Chapter 165

Every morning after that, Shen Yue would first go to L.A.'s place to learn fundamentals from L.A., including how to play various games, as well as tricks for cheating, card counting methods, and more.

In the afternoons and evenings when gamblers were around Building 8, Shen Yue would directly join the gaming tables to practice.

Just as L.A. said, the gaming tables were indeed a good place to observe people—what they looked like when desperate, the changes in their expressions and body language when cheating, the nonsense they would spew to distract you, and so on.

You could even overhear some free intel that you wouldn't have to pay for.

For example, Si Chengyou kept a dog in his building that would wander around the prison during the day, patrolling like it was its own territory. As long as you didn't provoke it, it wouldn't bother you, but if you showed it the slightest hint of hostility, it would chase you halfway across the prison and wouldn't stop until it got a bite.

The breed of this dog was a Bordeaux dog.

Also, ever since the man in charge of Building 3 was summoned to Building 1 a while back, he hadn't left his room since.

And he refused all offline deals, only supporting online transactions.

As a result, only the bosses could directly pay the Building 3 leader through the wireless neural interface system, which meant a huge spike in workload recently for the ordinary inmates under him.

Thinking of this, Shen Yue looked at one of the gamblers at the table and asked, "You're from Building 3, right? You guys are so busy yet you still have time to gamble?"

The Building 3 gambler smiled. "Don't tell anyone, but I'll give you guys a free piece of intel later." As Shen Yue observed the expressions on everyone's faces, she felt that gambling was truly a dangerous thing, easily intoxicating people and making them oblivious even to imminent dangers right beside them.

At 10 p.m., Shen Yue and Danni La were escorted back to the newcomers' building by No. 14.

With no more rides from Si Chengyou, the daily walks back and forth took up quite a bit of time. But thanks to the buffer of travel time, the awkwardness between Shen Yue and Danni La wasn't as bad as in the beginning, and they could exchange a few words.

"Seems like L.A. hasn't taught you much recently and just has you directly learning at the gaming tables."

Shen Yue nodded. "Mm. He said he's taught me all the techniques and I should go observe what others say to determine what's a lie."

Having witnessed Shen Yue's progress and knowing her exhaustion and hard work over these days, Danni La realized Shen Yue was nothing like the privileged young miss who threw her weight around with No. 14 like she first assumed.

As they walked together down the prison path, guards would sometimes urge them to hurry back whenever they saw them. But those guards would swiftly avert their eyes and scurry away after catching sight of No. 14's face. Thanks to No. 14, Shen Yue's nightly walks were always peaceful.

As they went along, Danni La couldn't help asking, "Can I ask why you're so set on understanding the human psyche?"

Without any hesitation, Shen Yue simply said, "So I can become a boss."

Danni La was shocked. She figured Shen Yue's goal was at most a junior executive. She didn't expect it to be the very top.

"You really have to understand people to be a good boss. You're so incredible...extremely remarkable."

Shen Yue shook her head, correcting Danni La's words. "I'm stupid. I can't do anything except memorize things. Even wanting to learn about human nature was Si Chengyou's idea."

Hearing Shen Yue mention Si Chengyou and hint that her actions were under his control, Danni La instantly empathized.

She took the initiative to say, "Si Chengyou is dangerous. If everything you're learning is happening under his orchestration, you'll end up like me in the end—with no way out, only able to walk the one path he laid out for you."

Shen Yue's eyes flickered imperceptibly. Her bright eyes were hidden in the moonlight simulated by the prison ceiling, obscuring their color. "What do you think I can do?"

Shen Yue's voice was faint, seemingly truly struggling.

Ever since getting to know Shen Yue, all Danni La had seen was her overbearing dominance with No. 14 around. When had she ever seen such a vulnerable side of Shen Yue? Right now, in front of her, Shen Yue was exposing her weakness, as if wanting to rely on her.

Although Danni La was aware Shen Yue often praised her abilities, she had never felt more important to Shen Yue than in this moment. With her blood rising, Danni La blurted out, "I know some techniques for interacting with men. I can teach them to you. While they've only ever turned me into a more exquisite plaything, you're different from me."

Danni La stopped and looked at Shen Yue. In the moonlight, her pupils seemed to hold entire galaxies. "Can I become a part of your strength? I hope you still need me right now."

The corners of Shen Yue's lips curved up into a smile, harmless and ingratiating. "Then I'll have to trouble you. I really am useless when it comes to anything between men and women. Do you remember when we were young, a boy once saved me..."

Not giving Danni La a chance to react, Shen Yue dove right into talking about Shang Junyu—wounds that were once bloody and raw, but scabbed over now. Yet to achieve her goals, Shen Yue didn't mind personally tearing them open to use as bargaining chips.

As L.A. said, bargaining chips could also be bait to lure your target in.

"Shang Junyu always said I was stupid and useless at everything. So I got used to apologizing..."

Danni La listened indignantly. She had been tricked by men before. Shen Yue's situation wasn't just similar to hers—it was identical.

"Shen Yue, don't listen to what that man said! He was negging you! You're extremely remarkable. I've never seen a more remarkable woman!"

Shen Yue's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Thank you, Danni La."

On this night, the road seemed to take on warmth, shedding its usual iciness. But only Shen Yue knew just how much preparation went into her performance and attention to detail to willingly lure Danni La into the cage she had set up.

Over the past few days, she had learned a lot. If she directly asked Danni La to teach her, Danni La would feel like she held the power. She wouldn't fully open up.

But now, Danni La had made the offer herself. Using Si Chengyou as bait, Shen Yue gave Danni La the illusion of a kindred spirit to ensure she would teach her wholeheartedly out of a sense of helping herself.

As the weaker one, Danni La could only rely on herself. Shen Yue just had to expose a little vulnerability for Danni La to start climbing her rope of her own accord, without needing to say much.

While their brief exchange just now seemed simple, Shen Yue had actually started laying the groundwork days ago—gradually reshaping Danni La's perspective of her, until finally making her willingly step into the cage Shen Yue prepared.

Yet after doing all this, Shen Yue's expression didn't change one bit. If anything, her gaze at Danni La now shimmered with reliance.