I'm bad, but players love me

However, everyone has a lucky mentality. Mina was still there to comfort herself, thinking that maybe Yun Shuo was just speaking harshly and there was no deep meaning.

She stared intently at Yun Shuo's fingers moving. Yun Shuo's gesture for holding the cards was different from Mina's. He didn't touch the corners of the cards, but slid them halfway across the back like he was stroking silk and then flipped them over.

Good, he didn't notice. After seeing the other party's flip gesture, Mina breathed a sigh of relief.

But Yun Shuo guessed right.

"9 o'clock." It was the club card at 9 o'clock.

It's okay, it's just luck, Mina continued to hypnotize herself.

"11 points, 1 point, J..." Similar to Mina, Yun Shuo's speed of flipping the cards was getting faster and faster, but unlike Mina, he did not make any mistakes.

Mina stared blankly at the last card being dropped lightly on the table by Yun Shuo. Unconsciously, her ten fingers had cut into wounds on her palms, but she did not feel any pain.

"Why?" Her lips moved continuously, but in the end, all she could say was this puzzled question, "How is this possible? How is this possible?!"

"Mina," her friend hurried forward to support her, "calm down. Remember what you said? He wouldn't dare. Even if the nobles were watching, so what? The arm can't bend the thigh. If you don't want to give it to him, can he still force it? How can he do that? He's the one who broke the rules today, and everyone will understand. Okay, calm down."

Chapter 26: I know you are unhappy

Yes, even if I lose, so what? Mina closed her eyes tightly. Although her face was still pale, she had recovered from her panic. She straightened her clothes and raised her head proudly. "It seems that I have indeed lost. Goodbye, then."

After saying that, she slowly pushed her chair away and prepared to leave without mentioning the bets at all.

But Yun Shuo spoke from behind her, and with just one sentence, she stopped herself from leaving. "Aren't you curious about why you lost?"

Mina turned around slowly like a card machine. It was so quiet that she could almost hear the grinding of her spine. "I'm really not curious at all."

Crazy! What does this lunatic want to do? Does he really want to expose his cheating?

The people around them gradually began to chat.

"What's wrong with this guy? Is he really going to take those bets?"

"Wasn't it Mina who started the bet?"

"Don't be silly. Mina is a hot young talent these days. Look at that clueless young man across from you. Does it matter who started the bet? It's obvious who's clinging to whom."

"Then how dare he do this?"

"So he's just a fool. Just wait, this kid's life is going to be tough. I just hope Mina can have some pity on him. After all, he's a noble. If he ends up living like a commoner, it would be a disgrace to our nobility."

Listen, everyone thinks so! Mina suddenly felt confident. She glanced at Yun Shuo, who was sitting steadily in the distance, with disdain, and turned around, but bumped into Ella.

Mina was startled and quickly knelt on one knee to apologize. "This is all my fault, Master Ella. I regret my negligence."

But she wasn't worried about Ella punishing her. Half a month ago, she had received the blessing of Mani, the God of Machinery. That alone didn't mean Ella could punish her in public.

The fact was just as she thought. Ella smiled kindly and helped Mina up herself. "It's not a big deal, Mina."

But before Mina could rejoice at the honor of being helped up personally, Ella's next words made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. "I'm just a little curious about your bet. Why don't you let Yun Shuo finish his story? I think everyone is very interested, right?"

Since the young city lord spoke personally, who would dare not be interested? Most of them nodded in agreement and were more obedient than dead fish.

Mina had no choice but to sit back with an awkward smile, "Please speak. Your Excellency Yun Shuo!" she said through gritted teeth.

"You shouldn't let a work of art be used as gambling equipment." Yun Shuo picked up a card and gestured to everyone, "One of the requirements for gambling equipment is that there can't be overly obvious differences, especially with playing cards. But this deck clearly fails to meet this requirement. The state of the paint will be different at different times. You're losing at your own expense."

With a twist of his fingers, the card turned over and it turned out to be the Joker card that had just been put aside by the servant. The finely carved Joker looked at Mina with his fangs and claws bared, who had a sullen face and remained silent.

What else could she say at this moment? Ella had already sided with Yun Shuo. No matter how much she tried to defend herself, it would only make her look more ridiculous, just like the "clown" in Yun Shuo's hand.

Ella didn't say anything, nor did she allow Mina to leave. Instead, she waited quietly for Yun Shuo's next words.

Even she could see the poor skills, so she didn't believe that Yun Shuo, who was obviously immersed in casinos, would not be able to see it.

And this was the moment she had been waiting for—the moment to make Mina completely embarrassed.

Yun Shuo glanced at Ella lightly and picked up the 21st card that Mina hadn't guessed correctly. "I'm sorry, I seem to have accidentally ruined your precious deck."

The thick gold painting on the 21st card was flattened by Yun Shuo with his fingernails, and the glittering real gold paint was still between his thumb nails.

"You see, I cheated, so... it's a draw."

