deltrittennovels #613 - An unexpected vote
#613 - An unexpected vote
Gao Zhijie's voice was low, yet resonant, like an unquestionable verdict: "The wolf must be hanged."
Zhao Gang abruptly raised his head, his tone laced with suppressed anger: "You're right, but one of them isn't a wolf!"
"To ensure absolute certainty, sacrifice is inevitable," Gao Zhijie's gaze was indifferent, his voice like iron. "Everyone has always done it this way."
"Granny Rong, prepare yourself," his voice was devoid of any inflection, as if announcing a predetermined fact.
Granny Rong raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"We've known each other for sixty years," Gao Zhijie continued, his tone still steady, yet carrying a suffocating pressure. "I believe you love Mist Hidden Village the most."
His gaze was deep and calm, as if looking through Granny Rong at something more distant.
"Can you sacrifice yourself for Mist Hidden Village?"
Decades of friendship were ruthlessly cast aside in these few words. Gao Zhijie's gaze did not waver in the slightest; his principles were like an insurmountable chasm, firmly separating him from others. He was not questioning Granny Rong; he was delivering a sentence.
His calm expression and rigid voice forced a confidante into a dead end. There was no guilt, no confusion, not a trace of pity.
Granny Rong was silent for a moment, finally speaking, her voice hoarse but carrying a world-weary exhaustion: "...Will you and Zhao Gang help me collect my corpse?"
"Yes," Gao Zhijie nodded, his tone as casual as if discussing the most ordinary of matters.
Zhao Gang's Adam's apple bobbed, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he only trembled as he spoke: "...Granny, don't do that."
Granny Rong turned her head, a loving smile in her eyes, and said softly: "Zhao Gang, I am not the Wolf God. If you believe me, cast your vote for that woman."
"If I am hanged, then that is the will of the Thousand Bright Gods," her tone was understated, as if life and death were matters she had long since seen through.
"...That's it then, Hua Lu," Gao Zhijie's voice was still cold and hard, as if he hadn't heard Zhao Gang's persuasion.
"Yes," Hua Lu lowered her head, answering in an almost inaudible voice. Her hands trembled slightly, but she did not refuse or refute.
"Go and collect today's votes," Gao Zhijie issued the final order.
...As yesterday, the voting began with Grandpa Wolf.
Grandpa Wolf slowly raised his head from the shadows, a strange smile on his face, as if he were thoroughly amused by everything and it was none of his concern. He extended his withered hand, pointing at Granny Rong, his tone lazy and with a hint of mockery: "I vote for Granny Rong, heh heh heh."
His dry laughter echoed in the silent assembly hall, like a crow cawing in the wilderness. Granny Rong's face instantly turned ashen; she slammed her knee, her voice filled with anger and disbelief: "...You're being so unreasonable too!"
Does this old man even understand the situation? This illogical voting method is simply absurd! Tang Yin frowned slightly but did not speak. He knew that Grandpa Wolf's behavior was not worth delving into; it was more about concealing his true intentions.
"I vote for the female reporter," Gao Zhijie's voice rang out, calm as if stating an obvious rule. His gaze swept coldly over Xia Hui, as if using silent pressure to force her to lower her head.
"...I do too," Granny Rong's tone had a hint of weariness, but her eyes still held determination. She didn't want to defend herself; she had already accepted the situation.
"I also vote for the female reporter," Zhao Gang's voice was low and slow, as if trying hard to suppress some emotion in his heart. He didn't look at Xia Hui; instead, he cast his gaze to the ground, seemingly unwilling to face her reaction.
"Okay, I knew it...!" Xia Hui abruptly stood up, her face filled with anger and resentment. Her voice was shrill, like a beast driven to the limit letting out a roar. "From the beginning, you never intended to believe me!"
"...I vote for Zhao Gang," Chen Xiang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, her voice not loud, but clearly echoing in the assembly hall.
As soon as she finished speaking, as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake, the entire venue instantly erupted.
"...Why, Sister Chen Xiang?" Zhao Gang raised his head, his face a mixture of astonishment and disappointment. His voice trembled slightly, as if unable to believe the reality before him.
Chen Xiang didn't respond directly; instead, she raised her head and looked directly at Zhao Gang, her eyes filled with complexity and struggle: "I don't understand many complex situations. But... even if I have to suspect the person I least want to suspect, I am prepared."
