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

Chapter 619

Hualu's voice was soft, yet it carried a firmness that was impossible to ignore. "I'm not doing this to earn your gratitude, nor for the comfort of a return gift."

Her gaze fell on Tang Yin, shrouded in mist, her eyes seemed filled with countless unspoken emotions. "As a descendant of a chambermaid who must see guests off, and as a woman who adores you..." Her tone paused slightly, then she took a deep breath, as if making up her mind. "Mr. Tang Yin, I hope you can live in peace."

Tang Yin was slightly startled. His face became increasingly blurred in the mist. He didn't speak, but simply listened quietly, as if waiting for Hua Lu to continue.

"There's no reason for you to die here. You have your own destination." Hualu's voice lowered, but her tone was more resolute. "...It doesn't matter. Even if you lied, even if I owed you a favor and you sacrificed for this mountain, it's still unfair."

Her words were like a gentle knife, slowly cutting through Tang Yin's silence.

"So, I will help you escape." Hua Lu looked straight at him, with an emotion in her eyes that could almost be called determination.

Tang Yin's eyes flickered. Could it be that she knew a way to leave this place? This thought instantly flooded his mind. He wanted to ask, but the words were on the tip of his tongue and he swallowed them back.

"Please stop talking." He whispered, his tone calm, but revealing a hint of unquestionable attitude.

Hualu's expression changed slightly, as if she was surprised by his refusal, but soon, a kind of unconcealable sadness appeared in her eyes. "...Even though you knew you would lose your life?"

The corners of Tang Yin's mouth curled up slightly, but his smile was so cold that it chilled people's hearts: "Am I going to die?"

Hualu shook her head, her voice so soft that it seemed as if she was talking to herself: "No. But if you continue like this, one day, you will..."

Tang Yin's gaze grew sharper. He stared at Hua Lu, his tone adding a hint of scrutiny: "Hualu, are you still hiding something from me?"

Hualu was stunned, her expression becoming complicated in an instant. She pursed her lips slightly, as if she wanted to explain, but hesitated.

Tang Yin narrowed his eyes, his tone adding a touch of certainty: "You have always known that as long as you give up everything you think and yourself, you can help others escape from here."

These words were like a ray of cold light, piercing straight into Hua Lu's heart.

"...But you're also struggling with whether or not to do this, right?" Tang Yin took a step closer, thick fog swirling beneath his feet. His voice was low and calm. "Should I abandon my obligations to the Hualu Family and help someone escape, or should I stay in the Kirigakure Village until the very end and uphold my duties to the Hualu Family?"

Hualu opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She lowered her head, her hands tightly clenching the corners of her clothes, her fingertips turning white from excessive force.

"After a struggle," Tang Yin continued, his tone tinged with ruthless analysis, "you ultimately decided to use theory to convince yourself that letting me escape was the right decision, and it was also your own wish."

His voice lowered a little, like a slowly sliding blade: "You want me to think that as long as I'm okay, it doesn't matter what happens to you."

Hua Lu's body trembled slightly, the mist obscured her expression, but her silence said it all.

The fog grew thicker, like an invisible wall, isolating the two people in their respective worlds.

"I can't accept this." Tang Yin narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His voice was low and playful, yet it revealed a certain unquestionable power.

His eyes fell on Hua Lu, as if observing her every subtle reaction. Then, he shook his head slightly, his tone becoming more relaxed: "I prefer to make my own rules."

This sentence seemed like a deliberate provocation, breaking the originally solemn atmosphere between the two. Tang Yin's tone was not loud, but every word was clear, as if announcing the beginning of a game.

Hualu was stunned for a moment, her face changing from surprise to panic, and finally turning a deep red. She opened her mouth as if to defend herself, but only a few stuttering syllables came out: "T-that...that...I'm...I'm sorry."

Tang Yin sighed softly, his smile growing even deeper. He leaned forward slightly, his tone somewhat nonchalant, "—Therefore, I hope to change the rules."

He paused, as if waiting for Hua Lu's response. Seeing that she was still stunned, he continued to speak to himself: "Right, is this okay?"

