diskusbooks #619 - Chapter 619
#619 - Chapter 619
Hualu's voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable firmness. "I'm not doing this to gain your gratitude, nor for comforting words in return."
Her gaze fell upon Tang Yin, her eyes seemingly filled with countless unspoken emotions amidst the swirling mist. "As a descendant of a chambermaid who must see her guests off, as a woman who admires you…" Her voice paused slightly, then she took a deep breath as if steeling herself. "Mr. Tang Yin, I hope you can live safely."
Tang Yin was slightly taken aback; his face appeared even more indistinct in the mist. He didn't speak, simply listening quietly, as if waiting for Hualu to continue.
"You have no reason to die here; you have your own place to return to." Hualu's voice lowered, but her tone became even more resolute. "…It's alright, even if you have lies, even if owing favors means sacrificing yourself for this mountain, it's unfair."
Her words were like a gentle blade, slowly cutting through Tang Yin's silence.
"So, I will help you escape." Hualu looked directly at him, her gaze filled with an emotion that could almost be called determination.
Tang Yin's eyes flickered slightly. **Could it be that she knows a way to leave this place?** The thought instantly surged into his mind. He wanted to ask, but the words were swallowed back down.
"Please don't say anymore." He said softly, his tone calm but with a hint of undeniable resolve.
Hualu's expression changed slightly, seemingly surprised by his refusal, but soon, a hint of undisguised sorrow surfaced in her eyes. "…Even knowing that you might lose your life?"
The corner of Tang Yin's mouth quirked up slightly, but his smile was chillingly cold: "Am I going to die?"
Hualu shook her head, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper to herself: "No. It's just that, if things continue like this, one day, you will…"
Tang Yin's gaze sharpened. He stared at Hualu, his tone adding a hint of scrutiny: "Hualu, are you still hiding something from me?"
Hualu froze, her expression instantly becoming complex. Her lips pursed slightly, as if wanting to explain, but she hesitated.
Tang Yin narrowed his eyes, his tone becoming more certain: "You've always known that as long as you give up your thoughts and desires, give up yourself, you can help someone else escape from here."
These words were like a cold light, piercing straight into Hualu's heart.
"…However, you're also struggling with whether or not to do it, right?" Tang Yin took a step closer, the thick fog swirling at his feet, his voice low and calm. "Whether to abandon the Hualu family's duty and help someone escape, or to stay in Hidden Mist Village until the very end, upholding the Hualu family's responsibilities."
Hualu opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She lowered her head, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her fingertips turning white from the excessive force.
"After some struggle," Tang Yin continued, his tone revealing a hint of merciless analysis, "you finally decided to use theoretical reasoning to convince yourself that letting me escape is the right choice, and also your own wish."
His voice lowered slightly, like a slowly drawn blade: "You want me to feel that as long as I'm alright, it doesn't matter what happens to you."
Hualu's body trembled slightly. The mist concealed her expression, but her silence had already said everything.
The fog grew thicker, like an invisible wall, separating the two in their respective worlds.
"I can't accept this kind of approach." Tang Yin narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curving into a half-smile. His voice was low, carrying a hint of playfulness, yet revealing an undeniable power.
His gaze fell on Hualu, as if observing her every subtle reaction. Then, he shook his head gently, his tone adding a hint of ease: "I prefer to make my own rules."
These words carried a deliberate provocation, breaking the originally heavy atmosphere between them. Tang Yin's tone wasn't high, but every word was clear, as if declaring the start of a game.
Hualu was stunned for a moment, her expression changing from surprise to panic, finally turning into a flush of red. She opened her mouth, as if wanting to defend herself, but only stammered out a few disjointed syllables: "Th-that… that… I'm… I'm sorry."
Tang Yin sighed softly, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening. He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance: "—Therefore, I hope to change the rules a little."
He paused, as if waiting for Hualu's response. Seeing that she was still frozen in place, he continued on his own: "Right, is that alright?"
