Turn the Enemy Player, Reward Generously

Lin Yu had originally thought this round was a wash.

With the remaining time, if everyone stayed on the move and he couldn't pinpoint their locations, it would be very difficult to complete the task within the time limit.

His mysterious grand prize was looking unlikely.

However, seeing Ruirui appear, Lin Yu instantly perked up.

Wasn't this the turning point he needed?

"Ruirui, I've got a stitch in my side. Can you come here for a sec?"

Lin Yu waved his hand, beckoning Mao Ruirui over.

Even if he hadn't given her a reason and simply told her to come, Mao Ruirui would have obediently complied.

Adding that excuse was entirely for the benefit of the others listening.

Over at the gathering spot by the living room sofas.

Du Ruxue was sipping coffee she had gotten from who knows where. She remarked coldly:

"A stitch? Looking at his condition just now, he certainly didn't look like someone suffering from a stitch."

"He really is quite the decent actor; you should all learn from him."

Xia Yiwei was the first to chime in:

"You won't find acting this good just anywhere. Little Master is Best Actor material!"

After saying this, she cast a meaningful glance at Ying'er.

If he didn't have some acting chops, how could he have kept up the charade of his identity as Zero for so long?

Even now, Maomao hadn't noticed anything amiss.

Xia Xiashan couldn't help but steal a glance at Auntie Ruxue.

It was just getting caught by Lin Yu, that's all.

It was such a small matter, yet Auntie Ruxue seemed to be brooding over it for ages.

As people were caught one after another and came downstairs, everyone gathered to review the game.

Auntie Ruxue was still saying that if she had come out to "sacrifice" herself just now, it might have been better than Xia Xiashan coming out to "die."

This level of seriousness about the game left Xia Xiashan truly at a loss for words.

It was as if this apartment possessed some kind of magic.

Outside, everyone had different personas and personalities.

But the moment they stepped into the apartment, they would be influenced, or even assimilated, by Lin Yu's style of doing things.

And everyone seemed to have no complaints?

They all looked quite willing to cooperate.

Seeing this in others, Xia Xiashan knew that she had been influenced just the same.

Lin Yu turned a deaf ear to the conversation over there.

Now was not the time to pay attention to them.

The focus wasn't on them at all, but on finding the remaining people as quickly as possible.

Mao Ruirui was the perfect breakthrough point!

"Little Yu, are you okay?"

"Did you... jump down from above just now?"

"Did you hurt yourself anywhere?"

Mao Ruirui asked with concern.

When Mao Ruirui had come downstairs, she had only been thinking about running out as fast as possible to avoid being discovered by Lin Yu.

As for how Lin Yu had gotten down, she wasn't very clear.

She had vaguely felt something suddenly drop down behind her.

Immediately after that, she heard Lin Yu's voice!

Lin Yu beckoned and led Mao Ruirui to the corner of the staircase.

Here, they were hidden from everyone's line of sight.

As for what the people inside might think, Lin Yu didn't care in the slightest.

It was a game, after all.

If they could band together to make things difficult for him, couldn't he use a little cleverness of his own?

"Ruirui, I'm not injured, I just feel like I can't run anymore."

"You guys are amazing; the places you hide are really hard to find."

"Counting you, there are still so many people I haven't caught. It looks like my mission is going to go down the drain."

Mao Ruirui lowered her head: "..."

Faced with Lin Yu's sudden heartfelt words, she didn't quite know how to respond.

It seemed...

Their advantage was indeed significant.

For a normal person to find over a dozen people upstairs and downstairs in a short amount of time...

Just running up and down a lap would be exhausting enough.

Not to mention the added requirement of writing greeting cards.

It was truly a massive test of stamina and mental focus.

It would be absolutely impossible for an ordinary person to complete easily!

"Then, I... is there anything I can do to help?"

"Little Yu, today is your birthday, so of course your happiness is the most important thing."

Mao Ruirui's words were exactly what Lin Yu wanted to hear.

When it came to cooking up wicked schemes, Lin Yu was a professional!

He placed both hands on Mao Ruirui's shoulders and said seriously:

"Ruirui, you were at the top of the stairs just now to keep a lookout for everyone, right?"

"Can you tell me where everyone is hiding?"

Lin Yu revealed his true intentions, directly tossing out the question he cared about most.

Without all the foreshadowing, asking the same question would yield the same answer, he knew.

But phrasing it this way would at least make Mao Ruirui feel a bit better.

It allowed her to realize that she was helping—helping Lin Yu!

And not simply selling out her teammates.

Even so.

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Mao Ruirui still revealed a look of panic and unease.

However, the heaven-defying effect of the Beast Token completely dominated Mao Ruirui's rationality.

Her lips trembled, as if she were struggling with all her might against an instinctual reaction.

She wanted to rely on her own willpower to hold the line and protect her companions.

Lin Yu: "!!!"

Hiss!

What strong willpower!

In the past, by this stage, Mao Ruirui would have long since been unable to resist speaking up and answering Lin Yu's inquiries.

She actually held out today?

Although she still looked like she might spill the beans at any moment, Lin Yu didn't have the patience to wait bitterly.

He placed one final straw onto the teetering camel's back.

"Ruirui, I know you have a kind heart and don't want to betray your friends."

"Everyone is just playing a game for entertainment; having fun is the most important thing, right?"

"Could it be that... I'm not as important as your friends?"

"Whisper it in my ear quietly. There's no one else here; no one will hear."

Mao Ruirui: "!!!"

Hearing these words, the coercive binding force thoroughly conquered Mao Ruirui.

She quickly leaned close to Lin Yu's ear and whispered the situation outside to him in full detail.

Lin Yu nodded knowingly as he listened.

After she finished speaking, Mao Ruirui stood frozen in place as if she had lost her soul.

She was so disappointing!

She had actually said it?

Everyone had trusted her so much to let her be the lookout.

In the end, not only did she fail to keep watch, but she had also become the traitor among them!

This made her feel...

"Mwah!"

Confirming it was safe, Lin Yu planted a heavy kiss on Mao Ruirui's forehead.

[Ding!]

[God-tier play! The Saint Son's ambiguous gesture has made the Dao Companion feel especially delighted!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones]

Mao Ruirui: "!!!"

The sudden kiss left Mao Ruirui completely dazed.

Just a moment ago, she had been immersed in the guilt and self-blame of betraying her teammates.

But Lin Yu's move made Mao Ruirui feel that...

Little Yu was right. It was just a game, and everyone being happy was what mattered most.

Who would want to deliberately cause trouble for Little Yu on his birthday, right?

She had somewhat forgotten what she had just whispered in Little Yu's ear.

Did she explain clearly where everyone was hiding?

Should she repeat it to Little Yu one more time?

...