Small Scheme

By the time Yimo had finished chatting with everyone, it was already five in the afternoon.

He had also formed some preliminary judgments.

To put it bluntly, on the first day of the game, there was no way to vote a player out, and the werewolves could only act and kill at night.

Yimo did not want others to think he was too capable, so he called everyone over and suggested holding a bonfire party.

In the Death Game, a suggestion like Yimo's was probably a first for everyone else. It was especially bizarre.

But then again, perhaps it was a good way for Yimo to win people over.

And somehow, they really did get it going.

Even Ferryman, who had been arguing with Yimo, rubbed his nose and nodded in agreement. "In a company, it's necessary to foster a harmonious atmosphere among team members and organize activities regularly."

Not to mention that, apart from Ordinary Girl Village Chief, the other girls were all on Yimo's side. There was also Supreme One, his bootlicker; Boss Qian, who helped prove Yimo's identity; Old Du Liu, the oldest among them; True Martial Emperor, who firmly trusted Yimo; and Cthulhu, who listened to whatever anyone said.

The food was nothing special, and there was no alcohol. Eating flatbread with steamed buns was even more ridiculous.

Yet somehow, for a short while, they seemed to forget that this was a Death Game and that they would soon be fighting each other to the death.

Old Du Liu stood beside the bonfire and cupped his hands toward everyone. "Haha, all of you are quite a bit younger than this old man, but here, let's treat one another as equals."

"Outside, I run a martial arts school. I'm the master of a certain school of Tai Chi. Today, I'll embarrass myself a little and perform the Lightning Five Consecutive Strikes."

"Heh... hehehehe!"

As he spoke, he did not hold back and went straight into it, making everyone laugh until they clutched their stomachs.

Pikachu covered her stomach and laughed loudly. "Hahaha, old man, you really look like you have some skill, but you don't have the same entertaining flair as Master Ma!"

Hearing this, Old Du Liu cupped his hands and smiled. "Haha... This old man's kung fu does have some foundation, after all. It's completely natural."

Hearing that, True Martial Emperor hurried over. "Oh my, Master Du, you really do have some ability. I studied martial arts under a master for several years when I was young. I can tell."

"You're already so old, yet you're still joking around with us. I really admire you." As True Martial Emperor spoke, he insisted on showing off a special skill of his own.

What skill was that?

As a professional moving man, True Martial Emperor was going to demonstrate lifting a massive bronze cauldron.

But when he looked around, there was nothing especially heavy. Embarrassed, he walked over to Pikachu and said, "Big sis, how about letting me lift you?"

Pikachu weighed more than two hundred pounds, making her the heaviest person there. Hearing that, she immediately became unhappy. "Big brother, are you trying to die?"

True Martial Emperor was put in an awkward position. At last, unable to withstand everyone's jeering, he gritted his teeth and reached out to lift Pikachu.

"Roar!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Big brother, take it slow!!!"

True Martial Emperor was broad and muscular, but Pikachu was simply too heavy. He failed to lift her in one go, and his face turned red from straining.

Still, his strength was no joke. Like a weightlifter, he sucked in three breaths, let out a great roar, and finally managed to lift her.

Everyone around them applauded and cheered.

True Martial Emperor's head grew hot, and he was no longer embarrassed. Instead, Pikachu blushed and patted his back with her bear-paw-like hands, making loud smacking sounds. "All right, all right! You lifted me, so that's enough!"

"I don't think you should work as a moving man anymore. If we can get out alive, come work at my restaurant. You can help me buy and carry ingredients."

True Martial Emperor put Pikachu down and scratched his head. "Well, if your pay is higher, and we happen to live in the same city, I could do that, haha... The food at a restaurant should be pretty good..."

After their performances, the two really did start chatting together.

The atmosphere was lively, but Conan was the only one who did not fit in.

He could not understand it.

How could everyone be having so much fun in this Death Game?

He was still thinking about how to win the game. When he saw another person who did not fit in, Ordinary Girl Village Chief, sitting alone beneath a tree, he decided to win her over and work with her against Yimo.

"Miss, you and I have both been excluded from the others. Our situation is the most dangerous."

"How about we cooperate, find out who the wolf is, and clear the game together?"

Conan thought there was nothing wrong with what he had said.

But Ordinary Girl had a gloomy, deadpan expression. She looked up at him from the corner of her eye and said, "You're the one who's been excluded from everyone else. Don't drag me into it."

"As for me, I excluded everyone else. I don't want to fit in. Don't come here trying to make small talk. How disgusting!"

"Tch! Who are you calling your little sister? You smug, dead bookworm!"

Uh...

However, Ordinary Girl was not ordinary in one respect. She was extremely sharp-tongued, and after mocking Conan thoroughly, she left him completely dumbfounded.

After slinking away, he tried to secretly continue dividing the others.

Ordinary Girl Village Chief was truly a tough bone to chew.

Not to mention Conan—even Yimo had no good way of dealing with her for now. He could only secretly pray that she was not a wolf!

As for Yimo?

He chatted and bragged with several people, saying that he played games at home and that people had given him the nickname "Tyrant of Zaun," and so on. He made himself sound incredibly impressive and talked nonstop.

When the time seemed right and the others began to grow impatient, he found an opportunity to move over to Naughty Cat.

At that moment, Naughty Cat was sitting with Dieyu, chatting in low voices.

