“Ding-dong…?”
Qi Xia didn’t actually feel like laughing, but he couldn’t help repeating those two words.
“So, Classmate Qi,” Qin Dingdong said with a smile, “are you going to keep working with me?”
“I can’t say for sure,” Qi Xia shook his head. “You’re too good at lying.”
“Ha! Well, without you to protect me…” Qin Dingdong slowly grabbed Qi Xia’s arm, “I’d be pretty scared.”
Qi Xia gently pushed her hand away. “Sorry, just talk. Don’t touch me like that.”
“Huh?” Qin Dingdong covered her mouth in surprise. “Kid, don’t tell me you’re a virgin?”
“What…?” Qi Xia frowned. “Why would you ask that?”
“Seriously?” Qin Dingdong seemed fascinated by him now, her hands wandering over him without restraint. “Want me to show you the ropes?”
Qi Xia’s face flushed slightly, and he instinctively took half a step back.
But a moment later, he snapped out of it and shook his head. “No need. I’m married.”
“Married…?” Qin Dingdong froze. “You’re terrible at lying. You think I don’t know men? If you’re actually married with that bashful act, I’ll be your personal servant for life—free of charge.”
“Are—are you serious?” Qi Xia’s expression cooled. “Instead of worrying about that, maybe think about how to earn ‘Dao.'”
Qin Dingdong slowly withdrew her hand, pouting. “But you won’t protect me anymore, and I don’t know how to earn ‘Dao’ either.”
Qi Xia narrowed his eyes at her. There were so many people here… why was she fixated on him?
After a moment of thought, he finally said, “Qin Dingdong, working together isn’t impossible. Can we swap one of our fans?”
“Swap a fan…?” She thought for a moment, then smiled coyly. “Qi Xia, which design do you want?”
“I…” He studied her cautiously. “Any will do.”
“Pfft.” Qin Dingdong covered her mouth with a laugh. “Qi Xia, when I first teamed up with you, you were already trying to swap fans with someone. That’s how I knew I had you.”
“Oh?”
“I bet… all three of your fans have the same design, right? That’s why you’re so desperate to trade.”
“So?”
“So, working with me is your only way out. If you don’t play along… I’ll tell everyone you have three identical fans.”
Qi Xia smirked slightly, giving her a mocking look.
“About twenty-five minutes have passed,” he said, glancing at the digital clock on the wall. “Your threat only lasts five more minutes. Once the fans are replenished, everyone’s designs will refresh.”
“Oh?” Qin Dingdong nodded, then pointed at a few participants in the distance. “Qi Xia, have you noticed that some people here are carrying briefcases?”
Qi Xia had already noticed, but he couldn’t figure out their purpose in this game.
“So who are they?” he asked.
“Qi Xia, it seems you’ve retained your memories too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have entered a ‘Di-level’ game on the first day, right?”
“Right,” Qi Xia nodded.
“The ‘Di Sheep’ game is special,” Qin Dingdong said, squinting at the distant participants. “If you’re smart enough, you can keep earning ‘Dao’ here. And those people… they’re opportunists.”
The realization hit Qi Xia.
“You mean… they came prepared?” He took another look at the briefcase carriers. “So their bags are full of ‘Dao’?”
“You really are sharp.” Qin Dingdong nodded. “This place is like a microcosm of society. In this game, you’ll see everything that happens in the real world.”
Qi Xia felt a spark of curiosity. He was looking forward to what came next.
“So, how much ‘Dao’ did you bring?” Qin Dingdong asked. “Besides the three I gave you, do you have any extra?”
Qi Xia didn’t answer, just shrugged indifferently.
“Without me, you’ll probably only earn five ‘Dao,’ maybe ten if you’re lucky.” She continued, “But look at those people’s faces… they’re aiming for dozens. How will you compete?”
“Interesting…” Qi Xia nodded. “So the ‘Di Sheep’ game has been running for several cycles and is somewhat famous among ‘participants’?”
“Of course.” Qin Dingdong nodded. “Everyone wants to collect 3,600 ‘Dao.’ Smart people find the best method for themselves.”
Qi Xia stroked his chin, knowing things couldn’t be as simple as she made them sound.
If the ‘Di Sheep’ game really allowed stable ‘Dao’ farming, someone should’ve already gathered 3,600 by now.
So… where was the catch?
“So, Qi Xia… won’t you reconsider?” Qin Dingdong asked again, her tone flirtatious. “Won’t you reconsider me?”
“Not for now.” Qi Xia shook his head. “You can tell everyone I have three identical fans. It won’t affect me.”
He turned to leave but paused after three steps. “But I think you’re interesting. If the chance arises, I’ll introduce you to some ‘clients.'”
Seeing her threat had failed, Qin Dingdong sighed in resignation. “Fine… I’ll just hope for our next collaboration.”
Qi Xia left her behind and walked into the arena, scanning the participants once more.
He should’ve realized sooner—those still standing in a ‘Di-level’ game on the first day must have survived it before.
The ‘Di Sheep’ game was different from ‘Di Ox,’ ‘Di Tiger,’ or ‘Di Chicken.’ It didn’t require teamwork or life-or-death combat, making it much safer.
If you had the skill, you could keep earning ‘Dao’ here—because victory depended on yourself, not others.
Time ticked away, and soon, thirty minutes arrived.
The ‘Di Sheep’ at the center of the room slowly pulled out another briefcase from under the table.
He laid out a large pile of fans—about forty or fifty—across the surface.
Seeing this, the participants began gathering around. It was time to replenish their fans.
Qi Xia joined them. As long as he didn’t draw ‘Sorrow’ this time, he wouldn’t be as cornered.
But to his surprise, after arranging the fans, ‘Di Sheep’ silently placed a small blackboard on the table.
It read:
**”Folding fans—3 ‘Dao’ each.”**
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage