**Chapter 38: Friendship Above All, Long Live Being Single!**
Inside the private room, the gambling game was intense, while the magnificent hall outside was filled with singing and dancing. However, in the Nowhere Land, which was the highest point of the Dream Come True Entertainment City, a different scene was unfolding.
By a historical relic that seemed to be out of sync with time and space, the Big Boss of the entertainment city quietly sat by the lake, intently observing the pure white koi and the golden-red sturgeon in the water.
Two large fish swam gracefully, their snow-white and crimson fins swirling in the water like silk, as if engaged in a grand dance, yet there was also an underlying force intertwining them, hinting at a deadly tension.
After a moment, the Big Boss withdrew his gaze from the lake and looked at the letter he had received from the Black Peony, letting out a soft sigh.
“It really is difficult to utilize this opportunity as she said! But…”
As he muttered to himself, a sudden splash of water caught his attention. He turned to see an astonishing sight in the pond and couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.
The pure white koi had crashed into the hard stone wall of the pond, its body shattering into coins that flowed into the body of the golden-red sturgeon.
At the same time, the lake began to boil as if it were bubbling, the azure surface accompanied by white foam, resembling a turbulent sky. Streams of golden light, like meteors streaking across the sky, flew from the shoal in the center of the lake and merged into the body of the golden-red sturgeon.
Thus, a massive creature was born, far larger than most fish in the lake, quietly lurking in a corner, vigilantly watching the shoal in the lake’s center, as if waiting for the opportunity to swallow them whole.
Even the owner of this lake was captivated by the phenomenon, his low chuckle echoing from behind the bizarre mask that obscured his face.
“Ah, this is interesting; since it has already become chaotic, let’s make it a little more chaotic!”
As he spoke, he raised a hand and slowly removed his pristine white glove, letting the bl**d, which resembled molten iron, fall into the lake. The moment after, the fish, having sensed the “smell of bl**d,” became restless…
—
Inside the luxurious private room.
Several men dressed in black with specially crafted silver brooches on their chests and wearing white masks silently circled around, observing the movements of the two guests without pause.
They were members of the Dark Lamp in the Dream Come True Entertainment City, as well as the Justice Team.
Usually, when guests requested to host a side bet, they would appear beside the gambling game to ensure that no party would intentionally lose, which could affect the fairness of the side bet.
At this moment, Luxianbei had been staring at the precariously stacked Jenga for over ten minutes, still unable to make her decision.
Her fingertips shifted between happiness and loneliness, as countless thoughts raced through her mind.
What does it mean to live a lonely life? Can Bai Xiaohua not be seen anymore? If I could see Bai Xiaohua, how could I be lonely?
Is this so-called happiness tied to a leader? Is this happiness legitimate? If it is, then how long will it last?
…
A variety of thoughts swarmed through her mind like a kaleidoscope of bizarre possibilities, as her brain raced. Just as the Bunny Girl dealer began the thirty-second countdown, her mind suddenly went blank with an overwhelming “buzz.”
In that instant, the entire world seemed to fall silent, the noisy sounds from the hall outside gradually fading away.
In the unspoken stillness, she looked up at Jiang Li, their eyes locking in mutual understanding.
The distance between them was close, just a sliver apart, allowing them to hear each other’s heartbeat and breath.
【Do you want me to win?】
Without any extraneous thoughts, Luxianbei instinctively sought Jiang Li’s approval with her gaze.
Jiang Li interpreted the “words” in Luxianbei’s eyes, averting her gaze from Luxianbei and focusing on her slender fingers resting on the Jenga stack, her brow slightly furrowing.
【……】
If that one block was pulled out, Luxianbei would lose.
Just then, Luxianbei’s finger began to move slowly, stopping at the last block that could be safely removed.
In an instant, Jiang Li’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed, even if just slightly.
It was like the inexplicable moment when the first blade of grass pokes through the soil in spring or when the first shriveled leaf falls in autumn.
At times, shifts in one’s mindset are hard to perceive.
Jiang Li didn’t notice that after Luxianbei had declared, “This is our affair,” she subconsciously abandoned her lone struggle and began to rely on someone else, silently influencing her actions.
Luxianbei caught a fleeting change in Jiang Li’s expression, her eyes flashing with determination.
Since she wanted me to win, then…
To hell with achieving happiness!
Friendship above all, long live being single QAQ!
Luxianbei firmly thought as she unhesitatingly pulled out the Jenga block her fingertip touched.
Then…
She abandoned her thoughts and slumped down in her chair.
Watching as Luxianbei removed the last safe block, a moment of relief and appreciation briefly crossed Jiang Li’s face, before returning to her previous high-and-mighty, disdainful expression.
“Congratulations, you won.”
Jiang Li said, picking up the dice on the table, throwing it without looking at the outcome, and casually pulled out a Jenga block, causing the already precarious tower to crash to the table.
“All right, now my chips belong to you. I’ll go find the Bunny Girl staff to bring the chips over.”
Jiang Li said calmly, standing up and walking towards the exit of the luxurious room.
Three days left; it’s now up to you, Luxianbei.
Now it’s just the two of us in this.
I hope you won’t disappoint me, Jiang Li thought.
At that moment, a weak voice from behind called out, “Wait… I have a question to ask you…”
Jiang Li turned around, arms crossed over her chest, expressionless as she regarded the almost tearful Luxianbei, tilting her head slightly.
Luxianbei’s lips trembled, hesitating several times before mustering the courage to say, “Miaomiao Sauce, if you get older and can’t find someone to marry, would you consider me?”
“…”
Jiang Li stared blankly at Luxianbei, taking a long time to snap back to reality, and replied coldly, “Why do you have such a strange idea?”
Luxianbei, “…”
Because I might very well spend my whole life alone, so I wanted to find a backup plan! Luxianbei wanted to say this, but the words got stuck in her throat.
No girl wants to hear that.
Seeing that Luxianbei was silent, Jiang Li shook her head lightly, “Sorry, I’m not considering that.”
Luxianbei, “……” Yeah, someone like Jiang Li, how could she not get married?
After speaking, Jiang Li turned away, not glancing at Luxianbei, who appeared as if she had lost her dreams, slumping in the chair, and walked out of the private room.
At the moment she turned around, a faint smile flashed at the corner of her mouth.
—
In the upper hall on the third floor.
A crowd of gamblers participating in the side bet awaited the result quietly.
Suddenly, a loud shout broke the silence, drawing everyone’s attention towards the exit of the luxurious room on the third floor.
“Everyone, look! Lady Li is coming out! Is the gamble over?”
“Who won? It can’t be that NOBADY won, right?”
“Tch, if she really won, then she’s SOMEBADY now!”
“…”
Amidst the clamor, a golden-clad Bunny Girl approached the gambling table, holding a silver tray, delivering a black envelope to the Bunny Girl in charge of organizing the side bet.
Inside that black envelope was a detailed account of the last showdown between Luxianbei and Jiang Li, along with the judgment results from the entertainment city’s Justice Team.
The Bunny Girl in charge of the side bet read the two pages in the envelope, then picked up the silver bell on the table and shook it vigorously twice. Waiting for all guests to quiet down, she softly announced, “Dear guests, the results of the gambling game have come out, verified by the Justice Team as real and valid.”
“Now, I will reveal the detailed circumstances of the last showdown.”
“In the last round, Miss Wang Buliu rolled a two, being the first to pull out a block. However, just as she was about to draw the second block, Lady Li launched her attack!”
“She used one of her signature techniques, the Eye k*ll, and started to exert psychological pressure on Miss Wang Buliu. In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire room fell into an extreme state of oppression.”
“With eyes comes strength; the invisible pressure surged towards Miss Wang Buliu from all directions, leaving her feeling isolated and abandoned by the world, as if sucked into an endless abyss…”
After Luxianbei proactively increased her cut from 5% to 6%, the Bunny Girl responsible for writing the detailed account understood the circumstances, creatively embellishing her description to avoid incidents of players getting beaten up after losing in the side bet.
In reality, while hundreds of thousands in chips were at stake, it was merely a small-scale wager, only a slight gamble that didn’t significantly affect the emotions of the guests.
Their participation in the side bet was primarily for the thrill and, even upon losing, they would likely only feel a momentarily twinge of disappointment.
Perhaps some guests who had bet too much would feel begrudging, but due to the intense nature of the gambling described and the Justice Team’s judgment, they wouldn’t dare stir trouble, accepting their losses and silently marking down the name “Wang Buliu” in their memories.
As the Bunny Girl passionately recited the report, in the crowd, Liu Banxian, who had placed heavy bets on Luxianbei, became increasingly uneasy, his face growing paler.
Upon hearing the Bunny Girl state, “Miss Wang Buliu has stood still under Lady Li’s pressure for over ten minutes,” he could no longer remain seated.
I can’t just wait here for her to finish reading; my high bl**d pressure will sh**t up!
Anyway, the bet has ended; I’m going to find that girl!
She had promised me confidently that they would definitely win, so how did it end up like this? Liu Banxian thought, getting up quickly and jogging towards the luxurious room on the third floor.
Ahua watched Liu Banxian leave and refocused her attention on the Bunny Girl in charge of organizing the side bet, frowning.
Weren’t we only supposed to gamble once?
Why does it sound like Luxianbei and my lady are about to end up fighting?
Clearly, Ahua hasn’t spent enough time mingling in the entertainment city…
Three minutes later, the commentary on the detailed account approached its conclusion.
“With the countdown nearing its end, in an unexpected turn of events, Miss Wang Buliu suddenly heightened her aura and forcibly broke through Lady Li’s mental blockade, using a technique called Controlling the Crane and Lifting the Dragon, she pulled out the last block.”
