Chapter 18: Acting cute
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The man in glasses was seated at the center, appearing to be the speculated “Leader”.
However, it seems he’s had a rough time, his shirt was wrinkled, his hair greasy, and he looked like he hadn’t bathed properly for several days. Shen MO asked, “What is information exchange?”
The man gently pushed up his glasses and calmly responded, “You can understand it as information sharing. Each person must express valuable intelligence without any reservation, only this way can everyone work together on countermeasures. If everyone hides their knowledge, expecting others to solve the problems that would yield no progress, wouldn’t it?”
That was true; it was safer and more effective to work together than it was to work alone. Since ancient times, humans have solved innumerable difficulties by working as a team, arguably one of the greatest wisdoms of humanity. However, when more people work together, it’s inevitable for some to take advantage of the situation.
Bai Youwei held her plush rabbit close to her, timidly saying, “But we don’t know what kind of information has value…
Hearing her suddenly speak softly, Shen MO was taken aback. His hands on the wheelchair rose in goosebumps.
Pretending to be innocent, she raised her head and looked at him pitifully, “Brother, do you know?”
Perhaps Bai Youwei’s deceptive appearance was convincing, the man in glasses was receptive, gently explaining, “Don’t worry. Since you could get here, you must have encountered those dolls. Anything related to the dolls could be shared; the more detailed, the better. Even if you can’t figure something out, sharing it might yield a new perspective.”
Bai Youwei pursed her lips, pretending to ponder deeply.
“Hmm… on our way here, we met a bald man driving a pickup truck. He drove from a road with dolls, unscathed, so we followed behind him… but those who followed later all turned into dolls. So, I think… are there limits to the number of people? If the number of people is fewer, maybe it’s safe to pass?”
After finishing, she anxiously looked at the man in glasses, “Is this… valuable intelligence?”
The man in glasses had a softer expression now, “It counts. Your findings are consistent with our recent observations. Come and sit.”
Bai Youwei visibly relaxed and smiled gratefully at the man in glasses.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Shen MO had no choice but to play the part of a taciturn brother and silently wheeled herself closer.
The people naturally made room for Bai Youwei and Shen MO, indirectly acknowledging the leadership position of the man in glasses.
Sitting down in a chair next to the wheelchair, Shen MO stayed silent.
Bai Youwei looked up naively and asked, “If it’s safer to have fewer people, wouldn’t it be safer to go alone?”
“There are various limiting conditions, and the number of people is just the most obvious one. There could be hidden conditions. After all, the first people who turned into dolls did so while suddenly alone. So for now, it’s hard to say.”
The man in glasses stopped the topic and looked at everyone else, “Let’s continue with the previous question. Our colleagues who left to scout today haven’t returned yet. What should we do? Do we keep waiting?”
All eyes darted around the room; no one spoke for a moment.
The man in glasses surveyed the room and firmly stated, “Leaving here outright would definitely hold risks, but the utilities in the rest area could stop at any moment, we won’t be able to hold out much longer.”
“Maybe…” someone began hesitantly, “We could send out a few more people to scout?”
The suggestion was immediately dismissed, “Who would go? Those people haven’t returned; they may have already died on the road. Who else would dare to go? Will you go?”
“…But we can’t just wait here for our deaths.” “Perhaps there’s no danger, and they’ve run off!”
“That’s unlikely, their luggage is still in the rest area…”