Taking the elevator to the top floor lounge, all sixteen travelers had already gathered there to rest. The lounge, with over a hundred lounge chairs, was sparsely occupied, allowing the group of five to find a secluded corner to talk.
During their conversation, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue finally understood the full story behind the “door closing” incident.
The sequence of events was simple yet abrupt: first, someone accidentally fell into the bath, and second, others rushed to check, crowding past Wu Sheng. In the chaos, someone bumped into him, causing the door to slip from his grasp.
But Wu Sheng, prepared for such “high probabilities”, had already initiated tactical plan F when he heard someone fall. Xu Wang, using stationery to levitate, oversaw the whole scene and clearly saw how the “helpful person” ran with the crowd and bumped into Wu Sheng.
“Who was it?” Qian Ai, still feeling the aftereffects of the near-steaming incident, was eager for some retribution.
Xu Wang looked towards the lounge’s entrance. “The guy next to the team leader now.”
Qian Ai followed his gaze to see a young male traveler, about twenty, speaking beside the team leader. The young man was part of a couple who had been openly affectionate throughout their journey.
“Him? A demon?” Qian Ai was incredulous.
“He pushed me,” Wu Sheng clarified. “But whether he’s the demon, we don’t know yet.”
“Regardless, we got the badge, and that means we’ve achieved our goal for this challenge. If we can also submit our papers, it’s a bonus.” Xu Wang patted his three companions on the shoulders. “Well done.”
The mention of the badge reminded them of the cabin, and Qian Ai felt aggrieved. “I thought we were done for when we couldn’t open the door. You should have briefed us on the plan beforehand.”
“We couldn’t be sure if the demon has eavesdropping abilities,” Wu Sheng explained. “If it does and can change the plan of accidents at will, all our strategies would be wasted.”
Kuang Jinxin added, “The tactics Sheng Ge gave us were very covert.”
“Us?” Qian Ai was certain he heard the plural.
“Controlling the indiscriminate attack of the flying hot stones was my responsibility.”
“……” Qian Ai looked at Wu Sheng, feeling sidelined. “So, I had no role? You don’t trust me?”
Wu Sheng glanced at Xu Wang.
Xu Wang sighed and said earnestly, “He trusts you, but your stationery…”
Qian Ai had an epiphany and quickly stopped his captain from continuing. “No need to say more. I was shortsighted.”
His stationery, despite its grand names, often had unreliable side effects and was indeed not suitable for saving teammates from danger. Better to leave it for the enemies.
As the lounge quieted down, the traveler who bumped into Wu Sheng also finished chatting with the team leader and laid down on a nearby lounge chair. In the dim light, the lounge felt eerily quiet.
Finding the badge was a good thing, but the constant threat of accidental death and the still-unseen demon weighed heavily on them, preventing any moment of relaxation.
Wu Sheng, deep in thought, suddenly looked up. “Something’s not right.”
“What’s wrong?” Xu Wang asked immediately.
“The Finnish bath incident,” Wu Sheng replied.
Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and even Chi Yingxue, who had been half-asleep, were now fully attentive.
“The door,” Wu Sheng continued without wasting a second. “The door of the Finnish bath had no lock, not even a latch. Yet once it closed, it couldn’t be opened. That’s illogical.”
Qian Ai, puzzled, said, “In a level like this, does logic even matter?”
“On the contrary.” Wu Sheng shook his head. “This level is actually the most logical.”
“There are no accidents without reason,” Xu Wang added.
“Exactly.” Wu Sheng focused on the reflection on the floor tiles as if revisiting past events. “Every accident before had a logical sequence. Even if it was too coincidental, it was still reasonable.” He looked at each teammate. “But a door without a lock suddenly becomes unopenable? That’s illogical.”
“I also found something strange about the door closing.” Qian Ai scratched his head, hesitating.
“You too?” Xu Wang was surprised.
“Not exactly.” Qian Ai clarified. “When the door closed, I had this eerie feeling.”
“What kind of feeling?” Wu Sheng asked seriously.
“Like… chilling… sinister…” Qian Ai struggled to describe it more precisely. “As if something entered the cabin, invisible and intangible…”
“What kind of entity?” Wu Sheng gave him options.
“Sunlight? Evil? Heat? Cold…”
Before Wu Sheng could finish listening, Qian Ai interrupted, “Definitely evil!”
“What about your [Righteous Energy Shield]?” Wu Sheng suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.
Qian Ai paused, instinctively sensing his defense stationery, then his expression changed. “It’s gone.”
“The stationery is gone?” Xu Wang frowned. “Did it expire?”
Qian Ai shook his head. “No, I’m sure it hadn’t expired.”
“It’s clear now.” Wu Sheng nodded knowingly. “At the moment the door closed, the demon was using his power, an evil manipulation force that can affect everything in this level.”
Xu Wang realized. “Opposite of righteousness, it dissolved Lao Qian’s [Righteous Qi Shield]!”
“But I didn’t feel this before.” Qian Ai was confused.
Wu Sheng explained, “Before, it just needed to push a bit. The rest was the inertia of the affected objects, like falling flowerpots and collapsing floors. Once ‘fall’ and ‘collapse’ were initiated, its power could withdraw. It’s an instant effect, too quick to notice.”
“But the Finnish bath door was different.” Qian Ai finally understood. “It had to keep the door closed with its power!”
Kuang Jinxin also caught on but had another question. “Why did it need to close a lockless door this time?”
“Because the Finnish bath wasn’t its predetermined point of accidental death,” Xu Wang answered.
He wasn’t proficient at logic, but at this point, he had to understand as a team captain.
Finding the badge was their team’s own task. Whether to find it, where to find it, was random. Even assuming the demon knew they were heading to the Finnish bath as soon as they entered this challenge and added the bath center to the predetermined route, the Finnish bath’s death trap was still hastily set up compared to the fixed-route traps that had claimed many lives before.
Hastiness leads to flaws.
“This was the first time it exposed a weakness, letting us feel its presence.” Wu Sheng’s gaze grew steadier. “But it definitely won’t be the last.”
Xu Wang perked up. “You have a plan?”
Wu Sheng looked at him. “Considering all the NPCs we’ve encountered in various levels, their power usage has distance and range limitations.”
“Of course,” Xu Wang said, “If he could attack us from ten thousand miles away, there’d be no point in trying to clear this level.”
Wu Sheng added, “For this level, there’s an additional condition.”
Xu Wang asked, “What?”
Wu Sheng explained, “It must be able to see the accident scene and closely monitor the entire process.”
Indeed, to ensure such tightly linked accidents, being on the scene wasn’t enough. One must be close enough and attentive enough to time each event precisely.
“That’s great. We can eliminate half of the suspects!” Qian Ai finally saw a ray of hope. Since the Finnish bath incident occurred in the men’s area, all surviving female travelers weren’t at the scene.
“But that still leaves eight,” Chi Yingxue noted, glancing at the clock in the lounge. “It’s almost three o’clock.”
Wu Sheng corrected, “Not eight.”
Chi Yingxue looked at him, puzzled.
Wu Sheng remained silent, resting his hand on his forehead with his eyes closed. He replayed all the accidents that had occurred in this level in his mind. After a quick run-through, he focused on the moment each accident happened—freezing the scene!
The near-miss with the flowerpot and knife attack, gas explosion, car hitting a person, subway door malfunction, restaurant fork incident, ground collapse and billboard fall, Finnish bath… Each accident site was like a slide in a slideshow. Seven scenes, seven slides, stacking them up, filtering out the absentees, and locking in on those who were present at all scenes…
Chi Yingxue couldn’t see the mental palace inside Wu Sheng’s head. He only saw Wu Sheng sitting upright, eyes closed, lips slightly parted, murmuring to himself, his eyelids fluttering rapidly as if possessed by some ominous spirit…
Chi Yingxue pursed his lips and turned to look at Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin, who appeared quite natural.
