Chapter 575: Chapter 575: Minimum Risk
With Ling Tianyou’s silent approval, Shangguan Wuyue finally ordered someone to turn on the lights.
With light filling the room, the previously oppressive atmosphere was instantly dispelled.
The game was actually very simple. Gu Ningyue looked at the deck of cards in front of her, along with eight glasses of drinks.
A glass of apple juice, a glass of orange juice, a glass of strawberry juice, a glass of Sprite, and three glasses of cola.
For the sake of the game’s effect, Shangguan Wuyue specifically called others to join in.
Looking at the expressionless faces of those people, Gu Ningyue felt that coming here today was not such a bad thing.
At least she could watch today’s show and play along, which was a good experience.
The game itself was very simple. When it ended, everyone would have to drink the glass they ultimately chose.
Life or death, whether there’s poison or not, all depended on this final choice.
However, during the game, the winner could exchange their chosen glass with someone else’s.
Gu Ningyue glanced at Ling Tianyou: "How about orange juice? Aunt Zhang prepares excellent orange juice every afternoon at the villa. I wonder how it tastes here!"
Ling Tianyou simply nodded slightly, without speaking.
No matter what, Ling Tianyou felt this game was somewhat dangerous.
Seeing Ling Tianyou’s demeanor, Gu Ningyue smiled faintly and brought the glass of orange juice to her nose and sniffed: "A bit bitter. Mr. Shangguan added something to it?"
Shangguan Wuyue was somewhat surprised: "Even my subordinates couldn’t smell anything amiss. How did Young Madam Ling discover it?"
Gu Ningyue smiled lightly: "Just a sharp sense of smell!"
Shangguan Wuyue nodded at her remark, "Since Young Madam Ling chose the orange juice, I’ll pick the Sprite!"
With those words, Shangguan Wuyue placed the glass of Sprite near his hand.
Then he turned to the others: "You all choose too!"
Jin Chenglong exchanged a glance with his mother, then picked up the apple juice for himself.
Only a glass of strawberry juice remained, pushed towards his mother.
Seeing this, Gu Ningyue felt an indescribable emotion stirring within her.
One mother struggling to raise two children, one already dead, one without the right even to choose.
Such a life in old age was truly tragic.
In her heart, Gu Ningyue vowed that if she ever had children, she would never let herself end up like that!
As everyone chose their drinks, they were all aware that something might be inside.
Besides Shangguan Wuyue, perhaps only Gu Ningyue truly didn’t care.
Even Shangguan Wuyue’s people looked serious, making others inevitably worry.
After the first round, Gu Ningyue won.
The last loser was Jin Chenglong’s mother, probably due to her age, as she couldn’t adapt quickly to playing cards.
Gu Ningyue smiled at Jin Chenglong’s mother: "Regretting not giving yourself time to go out shopping and playing cards now?"
Jin Chenglong’s mother’s expression was off, while Gu Ningyue turned to the supervisor standing by the table: "No exchange, I still want my glass!"
The bitterness didn’t mean much. With a person like Shangguan Wuyue, even if there was something inside, he wouldn’t cause any harm to oneself in the end.
Perhaps, it might even fulfill her wishes.
So, Gu Ningyue was willing to take a gamble at this moment.
After hearing Gu Ningyue’s words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
They all knew from the start that there was something in Gu Ningyue’s glass.
Listening to Gu Ningyue’s decision, Shangguan Wuyue couldn’t help but look at her with admiration: "Isn’t Young Madam Ling afraid of poison in the glass?"
Gu Ningyue smiled lightly: "Afraid? But does fear help? What’s meant to come will always come!"
Shangguan Wuyue nodded, "Exactly, that’s true. Some things can’t be avoided no matter how you try."
As he said this, Shangguan Wuyue glanced at Jin Chenglong.
Jin Chenglong’s face had already turned unpleasant, and even hearing Shangguan Wuyue, he merely remained silent and drew another card, signaling the start of another round.
From now on, aside from Gu Ningyue and Shangguan Wuyue’s drinks remaining unchanged, the drinks of the other participants were nearly all switched.
No one wanted to exchange with Gu Ningyue because nobody wanted the orange juice in front of her.
Gu Ningyue was indifferent. She had never lost at the gambling table, and these people couldn’t be her opponents.
But games need to be interesting to play.
In the second round, Gu Ningyue let Jin Chenglong have the chance to win.
Gu Ningyue was merely ranking after him, watching him choose!
When it was Jin Chenglong’s turn, he didn’t know what to do.
He had smelled the drink in front of him. From its appearance and taste, there seemed to be nothing wrong.
However, there were some lingering bubbles, was that the issue?
Thinking about it, Jin Chenglong said to the supervisor: "I want to exchange for Mr. Shangguan’s Sprite!"
Shangguan Wuyue, being so shrewd, shouldn’t poison it!
Even if he knew Jin Chenglong would exchange for his drink, what difference did that make?
Everyone expected this; Shangguan Wuyue might soon switch it back anyway.
From every angle, choosing Shangguan Wuyue’s glass was the least wrong move.
For now, at least, Shangguan Wuyue’s glass appeared the least risky.
With that thought, Jin Chenglong handed his drink to the supervisor then took the Sprite handed to him.
"Game continues."
Gu Ningyue looked at the Sprite in front of Jin Chenglong, and suddenly a contemplative smile appeared on her lips.
Gu Ningyue had long understood the concept of ’the darkest place under the lamp,’ but now she discovered something even harder to notice: "Mr. Shangguan, why did you choose to meet here? Because it’s convenient with that patch of Fuxin flowers, colorless and odorless, growing in the backyard?"
"I’ve heard the stamens of Fuxin flowers can be ground into powder for medicinal use, causing hallucinations that lead people to see their worst fears, driving them to suicide or self-harm as a means of escape. Is that correct?"
Hearing this, even Ling Tianyou’s expression changed.
No wonder Shangguan Wuyue chose this place—an inconspicuous old neighborhood. Turns out that patch of unnoticed flowers had such a use!
