Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Chapter 46: Ferris Wheel

Han Buting knew that if they left, they wouldn’t be able to come back in again. But it didn’t matter; they couldn’t drive out from inside anyway.

The opponents had plotted against them, and they too wanted to send the opponents back home by disabling the stationery.

It was a mutual understanding, fitting perfectly.

“Hey brat who flew the drone, are you scared without your machine gun, hiding inside eating candy—”

The shouting outside was persistent. Having only seen Li Zijin and Chi Yingxue, the shouter cleverly chose the most easily provoked target.

Han Buting smirked slightly, gripping the doorknob. This time, he pulled it open directly.

He had been worried that with only an hour left, the opponents might despair, refusing to turn in their papers and using the stationery to trap them instead. Now it seemed that the overconfident were always amusing.

Chi Yingxue followed at the end of the line, and at the last moment before stepping out, he couldn’t resist scooping a bit of “wax” from the wall candle flame and sneakily tasting it.

Sweet.

Chi Yingxue’s lips curled for a moment; he knew it was syrup.

But, it was overly sweet.

First taste to judge the nature, the second to judge the quality. Not all syrups are created equal.

Taking advantage of the sound of the candy house door closing behind him, Chi Yingxue spat out the tasted substance without hesitation.

When he turned back, he was stunned.

In the bright light, the exterior of the candy house dazzled him.

Completely different from the interior’s simplicity, the gingerbread house from the outside was vivid, lively, deliciously whimsical, and romantically enchanting, fitting harmoniously in the illuminated amusement park, like a native.

The variety of candies was also rich: the roof was chocolate with cream frosting, windows made of brittle sugar, fairy lights like gummy candies, walls of crystal hard candy, countless wreaths hanging outside made of donuts, the door of coffee nougat, and a row of trees outside made of colorful lollipops.

The frustration from a second ago vanished.

Pulling off half a gummy candy lantern, Chi Yingxue eagerly tasted it.

The first bite nearly broke his teeth. It was as hard as tires, almost flavorless, even more counterfeit than the syrup.

Feeling betrayed, Chi Yingxue no longer believed in this “sugary world”. He secretly discarded the lantern, moved forward two steps to blend in with his three teammates, finally returning to the group and getting a clear view of the heckler.

Dumbo.

Just beyond the carousel in front of them, on Dumbo’s raised trunk, two people stood shoulder to shoulder. The one holding a strange gun, responsible for the shouting, was the one who had used the illusory stationery on him, standing silently by, though the scythe he had previously been carrying had somehow turned into a rocket launcher.

Where had the guy who originally carried the rocket launcher gone?

This fleeting doubt was like a breeze over water, disappearing quickly as Chi Yingxue focused, not on the heckler but on the silent adversary, his gaze growing colder.

Whether they turned in their papers or not, he didn’t care.

He only held grudges.

“Aren’t you the ones who insisted on calling us out?” Han Buting, after waiting for a while without pleasantries, had to take the initiative. “Now we’re out. Why the sudden lack of enthusiasm?”

“I have a feeling it will end in disagreement.” Captain Xu on Dumbo scratched his head with the gun muzzle and seemed troubled. “So I’m hesitating whether to bother with the idle talk.”

[Han Buting is on the pirate ship. Li Zijin and Li Xia are under the Ferris wheel.]

That was the information Chi Yingxue provided under the influence of [Don’t Lie To Me].

But Xu Wang couldn’t match any of the names to the corporate elite-looking captain in front of him.

“Good, I dislike pleasantries too.” Han Buting smiled faintly at the floating captain. “Shall we start the fight?”

Xu Wang was about to give the order to start the fight but was stopped by Wu Sheng. “Wait.”

After observing his captain’s arm wound for a while, the advisor, who had been quietly supporting his captain from the start, suddenly called out to the culprit in front of the candy house. “Chi Yingxue—”

This call surprised Han Buting, Li Zijin, Li Xia, and they all turned to look at the newest member of their team tonight.

Chi Yingxue was perplexed and frowned at Wu Sheng, sensing ill intent.

