Welcome to the Bizarre Games

Chapter 645 Trading
The guy couldn't get close.

Or, before he could even get close, he was forced back by the hilt of a sword.

"Young Master Zhou, what are you doing?"

Zhou You, with that harmless expression, said with a smile.

"It's nothing, it's just that I'm not used to physical contact with grown men. Stay away, stay away, even further away, yes, just stand there and don't move, thank you."

The mayor raised his hand and awkwardly retreated about ten meters, but immediately put on a smiling face again.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the rudeness, and instead clapped his hands—from between the flowerbeds, a figure emerged from the air—it appeared to be the so-called other inheritors.

Compared to the young gatekeeper, this man was considerably taller. He lowered his head, listened to a few of the mayor's instructions, then bowed slightly and left.

A moment later, two beautiful women, dressed in flamboyant attire and light clothing, entered.

Upon meeting, the two girls immediately leaned towards Zhou You, their soft, boneless bodies collapsing into his arms.

This is something Zhou You can't figure out.

He gently pushed the two girls away, then frowned and asked.

"What does this mean?"

The mayor's smile remained as natural as ever.

"Didn't you say you don't like being around men? So I've found you two girls. Don't worry, they've been carefully raised since they were little, unlike those dirty girls out there. Or do you think that's not enough? Then I can call some more for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou You suddenly curled the corners of his mouth.

A few seconds later, he cast two talismans, freezing the girl who was still trying to lean towards him, and then casually sat down in the pavilion.

"You're much better than your brother; at least you know to offer a little something before trying to win someone over. But stop with all this fluff. I'm short on time, so let's get down to business."

Whether Zhou You refused or agreed, the mayor acted with ease. This time, he gestured, and without Zhou You even removing the talisman, the two beauties naturally straightened up and left the room.

"These two are also inheritors? Brother Wenhua, you have quite a lot of manpower here."

The mayor said modestly.

"They were only partially contaminated; aside from some special abilities, they're no different from ordinary people. By the way, young Zhou, how was your trip?"

This time, Zhou You didn't waste any words. Instead, he neatly and decisively threw the blood-red gem onto the table.

Like Yi Zheng-un, the mayor's face immediately showed surprise and delight upon seeing it—but after obtaining Zhou You's permission and examining the item for a while, for some reason, a hint of disappointment appeared on his face.

Zhou You watched clearly from the side. This guy really didn't expect that he could get his hands on this thing, but he also really didn't expect that it was this thing that he got his hands on.

"What's wrong, Brother Wenhua? Is there a problem with this?"

Several seconds later, the mayor realized his lapse in composure and quickly said something.

"No problem, really no problem, it's just... well... I'm a little surprised that you were able to get this."

Being a seasoned politician, he quickly regained his professional smile within a few breaths.

Then, the topic was changed again.

"By the way, young Zhou, do you know the value of this thing?"

"I have a rough idea, but I don't know the specifics. What's wrong?"

The mayor cleared his throat and then spoke in a steady tone.

"This is a tear shed by the Blood Moon—don't be fooled by its constant weeping; it's rare to see one solidify and fall to the ground even after several years, and this one is in such perfect condition."

He hesitated for a moment, then said again.

"—To put it simply, the amusement park has a year-round bounty. If you send this over, they can approve at least sixty more slots, along with a sum of supplies far exceeding your imagination."

Zhou You also burst out laughing.

"Brother Wenhua, you've explained everything to me in such detail, aren't you afraid I'll just go and make a deal with the amusement park directly?"

The mayor remained calm and composed.

"Of course I'm scared, but the question is, can you even find them?"

That was the final blow, and Zhou You immediately shut his mouth.

Although he was vaguely disappointed, the mayor still reached out to put the gem away.

"Alright, since there are no problems, I'll keep this for now. I'll also negotiate with the amusement park on your behalf later—let me make it clear now, I need thirty spots, but I can give you 80% of the supplies."

But at that moment, the scabbard gently touched his hand.

"Wait a minute."

The mayor looked up, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What, do you think I'm asking for too many spots? Brother, don't you think about how difficult those people at the amusement park are to deal with? Besides, to prevent anyone from robbing us along the way, I have to send out quite a few people to protect us, and the costs along the way are countless. And most importantly, you're an outsider; you wouldn't be able to use so many spots."

Unexpectedly, Zhou You interrupted him cleanly and decisively.

"That's not what I'm talking about."

Which one is that?

"We're not in a hurry to get the goods, and we can discuss the price later. But what I really want to talk to you about is something else."

"what is the problem?"

Under the mayor's questioning gaze, Zhou You used his sword sheath to pick up the gem, put it in his pocket, and then slowly said.

"I've heard some rumors that you might be making a deal with strange people, Brother Wenhua, and the deal involves the lives of people in the city. I'm not doubting you, I just want to confirm—is this true?"

The originally cheerful atmosphere instantly turned cold.

After a long while, the mayor slowly spoke.

"Who said that."

"Your brother."

"So it was him. No wonder he was so talkative." Shaking his head, the mayor said calmly, "So, how do you think I should answer?"

Zhou You laughed.

"Yes, or no, that's fine."

Silence once again.

Time passed by, minute by minute, without Zhou You urging him or the mayor responding.

for a long time.

A voice suddenly sounded.

"Yes."

With just one simple word, I recognized everything.

Zhou Youhui's question was only one sentence.

"why?"

"why?"

After repeating Zhou You's question, the mayor suddenly curled his lips into a smile, as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous. "—Because I need to maintain the existence of this shelter."

Zhou You didn't respond, but simply listened quietly.

The mayor, no longer smiling as before, spoke in a slightly manic manner, much like his younger brother.

"Kid, let me ask you this: you've been up there, what do you think of the difference between ordinary humans and those monsters?"

Zhou You thought for a few seconds, then replied.

“Completely different.”

"That's right, they're worlds apart. But think about it, how come we humans were able to build such a large shelter right under their noses?"

"The amusement park's help?"

The mayor burst into laughter.

"They do take some protective measures, but if we relied entirely on them, ninety-nine percent of the people in this city would have died long ago—the food production alone would be far from sufficient—in the end, we still have to rely on ourselves."

As if in casual conversation, Zhou You spoke calmly.

"What does that have to do with what you said before?"

"It's very simple, just one sentence: sacrifice a portion to save the vast majority."

The mayor explained.

"In the eyes of the supernatural, we ordinary people are just food, indispensable toys. However, they also know the principle of draining the pond to catch all the fish. Unfortunately, due to their nature, they never know when to stop. And this gives me the opportunity to negotiate."

“Every now and then, I send out some scavengers to die, or I abandon some insignificant neighborhoods, and the people there are treated as a reward for the monsters—then the monsters will send me food, fuel, and everything that is needed to keep this shelter afloat.”

"Furthermore, they also assured me that as long as I continue to make offerings, they will never carry out indiscriminate slaughter."

Zhou You looked into those bloodshot eyes and uttered three words.

"so what?"

"So? So the reason this entire city has been able to survive is because of my years of forbearance and humiliation!"

The mayor finally couldn't hold back and roared.

“You all think I’m a traitor, you are, and my damned brother is too—but don’t you ever think about where the food, drink, and everything else that these tens of thousands of people use come from? It’s all negotiated by me!”

He stretched out his hand, as if to point at the monsters on the ground.

"I risk my life, dealing with those things day and night. One wrong move and I could be turned into their toy. What am I after all this? I'm after the vast majority of people to live peacefully! So? What else do you want me to ask you?"

Even after being sprayed with spittle, Zhou You remained calm and spoke.

"But you seem to have profited quite a bit from it. At the very least, this basement couldn't have been built by you alone."

“Of course,” the mayor said, panting. “I did take a lot, but it’s what I deserve! Who else can you find negotiating with the supernatural besides me? Those sycophantic good-for-nothings in the government, or my delusional, mentally unstable brother?”

"."

Seeing the other person's excited expression, Zhou You finally shook his head.

After venting his anger, the mayor finally calmed down, picked up his gold-rimmed glasses, and put them back on.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, but my brother always uses this to slander me, so I get a little emotional whenever I hear that word. By the way, are you planning to trade that thing with me?"

Zhou You neither denied nor agreed.

"It's not the right time yet. I plan to keep it for now and see how things go before making a move. Brother Wenhua, you don't mind, do you?"

"Of course I mind, but besides me, which other intermediary can you find? Forget about my brother, he can't even get close to the amusement park. Just think it over before you come to me."

The mayor waved his hand listlessly, and Zhou You didn't say anything more before turning and leaving.

Just before leaving, someone turned back and asked one more question.

"By the way, Brother Wenhua, do you know about the withered tide?"

"Dry tide? What's that?"

The exact same reaction, the exact same answer.

After someone's figure completely disappeared, only the mayor remained, sitting alone in the center of the pavilion.

After an unknown amount of time, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.

It was none other than the clerk who had brought Zhou You here before.

This guy casually picked up an apple from the table, took a bite, and then mumbled something indistinctly.

"What, are you angry?"

The mayor raised his eyes slightly.

"I wasn't angry, I just lost my temper out of habit."

"But you're still angry." The clerk quickly devoured the apple, rudely tossing the core onto the lawn, and then said, "We could have easily swarmed him and hacked him to pieces with just one command. Forget it, have you found the one you're looking for?"

"No, since he can produce the Blood Moon Tear, it proves that he is definitely not the person Paradise wants. This deal is off."

"What happens after that? Prepare the route according to the original plan, and then have them finalize the names?"

“No,” the mayor rejected. “Although this deal has fallen through, a Blood Moon Tear of such quality is still a huge bargaining chip—tell them that we still have other items for trade, and have them prepare what we mentioned before—no, reduce the quantity by 80%, and then come and trade with me.”

"But that guy doesn't seem inclined to give it to you. How about I bring some men over tonight?"

"No, that would cause more trouble. Besides, the guy who destroyed the apartment building must be quite capable. Didn't you see the shop owner issued a kill order? He only has two trading partners left: me or my brother. However, my brother can't offer anything, so he can only turn to me in the future. Wait a minute, it's not time yet, don't rush."

The clerk shrugged and continued.

"You're the boss, I'll do whatever you say."

When I got home, the first thing I saw was Wang Xiaoer—no, it was Wang Pingling's clumsy figure.

Now the little one has changed into casual clothes and washed off the mud, and she really does look like a young lady.

Seeing her rush out, Zhou You's usually calm heart relaxed a little.

"Don't rush, what if you fall? Is there no food at home? Wait a minute, I'll go out and buy some. By the way, where's San San? I haven't seen her."

However, before Zhou You could leave, Wang Pingling anxiously grabbed his sleeve.

"Third Sister went to the back to get water. Wait, Brother Zhou, someone sent over a strange item. Come and take a look!"

"Strange items?"

Zhou You scratched his head.

His first thought was that Ijon was up to something—but he immediately dismissed that idea.

Although that guy is crazy, he's not brainless. He wouldn't do something like mailing bombs to other people's homes.

So who exactly is it?

Zhou You was led by Wang Pingling all the way to her bedroom—there was an envelope on the bedside table that looked ordinary, but as soon as you took a breath, you could feel the almost tangible smell of blood in it.

Several words were written on it in bright red.

“Sent by Luo Liangde, to be read by Zhou You.”

(End of this chapter)