Chapter 58: Game of Luck

“I don’t really understand psychology,” Qi Xia shook his head and replied softly. “I’m just used to being the bad guy.”

Seeing Qi Xia agree to the request, Old Lü’s attitude toward him shifted slightly.

“Hey, kid, let’s get one thing straight—any ‘Dao’ we win goes to me.”

“I need to keep one,” Qi Xia said.

“No way,” Old Lü refused without hesitation, shaking his head. “Are you bargaining with me? You already took nineteen ‘Dao’ from me before, and now you want more? If that’s your attitude, I’m walking away right now.”

Qi Xia nodded. “Fine, I won’t take the ‘Dao,’ but you’ll have to cover the ‘entry fee’ for me.”

Old Lü’s eyes darted around as he leaned in closer. “Listen, kid, I’m warning you—those two people aren’t in this area. If you try to mess with me, I won’t tell you where they are.”

“Relax, messing with you would just be a waste of my time.”

Now feeling more confident, Old Lü grabbed Qi Xia’s arm and started pulling him toward the room.

“Wait,” Qi Xia said. “Just to be safe, tell me about this game first.”

“Oh, right!” Old Lü smacked his forehead. “Damn, I almost forgot. Kid, have you never played a ‘Pig Game’ before?”

“What do you think?” Qi Xia frowned.

“Ha! ‘Pig Games’ are exactly what they sound like—just act like a pig.”

“Act like a pig?” Qi Xia was puzzled. “Why would I do that?”

“It means you don’t have to think,” Old Lü said with a grin. “Pig Games are all about luck, like rock-paper-scissors or guessing odds.”

“What?” Qi Xia paused. “You’re saying… the outcome is completely random?”

“Exactly!” Old Lü nodded, then gave Qi Xia a sidelong glance. “You’re not backing out now, are you?”

“I…” Qi Xia wasn’t exactly reconsidering, but he couldn’t wrap his head around the connection between “pigs” and “luck.”

“What’s there to be afraid of in a Pig Game?” Old Lü said, exasperated. “I thought you were pretty sharp earlier, but now that it’s down to luck, you’re scared?”

“Down to luck?”

Qi Xia knew that pigs weren’t low-intelligence animals.

Globally, pigs rank in the top ten most intelligent species, with cognitive abilities comparable to a five-year-old child.

Moreover, the so-called “rock-paper-scissors” or “guessing odds” games Old Lü mentioned weren’t purely based on luck.

With the right strategy, you could definitely minimize losses and maximize wins.

“I still want to know—what exactly is this game about?” Qi Xia glanced at the building in front of them. It was clearly a Go club. Why would anyone play a luck-based game here?

“Simple. There are two equal piles of Go stones, one black and one white. You close your eyes and pick one at random. If you draw a black stone, you win.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep!” Old Lü said. “I told you—it’s a luck game!”

With that, he pulled a white Go stone from his pocket and angrily threw it to the ground.

“Damn it! I drew white twice in a row. My luck is terrible!”

Qi Xia could hardly believe his ears. If that was really the case, there was no way to guarantee a win against the Pig-Headed Man.

He picked up the white stone and examined it. It was indeed an ordinary piece, with no tricks involved.

“Kid, are you in or not?” Old Lü grew impatient. “Don’t you want to know where those two are?”

Qi Xia knew he had no choice. Right now, he was “broke,” and his only hope rested on Officer Li.

To find out where Officer Li was, he had to get Old Lü to talk.

At worst, he had nothing left to lose.

Even if he lost this luck-based game, it wouldn’t cost him anything—and it’d be a chance to learn more about the “Pig.”

“No, I was just thinking of a strategy,” Qi Xia said. “Let’s go in.”

Old Lü grinned excitedly and dragged Qi Xia into the room.

Lin Qin found the situation absurd but didn’t intervene, silently following them inside.

As soon as they entered, the Pig-Headed Man cheered and danced around. “Oink oink! You’re here! More people to play with me!”

His voice was deep, but his tone was childish.

Qi Xia instinctively covered his nose—the stench from the pig mask was unbearable.

“Damn pig-head!” Old Lü shouted. “Today, I’ll make you lose everything, down to your underwear!”

“Hahahaha! Yes, yes!” The Pig-Headed Man clapped. “Who’s playing with me?”

Qi Xia slowly sat down across from him. “I will. How does the entry fee work?”

“Any amount you want, up to five ‘Dao.’ Win, and it doubles!” The Pig-Headed Man said. “Hand it over!”

“Any amount…” Qi Xia shook his head. “‘Human Pig,’ is it?”

“Yes! I’m Human Pig! I’m Human Pig!” He then pointed at Qi Xia. “You’re Stupid Pig! You’re Stupid Pig!”

No one paid him any mind—no one wanted to engage with a madman.

Gritting his teeth, Old Lü pulled five ‘Dao’ from his pocket and reluctantly handed them over.

Qi Xia noticed the gambler’s glint in Old Lü’s eyes.

This was supposed to be a luck-based game, yet he kept investing.

“Old Lü, five ‘Dao’?” Qi Xia gave him a questioning look. “Isn’t the bet a bit too high?”

“Kid!” Old Lü said seriously. “I already played twice—first with one ‘Dao,’ then two. That damn pig won both. If you win this round, I’ll not only break even but come out ahead.”

Qi Xia thought for a moment before turning back to Human Pig. “What are the rules?”

“Simple…”

Human Pig pushed forward a set of black and white Go stones. “Fifty of each. You have to divide them between these two bowls.”

He then slid two identical large porcelain bowls forward.

“How you distribute them is up to you,” Human Pig said with a foolish grin. “Once you’re done, blindfold yourself. I’ll shuffle the bowls and mix the stones. Then, you’ll pick one bowl at random and draw one stone from it. If it’s black, you win. Of course, if anyone tries to interfere or give hints, I’ll punish everyone present.”

Qi Xia listened expressionlessly, then glanced at the bowls and stones on the table before letting out a cold laugh.

“Heh, what’s so funny?” Human Pig grinned. “If you’re lucky enough, you might just win.”

Qi Xia found it all ridiculous.

He got to decide the distribution, and then he got to pick?

A luck-based game?

A Pig Game?

This supposedly 50-50 game was clearly a trap, luring countless participants into its depths.

“Human Pig,” Qi Xia said, “I underestimated you. You’re much smarter than I thought.”