"Monte Carlo simulation should've worked," Chance muttered, trying to make sense of what had gone wrong. He replayed the final moments in his mind, analyzing every move, every decision. Suddenly, it struck him. "The key calculation step... I didn't account for the variance in Jack's betting pattern. That's where it went wrong."
Daniel sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "What's done is done, Chance. We need to figure out our next step."
They walked back to Daniel's home in silence. The house was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold reality they faced. Daniel's wife had prepared a hearty meal, the aroma of the dishes filling the room. But the joy of the meal was overshadowed by their recent loss.
As they sat down, Daniel's wife looked at them with concern. "What happened? Why do you both look so down?"
Daniel shook his head, not wanting to delve into the details. "It's a long story. Let's just say we had a rough day."
His wife sighed, clearly sensing the gravity of the situation, but before she could ask more, her younger brother, Xu Qiang, entered the room, his excitement cutting through the somber mood. "Hey, did you guys hear? There's a big guessing game at the village square. If you can guess the outcome of tonight's World Cup match, you could win 800,000 yuan!"
Chance's ears perked up. "What match?"
"Germany versus Argentina," Xu Qiang replied, his eyes glued to the television. "Everyone's backing Argentina, but it's a tough call. The whole village is buzzing about it."
Chance looked at Daniel, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "This could be our chance to make back some of what we lost. We have to try."
Daniel's face was a mixture of hope and reluctance. "Chance, we just lost everything. Are you sure about this?"
"We don't have many options left," Chance said, his voice resolute. "Let's go to the village square and see what we can do. We might just get lucky."
Daniel glanced at the table, his stomach growling at the sight of the delicious spread his wife had prepared. He hesitated, then swallowed hard, standing up. "Alright, let's go."
Xu Qiang grinned, jumping up from his seat. "I'll come with you. It's going to be exciting!"
As they made their way to the village square, the atmosphere was electric. People were gathered in groups, discussing the match, placing their bets, and sharing predictions. The excitement was contagious, and for a moment, Chance and Daniel felt a spark of hope.
The village square was alive with excitement as the World Cup match between Germany and Argentina began. Makeshift screens were set up, casting flickering lights and shadows over the eager faces of the crowd. The square was packed with people of all ages, their expressions a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement. Vendors moved through the throng, selling snacks and drinks, their calls adding to the cacophony of voices discussing the game.
The first half of the game was tense and intense, with both teams playing defensively. Germany and Argentina battled fiercely on the field, their movements fluid and precise, each side unwilling to give an inch. The crowd reacted to every pass, tackle, and shot with gasps, cheers, and groans, creating a symphony of emotion that ebbed and flowed with the game.
Chance and Daniel watched intently, their hearts pounding in unison with the rhythm of the match. Despite the uncertainty of their situation, the energy of the crowd and the spectacle of the game brought a brief respite from their worries. Chance analyzed the players' movements, considering the statistics and strategies he had studied, trying to gauge the likely outcome.
As the halftime whistle blew, the score remained 0-0. The crowd erupted into animated discussions, debating the merits and faults of each team's performance so far. Chance and Daniel took the opportunity to catch their breath, their eyes meeting with a shared determination.
"We can do this," Chance said, his voice filled with conviction. "I have a good feeling about Germany. They've been holding back, but I think they'll push forward in the second half."