The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 838 - 837: Playing Cards Until Doubting Life

Chapter 838: Chapter 837: Playing Cards Until Doubting Life

Two decks of playing cards were already shuffled, lying quietly in the center of the table.

Everyone took turns drawing cards, and Pudgy Haoshined a card, kept Lu Mian in the loop about the rules of "Running Fast."

"Mianbro, it’s actually quite simple, just think of it as a five-person version of Fight the Landlord, whoever gets rid of all their cards first wins. Five people split into two teams, whoever has the best hand can take the initiative to be the King. The King picks a card from their hand, and whoever has the exact same card that the King calls out is the Queen, on the same team as them, the remaining three are on the other team. The King’s identity is clear, while the Queen can either reveal her identity or secretly cooperate with the King..."

Pudgy Haoshined a card, explained in detail, including the scoring rules and penalties for losing, and after he finished, the two decks of cards were also dealt out.

Lu Mian was somewhat clumsy arranging the cards in his hand.

Mo Nie warmed milk on the side, glanced over at the table, and shook his head.

As a playing card enthusiast, he could tell at first glance that Lu Mian’s card handling was very awkward.

Ye Shao just knew to tease him, one look and you could tell Miss Lu hadn’t played much, not at all like a card shark, right?

Pudgy Haoshined a card, and Shouhaowith Haoshao caught on as well, exchanging glances.

Shouhaowith true confidence, assessed the cards in his hand, and took the initiative to declare, "I want to be King, anyone objecting?"

No one responded, and Shouhaowith Haoshao was elected.

"Then let’s go with the three of hearts," Shouhao said with anticipation, sweeping the group, "My mysterious Queen, you must silently protect me!"

All four, including Lu Mian, remained silent, eyeing their own cards, seemingly searching for the three of hearts.

"Actually, the card that’s picked, it’s more powerful than the two jokers, it’s a little perk of being the emperor or empress," Pudgy Haoshined a card, specifically explained to Lu Mian.

Lu Mian had basically mastered the rules of the game and smiled with a nod.

"Let’s start."

Xiao Qimogently swept a glance at Lu Mian from the side, truly looking like he didn’t know how to play.

Initially, he too was fooled by the little rascal’s appearance, but in reality...

In reality, Lu Mian truly didn’t know how to play, but who can fault her strong learning ability? In the back and forth, she had basically mastered all the rules of the game.

Shouhaowith Haoshao was King, Pudgy Haoshined a card was Queen, the two cooperated openly and covertly, very cleanly and neatly won.

The first round ended.

Zhang Yanyan and Wei Qi couldn’t stop them and began shuffling the cards with downcast spirits.

The losers not only had to stick little paper tags on their faces, but also had to offer their highest card to the winners before the next round began.

Pudgy Haoshined a card, considerately suggested the first round was just for getting the feel, taking it easy on Lu Mian.

The second round began.

"Mianbro, how about it? Do you get it?" Shouhaowith Haoshao asked.

Lu Mian nodded slowly and deliberately, "Somewhat."

All four boys gave her "somewhat" wide berth, shaking their heads in unison.

However, after the second round started, the situation quietly shifted.

Lu Mian not only could follow the game, but also accurately identified the hidden Queen.

But due to a lack of experience, she still lost.

The loser had to stick a little paper tag.

No one dared to stick one on Lu Mian; in the end, it was Lu Mian who let Xiao Qimohelp her attach it, playing the game with the right spirit.

This time, Lu Mian actively took the playing cards in her hands and shuffled them.

Both decks of cards were entirely in her palms, the girl leisurely shuffling them. No fancy tricks involved, just casually altering the order of the cards.

Xiao Qimoadjusted his seated posture, a glint flashed in his eyes hidden behind the gold-rimmed glasses.

Uh-oh, it’s starting.

He put down the magazine, watching the girl with great interest, until Lu Mian slowly and methodically placed the cards down.

"Alright," she said.

The four boys had no idea what had just happened, and as they touched their cards, they secretly prayed not to be teamed up with Lu Mian.

Mo Nie had already heated the milk and handed a cup to Sui Yuan, who was sitting in the corner of the sofa and thanked him with a smile.

Sui Yuan put away her notebook and pen, hugged the cup, glanced in Lu Mian’s direction, and seeing the little paper note on her face, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

She had never seen Mianmian like this... just so cute.

Mianmian was getting more down-to-earth now; compared to when she had just returned to Wucheng, she was gradually shedding her thorns, revealing a gentler, softer side.

Sui Yuan quite enjoyed this atmosphere, even though she was not part of the game, just watching by the side was quite satisfying.

She put down her cup of milk and lowered her head to start writing furiously in her notebook again.

Mo Nie brought another cup of milk over to Lu Mian’s side.

As he set the cup down next to her, he caught a glimpse of Lu Mian’s cards and shook his head slightly.

Miss Lu’s cards... were so terrible.

But just as Mo Nie was lamenting that she was going to drag her teammates down again, Lu Mian pushed her largest card forward—that was the punishment for losing.

At the same time, she took the initiative.

"I want to be the King, does anyone object?" she asked.

The four boys looked at each other, staring at the card she had laid out.

"Mian Bro, your biggest card is a two?"

"Yeah," she replied.

Everyone: ...ignorance truly is bliss.

"...From my experience, if you don’t have good cards, you don’t need to take such a risk. After all, if the King loses, the punishment is doubled," Shouhao earnestly suggested.

A newbie, without a single strong card, was actually eager to be targeted?

Lu Mian said lightly, "No problem."

Mo Nie stood by, rather speechless; Miss Lu was so broke, yet she dared to be the King?

He felt real sympathy for the people teamed up with Lu Mian.

Since Lu Mian insisted, the others naturally didn’t obstruct her any further.

Lu Mian nonchalantly called out a card value, and one of the chubby boys among the four shuddered dramatically, his expression telling.

The chubby boy nudged Shouhao, who was sitting next to him, sneakily pulling out a card, desperately trying to trade with him.

Shouhao rolled his eyes, ignoring him.

His hand held a sure-win card; he didn’t want to be in a team with Mian Bro.

The chubby kid had to face the hard truth with a bitter laugh—he was the Queen.

The other group was very confident that Lu Mian’s cards were terrible, not taking her seriously at all.

Yet, when Lu Mian revealed her cards, they were shocked.

Because their card combinations didn’t match, they couldn’t follow suit...

Without the chance to play their cards, how could they put pressure on her? The three of them were anxious privately while Lu Mian was completely at ease.

Halfway through the game, the chubby one could no longer hold back.

"Let’s just be clear, I’m the Queen." He was no longer the person sneakily trading cards from before.

The chubby kid stood up with great swagger, one foot on the chair, and arrogantly tossed a single card. "Are you guys still playing or not? If not, Mian Bro and I are leaving," he declared.

Shouhao, Zhang Yanyan, and Wei Qi were flabbergasted. They clearly had a great hand; how come they hadn’t had a chance to play it?