Deceitful Game

Chapter 110 The Real Team

Wow!

When Mingpo brought him to Gao Fan's house, Ai Shiping opened his arms wide and exclaimed exaggeratedly, as if praising the sun: "My God!"

"Shanghai has villas this big?!"

"Actually, it's just average."

Gao Fan modestly led Ai Shiping in, showing him the way: "I actually own several other houses, and the villas in Chongming are much more comfortable. But ultimately, only this one became my base... I guess it's the only place I consider 'home.'" "...Home?"

Upon hearing this, Ai Shiping paused for a moment, then slightly withdrew his outstretched arms: "Can a spiritual anchor point... only be home?"

"Ah, that's not necessarily true. Generally speaking, it's the place where you have the strongest obsession and the greatest sense of security."

Gao Fan casually remarked, "I know an old 'artist' whose anchor point is his art museum... because he usually stays there and never goes home. Apparently, his son is unfilial or something, but I haven't inquired about the specifics."

"This man is a true third-generation Shanghai master."

Mingpo crossed her arms: "It's not the same as someone like me who doesn't have a Shanghai hukou."

Mingpo wasn't born in Shanghai; he moved there with his business-minded parents when he was very young. His registered residence, like his neighbor Shiyue's, was in Inner Mongolia. His parents were both quite tall… which is the fundamental reason why Mingpo is so tall.

He was just luckier than Shi Yue; the residence permit system didn't exist back then. When Shi Yue was in school, if his parents hadn't accumulated enough residence permit points, they couldn't even take the college entrance exam in Shanghai.

"...Ah, not me either. My grandfather was from Wenzhou."

Gao Fan smiled and said, "They were among the first batch of college students in the early days of the People's Republic of China, brought here through talent recruitment policies. My grandfather is still alive today... He's in great health; he can still climb mountains now, and we can't stop him from doing so."

"That's really impressive."

Ai Shiping sighed, "I'm so envious..."

Upon hearing this, Mingpo glanced at him.

Although it seemed as if he envied Gao Fan for having such a powerful grandfather who could build such a large business from scratch.

But Mingpo could tell that he was genuinely envious of Gao Fan's grandfather, who was still alive.

Ai Shiping had a very good relationship with his grandfather when he was a child.

If one day Ai Shiping decides to quit the game of deception... perhaps he will return to the time before the great earthquake and escape with his family? That might be his true wish.

A family can live happily together... without having to experience separation or death.

Thinking this, Mingpo, who was crossing her arms, subconsciously tightened her grip on her arms.

This also means that he and Ai Shiping will never have the chance to meet again.

But Mingpo didn't say anything—he neither agreed nor stopped them, he just remained silent.

Ai Shiping keenly sensed that Mingpo seemed to have something on her mind.

"Oh, right," he laughed heartily, putting his arms around Mingpo and Gao Fan's shoulders, making his leaning body look like a zipline, "Shall we go out to eat? I want something good!"

"...Just eating?"

Gao Fan hesitated for a moment, but then smiled gently: "Okay, then I'll book a restaurant—what would you like to eat?"

He clearly felt it was a waste.

However, Gao Fan's emotional intelligence and personality prevented him from speaking up to stop it.

This is probably a necessary team-building expense, Gao Fan thought to himself.

He has a keen eye for people.

Even though it was their first meeting, he felt that Ai Shiping was indeed a trustworthy companion.

That feeling was completely different from the feeling his past companions gave off... even different from the feeling Mingpo gave off. Rather, Gao Fan was a little puzzled as to why Ai Shiping wasn't in the realm of virtue.

"How could I let you spend money?"

Ai Shiping smiled smugly and extended his hand: "Since I was the one who proposed it, I should be the one to offer the chips!"

Seeing Gao Fan instinctively reach out to catch it, Ai Shiping released his tightly clenched right hand, and the chips clattered out. There were a full thirty "Time's Red Copper" chips.

"this……"

This was the first time Gao Fan had been given so many chips unconditionally by his companion. He subconsciously widened his eyes: "Is this appropriate? You're still a newcomer..." Various thoughts raced through his mind, and for a moment, his outstretched hands froze in mid-air.

"Take it, Xiao Fan."

Mingpo suddenly spoke up, "That's just the kind of person he is. He genuinely wants to share with you; it's not a test, nor is it just politeness." "...Okay."

Gao Fan was not one to hesitate, so the chips that remained in his palm and on the ground all flew up and were absorbed into his body.

"My name is Gao Fan."

He looked at Ai Shiping with some seriousness: "What's your name?"

"You can just call him Xiao Ai."

Mingpo spoke calmly from the side.

"Oh, don't be so polite."

Ai Shiping smiled brightly and gave his real name without hesitation: "My name is Ai Shiping! Shiping who wishes for world peace!" He glanced at Mingpo with a smile: "Thanks, Apo. But I think that since we are trustworthy companions, we should open our hearts to each other. If you're not even willing to give me your real name, how can I entrust you with my life?"

"If you don't have the resolve and trust to entrust your life to someone, then wouldn't you still have to scheme against your comrades? In that case, what's the point of having comrades at all? Having someone who knows your information but isn't sure about their stance is actually more dangerous than having no comrades at all, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Gao Fan was startled.

He glanced at Mingpo nervously, worried that the two of them might start arguing because of him.

That would not only cause a crisis of trust for their newly formed team, but might even lead to them taking their anger out on them.

"……you're right."

Unexpectedly, despite being the stronger one, Mingpo, after careful consideration, slowly nodded and acknowledged her shortcomings. Though more assertive in both personality and ability, she was willing to respect the opinions and suggestions of the "weaker"...

"Let's pretend this is... nice to meet you."

Mingpo extended her hand to Gao Fan and said earnestly, "My name is Mingpo, the 'po' in amber."

Gao Fan opened his mouth, unsure whether to say "Nice to meet you" or "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He simply extended his hand and shook hands with Mingpo.

Although I was still a little scared when I reached out my hand... I was even mentally prepared to be threatened or warned.

But unexpectedly, Mingpo didn't say anything this time.

The moment their hands clasped tightly.

Gao Fan only felt sincerity.

His fear and timidity gradually faded away.

He raised his head and looked into Mingpo's calm eyes, and his heart strangely calmed down as well.

It was an indescribable sense of security. A sense of belonging completely different from any team he had ever been in before.

"...Nice to meet you."

Gao Fan replied just as earnestly, "My name is Gao Fan. 'Gao Fan, the Gao Fan of 'Gao Fan emerges from the wind, a lone island rises into the clouds.'"

Just then, Gao Fan suddenly had a realization.

Although Mingpo already knew his name, and although they had gone through a game together...

Perhaps only now has their team truly taken shape.