“It’s uncertain whether it was her opponent’s hidden strength that upset Lady Li’s pace, or if Miss Wang Buliu employed a spell formula that is undetectable by spirit energy. All we saw was that a strange flush appeared on her face, as though her bl**d was boiling, and when she made her move, the winner was decided…”
After hearing the Bunny Girl’s detailed account, the two-faced ascetic was silent for a long time, exhaling deeply, “I didn’t expect Miss Wang Buliu to possess such formidable strength. It seems we misjudged, and Lady Li’s loss wasn’t completely unjust.”
“Very true!” a bystander echoed, “However, this Jenga game sounds quite interesting; why don’t we have a round later?”
“Agreed! Let’s have a round now!”
“That sounds good!”
“…”
Thus, Luxianbei unintentionally sparked a strange wave of “dark Jenga” throughout the Dream Come True Entertainment City.
—
On the other side, in the corridor outside the luxurious room.
Liu Banxian intercepted Luxianbei, looking at her face, which now resembled a corpse with an added layer of lifelessness, causing his heart to tighten.
“Gulp—!” Liu Banxian swallowed hard, nervously asking, “Hey, what’s the situation in there? I heard the commentary sounded frightening.”
Luxianbei rolled her eyes at Liu Banxian, hesitating several times to speak before ultimately letting out a long sigh.
“Alas—!”
That sigh was no big deal, but Liu Banxian nearly fainted from the soft breath, hurriedly asking, “You, did you… lose?”
Luxianbei shook her head, weakly stating, “No, I won.”
If you won, then why do you look like you’re on the verge of d*ath? Liu Banxian frowned, about to press her again, but then heard Luxianbei sigh again, causing his heart to drop once more.
“Alas—!”
“Although I won, I also lost.”
Liu Banxian was confused by Luxianbei’s response, staring blankly into her eyes, “So did you win or lose?”
Luxianbei wearily lifted her eyelids, “I won the chips, won the friendship, but lost at life. Do you understand that?”
Liu Banxian, “??? What does that mean? I don’t understand anything!”
“By the way, Banxian, do you have any relatives with unmarried girls? Can you introduce one to me?”
Liu Banxian thought for a moment and answered seriously, “No, my relatives are all gone. Uh, wait a moment, do you mind a ghost marriage?”
“…”
Luxianbei said nothing, looking at Liu Banxian with a “Dude, I’m so disappointed in you” expression for a moment before silently turning to walk in Jiang Li’s direction.
Liu Banxian watched Luxianbei leave, scratching his head in confusion.
“Oh yeah! Long live friendship!”
From a distance, he watched Luxianbei raise her little hand, slightly waving her fist, weakly cheering, causing Liu Banxian’s mouth to twitch uncontrollably.
This child must have won so many chips that her brain got excited and broken, right? Liu Banxian thought to himself, shaking his head and muttering, “Forget it, I’ll go count chips first!”
“Hey hey hey, this time I scored big; I’ve made back all the losses from before.”
—
When Luxianbei found Jiang Li, Jiang Li had already completed the transfer of the chips to Luxianbei through the Bunny Girl staff.
She turned around and saw Luxianbei standing rigidly behind her, resembling a mutated zombie urban legend, paused for a moment, then rolled her eyes, “Although I don’t know what’s wrong with you, weren’t you so adamant before about making me believe in you?”
“I’ve transferred all the chips to you now, so please act normal and take care of them.”
Is there any cute girl who can be a little nicer to this pitiful urban legend who is about to spend her whole life alone?
Luxianbei thought bitterly but slightly perked up, standing tall and saying, “Don’t worry, I have a plan.”
“Really?” Jiang Li crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows slightly, “Then when do you plan to go to Nowhere Land, and what are you betting with the Big Boss?”
“Who said I wanted to bet with him?” Luxianbei pouted, “Only a fool would bet with him. Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to call you a fool. I mean, I want to try a different approach.”
A different approach? Jiang Li paused for a moment, lost in thought.
“However, whether my approach succeeds or not depends on if you’re willing to cooperate; otherwise, I can’t be fully confident. Moreover, I need to know one piece of information.”
“What information?” Jiang Li asked.
“I want to know how many spiritual ability users and urban legends on the third floor of the entertainment city have wishes that can only be fulfilled by challenging the Big Boss.” Luxianbei explained, “And about how much of the total chips in the entertainment city my current chips account for.”
Jiang Li hesitated momentarily, not grasping Luxianbei’s intent, and furrowed her brow, “I can tell you the first one right now; there are about a hundred. As for the second, it should be investigable with some effort.”
“However, the figures obtained are likely just superficial; it’s unknown whether there are hidden chips behind the entertainment city.”
“Now, can you tell me what you plan to do?”
Luxianbei slyly glanced around and raised a finger to her lips, leaning closer to Jiang Li’s ear and quietly whispered, “I’m planning to set a trap…”