When Ella stood up for Yun Shuo, she had already anticipated her own ending. Even if she didn't have to pay the full amount of those bets, she would probably have to pay most of them. In addition, she had lost face in front of everyone, and she would probably not be able to show up at anyone's party for the next six months.

Naturally, there would be no more cliques or factions. Perhaps his recent behavior had indeed been too arrogant, forcing Ella to personally step in and give him a heads-up.

So, when Yun Shuo defined the bet between the two as a draw, and even described Mina's cheating as a cheating act of destroying the gambling equipment, Mina raised her head and looked at the man steadily.

"This doesn't seem like cheating." Ella couldn't help but say.

They had finally completed the suppression of Mina without bloodshed, but Yun Shuo suddenly intervened at this moment and turned against them, which made Ella very puzzled.

"Destroying gambling equipment is considered cheating. Otherwise, what about those who leave fingernail marks on playing cards?" In fact, the rule in the casino is that cheaters lose immediately, but Yun Shuo knows that his so-called "draw" cannot be refuted as his "loss" by anyone.

Mina would be there, grateful for her survival, and Ella would definitely not let Yun Shuo lose to boost Mina's morale.

After the crowd dispersed, Ella looked at Yun Shuo with resentment. "What's wrong with you?"

Why is he always like this! As if doing something that even slightly pleases her can do anything to him.

But Yun Shuo seemed to have seen what she was thinking. He laughed sarcastically, "Sir Ella, we are not in the same group. We are from opposing camps. What's wrong with me? I want to make you unhappy. You want me to work for you wholeheartedly? Don't you think it's funny?"

"But you saved me..."

"Save you? Lord Ella, how can there be a favor that the rescuer doesn't mention, but the rescued keeps talking about it all the time? If you want to hear some good words, please move your seat and go over there where there are more people." Yun Shuo glanced at Setash who was hiding openly on the side. Ella followed Yun Shuo's eyes and looked, but there was nothing there.

"You'd better take care of your flying eyes first!" After saying that, Ella left angrily.

Oh, is Ella really blind or is she just pretending to be blind? Yun Shuo straightened up at once and glanced suspiciously at Setash again.

How can such a big person pretend not to see? Or does this person have some way to make one person see and another person not see?

Chapter 27: Good Brother, Don’t Stab Me

As Yun Shuo stared at him intently, Sai Taishi slowly walked out of that "feng shui treasure land" and said, "Don't get me wrong, it's just an ordinary visual illusion. I don't have any strange tricks."

Just like her elegant and gentle appearance, he spoke a short paragraph in a gentle and polite manner, which made people feel close to him - he really seemed to be the kind-hearted and foolish good person that others talked about.

"Mr. Setashi." Yun Shuo said hello politely and stopped talking. He just continued to hold his red teacup, and it was obvious that he was waiting for the other party to leave.

But how could Setash miss such a good opportunity?

He sat directly on the chair opposite Yun Shuo. Mina's poker cards had been taken away by the servants long ago, but the thrilling gambling game was still fresh in people's memory.

Especially the famous scene where Yun Shuo suddenly made Ella unhappy at the end. Looking at Ella's angry face that had to endure it, Saitaishi almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

Saitaishi said directly without hesitation: "How about working with me? It's better to live under my command than to work under a woman."

"Oh?" Yun Shuo looked at the other person in surprise and asked, "It seems that the rules of this world are not like this, right?"

"Then change it. Rules are dead, but people are alive. If a living person can't even change the rules, then he might as well be dead."

Setash wasn't targeting anyone; he was simply insulting the old city lord, a worthless wretch who "occupies the toilet without doing anything." He had clearly taken the position of city lord as a man, but for all these years, he had done nothing but enjoy life and maintain these corrupt rules.

No, it seems you have a rebellious heart, don't you? "You trust me so much?" Yun Shuo took a sip of tea to hide his panic. Are all these nobles so honest? "Aren't you afraid that I'll turn around and tell on you?"

Setaishi looked straight at him and asked fearlessly, "Can you do it? With your status, can you do it?"

"So do you want to win over just me, or all the people behind me?" Yun Shuo hinted.

If everyone is a traitor, then what is this? This is my family! My half-brother!

He suddenly had a good idea: if this person wanted to rebel, he would rebel too. Although their destinations might be different, this person could give him a ride along the way.

"Everything behind you?" Setash lowered his brows, took off his monocle, wiped it again and again, put it back on, and then lowered his voice and asked quietly, "Are you from the ELO organization?"

After getting Yun Shuo's nod, he suppressed his anger and asked again: "Then why did you save her last time?"

"You sent someone to assassinate me?"

"Yes."

"I'm under her control now. If she dies, how can I survive? Besides, I didn't know you sent me. I thought it was a popular practice among nobles to assassinate each other. We want equality for all, not instability. Who knows if the next city lord will be even worse?"

"You mean Ella's okay?"

"Is it interesting to randomly sort the garbage here into different categories?" Yun Shuo asked.

As expected, he is a person who came from the slums. Whenever something happens, he thinks about how to save his life.

Setash looked coldly at the frivolous, vulgar man before him and thought: Aren't all ELO members like this? They act out of pure passion, but when the sword or the gun is actually coming at them, they tremble and decide to betray.

