Chapter 246.1: Life and Death Casino (18)

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Ruan Qing was still somewhat groggy from sleep, which was why he instinctively handed the tablet to Han Ze.

Fortunately, he realized something was wrong while still half asleep and took the tablet back before Han Ze could see anything he shouldn’t have.

After putting the tablet away, Ruan Qing lay back down on the bed, much more awake this time.

He turned to look at Han Ze and said softly, “If you don’t overthink things, it won’t be uncomfortable.”

“Or try solving some math problems.”

Han Ze looked confused upon hearing this. He seemed to not understand how his discomfort was related to overthinking, nor why solving math problems would make him feel better.

Seeing this, Ruan Qing picked up the tablet again and wrote several addition and subtraction problems involving two- or three-digit numbers for the man.

Worried that Han Ze might solve them too quickly, he also wrote some multiplication and division problems involving two-digit numbers.

After finishing, Ruan Qing handed the tablet to Han Ze. “Try it.”

Han Ze frowned as he took the tablet, then looked at Ruan Qing with a somewhat aggrieved expression.

Before Han Ze could voice his complaints, Ruan Qing said seriously, “Practicing these more will make you smarter.”

Han Ze’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Really,” Ruan Qing nodded.

“I practiced these a lot when I was young, and that’s why I’m so smart now.”

Upon hearing this, Han Ze’s expression instantly turned serious. He immediately grabbed the stylus and began solving the problems one by one.

However, Han Ze seemed to struggle with two-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, solving them very slowly and even needing to draw auxiliary lines to help.

Then he slowly added and subtracted.

But two-digit problems were already a lot; there were also three-digit problems on the tablet. Drawing the lines alone took a long time, let alone counting.

Ruan Qing glanced at him, then closed his eyes contentedly. Soon, his breathing became steady.

Han Ze was so focused on calculating that he indeed started to feel less uncomfortable.

Or rather, he was no longer physically uncomfortable, but his brain started to ache a bit.

It was all a blur.

Moreover, Han Ze’s eyes began to blur as he counted, the lines he drew becoming fuzzy and distorted, and his eyelids started to droop uncontrollably.

Han Ze tried hard to keep his eyes open and stay awake.

He couldn’t sleep; he had to become smarter.

However, Han Ze barely lasted a minute before slowly collapsing and completely losing consciousness.

Maybe it was because it was a bit cold, or maybe because the scent nearby was too pleasant. Han Ze unconsciously moved to the other side of the bed.

He only stopped when he bumped into something, then he once again fell into a deep sleep.

***

It was unclear how much time had passed, but Ruan Qing always felt like something was pressing down on him, as if a venomous snake tightly entangled him.

It made him a bit breathless.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw a handsome face right in front of him.

Han Ze, who had been sleeping on the other side of the bed, was now lying next to him, with his arm and shoulder pressing down on him, and even his leg draped over him.

Ruan Qing, who had been somewhat drowsy, instantly became fully awake. He took a deep breath and reached out to push Han Ze, who was half-pressing on him.

He didn’t manage to move him at all, but Ruan Qing’s push awakened Han Ze.

“What’s wrong?” Han Ze’s voice was thick with sleepiness, even somewhat slurred.

Han Ze was really too heavy. Ruan Qing pushed him again. “Move over a bit.”

Feeling the force of the push, Han Ze finally woke up. He looked at the person almost completely in his arms, eyes wide, and his whole body stiffened.

His handsome face turned bright red in an instant.

Han Ze awkwardly removed his leg and arm while stammering, “S-sorry.”

It was unclear if Han Ze was too nervous or afraid that Ruan Qing would be angry, but after apologizing, he quickly moved backward.

In his haste, he didn’t notice the edge of the bed and directly fell off, landing on the ground with a loud thud.

Ruan Qing ignored Han Ze. After a glance at him, he sat up, yawned with a bit of drowsiness, and his eyes took on a slightly misty look.

Ruan Qing picked up his phone from beside him and checked the time; it was past four in the afternoon.

The gambling game was set for six in the evening, leaving almost two hours.

Ruan Qing gently smoothed his scattered hair and got out of bed.

Han Ze, seemingly aware that he had done something wrong, obediently stayed to one side without saying a word, just looking at Ruan Qing with hopeful eyes.

He wanted to see if he was angry.

As a result, he saw that Ruan Qing completely ignored him and went into the bathroom.

Han Ze immediately deflated; he must be angry.

If someone pressed down on him without his consent, he would definitely get angry and challenge them to a bet, then kill them.

Moreover, the other person had kindly tried to help him become smarter, but he embarrassingly fell asleep.

The more Han Ze thought about it, the sadder he became. He squatted in the corner without moving, emitting an aura of sadness all over.

After Ruan Qing finished washing up, he changed into a set of clothes. But even after he finished changing, Han Ze was still squatting in the corner.

He had no intention of washing up.

Seeing this, Ruan Qing asked, “Aren’t you participating in the bet?”

Han Ze turned his head upon hearing Ruan Qing’s voice. He cautiously looked at Ruan Qing’s expression and, seeing that he didn’t seem to be angry, immediately replied, “Yes!”

Ruan Qing raised his fair chin slightly, indicating the direction of the bathroom. “Go wash up.”

“Okay.” Han Ze stood up happily and entered the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Ruan Qing picked up the tablet and opened the Life and Death Casino’s mall. After buying what he wanted, he ordered two different kinds of food.

Ruan Qing did this to prevent anyone from the Life and Death Casino staff from knowing there was someone else in his room.

Ordering the same food would clearly indicate that there was someone else in his room, so he ordered two different items.

Moreover, before ordering, he chatted with customer service for a bit, as if he was hesitating between the two.

He wanted both but couldn’t choose, so he finally bought both.

The Life and Death Casino staff delivered the order quickly; before Han Ze came out, the two food items had already arrived.

“Enjoy your meal.” The staff smiled at Ruan Qing, then turned and left.

Ruan Qing’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with a hint of contemplation.

The staff’s smile was much more genuine, no longer as fake as before.

They were becoming more and more like real people.

If not for the Life and Death Casino uniform, it would be hard to tell whether they were staff or gamblers at first glance.

He always felt that there was something not quite right about this instance.

Ruan Qing remembered that the Life and Death Casino staff had mentioned that the casino was divided into three areas.

Area One for gambling on intelligence and luck, and Area Two for gambling on physical strength and combat skills.

But no matter how much he searched, there was no information about Area Three.

It was as if Area Three didn’t exist at all.

When Han Ze finished washing up and came out, Ruan Qing stopped thinking about it. Instead, he put the food on the table, sat down, and started eating.

The most important thing now was the bet at six o’clock; he had to be in the best condition.

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