Chapter 72

To take Zhou Chenhao as a hostage might be too much.

As Bai Guzi said, a plot where the male lead is controlled by a supporting character would definitely be criticized as “feeding sh*t.”

If he were to completely exchange Zhou Chenhao’s personality, Bai Guzi would definitely go crazy, and there would be no need for her to fulfill her promise to him, as her desire for him to let Zhou Chenhao go was so that the plot could proceed normally and not be criticized.

An idea gradually formed in Bai Xuechao’s mind.

He pulled himself from his thoughts, pretending not to know Zhou Chenhao’s and Ling Feng’s purpose in coming to Dream Game City, and asked, “Why did you come here? Where is Xia Xiaoxi?”

Ling Feng glanced at Gong Ting, who was still unconscious above, and said, “Xia Xiaoxi was captured by Gong Ting.”

He didn’t elaborate because he trusted that with Bai Xuechao’s intelligence, hearing him say that would be enough for him to know they were here to rescue Xia Xiaoxi.

Zhou Chenhao picked up from Ling Feng’s words, somewhat worried, “Xia Xiaoxi was locked in a secret room in Dream Game City by Gong Ting. We saw photos; it’s very dark in there. Gong Ting said there’s no food or drink, and as long as he doesn’t want to release Xia Xiaoxi, no one can save her until she dies.”

Ling Feng felt that Zhou Chenhao hadn’t gotten to the point, and looking at Bai Xuechao, he added, “He used ‘releasing Xia Xiaoxi’ as a condition to exchange two hundred million game coins to play with us.”

His words were actually hinting to Bai Xuechao that they needed to win two hundred million game coins to save Xia Xiaoxi.

“Is that so…” Bai Xuechao murmured, looking as if he was deep in thought.

Zhou Chenhao looked at him with some anticipation.

Ling Feng, however, keenly felt that Bai Xuechao’s answer might not be what they wanted.

— He probably wouldn’t lend them game coins, or would lend a very small amount, too little for them to achieve their objective here.

Unlike Ling Feng, Zhou Chenhao was still optimistically striving: “So have you thought about it? Can you lend us some game coins?”

His face wore a friendly, brilliant smile, which couldn’t help but make one think of a happy, open-mouthed dog, seemingly smiling.

Sometimes Bai Xuechao felt that Bai Guzi’s character design was quite extraordinary.

Zhou Chenhao’s sunny smile was hard for anyone to refuse, but unfortunately, he met him.

Bai Xuechao: I’m heartless.jpg

“Wait a moment, I have something else I want to ask the System,” Bai Xuechao gave Zhou Chenhao a slight smile, then said, “System, I want to know if the items in the prize pool must be redeemed completely? If I want to redeem half or less of something, is that possible?”

Ling Feng felt some idea flash rapidly through his mind.

He caught that spark of inspiration and vaguely guessed what Bai Xuechao intended to do. If it was what he was thinking, it was truly too insane.

The big screen, silent for a long time, displayed text.

【Answering Player C, until now, all redemptions have been complete, but it is not a rigid rule. If a player only wishes to redeem a portion, they can negotiate with the “item’s” original owner. If the original owner agrees to a segmentation, the redemption can proceed according to the ratio of game coins paid by the player to the total value.】

“Very good.” Bai Xuechao’s well-formed lips curved into a satisfied arc. He said to the two of them, “I’ve made up my mind.”

He first announced the result: “I can lend you a maximum of ten million game coins.”

Ling Feng thought: Just as I expected.

Zhou Chenhao let out a soft “Ah,” seemingly a bit disappointed, but he didn’t show any trace of resentment and quickly accepted the result: “Alright.”

He sighed, his eyelids drooping, “But to lose like this, I’m really unwilling.”

The game coins in the prize pool were only enough for three more questions. By the end of the game, they would likely not even be able to redeem what they themselves had put up, let alone rescue Xia Xiaoxi. This matter, as it stood, was pretty much the worst outcome, there wouldn’t be anything worse than this.

Did he regret it?

Actually, he didn’t regret it, after all, he made his own choices.

But he was truly unwilling!

“I didn’t say you would lose,” Bai Xuechao said.

The two looked at him, a giant question mark seemingly appearing above their heads.

Could there be a turn for the better?

“I can quit the game now, and all the remaining game coins in the prize pool will go to you,” Bai Xuechao continued to raise the stakes, “You can even use the game coins to save Xia Xiaoxi.”

Ling Feng knew that good things don’t just fall from the sky, so he asked, “What are the conditions?”

Bai Xuechao’s exquisite eyebrows curved, revealing a remarkably sunny smile. His tone was gentle as he said, “About 20% of either your or Zhou Chenhao’s personality will be mortgaged to me. I’m very interested in redeeming ‘a portion’ of a personality, I want to know what it’s like.”

Xiao 6’s code-like little hands cupped its face, displaying a silent scream emoji in front of Bai Xuechao, its expression like a ghost.

Zhou Chenhao and Ling Feng also couldn’t help but widen their eyes at the words.

Could personality also be segmented?

No, perhaps it could also be segmented?

What would a person be like if they lost part of their personality? Would their character become flawed? Or would they lose consciousness? Or lose control of themselves? Would they become crazy?

Would they completely lose one specific aspect, or would they lose a part of each aspect?

Too many questions flooded their minds.

No one knew the consequences, and thus it was full of unknown dangers.

Bai Xuechao considerately said, “You can think about whether you want to agree.”

Xiao 6 couldn’t help but whimper softly, “Host, you really are a devil, didn’t you promise to let the male lead go…”

“That’s what you thought; I never said I’d agree just like that,” Bai Xuechao replied calmly.

“Besides, aren’t I giving them time to consider? I’m not forcing them.”

In reality, Bai Xuechao knew they would agree.

When trying to achieve something, first present the worst, most unacceptable condition to the other party as the outcome. Then, gradually add conditions that benefit the other party.

Even if these conditions aren’t great, they give a sense of compromise, as if one should be content, and thus agree.

In social psychology, this method is called the “concession effect.”

Bai Xuechao was using this psychological tactic.

He first made the two believe that he could only lend them 10 million game coins. Coupled with his dominant performance in answering questions, this led them to think they couldn’t redeem their own items or rescue Xia Xiaoxi. Then he would say that he could let them win the remaining game coins and even rescue Xia Xiaoxi.

Under this premise, only 20% of their personality needed to be mortgaged.

Everyone knew what to choose.

The only thing they would hesitate about would be what would happen if they sacrificed 20% of their personality.

But they had no other choice, did they?

Furthermore, Bai Xuechao knew that according to their character settings, there was a very high, almost 100%, chance that Zhou Chenhao would be the first to propose taking on this cost. This was also why he didn’t directly demand Zhou Chenhao’s personality; that would be too obviously targeted, and readers would overthink it.

Currently, he was in a “whitewashed” state; he was still maintaining his previous persona.

Perhaps in the mid-to-late stages, after he exposed his villain identity, some readers looking back at this part of the story might guess that he was actually plotting against Zhou Chenhao at this moment.

Wouldn’t that be quite interesting to think about?

“I agree.” Zhou Chenhao raised the hand that wasn’t gripping the rope and waved it, “Take my personality in exchange.”

“No,” Ling Feng interjected, deliberating, “Actually, we can discuss this. Zhou Chenhao and I can each bear 10%…”

The question he had been pondering was whether losing less personality would have less impact on a person. If so, splitting the cost with Zhou Chenhao should be the optimal solution.

“I only want one person’s,” Bai Xuechao said with a smiling gaze, pointing at Zhou Chenhao, “Then I’ll take yours.”

Zhou Chenhao wasn’t foolish enough to give up part of his personality just like that. He asked, “How long will my personality be mortgaged to you?”

“Oh, that, I’m not sure…” Bai Xuechao’s tone was somewhat meaningful, and he replied, “It depends on when I get what I want. It probably won’t take long?”

Bai Guzi should be able to understand that this sentence was hinting at her.

Hearing this, Zhou Chenhao, seemingly without any ulterior motive, asked directly, “When will you get what you want? Do you want to control me and make me do something?”

“Perhaps? Actually, I haven’t decided yet,” Bai Xuechao lied without needing to prepare, his face unblushing and heart unwavering, his expression very calm. “I just wanted to redeem a portion of one of your personalities on a whim; I thought it might be interesting, and 20% shouldn’t have such a big impact on a person’s personality.”

As he spoke, he lowered his delicate, thick white eyelashes, his expression seeming somewhat forlorn: “To be honest, I find this world very uninteresting now. When I find something that makes me want to live in this world, I will return your personality.”

Xiao 6 couldn’t resist speaking again in a low “ying-ying” sound: “Host, the Chuunibyo scent is about to burst out.”

“Shut up,” Bai Xuechao said, “Didn’t you say you wanted it to be Chuunibyo?”

Xiao 6 decisively made a heart gesture: “I was definitely praising you, Host! That’s how it should be to be flavorful! Amazing!”

Bai Xuechao: “…”

The two men on the other side, seeing Bai Xuechao’s downcast and forlorn look, couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.

Bai Xuechao’s appearance was already as perfect as a meticulously carved doll, and his pale complexion further added to his fragility, making him so beautiful that it softened people’s hearts.

Zhou Chenhao and Ling Feng, in an unspoken agreement, mentally filled in the blanks, feeling that Bai Xuechao’s “what he wanted” meant finding a reason to live in this world after all his relatives had passed away. After all, their previous estimation of “kinship” value for Bai Xuechao was 0; his sister died without a body, and even his brother had passed away three days ago.

They were both hooked.

At this moment, Bai Xuechao raised his eyes, his magnificent red pupils sparkling brilliantly under the lights, like rubies cut with multiple reflective facets.

With these dazzling eyes, he looked earnestly at Zhou Chenhao and said, “I can guarantee that if I can control you through your personality, I will not make you do anything to harm your companions.”

With his guarantee, there seemed to be nothing left to worry about.

Zhou Chenhao didn’t hesitate or ask anything else, and said again, “I agree.”

“Good,” Bai Xuechao said, “System, I want to quit the game.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep