“Oh…?” Qi Xia slowly curled the corner of his lips. “If that’s your answer, then your collar… will probably need replacing.”
“You…!” The groundhog widened his pitch-black eyes again, his whiskers trembling uncontrollably.
“I saw it,” Qi Xia said. “I saw the ‘path’ to victory in this game.”
The groundhog was left speechless by Qi Xia’s few words.
“So what if you saw it…?”
“I’d like to ask you—what’s your purpose in doing this?” Qi Xia reached out and flicked the groundhog’s collar before continuing in a low voice, “Is someone threatening you? Did you have to wear this collar yourself just to get fresh fruit as bargaining chips?”
“I… don’t understand.” The groundhog swallowed slightly and took two more steps back. “Wait here. The game will start in ten minutes. I’ll make my move early and begin the first night.”
With a desolate air, he turned away, closing the door behind him. Before leaving, he cast one last strange glance at Qi Xia.
Only after the door was fully shut did Qi Xia walk to a chair and sit down without a word, his mind already working through a plan.
None of the “Zodiacs” would agree to this request outright, but their expressions revealed plenty.
The four people beside him, seeing his calm demeanor, were visibly puzzled.
“Hey, leader,” Luo Shiyi called out. “Time to step up.”
“Step up?” Qi Xia raised an eyebrow in response. “Is there any need for that in such a simple game? Just adapt as you go.”
“Adapt as we go…?” Luo Shiyi felt a surge of anger. “If we’re all just adapting, what’s the point of you leading us?”
“Qian Wu said we should get to know each other—isn’t this a perfect opportunity?” Qi Xia looked up. “The game’s about to start. Why don’t you tell me what strategy you plan to use?”
Qiu Shiliu immediately tugged at Luo Shiyi’s sleeve. “Damn it, he just wants to freeload off our ideas! Forget him, let’s discuss it ourselves!”
“Hehe! Count me in!” Wang Ba wriggled his way over to Qiu Shiliu, who recoiled in irritation.
Though they called it a “discussion,” the four of them just stared blankly at each other, waiting for someone else to speak first.
“Uh… maybe Sixth Sister should decide,” Luo Shiyi said. “You’re the senior here. Even if you’re wrong… we’ll damn well accept it.”
“Tch, what’s that supposed to mean?!” Saturday flared up instantly. “I haven’t even said a word yet, and you’re already calling me wrong?!”
“Ugh!” Luo Shiyi shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just… we haven’t participated in a ‘game’ in years, let alone a ‘Ground-level’ one. We’ve only heard rumors about how they are now. Losing wouldn’t be surprising.”
“Tch!! Who said anything about losing?!” Saturday swung the iron rod in her hand and pointed at Wang Ba. “We’ve still got this damn turtle, don’t we?”
“Huh?!” Wang Ba slowly opened his eyes—though they were so small they were barely visible. “What does this have to do with me? What’s my role here?”
“Tch, you’re the smart one!” Saturday snapped at him. “Weren’t you highly educated? Hurry up and think of a plan!”
Luo Shiyi nodded. “Yeah! Damn turtle, it’s time to earn your keep!”
Wang Ba turned to Luo Shiyi. “Why are you calling me ‘damn turtle’ too? Shouldn’t you call me ‘Brother Ba’?”
“I can’t bring myself to say it,” Luo Shiyi shook his head. “In the past, someone like you would’ve been beaten to death by me.”
Wang Ba stroked his chin and sighed. “Such disrespect. But fine, I’ll come up with a plan… if it’s solid, I want Sixth Sister to kiss me.”
He pointed to his chubby cheek. “Right here will do.”
Saturday’s face twisted into a cold smirk. “Tch, come here, then.”
“Right now?!”
“Tch, I’ll put a hole in your face so water spills out when you drink.”
Wang Ba immediately put on an exaggerated look of terror. “Sixth Sister! I’m so adorable! How could you hit me?!”
“Haven’t I beaten you enough times already?!” Saturday hefted her rod and stepped forward. “Tch, just knowing I’m on the same team as you makes me inexplicably furious.”
“Wait, wait, wait!” Wang Ba quickly backed down. “I’ve got a plan, a real one.”
Qiu Shiliu, brows furrowed, snapped, “Then spit it out! Sixth Sister’s already pissed…”
“Hehe, it’s simple. We send out just one ‘mouse’ each round to search for food, bringing back three grains each time. That’s the safest approach.”
Saturday paused. “Wait… we have five people, and you’re saying only one goes out each time?”
“Yes, Sixth Sister.” Wang Ba nodded. “If all five of us enter different rooms, the chance of losing a teammate is 100%. But if only one goes out, their chance of failure is one in five—20%.”
Qi Xia shook his head in silent exasperation but stayed quiet.
“That doesn’t add up,” Saturday countered. “There’s also the ‘mousetrap’… so the chance of getting caught is at least two in five—40%.”
“Even 40% isn’t a problem.” Wang Ba waved it off. “This is the most stable and secure method. If a teammate doesn’t return the next day, we’ll know they were caught. Then we send one ‘mouse’ to ‘search’ and another to ‘rescue,’ ensuring our teammates are always retrieved.”
The others seemed convinced, but Saturday still sensed a flaw.
After a moment of thought, she turned to Qi Xia. “Hey, what do you think?”
Qi Xia nodded. “Before I share my thoughts, let me confirm—is this Wang Ba guy really the smartest among you?”
“What kind of question is that?” Qiu Shiliu snapped. “Do we look like scholars to you?”
“Good, great.” Qi Xia nodded, then looked at Wang Ba. “I’m a bit confused—are you really trying to lead your colleagues to their deaths with such a shoddy plan?”
“To their deaths…?” Wang Ba frowned. “What are you talking about? How could I let someone as beautiful as Sixth Sister die?”
“How tragic. Your beloved Sixth Sister trusts you so much, insisting on following your plan…” Qi Xia sighed. “Yet the moment you open your mouth, you reveal your stupidity. Your physique suggests you’re no fighter, and now it’s clear you’re not smart either… I might be overstepping, but I really have to ask—what exactly is your purpose in staying with ‘Cat’…?”
“You!!” Wang Ba finally lost his temper, jabbing a fat finger at Qi Xia. “Are you trying to sow discord here?!”
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