Chapter 86: The Wager

Chapter Eighty-Six: A Wager

Click!

The revolver clicked empty again. Liu Xiaobing sighed helplessly. “I can’t tell if it’s just my bad luck or if her luck is simply too good. Well, looks like we’ll have to wait for the next round. Xiaobai, the gun is yours now.”

Baize took the gun but didn’t act right away. Instead, he looked at Liu Xiaobing, “Xiaobing, this revolver has six chambers, and three shots have already been fired.”

“What’s wrong, are you scared?” Liu Xiaobing looked at Baize with a half-smile. “Don’t worry, if you’re afraid, you don’t have to shoot yourself. You can aim at the kid instead. After all, this was our game to begin with, and you insisted on participating.”

Baize stared at Liu Xiaobing in a daze, unable to speak for a long moment. Liu Xiaobing had truly changed—so much so that his own roommate now felt a hint of fear toward him.

Weighing the gun in his hand, Baize took a deep breath and said, “Xiaobing, how about another wager? I bet this next shot will still be empty.”

“Are you that confident you’ll win?” Liu Xiaobing glanced at Baize in surprise.

“As you mentioned, back at the military academy, I was always top of our firearms class. I have faith in myself,” Baize replied with a smile.

“That’s true,” Liu Xiaobing showed a look of sudden realization. “Since you’re so interested, of course I’ll play along. But what are we wagering?”

“It’s simple. If I win, you let this innocent mother and child go. If I lose—”

“If you lose, you’ll pay with your life,” Liu Xiaobing finished for him.

“You’re wrong this time. If I lose—no, I won’t lose. I won’t allow myself to lose this wager,” Baize declared, determination written all over his face.

“Alright then, as you wish. Let’s begin.” Liu Xiaobing shrugged indifferently.

In that instant, the atmosphere in the interrogation room froze. Even Ye Weitian’s young son sensed the tension in the air, his loud cries quieting to soft sobs.

Unperturbed, Baize smiled slightly as he gently pulled the trigger.

Click!

Another empty chamber. Baize had won.

“The result’s clear. You can let them go now,” Baize lowered his arm and looked at Liu Xiaobing.

“As expected from the top of the firearms class. You must have guessed how it would end as soon as you fired,” Liu Xiaobing said as he spoke, lightly applauding.

“More or less. The instructor covered these things in class. So, can you let them go now?” Baize stared intently at Liu Xiaobing.

“I can,” Liu Xiaobing nodded lightly.

At these words, Baize exhaled in relief. But Liu Xiaobing’s next words made his heart, which had just relaxed, clench again.

“I’ll let them go, but you know I’m not one to leave a game unfinished. How could we end things here? I have a wager of my own,” Liu Xiaobing said, arms crossed, smiling slyly at Baize.

A sense of dread crept into Baize’s heart, and he remained silent for a long time. After all, two lives were at stake.

“Xiaobai, don’t tell me you’re backing out? That wouldn’t be any fun. When you suggested the wager, I didn’t hesitate to agree,” Liu Xiaobing goaded.

“Alright, what’s the wager? How do we play?” Baize relented.

“Straightforward as always.” Liu Xiaobing snapped his fingers, then mused, “Given your skill, you must have known the fifth shot wouldn’t be empty.”

“What are you getting at?” Baize responded calmly, neither confirming nor denying anything, his eyes steady on Liu Xiaobing.

“My wager is simple. Guess whether the bullet in my revolver is live or not. If you’re right, I’ll say nothing and let them go. If you’re wrong, then this lady dies by your hand.” As he spoke, Liu Xiaobing pressed the revolver to the woman’s head once more.

“Xiaobing, you—” Baize’s face changed dramatically at the gesture.

“Go on, make your choice. Give me your answer,” Liu Xiaobing’s smile faded, his expression turning grave as he waited for Baize’s response.

“Wait, let me think.” Anxiety rose within Baize, sweat beading on his forehead without him realizing.

Liu Xiaobing didn’t rush him, quietly waiting for Baize’s decision.

A minute passed.

Two minutes.

Ten minutes…

After twenty minutes, Baize finally looked up at Liu Xiaobing. “I want to hold the gun again.”

“Go ahead.” Liu Xiaobing handed him the revolver.

After carefully feeling the weight in his hand, Baize spoke, “It’s a live round.”

This was the result of Baize’s careful and thorough consideration. The spent rounds were still laid out on the table—the chance it was a blank was slim.

“Are you sure?” Liu Xiaobing asked for confirmation.

“Absolutely. It’s real,” Baize nodded with certainty.

“As expected of the top student. So, what’s the answer? Let’s see.” With that, Liu Xiaobing raised the revolver once more, pressing it to the woman’s head. He slowly began to squeeze the trigger.

Just then, Baize’s throat moved as he tried to speak, but Ye Weitian’s voice broke in first.

“Wait!” he cried.

“Oh? What is it? Do you have something to say?” Liu Xiaobing paused and looked at Ye Weitian, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.

“Let them go. I’ll talk. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you,” Ye Weitian forced out the words with great difficulty. His once-proud head dropped low, his spirit utterly broken.

He hadn’t wanted it to come to this, but he simply couldn’t watch his wife and child die before his eyes. The helplessness in his child’s gaze and his piercing cries tormented him beyond endurance.

Hearing Ye Weitian’s words, Baize’s heart tightened. Unconsciously, his right hand moved to his waist, where his own weapon rested, but there was no contempt in his gaze for Ye Weitian—only endless sorrow and hatred.

He felt boundless sorrow for Ye Weitian’s plight, but hatred for the Nationalists burned fiercely in his heart.

“Haha, if you’d done this sooner, we wouldn’t have wasted so much time playing games,” Liu Xiaobing laughed, strolling over to Ye Weitian. He patted Ye Weitian’s cheek with satisfaction, utterly at ease.