But... "Let's cooperate. But this is only one-sided. To be honest, I really hope you can have a say in the ELO organization." Setaishi quickly suppressed his coldness, put on his friendly look again, and said to Yun Shuo with a smile.

Yun Shuo's eyes were fixed on him. His dark pupils shone in the sunlight, like a small pond in the forest. People could only see its surface but knew nothing about what was underneath.

He also smiled and said, "Of course, Master Setash. But... you have to do me a favor first."

"What?" Setash asked.

"I have to go out, but Lord Ella has someone watching me."

Setash had already planned to use the banquet as a cover, firstly to assassinate Ella, and secondly to meet Yun Shuo, although the surprise Yun Shuo gave him was indeed too big, so big that it was somewhat beyond his expectations.

But Setash was still a little worried. He looked around vigilantly out of the corner of his eye.

What a vigilant target! It seems I should be more vigilant too. Yun Shuo quickly said, "Don't get me wrong, don't get me wrong. Ella isn't watching me all the time; she just wants to make sure I'm at the banquet. After all, who would have thought that you vested interests would be planning a rebellion?"

This is not the same as that, Yun Shuo. Saitaishi said lightly: "No problem. How about another assassination? Just don't save her this time."

"If she dies, the ELO organization will be useless."

"How could that be? I need enough power, and ELO will be my strength, right?" Setash looked at him with a look that could see straight to the heart. "Of course, I won't treat you unfairly when the time comes. Cori City needs more new nobles. Those restless old bastards, damn them, just die."

"I'll try to tell the commander."

"It's not about trying your best, but about making sure." Saitaishi pressed on, "Wait for good news."

He pointed to the end of the garden and said, "At the end of that place, there is a small door for the servants to enter and exit. Behind the door are their spare clothes."

After saying that, Saitaishi stood up and ceremoniously said goodbye to Yun Shuo, "Please wait patiently for the wonderful performance in a while."

Yun Shuo's smile disappeared the moment Saitaishi left. "System, you said that the whitewashing value can change the settings, right?"

[Host, you finally remembered me! Theoretically, it's possible, but the requirements for whitewashing are so high that I can only say it's theoretically feasible. So, host, if you want to change any settings, I advise you not to think too much.]

"Theoretically speaking... is it definitely impossible?"

Please acknowledge that you are merely a character within the game. Just like how gods cannot exist in a world without them, this is a fundamental principle. Do you think the game company will change it at will?

"I know, I'm just curious." Yun Shuo smiled and evaded the question, "So, you're pretty useless."

It is not very harmful and extremely insulting.

Chapter 28: Aren’t players the protagonists?

"My goodness, can I listen to this without paying?" Ah Dai tiptoed out from behind, "What should I do next? Should I choose a side?"

[Here it comes, the standard eavesdropping scene in a melodrama has been successfully triggered.]

[No, in this case, are you sure this "Sataish" is just an ordinary yandere? ]

[The Ugly Land should give our Ah Dai a new achievement - Hidden Plot Discoverer. I've watched several streamers who've taken the Saitaishi route, and they've either started a tragic love story or started playing some weird games. Only our Ah Dai is upright and has started to take the Machiavellian route.]

[Who in the family understands? Our Ah Dai can only hold Lumi and cry in the dark corner.]

[To be honest, is it because of Yun Shuo? ]

[That's right, it seems like every time he runs into him, Ah Dai loses a new wife.]

[The succubus is confirmed! ]

"That's not the problem. The question is what should I choose?" After completing the "Eavesdropping" side quest, Ah Dai will have an additional "Report" option when he meets Ella again and chats with her.

[I, your concubine, would like to expose Sai Taishi for adultery and defilement of the harem. His crime is unforgivable!]

[If I report it, Setash's favorability will drop, right? Also, as a four-star character that can be obtained, it might get Butterfly Dropped. I saw a streamer see a four-star character in the slums before, but they ignored it at the time and haven't seen it since.]

It's really easy to die in the slums. I remember there was a three-star character among the civilians who was secretly selling weapons. Then Ah Dai said he'd come back to the strategy, and then the shop simply closed. The shop was quite close to the slums, so I guess it disappeared after he died.

"Indeed, I feel that Ella will kill him directly after reporting it..." Ah Dai thought about it again and again and decided to give up this dangerous idea.

"Let's play it safe. Everyone, please enjoy my 'hero saving the beauty' segment! I don't believe Yun Shuo can still snatch her away like this, okay? With all due respect, after this, Ella's favorability rating will definitely rise sharply, right?"

Ah Dai then simply stood next to Ella, "I just don't believe it. Even though I'm not qualified to go to the temple to pray, my stats aren't better than Yun Shuo's. What's Yun Shuo's bullet dodging? I can just catch bullets with my bare hands!"

[It's over, Ah Dai has fallen to the point of competing with the villain NPC's stats.]

[A-Dai is obedient, but we can't compete with him on this point. This is more embarrassing than losing or winning.]