Chapter 501: Red Wine Braised Beef
Whether it is a labyrinth or a game, what is most unsettling is that among the players travelling with you, some have ulterior motives, leaving you in constant vigilance.
Du Lai is camping so close, it’s clear he plans to enter this maze.
His delay could be due to hesitation, as he said, but Bai Youwei feels it’s more likely that he’s waiting for a scapegoat or a fall guy.
After all, everything about this labyrinth is still unknown. To get clues, using people as sacrifices is the easiest way.
Bai Youwei doesn’t want to have to guard against such people after entering the maze, it would be too draining.
Plus, there’s his so-called “girlfriend,” which has her on edge as well.
“Perhaps we’ll go first and they will follow,” Bai Youwei frowned with annoyance, “it’s so annoying, why did we have to run into him…”
Shen Mo parked the car on the side and calmly said, “Du Lai is an opportunist. If we’re having a smooth run in the maze, he might be willing to cooperate and help us, but should we encounter any trouble, showing any weakness, he won’t hesitate to trip us up for his own benefit.”
Bai Youwei nodded, frowning, “That is indeed the case…so the timing of entering the labyrinth is critical—
If we let them go first, I’m worried that they’ll hide any clues they find;
If we let them go last, I worry they’ll pick up the pieces if something goes wrong;
And if we go with them, I’m still worried…”
If it was someone else, Bai Youwei might not be this cautious, but it’s Du Lai himself that really makes her uneasy.
Just thinking about him stealing all those puzzle pieces, it reveals a lot about his character and tactics.
“Since we’ve run into him, there’s no way to avoid it,” Shen Mo said indifferently, “we’ll enter the labyrinth tonight while they sleep.”
So as to have least possible direct confrontation.
“Looks like that’s the only way.” Bai Youwei grimaced, clearly unhappy, “feels like we’re chickening out.”
“Finding Su Man is the priority, no need for reckless confrontation, and besides…” Shen Mo glanced over at the other group’s tent, “if I’m not mistaken, when that woman turned her head to look at us just now, her shoulder didn’t move.”
Listening to this, Bai Youwei was initially puzzled but then her eyes slowly widened.
When people turn their heads, their shoulders usually shift accordingly. It’s impossible for them to remain completely still unless they’re a robot.
“Are you suggesting…” Bai Youwei drew closer and whispered into Shen Mo’s ear, “Du Lai’s girlfriend, is not human?”
“Yan Qingwen got a hold of the Steel Puppet, it’s not surprising that Du Lai has a similar doll,” Shen Mo said.
Bai Youwei exclaimed, “But she spoke just now…”
It couldn’t be a puppet doll starting to talk on its own, could it?
Shen Mo chuckled and ruffled her hair, “I’m just speculating. In any case, it’s safer to stay away from them.”
After pondering it for a while, Bai Youwei didn’t mind her hair being ruffled up, and agreed, “So, we’ll rest up well now and set off when we’re fully refreshed.”
Shen Mo and Bai Youwei casually set up their tent, made a fire, then took out a well-cooked dinner from the dollhouse. They ate while warming themselves by the fire.
As night fell, darkness quickly enveloped the surroundings, with only the two fires at the roadside casting a silent glow.
Du Lai was also having his dinner.
Much simpler than Bai Youwei and Shen Mo’s food, he had some hard and dry flatbreads in his hand and instant noodles by his side. But he didn’t bother boiling them since it would require firing up an extra pot, which he found tiresomely inconvenient.
Meanwhile, Bai Youwei and Shen Mo was enjoying a meal of beef stewed in red wine.