Catching his gaze, Kuang Jinxin helpfully explained, “Sheng Ge is in his ‘strongest brain’ mode.”
“……” Chi Yingxue understood each word but was clueless about the combined meaning.
“Don’t worry about understanding.” Qian Ai patted him. “Just follow me and look up to him with reverence.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
As they spoke, Wu Sheng suddenly opened his eyes.
Xu Wang immediately asked, “What did you find?”
Wu Sheng declared, “There are four suspects who meet the requirements.”
Qian Ai asked, “Who?”
Wu Sheng listed, “The team leader, the guy who pushed me, the backpacker, and the long-distance couple.”
Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue: “……”
Xu Wang: “Can you be more specific? We’re just ordinary people…”
Following Wu Sheng’s guidance, the four teammates finally identified the suspects.
The team leader was obvious, as was the young man who had pushed Wu Sheng. The remaining suspects were the backpacker and the couple in a long-distance relationship.
Wu Sheng: “The fourth lounge chair in the second row is the backpacker. He wore a cowboy hat, leather jacket, and carried a hiking backpack. He’s a loner, doesn’t talk much, and only had brief interactions with the team leader…”
“The eleventh lounge chair in the third row belongs to the guy in a long-distance relationship. He wore a hoodie and jeans, used an XX phone with a 5.5-inch screen, spent 30% of his time video-calling his girlfriend, who’s studying abroad and will return within the year, and 40% texting.”
The four teammates: “……”
Wu Sheng asked, “Any questions?”
Kuang Jinxin: “Sheng Ge, they’re all wearing bathrobes now…”
Qian Ai: “They all look the same.”
Xu Wang: “I thought you just had a good memory, but your voyeuristic abilities are quite frightening.”
Wu Sheng: “…Observation skills, thank you.”
Wu Sheng, trying to maintain composure despite feeling a bit elated, turned to Chi Yingxue, who had been quiet, signaling with his eyes, “You can start praising me now.”
Chi Yingxue stared at him for a while, a rare hint of envy flashing in his eyes. “You’re so distracted when walking, and you still managed to avoid all these accidents?”
As soon as they came in, the male travelers who started changing clothes had already entered the bathing area one after another, leaving fewer and fewer people in the changing room.
Xu Wang opened the medical kit and treated Wu Sheng’s wound. On the side, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue, unable to help, began to change their clothes themselves.
Qian Ai really enjoyed the leisure activity of bathing. Before he was sucked into the Owl, he used to visit the bath center near his residence every few days. It wasn’t an expensive place; a combined ticket would allow a comfortable soak for just ten or twenty yuan.
He always thought about splurging one day on a high-end, luxurious bathhouse. Today, his wish was fulfilled with this bath center inside the owl, certainly luxurious enough, but Qian Ai couldn’t feel any joy.
Bathing was supposed to be relaxing, but his mind was on the verge of collapse now, constantly fearing that what would come out of the shower head next might be steel needles!
In a state of despair, Qian Ai finished changing and wrapped a bath towel around his waist. When he looked up, he saw that Chi Yingxue and Kuang Jinxin were also in a similar state.
As the team captain and advisor were still not done, the three of them waited on the spot, the atmosphere cold and silent.
Qian Ai’s mind was already filled with “a hundred ways to die while bathing”, so to divert his attention, he decided to strike up a conversation with his two companions.
“Xiao Xue, I didn’t realize you had some muscles,” he commented. It wasn’t really small talk; Chi Yingxue’s physique, surprisingly muscular once he took off his clothes, was quite unexpected for Qian Ai. He was typically slim when clothed but revealed a well-toned body underneath.
After his rare compliment for Chi Yingxue, Qian Ai turned to Kuang Jinxin and immediately frowned, pulling him over, patting his shoulder blades and chest, and growing more concerned. “Xiao Kuang, you’re too thin!”
Kuang Jinxin, a bit embarrassed, quickly retorted, “I’m young and still growing!”
Qian Ai laughed, pinching his face. “Come on. You’re already twenty-three. You’re just drinking too much tea. I’ve told you so many times, you can’t drink it like water; it’s diuretic and doesn’t help you absorb nutrients!”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
As Qian Ai was about to continue his lecture, Chi Yingxue suddenly pulled the person under his arm away.
Chi Yingxue didn’t pat or hit like Qian Ai did, but just calmly observed Kuang Jinxin from head to toe, and then, in turn, pinched his face. “You’re fine as you are. No need to develop further.” Glancing at Qian Ai, he added lightly, “If you become like him, it wouldn’t be cute.”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
Qian Ai, not pleased, retorted, “Don’t twist Xiao Kuang’s healthy aesthetic of masculinity.”
Chi Yingxue raised an eyebrow and asked Kuang Jinxin, “Do you like his physique?”
Qian Ai answered quickly, “Of course, what else? Yours?”
Chi Yingxue ignored Qian Ai and kept his gaze on Kuang Jinxin, waiting for his response.
Qian Ai also turned his expectant gaze to Kuang Jinxin.
Kuang Jinxin, silent the whole way, now felt immense pressure.
Two seconds later.
“Captain, I think Sheng Ge can use a disposable shower cap to waterproof his foot…” Kuang Jinxin turned left and headed towards the leaders without hesitation.
Qian Ai glanced at Chi Yingxue disapprovingly. “Mixing with you every day, he’s learning bad habits.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
When the five of them truly entered the bathing area, Xu Wang’s floating stationery had reached its limit. The short-lived joy of floating, indeed, was very fleeting. He initially wanted to use new stationery to make Wu Sheng “float”, but Wu Sheng stopped him.
Because the wooden Finnish bathhouse, colored in a light yellow hue, was clearly visible.
“From now on, we must be 100% focused. Any slightest distraction is unacceptable,” Wu Sheng said. “Don’t waste your mental energy on manipulating stationery on me.”
The Finnish bathhouse at the end of the bathing area, a cozy wooden cabin, now looked like a monster’s mouth from afar.
Wu Sheng surveyed the surroundings; excluding them, there were sixteen survivors left, eight men and eight women. In the men’s bath, the leader and four male travelers were soaking in the pool, while the other three were nowhere to be seen.
He looked over the floor tiles under his feet, the ceiling above, and the visible pipeline routing of the entire bathing area. After memorizing everything, he then walked towards the Finnish bath cabin.
His steps were steady, showing no sign of injury, if one ignored the plastic shower cap on his foot.
His four companions followed closely, and in a blink, they were in front of the Finnish bath cabin.
The Finnish bath didn’t have the dense steam of a sauna. Through the glass on the door, the inside of the cabin was clearly visible—the three missing male travelers were all sitting inside, steaming in uniform postures, leaning back, heads tilted back, with wet towels covering their faces.
The wet towels make the inhaled air cooler and more comfortable. Qian Ai used to do this, but at this moment, the sight made him uneasy. “They are still… alive, right?”
Chi Yingxue said, “Dead people don’t breathe.”
Qian Ai observed closely and confirmed that the chests of the three friends inside were moving regularly, finally heaving a sigh of relief.
Xu Wang: “……”
Fortunately, they were separated by the door; otherwise, those three travelers might come over and beat them.
After confirming there were no abnormalities around, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng jointly opened the door of the cabin, one holding the handle tightly and the other bracing the edge of the door to keep it half-open. Then, they stood still by the side of the door.
Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue, following the previously arranged plan, entered the Finnish bath cabin one after the other.
The task of finding the badge seemed most dangerous for those entering the cabin, but it was precisely for this reason that those waiting outside were even more crucial. They had already divided their roles tactically before entering the bath center.
The entry of the three people into the cabin caused quite a stir. The three travelers, resting under towels inside, lifted their heads as Qian Ai approached the hot stone and poured a ladle of water over it. The water instantly evaporated due to the extreme heat, abruptly raising the cabin’s temperature. The intense heat was palpable, but the half-open door allowed cool air to seep in, creating a sudden temperature contrast.
Unable to bear the fluctuating temperatures, the three travelers soon left the cabin.
Now, only the three remained inside the Finnish bath cabin. Sweat beaded on their heads and bodies from the heat, but none of them paid it any attention. Their six eyes were busy searching every wooden plank, every crack, and every hidden corner inside the cabin.
Suddenly, Kuang Jinxin, who had been looking up, exclaimed with surprise, “Qian Ge, Xiao Xue, look up there!”
Following his direction, they saw a small light flickering steadily near the central light on the ceiling.
Qian Ai stretched his arms upward and jumped, but his fingertips were still a few centimeters away from the ceiling, even after several attempts.
Helplessly, he turned to Kuang Jinxin. “Climb on my neck.”
Kuang Jinxin nodded and promptly stepped forward without hesitation. Badges were the priority at that moment.
As Qian Ai bent his knees to lower himself, Kuang Jinxin was about to climb on his back when a voice announced in their ears—
[Owl: Congratulations on finding the 8/23 Death Badge!]
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin froze and turned around to see Chi Yingxue still in the posture of taking down the badge, raising an eyebrow at Qian Ai. “I’m taller than you.”
Qian Ai, at 1.9 meters, looked at his 1.87-meter-tall teammate and said with frustration, “You’re making me feel bad, aren’t you?”
Chi Yingxue replied, “Jump higher.”
Qian Ai: “…You win.”
“Bang——”
The door of the cabin suddenly closed behind them, coinciding with Qian Ai’s words.
Qian Ai’s breath hitched as he swiftly turned around to see the wooden door tightly shut, with only Wu Sheng outside, trying to pull it open. After two unsuccessful attempts, he gave up.
Gave up?!
Qian Ai panicked, rushed over, and kicked the door with all his might, but it didn’t budge.
The sauna bath doors, not equipped with locks during construction, were now tightly closed as if an evil force was preventing them from opening. The air inside became hotter, the temperature rising at an abnormally fast rate.
“Wu Sheng!” Qian Ai shouted through the glass in the door, trying to appeal to his conscience.
Wu Sheng finally looked up, giving him a reassuring look, and then silently retreated.
Qian Ai: “……”
Was there a discrepancy between what he saw in Wu Sheng’s eyes and what Wu Sheng intended?
Breathing became difficult; every inhale scorched their nostrils.
“Qian Ge.” Kuang Jinxin’s firm voice came from beside him. “Leave it to me.”
Before Qian Ai could see his teammate’s face, the entire cabin began to shake violently!
The intense shaking lasted less than three seconds, and the Finnish bath cabin disintegrated, collapsing entirely!
Strangely, each steamy wooden plank seemed to avoid them deliberately, leaving the cabin a pile of scattered wood.
The three stood amidst the rubble, unharmed.
Wu Sheng, outside the wreckage, smiled approvingly at Kuang Jinxin.
Qian Ai looked back at his teammate.
Kuang Jinxin, without waiting to be asked, said, “[(Offense) House Collapse].”
Qian Ai: “You controlled the direction of each plank’s fall?!”
Kuang Jinxin: “With a strong enough connection to the stationery, more detailed control is possible.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Are they even using the same stationery system?
Kuang Jinxin stepped out of the wooden debris, panting and looking admiringly at the advisor. “Sheng Ge, you’re awesome.”
Wu Sheng modestly shook his head. “Just a high probability.”
Qian Ai, piecing together the events, started to understand, yet found it hard to believe. Could Wu Sheng have accurately predicted the crisis and instructed Xiao Kuang on which stationery to use? That would make him almost godlike!
“Fortunately, it was only closing the door and increasing the temperature,” Kuang Jinxin added. “If there were other factors, it would have been more difficult.”
Qian Ai was confused. “Other factors?”
“Yes.” Kuang Jinxin explained, “Sheng Ge predicted a chain of accidents. The door getting locked and the heating stones increasing in temperature was just the beginning.”
Qian Ai: “What about the intermediate and advanced levels?”
Kuang Jinxin: “Electrical leakage from the lights, wooden planks burning, uncontrollable flying hot stones… Basically, the more layers of accidents, the more difficult it gets.”
Qian Ai turned to Wu Sheng, completely convinced. “God.”
Advisor Wu modestly smiled. “Just a high probability.”
Qian Ai: “……”
“Done with the admiration? If so, hurry up to the lounge. The team leader has already taken everyone there.” A voice came from above.
Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue looked up to see their team captain sitting cross-legged in the air, supported by [(Defense) Flying Trapeze Artist], seemingly overseeing everything for quite some time.
As Ran Lin was about to leave, he halted, slowly turning around.
He faced a young man in his early twenties, traces of youthful naivety still lingering in his eyes, but his presence was intense and powerful. Especially now, standing in the fierce and dazzling sunlight of high summer, he seemed almost to radiate a wild, hormonal charisma that made men envy and women swoon.
As their eyes met, the man suddenly charged forward and threw a punch without warning!
Caught off guard, Ran Lin didn’t even have time to dodge.
The fist touched his chin, then… lightly brushed past.
Ran Lin stood there, the intended reactions of dodging, wincing in pain, and gasping all stuck due to the feather-light punch, leaving him emotionally complex.
“Cut—”
As expected, Director He Guan was exasperated.
“Yan Cheng, what’s the matter with you? Is that supposed to be a punch or a caress?”
He Guan was genuinely furious, and the entire crew could tell, but no one could blame the director.
Everyone knew that Ran Lin was hard to hire these past two years. It wasn’t just a matter of his rising rates but also his increasing inclination towards privacy. Outside of his film shoots, he seemed to vanish from the entertainment world altogether, rarely appearing on variety shows or in gossip news, with his Weibo updates becoming rarer, even helping friends with promotions only occasionally, much to the delight of his fans and followers.
From a relatively unknown actor struggling in the industry to one who could focus on acting according to his own terms, Ran Lin’s journey had been challenging but steadfast.
At first, many doubted his decision to reduce public appearances. After all, the entertainment industry moves fast, and fans’ affections shift rapidly from one star to another. Without regular public appearances, the only thing waiting is oblivion.
Yet every time Ran Lin was about to fade from public view, he’d return with a powerful performance that recaptured everyone’s attention.
Some said it was luck that he signed with a company that knew how to plan and manage his career for the long term. Others claimed it was his natural talent; as long as he showed up on screen, people would fall for him again.
Ran Lin never responded to these speculations. He just focused on his acting and his life.
Such a character, making a cameo in a film out of sheer goodwill, you’d know he’s doing it as a favor to the director. It’s said he didn’t even charge a fee, simply out of gratitude for the support he received for <Dyeing Fire> back in the day.
With someone so modest and cooperative, filming in the scorching heat, and yet after seven takes, the scene still wasn’t right. It was no wonder the director’s face couldn’t hold the frustration, and the entire crew was too scared to breathe.
“How many times have I told you? If you’re going to punch, really punch, but pull back the force at the last moment, don’t start retracting before you even finish!” The director called Yan Cheng over and repeated what he had already said seven times with increasing frustration.
This was Ran Lin’s last scene for the cameo, which was supposed to wrap up by noon. Now it was three in the afternoon, with no break in between, not even for lunch.
Yan Cheng’s vest was drenched in sweat, clinging to his body, showcasing his well-defined abs. But at that moment, his handsome face was all about frustration. “Director, I understand what you mean, but this operation is too difficult…”
Either really hit or pretend well; this kind of punch that looks real but is actually fake seemed like science fiction to Yan Cheng.
He Guan rubbed his temples, feeling near death by his lead actor’s hands. The guy had an appealing energy, no doubt, which is why he stood out among the many young actors who auditioned. But his lack of experience was also real. He was natural in other scenes, but anything slightly technical or emotional, and he’d completely lose his bearings.
If it were any other actor from the crew, He Guan would have persisted, whether it took ten or twenty takes. But Ran Lin was here as a favor, without charging a penny, purely out of friendship. How could he ask such a favor of him?
“Director.”
Caught up in his frustration, Ran Lin approached. He was wearing a shirt, seemingly demure, but if you looked closely, his back was also soaked, yet his face showed no signs of distress, maintaining a cool demeanor.
That coolness wasn’t his own but belonged to the character he was playing. Ever since the first shot, he had maintained that state and never stepped out of it.
He Guan quickly gestured to an assistant to bring a stool.
Ran Lin waved it off, indicating it wasn’t necessary, then said, “Director, let’s go for real.”
He Guan took off his sun hat, wiping the sweat from his forehead, worried. He’d considered real punches, but with Yan Cheng, a truly committed punch could knock someone over.
As if reading his mind, Ran Lin’s voice rose slightly. “It’s the last shot. Let me enjoy it.”
He Guan pretended to glare at him. “So you mean to say filming here all morning were all just dry runs?”
Ran Lin sighed deeply. “My character is too aloof; there’s not much room to play.”
He Guan gritted his teeth. “So getting hit for real gives you space to perform?”
Ran Lin chuckled.
That laugh brought out a hint of mischief in his eyes, overlapping for a moment with the young Ran Lin from years past.
He Guan saw it and felt a pang of nostalgia. Staying in this circle until today and still retaining a bit of childlike innocence is actually quite hard.
“Yan Cheng.” He suddenly called his lead actor.
The latter was obediently listening to the director and the guest star’s conversation, as meek as a puppy. At the call, he responded promptly, “Yes, director?”
He Guan pondered for a moment, then said firmly, “Go for real.”
Yan Cheng’s eyes widened. “For real?”
Ran Lin’s smile faded, reverting to his cool, challenging demeanor. “For real, as hard as you like.”
Yan Cheng looked at him intently, unsure if it was the intense sunlight causing an illusion, but in Ran Lin’s eyes, he saw light, a beautiful kind of radiance.
“Stop!” A resounding roar echoed under the blistering sun, the eighth time more intense and desperate than the previous seven attempts.
Ran Lin stopped and slowly turned around; his eyes narrowed with disdain, as if he were looking at a dog unworthy of speaking to him.
The air tensed for a moment, as if a battle was about to commence.
Yan Cheng, feeling the scorn, boiled with rage and blood, moving even before his brain gave the command.
He charged at Ran Lin like a missile, exerting all his strength into a fierce punch!
Ran Lin took the hit solidly; his head jerked to the side, and his body stumbled involuntarily.
Yan Cheng glared at him, eyes almost bursting, chest heaving dramatically.
It took a while for Ran Lin to slowly lift his head. Half of his face was now red, and the corner of his mouth split, revealing a hint of red. Under the sunlight, it was glaring yet alluring.
Yan Cheng had a moment of distraction.
With the final shot nailed, the entire crew exhaled in relief, and the long-awaited food from the catering team could finally be served. Ran Lin, foregoing the meal, courteously excused himself to Director He Guan.
“I’ve got some other things to attend to. I’m really sorry,” Ran Lin said sincerely, genuinely occupied and not merely making excuses.
He Guan, already feeling guilty for the delay, quickly responded, “Go on then. Today’s delay is on me. I’ll make it up to you with a lavish feast another day.”
He Guan was known for his straightforwardness and not pulling rank due to seniority, much like his wife’s cousin, Gu Jie, who was direct and informal. Over the years, Ran Lin’s relationship with He Guan had evolved more into a friendship.
As Ran Lin was about to get into his car, Yan Cheng suddenly came out, looking a bit sheepish as he scratched his nose. “Ran Ge, can I add you on WeChat?”
Ran Lin was surprised as they weren’t exactly close; today was their first meeting, and half the time was spent on unsuccessful takes.
“I won’t bother you. It’s just… I think you’re an amazing actor and would love the opportunity to learn from you in the future,” Yan Cheng quickly explained, somewhat anxious and cautious.
Ran Lin, finding the formal courtesy a bit too much for the young man, smiled.
Yan Cheng, though new to the industry, naturally exuded an untamed charisma, gaining him fans. There were also whispers of influential family connections. Ran Lin couldn’t judge the background, but Yan Cheng’s personality was evident—not arrogantly defiant; just youthful, probably never having faced much hardship due to good family conditions, hence more impulsive.
But Ran Lin had a favorable impression of him.
Simple, dedicated to acting, and eager to improve on all points highlighted by Director He Guan.
Ran Lin took out his phone and displayed his QR code.
Yan Cheng was momentarily stunned, then excitedly took out his phone. “Thanks, Ran Ge!”
His WeChat name was simply Yan Cheng. His profile picture featured him, an off-road vehicle, and a vast desert.
As Ran Lin put away his phone and turned to get into his car, Yan Cheng gently tapped on the window.
Ran Lin lowered it. “Yes?”
Yan Cheng hesitated, looked at his face for a while, and then said, “I’m sorry for hitting too hard.”
Ran Lin realized that Yan Cheng’s pursuit was primarily due to concern over the punch.
Gently touching the corner of his mouth and feeling a satisfying sting, he knew that only with such authenticity could his cameo in this film be meaningful.
With a subdued smile, he earnestly looked at Yan Cheng. “In all of today’s scenes, that punch of yours was the most impressive.”
Yan Cheng: [Ran Ge, how do you control your strength?]
Ran Lin was attempting culinary feats in front of the gas stove when the WeChat notification sounded.
Nearly a month had passed since his cameo on set, and the bruise from that punch had long faded. Yet, he’d unexpectedly gained a “little brother” who would come to him for advice every now and then, not just for small talk but real issues he had faced himself early in his acting career. Unable to ignore, he felt compelled to respond whenever possible.
Ran Lin considered himself someone who naturally worries.
However, the thought of Lu Yiyao, busy overseas for the past two months and due back home today—actually already landed and almost home—made his typing almost joyful.
A few years ago, he had also purchased a villa in the same complex, so both of them lived in the same villa area, far from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, appearing to others as just a good relationship between a boss and an employee. Little did they know that the employee’s villa was always empty, while the boss’s side was filled with private joys.
Thinking of some moments he shouldn’t, Ran Lin’s heart suddenly raced, his hand shook, and he accidentally sent an incomplete message to Yan Cheng. He quickly added “And also,” and then continued typing.
As he shared generously, Yan Cheng engaged thoughtfully. The conversation was so absorbing that Ran Lin forgot about the dish he was cooking until the pungent smell of burning brought him back to his senses.
Frustrated and unable to focus on Yan Cheng any longer, he immediately attempted to salvage what he could.
But it was a failure.
Ran Lin could only attempt damage control—eliminate the evidence.
Just as he was halfway through cleaning up, Lu Yiyao returned home. As he entered, not finding Ran Lin immediately, he was first struck by the smell of something burnt. “Is something on fire?”
Ran Lin sheepishly emerged from the kitchen. “Cooking failure.”
Lu Yiyao laughed, changed his shoes, and headed straight for the kitchen to see the extent of the “failure”.
Ran Lin obediently made way for his inspection.
As Lu Yiyao passed him, he pulled Ran Lin into his arms and kissed him.
Caught off guard, Ran Lin froze in his embrace.
Lu Yiyao, not willing to let go, pinned him against the kitchen counter and deepened the kiss. He passionately sought Ran Lin’s response, prying open his lips, dominating, and biting as if to consume him completely.
Ran Lin wanted to respond, but Lu Yiyao had taken complete control, trapping him in a net of desire, leaving him no choice but to yield and accept.
Finally, the kiss ended.
Lu Yiyao pulled Ran Lin closer, pressing him against his body. Ran Lin acutely felt something changing on the other’s body, and his face blushed instantly.
“I’m hungry.” Lu Yiyao murmured against his forehead, his voice low and husky with a hint of allure.
Ran Lin swallowed hard. “I know, maybe we should eat out…”
Lu Yiyao tilted his head slightly, nipping at Ran Lin’s earlobe. “I want to eat you.”
In the next moment, Ran Lin was suddenly lifted into the air!
Startled, he reflexively clung to Lu Yiyao’s neck, like someone in the waves grabbing onto driftwood.
Lu Yiyao, pleased with the cooperation, intended to carry his “dinner” inside. But as he barely stepped forward, Ran Lin’s phone on the kitchen counter pinged with a WeChat notification.
Both looked down.
Three seconds later, a faint cloud began to gather in Lu Yiyao’s eyes.
Ran Lin rubbed his forehead, tempted to block Yan Cheng.
Yan Cheng probably hadn’t received a reply and thought Ran Lin found him annoying. So, he sent a cutesy sticker, an animated one with hearts and a message saying, “I’ll always be your little fan.”
“How did the dish burn?” Lu Yiyao suddenly reverted to the cooking fiasco.
“……” Ran Lin felt he could be Sherlock… Lu. He lowered his eyes, nuzzling Lu Yiyao’s chin meekly.
Lu Yiyao enjoyed the touch but remained clear-headed. “How did it burn?”
Unable to evade further, Ran Lin murmured barely audibly. “Chatting on WeChat…”
Lu Yiyao nodded. “Good.”
“Don’t… Be gentle… I was just discussing some acting techniques with him…”
“Uh-huh, keep talking…”
“Can you be any more childish… Ah…”
“Let it out. I like hearing your voice.”
“……”
“How does it feel?”
“Nn…”
In the bedroom upstairs, the thick curtains shielded all possibilities of prying eyes.
On the bed, Lu Yiyao pinned Ran Lin beneath him, like a predator unwilling to release its prey for even a moment.
But even in his fierce invasion, there was tenderness.
Of course, he didn’t really suspect that there was anything between Ran Lin and the other person. He just missed him too much, with countless emotions accumulating in his chest, at his heart, throughout his body, burning him without knowing what to do. Despite being together for many years, these feelings haven’t faded but have grown stronger. Thus, he hoped the other would feel the same, although he knew it was too domineering to want Ran Lin to think of him every moment, he couldn’t help himself.
The pleasure made Ran Lin involuntarily bite Lu Yiyao’s shoulder.
At that moment, Lu Yiyao climaxed.
Holding Ran Lin, he breathed heavily, filled with a warm peace.
But Ran Lin was still twisting in torment.
Looking at Lu Yiyao with moist eyes, wordless, just gazing with slightly parted lips, panting gently.
Lu Yiyao, as if bewitched, kissed him again, his hand also reaching down.
After a while, Ran Lin arched his back, and at the moment of blankness in his mind, he called out, “Lu Yiyao—”
“I’m here.” Lu Yiyao murmured tenderly in his ear. “Love you.”
……
“Who exactly are you flirting with? You’re not eating or even looking at your script anymore.” Ding Kai came out from the study to see Yan Cheng still maintaining his pose of embracing the phone on the couch, completely exasperated.
Yan Cheng had always been the epitome of a mischievous child since he was little. Ding Kai always made sure to stay away from him at family gatherings, yet often couldn’t avoid being targeted by various pranks. And now, just when it seemed Yan Cheng had grown up, Ding Kai was informed he wanted to enter the entertainment circle.
The Ding family is a closely knit clan, always ready to support each other. When Yan Cheng wanted to join the entertainment world, Ding Kai, nominally his cousin but more like an elder, had to go to great lengths to support him.
Until now, as Yan Cheng started to emerge in the industry, Ding Kai still felt a sting in his ribs whenever he saw his cousin.
“Always talking about women. Why are you so vulgar!” Yan Cheng never really saw Ding Kai as an elder. To him, a brother is a brother, meant to be treated as such.
Ding Kai felt pained—he, a gay man, always associated with women? Could this misrepresentation get any worse?
While Ding Kai was brooding, Yan Cheng suddenly adopted a mysterious and somewhat proud expression. “It’s someone you know, but you’ll never guess who.”
Ding Kai frowned, not interested in playing such childish games.
“Whoever it is, just keep it appropriate.” Ding Kai ended the conversation, planning to pick up something and continue back to the study.
But Yan Cheng, who couldn’t keep secrets, blurted out, “Ran Lin.”
Ding Kai’s hand, about to open a drawer, paused, and he turned back to ask, “Who did you say?”
“Ran Lin,” Yan Cheng insisted. “How many Ran Lins are there in the entertainment circle!”
Ding Kai sat down next to the couch casually, asking as if making conversation, “You know him?”
Yan Cheng sprang up, eager to have an audience, and recounted the entire episode of Ran Lin’s cameo, how he was asked to punch for real, and all the details without missing any.
“You have no idea; his acting is really good. No matter how many takes he NGs, it doesn’t affect his emotions. I just need to look at him, and I’m immediately in character!”
Ever since this cousin entered the entertainment industry, he almost cursed all his colleagues he worked with—of course, these rants were private, saying things like how one person is notorious for hooking up on set, another appears gracious to fans but turns two-faced in private. Essentially, all the ugliness and darkness of the industry were subjects of his criticism—this was the first time Ding Kai saw him having such high praise for someone.
Even when he entered He Guan’s crew, he said Director He was really impressive, but it was just normal admiration and respect, far from the excitement he showed today.
“You… have a crush on him?” Ding Kai couldn’t see any other possibility.
Yan Cheng thought about it seriously and admitted, “I think… I sort of like him.”
Ding Kai nearly spat out blood.
Seeing Ding Kai’s reaction, Yan Cheng immediately knew he’d been misunderstood and hurriedly explained, “Not that kind of like. The kind… you know what I mean?”
“No matter what kind of liking it is, he’s already taken. Just content yourself with being a little fan,” Ding Kai said, managing his complex emotions while trying to cut off Yan Cheng’s infatuation.
If Lu Yiyao knew someone was eyeing Ran Lin, with his current strength, he could pave a path for them—a path of no return.
Yan Cheng’s liking was more akin to idol worship, but suddenly hearing his idol was taken, he felt a momentary loss, quickly replaced by curiosity. “How come there’s no whisper of such big news? A secret relationship? Or did they secretly get married?!”