"Uh-that..." Hualu's face was as red as if blood was about to drip out, and her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.

Tang Yin's eyes softened, with a hint of teasing, yet still serious: "As long as you don't hide those unpleasant secrets, Tang Yin will trust Hua Lu."

Hualu's body trembled slightly, as if she was struck by something. She raised her head, her eyes filled with a bit of confusion and a hint of panic.

"I will live for Hua Lu," Tang Yin said slowly, his tone extremely firm, "You will also live for Tang Yin."

His voice was so clear in the mist that it seemed unreal, and Hualu's expression gradually became complicated. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she bit her lower lip and said nothing.

Tang Yin smiled, a hint of joy in his tone: "Besides, if we all survive..."

He paused, looking directly into Hua Lu's eyes, as if declaring some kind of agreement: "You can ask Tang Yin for anything, and I can ask Hua Lu for anything."

"——How about it, do you want to make a bet with me?" Tang Yin's tone was relaxed, but with a hint of power that could not be refused.

Hualu's body trembled continuously, her face flushed redder and redder. Her tears gleamed in the thick fog, and her shoulders shook unconsciously, as if she was overwhelmed by some indescribable emotion.

"I'm too late, too slow, that's why I have such a misunderstanding." She said intermittently, her voice choked with sobs, "You mean, that..."

Tang Yin didn't let her finish her words. He took a step forward, stretched out his arms and hugged her tightly.

"How could I just abandon you and walk away like this?" Tang Yin whispered, his tone tinged with frivolity yet sincerity. "It would be such a waste to miss out on a delicious woman like you."

He lowered his head and whispered in Hualu's ear: "--So, you must survive no matter what."

Hua Lu's breathing was a little rapid, and her warm breath gently brushed against Tang Yin's neck. Her body trembled slightly, as if she was struggling, but she didn't really push him away.

"Okay, how about it?" Tang Yin smiled slightly, with a hint of teasing in his tone, "Do you want to make a bet with me?"

The two of them were pressed tightly together, and Tang Yin could clearly feel her breath. The warm breath seeped through his clothes and seeped into his body bit by bit, like some kind of invisible brand.

The thick fog surrounded them, hiding their figures, but it could not conceal the intertwined emotions.

"No, no, you have to run away. Ah, eh?" Hua Lu waved her hands frantically, her voice trembling. Her cheeks flushed with emotion, her eyes filled with anxiety. "You're so cute, Hua Lu," Tang Yin whispered, a playful smile playing on his lips. His gaze was as focused as a hunter's gaze on his prey, with a hint of aggression.

He really wanted to eat her right now.

"However, let's save the main course for later." Tang Yin suddenly lowered his head and moved closer to her. There was a hint of ridicule in his tone, but it was impossible to ignore the subtle pressure behind his words.

"Not... now..." Hua Lu's voice became weaker, as if she was suffocated by his aura.

"After you win the bet," Tang Yin's voice softened, but his gaze still pierced her heart like a knife. "Come back and claim your stake. Okay, Hua Lu?"

He slowly tightened his arms around her, as if to let her feel his presence, as if silently declaring something.

In the end, Hualu lowered her head and nodded slightly, accepting the bet as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

……

After parting with Hua Lu, Tang Yin stood in the misty alley, gazing at her retreating figure. Her silhouette gradually blurred in the thick fog, as if it would be swallowed up at any moment. Tang Yin raised his hand to touch his chin, a cold glint in his eyes.

In this case, we must protect her well this time.

After returning to his room, Tang Yin lit the lamp on his desk. The dim light cast mottled shadows across the room. He leaned back in his chair, his hands folded over his chest, his gaze as calm as water as he began to process the situation.

Zhao Gang... is currently in a more crucial position than he was yesterday. Just like Madam Chen Xiang, the situation is becoming increasingly delicate. If Zhao Gang goes berserk, perhaps only Elder Gao can temporarily suppress him. But if the situation develops to that point, it could be fatal.

**Qian Jin...** Xiaoliang mentioned him at the banquet today. He's a guy who easily draws all the attention, like a human vote-getter. If you're really torn, it's better to just vote for him. Maybe you can even conceal some key information.

