mesbooks #610 - New day banquet
#610 - New day banquet
Wolves know each other's identities.
This was a conclusion he had reached through repeated deaths, and it was one of the only truths he could currently be certain of. He raised his head, his gaze falling on the mist outside the window, but his thoughts had already drifted to deeper places. Let's assume that everyone in Mist Village knows this. If that's the case, would the wolves lurking among the young people deliberately avoid voting for him?
Thinking this, Tang Yin frowned slightly, and the movement of his fingertip on the page also paused. There's also one more thing—from his perspective, he also wanted to protect Hualu, but Hualu's existence, and the uniqueness she exhibited, had exploitable value in some ways. Tang Yin had to admit this. His gaze dimmed for a moment, then returned to calmness.
He believed that Hualu and Xiaomei were humans. Specifically, Hualu was just an ordinary human, while Xiaomei was a Spider—that is, someone with some kind of blessing. Hualu's naivety and kindness made her seem particularly vulnerable in this complex situation, while Xiaomei's uniqueness destined her to be the focus of everyone's attention.
"...I've already told Xiaomei about this and had her confirm it." Hualu's voice sounded in his mind, carrying her usual gentleness and firmness.
"If you're very conflicted, don't vote for Xiaomei, just vote for me." Her tone lowered, as if pleading or praying.
Tang Yin imagined what Hualu looked like when she said this, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. She was worried that the Yellow Springs Ritual Banquet might be held, so she told Xiaomei in advance how to deal with the banquet. But Xiaomei... could Xiaomei really understand the deep meaning of the Yellow Springs Ritual Banquet? Can she actively participate in it?
The answer was obviously no. If Xiaomei was really a Guardian, she would definitely tell Hualu through some kind of code. And this code must be subtle and private, not easily noticed. Tang Yin's gaze became deep, his eyes fell on the paper on the table, and the pen in his hand slowly turned, as if thinking about something.
...But personal communication will inevitably be heard by others. Even the conversation between Hualu and Xiaomei cannot avoid this. And these ears naturally include wolves.
Tang Yin sighed softly, his fingertip drawing a vague symbol on the paper. Perhaps this was more real than what he experienced on the way back, and it must be included in the rules to be absolutely followed. However, even if it is heard, as long as the other party cannot understand the meaning, the privacy of the conversation is still effective.
Because of this, Tang Yin was even more convinced that Hualu knew that Xiaomei possessed a blessing. It was also for this reason that Hualu stood up and used herself as a cover to protect Xiaomei's safety.
She told him this, even when Xiaomei only had one vote and was very safe, deliberately letting Tang Yin vote for herself. Her purpose was very clear—this was to hint to Tang Yin about Xiaomei's importance.
Tang Yin closed his eyes, recalling Hualu's expression at the time, that silent persistence and hidden stubbornness, like a silent entrustment. He took a deep breath, reopened his eyes, and his gaze was calm and sharp.
...He didn't know if anyone else besides himself had noticed Xiaomei's uniqueness. But what was certain was that once Xiaomei's true identity was revealed, she would become the focus of everyone's attention.
"Tonight, we must hold on." Tang Yin murmured in a low voice, his tone deep and calm, as if talking to himself, or swearing to some invisible existence. The dim light reflected on his slightly drooping face, and the shadows under his eyes made him look even more profound. He leaned against the wooden table, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the surface, as if filtering the thoughts in his mind.
Most of the people in Mist Village should think that Hualu's worries were just out of concern for Xiaomei. After all, as the person responsible for purifying pollution, her caution was understandable. Even if everyone thought so, they wouldn't suspect anything. Tang Yin frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the paper on the table, his fingertip tapping the name he had written.
Because of this, others may not stop voting for Xiaomei or Hualu... Tang Yin sighed softly, feeling a trace of powerlessness. Even so, Hualu still chose to hide Xiaomei's identity. Her performance reminded Tang Yin of Old Gao last time, the old man also desperately protected someone. Tang Yin thought that Xiaomei was probably the Spider.
Because of this, he decided to trust them.
However, there is one more person—Xia Hui.
Tang Yin's hand stopped on the paper, his brow furrowing again. Xia Hui claimed that she had not checked the mark on her stomach and survived yesterday's banquet. If she claimed to be a Guardian today, should her words be believed? Tang Yin shook his head. Xia Hui had no loyalty to Mist Village, and it was difficult for others to completely trust her. Whether she was a wolf or a human, it could not be ruled out that she was lying to survive.
