Bai Youwei followed the little boy’s gaze.

It was the group Shen Mo and Tan Xiao had just asked for information.

At this moment, those people were staring in their direction, seemingly curious whether they would actually take out items to trade with the child.

“Maybe they’re just playing with you.” Bai Youwei curved her lips in a malicious smile. “Adults love to trick kids. They say things like ‘once you finish your homework you can watch cartoons,’ but after you finish, they use other excuses to put you off. Aren’t you afraid they’re fooling you?”

The little boy frowned, saying seriously: “They won’t. I’m young. If we enter a game together, they can use me as a shield, so they’ll definitely take me.”

Bai Youwei smiled. “You understand quite well.”

Tan Xiao also understood and couldn’t help asking: “If they’re going to use you as a shield, then having items or not doesn’t matter, right? Why won’t they let you join?”

“Without items, I’d really be used as a shield.” The little boy said. “With items, I might not die.”

Talk of life and death coming from a ten-year-old’s mouth was somewhat melancholic.

The group looked at each other, momentarily speechless.

Probably seeing that Bai Youwei and the others had no interest in the map, the little boy made another effort to promote other merchandise:

“Besides the map, I can also help you find food—both dry rations and fresh vegetables—and some emergency medicine. For just one item, I can help you find all these things.”

Bai Youwei shook her head lightly, coldly refusing him: “Kid, we won’t buy these things. In the maze, items are far more valuable than food and medicine.”

The little boy’s face showed disappointment. He bit his lip and could only give up, lowering his head to walk back.

Cheng Weicai watched anxiously. As a teacher, he couldn’t bear to see children suffer. He quickly caught up and stopped the child:

“Hey, little friend, don’t buy items anymore, and don’t believe what those people say about joining some team. You’re still young and too easily exploited. Find a place to hide and live well…”

“Teacher Cheng, the way he is now, it’s useless no matter where he hides.” Bai Youwei called out to them. “Hey, kid, do you want to consider joining us?”

The little boy froze, turned around, his eyes suspicious as he looked at Bai Youwei.

Bai Youwei said, “You know it in your heart too, right? If we dare enter the maze, it means our strength is far greater than that Brother Fei or whatever.”

“Do you… need to take me into the maze as a shield?” The little boy asked hesitantly.

He had to be suspicious.

Otherwise, why would they be willing to take him in? Don’t all adults look down on children?

Bai Youwei laughed delightedly: “Hahahaha!… Shield… Only people afraid of death need that! I have a pile of items I can’t even use up. Would I lack a little squirt like you for a shield?”

The little boy’s face reddened, but his eyes brightened. With hope, he asked: “You’ll really let me join?”

“Of course there are conditions. After all, we’re not a shelter.” Bai Youwei curved her lips, saying casually, “As long as you can leave the maze alive, I’ll allow you to join and give you one item.”

The little boy was stunned. “…Leave the maze… alive?”

“That’s right.” Bai Youwei looked at him leisurely. “Since we’re to become teammates, we should at least understand each other’s abilities, right? If you just cry when entering the maze, I won’t accept that kind of teammate.”

Little boy: “I never cry!”

“Then think it over.” Bai Youwei said lazily, turning to look at Shen Mo. “What time are we entering the maze this afternoon?”

“Two o’clock.” Shen Mo replied.

“Good.” Bai Youwei looked at the little boy again. “If you’ve made up your mind, meet us here at two this afternoon and we’ll enter the maze together.”

…