Author: 木尺素 / Mu Chisu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 78

Early the next morning at 7 a.m.

Zhou Qian was awakened by a loud knocking on the door.

Ke Yun’s voice rose—

“Kids, wake up! Something’s happened! Something’s happened!”

Zhou Qian yawned, rubbed his eyes, climbed down the ladder, and noticed the small wooden table had already been set with milk, bread, and even a plate of peeled shrimp.

He looked at Bai Zhou in surprise. “When did you wake up?”

Bai Zhou simply replied, “About an hour ago. I heard some noises and woke up earlier.”

“What’s the situation outside?” Zhou Qian asked.

“If nothing unexpected happened, probably four players are dead,” Bai Zhou said. “You go freshen up and eat something, and I’ll explain in detail afterward.”

Zhou Qian glanced at him and went out.

Outside, Ke Yun was knocking on everyone’s doors. Normally a well-dressed, graceful lady, she now looked quite disheveled. She had thrown a coat over her nightwear, and her socks were mismatched.

“Why is it so noisy so early in the morning?”

The words came from Wang Mei, who looked annoyed as she opened her door.

Seeing Ke Yun’s state, she seemed surprised. “Sister, what’s going on?”

“Stop pretending,” Ke Yun responded angrily. “The police will be here soon, and you won’t escape!”

“What are you talking about? What happened?” Wang Mei seemed genuinely confused and was also getting irritated. “You invited us here, and now you’re giving me attitude so early in the morning? Just because I respect you as my elder sister doesn’t mean—”

She was interrupted by Ke Di, who came out of his room.

After assessing the situation and noting his sister’s red eyes, Ke Di asked, “What’s going on? Where are my brother and his wife?”

Listening intently for a moment, Ke Di said, “Usually, at this time, my sister-in-law would be in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Why isn’t she…”

“I just received a message that said,” Ke Yun paused, tears streaming down her face. She took a deep breath. “Let’s talk about it downstairs in the study. I have questions for you.”

She shot Wang Mei a cold look, then said to the children, “Sorry for waking you up. Get ready and go to the kitchen for breakfast. Auntie… I… I’ll talk to you later.”

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qian deduced that Ke Yun had probably received a message via her pager, informing her that four children had encountered trouble. In her panic, she quickly woke everyone up.

But after awakening the children, she regained some composure and realized she didn’t know how to approach the subject with them.

So, she decided to first discuss the matter with Wang Mei and Ke Di. Evidently, from Ke Yun’s words, she harbored suspicions about Wang Mei.

Consequently, the three adults headed downstairs. The other four players, apart from Zhou Qian and Bai Zhou, stood in the hallway, seemingly still unaware of what had transpired. Zhou Qian glanced at them but chose not to say much. He went to freshen up and returned to his room to eat his breakfast.

While Zhou Qian had breakfast, Bai Zhou narrated the events from an hour ago.

Ruan Mei woke up early, and when she left the master bedroom, her demeanor was calm, as if nothing had occurred the previous night.

She first went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and then proceeded to wake up the children.

After visiting two rooms and noticing something amiss, she rushed to the master bedroom to awaken her husband.

Subsequently, with tears in her eyes, Ruan Mei, accompanied by Ke Zheng, left the master bedroom and went to the two rooms where the incidents had occurred. She sobbed uncontrollably, nearly fainting, but didn’t make much noise.

After a while, when Ke Zheng emerged from one of the rooms, he carried one child and dashed downstairs. Ruan Mei did the same, but she was holding two children from another room. In this manner, the two of them, carrying four children in total, made their way from the living room to the garage. They placed the children in the car and drove away.

“They couldn’t believe the children had died, so they went to the hospital, thinking there was still hope,” Bai Zhou said. “Of course, Ke Zheng truly didn’t believe it. But Ruan Mei was pretending.”

“Hmm, your behavior as an older brother is also quite strange.” Zhou Qian teased while nibbling on a shrimp. “You watched as four of your younger siblings died, and you’re not sad. While the parents rushed the kids to the hospital, you calmly peeled shrimp for me in the kitchen?”

Bai Zhou looked at Zhou Qian for a moment before nodding. “Yes, we have limited ingredients. Make do.”

Hearing Bai Zhou’s response, Zhou Qian laughed and continued, “How did you wake up so early? I didn’t hear anything.”

Bai Zhou replied, “They were indeed very quiet. Ruan Mei’s portrayal of the perfect wife and mother was impeccable. Even when crying, she barely made any noise. When she and Ke Zheng went to check on the children, she quietly reminded him that the other kids were sleeping and not to disturb or scare them.”

“Hmm… so Ke Zheng never suspected that his own wife could be the murderer.” Zhou Qian observed. “But Ruan Mei’s mental strength is quite impressive.”