Wu Sheng didn’t believe in pleasantries; he preferred getting straight to the point. “What do you think of your new team—”

Chi Yingxue narrowed his eyes; his first instinct was “there’s a plot”, followed by “be cautious”. Yet, despite this double warning, words strangely escaped his lips—

“Their ability is fine, but from the captain to the team members, everyone’s too serious, as if it’s a matter of life and death, which is very dull. It’s just a game. Having fun is the most important thing, right? Besides, no one can guarantee that finishing 23 levels is the end. What if, after all the struggle, it turns out to be different from what you expected? How pitiful that would be…”

Halfway through listening, Li Zijin wanted to smack him and was held back by Li Xia from behind. Still, he managed to kick Chi Yingxue. Li Xia, hidden in the shadow of his hoodie, couldn’t be seen clearly, just trying his best to restrain his teammate as usual.

Han Buting’s face still held a smile, but the laughter in his eyes was gone.

Chi Yingxue didn’t have time to worry about these things.

The moment his eyes met Wu Sheng’s, he sensed something was amiss. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t break free from the bewitchment of that gaze.

It wasn’t until he took out a dagger and cut his own palm that clarity returned amidst the searing pain.

But the words he’d said, like water spilled, couldn’t be taken back. Chi Yingxue couldn’t be bothered to look at his teammates’ reactions. He simply looked up lightly at Wu Sheng. “[Don’t Lie To Me].”

He repeated the name of the stationery lightly, his eyebrows carrying a trace of amusement, but his eyes frosted over.

Wu Sheng returned the smile, but it was warm. “Such cute, illusory stationery. What a pity to use it only once.

Murder, heart-wrenching. Xu Wang had never thought Wu Sheng’s brain full of codes could be so ruthless.

Chi Yingxue and this team, by the count of time, were only harmonizing for the first time tonight.

The person who freely criticized his teammates in the Endless Sea, even facing drowning with equanimity, was considerably restrained this time. The only reason could be one—he wanted to stay in this team, and beneath those complaints and disdain, there was an unperceived appreciation and emphasis on his new partners.

[Don’t Lie To Me] might force him to speak his true feelings, but it couldn’t dig out those subconscious thoughts he hadn’t even clarified himself.

Xu Wang saw through it. Without the contrast of “Chi Yingxue in the Endless Sea”, Han Buting and others found it hard to comprehend.

No longer giving the opponents time to “resolve internal conflicts”, Xu Wang raised his Lightning Gun and loudly declared, “You like thrills, right? Let’s all have fun together—”

The already dispirited Han Buting, Li Xia, and Li Zijin, at this inexplicably declared start, instinctively looked up.

They saw the opponent in a very cool posture, pulling the trigger skyward. Instantly, a column of water shot up!

Li Zijin momentarily forgot the grudge he had just harbored against Chi Yingxue and stared at the water gun on Dumbo, baffled. “Fun…?”

His “fun” drifted in the night breeze. The water gun that had been squirting suddenly sparkled with colorful lights.

At the same time, the entire amusement park—no, the entire ten-mile radius—heard deafening dance music. The volume was like a hundred square dance speakers blaring in unison!

“Quack quack quack quack, I’m gonna get eight-pack abs~~~~”

“Quack quack quack quack, I’m gonna get eight-pack abs*~~~~”

*Lyrics to the song “Eight Pack Abs” by Sun Jiafan.

Li Zijin stepped back in horror, stepping on Li Xia’s foot. Li Xia remained oblivious, only wishing for silence.

Curious, Chi Yingxue pulled out his phone, opened the music recognition app. After a long while, he remembered there was no network, feeling quite disappointed.

Han Buting, seemingly unaffected by the disturbance, calmly assessed. “They’re trying to attract zombies with the noise and chaos to steal the car.”

Li Zijin and Li Xia became serious.

“Then let’s send them back home before the zombies come.” Han Buting directed his gaze at the two people on Dumbo, raising his voice to ensure his teammates heard. “I’ll guard the candy house to prevent them from stealing the car. Li Zijin, Li Xia, you two go to Dumbo.”

“Chi Yingxue.” Han Buting looked at the new teammate. “You’re responsible for finding the other two. No need for idle talk, just send them back.”

“The main force is on Dumbo.” Chi Yingxue, not wanting to search for anyone other than Wu Sheng, countered, “I should go there.”

“You’re more capable than Li Zijin and Li Xia when serious.” Han Buting paused for two seconds, gently shaking his head. “But I don’t trust you right now.”

……

“Quack quack quack quack, my glutes and pecs~~”

The invasive music made Li Zijin, crawling through the bushes, feel dizzy. From a distance, it was already maddening; up close, it was sheer hell.

“Remember, once, we, get, up, there, first, stomp, the, gun, into, pieces.” Li Zijin voiced his ambitious goal through gritted teeth.

“Okay,” Li Xia rarely agreed with his juvenile teammate.

As they were about to act, the lights in the amusement park suddenly went out again. All the rides stopped, and the park plunged back into darkness. The gun on Dumbo with its flashing lights was gone too.

But the music continued.

The two struggled to adjust to the sudden darkness, blinking hard but still unable to see anything. The music seemed to be moving away, but it was so loud that even a slight decrease wasn’t noticeable.

As they hesitated, the music abruptly stopped.

The lights in the amusement park flared on again!

But the people on Dumbo were gone.

Li Xia and Li Zijin realized then that the opponents had someone controlling the main switch from afar!

Near the eastern wall of the amusement park.

Qian Ai, who had just flipped the main switch back on, picked up his chainsaw again, looking up at the sky with a sense of grandeur.

The wind howled and the river was cold; the brave man who pulled the switch controlled the entire situation.

According to the plan, the captain and the advisor would take advantage of the darkness to slip away, while Kuang Jinxin would hide near the Ferris wheel, waiting for the captain or advisor who managed to steal the car to pick him up.

With no one on Dumbo, Qian Ai glanced towards the Ferris wheel, knowing he wouldn’t see his teammate hidden below but somehow feeling reassured by the look.

But that look revealed Kuang Jinxin wasn’t hiding under the Ferris wheel as planned; he was actually sitting on the Ferris wheel. And he was with the opponent.

Qian Ai’s face darkened as he swore. “Is this a fucking date?!”

After scolding, without even thinking, he hoisted his chainsaw and headed towards the Ferris wheel.

……

The Ferris wheel.

The open “hanging baskets” shaped like bathtubs, slowly ascended as they rotated. Kuang Jinxin and Chi Yingxue sat opposite each other in the same winged little bathtub, barely a meter apart.

Kuang Jinxin gripped the scythe he had exchanged from Wu Sheng. Although seated, he was on high alert, sweat forming in his palms.

“What are you nervous about?” Chi Yingxue flicked his empty hands. “I threw away the crossbow and arrows. Isn’t that sincerity enough?”

“You should be talking to your own teammates.” Kuang Jinxin remained unfazed. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“Then why did you push me off with the handle of your scythe when I was about to climb up just now?” Chi Yingxue tilted his head to look at him, his eyes clear, appearing very sincere.

Kuang Jinxin met his gaze without any evasion. “I won’t kill someone just because ‘they won’t die’.”

Chi Yingxue laughed. “You guys have only been here a few days, right?”

Kuang Jinxin pursed his lips and kept silent.

Chi Yingxue seemed to have a trace of faint envy in his eyes. “The longer you stay here, the colder your heart gets. Cherish it now.”

Kuang Jinxin’s defenses wavered slightly, and somehow, looking at Chi Yingxue, he was reminded of Mao Qiping.

“When did you come in?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Five months ago,” Chi Yingxue answered.

Kuang Jinxin was stunned. “Then how come you’re only at the third level?”

“My personality isn’t good, so no team wanted me. It was hard to form one, and even then, it didn’t last long.” Chi Yingxue smiled lightly, with a hint of bitterness. “I thought I finally didn’t have to float around anymore when I joined this team.”

Kuang Jinxin remembered his attitude towards his teammates in the Endless Sea and compared it to today; the difference was indeed stark. “Do you like them?”

The nuanced question caught Chi Yingxue off guard, and then it amused him. “Not that deep.” He slightly turned his head, looking into the vast night sky with a gentle gaze, as if lost in not-too-bad memories. “When I joined, Han Buting said they didn’t mind my difficulty, as long as the ability was enough…”

“So, it’s rare to find a reliable team. I also want to continue with them.” Chi Yingxue looked back at Kuang Jinxin, tugging at the corner of his mouth. “All ruined by you guys.”

Kuang Jinxin was confused. “What do you mean?”

Chi Yingxue watched for a long time, finally confirming that the other side really didn’t understand, and sighed. “Don’t lie to me. If it wasn’t for your teammate using that damned stationery on me, I wouldn’t have offended everyone.”

“Are they angry?” Kuang Jinxin finally caught up, but then thought. “Didn’t they say they didn’t mind your difficulty? So why would they be angry if you spoke the truth?”

“……” Chi Yingxue found himself speechless in the face of such logic.