“Uh… let’s say it’s a secret marriage.” Ding Kai wasn’t planning to reveal too much to this simple-minded cousin to avoid unnecessary complications, so he ended the conversation. “Don’t ask too much. It’s okay to admire him as an idol and occasionally chat on WeChat, but don’t do it too frequently.”
Yan Cheng was clearly not too willing but listened to Ding Kai’s advice, pondering it over, and soon seemed to come to terms with it. “Okay.”
Ding Kai: “…You sure adjust quickly.”
“Whoever is with him must be incredibly outstanding, right?” Yan Cheng looked earnestly at Ding Kai, as if hoping for confirmation. “The kind that shines just by standing there.”
Ding Kai: “…Not really.”
Throughout the afternoon, Yan Cheng didn’t see any more pleasant expressions from his cousin.
Although Ding Kai usually had a difficult personality, it was rare for him to be so stern. Usually, he adopted a more affable approach, so why he suddenly became sullen and stayed that way all afternoon remained a mystery to Yan Cheng.
In a certain villa district, within the bedroom.
“Have to leave again tomorrow?” Ran Lin asked while lying on his side, having just stabilized his breath not long ago.
“The other party changed the schedule last minute. It’s not time to be confrontational yet, so I have to comply.” Lu Yiyao was somewhat helpless.
Ran Lin knew it was important work, but having waited so long to have him back, only to leave again the next day, naturally made him reluctant.
“Haa,” he sighed deeply.
Lu Yiyao chuckled, echoing him, “Haa—”
Ran Lin glared at him. “Here you are, earning the lead actor’s pay in my place, and your schedule is as short as a cameo appearance, yet you’re still sighing?”
Lu Yiyao’s eyes and brows softened with laughter. “So? It looks like you’re planning to replace the lead actor?”
Ran Lin provocatively raised an eyebrow. “It’s not out of consideration…”
Lu Yiyao nodded. “Alright, let me know when you’ve decided. I want to see who dares to take on the role.”
Ran Lin glared at him, pondering a retort, when suddenly Lu Yiyao pressed over again.
Caught off guard, Ran Lin found his body reignited before he could react.
On July 6th, <Youths of Wuling> premiered, and by July 16th, it had broken a rating of 3 on XX Satellite TV.
The core marketing team urged Lu Yiyao to quickly hold a celebration, but he insisted on waiting. Finally, on July 21st, when another broadcasting station also reached a rating of 3, Lu Yiyao agreed—it was time for a celebration!
In an era filled with a plethora of TV dramas and various viewing channels, breaking 2 is considered a hit, and breaking 3 is basically a blockbuster, especially when two stations simultaneously hit that mark! Meanwhile, the online view count also led by a significant margin. Both websites and TV stations were making a killing.
What’s more impressive is that alongside its high ratings, <Youth of Wuling> also received critical acclaim, with scores reaching as high as 9 on viewing websites before settling down to 8.5. For a modern drama, this is an exceptionally high rating. Numerous critics analyzed the show’s phenomenal performance from various angles, generally attributing it to—
High-quality production, movie-level visuals giving the drama an exceptional feel; a solid script that breaks away from the typical summer fantasy and idol romance dramas, charting a unique path of urban youth growth, a rare gem of realistic themes in recent years; well-chosen actors, with Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu’s performances bringing depth and authenticity to their characters, embodying youthful recklessness and clear moral conviction. Lastly, the successful marketing and hype leading up to and during the airing also contributed significantly to its rapid word-of-mouth spread and explosive popularity.
While viewers simply enjoy whether the drama is good or not, insiders were surprised by Lu Yiyao’s bold and professional debut. The industry isn’t short of wealthy, courageous, or professionally savvy individuals, but having all three qualities is rare.
Hence, even before the drama was halfway aired, countless investors reached out to Lu Yiyao, hoping to be part of his next project, even though that next project was still up in the air for Lu Yiyao.
Meanwhile, as Lu Yiyao leisurely pondered whether to continue solo funding or to bring in some capital for his next project, the main actors involved in the drama saw their stock rise exponentially, with offers for scripts, events, and variety shows pouring in.
The day Ran Lin’s Weibo followers exceeded 30 million, he signed his first endorsement with an internationally renowned brand for two years, nearing an eight-figure endorsement fee.
Good things come in pairs. Just three days after signing the endorsement deal, the long-awaited celebration for <Youth of Wuling> took place.
……
“One, two, three—”
At the host’s command, all the key creators on stage simultaneously smashed an ice sculpture shaped as the Arabic numeral “3”, retrieving a scroll from within it that slowly unrolled—congratulating <Youths of Wuling> on achieving new heights in viewership.
Celebrations are all about good omens and straightforward well wishes, and the stage event concluded at its peak, with invited guests moving to the adjacent reception area. If sitting in the audience was a show of support, now began the networking and socializing.
The celebratory atmosphere continued at the reception. Despite the comfortable and casual lighting and ambiance, the place was abuzz with festive joy, perhaps due to the large number of invitees. The scene was lively, with clinking glasses and lively conversations.
As soon as Lu Yiyao entered, he spotted Huo Yuntao and Peng Jingyu. The former, having taken over the family business, seldom had time for the entertainment industry and came purely on the friendship ticket from Lu Yiyao, saying it was his “first pot of gold after changing careers,” and as a close friend, he must support him in person. Peng Jingyu was formally invited by Lu Yiyao, but curiously, instead of mingling with many industry seniors, he was chatting animatedly with Huo Yuntao.
“Lao Lu—” Huo Yuntao noticed Lu Yiyao and immediately waved his glass in greeting.
Internally rolling his eyes, Lu Yiyao quickly made his way over, not wanting others to catch on to his “nickname” and spread it around—he wasn’t even thirty yet, but such names made him feel prematurely middle-aged.
“Mr. Peng.” Lu Yiyao approached and greeted Peng Jingyu first, ignoring the friend who’d teased him.
Peng Jingyu nodded. “Congratulations.”
Despite his words, his eyes clearly showed reluctance. Lu Yiyao and he had more than a professional relationship, and with Huo Yuntao as a mutual friend, they were almost half friends. Lu Yiyao, seeking support, turned to his teasing friend, “Did I offend someone?”
Huo Yuntao draped an arm around Peng Jingyu but sighed at Lu Yiyao. “You’ve made a big offense. When Ran Lin’s contract was about to expire, Mr. Peng also wanted to sign him, but you beat him to it.”
Unaware of this subplot, Lu Yiyao was surprised. Presumably Peng Jingyu had contacted Wang Xi, who had already known Ran Lin was joining his company and diplomatically rejected him.
Annoyed at Huo Yuntao, Peng Jingyu’s face showed embarrassment. He retorted, “I watched your drama. It’s only because you chose Ran Lin that it didn’t flop.”
Lu Yiyao: “……”
Peng Jingyu frowned. “Are you laughing at me…”
Huo Yuntao rubbed his forehead, then patted Peng Jingyu. “He’s already signed Ran Lin. Naturally, the benefits should stay within.”
Lu Yiyao openly laughed this time. “See, I have a good eye, right?”
A sudden memory made Peng Jingyu gasp. “Wait, don’t tell me you were planning to set up your own firm and poach from Dream Without Limits at that Republic-themed party?”
Lu Yiyao thought about it. If declaring feelings counts as poaching…
“Suppose so.” Lu Yiyao quite liked this foresighted version of himself.
Peng Jingyu observed the significant expression on the other’s face and felt an involuntary chill pass down his spine. During the Republic-themed party, he had only felt that this person occasionally said something or made a gesture resembling his elder brothers. Now, it seemed like a full-fledged resemblance… He had a psychological shadow when it came to such people!
