Chapter 2 Gambling
Xia's face instantly turned red, just like the plot development.
But that was not because of shyness, but purely because of the shame and anger caused by his own self-conceit.
[“He’s going to cry.”] Lu Yi said affirmatively.
[…Why do I feel like you’re quite excited?]
【“Isn’t it normal to be excited?”】 Lu Yi watched with great interest, 【“This is my first time going through the storyline.”】
Over the plot (x)
Collapse plot (√)
He hasn't come through the previous key node yet. Strictly speaking, this is the first time Lu Yi has met the protagonist Shou Xia.
【So are you going to help him this time? 】
[“Why should we help him?”] Lu Yi asked curiously.
[“Aster is supporting me, and now I’m going to tear him down? There’s nothing wrong with me.”]
What “he” said at the banquet before had embarrassed Xia enough.
Lu Yi had read the original text and knew that the protagonist was not as innocent and kind as he seemed.
The fact that he had offended Xia was an established reality, and it would be a pipe dream for him to follow the path of the protagonist's family and friends.
At most, he can slowly distance himself from the protagonist and fade out of the plot bit by bit.
A big part of the reason why the original owner ended up with such a tragic ending was the destruction of his family.
Rather than trying to please the protagonist, it is obviously more reliable to find a way to prevent the demise of the Klein family.
Lu Yi made up his mind to stand by and watch, and watched indifferently as Xia's eyes became redder and redder.
There were tears swirling inside, and the crystal clear fragmented light made Xia look even weaker and more helpless.
It looks so pitiful.
But unfortunately, no one cared about this perfect performance.
The departure of another party, Aster, made Xia turn his attention to Lu Yi.
After all, Lu Yi was the only Klein left present.
Lu Yi was frightened by his pitiful look and just stared at him.
Klein's beauty is exactly the same. Although Lu Yi's facial features are more delicate, the way he raises his eyebrows is very similar to Astor.
Obviously, they looked completely different, but for a moment, Xia seemed to see Aster in Lu Yi.
Yes, even if Lu Yi appears to be innocent, he is still a Klein after all, and the blood of the Klein family flows in his veins.
They are the same kind of people.
How could he be as stupid and domineering as he appears to be?
"Brother Lu Yi." He spoke timidly, striking just the right balance between fear and yearning.
Lu Yi actually heard a hint of expectation from it strangely.
He shuddered, pretending he hadn't heard anything, and simply ignored Xia's question to the servant behind him: "How long will it take for the magician to arrive?"
"The Great Magician came here immediately after receiving the news and is expected to arrive at the manor in five minutes at the latest."
Lu Yi nodded: "Then let's go to the reception room now. It's not good to keep the great magician waiting for too long."
So in a blink of an eye, Xia and some servants were the only ones left in this spacious hall.
Xia stood there and did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked the nearest attendant worriedly: "Is this magician a healing magician?"
"Yes, Master Xia."
"Why did you suddenly ask for a healing wizard? Is someone sick?"
After living there for a while, Xia knew that there were pharmacists and doctors on call at the manor at all times.
If it is just an ordinary physical discomfort, we usually won’t ask for a special healing wizard.
"No one is sick. It was Young Master Lu Yi who had a fever a few days ago. When the lord found out today, he was worried and sent someone to invite the great magician." The servant answered truthfully.
"Oh, I see." Sia said with a smile, "It's great that no one is sick."
He was obviously smiling, but the smile never reached his eyes.
Meanwhile, Astor was already standing in front of the Duke's study.
He bent his fingers and tapped them twice, "Father."
"Come in." Duke Klein looked up. "Have you found out what Vincent is up to?"
Astor nodded and took out the small item from his pocket.
It was a ring surrounded by thorns and snake heads.
Duke Klein smiled instantly when he saw the ring, without Astor even having to say anything.
"After the death of old Vincent, these youngsters lost their patience and even dared to do such a thing as colluding with the orcs. I had also secretly guessed it at first, but I always felt that it was not necessary. I didn't expect it... Astor, do you think I should laugh at their stupidity or praise their fearlessness?"
"Even rabbits bite when they are anxious, let alone Vincent who was once so glorious. Father, the Vincent family has always been known for its bravery and fearlessness."
This is what a cornered dog does.
"Is there any action needed?" Astor asked.
"Don't worry, this great show has just begun, it's not our turn yet."
