Today, I Have Yet to Become a Doll

This young boy named Du Lai smiled as he extended his right hand towards Yan Qingwen.

Yan Qingwen glanced at him indifferently, not taking his hand.

"Not bad, you're cautious." Du Lai raised his hand, revealing a blade held between two fingers.

Lü Ang immediately became angry, "You!…"

"Big guy, don't be anxious. Look at these two ladies, they're much calmer than you." Du Lai cheerfully flipped his hand, and the blade that was supposed to be between his fingers vanished.

Zhu Shu opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Lü Ang was also taken aback, "What the hell?! A prop?"

"It's a magic trick," Bai Youwei said coolly, "And the lowest kind of street magic, relying on quick hands and eyes, but lacking artistic appreciation and skill."

Du Lai's smile stiffened slightly, his gaze landing on Bai Youwei. His slow, drawn-out tone carried a threat, "Little sister, speaking so harshly isn't very cute, you know?"

Bai Youwei smiled, looking at his hands, and said unhurriedly, "Every magician I've met takes great care of their hands, not allowing even a speck of dirt under their fingernails. But your hands… are very dirty."

She raised her eyes slightly, smiling as she looked at him, "So, are you a street performer? Or… a thief?"

Du Lai seemed stung, the smile freezing on his face.

After a few seconds of silence, he took a deep look at Bai Youwei, then took half a step back.

"You guys really aren't friendly at all…"

Du Lai tugged at the corners of his mouth, smiling helplessly:

"Alright, I'll get straight to the point. I'm looking for someone for the claw crane game. Need one more, have a strategy guide, and need a partner with good skills."

His gaze lingered on Lü Ang for half a second, adding, "And not too fat."

Lü Ang: "Damn it!"

Yan Qingwen couldn't help but chuckle, "What's going on? Are game guides just running rampant on the streets of Shanghai?"

"Of course not." Du Lai shook his head lightly, "The guides are in the hands of the game evaluation team. After we book a game time, a specialist from the evaluation team will tell us the detailed strategy. But don't have too high hopes, because most of the games are competitive, so even if you know the strategy, you might not come out alive."

Saying this, he leaned casually against the tree trunk beside the sidewalk, his eyes looking at the young man who had greeted Lü Ang earlier.

"For example, that person who called you over just now actually wanted to trick you into being scapegoats. The Russian Roulette game requires at least one person to die in order to clear it."

"What about you?" Yan Qingwen asked, "Why did you approach us?"

"Because the people here are too stupid." Du Lai sighed, "I value my life a lot and don't want to be dragged down by pig teammates. Don't worry, the claw crane game isn't player-versus-player, but requires two people to cooperate. Of course, if the cooperation fails and you die inside, don't blame me."

Bai Youwei frowned and asked, "If the game is so risky, why are you still looking for people to enter the game?"

"Of course, it's for the props." Du Lai said matter-of-factly, "A good prop can save your life at a critical moment. And everyone who lives here has to enter the game. Having a few more props in hand gives you more confidence when entering the game."

"Everyone has to enter the game?" Bai Youwei was a little surprised.

"Ah… it seems you really are new here and haven't figured anything out." Du Lai smiled, "The people from the game evaluation team provide us with food and lodging, and regularly provide us with game guides. Of course, this isn't a free service. Their only requirement for us residents is… to enter the game on time."

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