“Uh, don’t worry about entertaining us. You go ahead with your work.” Peng Jingyu gave Lu Yiyao the first smile since they met.
Huo Yuntao depressed that his vision of the two “appreciating each other,” didn’t pan out, also said to his friend, “Yeah, go on.”
Lu Yiyao didn’t linger, as he was effectively the host of the reception and needed to flit about like a butterfly, not staying in one spot too long and neglecting other guests.
In one corner of the reception, Ran Lin, having just finished talking to a senior executive of a certain satellite TV, turned around to meet Shi Jiuting and immediately greeted. “President Shi.”
It seemed Shi Jiuting had been waiting for him for a while. As soon as they met, the other party’s assistant magically appeared, handing over a bag. Shi Jiuting accepted the bag and handed it to Ran Lin.
“For me?” Although it felt somewhat off, Ran Lin couldn’t think of any other reason.
“If you like it, keep it.” Shi Jiuting cleared his throat, showing a rare hint of embarrassment. “But I’d be even more grateful if you could return it to me after signing it.”
Opening the bag, Ran Lin found what seemed to be a piece of clothing. Pulling it halfway out, he recognized it as the hoodie he wore in <Youths of Wuling>, now a trendy item.
Instantly, Ran Lin understood: Shi Jiuting, this doting father, was once again star-chasing for his princess.
Shi Jiuting was clear-headed. The last time he requested a signature for <Chronicles of Winter>, he was a financier, so his approach was polite but more natural. This time, without a direct professional link, his request was tinged with humility and courtesy.
Actually, there was no need; even if he wasn’t involved in <Youths of Wuling>, his status and position were such that Ran Lin should be eager to maintain a good relationship. But with Shi Jiuting, things were straightforward, each issue on its own merits.
That was Shi Jiuting’s personality, which was also what made him endearing. However, Wang Xi had said if Shi Jiuting really got serious, he could make an opponent weep with nowhere to cry. So, Ran Lin was glad that President Shi’s daughter was a fan and not a hater.
“Don’t worry, President Shi. I’ll sign it and have it sent to you as soon as possible.” If it were on set, Ran Lin would sign it right away, but at a reception with so many people, especially peers, spreading out a hoodie to sign would be too showy and awkward for Shi Jiuting.
Shi Jiuting seemed to think the same and promptly said, “Thank you.”
Ran Lin thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want me to get it signed by other actors in the drama too, for more sentimental value?”
Without hesitation, Shi Jiuting shook his head, sighing at last, “She only likes you.”
Ran Lin felt a tinge of envy, jealousy, and sadness in that sigh.
“What are you looking at?” A familiar, albeit not particularly likable, voice came from behind. Lu Yiyao turned to find Ding Kai.
Ding Kai, accustomed to Lu Yiyao’s “lack of affection,” indeed had his eye on Ran Lin and wasn’t surprised by the lack of warmth.
Following Lu Yiyao’s recent gaze, Ding Kai saw Ran Lin talking to Shi Jiuting. Ding Kai had wanted to find Ran Lin since the reception started but hadn’t succeeded until now, and ironically, it was through his official partner’s gaze. It was a bit bitter, but since he spotted him, he took the chance to look a bit longer.
Lu Yiyao frowned and stepped in front of Ding Kai, occupying his entire view, then smiled. “President Ding, are you looking for me?”
Ding Kai remembered he only asked, “What are you looking at?” There wasn’t a “looking for you” part. But with Lu Yiyao’s imposing figure, his view was entirely blocked; even the light seemed dim.
Stepping back a bit, Ding Kai found the world bright again, his eyes lifting slightly. “I heard Ran Lin acted in this drama for no fee?”
<Youths of Wuling>, having sold its premiere rights to two satellite stations, had broken even. The sale to online video platforms was all pure profit, and with the drama’s hit status, future sales to provincial and local stations were all lucrative. Although Ran Lin had initially joked about no fee, Lu Yiyao indeed shared the profits with his partner, more than any fee.
But since Ding Kai understood it that way, Lu Yiyao was happy to flaunt their relationship, immediately frowning as if caught. “Where did you hear that?”
Ding Kai hadn’t expected it to be true. His emotions were complex; he drained his champagne in one go, expressing a multitude of feelings. “You’ve got it all.”
Lu Yiyao could hear the undertone and shrugged innocently. “Can’t help it. The entertainment industry is superficial like that. Good-looking people do have it easier.”
Ding Kai: “……”
No business exists without shrewdness.
Ding Kai found himself almost missing the honest and straightforward actor Lu Yiyao… Indeed, peers are the hardest to endure!
In a corner of the reception, two handsome guys who came specifically to support their brother were huddled on a sofa, inconspicuous as if they had invisibility charms on their foreheads—
Gu Jie: “Isn’t it a bit rude for us to hide like this?”
Xia Xinran: “Today’s stars are Teacher Lu and Ran Lin. What limelight are we here to steal?”
Gu Jie: “Shouldn’t we at least greet them?”
Xia Xinran: “There’s a second round later tonight. You’ll have plenty of time for deep conversations.”
Gu Jie: “……”
Xia Xinran: “What are you drinking?”
Gu Jie: “…Soda.”
Xia Xinran: “Good, I was counting on you to drive later.”
Gu Jie: “Why do I feel like I took a day off from the crew just to be your driver?”
Xia Xinran: “Trust me, going to Teacher Lu’s villa for the second round tonight, there will definitely be surprises.”
Gu Jie: “……”
Typically, when Xia Xinran said there would be surprises, Gu Jie instinctively prepared to be startled.
……
By eleven o’clock, as the gathering disbanded and sobriety returned, the night air was cool.
Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao sat in the back seat, Xia Xinran in the passenger seat, and Gu Jie holding the steering wheel steadily, with the GPS voice filling the car with directions like “Turn left at the next intersection” and “Speed camera ahead in 300 meters.”
“Teacher Lu, is it the villa complex bought by Yuan Yiqun you’re living in?” Xia Xinran finally recognized the destination after looking at the GPS for a while, a bit surprised.
“Yeah,” Lu Yiyao admitted generously. “I think the environment is quite nice.”
For celebrities, “nice environment” usually means “secured privacy”, which Xia Xinran understood. But if he remembered correctly, wasn’t it in that same complex where Lu Yiyao confessed to Ran Lin, or rather, where he first learned about Ran Lin’s relationship with him, at Yuan Yiqun’s villa where they had the Republic-themed party? Wasn’t there a bit of sentimental value involved?
Shaking his head, Xia Xinran stopped himself from continuing the thought. He almost choked on the imagined dog food from Lu Yiyao’s display of affection—it’s too unfair!
Ran Lin watched Xia Xinran’s conflicted face and smiled silently. <Youth of Wuling> had double ratings of three, and while others saw Lu Yiyao as calm and collected, he knew his lover was over the moon. That’s why, after a networking reception, there was an eager follow-up with a genuine celebration party among friends.
Not just Lu Yiyao, Ran Lin was ecstatic too. This was the first time they truly collaborated, and the feeling of moving forward side by side was wonderful.
“There’s a car following us,” Gu Jie suddenly said with a serious tone.
Ran Lin was startled, and Xia Xinran immediately peered at the rearview mirror. “Which one?”
Although it wasn’t early, at 11 p.m. there were still quite a few cars on the street. Gu Jie could distinguish which one was tailing and which one was coincidentally going the same way. “The black one.”
Xia Xinran frowned and, after observing for a while, asked, “A paparazzi driving a Porsche?”