"Uh—that…" Hualu's face was as red as if it were bleeding, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
Tang Yin's gaze softened slightly, carrying a hint of teasing, yet without losing his sincerity: "As long as you don't hide those unpleasant secrets, Tang Yin will trust Hualu."
Hualu's body trembled slightly, as if struck by something in those words. She raised her head, her gaze carrying a hint of bewilderment, mixed with a trace of panic.
"I will live for Hualu," Tang Yin said slowly, his tone incredibly certain, "and you will live for Tang Yin."
His voice was clear in the mist, almost unreal, while Hualu's expression gradually became complex. Her lips trembled slightly, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she bit her lower lip, saying nothing.
Tang Yin smiled, his tone revealing a hint of lightness: "And, if we both survive…"
He paused, looking directly into Hualu's eyes, as if announcing some kind of agreement: "You can make any request to Tang Yin, and I can make any request to Hualu."
"—How about it, want to make a bet with me?" Tang Yin's tone was relaxed, but it carried a force that couldn't be refused.
Hualu's body trembled constantly, her face becoming increasingly red. Her tears sparkled in the thick fog, her shoulders shaking involuntarily, as if bearing some indescribable emotion.
"I'm too… too slow-witted to have… such a misunderstanding." She said intermittently, her voice with a hint of choking, "Your… meaning… is… that…"
Tang Yin didn't let her finish speaking. He took a step forward and reached out to hug her tightly.
"How could I just abandon you and leave?" Tang Yin said softly, his tone carrying a hint of flippancy, yet without losing his sincerity. "It would be too wasteful to miss out on a delicious woman like you."
He lowered his head and whispered in Hualu's ear: "—So, you must live, no matter what."
Hualu's breathing was a little rapid, her warm breath gently brushing against Tang Yin's neck. Her body trembled slightly, as if struggling, yet she didn't really push him away.
"Alright, how about it?" Tang Yin smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Want to make a bet with me?"
The two were pressed close together, and Tang Yin could clearly feel her breath, the warm air seeping into his body through his clothes, like some kind of invisible brand.
The thick fog surrounded them, obscuring their figures, but it couldn't hide the intertwined emotions.
"No, no, you must escape, ah, eh?" Hualu waved her hands in a panic, her voice mixed with trembling, her cheeks flushed red from the excitement, her eyes full of urgency.
"You're too cute, Hualu." Tang Yin said softly, the corner of his mouth raised in a playful smile. His gaze was as focused as a predator staring at its 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, approaching her, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, yet making it impossible to ignore the hidden pressure behind his words.
"Not… now…" Hualu's voice weakened, as if she was suffocating under his aura.
"When the bet is won," Tang Yin's voice softened a bit, but his gaze was still like a knife, piercing straight into her heart, "you can ask for your wager then. Okay, Hualu?"
He slowly tightened his arms around her, as if to let her feel his presence, and also as if silently declaring something.
In the end, Hualu lowered her head and nodded slightly, as if resigned to accepting the bet.
…
After separating from Hualu, Tang Yin stood in the misty alley, gazing at her departing figure. Her figure gradually blurred in the thick fog, as if she might be swallowed up at any moment. Tang Yin raised his hand and touched his chin, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
In that case, he must protect her this time.
After returning to his room, Tang Yin lit the lamp on the table, the dim yellow light casting mottled shadows in the room. He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together in front of his chest, his gaze as calm as water, and began to sort out the current situation.
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**Zhao Gang…** is currently in a more important position than yesterday, just like Madam Chen Xiang last time, and the situation is becoming more and more delicate. And if Zhao Gang goes crazy, I'm afraid only Uncle Gao can temporarily suppress him. But if the situation develops to that point, people might die.
**Qian Jin…** Xiao Liang mentioned him at the banquet today. He's a guy who can easily attract everyone's attention, like a human-shaped ticket-sucking machine. If you're really torn, it might be better to just vote for him, maybe you can use it to cover up some key information.
