Important character? Now I can be sure that this "Squid Game" is a world similar to a movie or TV series.
But who the hell knows who the important characters are! Calm down, calm down. Based on the usual tropes of movies and TV shows, good-looking people are basically always important characters, no doubt about it.
From this perspective, Number 240 is very likely an important character. Also, the woman from the trio who had a conflict in the central square earlier was also quite good-looking; she might be a protagonist, or at least a supporting character.
Uh, wait, it seems those two men didn't die either. Jiang Shang remembered the disheveled uncle who flew past him when he turned to bow. So, someone who can have a conflict with the 'female lead' at the beginning and survive the first round should also have a place as an important character, right?
I'm not going to think about it that much. When the time comes, I'll just see who talks a lot, who loves to stir up trouble, and who has a lot of drama; they're definitely important characters.
"Hey, are you hungry?"
Jiang Shang felt a bit hungry, so he casually asked Number 240, who was still pacing ahead.
Perhaps it was because Jiang Shang's topic jumped too much, or because she was lost in thought and didn't react, but Number 240 paused for a full two seconds before responding.
"A little."
After reacting, Number 240 didn't act coy and admitted it directly. After all, she had just played such a thrilling game, and then she was drugged and brought back without even eating dinner. Saying she wasn't hungry would be a lie.
"Then, I'll treat you to a meal?"
Jiang Shang asked.
"You have money?"
Number 240 asked back.
"Just came out of there, still have some savings."
Jiang Shang took out a bank card from his Pocket. This was what Number 444 had saved in prison, which was the initial capital Pocket gave to Jiang Shang, about two million Hanyuan (equivalent to about ten thousand RMB).
"Alright, then what are you going to treat me to?"
Number 240 turned around and looked at Jiang Shang with a smile.
"Whatever you want."
Jiang Shang said indifferently.
"Aren't you afraid I'll rip you off?"
After saying that, Number 240 found a stool at a street stall that didn't have many people and sat down.
"Anyway, I estimate the game will restart in a few days. At that time, I will definitely go back and participate. If I win, I'll become a billionaire and won't care about this money. If I lose, I'll be dead and won't need this money anyway, so keeping it without spending it doesn't make much sense."
Jiang Shang shrugged, as he didn't know if this money could be taken out, or even if it could, he didn't care.
"Oh, I see. Then let's eat here."
Number 240 was stunned for a moment, then looked unsurprised by Jiang Shang's answer and turned to call the owner.
"Ah, just this? Alright."
Jiang Shang was slightly surprised, then sat down.
"Boss, one spicy stir-fried rice cake for two thousand Hanyuan."
Number 240 told the boss, then turned to look at Jiang Shang,
"What do you want to eat?"
Why do you sound like you're treating? Jiang Shang shook his head,
"The same as yours."
"Hey, what's the exchange rate between Hanyuan and RMB again? How can a plate of rice cakes cost two thousand? It sounds a bit scary."
Jiang Shang asked Number 240 quietly, a bit puzzled.
"Boss, another one of the same."
Number 240 first called out to the boss again, then answered Jiang Shang's question.
"Not sure. How much is spicy stir-fried rice cake where you are? Comparing them should be similar, right?"
"Uh, I don't know how much the price has gone up in recent years. It used to be around three to six yuan, I think. Now it should be five to ten yuan, or maybe more?" Jiang Shang hesitated, after all, the mixed noodles he ordered in the real world had gone from three to four yuan, so rice cakes should be similar.
"Hmm, so that's roughly 200:1, right?"
Number 240 said.
"Hmm, it should be."
Jiang Shang no longer bothered with the price.
Soon, their spicy stir-fried rice cakes were served. It had to be said that the rice cakes were sweet and not spicy, which suited Jiang Shang's taste very well.
"Hey, are you interested in me?"
Number 240 suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
Jiang Shang, who was focused on eating, was a bit confused. He looked up with a "What happened?" expression.
"Seeing you talking to me and treating me to a meal like this... never mind, I can tell it's not that from your expression."
Number 240 waved her hand.
"Ah, ah? Oh."
Although a bit startled, he didn't seem to know what to say, so Jiang Shang decided to continue eating to ease the awkwardness.
Jiang Shang finished eating first. He looked up and saw that Number 240 had only eaten half, so he said, "Boss, another spicy stir-fried rice cake for two thousand Hanyuan."
Boss: "Huh?"
Number 240: "He said another spicy stir-fried rice cake for two thousand Hanyuan."
Boss: "Oh, oh, alright, coming right up."
Jiang Shang: "???"
"Don't you have any idea how you sound when you speak?"
Number 240 looked at the bewildered Jiang Shang with a slight smile.
Damn it, I forgot this translation helmet was a fake.
"I'll try to speak less."
Jiang Shang covered his eyes, unable to look directly.
Finally, after both of them finished eating.
The boss looked at the bank card Jiang Shang handed him, a little silent,
"Young man, there's a bank across the street. You can withdraw the money and then come back."
"Can't I swipe the card?"
Jiang Shang was a bit confused. He remembered that card payments were already available before he went in.
The boss looked at Jiang Shang with a face full of black lines, "We're just a small stall. Where would I find a card swiping machine for you?"
"Then wait for me."
With that, Jiang Shang was about to go to the bank across the street to withdraw money.
"No need, I'll do it."
Suddenly, Number 240 said with a smile, then took out a one thousand Hanyuan bill and a five thousand Hanyuan bill from her Pocket and handed them to the boss.
"Ah, this..."
Jiang Shang felt a bit awkward.
"It's fine. Like you, I'm also going to participate in the game. This money is useless to me anyway."
Number 240 waved her hand indifferently.
...
"Where are you staying tonight?"
After leaving the stall, Jiang Shang asked Number 240.
"Want to come home with me?"
Number 240 looked at Jiang Shang with an "I'm very innocent" expression.
"No, just asking."
Jiang Shang felt a bit uncomfortable from that expression and turned his head away,
"I'll just find an internet cafe to pass the night."
Just right to check some information and see if this Squid Game is a game or an organizer.
"Ah~, then I'm going home."
Number 240 gave Jiang Shang a meaningful look, then walked forward.
"Then we'll see each other again at the game."
Jiang Shang waved his hand, not continuing to follow her, and turned back towards the bank he had seen earlier.
"Hey, what's your name?"
Suddenly, Number 240's voice came from behind.
"Me? Oh, I'm Jiang Shang."
Jiang Shang replied.
"Jiang Shang? That's a nice name. I'm Zhi Ying."