Inside the space—
"So? What's your choice?"
"Twenty points."
"Even if you don't steal… what if the other side does? You'll end up with nothing."
Valerius's voice drifted through the room like a devil's whisper.
The livestream tensed instantly.
[Seth: It's over. She's definitely going to steal.]
[Jane: Not optimistic.]
[Qingyi: This is too much! How can you put Zhu Yuan in this position?!]
Public Security Bureau members were panicking.
From what they knew of Zhu Yuan, she would absolutely choose to share.
If Shenhe pressed red, everything Zhu Yuan had worked for would vanish.
And let's be honest—
Shenhe had literally considered eliminating everyone to win earlier.
Kind-hearted?
Hard to say.
But Liyue's side fired back immediately.
[Ningguang: What do you mean? As if our Shenhe would steal.]
[Keqing: Exactly. Liyue earns wealth through proper means.]
[Ganyu: Shenhe will not steal.]
[Xianyun: Ridiculous. Shenhe would never choose theft. I guarantee it.]
Xianyun sounded almost offended.
She had raised that child herself.
Did they think she didn't understand Shenhe's character?
And sure enough—
After hearing the rules, Shenhe firmly shook her head.
"I won't steal."
"Twenty points," Valerius tempted gently.
"You could draw the highest-tier reward twice."
"Don't you want that?"
"What is mine will be mine."
She shook her head again.
Her master's teachings had taken root.
Even if she lost the ten points—
She would not lose herself.
"Good."
This time, Valerius's smile was genuine.
As Shenhe refused, she unlocked the true reward.
Not the most dazzling.
Not the most powerful.
But the one she truly needed.
He summoned a glowing orb and handed it to her.
"Congratulations. Hidden reward."
"Absorb it."
"Your Solitary Calamity fate will be rewritten."
"You won't need the red ropes anymore."
"…Truly?"
For the first time, Shenhe's expression visibly shifted.
Emotion flickered in her eyes.
"Of course."
Valerius nodded.
"If you had hesitated even a little… this would've slipped away."
She absorbed the light.
Warmth spread through her body.
The cold suppression that had always been bound by red cords began to loosen.
Her fate.
Rewritten.
A slow, unfamiliar lightness filled her chest.
"…Thank you."
She smiled.
It was small.
A little awkward.
But undeniably sincere.
"No need to thank me."
"You earned it yourself."
The livestream was stunned.
[Ningguang: I see now.]
[Keqing: That's actually wonderful.]
[Ganyu: Shenhe's fate… rewritten?]
[Xianyun: Excellent! I'm going to re-divine her fortune immediately.]
Xianyun shot into the sky without another word.
She had to confirm it herself.
Meanwhile—
The Public Security side realized something else.
[Qingyi: Wait… that was a hidden reward?!]
[Seth: So if Zhu Yuan hesitates, she loses it?]
[Jane: Hesitation likely counts.]
[Rin: So… no hidden reward?]
[Hoshimi Miyabi: Zhu Yuan… don't mess this up.]
Valerius stepped into Zhu Yuan's room.
"Miss Zhu Yuan. Hello."
It was their first time alone.
"Mr. Valerius."
She smiled politely.
"What's the game this time?"
"Not a game."
He explained the steal/share rules clearly.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You can… steal?"
This was difficult.
She didn't want to steal.
But if Shenhe chose red—
She would lose everything.
"Please give me a moment."
"Of course."
Valerius stepped aside.
The livestream argued fiercely.
[Anton: There goes the hidden reward.]
[Klee? (wrong world lol but ignoring)]
[Hu Tao: That counts as hesitation. Reward's gone.]
[Xingqiu: Definitely hesitation.]
[Qingyi: She's not hesitating about stealing. She's considering the opponent's choice.]
[Ellen: Then what's the answer? Mutual destruction? Or surrender?]
[Lycaon: Naturally, share.]
[Rina: We know that. She may not.]
Inside the room—
Zhu Yuan closed her eyes.
She didn't want to steal.
It felt wrong.
If the other side stole—
Then she would accept it as her misfortune.
But she would not betray her own principles.
Finally—
"I choose to share."
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Very well."
Valerius nodded.
"Congratulations. You each retain ten points."
Zhu Yuan exhaled in relief.
So Shenhe had also chosen share.
She hadn't misjudged her.
"Please exit. I'll wait outside."
When both doors opened—
Shenhe and Zhu Yuan stepped out.
They met eyes.
Both nodded lightly.
Shenhe even smiled at her.
Zhu Yuan blinked in surprise.
"She… smiles?"
She had seemed so cold before.
Maybe—
She wasn't as distant as she appeared.
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