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

Chapter 610 A New Day's Banquet
Wolves know each other's identities.

This was the conclusion he'd reached through repeated deaths, and it was also one of the only truths he could be certain of. He raised his head, his gaze fixed on the mist outside the window, but his thoughts had already drifted deeper. Let's assume that everyone in the Hidden Mist Village knew this. If so, would the wolves lurking among the young people deliberately not vote for him?
Thinking of this, Tang Yin's brow furrowed slightly, and his fingertips paused on the paper. There was another thing—from his perspective, he also wanted to protect Hua Lu, but Hua Lu's existence and the uniqueness she displayed did have value in some ways. Tang Yin had to admit this. His eyes dimmed for a moment, then regained their composure.

He believed Hualu and Xiaomie to be human. Specifically, Hualu was just an ordinary human, while Xiaomie was a spider—a being possessed by some kind of divine protection. Hualu's innocence and kindness made her particularly vulnerable in this complex situation, while Xiaomie's uniqueness made her the focus of everyone's attention.

"...I have already told Xiaome about this and asked her to confirm it." Hualu's voice sounded in her mind, with her usual gentleness and firmness.

"If you're struggling, don't vote for Xiaome, just vote for me." Her voice lowered, as if she was requesting or begging.

Tang Yin imagined Hua Lu's expression as she said this, a complex emotion flickering across his eyes. She was worried about the possibility of a Huangquan Anniversary Banquet, so she had told Xiao Mei how to handle it in advance. But Xiao Mei... could Xiao Mei truly understand the profound meaning of the Huangquan Anniversary Banquet? Could she actively participate in it?
The answer is obviously no. If Xiaome is truly a protector, she would definitely tell Hualu through some kind of code. And this code must be obscure and private, not easily detected. Tang Yin's eyes grew deep, his gaze falling on the paper on the table. The pen in his hand slowly turned, as if he was thinking about something.

...But personal communication is bound to reach other people's ears. Even the conversation between Hualu and Xiaome couldn't avoid this. And those ears naturally included Wolf.

Tang Yin sighed softly, his fingertips tracing a vague symbol on the paper. Perhaps this was even more tangible than the experience he had just had on the way home, and it was a rule that must be followed absolutely. However, even if someone overheard, as long as the other party couldn't decipher the meaning, the privacy of the conversation remained valid.

Because of this, Tang Yin was even more certain that Hua Lu knew about Xiao Mei's protection. It was also for this reason that Hua Lu stepped forward and used herself as a shield to protect Xiao Mei's safety.

She told him all this, and even when Xiao Mei only had one vote and was still safe, she deliberately asked Tang Yin to vote for her. Her purpose was clear - this was to hint to Tang Yin how important Xiao Mei was.

Tang Yin closed his eyes, recalling Hua Lu's expression at that time, that silent persistence and subtle stubbornness, like a silent entrustment. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, his gaze calm and sharp.

He didn't know if anyone besides himself had noticed Xiao Mei's uniqueness. But one thing was certain: once Xiao Mei's true identity was revealed, she would become the focus of everyone's attention.

"I must hold on tonight," Tang Yin muttered softly, his tone low and calm, as if speaking to himself, or perhaps swearing an oath to some invisible being. The dim light reflected on his slightly drooping face, the shadows under his eyes making him look even more profound. He leaned against the wooden table, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface, as if trying to clear his mind.

Most people in the Hidden Mist Village probably assumed Hualu's concern was simply out of concern for Xiaome. After all, as someone responsible for pollution purification, her caution was understandable. Even if they thought so, they wouldn't doubt it. Tang Yin frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the paper on the table, and his fingertips tapped the written name.

Because of this, others might not stop voting for Xiaome or Hualu... Tang Yin sighed softly, feeling a little powerless. Even so, Hualu still chose to conceal Xiaome's identity. Her behavior reminded Tang Yin of Old Man Gao last time, who also desperately protected someone. Tang Yin thought, Xiaome is most likely Spider.

That's why he decided to believe them.

However, there is another person - Xia Hui.

Tang Yin's hand paused on the paper, his brow furrowed again. Xia Hui claimed she hadn't checked the mark on her stomach and survived yesterday's banquet. If she claimed to be a Protector today, would she be believed then? Tang Yin shook his head. Xia Hui had no loyalty to the Hidden Mist Village, and it was difficult for others to fully trust her. Whether she was a wolf or a human, the possibility of her lying to survive could not be ruled out.

——Then let’s check one of these three people.

Tang Yin's eyes swept over the names on the paper. After a moment, the tip of his pen stopped at "Zhao Gang." He decided to verify Zhao Gang's identity.

……

The faint light of early morning penetrated the thick fog and faintly sprinkled on the windowsill. Tang Yin looked down at the bloody words on his hand. The glaring red danced before his eyes like some kind of curse.

"Zhao Gang is a human."

Tang Yin's expression didn't change much, this result was within his expectations.

However, what happened next was completely beyond his imagination.

"...Oh..." Grandma Rong's voice came from outside, trembling and unbelievable.

"Everyone is alive...!!" Her voice gradually rose, revealing joy and shock.

That's right, no one died.

The cafeteria was packed with people, the air filled with the aroma of breakfast, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than yesterday. Chen Xiang stood behind the dining table, smiling and greeting everyone: "Alright, everyone, eat more."

People sat around the table, chatting quietly and occasionally bursting into laughter. After all, none of their neighbors were dead.

Tang Yin sat in the corner, his eyes scanning the scene, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. His mind replayed the thoughts of the previous night. The threat of betrayal by his neighbors he'd raised yesterday hadn't come to pass. No one had died, no one had vanished. This situation gave people some hope.

Perhaps, amidst all this madness, there was no such thing as a wolf betrayer. There must be someone who thought so.

Tang Yin lowered his head, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a thoughtful smile.

Zhao Gang stood in the middle, his voice booming, his smile brimming with unconcealed pride. "I'm right, aren't I, Qin Ming, Tang Yin? No one would believe that kind of nonsense!"

Qin Ming stood aside, a faint smile on his face, but his tone was clearly perfunctory: "Well, ah, maybe." His eyes flickered for a moment, as if he was deliberately avoiding something. He probably didn't want to ruin this rare and relaxed atmosphere.

Gao Zhijie sat not far away, silent. His face remained serious, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were pondering something, but he ultimately did not refute.

Meanwhile, Qian Jin's expression was filled with impatience. His lips parted slightly, as if a pessimistic sentiment was about to burst out, but he ultimately held it back. He glanced up at the scene inside the room, his gaze lingering on Hua Lu for a moment before he silently lowered his head.

"...That's great, it's great...Everyone's fine." Hualu's voice trembled slightly, her eyes slightly red, tears welling up in them. She stood in a corner of the room, holding Grandma Rong's hand tightly.

"Yeah, yeah, that's great..." Grandma Rong nodded and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice hoarse but full of relief.

However, on the other side, the atmosphere in the kitchen was completely different.

"...Hello." Qin Yi's voice came from the sink, and his tone was full of dissatisfaction.

Tang Yin was wiping a bowl beside him and looked up when he heard the voice: "What's wrong?"

Qin Yi frowned, paused his movements, and said in a bad tone: "What's going on? Nothing happened, right?"

Tang Yin chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of meaning: "What are you talking about? Something big has already happened."

"Huh?" Qin Yi looked up at him, bewilderment written all over his face. Tang Yin casually put the bowl in the cupboard and whispered, "You'll know after the banquet starts... It's all sudsy. Wash it again." He pointed at the bowl in Qin Yi's hand, his tone nonchalant.

The corners of Qin Yi's mouth twitched slightly. He looked down at the dishes he had just washed and couldn't help but blurt out, "I'm so annoyed...!"

"Well, Xiaoyi, I didn't expect you to help~" A teasing voice came from the door. It was Wang Lina. She leaned against the door frame, smiling with a relaxed look on her face. "I haven't seen you do this kind of work in a few years~"

"I'm so annoyed, Sister Lina!" Qin Yi suddenly raised his head and glared at her, his tone full of helplessness, "Don't say come on, come on, while secretly dirtying my bowl with your fingers!"

"Ah, I've been caught." Wang Lina's smile didn't fade. She covered her mouth in feigned surprise, then smiled slyly, "But, it wasn't fingers, it was lips! It was an indirect kiss, you're in luck."

"Wow, so disgusting." Qin Yi took a step back as if struck by lightning, with disgust on his face not concealed at all.