This story was designed as a game, so many details were altered, like the number and age of the children. But the general logic was consistent.

In the real-life story, Ruan Mei likely suffocated a child with a pillow during the night. Yet, the next morning, she pretended as if nothing happened, trying to wake the child. When she found the child unresponsive, she acted clueless and sought her husband.

She cried, shed tears, and was filled with panic and helplessness. She couldn’t believe the child had died and pleaded with her husband to take the child to the hospital. Even in the midst of this turmoil, she reminded her husband to be careful not to wake the other children.

Later, the already deceased child was rushed to the hospital by the couple. Ruan Mei might even have kneeled before the doctors and nurses, begging them to save her child, perhaps even kowtowing to them in desperation.

But in the end, when all resuscitation attempts failed and the child was pronounced dead, Ruan Mei collapsed in despair…

Under such circumstances, who would suspect Ruan Mei to be the murderer?

Yawning, Zhou Qian looked at Bai Zhou, narrowing his eyes slightly. “There’s still an issue—”

“What issue?” Bai Zhou asked.

“How could you hear such subtle movements from outside? Because of the enhanced senses of a Rank God player?” Zhou Qian probed further.

“Yes, correct. I’ve had training in this area,” Bai Zhou explained. “Our senses are much sharper.”

“I see… There’s Hidden Blade guarding He Xiaowei’s side, so he should be fine. I can’t contact him, probably due to some restrictions in the exhibition hall. Hearing you now, I feel a bit relieved,” Zhou Qian mused.

He glanced at Bai Zhou’s demeanor, wiped his hands, and walked over to him. With Bai Zhou seated, Zhou Qian adopted a dominant stance, looking down at him.

“What is it, Zhou Qian?” Bai Zhou inquired.

Zhou Qian approached and, leaning down, hooked a finger under Bai Zhou’s shirt hem, lifting it slightly to glance at his abdomen.

Before Bai Zhou could respond, Zhou Qian sat back down, nonchalantly remarking, “So, you don’t have scales on your body.”

Bai Zhou chuckled. “Do you want to see me with scales?”

Zhou Qian counter-questioned, “What was the scale you gave me for?”

Bai Zhou explained, “When we establish a one-to-one Shepherd relationship, it will come in handy.”

“I thought it was some powerful self-defense tool,” Zhou Qian replied with a hint of disappointment. He then questioned, “Giving it to me so early on, did you know I’d agree to be your Shepherd?”

“It didn’t matter whether you agreed or not,” Bai Zhou responded.

“And if I declined?” Zhou Qian probed further. “Would you have found someone else?”

Bai Zhou simply stated, “There’s no one else.”

After a brief silence, Zhou Qian, with a sincere tone, expressed, “Bai Zhou, the followers who consumed Epoh’s apple in an attempt to become gods went mad. The setting in that instance is a metaphor, right? The minds of Rank God players can also go out of control. Without a Shepherd to guide you, what would happen to you, Bai Zhou?”

Switching to a more serious tone, Zhou Qian said, “I’m not just saying this in anger. I’ve genuinely realized I don’t know you well enough. I’ve always thought you were a rational person, but now…”

“Zhou Qian,” Bai Zhou suddenly interrupted, emphasizing, “I live in Zone X of Spring Hill Mental Asylum.”

“I still don’t know what this game is truly about, but there’s one thing I’ve likely deduced.” Zhou Qian continued, “To the outside world, Zone X claims to house the most dangerous lunatics. But from my perspective, it’s a secret training ground for Rank God players.”

“Some people have died in reality, but their bodies are held in Zone X while their minds get trained within the game. There are no real lunatics in Zone X. It’s a diversion created by certain individuals.”

“Haven’t you ever doubted… maybe I am truly mad?”

As Bai Zhou said this, he fixed his gaze unblinkingly on Zhou Qian. His eyes were gentle like water, and his tone was soft. The breeze and sunlight streaming through the window softened his childlike features, but his words hinted at a hidden danger. It felt as if a trap was silently closing in from behind him.

Zhou Qian seemed stunned for a moment.

Noticing his expression, Bai Zhou continued, “Perhaps the Bai Zhou in your memories and I are two completely different people. How would you feel?”

Growing up, Zhou Qian lacked the love and care of his parents. Therefore, every act of kindness from Bai Zhou was magnified infinitely in his eyes. A separation of seven years only deepened Zhou Qian’s memories of Bai Zhou, with each recollection further amplifying Bai Zhou’s goodness.

If the thick layer of rosy memories were to shatter now, would Zhou Qian think that the real Bai Zhou beneath those memories had always been different from what he imagined?

“Bai Zhou, I have a sharp intuition about people. Saying I don’t know you well doesn’t mean my opinion of you will change,” Zhou Qian said with a definitive yet mysteriously alluring look.