“And even if Wu Sheng used the illusory on you, if you didn’t have so many grievances inside, it wouldn’t have turned out like this.” Kuang Jinxin reasoned with him. “They said they could accept your bad temper, but they didn’t manage to do it; that’s their fault. You have grievances against them but don’t communicate honestly, keeping more and more resentment inside; that’s your fault.”

“Is Wu Sheng completely blameless?” Chi Yingxue, remembering the name, asked bitterly.

“You shot our captain, and he used the illusory on you.”

“A scratch also counts as a shot?” Chi Yingxue extended his hand. “Look clearly. This is what counts as a wound.”

There was a deep cut across his palm. The old blood had clotted, but fresh blood still oozed out.

“When did you do this?” Kuang Jinxin winced, but he distinctly remembered that Chi Yingxue was uninjured when they first encountered him, and afterward, it had all been them attacking and their team fleeing; there had been no further real contact.

“I did it myself.” He spoke frankly.

Kuang Jinxin was bewildered. “Why?”

“I have to thank your so-called good teammate. The moment we locked eyes, I had to spill the truth about everything.” Chi Yingxue retracted his arm, shaking off the blood. “If I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t know how much more truth I would have to say.”

The emphasis on “truth” was deliberate, filled with mockery.

Kuang Jinxin’s eyes again showed strong disagreement. Chi Yingxue glanced and felt a headache coming, so he took the initiative. “Kid…”

The other side suddenly spoke earnestly, and Kuang Jinxin instinctively listened.

Chi Yingxue leaned forward a bit, getting closer. “Everyone has a dark side, but reason can control it, so we have white lies. If everyone spoke the truth, the world would no longer have unity and friendship, no deep bonds.”

Kuang Jinxin disagreed with his statement, but the current Chi Yingxue, serious, sincere, and calm, was a stark contrast from the one who attacked them on the carousel.

This made Kuang Jinxin willing to communicate with him, despite their different perspectives. “I don’t know what kind of teammates you’ve encountered before, but in our team, we speak openly and deal with each other honestly. As a result, we made it from the first level to here in just seven days, even visiting the Endless Sea in between.”

“Which Endless Sea?” Chi Yingxue asked.

“Shaanxi’s.” Kuang Jinxin gave him a straight answer. “We’ve met there before on the sea. You just forgot.”

“I remember.” Chi Yingxue’s eyebrows lifted with a teasing smile, as if he had succeeded in his ploy. “Before I fell into the sea, I even greeted you.”

Kuang Jinxin was taken aback.

“Actually, I wanted to find Wu Sheng.” Chi Yingxue suddenly switched to a seemingly unrelated topic, “But the captain wouldn’t let me, so I had to come to you.”

“What do you want with me?” Kuang Jinxin asked without much thought, just following the conversation.

“Quick battle, quick decision, send you back home,” Chi Yingxue said. “But after chatting with you, I changed my mind. That’s why we’ve been able to talk so pleasantly until now.”

Kuang Jinxin tentatively asked, “You want to negotiate peace?”

Chi Yingxue couldn’t help but laugh at this train of thought. “No, no, no.” He waved his hand, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. “I want to make you understand this cruel world.”

Their little bathtub-shaped seat had reached its highest point. Kuang Jinxin hadn’t even realized what was happening before Chi Yingxue hugged him and took him out of the bathtub.

In the moment of falling, Kuang Jinxin’s confusion surprisingly outweighed his fear.

There were a thousand ways for this man to send him back home. Why choose mutual destruction?

In the rapid descent, everything around them blurred, except for the darkness in Chi Yingxue’s eyes, which Kuang Jinxin saw clearly.

It bizarrely harmonized with the brilliant smile still on his face.

Suddenly, Kuang Jinxin had a strong notion.

This man wanted to kill him.

And also wanted to kill himself.

“Xiao Kuang, hold your breath—”

In the sharp wind whipping past his ears, he faintly heard his captain’s voice. Before Kuang Jinxin could react, he and Chi Yingxue plunged into the water together.

The massive shock to the body from falling from a great height into water was unimaginable. Chi Yingxue’s arms loosened instantly. Kuang Jinxin felt a dull pain strike his body the moment he hit the water, like being hit with a blunt object, and then, he lost consciousness.

He didn’t get the chance to hear the delayed alert in his ears—

[Owl: Someone used [(Defense) I Urge You to Have One More Drink] on you~~]

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