, I have a question." Tang Yin's voice sounded again, breaking the brief silence.

"What's the problem?" Hua Lu raised her head and frowned slightly.

Tang Yin's tone was slightly relaxed, but his eyes were extremely sharp: "If Xiaome was a wolf, what would you do?"

Hualu's body stiffened slightly, and her voice was low and firm: "Hang her together."

Tang Yin's smile froze on his face. He stared at the girl in front of him, remaining silent for a long moment. The night wind blew between them, stirring up the dead leaves on the ground and making a rustling sound.

"It seems," Tang Yin sighed softly, his tone somewhat complicated, "you have made up your mind."

The night wind grew colder, and the thick fog seemed even thicker under the dim light of the street lamps. Tang Yin raised his head, his gaze once again landing on Hua Lu's face, and then he chuckled softly, "...What a crazy girl."

Hua Lu ignored his teasing, raised her head, and looked him straight in the eye: "Mr. Tang Yin, let me ask you - who will you vote for?"

Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, then revealed a meaningful smile: "Who knows?"

Tang Yin stood under the streetlight, his shadow stretched out. He leaned slightly to the side, a smile spilling from the corner of his mouth, as frivolous as ever: "...Anyway, it's all right now."

He raised his hand and waved it nonchalantly, as if chasing away an overly persistent sparrow: "Go back and rest quickly. I look forward to seeing Miss Hualu tomorrow too."

"Oh, oh, oh, oh?" Hua Lu's eyes suddenly widened, as if she had received some great stimulation, and even her voice rose a few notes. "Mr. Tang Yin, what are you talking about? Am I, stupid? How rude!"

Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the cold night air, and now, due to her emotional fluctuations, they were even stained with a light crimson. Tang Yin looked at her and couldn't help but chuckle. He raised his hand and patted his forehead. "Hahaha, I'm going home. See you tomorrow."

He turned around and was about to leave when he heard the voice behind him catch up stubbornly and persistently: "What do you mean I've already tried?"

...Oh no. Tang Yin paused, the smile on his face froze for a moment, and then he returned to his nonchalant look. He turned around, a frivolous smile on his lips: "Well, it was just random nonsense. You know, these mysterious words are the best way to scare people."

However, Hua Lu's eyes were clear and firm, as if she could see through all his disguises: "Mr. Tang Yin, I believe you are not someone sent by the Qin family."

Tang Yin was stunned, his eyebrows slightly raised, and a trace of inquiry flashed in his eyes: "And then?"

Hua Lu didn't flinch. Her voice remained gentle yet firm. "And, how should I put it?" She bit her lower lip lightly, as if choosing her words. "...perhaps you are a special being who can dispel this thick fog."

As soon as she finished speaking, the fog seemed to grow thicker. A cold wind passed between them, bringing a biting chill. Tang Yin didn't speak, his eyes fixed on her, as if waiting for her to continue.

Hualu lowered her head, tightening the collar of her coat with her fingers, and lowered her voice even more: "...Perhaps you will find my sleepy talk disgusting."

"Disgusting?" Tang Yin raised his eyebrows, with a hint of nonchalant smile in his tone.

Hua Lu ignored his teasing and continued, "But I also grew up under the influence of these traditions and beliefs." Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was afraid of being laughed at, but also as if she was making some kind of resolution. "When I watch science on TV, it always feels so far away."

"So?" Tang Yin's tone was still relaxed, but his eyes became more serious.

"So, when I'm threatened by superstition, maybe I also want to hold on to something or someone and be superstitious." Hua Lu raised her head, her misty eyes looking directly at Tang Yin, her voice revealing a hint of fragility, but also a hint of persistence that could not be ignored.

"Hua Lu..." His voice was low, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back. He didn't know whether he should explain or remain silent.

Indeed, he completely disregarded reason and logic, standing here with the experience of having died multiple times. Was he meant to dispel the despair of this Huangquan Feast? Was Tang Yin given such power because someone wanted him to do so? In his mind, it was as if someone whispered in his ear: "No matter how many times I die, I must stop this crazy ritual."

"I also wish I were that person..." Tang Yin said softly, with a hint of frank helplessness, "Unfortunately, I'm just an ordinary person."

He lowered his head and sighed softly, a wry smile playing at the corner of his mouth, as if responding to some unattainable ideal. However, he quickly raised his head, his eyes a little more serious. "But, okay, I will try my best to live up to your trust."

Hualu didn't answer, only nodded gently, as if giving both herself and him a tacit agreement. Mist swirled between the two of them, carrying a damp, cold air, as if hiding this brief conversation in an unknown crevice.

"Okay, let's stop here for today." Tang Yin clapped his hands, trying to end the conversation in a relaxed tone. Hua Lu didn't move. She stood there, eyes lowered, as if hesitating. After a moment, she slowly extended her hand.