When Dieyu saw Yimo approaching, she exchanged a glance with him, covered her mouth, and giggled. Then she patted Naughty Cat on the shoulder and left of her own accord.

At the same time, her lips moved slightly, roughly conveying: "Hehe, make good use of the opportunity."

Yimo could only shake his head helplessly, but he had no intention of explaining anything.

He sat down in the spot where Dieyu had been sitting.

Seeing Yimo sit beside her, Naughty Cat blushed and said softly, "Brother Siba Jungler, thank you for your suggestion. I really had a wonderful time tonight."

Yimo exchanged a few polite words with her. He had come with a purpose: to test the waters and see whether Naughty Cat was his girlfriend. So he asked directly, "By the way, Naughty Cat, you're so cute. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Hearing that, Naughty Cat turned to look at Yimo and blinked. After realizing what he meant, her face immediately grew even redder, and she hurriedly waved both hands. "Huh?... W-wait, what??!"

"N-no... No, no, no... I'm very timid outside, and I don't talk much. I don't attract boys' attention."

After saying that, she summoned her courage and took several deep breaths before lowering her head and speaking bashfully. "Besides, I used some points to make myself a tiny bit prettier..."

"I'm still very ordinary outside..."

"Also, I'm older than you..."

"It's not... I mean... I'm just not confident..."

"Sorry!!!"

Naughty Cat had at least graduated from university and had been working for a year. With Dieyu suddenly leaving and Yimo suddenly asking her that question, she naturally connected it to a confession.

Feeling somewhat inferior and acting on impulse, she immediately rejected him first.

Wait, she had not actually given him a rejection card. She had merely turned him down.

Afterward, she felt that she might have been too self-important and hurriedly added, "R-right, right...!"

"Don't misunderstand! I'm just... just..."

"Just insecure, that's all. Besides, we don't even know when we might die..."

"Could I be overthinking this?"

"Sorry, sorry! Brother Siba Jungler, you really are a good person!"

"Please forgive me!"

Yimo watched Naughty Cat chatter away, "blah blah blah," all on her own. Her little white floral dress suited her very well, giving her the air of a shy girl next door. He did not say much more and simply ruffled her hair. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

He said it naturally, without the slightest hint of affectation.

"Mm..." After speaking, Naughty Cat lowered her head, her face flushed, and was unable to say anything for a long while.

After all, when a cat was being petted, it was either extremely excited or very docile.

Naughty Cat clearly belonged to the latter type.

Only after a while did she manage to say, "Mm, thank you."

She kept her head lowered, too embarrassed to look at Yimo.

As for Yimo?

He waved his hand. "It's been a whole day, and I'm a little tired too. I'm going to use the bathroom, then head back to my room to sleep."

"Haha, at night, that chamber pot probably isn't very convenient for you girls. I suggest you go before heading back to your room too..."

"You should get some rest early as well."

Hearing that, Naughty Cat's face reddened. She wanted to say, How could he say something like that?

But when she looked up, Yimo had already left.

Instead, she felt that she and Yimo seemed to have grown closer. Being able to talk about things like this—things she normally could not discuss with anyone—seemed rather nice.

Then she hugged her knees and stared fretfully at the swaying bonfire, let out a sigh, and began to space out.

As for Yimo?

After escaping by pretending to need the bathroom, he let out a slight sigh of relief in an empty place and muttered, "The card still hasn't been unlocked. But she didn't admit anything either, so I can't determine whether she is..."

"In any case, she probably won't come kill me tonight, right?"

"At least, she won't."

Yimo believed that Naughty Cat was a wolf!

He still felt uneasy.

However, just then, he suddenly saw Dieyu coming out of the bathroom.

The situation was somewhat awkward.

But Dieyu's expression changed quickly. She turned her head with a smile, took a few light steps over to Yimo, leaned forward to look at him, then rose onto her tiptoes and patted him on the shoulder. "Greedy Mr. Siba, how's the pursuit going?"

Yimo spread both hands and shook his head helplessly. "We were just chatting. I wanted to learn more about everyone's situation. Don't misunderstand."

A sly glint flashed through Dieyu's eyes. Looking at him, she nodded as though she understood. "Ohhh, so I'll take it that Mr. Siba was trying to pursue my best friend first because of me~"

Yimo replied indifferently, "Say whatever you want, haha... I'm tired too. I'm going to use the bathroom and then head back to sleep."

"You should get some rest early too..."

Dieyu nodded. "True. You've been pretty busy today, so I won't bother you."

Just as Dieyu was about to leave, Yimo thought for a moment and suddenly called out to her.

"Oh? Does Mr. Siba not want me to leave?"

Yimo did not say anything more and simply tossed something over to her. "Cigarette-shaped Candy. It has a calming effect. Eat one if you can't sleep tonight."

"Of course, you can also keep it as a memento and think of me~"

After saying that, Yimo went into the bathroom.

What could he say?

He had flirted with her and then run off. How thrilling!

Dieyu, on the other hand, stared blankly at the cigarette pack in her hand, then finally smiled and shook her head. "What an interesting person. What a pity..."

With that, she left.

After Dieyu was gone, Yimo came out of the bathroom and secretly looked around.

There were no streetlights, so everything was pitch-black. There was no one nearby either, so he quietly headed toward the back mountain.

Yimo had another plan!