deltrittennovels #603 - Chapter 603
#603 - Chapter 603
Tang Yin's eyes gleamed with intelligence in the dim light. The current situation was quite dramatic: five candidates, ten voters. If a perfect tie of 2-2-2-2-2 occurred, the runoff vote would automatically become invalid, and no one would be executed today. He glanced at Xia Hui's composed face; she had clearly thought of this as well, which was why she had unhesitatingly voted for Xiao Mie.
However, a shadow quietly loomed over Tang Yin's heart—it seemed the person to be executed was already secretly determined, given the current situation. Just then, Gao Zhijie's hoarse voice broke the silence: "—Just vote the same way as the previous round in the runoff."
Damn! Tang Yin cursed inwardly. This old man was too aggressive. The lamplight reflected on Gao Zhijie's wrinkled face, making him look particularly sinister.
"Huh?" Zhao Gang uttered in confusion. Qin Ming remained silent, his brow furrowed. A trace of anxiety flashed across Gao Mei's pale face: "Even if that's the case..."
"Wait! We must revote!" Wang Lina suddenly stood up, her bright eyes flashing with determination. Tang Yin nodded inwardly; it seemed she had noticed the key issue and acted quickly.
"T-That's right!! Otherwise, I—Hua Lu, can I see the voting results!" Qian Jin's voice was tinged with panic, and cold sweat had already broken out on his forehead.
Hua Lu lowered her head and replied timidly: "Y-Yes, of course, no problem..." Her slender fingers gently flipped through the record book.
Tang Yin's gaze quickly scanned the voting record. It seemed Qian Jin had also discovered the crux of the problem; a glance at the record would reveal that if they voted according to the original numbers, Tang Yin, Qin Yi, and Xiao Mie would each receive two votes, Hua Lu would receive one, and Qian Jin would unfortunately be in the lead alone. Of course, a revote should avoid this dangerous situation. But—
"Is there a need to do that?" Gao Zhijie's voice was as cold as a knife, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
Wang Lina immediately retorted: "Of course there is! Grandpa Gao, otherwise why would we have a runoff vote!?" Her dignified face was filled with determination.
"Lina, from the beginning, were you voting with the intention of evening out the votes?" Gao Zhijie's question struck Wang Lina like a hammer, leaving her speechless.
The wind howled outside the window, as if accompanying this awkward moment. Indeed, Gao Zhijie was right. The essence of a runoff vote is to first eliminate those with fewer votes and then redistribute the corresponding votes to those with more votes. Therefore, if there is neither a minority nor a majority, only a complete tie remains, it is impossible to choose anyone.
The atmosphere inside the assembly hall grew increasingly tense, and everyone's face was filled with anxiety and confusion. The lamplight flickered in the cold wind, casting dancing shadows on the walls, as if silently narrating the treachery hidden behind this vote. Tang Yin's fingers unconsciously tapped the table, his brain racing, trying to find a glimmer of hope in this complex situation.
Tang Yin's gaze wandered around the dimly lit assembly hall, but his thoughts drifted to the unique voting rules of Mist Hidden Village. Unlike ordinary voting, this place not only deprives the suspect of the right to vote, but also changes the entire vote distribution at the moment the right to vote is deprived. More specifically, there is no so-called minority in this vote, so there is no reason to revote.
The ten voters could completely make the same choices as before, so what is the point of revoting? Just as this question swirled in everyone's minds, Gao Zhijie's hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "Are you voting for the victory of the human camp?"
These words were like a heavy hammer, smashing into the hearts of every Mist Hidden Village resident. The lamplight flickered violently in the cold wind, and the shadows projected on the wall seemed to tremble for these words. In this closed small society, betting one's life for the victory of the human camp is an iron rule, an absolutely correct creed. In this atmosphere, insisting on a revote is tantamount to being an enemy of the entire village, and who would be willing to bear such a bad name?
Qin Ming lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously stroking the table. Madam Chen Xiang's pale face was covered with anxious wrinkles. Tong Xiaoliang was uncharacteristically silent, only occasionally letting out a few ambiguous sighs: "...Hmm..."
