Chapter 104: The Youth

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran’s expression faltered slightly before she quickly regained her smile and stepped forward, pressing close to Qi Xia.

A soft, warm sensation continuously brushed against Qi Xia’s arm.

“Brother Qi, you’re so smart—you can definitely get us out of here, right? Just take me with you.”

Tian Tian cast an exasperated glance at the girl in front of her, thinking that her demeanor was even more professional than her own colleagues.

No… To be honest, neither she nor her colleagues truly enjoyed this profession. They were all forced into it by circumstances, so none of them would ever wear such a fawning expression.

“We don’t get along,” Qi Xia remained unmoved, his cold gaze fixed on Xiao Ran. “Find another team.”

A flash of hostility passed through Xiao Ran’s eyes, but it vanished almost instantly. Based on his performance in the previous games, she knew Qi Xia was exceptionally intelligent. Without him, she had no chance of survival.

“Brother Qi…” Xiao Ran pouted, feigning hurt. “Do you really dislike me that much?”

“Yes, I really don’t like you,” Qi Xia nodded again, shaking her off and stepping away. “Anyone else want to come with me? If not, we part ways here.”

His eyes lingered on Han Yimo and Officer Li, a hint of expectation in his gaze.

Qi Xia hoped these two would voluntarily join the game—only then could they become reliable teammates.

“Qi Xia,” Officer Li suddenly spoke up.

“What is it?”

Officer Li hesitated, as if carefully choosing his words. After a pause, he asked, “Do you think… I can get out of here?”

Qi Xia slowly lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the ground.

The question was loaded, difficult to answer.

If Officer Li returned to the real world, he would be nothing but a murderer.

Even if by some miracle he went back to a day before the killing, he’d still be a corrupt cop colluding with a fraudster.

This dilemma was like two sharp blades—one pressed against his throat, the other against his heart—rendering him unable to move forward.

No wonder Officer Li had been so hesitant. He had no reason to leave.

After a moment of thought, Qi Xia asked solemnly, “Do you have someone you care about?”

“Someone I care about…” A chubby, adorable face flashed in Officer Li’s mind.

Xuanxuan.

“Of course I do… But how can I face her…”

“I’ll help you,” Qi Xia interrupted. “Whether it’s ‘getting out’ or ‘your situation,’ I’ll help you.”

Officer Li was stunned, staring at Qi Xia in disbelief before instantly grasping his meaning.

Yet, out of caution, neither of them voiced it outright.

Did Qi Xia already have a plan to deal with Zhang Huanan?

Thinking about it, Qi Xia and Zhang Huanan weren’t even on the same level. If Qi Xia was willing to strategize for him, he could definitely break free from that scum.

Ordinary reasoning wouldn’t work on Zhang Huanan anymore—the only solution now was to fight fire with fire.

“Alright, I trust you,” Officer Li said. “I’m in.”

Qi Xia nodded, then turned to Han Yimo.

He didn’t say anything, merely giving him a look.

This time, the only variable was Han Yimo.

With Officer Li yet to “resonate,” Han Yimo was the only “resonator” in the team.

Did that mean… with both sides having a “resonator,” they stood a chance against the “Extremists”?

“Can… can I refuse?” Han Yimo answered.

“You can,” Qi Xia nodded. “But I’d like to know why.”

“I…” Han Yimo lifted his head, looking troubled. “Qi Xia, even though you saved me just now and I really want to repay you, my mental state can’t handle these games. I’d break down…”

His reason was painfully honest—so honest that Qi Xia didn’t know how to counter it.

Han Yimo’s biggest flaw was his timidity, and as he himself admitted, he suffered from severe claustrophobia. Many of these games would be deadly for him.

But then Qi Xia reconsidered—according to Jiang Ruoxue’s words, the more extreme a person’s emotions, the more likely they were to “resonate.” That was probably why Han Yimo had awakened this ability first.

“What if you didn’t have to participate in the games?” Qi Xia asked.

“Not participate?” Han Yimo looked confused. “Then wouldn’t I have even less reason to join your team?”

Qi Xia also felt the request was a stretch, but to recruit Han Yimo, there was no better way.

“It’s fine. Just come with us and help strategize,” Qi Xia said. “If we actually win ‘Tao,’ I’ll share it with you.”

After a brief hesitation, Han Yimo joined the team.

Watching the group actively divide, Lawyer Zhang, who had been observing silently, finally spoke up, puzzled. “With no knowledge of the situation, are you all really this confident?”

Xiao Ran sidled up to Qi Xia, naturally looping her arm through his. “With Brother Qi here, what more intel do we need?”

“Let go,” Qi Xia snapped, pulling away.

Lawyer Zhang had a point—everything Qi Xia was doing seemed suspicious. Now, aside from Lawyer Zhang and Dr. Zhao, almost everyone had sided with Qi Xia.

The teams were now lopsided—seven versus two.

Dr. Zhao surveyed the division before stepping forward. “Let me say something… Since everyone’s siding with the officer, maybe we shouldn’t ‘divide’ at all. Wouldn’t it be safer to move together?”

“Yeah, exactly!” Xiao Ran chimed in eagerly. “We’re safer as a group!”

The situation was taking a strange turn. Qi Xia wanted to stop it but had no justification.

Forcing a division now would only raise more suspicion.

Officer Li nodded in agreement. “In that case, there’s no need to split up. Let’s all go together.”

Qi Xia knew he was the only one who remembered Xiao Ran’s true nature from before.

Officer Li had minor friction with her, but they weren’t enemies. Han Yimo had died on the first night and knew nothing of what happened later.

Only Qi Xia understood that this woman could dismantle the team from within.

But how could he expel her now without raising suspicion?

“Everyone… I don’t mean to interrupt…” Lin Qin suddenly spoke up. “But there’s something I’ve been noticing…”

“What is it?” Qiao Jiajin turned to ask.

Lin Qin pointed into the distance, where a young man stood.

“Someone’s been watching us for a while now.”

Noticing their attention, the boy strode toward them without hesitation.

When Qi Xia saw his face, he stiffened.

The boy with a braid stopped before the group, giving a slight bow before speaking.

“Everyone, I noticed you were deep in conversation earlier, so I didn’t interrupt. Have you finished talking now?”