Let's rewind time a bit and refocus on Sougawa Ren and Minake Rin from the beginning.
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At this moment, Bai Yaxin placed two small black boxes on the table and invited Sougawa Ren and Minake Rin to play a game.
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"What's inside the boxes?" (Sougawa Ren)
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"What kind of game?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Upon hearing Bai Yaxin's proposal, Sougawa Ren excitedly stood up.
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One question after another, asking incessantly.
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If you were to talk about what kids love the most, it would be "gifts" and "games."
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Now, combining these two things, for the innocent and lively Sougawa Ren, it was undoubtedly a great temptation.
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At this moment, in Sougawa Ren's watery big eyes, countless little stars sparkled.
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"I can't tell you what's inside the box." (Bai Yaxin)
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Bai Yaxin held the two boxes in his hands, looking challengingly at Sougawa Ren.
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"I can't tell you the content of the game either." (Bai Yaxin)
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"Huh?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Upon hearing this, Sougawa Ren was stunned for a moment, then looked utterly puzzled.
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"How could this be? How are we supposed to play then?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Bai Yaxin seemed satisfied with Sougawa Ren's reaction, leaning back in his chair, laughing heartily.
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"Hahaha, the game is very simple, don't worry." (Bai Yaxin)
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"Now, I want you to tell me if you want to play or not." (Bai Yaxin)
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"If you want to play, then I'll tell you the rules of the game." (Bai Yaxin)
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"If you don't want to play, then we'll take a break, chat for a while, and then disband." (Bai Yaxin)
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"So, are you in?" (Bai Yaxin)
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Bai Yaxin looked back and forth between Sougawa Ren and Minake Rin, his gaze deep and meaningful.
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Sougawa Ren was no match for him at all, like an experienced warrior playing chess with a three-year-old toddler, the gap in strength was evident.
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"What should we do, sis, do we play?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Confused, Sougawa Ren turned to Minake Rin for her opinion.
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During the recent time, Minake Rin had been silent, apparently pondering something.
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Sougawa Ren's question interrupted Minake Rin's thoughts. She listened, pondered for a moment, then asked Bai Yaxin.
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"Mr. Bai, if we lose the game, will there be any punishment?" (Minake Rin)
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Unlike Sougawa Ren, Minake Rin remained calm and composed.
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Her questions took a completely different direction from Sougawa Ren's.
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"Mm, good question." (Bai Yaxin)
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Bai Yaxin nodded quite satisfied, then smirked.
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"But, I can't tell you about that." (Bai Yaxin)
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"However, just like before, do you want to play?" (Bai Yaxin)
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Now, Bai Yaxin started tapping his fingers on the table slowly and rhythmically.
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This could be understood as his way of urging them.
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Perhaps in his mind, he had already set a limit on how many questions the two could ask.
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Upon hearing Bai Yaxin's response, Sougawa Ren gave up trying to negotiate further.
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She simply leaned close to Minake Rin's ear and whispered.
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"(In a low voice) Sister Minake, what do you think, should we play?" (Sougawa Ren)
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"(In a low voice) Hmm... I feel the risk is a bit high." (Minake Rin)
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Minake Rin replied truthfully.
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"(In a low voice) But I'm really curious about the game... and what's in those two boxes." (Sougawa Ren)
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Sougawa Ren looked expectantly at Minake Rin, then glanced at the small boxes.
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"(In a low voice) If you want to play, then I'll accompany you." (Minake Rin)
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"(In a low voice) It's up to you to decide." (Minake Rin)
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"(In a low voice) Uhh... I'll think about it." (Sougawa Ren)
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Sougawa Ren held her head in her hands, occasionally pulling at her hair, pondering for a long time. Finally, she looked back at Bai Yaxin.
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"Mr. Bai..." (Sougawa Ren)
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"Yes?" (Bai Yaxin)
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"Is there any hint for this game?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Bai Yaxin smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.
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"Is the game difficult?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Bai Yaxin smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.
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"If we fail, will there be a second chance?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Bai Yaxin smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.
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"Uhh... you... you won't do anything strange to us, right?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Bai Yaxin smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.
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Finally, Sougawa Ren surrendered, giving up on further questioning Bai Yaxin.
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This man was just too difficult to deal with.
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She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her little face puffed up in anger,
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and occasionally muttered "hmm" "hmm".
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Finally, she took a deep breath, as if she had come to some kind of realization.
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"Fine, I'm going for it!" (Sougawa Ren)
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Sougawa Ren said somewhat through clenched teeth.
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Sougawa Ren stepped over to Bai Yaxin, who was sitting, leaned down, as if whispering something to him.
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But then... she shouted at the top of her lungs!
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"Mr. Bai, you're such a petty, mean-spirited trickster!" (Sougawa Ren)
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"Let's play, bring it on!" (Sougawa Ren)
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"Who's afraid?!?" (Sougawa Ren)
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This time, Minake Rin wasn't by Sougawa Ren's side to cover her mouth.
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Sougawa Ren finally vented as she wished.
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Minake Rin, unable to do anything to stop her, simply held her forehead with her hand in resignation.
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- She could only apologize to Bai Yaxin.
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That's what she thought.
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"Hahahahahaha!!!" (Bai Yaxin)
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However, Bai Yaxin showed no signs of anger, still smiling happily.
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"Alright, Miss Sougawa, please return to your seat." (Bai Yaxin)
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Sougawa Ren expected Bai Yaxin to argue with her, but to her surprise, Bai Yaxin didn't say a word.
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Although she was still pouting, she had no choice but to return to her seat obediently.
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"This game is very simple." (Bai Yaxin)
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Bai Yaxin placed the two black boxes back on the table and pushed them in front of Sougawa Ren and Minake Rin once again.
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"First, you two can't open these two boxes." (Bai Yaxin)
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"Second, no matter what means you use, you must make me buy these two boxes." (Bai Yaxin)
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"Third, you only have half an hour." (Bai Yaxin)
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"Those are the three rules, any questions before we start?" (Bai Yaxin)
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Bai Yaxin gazed at the two with a smile.
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"Wait, I have questions! Many questions!" (Sougawa Ren)
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Sougawa Ren immediately raised her hand, waving it high.
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"How much are these two boxes worth?" (Sougawa Ren)
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However, Bai Yaxin once again adopted the strategy of smiling and remaining silent.
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"Fine, if you won't answer, you won't answer then!" (Sougawa Ren)
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"Hmph, whatever!" (Sougawa Ren)
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Sougawa Ren stuck her tongue out at Bai Yaxin, then walked back to her seat and held Minake Rin's hand.
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"Sister Minake, are you ready?" (Sougawa Ren)
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Minake Rin nodded gently.
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"Okay, Mr. Bai, we're ready, bring it on!" (Sougawa Ren)
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"Sougawa, you got it wrong. 'Bring it on' should be said by Mr. Bai to us. We should say, 'Please guide us.'" (Minake Rin)
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"Oh, but I'm not that polite of a person." (Sougawa Ren)
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"Mr. Bai, get ready for a challenge!" (Sougawa Ren)
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"Let's do this!" (Sougawa Ren)
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Unfazed by Sougawa Ren's intimidation, Bai Yaxin remained seated, his face... a seemingly playful expression saying, "Bring it on."
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He raised his hand, signaling the waiter to start the timer.
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However, to his surprise, the fierce Sougawa Ren didn't immediately act but instead grabbed Minake Rin and ran to the corner.
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The two crouched in the corner, seemingly starting a secret meeting.
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They chattered excitedly and energetically.
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But not long after, the two of them actually ran downstairs together, leaving the two black boxes on the table.
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Had they escaped? Or were they playing some strategic game?