Tang Yin's gaze swept over the three people who voted for Qian Jin. Who would dare to change their mind at this time and vote for Hua Lu? That would be tantamount to openly defecting under Gao Zhijie's pressure. In the silence, Tong Xiaoliang let out another moan: "Ugh..."
The entire assembly hall was shrouded in a depressing atmosphere, and everyone understood that there were only two choices now. Would Tong Xiaoliang change his mind? Just as everyone was holding their breath and waiting, this seemingly naive young man suddenly burst into a bright smile.
"...Haha, let's just do it this way, this kind of opportunity is rare, such a fun thing~" Tong Xiaoliang's voice was tinged with frivolity, "Okay, I'll change my vote to Sister Hua Lu!"
"Xiaoliang!!!" Gao Zhijie suddenly stood up, his wrinkled face distorted with anger, his clenched fists bulging with veins.
"Stop!! Uncle Gao!!" Zhao Gang rushed forward in time, using his strong arms to stop the enraged old man. The lamplight flickered on their violently shaking figures, casting huge shadows on the wall.
"You also know... Xiaoliang is just this kind of person." Zhao Gang's voice was tinged with helplessness, trying to appease Gao Zhijie's anger.
Gao Zhijie's voice was low and cold: "...As long as you do something that benefits the wolves, you are a traitor to humanity."
"...I know, of course I know." Zhao Gang sighed, a hint of meaning flashed in his eyes, "Actually, you know it too, Uncle Gao."
The wind howled outside the window as before, but the atmosphere inside the assembly hall had undergone a subtle change. Tang Yin leaned back in his chair, watching this sudden dramatic turn, and already had a clear prediction of what would happen next. The lamplight still insisted on its faint light in this noisy night, as if silently witnessing this life-and-death game.
The air in the assembly hall became heavier and heavier, as if solidified into an invisible boulder, pressing on everyone's heart. The lamplight flickered uncertainly, casting mottled shadows on the walls. Everyone's face was filled with exhaustion, their eyes scattered, just wanting to end this long torment as soon as possible. An invisible sense of weariness spread through the crowd, like a huge net, enveloping everyone.
Zhao Gang rubbed his temples tiredly, his voice tinged with apology: "...Sorry, Uncle Gao, not everyone has the kind of awareness you do."
Granny Rong's hunched figure looked particularly old in the dim light, and a helpless smile appeared on her wrinkled face: "...I'm already prepared." She paused and added: "But, Xiao Gao, there's no way around it, everyone decides together who gets hanged, that's the rule."
"I understand, don't regret it." Gao Zhijie's voice was full of bitter resentment, like a sharp dagger piercing everyone's heart. Everyone present was silent, and a subtle sense of guilt permeated the air.
The first day, no execution. Tang Yin looked at the scene in front of him, a wry smile rising in his heart. The result he had completely denied last time was now created by his own hands. Old Gao's footsteps echoed on the floor, heavy and slow, as if stepping on everyone's heart, and finally disappeared at the entrance of the assembly hall.
The others also began to get up one after another, their faces relieved, as if they had finally unloaded a heavy burden. Just then, Qin Ming's angular face suddenly turned to Tang Yin: "Tang Yin, I have something to say to you later."
"...Okay." Tang Yin forced a smile. 'And now this scary add-on,' he thought to himself with a wry smile.
"...Tang Yin, that..." Wang Lina hesitated, her bright eyes flashing with hesitation.
"Mr. Tang Yin... is it convenient now?" Hua Lu's voice was as soft as a spring breeze, but it made Tang Yin's temples throb. 'Oh dear, what's going on?'
Qin Yi snorted coldly, glaring at Tang Yin with hostile eyes: "...Don't think you can show off just because you have a pretty face, you psycho."
"Is that how it is...?" Tang Yin shrugged helplessly.
Tong Xiaoliang had a mischievous smile on his face: "Then talk to me too, Peeing-pants Man."
"Before that name takes root, don't call me that anymore." Tang Yin rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
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"Want to talk to me?" Grandpa Wolf appeared beside him at some point, with a meaningful smile on his face.
"You want to play a prank on me again, right?" Tang Yin took half a step back warily.
Gao Mei stood aside, looking blank: "What's going on here?"
Just as the scene fell into a strange chaos, Zhao Gang's low voice suddenly rang out: "...It's better not to whisper."
His sturdy figure stood between the crowd, instantly breaking this inexplicable atmosphere. The wind howled outside the window as before, as if mocking this farcical ending. The lamplight cast deep shadows on his face, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes.
Zhao Gang's resolute face looked particularly serious in the dim light, and his voice was low and penetrating: "Even if the fog is thick, this is still a small place, and even if you lower your voice, people will hear you. Secrets and conspiracies alike will spread throughout Mist Hidden Village in less than half a day." He glanced around, his eyes carrying a warning, "It's best not to discuss things that can't be exposed."
"...Thank you for your advice." Tang Yin nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, in this closed environment, no matter who you discuss with, you can't be sure that the other party will keep it a secret. Moreover, the act of keeping secrets itself will sow the seeds of distrust between people, not to mention that private conversations with the opposite sex will also invite resentment and suspicion from others.
His gaze swept over the various expressions of the people around him, and he secretly calculated in his mind. Maybe at tomorrow's banquet, someone will make a fuss about "only wolves whisper", and then it will be really troublesome. Rather than hiding it, it's better to talk loudly and openly.
Just then, Madam Chen Xiang's voice broke the slightly awkward atmosphere: "Tang Yin, we need to prepare lunch. Can you use a kitchen knife?"
"So-so." Tang Yin shrugged and followed Madam Chen Xiang to the kitchen. The kitchen was filled with a damp atmosphere, and the thick fog outside the window seemed to be seeping in. Most of the ingredients were leftovers from the morning, and they didn't look very rich. However, when searching the storage room, they unexpectedly found a box of curry sauce, which provided a solution for lunch.
However, this box of regular family-size curry sauce was clearly not enough for fifteen people to share. Tang Yin watched Madam Chen Xiang skillfully add broth to the pot, and then add an appropriate amount of salt and soy sauce to season it. The rich aroma slowly spread in the kitchen, and although the curry that was eventually cooked was thinner than curry udon soup, unexpectedly, when this improvised dish was brought to the table, it received unexpectedly good reviews.
Looking at the way everyone was gobbling it down, Tang Yin couldn't help but smile wryly. Perhaps after experiencing the tense vote in the morning, everyone was physically and mentally exhausted, and being able to eat a bowl of hot curry rice at this moment was a rare comfort. The thick fog still shrouded Mist Hidden Village, but at least for this moment, people seemed to temporarily forget those unsettling shadows.
Looking at the curry in front of him, Tang Yin was lost in thought. Judging from everyone's skillful eating habits, the cafeteria had obviously served this special curry before, but this kind of casual dish should only appear on the table during special periods. While lamenting this unique "Mist Hidden Village-style curry", he swept away this food that was more like curry stew.
After the meal, Tang Yin stood by the sink washing the dishes, glancing discreetly at everyone in the cafeteria. Because Zhao Gang suggested that everyone should not act separately, although it seemed a bit crowded, everyone stayed obediently in the cafeteria. Only Old Gao left with the words "I'm going to patrol" and left alone.
"Everyone else stays here, shout loudly when you come out, otherwise I'll shoot." Gao Zhijie's words carried an unquestionable majesty, echoing in the air of the cafeteria. Tang Yin's hand holding the tableware paused slightly, thinking who would dare to go out rashly under this threat? Indeed, if they were defeated one by one like in the last cycle, the consequences would be disastrous. But Old Gao's approach was too extreme, and this declaration sounded like he was setting a death FLAG for himself, which made people worry.
The atmosphere in the cafeteria was surprisingly relaxed. The students gathered together, their faces filled with youthful vitality, and laughter rose and fell. They talked about academic topics, and bursts of laughter were heard from time to time. Wang Lina's delicate face shone brightly under the light, and she vividly described her experiences outside, making the people around her nod repeatedly. Through the misty windows, you could vaguely see that the outside was still shrouded in heavy white fog, but at least for this moment, a rare warm atmosphere filled the cafeteria.
Tang Yin looked at this seemingly peaceful scene, but his movements did not relax in the slightest. Amidst the rushing sound of the faucet, his brain was running at full speed, trying to capture any possible anomalies from this seemingly ordinary daily life.