—Then check one of these three people.
Tang Yin's gaze swept over the names on the paper, and after a moment, the tip of his pen stopped on "Zhao Gang". He decided to check Zhao Gang's identity.
...
The faint light of dawn penetrated the thick fog, vaguely spilling onto the windowsill. Tang Yin looked down at the blood-red words on his hand, the dazzling red flickering before his eyes like some kind of curse.
"Zhao Gang is human."
Tang Yin's expression didn't change much; this result was within his expectations.
However, what happened next completely exceeded his imagination.
"...Oh..." Grandma Rong's voice came from outside, trembling and unbelievable.
"Everyone is alive...!!" Her voice gradually increased, revealing a sense of joy and shock.
That's right, no one had died.
The cafeteria was crowded with people, the air was filled with the aroma of breakfast, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than yesterday. Chen Xiang stood behind the counter, smiling and greeting everyone: "Okay, everyone, eat more."
People sat around the table, talking softly, occasionally bursting into laughter. After all, none of their neighbors had died.
Tang Yin sat in the corner, his eyes sweeping over everything, his fingers gently tapping on the table. His mind echoed with the thoughts of last night. The "threat of being betrayed by neighbors" that he had proposed yesterday did not happen. No one died, no one disappeared. This situation gave people some hope.
Perhaps, in all this madness, there is no traitor who became a wolf. Some people will definitely have this idea.
Tang Yin lowered his head, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a thoughtful smile.
Zhao Gang stood in the middle, his voice loud and his smile with undisguised pride: "I told you, Qin Ming, Tang Yin! No one will believe that kind of nonsense!"
Qin Ming stood aside, a faint smile on his lips, but his tone was obviously perfunctory: "Yeah, ah, maybe." His eyes flickered for a moment, as if deliberately avoiding something. He probably didn't want to ruin this rare relaxed atmosphere.
Gao Zhijie sat not far away, silent. His face was still serious, his brow was slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something, but he didn't open his mouth to refute it in the end.
On the other hand, Qian Jin's expression was full of impatience. His lips were slightly open, as if some pessimistic argument was about to blurt out, but he finally held back. He looked up at the scene in the room, his eyes paused on Hualu for a moment, then he silently lowered his head.
"...That's great, that's really great... Everyone is fine." Hualu's voice trembled slightly, her eyes were slightly red, and tears were swirling in her eyes. She stood in a corner of the room, holding Grandma Rong's hand tightly.
"Yes, yes, that's really great..." Grandma Rong nodded while wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice hoarse but full of relief.
However, on the other side, the atmosphere in the kitchen was completely different.
"...Hey." Qin Yi's voice came from the sink, his tone full of displeasure.
Tang Yin was drying a bowl next to him and raised his head when he heard the sound: "What's wrong?"
Qin Yi frowned, his hand stopped, and his tone was unkind: "What's going on? Didn't anything happen?"
Tang Yin chuckled, his tone meaningful: "What are you talking about? Something big has already happened."
"Huh?" Qin Yi raised his head and glared at him, his face full of confusion.
Tang Yin casually put the bowl into the cupboard and said in a low voice: "You'll know after the banquet starts... It's all foam, wash it again." He pointed to the bowl in Qin Yi's hand, his tone light.
The corners of Qin Yi's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked down at the bowl he had just washed, and couldn't help but blurt out: "Annoying... !"
"Oh, Xiao Yi, I didn't expect you to help out too~" A teasing voice came from the door, it was Wang Lina. She leaned against the door frame, smiling easily, "I haven't seen you do this kind of work for years~"
"Annoying, Sister Lina!" Qin Yi suddenly raised his head and glared at her, his tone full of helplessness, "Don't say 'go, go' while secretly dirtying my bowl with your fingers!"
"Ah, I was discovered." Wang Lina's smile didn't diminish, she covered her mouth in feigned surprise, then smiled slyly, "However, it's not a finger, but lips! It's indirect kissing, you're making a killing."
"Ugh, so disgusting." Qin Yi took a step back as if struck by lightning, his face full of undisguised disgust.
"That's too much!" Wang Lina pouted, put her hands on her hips, and pretended to be aggrieved.