"That's too much!" Wang Lina pouted, put her hands on her hips, and pretended to be aggrieved.

"Sister Lina, I was shocked too..." Gao Mei poked her head out from the side and looked at her with a complicated expression, "What on earth did you learn outside..."

"This is my original creation!" Wang Lina raised her chin proudly, looking like she was "invincible".

"Sister Lina is too impure." Tong Xiaoliang squeezed aside and muttered softly. Although the voice was small, it accurately penetrated into everyone's ears.

"...What are you doing, Xiaoliang?" Qin Yi held the plate still stained with detergent in one hand and stared at Tong Xiaoliang who was standing next to the sink, his voice full of helplessness.

"I'm here to help, lick it, lick it." Tong Xiaoliang answered while sticking out his tongue exaggeratedly and pretending to lick the plate in his hand.

"Stop licking me!!" Qin Yi's roar almost broke the roof, scaring Xiao Liang, but the mockery in his eyes did not diminish at all.

"I'll help too." Mr. Wolf said out of nowhere, his voice drawn out, his smile looking rather sinister. He trembled as he walked towards the sink.

Tang Yin turned around upon hearing the voice, his brows twitching as he quickly waved his hands: "Stop! We don't need your help here!"

"Ah—" Xiaomei suddenly screamed and almost knocked over the bowl in her hand. She hid in a corner, covering her ears, her face full of fear, "Stop making trouble!"

At this moment, the entire cafeteria was in an uproar, and the noise was like a pot of boiling water, tumbling and unable to stop.

Mr. Gao, who was standing at the door, frowned, sighed, and turned to leave: "...I'll go on patrol again."

His back gradually blurred in the mist outside the window, looking somewhat melancholy. Inside the house, the noise showed no sign of stopping.

"...Alas." Xia Hui, sitting by the window, sighed softly, her gaze fixed on the wall clock, as if waiting for something. Her expression was a little dazed, her fingers unconsciously grasping at her sleeves. No one could tell what she was thinking, but her eyes occasionally flicked to her abdomen, as if confirming something, a complex emotion crossing her face.

She seemed to be waiting for the banquet to begin, or preparing to announce something.

Not long after, Mr. Gao opened the door and said in a low but clear voice, "The banquet has begun."

The cafeteria instantly fell silent. Everyone stopped moving, their gazes fixed on Mr. Gao. Tang Yin stood there, his brows furrowed slightly, feeling a strange sense of unease. He knew the real twists and turns might still be to come.

……

The atmosphere in the assembly hall was subtle and tense.

Zhao Gang stood up, glanced at everyone, and said with a hint of urgency: "Is this supposed to be over now, Uncle Gao?"

He did not take the wine glass that was handed to him, but turned to look at Mr. Gao with a calm expression.

"What do you mean, Zhao Gang?" Mr. Gao frowned slightly, his tone full of confusion.

"There's no need to continue the banquet. The wolf has no intention of killing anyone." Zhao Gang's voice was firm, as if he was stating an indisputable fact.

As soon as he said this, a murmur of discussion broke out in the room. Sure enough, he still made this suggestion.

"...I didn't expect you to be so optimistic!" Qian Jin sneered and stood up, his tone full of disdain. "Who could have predicted the current situation?"

Zhao Gang's expression changed slightly, and his tone became slightly heavier: "What do you want to say?"

Qian Jin looked at him coldly, his voice low but with a stinging chill: "Last night was just a coincidence. The spider just happened to protect the wolf's target!"

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

"Besides himself, Spider can choose one person from the fourteen to protect." Qian Jin's tone was filled with a calm, almost cruel analysis. "A probability of one-fourteen, which is about seven percent..."

He glanced around, his gaze sweeping across each person like a knife. "We must naturally be grateful for this lucky break, but at the same time, we must make up for yesterday's mistake and reduce the number of wolves through the banquet."

Zhao Gang narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "How can you be so sure?"

"...I'm just not that naive about the current situation." Qian Jin raised his head, looked directly at Zhao Gang, and sneered.

The atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became tense, as if it was about to explode.

Zhao Gang snorted coldly and said in a deep voice: "Listen carefully, even if there is nothing, we can still coexist peacefully. This is what human beings are like."

Qian Jin sneered, his tone full of sarcasm: "Huh, is human nature inherently good?"

(End of this chapter)