You said you would make games by yourself, but how did you become the richest man by doing nothing?

#550 - analyze

In the dim room, the oil lamp cast flickering shadows. Tang Yin gazed at the heavy darkness outside the window, a sense of powerlessness welling up inside him. This isolated village seemed to possess a kind of magic, slowly consuming everyone's sanity. The villagers' eyes were becoming increasingly dazed, and their words and actions were drawing closer to that ignorant and superstitious era.

"I must hold on... until the morning sun," he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. The flame of the oil lamp trembled in the breeze, casting flickering shadows on the wall, like some kind of ominous premonition.

"Good evening..."

"Aaaaaah!"

The sudden female voice outside the door scared Tang Yin out of his wits. He screamed almost reflexively, jumping up so abruptly that he nearly hit the bookshelf behind him. That familiar voice belonged to Wang Lina, but at this hour...

Tang Yin's brain raced: it should be around seven in the evening right now. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. If it was a werewolf attack, it was far too early; if it was a normal visit, it was too late! Various possibilities flashed through his mind, none of them reassuring.

"What are you doing!" Tang Yin strode quickly to the door, his hand pressed tightly against the doorframe, his voice low and urgent. "Hurry back to sleep, aren't you afraid of divine retribution!" His voice was filled with barely concealed tension and worry.

In the crack of the door, Wang Lina's delicate face showed a hint of a wry smile. She was wearing a light blue cotton top today, her long hair casually tied into a ponytail, and slightly disheveled strands revealed her fatigue. "Oh, there should still be an hour of safe time. I went to bed around eight yesterday, and nothing happened."

Her voice suddenly lowered, her gaze falling to the ground. "...To be honest, I've been getting plenty of sleep every day, but I'm still not full..." As she said this, she unconsciously stroked her abdomen.

Tang Yin frowned, noticing the unnatural pallor on her face. "...What about your food reserves?"

"Well, Aunt Chen Xiang isn't doing very well, and I wanted to share my food reserves with everyone, so I won't eat today." Wang Lina's eyes sparkled with determination, but her voice trembled slightly. "No one ate today, I can't eat alone."

"Tang Yin, have you eaten?" Wang Lina asked with concern, her eyes filled with sincere care.

"That thing at noon? Forget about it," Tang Yin waved his hand, changing the subject. "Speaking of which, is there something you need?" He deliberately made his voice sound lighter, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"To cheer you up." Wang Lina gave a warm smile, but the smile failed to completely hide the worry in her eyes.

"Really?" Tang Yin raised an eyebrow, keenly aware that there was more to her words.

Wang Lina was silent for a moment, the moonlight streaming through the corridor window, casting dappled shadows on her face. Her expression became serious. "...Tang Yin, do you suspect me?"

"No," His answer was crisp and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

"Why?" She asked softly, her eyes filled with expectation and unease.

Tang Yin looked directly into her eyes. "Because you made the suggestion to have the ape reveal its identity, after fully understanding the situation." His voice was steady and strong, as if it could give people invisible strength.

"Mm." Wang Lina nodded, a trace of relief flashing in her eyes. The wind chime at the end of the corridor swayed gently, making a crisp sound.

"The Yellow Springs Feast is a very rigorous communication game." Tang Yin's tone became solemn.

In the dim room, Wang Lina tilted her head slightly, her bright eyes sparkling with a light of inquiry. "Rigorous?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with confusion.

Tang Yin leaned against the wall, his gaze thoughtfully fixed on the deepening night outside the window. The light from the oil lamp danced on his sharply defined profile, casting flickering shadows. "Apart from communication, almost all other methods of winning are forbidden..." he said slowly, his tone thoughtful. "That's what Xiao Liang said."

"So whether human or wolf, there must be corresponding rules for victory." Tang Yin's fingers unconsciously tapped on the windowsill, making a slight rhythmic sound. Cold wind seeped in through the window cracks, bringing a chill that made him shiver involuntarily.

He turned around, facing Wang Lina, his eyes becoming focused. "For example, the ape's rule, although it's difficult to fully realize its value, can at least immediately eliminate two suspects." As he said this, his tone carried a hint of analytical calmness.

"If the ape revealed its identity on the first day, it might become a safe leader," he paused, a helpless smile appearing on the corner of his mouth. "But, Xiao Liang and Xiao Mei probably couldn't do that, right?"

