Zhou Xiaoying hesitated for a moment: "Then... why not just do it now?"
Tang Qing silently shook his head: "Because once you’re inspected, that number will be recorded. If other Anti-Smuggling Team players and Li Haoqiang press the ’Inspect’ button within 10 seconds after that, they will take precedence."
"So, if no other Anti-Smuggling Team players are around to cause trouble, the best choice is, of course, not to inspect and not to waste your chances."
Zhou Xiaoying was somewhat surprised; this was indeed a situation she hadn’t thought of before.
But then, she had a new question: "But why are you helping me? What’s in it for you?"
Tang Qing explained: "My help, of course, isn’t unconditional. I need a ’protection fee.’
"The fee is also clear and transparent: After you go to the trading area, whatever method you use, bring out ’5000 Gold Coins’ for me; that’s the price for one cooperation."
Zhou Xiaoying was shocked: "5000! Why don’t you just... I mean, that’s too much!"
Tang Qing shook his head: "No, no, no, that’s not too much at all.
"Paying the protection fee directly is about 10% to 30% of each profit.
"But if confiscated, it’s a 100% loss. You should know the difference there.
"Of course, if you still think it’s a loss, you can increase the amount of gold sand you carry per trip, for example, carry a full 50,000, and the fee would still be 5000, fair to everyone."
Zhou Xiaoying thought for a moment and asked, "But how can you be so sure that an inspection will definitely lead to the confiscation of my gold sand?
"According to the rules, your guessed number must fluctuate within 20% to cover the actual amount of gold sand. Can you guess that accurately?"
Tang Qing looked at her with interest: "Hmm... want to try it?"
Zhou Xiaoying didn’t speak; she couldn’t tell if Tang Qing was actually confident or just bluffing.
She thought for another moment: "But how can you be sure that if I agree verbally, I will definitely give you the Gold Coins? What if I back out after coming out of the trading area?"
Tang Qing shook his head slightly: "That would be a pity. Trust me, that is definitely not a wise move."
Zhou Xiaoying thought for a moment: "How about this, you don’t press the ’Inspect’ button now and say a number. If you guess correctly, I’ll believe you’re serious.
"But if you guess wrong, then I’m sorry."
The faint smile on Tang Qing’s face disappeared, and he let out a silent sigh: "Alright, it seems I’ve been too gentle, making you think you have the right to bargain with me."
He made a gesture, and Li Haoqiang directly pressed the ’Inspect’ button.
[Inspection started, please cooperate with the Anti-Smuggling Team to complete the inspection process, otherwise it will be considered a ’successful inspection.’]
Zhou Xiaoying clearly didn’t expect Tang Qing to stop haggling and instead initiate the inspection, but it was too late for regrets.
Tang Qing walked around Zhou Xiaoying, his gaze sweeping over the small golden suitcase hidden behind her back.
Zhou Xiaoying instinctively wanted to shift her posture to block it, but Tang Qing spoke again.
"You might be overestimating the difficulty of guessing the number.
"’Fluctuating within 20%’ is indeed a very large range.
"Moreover, different quantities of gold sand result in different weights of the suitcase, so the carrier’s walking posture will change slightly.
"If it were a physically strong male player, it would be fine, but you’re a female player with insufficient physical strength, making the judgment easier.
"Your actions don’t seem too strenuous, so I guess it’s at most half a suitcase.
"Besides, there’s community ecology, personality, all these factors could influence your game strategy.
"Your community probably doesn’t control substances, does it? You probably wouldn’t give up the chance to use substances to gain extra game turns.
"So, my guess is...
"23000."
Li Haoqiang entered the number on the machine and pressed the confirm button.
Zhou Xiaoying instantly froze, and the prompt sound on the machine announced the final result.
[Correct guess, inspection successful.]
[All gold sand will be confiscated by the Anti-Smuggling Team.]
Tang Qing said indifferently, "Thank you."
Zhou Xiaoying was extremely unwilling, but ultimately had no choice but to hand over the small golden suitcase to Li Haoqiang.
Tang Qing didn’t have Li Haoqiang open it for counting, seeming very confident in his judgment, not doubting that the amount of gold sand inside could be anything else.
"My cooperation suggestion is still valid, and it’s the same for other Gold Diggers, feel free to pass it along.
"If you can bring other Gold Diggers, I can consider giving you a ’half-price discount.’
Tang Qing turned around and left with Li Haoqiang.
...
Zhou Xiaoying stood there helplessly for a while, looking in the direction Tang Qing left. She seemed regretful, wanting to accept Tang Qing’s proposal.
But then she thought about it; she no longer had any gold sand in her hand, so even if she wanted to agree, she would have to wait until next time.
She could only hang her head and dejectedly return to the Gold Panning Area.
But just then, she heard someone behind her say softly, "Follow me!"
Zhou Xiaoying was startled, but upon seeing that the person was Huang Shengjie, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Are you in this game too?"
Huang Shengjie didn’t answer initially, instead, he first led Zhou Xiaoying back to the nearest Gold Rush Area A to ensure his own safety.
The two continued inside, where there were still no vacant machines. However, Huang Shengjie didn’t line up and instead found a secluded corner in the Gold Panning Area to speak in a low voice.
"Have you found other people from the Community? Who’s leading your Community?" Huang Shengjie asked.
Zhou Xiaoying replied, "I saw Peng Xinyuan in Zone B before, but I couldn’t manage to speak to him.
"Wu Xiufang couldn’t enter the game this time, so Li Mao and Peng Xinyuan are leading, but... it seems we’re all fighting on our own."
Huang Shengjie asked, "What do you plan to do next? Accept Tang Qing’s proposal?
"Every delivery, give him 5000 Gold Coins as ’protection fee.’
Zhou Xiaoying’s mind seemed somewhat collapsed: "Of course, I don’t want to give it. It’s not acceptable to give away 5000 Gold Coins that I earned with great effort every time, but... if I don’t give it, everything will be confiscated..."
Huang Shengjie interrupted her: "If you don’t have any better ideas, then let’s work together!
"I’ve already thought of a very reliable strategy, and I also know that the situation for us scattered players is already very dangerous!
"If we remain unaware, we’re destined to lose this game."
Zhou Xiaoying’s expression seemed somewhat uncertain: "A ’very reliable’ strategy?
"But, Tang Qing is too strong; he seems to really be able to judge the specific amount of gold sand in the suitcase by movements...
"In Tang Qing’s eyes, all players seem exposed; he can inspect whoever he wants. Even if we cooperate, it seems we have no chance of winning..."
Zhou Xiaoying was well aware that Huang Shengjie wasn’t a particularly strong player, based on past gaming experiences. He was definitely a bit better than her but not overly strong.
Finding a strategy in such a game to defeat Tang Qing? The likelihood wasn’t great.
Huang Shengjie interrupted her, his voice firm: "Get a grip! Tang Qing is clearly bluffing you!"