Her voice was low, but carrying a resolute force, as if using all her strength to suppress her emotions: "...So, I decided to vote this way, Zhao Gang, I hope you can understand my feelings."
"...In other words, you don't think I'm the wolf, you're voting for me to make me sober, is that it?" Zhao Gang's voice was even lower, as if trying to interpret Chen Xiang's implied meaning.
Chen Xiang was silent for a moment, then calmly spoke: "There is no evidence to prove that you are not a wolf yet. And I think you have not shouldered your responsibility, Zhao Gang."
"What exactly is my responsibility... I don't understand!" Zhao Gang's voice suddenly rose, his eyes filled with confusion and anger. His fists clenched, his knuckles slightly white, as if trying to restrain himself.
"...Is it my turn? This is a headache," Qian Jin's voice came from the side. He rubbed his temples, his tone full of helplessness, yet revealing a hint of cynicism. "Hanging them both at the same time is indeed reasonable, but you still underestimate this woman who calls herself a snake."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone, finally landing on Zhao Gang: "I... vote for Zhao Gang."
"Even you..." Zhao Gang's voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Qian Jin shrugged, his tone with a hint of ease: "If I voted for Granny Rong, you would definitely be even more angry, right... And my assessment of him has changed a little."
"Me?" Tang Yin raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes with a hint of vigilance.
"Yes, enough said," Qian Jin did not explain further, his tone with an inscrutable meaning. The look he gave Tang Yin seemed to be conveying some information, but he did not elaborate.
...He also noticed?
Qin Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone, his voice low and calm: "...I... retain my opinion from yesterday, and vote for Qian Jin."
Qian Jin's mouth twitched, letting out a short, ambiguous sigh: "Ugh..."
Qin Ming ignored his reaction, his tone as steady as if stating an unimportant matter: "The reason for choosing Qian Jin is the same as yesterday..."
After a pause, he turned to look at Xia Hui, his eyes with a hint of inquiry: "However, I will continue to observe Xia Hui's behavior. By the way, why did you check Granny Rong's identity yesterday?"
Xia Hui frowned upon hearing this, seeming a little impatient, and blurted out: "I didn't know what to do, so I just wrote a name...!"
"Just randomly chose Granny Rong?" Qin Ming's tone did not fluctuate, as if confirming an unimportant detail. He lowered his head, thoughtfully whispering: "Okay, I understand, that's it then."
"...What exactly do you mean?" Xia Hui's voice suddenly rose, with a hint of suppressed anger, her eyes revealing a sense of unease, as if provoked by Qin Ming's attitude, but not daring to directly lash out.
Standing to the side, Tong Xiaoliang suddenly smiled, his tone light and carefree as if uninvolved: "I'll add a vote for Uncle Qian Jin."
"Are you done yet, Xiaoliang!" Qian Jin abruptly raised his head, glaring at Tong Xiaoliang, his tone with a hint of helplessness and faint displeasure.
"Hmm~" Tong Xiaoliang shook his head nonchalantly, continuing, "To be honest, I think Sister Xia Hui is the wolf..."
"However," he turned to look at Qin Ming, his tone with a hint of ease, "Since Qin Ming said so, let's continue to observe~"
Qin Ming nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Xiaoliang, thank you."
"...Ha, I still have the same opinion, I vote for the old hag," Qin Yi's voice suddenly interjected, his tone with a hint of mockery and disdain.
Granny Rong glared at him fiercely, her voice filled with anger: "You... tainted brat...!"
The moment they locked eyes, the air seemed to be filled with gunpowder. Tang Yin remained silent, only casting a sidelong glance at them, as if observing this meaningless quarrel.
"...Is it my turn..." Wang Lina's voice rang out softly, her tone with a hint of hesitation, but also unable to conceal a faint firmness, "Hmm..."
She raised her head, looking at Xia Hui with a complex gaze, her tone with a hint of apology: "...Sorry, Xia Hui, I vote for you."
Xia Hui's face suddenly changed, her voice filled with anger and grievance: "...Why!? I'm the snake, right!"
"Because you weren't like this before...! How did you suddenly become like this!" Wang Lina's voice rose slightly, her tone with a hint of suppressed emotion.
Her gaze was fixed on Xia Hui, as if trying to find the answer from the other's expression: "...However, you might also be Tang Yin's raccoon..."