Tang Yin blinked and was stunned for a moment: "...handshake?"

Hua Lu raised her head, her eyes firm, and nodded.

Tang Yin looked down at her outstretched hand, smiled slightly, and said with a hint of teasing: "...Well, a handshake is an agreement. An agreement to meet again tomorrow no matter what."

His hand reached up, his fingertips touching her icy palm. As their palms touched, Tang Yin's smile gradually softened, as if in that brief moment, the cold night had become less biting.

However, Hualu's voice rang out softly, breaking the momentary silence: "...That's not right."

Tang Yin was slightly startled and looked up at her.

"Even if we can't meet tomorrow, I hope we can meet again in another life, a more stable life." Hua Lu's tone was soft but firm. She applied a little force with her fingertips, and then she let go of her hand.

Tang Yin opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Hua Lu had already stepped back and whispered, "Good night, goodbye."

She turned around, and her back quickly disappeared into the depths of the thick fog.

"Flower dew..." Tang Yin called out subconsciously, but the mist had already swallowed her up, leaving only the sound of footsteps fading away. The footsteps were brisk but firm, disappearing into the endless white mist.

Tang Yin stood there, staring blankly at the direction she had left. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. He lowered his head slightly, a wry smile playing on the corners of his mouth. His voice was so low it seemed he was talking to himself: "...I hope so too."

He paused for a moment, checking that he hadn't heard a fall, before turning and leaving. The wind blew through his hair, bringing a hint of coolness. He suddenly realized that he hadn't heard the words "goodbye" in a long time.

"It seems I haven't realized it yet..." Tang Yin sighed softly, clenching his fists, his eyes darkening. He couldn't act based on the possibility of death reversal—this was his only clear thought at the moment.

Others had already risked their lives, and if he didn't realize this, he'd never truly understand their persistence. Risk it all, survive this night. Those pessimistic hopes and helpless promises would eventually vanish with the wind.

Tang Yin's gaze gradually grew firm. The image of Hua Lu's blushing face flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly, "After this is over, she'll definitely be pissed off... She'll be adorable."

He returned to the house and skillfully took out a notebook from his backpack. He placed it on the wooden table, tore off a piece of paper, and then threw the pen to the ground. He sat down quietly, resting his hand on his chin, and began to think.

Whose identity should I use the protection of the snake to verify today? Tang Yin's thoughts gradually gathered, his eyes falling on the paper. His fingers slowly tapped on the table, making a soft "tapping" sound.

Investigating the wolf-like individuals was the most natural approach, but there were also pitfalls. There was no "wolf-like individual" at the moment. His gaze narrowed slightly, a few blurry faces flashing through his mind. To insist on calling someone's behavior "wolf-like" was merely vague speculation.

Tang Yin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and recalled everything that had happened today. There were too few clues. Even he, who had retained his memory of the previous incident, couldn't find any obvious suspicious points. Perhaps this secret battle was far more complicated than he had imagined.

We must think from a different perspective.

…There’s no need to force yourself to find the wolf, but to check the identity of the person who would be in trouble if it were a wolf.

Fortunately, the initiative is in the hands of Mr. Gao and Qin Ming, whose identities are clear.

So far, they haven't taken the situation in any outrageous direction.

...Tang Yin understood their cautious attitude last time.

Qin Ming was a wolf at that time, so he did not take the initiative to lead the situation like he did this time.

Uncle Gao, on the other hand, remained silent and low-key while trying to introduce himself - most likely because he was the Spider's protector.

However, it was Qin Ming who saw through Mr. Gao's intentions. Even in that situation, he was able to remain sharp and act calmly.

The problem is that although they are companions this time, they did not achieve the good effect of one plus one being greater than two.

Simply put, they have different personalities.

I hope they can find common ground while reserving their differences in the future...

In this case, the key lies in the identity of Zhao Gang, who is in charge of coordination and is sandwiched between their generation gap.

…Although his actions seem similar to last time, we can't simply conclude that he is human.

There was another person that Tang Yin cared about, and that was Qian Jin.

Although he is not very popular, he is always noisy and does have a certain influence, so his existence cannot be ignored.

From the wolf's perspective, he would probably save this troublemaker until the very last moment...

Another point is that Tang Yin actually thought he was the only one who had some suspicion at the moment. When voting today, Tang Yin didn't know how many people were hesitant about executing him.

However, based on the order of voting, it would not be difficult to execute him even without a runoff vote.

The first person to vote for Qian Jin was Qin Ming. Qin Ming probably thought he was the "suitable first victim".
Soon after, Mrs. Chen Xiang and Xiao Liang also voted for him.

Afterwards, there were still many young people who had no good feelings towards Qian Jin. To them, he was just a suitable scapegoat.

But then no one voted for him anymore...

How should this situation be understood?

(End of this chapter)