Wang Lina nodded gently, her hair swaying slightly with the movement. "Mm... one likes to be free, and the other is still a child." Her voice carried understanding and pity for the two.

"Actually, the wolf's victory rules are very passive." Tang Yin's expression suddenly became serious, his brow furrowing slightly. Moonlight streamed through the clouds, casting dappled shadows on the floor, like some kind of hint.

He continued, "Anyone suspected will be hanged, the wolf must try to avoid being suspected, of course, that's not so simple." As he said this, his eyes were deep, as if he were pondering something complex.

Wang Lina lowered her eyes, her slender fingers twisting together anxiously. "...Mm, whether silent or eloquent, you'll be suspected." Her tone was tinged with worry.

"Mm, at the beginning of the feast, there are only two reference factors for judging the credibility of a statement." Tang Yin's voice was steady and strong, especially clear in the silent night.

Wang Lina raised her head, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes. "...Is this also related to the ape?"

"Mm, that is, misleading and not offering valuable suggestions." Tang Yin took a few steps forward, the light of the oil lamp lengthening behind him, casting a long shadow on the floor.

His tone became serious: "Regarding misleading, Qian Jin, who proposed the incorrect calculation method, is very suspicious."

Wang Lina blinked, a thoughtful look on her face. "...But, he's human, right?"

"That's right." Tang Yin nodded, then added, "But, the premise is that Zhao Gang is the real snake."

"Oh, is there a possibility of lying?" Wang Lina's voice was tinged with tension, and she leaned forward involuntarily.

Tang Yin's answer was decisive: "The possibility is zero, after all, the Guardian is only self-proclaimed." He paused, his eyes becoming sharp. "Let's put it this way, if I were a wolf, I would kill a few people first and then claim to be the Guardian, so I could guarantee my safety."

Wang Lina frowned slightly. "...I see, but, Zhao Gang declared his identity on the first day, right?" Her tone was tinged with uncertainty.

"You're right..." Tang Yin's voice suddenly became low, with a hint of thought. "It's simply suicidal behavior, but, as long as the spider protects him, the benefit is greater than the risk... right?" As he spoke, his tone seemed somewhat unnatural.

The wind outside suddenly picked up, the leaves rustling. Tang Yin took a deep breath, looking at Wang Lina with determined eyes: "In short, I think Zhao Gang and Qian Jin are trustworthy." His words carried a kind of unquestionable conviction.

The moonlight, like water, streamed through the window lattices onto the wooden floor of the room, outlining dappled shadows in the silent night. Tang Yin narrowed his eyes, a faint smile appearing on the corner of his mouth, "And you, who suggested that the ape reveal its identity."

Wang Lina gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes suddenly becoming sly. "...Tang Yin, maybe I've already seen through your intentions, and I'm just using your plan against you?" Her voice was teasing, as if challenging the other's wisdom.

"Oh~ this is troublesome." Tang Yin sighed exaggeratedly, but his eyes sparkled with playful light.

Wang Lina leaned forward slightly, her long hair swaying gently with the movement, her eyes becoming sharp. "So, in other words, when you told me about the ape, you still suspected me?" Her tone was tinged with dissatisfaction.

"Ah, I've been found out." Tang Yin spread his hands, feigning innocence. The moonlight cast a faint shadow on his handsome profile, making his expression even more profound.

Wang Lina suddenly puffed out her cheeks, like an angry little squirrel. "Jerk! Favorability DOWN!" she said, pretending to be angry, but her voice contained a hint of playfulness.

Tang Yin suddenly became serious, looking at her with sincere eyes: "I was testing you because I wanted to believe you."

Hearing these words, Wang Lina's expression softened instantly, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes. "...Favorability UP," she muttered softly, the corners of her mouth rising unconsciously.

The joy in her heart was like a blooming flower, quietly blossoming in her heart. That's great, she thought silently.

"Speaking of which, who do you think is the most suspicious?" Wang Lina restrained her smile, asking seriously.

"Xiao Mei." Tang Yin answered without hesitation, his voice steady and firm.

"...As expected." Wang Lina sighed softly, as if she had expected it.

Tang Yin walked to the window, gazing at the dark night outside. "There's probably no need to explain, her attitude today was very strange, maybe it's because she killed Grandpa." His voice was low, with a hint of heaviness.

"Or she was forced by other wolves to kill Old Gao, making her unable to trust anyone," he continued, his tone revealing a trace of sympathy.