As soon as these words fell, the atmosphere in the assembly hall suddenly froze. After a brief silence, a few low murmurs rang out, but most people still had a confused expression on their faces. Obviously, the word "raccoon" had gradually been forgotten.
Wang Lina took a deep breath, her tone with a hint of earnestness: "...If that's the case, I hope you can say it, don't forget, raccoons are also humans, let's live together."
"There's no such thing," Xia Hui abruptly stood up, her voice filled with anger and resentment, "I am the snake."
Wang Lina sighed softly, raising her head to look at Zhao Gang, her tone calm but with a hint of undeniable firmness: "...Brother Gang, I don't intend to stand on your side either. To be honest, I also considered whether to vote for Granny Rong."
"Lina, even you...!" Granny Rong abruptly raised her eyes, her expression complex, as if struck by some unexpected blow.
"...Wh-what? Why!" Zhao Gang's voice trembled slightly, his emotions mixed with bewilderment and anger. His gaze was questioning, directed straight at Wang Lina.
Wang Lina was not moved by his emotions, only lowering her head slightly, her voice with an undisguised weariness: "Because right now, I can't stand on either side... Brother Gang, you should understand too..."
She paused, raising her head to look directly at Zhao Gang, her eyes with a hint of scrutiny: "...Just because you like Granny Rong, you want to kill Xia Hui..."
"..." Zhao Gang's lips parted slightly, but he did not make any sound. A struggle flashed across his face, as if these words had pierced a nerve.
"This isn't your style, Brother Gang," Wang Lina's voice became even softer, but like a knife, accurately dissecting Zhao Gang's silence.
Zhao Gang lowered his head, his fists clenched, his knuckles white. He was silent for a moment, but in the end, he did not refute.
Wang Lina sighed, her tone with a hint of earnestness: "...I only hope that Brother Gang can seriously think and solve these troubles with me."
Just as the atmosphere fell into a stalemate, Gao Mei's voice suddenly rang out, her tone light and with a hint of casualness: "...I'll vote for Qian Jin too."
"Why does someone always 'conveniently' vote for me...!" Qian Jin's expression instantly darkened, he rubbed his forehead hard, his tone full of helplessness, "This time my situation is really miserable..."
"...I vote for Granny Rong," Hua Lu's voice slowly rang out, her tone with calmness and undeniable authority.
"Lady Hua Lu..." A trace of wavering flashed in Granny Rong's eyes, but she ultimately did not say much, only lowering her head.
Hua Lu lowered her eyes slightly, her tone calm but full of strength: "I cannot treat the candidate for the Snake's Guardian carelessly."
Her gaze swept over Xia Hui, her tone with a hint of apology: "I am truly sorry, if Xia Hui is not the real snake, I will personally execute her no matter what."
Granny Rong closed her eyes, as if letting go of something, and replied in a low voice: "...Okay, I understand."
Hua Lu turned to look at Xiao Mie beside her, her tone gentle: "...Xiao Mie, who do you want to vote for?"
Xiao Mie lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "...Granny..."
Qin Yi snorted coldly, his tone full of mockery: "Even children hate you."
Granny Rong raised her head, her gaze sweeping coldly over Qin Yi, her tone with a hint of desolation: "Being hated by a child from the River of Divinity... doesn't matter."
Hua Lu ignored the two's tit-for-tat, instead turning to Tang Yin: "...Mr. Tang Yin?"
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Tang Yin. Tang Yin's mind was racing: Xia Hui and Granny Rong both have four votes, Qian Jin has three, Zhao Gang has two... No matter who he votes for, it will sway the final situation.
What to do?
Tang Yin lowered his head, appearing calm on the surface, but his thoughts were churning. If he cast this vote for Xia Hui, it would trigger a runoff vote; if he voted for someone else, Granny Rong would be directly executed.
He could only seek meaning in this one vote.
He quickly sorted through the clues, his gaze hurriedly sweeping over Qian Jin – casting a vote for him would be meaningless, and he hadn't voted for Tang Yin earlier, so Tang Yin couldn't repay kindness with malice.
Then, what about Zhao Gang?
Tang Yin raised her head, her gaze deep, her tone carrying a hint of inscrutability: "...I vote for Zhao Gang."
The words hung in the air, stunning everyone into silence.
After a few seconds of stillness, hushed discussions began to spread throughout the assembly hall.
It was a vote that took everyone by surprise.