Chapter 22: Schemes and Deceptions

Sweeping his gaze over these people, Zhang Xiaofan knew that, of the six of them, at least two would die next. There was simply no way around it.

Unless he shared his Hell Coins with them—but these coins were precious to everyone. Without a good reason, Zhang Xiaofan would not play the saint, and if he did give them away, he himself would surely die.

Suddenly, Chen Siyu burst into tears. Her boyfriend hugged her, soothing her constantly, but faced with the impending parting of life and death, Chen Siyu simply could not calm down.

Wang Jiansi, a chubby man, faced with death, picked up a bag of chips to munch on. Yet his eyes darted restlessly around the group, finally settling on Hu Xiaotian and Lin Rou.

Liu Saijian stood up again and walked over to Lin Rou, saying, “Rou, let’s play against each other. Hey, I’ll do scissors and let you win.”

This time, Liu Saijian put on a very friendly face and added, “We’re all friends. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Liu Saijian, damn you, you’re bullying Lin Rou!” Hu Xiaotian cursed furiously.

Liu Saijian snorted coldly. “Hu Xiaotian, if you’re so capable, you play against her. Lose to Lin Rou yourself.”

Hu Xiaotian was stunned. If he lost to Lin Rou, he’d die himself. In the face of death, no one could stay calm.

Liu Saijian sneered and turned to Lin Rou. “I have five chances, see?” He showed her his red envelope, then said, “To tell you the truth, Lin Rou, I’ve liked you for a long time. I won’t let you die this time. I’m not like some people who call themselves our leader and claim to protect us but don’t care about our lives at all.”

Anyone could tell he was taking a jab at someone else. Jiang Jiehui and the others were furious but found it hard to retort.

Zhang Xiaofan, however, paid him no mind. He took out his phone and sent Lin Rou a message.

Lin Rou had intended to refuse Liu Saijian’s proposal, but when she saw Zhang Xiaofan’s message, she slowly nodded. “Fine, I’ll play against you.”

Liu Saijian was overjoyed, rubbing his hands together. “Don’t worry, Lin Rou. I’ll just do scissors and let you win.”

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke.

Just then, Su Qianqian walked over, concern in her voice. “Lin Rou, are you really ready for this?”

“Su Qianqian, you talk too much,” Liu Saijian complained.

Lin Rou said, “Let’s begin.”

The two raised their hands together—Liu Saijian threw paper, but Lin Rou, unexpectedly, threw scissors.

Liu Saijian’s face went pale. In disbelief, he stammered, “Lin Rou, why did you do scissors?”

Lin Rou stepped back, saying, “I don’t trust you.”

Not far away, Zhang Xiaofan let out a cold laugh. He had just messaged Lin Rou, warning her that Liu Saijian was trying to trick her and telling her to seize the chance to win. Lin Rou had done exactly that.

Though Lin Rou usually seemed simple, it did not mean she was stupid. On the contrary, as a wealthy heiress, she was far smarter than most. It was only because she was quiet that many overlooked her, but now that very trait had become her shield.

A moment ago, Liu Saijian had tried to trick Lin Rou by telling her he’d throw scissors, expecting her to play rock, so he threw paper. The others all knew Liu Saijian was lying, but Lin Rou appeared so naive that he underestimated her.

Liu Saijian nodded stiffly, forcing a smile. “Again. This time, I’ll definitely let you win. I’ll throw scissors again.”

Zhang Xiaofan frowned, quickly sending another message to Lin Rou.

After reading it, Lin Rou nodded at Liu Saijian. “I’ll do scissors again.”

It was hard to tell if Liu Saijian was smiling or crying. He nodded awkwardly, and the two played again—Liu Saijian did scissors, and so did Lin Rou.

Sure enough, Liu Saijian had held back; he didn’t trust Lin Rou.

They played again: Liu Saijian chose scissors, Lin Rou chose scissors.

All eyes were glued to the two of them, everyone holding their breath—even Zhang Xiaofan clenched his fists. Although he had given Lin Rou a strategy, and her chance of winning was at least eighty percent, he still worried she might not trust him.

The final round. They both threw—Liu Saijian chose paper, Lin Rou chose scissors again.

Liu Saijian looked ashen. “Impossible! Why did you keep doing scissors? You should have thrown rock—I’d already done scissors twice. Why didn’t you play rock?”

Lin Rou’s chest heaved with nervousness, but thanks to Zhang Xiaofan’s message—“Just do scissors, you’ll win”—she had claimed victory.

She glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Then she turned to Liu Saijian. “I told you, I’d only do scissors, but you didn’t trust me. There was nothing I could do.”

“Hmph, Liu Saijian, that’s the price for trying to bully Lin Rou. Did you really think she was that easy to deceive?” Hu Xiaotian shouted.

“Hu Xiaotian, who do you think you are? You haven’t even won once. If you lose, you’ll die too. Do you think Zhang Xiaofan will save you? He won’t!” Liu Saijian yelled.

Hu Xiaotian replied with a cold laugh, “Liu Saijian, not everything is as dirty as you imagine.”

“Hmph, you think you’re such a good person? Fine, let’s play—you let me win, how about that?” Liu Saijian shot back coldly.

Hu Xiaotian took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll show you that I’m not the despicable person you think I am. I’ll throw scissors—you do rock. I’ll let you win two rounds.”

Liu Saijian had thoroughly riled him up.

Zhang Xiaofan quickly tried to hold him back. “Don’t be impulsive.”

But Hu Xiaotian shook him off. “I want to prove to Liu Saijian that people aren’t as low as he thinks.”

Liu