"Sister Lina, I'm also shocked..." Gao Mei poked her head out from the side, looking at her with a complicated expression, "What exactly did you learn outside..."
"This is my original creation!" Wang Lina raised her chin triumphantly, looking "unbeatable".
"Sister Lina is too impure." Tong Xiaoliang squeezed to the side and muttered in a low voice, his voice was small, but it accurately drilled into everyone's ears.
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"...What are you doing, Xiao Liang?" Qin Yi held a plate still covered in detergent in one hand and glared at Tong Xiaoliang, who was standing next to the sink, his voice full of helplessness.
"I'm here to help, lick, lick, lick." Tong Xiaoliang replied while exaggeratingly sticking out his tongue, pretending to lick the plate in his hand.
"Don't lick it randomly!" Qin Yi's roar almost shattered the roof, scaring Xiao Liang, but the teasing in his eyes didn't diminish at all.
"I'm~ here~ to help~~" Grandpa Wolf popped out from nowhere, his tone was long, and the smile on his face looked a little malicious no matter how you looked at it. He walked towards the sink tremblingly.
Tang Yin turned his head when he heard the sound, his brow jumped, and he quickly waved his hand: "Stop! We don't need your help here!"
"Ah—" Xiao Mei suddenly screamed, almost knocking over the bowl in her hand. She hid far away in the corner, covered her ears, and her face was full of horror, "Stop making noise!"
At this moment, the entire cafeteria was completely boiling, and the noise was like a pot of boiling water, rolling and never stopping.
Old Gao standing at the door frowned, sighed, and turned to leave: "...I'll go on patrol again."
His back gradually blurred in the fog outside the window, looking a bit melancholy. But in the room, the noise didn't show any signs of stopping.
"...Alas." Xia Hui, who was sitting by the window, sighed softly, her eyes falling on the clock on the wall, as if waiting for something. Her expression was a bit dazed, and her fingers were unconsciously grabbing her cuffs. No one knew what she was thinking, but her eyes occasionally swept over her abdomen, as if confirming something, and a complex emotion flashed across her face.
She seemed to be waiting for the banquet to begin, and she seemed to be preparing to announce something.
Soon after, Old Gao opened the door, his voice low but clear: "The banquet has begun."
The cafeteria instantly fell silent, everyone stopped their movements, and their eyes turned to Old Gao in unison. Tang Yin stood in place, his brow slightly furrowed, and he felt inexplicably uneasy. He knew that the real twists and turns might still be ahead.
...
Inside the assembly hall, the atmosphere was subtle and tense.
Zhao Gang stood up, his eyes sweeping over everyone, his tone with a bit of urgency: "It should be over, right, Old Gao?"
He didn't take the wine glass handed to him, but turned to look at Old Gao, his expression frank.
"What do you mean, Zhao Gang?" Old Gao's brow furrowed slightly, his tone with incomprehension.
"There's no need to continue the banquet, the wolves have no intention of killing people." Zhao Gang's voice was firm, as if stating an unquestionable fact.
As soon as this sentence came out, a low discussion immediately sounded in the hall. Sure enough, he still made this suggestion.
"...I didn't expect you to be so optimistic!" Qian Jin sneered, stood up, his tone with disdain, "Who can predict the current situation!"
Zhao Gang's expression changed slightly, and his tone became slightly heavier: "What do you want to say?"
Qian Jin looked at him coldly, his voice low but with a piercing chill: "Last night was just a coincidence, the Spider just happened to protect the wolf's target!"
This sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up waves.
"In addition to himself, the Spider can choose one person out of fourteen to protect." Qian Jin's tone revealed a calm, almost cruel analysis, "A one-in-fourteen probability, which is about seven percent..."
He looked around, his eyes sweeping over everyone like a knife: "We should naturally be grateful for this fluke, but at the same time, we must make up for yesterday's mistake and reduce the number of wolves through the banquet."
Zhao Gang narrowed his eyes, his voice low: "How can you be so sure?"
"...I'm just not so naive about the situation." Qian Jin raised his head, looked directly at Zhao Gang, and sneered.
The atmosphere between the two suddenly became tense, as if it was about to break out.
Zhao Gang snorted coldly and said in a deep voice: "Listen, even if there is nothing, we can coexist peacefully, this is humanity."
Qian Jin chuckled, his tone full of mockery: "Hmph, is human nature inherently good?"