“The more challenging the instance, the more I like it. The more complex the puzzle game, the more interested I am. So, this has become even more intriguing.”

“Zhou Ge,” Zhou Qian said, hinting at something. “You’ve truly never disappointed me.”

……

Five minutes later, Ke Yun gathered all the children in the corridor.

By now, she had changed into a dress, put on high heels, applied lipstick, and regained her elegant demeanor.

However, her tone of voice betrayed her unease. “There’s been an… incident at home. Some police officers will be coming over soon. For the next few days… you all will be staying at Auntie’s newly bought house, alright? Go grab some clothes and your favorite toys. In ten minutes, I’ll take you there!”

The one labeled “Ke Shi” asked, “Auntie, where are… Brother Five, Brother Six, Brother Two, and Brother Three…?”

At this, Ke Yun struggled to hold back her tears. Wiping them away, she replied, “Here’s the thing, Xiao Shi, siblings might start life together, but not everyone is fated to stay together. Some might leave us first and become… become little stars in the sky…”

If they were truly innocent children, someone would likely have asked, “Why did they become little stars?” But these children were fundamentally players, and they understood Ke Yun’s implication.

The remaining four underlings of Ma Luoluo, looking pale, instinctively turned their gaze to Zhou Qian. They seemed accusatory. However, when confronted with Zhou Qian’s intimidating gaze, they involuntarily backed up until they were against the wall.

Once Ke Yun went downstairs, Zhou Qian addressed them, initiating the conversation. “Did you ever expect that Ma Luoluo, who was hell-bent on killing me, would end up dead himself?”

“You bastard…” One of them stepped forward. “Was it you? Did you do it?”

Zhou Qian looked at him with pity. “I really wonder how someone with your intelligence managed to reach Rank S. If you just hung onto coattails or endlessly grinded to level up… then why didn’t you play it safe and progress slowly? Why would you dare enter such an instance? Isn’t that just seeking death?”

“Show some damn respect!”

As the person was about to shout further, Zhou Qian interrupted, “I genuinely pity you guys, being sold out and not even realizing it.”

The person paused, then demanded, “What the hell do you mean?”

Zhou Qian explained, “Why do you think Ma Luoluo and Meng Pingping chose different surnames but made all of us adopt the surname ‘Ke’?”

The four of them exchanged glances, looking bewildered. Zhou Qian continued, “It’s because Ma Luoluo, based on some clues, believed the murderer was targeting only those with the surname ‘Ke’. But he only shared this with Meng Pingping and not with you. Why? Because he wanted you to be cannon fodder. Got it? He never cared about your lives!”

They were taken aback, their faces pale. Zhou Qian added, “He thought he was smart, especially after seeing Wang Mei spend a long time in my room; he became even more convinced she was the murderer… but you saw the outcome, right?”

“I think the game’s setting maintains for three days, so there might be a limit to the number of murders the real culprit can commit each time. Otherwise—you all would be dead.”

As Zhou Qian emphasized this point, the one named Ke Shi’s legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees.

With a cold smile, Zhou Qian continued, “To put it plainly, Ma Luoluo, that fool, lacks both intelligence and integrity. At a critical moment, he chose to betray you. Why follow someone like that?”

“Only I know who the real culprit is and how to clear this level.”

30 seconds later, once they had processed this revelation, the four directly knelt before Zhou Qian.

“Qian Ge, we were wrong before!”

“Please, show us mercy!”

“Please tell us, how can we escape?”

Zhou Qian showed no sympathy for these fair-weather* followers capable of killing for money.

*Wallflower that sways with every wind /fence sitter (墙头草) Metaphor describing someone who wavers between two sides without showing loyalty to either (AKA a flip-flopper).

After ridiculing them, he coldly said, “Alright, then let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“When we get out of here, if you come across your other boss, that bald man… you must turn on him and help me deal with him.”

……

30 minutes later.

Six “children” got into a minivan.

The driver was arranged by Ke Yun and said he would take them to her house first.

Zhou Qian sat shoulder to shoulder with Bai Zhou in the front row. He looked at the driver and asked, “What are the adults doing?”

The driver replied, “The young madam didn’t specify, but they have some matters to handle. Was your house robbed? I just saw the police heading there.”

Zhou Qian didn’t respond to that but asked, “Do you know our schedule for today?”

The driver said, “The young madam only mentioned that I should take you there first. Someone will arrange lunch for you. Don’t worry. Later on, your parents will come to join you. Rest assured!”

Zhou Qian and Bai Zhou exchanged glances. Zhou Qian then asked, “Where is Auntie’s house?”

The driver replied, “It’s on the mountains. She bought it for vacation. The place is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The scenery is beautiful!”

Hearing this, a chill ran down Zhou Qian’s spine.

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, wouldn’t that make it easy for another “accident” to occur?

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