After finishing the business, Duke Klein's expression became a little relieved, and he asked in a slightly relaxed tone, "Speaking of which, what happened to your brother? Lu Yi only scored six points in the last mock exam?"
"Lu Yi had a fever on the day of the mock exam. I just asked a healing wizard to come over."
"Lu Yi told you?"
"Yes, the head maid confirmed his statement." Astor's face changed slightly, as if he suddenly thought of a possibility.
"Humph, this little rascal!" Duke Klein scolded with a smile, "I not only know that he is sick, but I also know that he asked for it."
In April and May, I fell asleep while taking a bath and froze myself sick.
It was hard for Duke Klein not to suspect that Lu Yi did it on purpose.
"That wizard..."
"It's okay. Since we've invited him, let him take a good look at Lu Yi and scare him at the same time." Duke Klein said with a sense of evil humor.
He was also shocked when he first heard that Lu Yi was sick.
“I don’t know who he learned this from.”
“Knock knock—”
Speak of the devil; he will appear.
They were still talking about Lu Yi when Lu Yi's voice was heard from outside the door.
"Father, the great magician is here!"
"Come in!" Duke Klein answered in the same loud voice.
Lu Yi pushed the door open obediently, holding two and a half cups of warm milk in his hands.
"Father, brother, we've been chatting for a long time, drink some milk to moisten your throat."
He still remembers his six-point test paper.
However, the iron-fisted Duke Klein was not as easy to deal with as Astor. He took the milk and said to him, "You should moisten your throat, otherwise when I scold you later, you will think I am joking with you."
"Oh, no, I will definitely listen carefully to my father's teachings."
"Come on, you're still listening attentively. I just spoiled you too much and you ignored your father's words. You can't even get 6 points. You've made me lose face. I don't know how those old guys are laughing at me behind my back."
Lu Yi was in the wrong and could only smile silently.
"Oh my." Duke Klein suddenly said, "Lu Yi, do you think someone has cast some kind of intelligence-reducing magic on you?"
Lu Yi slowly gave an awkward yet polite smile.
Duke Klein seemed to be possessed by a spirit of drama, and continued to ask the Great Magician in an exaggerated manner: "Dear Odin, have you found anything?"
"Master Lu Yi is fine, there is nothing unusual."
The great magician said this, but he shook his head slightly.
He stood behind Lu Yi. Lu Yi could not see his movements. He could only see that Duke Klein's exaggerated expression suddenly faded.
Then Duke Klein said, "Lu Yi, you and Astor go out first. Mr. Mage and I have something to discuss."
"Okay, father." Lu Yi looked calm.
He followed Aster quietly and closed the study door gently.
[“System, are you sure the doctor didn’t see anything?”]
【I am sure and certain. 】
[“…Then what else can father discuss with a healing mage?”]
[Don't think too much, it might be something else. ]
[“Impossible, it must be related to me.”]
Lu Yi had an almost arbitrary intuition that Duke Klein must be talking about something related to him at this moment.
And this matter needs to be kept secret from him.
[“Sure enough, the original text is just the inconspicuous tip of the iceberg of this world.”] Lu Yi muttered to himself.
"Don't worry, father is not angry." Astor thought Lu Yi was still worried about his six-point test paper.
Lu Yi simply made the best of it, and said with drooping eyebrows: "This time it was really an accident."
"I believe you." Astor patted his shoulder, "Go back to your room and have a good rest. There will be a party in the evening."
"What banquet?" Lu Yi asked puzzledly.
"The queen decided to hold this banquet a few days ago. It was a small private banquet, and only some children of the central nobles were invited."
Before the queen married into the royal family and changed her surname to Victor, she had an extremely prominent surname - Klein.
She is the only sister of Duke Klein and the aunt of Louis Klein.
"She only invited you, me, and Zorn to the Klein family," Astor added.
It means that Xia will not get in his way.
"Brother, will you come with me tonight? I remember my second brother hasn't come back yet."
Astor shook his head: "No, I have something else to do tonight."
If it were any other banquet, Astor might have been a little worried, but this was a private banquet held by the Queen.
He knew very well how much the queen doted on her nephew, Louis Klein.
With the queen around, Lu Yi would never tolerate any injustice.
"All right."
Lu Yi obviously thought so too. After saying goodbye to Aster briefly, he went back to his room to get ready.
But when he really stood in the palace, Lu Yi realized that he was wrong.