"...Ah... that's certainly possible..." Wang Lina's voice trembled slightly, obviously thinking of this possibility as well.

The night breeze gently blew, bringing a chill. There are many other possibilities, but these are just guesses. Although Gao Mei received few votes, it was only because no one wanted to provoke her. There is no doubt that Gao Mei is the most suspicious person. That's why they decided to check her identity today.

Tang Yin suddenly turned around, his brow furrowed slightly. "However, she doesn't seem to be very good at this kind of game, so we can't subjectively conclude that she doesn't offer valuable suggestions."

His gaze became deep, "In that case, I actually think Qin Ming is more suspicious."

Wang Lina looked surprised, "Huh, didn't Qin Ming offer a lot of valuable suggestions, like the error in the calculation of days..." her voice filled with doubt.

She continued, "And, that's what he said, that remaining silent indirectly benefits the wolves." Recalling the past, her tone became certain.

"He was the one who suggested that the spider hide its identity on the first day," Wang Lina added, her eyes flashing with intelligent light.

Tang Yin nodded thoughtfully. "You're right." His voice was calm, but it contained some depth. The moonlight streamed through the window, weaving an almost invisible net between them, as if hinting at the intricate relationships in this game.

In the room late at night, the air was so stagnant that you could almost hear the flow of thoughts. Tang Yin's slender fingers tapped lightly on the oak table, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. Especially the situation on the first day, he calculated in his heart, if the Guardians declared their identities one after another, those lurking werewolves would probably laugh in their dreams, right?

The moonlight cast a cold light on his handsome profile, reflecting his thoughtful expression. However, what concerned him most was Qin Ming's choice of leader, and he never suggested that the ape reveal its identity. This detail was like a thorn, deeply stuck in Tang Yin's heart.

Not offering valuable suggestions—this behavior itself is very suspicious. Qin Ming, a shrewd person like him, should have discovered this long ago. Or, precisely because Tang Yin was an outsider, he was able to see through these details from a clearer, outsider's perspective?

Silence spread in the room, until Tang Yin spoke softly: "I also hope he is innocent, but I don't have any other clues for the time being, I don't know what Hua Lu and Granny Rong are thinking."

Wang Lina looked at the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window, and responded softly: "Mm..." Her eyes were slightly blurred, as if she was thinking about something. In fact, Hua Lu was also very suspicious, always giving people the feeling that she was hiding many secrets, but there was a lack of solid evidence.

After all, she is one of the elders, and she possesses information that only the people of Baifeng Village know... This alone is enough to make her a suspect. If she could turn the situation around through her information, Wang Lina thought to herself.

Suddenly, Wang Lina turned her head, looking at Tang Yin with burning eyes: "...Tang Yin, are you enjoying the current situation?"

"Of course not." Tang Yin answered decisively.

"But, you seem to like reasoning." Wang Lina tilted her head slightly, her black jade-like eyes flashing with an inquisitive light.

Tang Yin's expression became serious: "I don't deny this, but when my own or important people's lives are in danger, I don't feel any enjoyment." He stood up and walked to the window, "Moreover, I'm not a detective, just an amateur, no matter how I reason, I don't have any clues, only a deep sense of powerlessness."

"I can't tell at all." Wang Lina's voice was tinged with surprise.

"Why do you say that?" Tang Yin turned around, the moonlight coating his outline with a soft silver edge.

Wang Lina pursed her lips: "...Everyone is already exhausted, in this situation, ordinary people would have lost their composure long ago, right?"

"In that case, you're the same." Tang Yin said meaningfully.

Wang Lina blinked, a mysterious smile rising to the corner of her mouth: "Because I'm not an ordinary person."

"Speaking of this, I heard you almost killed someone." Tang Yin suddenly threw out this sentence, looking straight at her.

Wang Lina's expression froze instantly, her voice tinged with annoyance: "...Who has such a big mouth?"

Tang Yin shrugged: "I have to keep it secret, but the other party shouldn't have any malicious intent."

"Well, never mind, how should I put it?" Wang Lina took a deep breath, a shadow of the past flickering in her eyes.

Her voice became low and deep: "When I was in middle school, some older students bullied the students from Wuyin Village, so I taught them a lesson with a baseball bat."

"Whoa." Tang Yin gasped, his eyes filled with both shock and a hint of undisguised admiration. The night deepened, and the moonlight still quietly shone into the room, witnessing this conversation full of mystery.