As for Xia Hui... she'd clearly been placed on the execution list. Old Man Gao's attitude had profoundly influenced her, and everyone now almost assumed she belonged to the enemy camp. Executing her seemed like a logical decision.

But on the other hand, the situation has also changed.

Xiaoliang, the intuitive young man who relentlessly pursues Tang Yin, is becoming a force to be reckoned with. And Xiaomei, seemingly unrelated to the banquet, may hold clues to the "death regression phenomenon." While verifying her identity today might seem a bit selfish, Tang Yin makes no attempt to conceal his motives.

He looked down at the table, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the wooden surface.

This is a world where selfishness means life and selflessness means death.

Tang Yin chuckled, a hint of self-mockery in his smile. Asking him to live selflessly? This in itself was a very cruel request, and he had never considered himself a selfless person.

Under the dim light, his eyes gradually became deep and cold.

"Since it's a gamble, let's gamble to the end."

Madam Chen Xiang, Master Wolf, and Qin Yi.

Tang Yin repeated these names over and over in his mind, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, as if sorting out every detail. Madam Chen Xiang… if her son died, she'd definitely go berserk. Regardless of whether she was a wolf or not, it would be a waste to verify her identity now. And Qin Yi—though that guy had a bad temper, his influence on the entire banquet was almost negligible. As for Master Wolf? His behavior these past few days had been completely random, completely illogical.

Eliminate them from your options today.

Tang Yin lowered his head, his gaze falling on the paper in his hands. After a moment's hesitation, he picked up his pen and wrote the words "Qian Jin." This man, as Xiao Liang had said, was a "human ticket-sucking machine." Perhaps examining him would provide some clues to the situation ahead.

Placing the written name next to his pillow, he breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he concealed his snake identity and gradually investigated the others, he could stabilize the situation and gain more space for the human camp.

He closed his eyes, and his tired thoughts were quickly swallowed by darkness.

……

The next morning, Tang Yin woke up from a light sleep and saw a note beside his pillow with today's test results: Qian Jin was a human.

Tang Yin stared at these words, his brows furrowed slightly. It seems the wolves didn't attack him last night. Does this mean that, aside from Qin Ming and Xiao Liang, no one else has any suspicions of him yet? If the wolves let him go for now, then perhaps he still has some value.

Just as he was thinking, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the house. Tang Yin raised his head, but before he could react, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Zhao Gang appeared at the door.

He stood on the threshold, his expression terrifyingly gloomy. The bloodshot in his eyes was like a torn web, shrouded in deep resentment. His left hand tightly gripped a hoe, the handle shaking slightly from the force. He said nothing, simply staring at Tang Yin with murderous eyes.

It would be troublesome if he went crazy.

Tang Yin's throat tightened slightly, and he subconsciously adjusted his breathing. He glanced at the angle of the hoe in Zhao Gang's hand, trying to calculate how much time he had to strike back. Fear spread from his chest to his limbs, but his expression remained calm, and his tone was calm: "...What do you want to talk to me about?"

The corner of Zhao Gang's mouth twitched. He took a step forward, the hoe slightly raised in his hand, like a beast ready to pounce.

"Two people died this morning." Zhao Gang's voice was low, as if squeezed through his teeth. His eyes swept across Tang Yin's face like a knife. "You said yesterday that you voted for me to protect me, right?"

He paused, raised his hoe and waved it, sneering, "What on earth do you mean? Explain it to me clearly!"

Tang Yin's heart tightened. As expected, things were heading in this direction.

"...I knew it would turn out like this." Tang Yin muttered to himself, forcing a smile. He looked at Zhao Gang steadily, trying to figure out his intentions.

You have to guess what he is thinking, otherwise, your head will probably be pierced by a hoe.

Zhao Gang's hands were already trembling slightly. Clearly, the anger and doubts he'd felt all night had nearly pushed him to the brink of collapse. Tang Yin knew there was only one choice at this point: make Zhao Gang accept his answer.

"Zhao Gang," Tang Yin said, trying to remain calm, "If you listen to me, perhaps we still have a chance to survive."

(End of this chapter)