Chapter 1019: Let's Make a Deal
"Exactly," Chen Junnan said. "Old Qi said to just take it when you see someone."
Chen Junnan's words instantly froze the atmosphere in the room.
The three of them stared at each other cautiously. Yan Zhichun shifted her stance, turning to face them directly, always on guard against a sudden attack from either of them.
Meanwhile, Chen Junnan looked Yan Zhichun up and down, examining her clothing. There were clearly no pockets on her. Where could the "Character" be hidden?
"So what's the plan?" Yan Zhichun said, her back against the door. "Are you two going to try and forcefully take the 'Character' from me now?"
"Of course," Chen Junnan said. "Your buddy here has always loved a good fight, especially with ladies."
Yan Zhichun paused briefly upon hearing this, then furrowed her brows as if she'd just heard an unpleasant joke. "How strange... Chen Junnan, this seems to contradict something you said before."
"Be... before?"
"What's wrong with your head?" Yan Zhichun asked. "You can remember my abilities from the 'Earth Serpent' game, but you can't remember what you said in that very same game?"
Chen Junnan paused slightly, feeling as if his brain had triggered some strange anchor point. Bits of chaotic memory began to flash through his mind one by one.
"At that time, I failed in my assassination attempt on a man named Zhong Zhen," Yan Zhichun said. "Even though I was in the wrong, you still helped me drive him away without hesitation. Back then, you said, 'A grown man trying to beat a woman to death right in front of me—I just can't stand to watch.'"
"Huh...?"
Chen Junnan felt his mind becoming even more muddled. Some things seemed like he'd done them, yet he couldn't remember clearly, as if they'd only appeared in a dream.
"I was the one who wanted to kill him," Yan Zhichun said. "Logically, if I failed, I deserved to die. Yet you chose to help me in such an unreasonable situation. Now you're saying you love fighting with ladies. So which statement is true?"
"Uh..." Chen Junnan was silent for a long moment before speaking. "Could it be that both are true...?"
Yan Zhichun shook her head helplessly. "Do you even believe that yourself?"
"Then stop making things difficult for me!" Chen Junnan said. "Sis Chun, how about we just make a deal directly?"
"A deal...?"
"That's right," Chen Junnan said. "Your buddy here can see you and Old Qi are pretty close. Even if you're on the other side, that doesn't mean you have to die for Xiao Chu. Let's just have a friendly, amicable transaction."
Yan Zhichun thought for a moment, then said, "What kind of transaction?"
"You give us the 'Character' first. We'll go use it. After we're done, I'll give you my own 'Character.' We'll trade right here."
After saying this, Chen Junnan looked at the walls around him, walked up to one, balled up the iron chain in his hand, and forcefully carved three characters into the wall:
"Exchange Office."
"Do you think you're funny...?" Yan Zhichun asked.
"Yeah," Chen Junnan nodded. "You think so too...?"
Tiantian let out a snicker at this. She felt this kind of situation had happened several times before—whenever she was with Chen Junnan, it was impossible to stay tense.
Yan Zhichun was at a loss for words. She knew she'd never been good at dealing with overly outgoing people, and Chen Junnan was probably the most outgoing person she'd ever met.
In her memory, there wasn't a single moment when Chen Junnan wasn't talking.
But with "Echo" limited in this place, how could she hold her own against two people?
Yan Zhichun felt a rare bout of nervousness. Ever since she'd mastered the method of "Echo," she'd trained its intensity every single day. She'd never imagined that one day her "Echo" would be completely useless.
Normally, in a situation like this, she could rely on her not-so-confident mind to spar with the other party. The game had also set up many "doors" to allow those who weren't physically strong to engage in psychological warfare.
Unfortunately, the person she had to contend with this time was Qi Xia.
Although Qi Xia had never been to the front lines, he already had a thorough understanding of the situation here. He had insisted that everyone in his team pair up, so that no matter who they encountered, no "game" would be triggered, giving them enough time to seize what they needed.
But the current situation was a bit strange...
Didn't Qi Xia know Chen Junnan's personality?
He actually sent Chen Junnan to take the "Characters" from others. What was he supposed to do if he ran into a woman?
"Sis Chun, give me a straight answer." Chen Junnan raised his chin slightly, interrupting Yan Zhichun's train of thought. "We're all about borrowing and returning—makes borrowing easier next time. Right now, all you need to do is nod, and your 'Character' is coming with me."
Yan Zhichun was silent for a moment, then said, "Chen Junnan, you're just way too hard to trust."
"Why?!" Chen Junnan looked as if he'd been wronged. "Your buddy here has never told a lie in his entire life. Except for that one statement just now."
"...?"
Yan Zhichun and Tiantian were both stunned, their expressions caught between speaking and staying silent.
"Don't worry," Chen Junnan said. "I might not be serious about small things, but when it comes to big matters—generally speaking, conditions permitting, logic holding up, and both parties willing—I won't lie either."
Yan Zhichun felt she was facing the most troublesome situation of her life. Although she'd known Jiang Ruoxue for many years and could handle ordinary social interactions, Chen Junnan was simply too much for her.
She slowly took a step back, sensing the timing wasn't right. Nothing she could rely on worked here. Her best option was to retreat to her own area and think of another way.
"Hey?!" Chen Junnan took a step forward to follow. "Don't leave, Sis Chun! I really won't fight you. You've gotta believe me on this!"
Yan Zhichun thought for a few seconds, then said, "How about this... Chen Junnan, since you mentioned borrowing and returning, why don't you give me your 'Character' first? I'll go back and use it."
"Your buddy's 'Character'..." Chen Junnan thought for a moment, then smiled. "Sis Chun, why are you still on guard against me?"
"Not willing?" Yan Zhichun said. "Then forget it. Since neither of you will attack me, and I can't take your 'Characters' by force, the three of us here can't trigger a 'game' anyway. Let's wait for another opportunity."
"Hold on!"
Chen Junnan clearly didn't want to let this chance slip away. He reached into his pocket, made a fist, and slowly pulled out his own "Character."
This time, the way he clenched his right fist was exactly the same as when he'd gambled with Wen Qiaoyun before. Only the chain was visible, and his hand looked full and bulging, making Yan Zhichun furrow her brow.
"You're not planning to use the same trick to gamble with me again, are you?" Yan Zhichun asked.