That was probably why the Lottery Room had an extra Prediction Rights option.
As Ink in Water nodded, Chi Wei asked, “Captain, what did you want to suggest?”
They’d come this far in the conversation. Chi Wei figured Ink in Water must have a plan for how to deal with the other teams’ betrayals.
She was right.
“We don’t have much time left together,” Ink in Water said. “First, we’ll run a simulation among ourselves and gather some data. After that, we can spend the rest of our time talking to players from the other teams as usual.”
The simulation Ink in Water had in mind involved rotating three of their own players through the roles of the three teams in A Feast on the Cruise Ship, then playing the Lottery Game over and over to collect experimental data.
An academic’s approach, all right.
Chi Wei had a few doubts about the method, but it was still only the first round of the game. She said nothing and figured they might as well try Ink in Water’s plan.
After all, as captain, Ink in Water deserved some respect.
The simulation ended shortly before noon.
Ink in Water gathered the data, holding the pages of notes in one hand. “So far, the highest rate of betrayal has been when the prize pool reaches 7.5 or 8.5 million. But when it gets to 10.5 or 11.5 million, the rate of betrayal drops sharply. That’s because the prediction rate is nearly 100 percent by then, and the game also starts to slow down. It takes longer to reach the final maximum prize.”
The results weren’t surprising. Trust between people was as fragile as a spiderweb.
The hands of the old-fashioned wall clock were nearing twelve. Chi Wei reminded them, “Should we head to the Lottery Room? Team Two’s vote is about to start.”
The white-haired man shot to his feet. “Let’s go.”
By the time Team One reached the hallway outside the Lottery Room, it was already crowded with players.
Hearts Girl, Team Two’s captain, was leaning against the wall with one knee raised. A cigarette rested between the fingers of her right hand, and she leisurely brought it to her lips. Her three teammates stood around her, each wearing a different expression.
Chi Wei caught a faint scent in the air. Hearts Girl had probably bitten the blueberry-flavored capsule in her cigarette. Even without anyone looking at her, its sweet fragrance made sure everyone knew she was there.
Her red lips closed around the cigarette, then parted again as she breathed out a cloud of smoke.
“Let’s see what other rules are in there.”
The woman in the green dress stepped forward and asked, “You’re going to choose Cooperate, right?”
Hearts Girl tilted her head to look at her and gave a faint, mocking smile. “Why do you doubt me? Of course. I’m willing to cooperate. As long as everyone works together, the best choice is to take all the money at the end.”
At twelve o’clock, the light on the Lottery Room’s doorknob turned green, granting Team Two access.
Team One and Team Three waited outside. Chi Wei noticed that almost every player kept their eyes on the door they couldn’t enter.
As the saying went, once someone wasn’t one of your own, you couldn’t trust them.
Of course they couldn’t relax around the other teams.
Chi Wei took the opportunity to study the Silver-Masked Woman. The woman seemed to notice her gaze and turned to look at her before casually looking away again. The whole gesture seemed to say that Chi Wei wasn’t worth noticing.
Chi Wei smiled and stepped forward.
“Hey, sis, how old are you this year?” She waved at the Silver-Masked Woman with a cheeky grin.
The Silver-Masked Woman replied, “We’re not close, are we?”
Still grinning, Chi Wei held out her hand in a friendly handshake. “We can get acquainted now. I’m really interested in you. Maybe you’ve got a pretty face under that mask. I’m a sucker for a pretty face.”
The Silver-Masked Woman lowered her gaze to Chi Wei’s pale hand.
Then she reached out and smacked it aside.
Chi Wei felt a cool, silky touch sweep across her palm, then met with silence.
So cold.
Just like her hand.
Chi Wei mulled over the feeling the Silver-Masked Woman gave her. She was like an icy snake lying in wait, not even flicking her tongue, revealing nothing but a pair of dangerous eyes.
Chi Wei didn’t think the game could go peacefully with her around.
Of course, aside from the Silver-Masked Woman, anyone could throw the Lottery Game off balance.
At 12:06, Team Two came out of the Lottery Room.
“We chose Cooperate,” Hearts Girl said as soon as she stepped out. She gave a little click of her tongue. “So much money in there. It’s hard not to want it.”
They’d clearly seen the stacks of cash flying around inside the dome, too.
It would be hard not to want all that money.
The blonde from Team Three earnestly reassured everyone, “Don’t worry. Once the round ends, everyone gets a share.”
At lunchtime, all the players headed to the dining area on the cruise ship’s third deck.
The dining area was spacious, with long buffet tables, smaller tables, and individual tables. Service robots moved among the many counters, which offered every kind of food.
There was no one aboard the cruise ship besides the players. All the servers were intelligent machines.
Judging by the food on the counters, the ingredients were as fresh as could be.
The food was delicious, the hot dishes smelled wonderful, and there was an enormous variety.
It was only the first day, but half the players were already full to bursting.
After finishing her meal, Chi Wei had planned to go find out more from Team Three. She followed them toward the other half of the third deck.
Hearts Girl was sitting on the bar counter, and a service robot had just brought her a Tequila Sunrise. She tapped the counter and called her teammates over.
“I’m going to tell you a story.”
The players on Team Two went over, looking puzzled.
Hearts Girl gave a mocking smile, then turned to Team Three and Chi Wei, who had followed them. “Why don’t you come listen, too? Aren’t you bored after lunch?”
Just then, Ink in Water and the other two members of Team One entered the bar.
The reason was simple. The woman in the green dress had seen Chi Wei walk off alone with Team Three and felt uneasy, so she’d called the others to come along and see what was happening.
No one knew if an undercover traitor might suddenly appear in this game.
The Silver-Masked Woman sat on a brown leather sofa behind the bar. Chi Wei promptly squeezed in beside her.
“This is a comfy seat. I’m joining you.”
She grinned at the Silver-Masked Woman beside her, then asked Team Three’s captain, Master Appraiser, “You don’t mind, do you?”
Master Appraiser nodded. “Sit wherever you like.”
The blonde woman from Team Three chose a high stool near the bar, close to Team Two, so she could listen to the story.
“What are you going to tell us?” she asked.
Hearts Girl moved her soft lips away from the rim of her glass. “An interesting story. Maybe it’s a paradox, too.”
In just a few moments, players from Teams One, Two, and Three had all gathered around the bar.
Hearts Girl gave a mocking smile. “Everyone’s here, huh? Then I’d better tell it properly.”