What is social death?
On average, every five steps he took, someone would come up to greet him and subtly mention to him how he could have suddenly gotten a score of 6 in the exam.
Lu Yi had a hard time speaking out his feelings and could only agree reluctantly.
"But I'm not saying this, Lu Yi, your six points are enough to be recorded in the history of Shengbang along with your brother's 100 points!"
It's so rare that the highest and lowest scores in history come from the same clan.
"Do you think that someone will deliberately give you a low score just to show off their admiration for you?"
The person who spoke was heartless. If his eyes had not been clear and without malice, Lu Yi would have retorted back.
Almost everyone thought that he had deliberately scored 6 points, so most people just made a few good-natured jokes.
But some people took it seriously.
When Bart Vincent and his group walked up to Lu Yi, Lu Yi had just stuffed a small cake into his mouth.
Although it was just a private banquet, it was a banquet hosted by the Queen after all. The food on the table was exquisite and delicious, the portions were just the right size for a mouthful, and the food was served in a proper manner, which was very considerate.
"Oh, I thought this was some poor noble who hadn't eaten for a few days. I was also short-sighted. When I got closer, I realized that this was Lu Yi Klein, who has been in the limelight recently."
Lu Yi calmly took out a tissue and wiped his mouth, then slowly took a glass of wine and took a few sips.
He had an arrogant attitude, as if he didn't take anyone seriously.
It was like the feeling of punching cotton, and Bart held his breath in his throat.
"Why? Is it because you are too embarrassed to even speak because you got 6 points?"
Bart's voice rose slightly, and he took a few steps forward, closing the distance between him and Lu Yi to the point where he could no longer ignore him.
Once the distance gets closer, Lu Yi's extremely aggressive appearance can be seen more clearly.
The Klein family is famous for its bravery and fighting skills, and the meritorious titles of all generations were earned through bloodshed on the battlefield.
But in addition to their combat power that far exceeds that of Superman, the beauty of the Klein family has always been a topic of discussion among the outside world.
Among them, Louis Klein, the youngest son of the Klein family, is particularly famous.
When he tilted his head back to drink, his slender neck was exposed, as white and smooth as a beautiful jade from the East. His golden hair was more dazzling than gold under the lights of the banquet hall.
What is even more eye-catching is his deep and charming blue eyes.
That shade of blue is like the most fascinating light in the abyss. When the eyes are focused on anyone, that person's soul will be plundered.
From then on, chasing that endless blue became an instinct.
Even though Bart had never gotten along with Louis, he still couldn't help but be distracted for a moment by the impact of such beauty.
But he quickly recovered from his distraction and said angrily, "Luyi Klein!"
He shouted so loudly that many people around him turned their eyes in their direction.
"Mr. Bart, what's up?"
Lu Yi finally reluctantly turned his gaze to him.
Bart Vincent, a small cannon fodder with even fewer roles than Lu Yi in the original story. He seems to be jealous of Lu Yi's freedom and will trip him up from time to time.
——Although I never succeeded even once.
Bart was surprised by his natural calmness, and laughed in anger: "Didn't you hear me talking to you just now?"
"Was anyone talking just now?" Lu Yi asked back, "I thought someone's pet was accidentally let in."
"After all, its barking is a little too unpleasant."
As Lu Yi spoke, he raised the wine glass and shook it slightly towards Bart, then put the glass back on the table.
Obviously his every move was extremely elegant, but Bart somehow saw a hint of disdain in it.
"Lu Yi Klein, don't you think that you are bringing shame to the Klein family by getting only 6 points in the exam? If I were a member of the Klein family, I would be ashamed of you!"
"Oh, so what?" Lu Yi blinked.
Even Duke Klein hasn't said anything yet, so is it his turn as an outsider to point fingers here?
Such accusations were completely harmless to Lu Yi.
"Let's make a bet on the written score of the final exam!"
Lu Yi looked at him strangely: "Why do you think I will agree?"
"What? You don't dare? There is actually a coward in the Klein family!" Bart laughed deliberately.
"I'm sorry, but I don't take any provocation."
Lu Yi gave him a perfunctory smile and prepared to leave.
But the sound coming from behind became louder, directly attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
"Luyi Klein! Are you really a coward and dare not bet with me?" Bart shouted.
[Ding Dong! The malicious level has reached the minimum threshold! The low-level task "Slap Bart Vincent" has been triggered——]
【Task name: Final exam】
[Task Introduction: As your long-time nemesis, Bart Vincent will certainly not miss any opportunity to embarrass you. After you unexpectedly scored 6 points, he really challenged you in public and boasted that he would surpass you in the final exam. And you - Lu Yi Klein, this time you are not only fighting for yourself, but also for the glory of the Klein family. ]
[Task objective: Get a score of at least 20 points in the final exam.]
[Task-limited cheat code: Improve memory and concentration when studying. ]
[Task Rewards: Permanent improvement of memory, concentration, and acuity, random change of original text settings x1, super lottery pool lottery ticket x1, points 250. ]
Lu Yi quickly read through the transparent window that suddenly popped up in front of him.
——Randomly change the original text settings once.
He turned slowly and looked at Bart calmly.
Bart was stunned by his extremely oppressive gaze and swallowed subconsciously.
"Klein is never afraid of betting with others. But are you sure you can afford the bet to invite me in?"
If you want to bet, there must be stakes.
"Bet...bet..." Bart said in a panic, "How about...we bet on a manor?"
The power of the Vincent family has been declining day by day, and Bart is just one of the mediocre people of Vincent's generation, with neither money nor power.
He didn't have many properties under his name, and even fewer things to show for it. This manor was already the bulk of his private property.
Even so, many nobles who had been watching them laughed quietly.
Perhaps a manor is enough for Bart, but it is still not enough for the top aristocratic class in the empire.
What's more, the person betting against him is the main descendant of the Klein family, Duke Klein's beloved son, Louis Klein.
The Klein family is extremely glorious, and is at the top of the pyramid even among the top aristocratic class.
And take an ordinary manor as a bet.
It's really ridiculous.
Lu Yi chuckled and raised his eyebrows: "Are you kidding?"
"A manor? Are you insulting the Klein family, or are you confirming the rumors that the Vincent family is in decline?"
Lu Yi's words were merciless, so the nobles around him, who were very discerning, laughed even louder.
Bart's face turned pale and he gritted his teeth and said, "I wonder what kind of bet Lord Klein wants? Just tell me, I, Vincent, will accompany you to the end!"
"I can represent the Klein family, but are you sure you can represent Vincent?" Lu Yi asked back.
There was a flash of hesitation in Bart's eyes, but he was now being put on the stove and had no choice.
If he backed down at this moment, it would be a real disgrace to the Vincent family, and the host family would definitely not let him off easily.
It would be better to give it a try completely.
If he wins—
No, he will definitely win!
"Of course I can!"
"Very good." Lu Yi approached him, staring at him closely with his deep blue eyes, "If you represent the Vincent family, you are qualified to bet with me."
"If you lose, the canning factory by the moat in the suburbs will belong to me. If I lose, the century-old winery in the city center will be yours."
"Do you dare to bet?" Lu Yi pressed on.
Everyone present looked at Bart, his heart beating like a drum.
"Bet!" Bart answered loudly with a determined heart.
It’s just a canning factory in the suburbs!
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the century-old winery in the city center is worth far more than the canning factory in the suburbs.
Although no one knows how Lu Yi knew about this canning factory, his bet was really unjustified.
"God of Light." Lu Yi took the initiative to extend his hand.
Bart forced himself to high-five him: "...God of Light is above."
The invisible causal constraints of humans enveloped the two of them, and Lu Yi only felt an inexplicable feeling sweeping through his body.
With the gods as witnesses, the bet is established.
There is no way out for either side.
After the ceremony, the maid who had been standing quietly in the crowd stepped forward, gave Bart a slight, impeccable salute, and said clearly, "Excuse me, sir, the Queen's banquet prohibits noise. I am under the Queen's order, please leave."
Although she said please, her actions were firm and she clearly did not give Bart a second option.
Bart was extremely embarrassed. He watched helplessly as everyone's looks of surprise and admiration turned into ridicule and sarcasm.
These gazes were like sharp swords, piercing his already strong self-esteem into pieces.
Because he was the one who was asked to leave the banquet by the queen.
"Why don't you ask him to go out too!" Bart was so angry that he pointed at Lu Yi.
But the next second he realized that what he said was a joke.
The queen is Lu Yi's aunt, how could she let Lu Yi go out?
I'm afraid even his current embarrassment is caused by his offense against Lu Yi.
"Please." The maid said respectfully.
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