Chapter 2640: The Pleasure of Deception
The Grand Archon had not shown his face in recent years, and Xu Huo had speculated whether the man’s health might be failing—the possibility of being sidelined was slim. The sheer number of player factions within the capital city alone would not allow such a situation to occur. As long as there was no turmoil within the government, the Grand Archon’s position remained secure.
The more likely scenario was that his health had deteriorated.
However, if it involved an instance, there was a certain probability that it was related to the succession of the government and the power transition in the Isle Country.
Was the Grand Archon’s health really that bad?
That was not a good sign.
The Painting Woman had her eye on a roadside specialty snack stall, so the two decided to rest at the small shop.
Beside the back kitchen door sat a half-grown youth who was writing. His complexion was very poor, and although he tried to suppress it, he coughed frequently.
When the owner brought out the food, he repeatedly explained to Xu Huo that the child did not have a contagious disease but was born frail. He also wore a mask, ensuring it would not affect the food.
There were other customers in the shop, and they chimed in to help explain as well.
Xu Huo gestured for the owner to attend to his business.
The vast majority of ordinary people in the Isle Country’s capital had never taken an evolution agent. Their physical condition was similar to most ordinary people in District 014 now, but because they had endured years of war, both their minds and bodies were under long-term stress, making them appear unhealthy.
Someone in the shop mentioned that the owner could apply to the government for an evolution agent, and it would only cost a bit of money.
Upon hearing this, the owner repeatedly inquired about the evolution agent. “I heard that medicine has side effects. I’ve never been able to make up my mind.”
“Side effects won’t show up until much later,” a customer said. “Better than being sick every day like this. If I were a bit younger, I’d go buy it too. Who knows, drinking it might even change my life.”
The owner was quite tempted, but after thinking it over, he said, “I’ll save up a bit more money first. That medicine can’t be stopped once you start.”
“You’ll have to ask the Supervision Department about that. Don’t delay the child,” the customer said before paying and leaving. Not long after, a new customer sat in that spot, and the owner came out again to explain the reason for the child’s coughing.
“Two more orders,” the Painting Woman said, quickly finishing her own food and turning to the owner.
“Coming right up!” The owner cheerfully came out of the back kitchen. Just as he set down the food, the Painting Woman’s communicator rang again. “Can’t he stop coughing?”
The owner’s smile froze for a moment, and he said in a low voice, “The child didn’t mean it…”
The youth in the back kitchen also heard and stood up. “I’ll go read outside.”
“That’s not what she meant,” Xu Huo interjected. “My sister’s thinking is a bit simple.”
The Painting Woman had completely missed the earlier conversation between the owner and the customer. She pulled out a few throat lozenges and tossed them to the youth, pointing at her own throat to indicate they would make him feel better.
Although she quickly turned her attention back to her bowl, the owner was visibly moved. When the third portion of snacks was brought out, it was noticeably larger.
“Is your throat uncomfortable?” Xu Huo asked.
The Painting Woman shook her head and replied with a strange look, “I’ve never been able to speak, you know.”
Xu Huo paused for a second. “I was mistaken.”
The Painting Woman grinned. “But eating candy makes me happy. My mouth feels good, my throat feels good, and my stomach feels good too.”
Xu Huo said nothing more and finished the meal in silence. When paying the bill, he pretended not to notice her taking two fruits from the owner.
The Painting Woman bit into one, smacked her lips, then caught up to him and handed the other one over, mouthing, “This one’s good.”
“Really?” Xu Huo raised an eyebrow.
The Painting Woman nodded vigorously and took another big bite of her own.
Xu Huo took it, weighed it in his hand, and under her expectant gaze, said, “Remember, when you’re lying, don’t let your eyes dart around, and definitely don’t follow the thing with your eyes. Act the same as you normally do, and only then will people fall for it.”
The Painting Woman thought for a moment and asked, “But a lot of people don’t know how I normally act.”
“Then don’t actively try to deceive. Make others come to you to be fooled,” Xu Huo said. “For example, if you put the fruit here, people who want to eat it will naturally come closer. If you don’t give it to them, they might even try to snatch it.”
“I’ve already taken two bites, and I don’t want to eat any more,” the Painting Woman shook her head in refusal. “Even if I trick someone into eating it, I’m still the one losing out.”
“Then you need to master the technique,” Xu Huo said, taking a bite of the fruit without changing his expression. “If the bait is tempting enough, someone will take it.”
“Guess whether mine is sweet or sour?”
The Painting Woman judged by her own experience. “If you’re not taking a second bite, it must be sour.”
Xu Huo peeled out the pit, ate the flesh in a few bites, and said, “Guess now.”
“You ate it all!” The Painting Woman hesitated, finding it hard to tell truth from falsehood. After thinking for a moment, she reached for the pit. “I can use an instrument to check.”
Xu Huo held the pit away from her. “Everything has a price. The key is your goal—whether you’re determined enough to deceive me.”
The Painting Woman pondered. “So, are you deceiving me?”
Xu Huo pocketed the pit. “Guess first.”
The Painting Woman tried to snatch the pit, but her hand was caught before it reached him. “I told you to guess. Here’s a hint: think about how I looked when I ate the fruit. Do you think it was sour or sweet?”
The Painting Woman “racked her brains” for a few seconds but decided that practice made perfect. She lagged two steps behind Xu Huo, waiting for a chance to steal the pit. But every time she lunged, he would transfer the pit to another pocket in advance, teasing her like this.
For the first half hour, the Painting Woman was patient. After that, she grew restless, playing a grating sound on her communicator in a loop. When she saw he was unmoved, she tried to grab it by force.
Xu Huo put some distance between them, openly placed the pit into his luggage compartment, and said to her, “I see some good food over there. Want to go together?”
The Painting Woman’s head had already turned halfway before she forced it back and said stubbornly, “If you don’t tell me, I’m not eating!”
Xu Huo shrugged, but the Painting Woman didn’t stay stubborn for long. She chased after him again. “Was that fruit sour or sweet?”
Xu Huo smiled at her. “Why do you want to know so badly?”
“I took two bites just to trick you. If yours was sweet, wouldn’t I be the one losing out?” the Painting Woman said with righteous indignation.
“And if it was sweet, how would you make up for it?” Xu Huo asked.
The Painting Woman stared at him for a while. “With other people, I’d beat them up to let off steam. With you… forget it. I like you a lot, so I won’t hit you.”
“Well, thank you very much,” Xu Huo said, handing her the pit. She didn’t even bother with a detector; she licked it as soon as she got it, then slammed it hard on the ground.
Xu Huo bought her an ice cream. “Next time, remember to use a detector so you don’t get fooled again.”
The Painting Woman ate her ice cream but still didn’t understand. “That fruit was so sour. You tricked me, but you suffered too.”
Xu Huo laughed. “The pleasure of deceiving you far outweighs the displeasure of eating a sour fruit.”
The Painting Woman glared at him. “You’re so boring!”