As for **Xia Hui…** she has obviously been put on the execution list. Uncle Gao's attitude has a profound impact on her, and everyone now almost defaults that she belongs to the enemy camp. Executing her seems like a natural decision.
But on the other hand, there are new changes in the situation.
Xiao Liang, who has keen intuition, the boy who has been chasing after Tang Yin, is gradually becoming an existence that cannot be ignored. And Xiao Mei, who seems to be unrelated to the banquet, may have clues about the "death rewind phenomenon". It did seem a bit selfish to check her identity today, but Tang Yin doesn't intend to hide his motives.
He looked down at the table, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the wooden surface.
This is a world where selfishness leads to life, and unselfishness leads to death.
Tang Yin chuckled softly, his smile with a hint of self-deprecation. Asking him to live unselfishly? That in itself is a very cruel request, and he has never felt that he is an unselfish person.
In the dim yellow light, his gaze gradually became deep and cold.
"Since it's a bet, then let's bet to the end."
Madam Chen Xiang, Wolf Grandpa, Qin Yi.
Tang Yin repeated these names in his mind again and again, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, as if sorting out every detail. **Madam Chen Xiang… if her son dies, she will definitely go crazy.** Whether she is a wolf or not, it would be too wasteful to check her identity now. As for Qin Yi—that guy is grumpy, but his influence on the entire banquet is almost negligible. As for Wolf Grandpa? His behavior these days has been completely random voting, with no logic at all.
Let's exclude them from the options today.
Tang Yin lowered his head, his gaze falling on the paper in his hand. After hesitating for a moment, he picked up his pen and wrote the words "Qian Jin". This person, just as Xiao Liang said, is a "human-shaped ticket-sucking machine". Perhaps, checking him can bring some clear clues to the next situation.
Putting the written name next to his pillow, he breathed a slight sigh of relief in his heart. As long as he hides his snake identity while gradually checking others, he can stabilize the situation and win more space for the human camp.
He closed his eyes, and his tired thoughts were soon swallowed by darkness.
…
The next morning, Tang Yin woke up from a light sleep, and the verification result of today appeared on the note next to his pillow: Qian Jin is human.
Tang Yin stared at these words, his brow furrowed slightly. **It seems the wolf camp didn't attack me last night.** Does this mean that, apart from Qin Ming and Xiao Liang, others don't suspect me for the time being? If the wolves have temporarily let him go, then maybe 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, and before he could react, the door was pushed open violently.
Zhao Gang's figure appeared at the door.
He stood on the threshold, his expression terribly gloomy, the bloodshot eyes like torn nets, shrouded in a deep resentment. His left hand was tightly gripping a hoe, the handle shaking slightly from the force. He didn't say anything, just stared at Tang Yin with those 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 fight back. A sense of fear spread from his chest to his limbs, but his expression was still calm, and his tone was calm: "…Do you need something from me?"
The corner of Zhao Gang's mouth twitched. He took a step forward, the hoe in his hand raised slightly, like a beast ready to pounce.
"Two people died this morning." Zhao Gang's voice was low, as if squeezed out from between his teeth. His gaze swept across Tang Yin's face like a knife. "You said yesterday that you voted for me to protect me, right?"
He paused, raised the hoe and waved it, and sneered: "Tell me clearly what you mean!"
Tang Yin's heart tightened. Sure enough, things were still developing in this direction.
"…I knew it would turn out like this." Tang Yin whispered to himself, barely squeezing out a smile. His gaze was steadily fixed on Zhao Gang, trying to figure out the other party's intentions.
He must guess his thoughts, otherwise, his head may be hoed open.
Zhao Gang's hand was already trembling slightly, obviously, the anger and doubts of this whole night had almost pushed him to the brink of collapse. Tang Yin knew very well that at this time there was only one choice: to make Zhao Gang accept his answer.
"Zhao Gang," Tang Yin began, her voice striving to remain calm, "if you listen to what I have to say, perhaps we still have a chance to survive."