Bai Youwei followed the little boy's gaze.
It was towards the group of people Shen Mo and Tan Xiao had inquired about earlier.
At this moment, those people were staring at them, seemingly curious whether they would actually trade a prop with the child.
"Maybe they're just teasing you," Bai Youwei curled her lip into a wicked smile. "Adults love to tease children, you know. They'll say things like, 'Just finish your homework and you can watch cartoons,' but after you finish, they'll brush you off with other excuses. Aren't you afraid they're tricking you?"
The little boy frowned and said seriously, "No, they won't. I'm young. If we enter the game together, they can use me as a scapegoat, so they'll definitely take me with them."
Bai Youwei smiled. "You understand quite well."
Tan Xiao, also understanding, couldn't help but ask, "Since they'll use you as a scapegoat, wouldn't it be the same whether you have props or not? Why won't they let you join?"
"Without props, I'll really be a scapegoat," the boy said. "With props, I might not die."
Hearing such talk of life and death from a ten-year-old child was somewhat disheartening.
The group exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.
Perhaps seeing that Bai Youwei and the others weren't interested in the map, the little boy tried again to promote his other goods: "Besides the map, I can also help you find food, both rations and fresh vegetables, and some emergency medicine. I can find all these things for you for just one prop."
Bai Youwei gently shook her head, coldly rejecting him. "Child, we won't buy these things. In the maze, the value of a prop far exceeds that of food and medicine."
The little boy's face fell with disappointment. He pursed his lips, giving up, and started to walk away.
Cheng Wei, being a teacher, couldn't bear to see a child suffer. He quickly chased after the boy and stopped him: "Hey, little friend, don't try to buy any more props, and don't believe those people about joining their team. You're still young, too easily used by others. Find a place to hide and live well…"
"Teacher Cheng, in his situation, hiding anywhere is useless," Bai Youwei called out to them. "Hey, kid, have you considered joining us?"
The little boy froze, turned around, and looked at Bai Youwei with suspicion in his eyes.
Bai Youwei said, "You know it yourself, right? The fact that we dare to enter the maze means our strength is far greater than that 'Brother Fei' person."
"Do… do you need to bring me into the maze as a scapegoat?" the little boy asked hesitantly.
He couldn't help but suspect this.
Otherwise, why would they be willing to take him in? Don't adults all look down on children?
Bai Youwei burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! …A scapegoat… That's something only those who fear death need! I have a pile of props I can't even use up, would I need a little kid like you as a scapegoat?"
The little boy blushed, but his eyes lit up. He asked hopefully, "Will you really let me join?"
"Of course, it's not unconditional. After all, this isn't a shelter," Bai Youwei curled her lip, saying casually, "As long as you can survive leaving the maze, I'll allow you to join, and I'll even give you a prop."
The little boy was stunned. "…Survive, leaving the maze?"
"That's right," Bai Youwei looked at him leisurely. "Since we're going to be teammates, we should at least understand each other's abilities, right? If you're just going to cry in the maze, I won't accept a teammate like that."
The little boy: "I never cry!"
"Then think about it," Bai Youwei said lazily, turning to look at Shen Mo. "What time are we entering the maze this afternoon?"
"2 PM," Shen Mo replied.
"Good." Bai Youwei looked at the little boy again. "If you've made up your mind, meet us here at 2 PM to enter the maze together."
…