Chapter 207: Walking Into the Net

Jiangcheng.

Under a certain bridge tunnel.

A fat one and a skinny one, two challengers participating in the program, are hiding here.

From the start, the two never thought about running around wildly, nor did they ever consider imitating Xu Mo.

Now they see other contestants who imitate Xu Mo falling into nets one after another.

The two instantly feel that their choice was very correct.

Copying Xu Mo's reckless antics? That's just courting capture!

Only honestly hiding is the proper way.

Moreover, the hiding spot must be as cunning as possible.

For example, the place they are hiding now—under the bridge arch!

"Hiding like this isn't a solution; the Investigation Team is too brutal—they caught three groups of people in two hours, what the hell kind of efficiency is that? I think relying only on us, we could barely last a day! How about... we go seek Xu Mo's help? I think he could help, after all we're just grasshoppers on the same rope."

"Seek Xu Mo's help? That's a good idea, much better than the two of us hiding under the bridge arch and drinking northwest wind. If Xu Mo helps, we could definitely keep hiding, but the problem is the Investigation Team can't find Xu Mo, how could we possibly find him?"

"Who says they can't be found?" the slightly fatter one said, "I watched the Live Broadcast Room last night, and I know which hotel Xu Mo stayed at last night."

As soon as the words fell, he seemed to think of something and immediately added another sentence.

"I didn't cheat by peeking at the screen; the game only officially started this morning. The Live Broadcast Room I watched last night doesn't count as peeking—at most it's just a small bug in the game!"

"You can, huh! And you actually thought of this move... but, will Xu Mo look after us?" the skinny Escapee said, sounding a bit insecure.

This idea is indeed a good one.

But the problem is, on what basis would Xu Mo intervene to help them?

Hearing this, the other fat guy smiled mysteriously and said.

"I thought of that too. Xu Mo certainly can't protect us for free; nobody wants to do a losing deal, but... don't forget, the Program Crew offers a reward: 200,000 for each day we survive without being caught. We can take 100,000 out of that 200,000 and give it to Xu Mo as protection money. What do you think?"

The skinny one thought for a moment, then nodded, "I think it's doable!"

"…"

After a discussion, the two finally decided to seek Xu Mo's help.

They have witnessed Xu Mo's abilities.

The Investigation Team has chased Xu Mo for so long without catching him, and let him play so many times; that says a lot.

As long as Xu Mo is willing to help, why fear the Investigation Team at all?

What they have to pay is only half of the reward the Program Crew offers.

Paying 100,000 each day as protection money, Xu Mo will naturally protect them from the Investigation Team.

As for the remaining 100,000…

That's practically free!

…

Meanwhile.

Program Backstage.

Seeing this scene, Song Yixue couldn't help but slightly frown.

Giving half of the Program Crew's reward to Xu Mo as protection money, letting Xu Mo protect them?

Isn't that exploiting a program bug?

Song Yixue thought to herself that this bug must never be exploited.

If everyone uses this little trick, wouldn't the Program Crew become a total victim!?

Thinking this, Song Yixue immediately grabbed her phone.

She prepared to send a message to the two, reminding them not to keep trying to be clever.

While taking the phone, Song Yixue inadvertently glanced at the Live Broadcast Room's backstage.

In the live broadcast screen.

Xu Mo was operating a computer, using Hacker Technique to search for information on other challengers.

Zhou Qiaoqiao, Yang Jingxuan, An Youyi, and Li Jiaxin stood beside Xu Mo, watching him work.

Seeing this scene.

Song Yixue couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What is Xu Mo trying to do?

Logically, Xu Mo should be wary of the Investigation Team now; why is he looking up other challengers' information?

Song Yixue is not the only one puzzled by Xu Mo's actions.

Zhou Qiaoqiao, Yang Jingxuan, An Youyi, and Li Jiaxin were equally puzzled.

"Xu Mo, what are you…" Yang Jingxuan, unable to figure out what Xu Mo was up to, asked directly.

Xu Mo didn't even turn his head, continuing to operate the computer while voicing his thoughts.

"Just running all the time isn't meaningful; catching the two for fun, it's like finding some amusement during the escape, and the Investigation Team is already overworked. I'm afraid they can't spare the hands to catch so many people, so I'll lighten their load for them."

Zhou Qiaoqiao: "???"

Yang Jingxuan: "???"

An Youyi: "???"

Li Jiaxin: "???"

The four were all stunned.

"Big Brother, have you forgotten your own identity?"

"You're playing the role of an Escapee!"

Just hide yourself so the Investigation Team doesn't catch you, right?

Still catching people?

Still looking for fun?

Still feeling sorry for the Investigation Team's hard work and wanting to ease their burden?

Just messing around!

It sounds as if the one who tormented the Investigation Team before wasn't Xu Mo himself!

And… what the heck is an Escapee catching an Escapee?

If they take over all the Investigation Team's and Police's work, what will they do then?

The time spent with Xu Mo hasn't been short either.

The four of them are crystal clear about Xu Mo's personality.

He always acts with clear goals; whatever he does, there's always his reasoning.

The excuses Xu Mo gave are clearly insufficient to justify his resolve to do this.

Soon, Zhou Qiaoqiao figured it out.

She roughly guessed Xu Mo's thoughts.

Xu Mo definitely isn't just looking for fun.

Nor would he be kind enough to help the Investigation Team lighten their load.

He must be after that 20‑million prize set by the Program Crew…

Thinking that, Zhou Qiaoqiao stared at Xu Mo in a daze.

"Are you trying to eliminate everyone else early so that only you remain, making it easy for you to claim the 20‑million prize…?"

"Where's my phone? Where did my phone go?" Xu Mo didn't answer Zhou Qiaoqiao's question; instead, he muttered and got up to look for his phone: "I'm sure I just left it here… where did it run off to?"

Zhou Qiaoqiao: "…"

Seeing Xu Mo avoid answering directly and instead change the subject,

Zhou Qiaoqiao could almost be certain.

It must be exactly as she just said.

The "looking for fun" Xu Mo mentioned is nothing but his own fabricated nonsense.

Where does he want fun? He just wants to kick everyone else out early.

So he can claim the Program Crew's 20‑million prize sooner.

Of course, what she doesn't know is that Xu Mo isn't after the 20‑million prize alone.

The upgraded System gives rewards for catching Escapees.

Besides that 20‑million prize, he's also after the System Reward.

Seeing such a scene unfold in the Live Broadcast Room,

Song Yixue slowly set down her phone, a meaning‑laden smile appearing on her face.

She had just been thinking of sending a message to those two program Challengers—one chubby, one skinny—telling them not to keep exploiting the program's bug.

Now it seems she was overthinking.

Xu Mo was pondering how to eliminate all the other contestants.

Those two self‑righteous program Challengers now turning to rely on

It's like washing oneself clean and voluntarily lying on someone else's bed to be taken advantage of…

…

Half an hour later.

The hotel where Xu Mo and his party were staying.

"Dong‑dong‑dong", a rapid knocking sounded.