Initially puzzled, Lu Yiyao understood everything once he heard it and laughed. “That’s my friend. He’s also part of the group.”
“I thought a party of four was a bit quiet.” Xia Xinran liked liveliness.
Gu Jie also relaxed, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem,” Lu Yiyao said genuinely. “You need to teach me sometime how to spot a tailing car.”
Gu Jie hesitated and then voiced his honest thoughts. “Driving is a progressive skill. Maybe you should start with remembering the roads?”
Lu Yiyao, often getting lost in the bustling streets of the capital, felt a thousand points of damage.
Ran Lin, realizing Lu Yiyao had also invited Huo Yuntao, glanced through the rear window, and indeed, the black Porsche gleamed under the streetlights with a subdued luxury.
However, the distance was a bit far, and he couldn’t see how many people were inside, so he directly asked his partner, “Is Panxi coming along?”
Lu Yiyao shook his head. “She went overseas for an orchestra exchange performance.”
Ran Lin understood. Ever since Lu Yiyao’s friend got married, whenever Ran Lin saw him, it was always with Lin Panxi. The couple were inseparable, especially today being Lu Yiyao’s celebration. If Lin Panxi hadn’t been abroad, Huo Yuntao would have undoubtedly brought her along.
The streets were clear at night, and even the traffic lights seemed more green than red, so they smoothly arrived at Lu Yiyao’s villa.
“Teacher Lu, is this a living room or a tropical rainforest…” Xia Xinran dodged left and right but still got slapped in the face by various plant leaves.
Finally finding a clear spot, the spread of drinks and food on the table looked more like a party.
“I’ve already questioned his taste, but our doubts are futile,” Huo Yuntao joined in, meaningfully. “Someone likes it.”
This was Xia Xinran’s first proper face-to-face interaction with Huo Yuntao, and he promptly extended his hand. “Xia Xinran.”
Huo Yuntao shook hands. “Huo Yuntao.”
Lu Yiyao was about to introduce them, but it seemed unnecessary now. He turned to find Gu Jie, who was looking around, utterly bemused.
Approaching his friend, Lu Yiyao patted Gu Jie’s shoulder. “How’s the house?”
“It’s good.” Gu Jie sincerely praised—it was spacious, open, and private. But for some reason, he felt this late-night “celebration party” carried an air of eeriness.
Both Lu Yiyao and Xia Xinran, including the not-yet-formally-met Huo Yuntao, seemed to have a meaningful glint in their eyes. Only Ran Lin seemed a bit more straightforward, but every time their gazes met, the other would smile at him in an especially joyous and sweet manner, sending chills down Gu Jie’s spine.
“Take a seat.” Not wanting to torture his friend further, Lu Yiyao ushered Gu Jie to sit comfortably on the sofa, then called out towards the dining area. “Lao Huo, Xia Xinran—”
The two who were conversing immediately ended their discussion and found suitable seats to join in. Finally, Ran Lin came over.
When he approached, there was a comfortable distance between Gu Jie, Xia Xinran, and Huo Yuntao on Lu Yiyao’s large sofa. Ran Lin could easily pick a spot at a comfortable distance from the three, but instead, he chose to sit right next to Lu Yiyao, their shoulders nearly touching.
Gu Jie noticed, swallowed hard, and instinctively leaned back, as if time had looped back to the day Mother Lu visited, always uncertain of what the next second might bring, especially now that the four seated people smiled at him in unison!
“Enough!” Gu Jie, unable to endure any longer, slapped the coffee table. “If you’ve got something to say, say it. If you keep hinting at me with your eyes, I’ll… I’ll go back to the set!”
Lu Yiyao: “…”
Xia Xinran: “…”
Huo Yuntao: “…”
The threat seemed oddly… pitiable.
No longer keeping everyone in suspense, Ran Lin took a deep breath, covered Lu Yiyao’s hand with his own, interlocking their fingers, and then raised their clasped hands for his friends to see.
Gu Jie was stunned.
Ran Lin quietly watched him, patiently waiting for him to process the news.
This was the most important part of tonight’s private party: officially informing Gu Jie of his and Lu Yiyao’s relationship. Otherwise, waiting for Gu Jie to realize it on his own might take forever.
While Gu Jie was frozen, his mind was racing, piecing everything together from Ran Lin’s single action of hand-holding.
The fact that Lu Yiyao is gay had long ceased to be a shock to Gu Jie, and after seeing Lu Yiyao’s mother off, he made numerous guesses and analyses. He had thought of Ran Lin, but due to his limited understanding of Lu Yiyao’s circle of friends, which mainly included Ran Lin and Xia Xinran, he thought his suspicion was too narrow and somewhat presumptive, so he didn’t dwell on it.
And yet, he had guessed, right? No, the real shock was that it had all been happening right under his nose, and he hadn’t noticed?!
Seeing his friend still in shock and not digesting the news, Ran Lin carefully chose his words to explain, “Lu Yiyao and I are together, like… in a romantic relationship.”
Finally snapping out of it, Gu Jie didn’t look at Ran Lin but turned to Xia Xinran first. “Did you know?”
Xia Xinran just shrugged.
Then Gu Jie turned to Huo Yuntao. “Did you know?”
Huo Yuntao just shrugged his shoulders.
Gu Jie was in despair at his own slowness.
Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao had prepared themselves for the possibility that their friend might not accept this revelation right away and even considered that Gu Jie might react negatively. But now…
“Uh.” Ran Lin finally spoke up. “It seems like we’re the ones coming out. You don’t have to be this troubled…”
Finally, Gu Jie looked up, gazing at his two friends holding hands, then slapped his thigh. “How could I be so dense!”
Xia Xinran nodded vigorously next to him, fully agreeing with the assessment.
Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao exchanged glances, wondering what exactly they had grasped from all this. Really, what kind of friend circle did they have?!
Eventually, Gu Jie stopped berating himself, sat up straight, and said solemnly, “Thank you both for trusting me enough to tell me this.”
Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao had hoped for a smooth revelation but hadn’t dared to hope too much in case of an unexpected reaction. Now that everything had gone well, a warm current flowed through them. With understanding from family and support from friends, their lives were truly blessed.
Ran Lin’s emotions surged, just about to speak when Xia Xinran preempted, “Are we done?”
Ran Lin followed his gaze to see he was asking Lu Yiyao, who didn’t speak but nodded his head.
In the next moment, as if on cue, Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao suddenly rose and, grabbing Gu Jie, headed upstairs. Gu Jie, utterly confused, shouted, “Hey? Hey, hey—” as he was dragged away.
Ran Lin watched, completely baffled. By the time he gathered his wits, only he and Lu Yiyao remained in the living room. He turned to his partner. “What’s happening?”
Lu Yiyao replied, “Maybe they’re going upstairs to share their feelings about hearing a friend’s coming-out story.”
Ran Lin rolled his eyes, about to comment on the absurdity, but then Lu Yiyao suddenly pulled him up.
“Let’s go to the yard,” Lu Yiyao said.
Not understanding but curious, Ran Lin followed his lover to the backyard.
The moon was bright, and stars filled the sky.
As Ran Lin entered the backyard, he noticed Lu Yiyao had replaced the original night lights installed by the developer with new ones that cast a softer, more tranquil light. There was a strangely familiar feeling to it.
Lu Yiyao led him forward, walking along the pool’s edge. As they neared the end of the pool, Ran Lin noticed something odd.
Lu Yiyao’s villa was larger than Yuan Yiqun’s, but the layout was similar, including the backyard pool. However, maintaining it was too troublesome, so it had been empty and not filled with water. In winter, the pool was covered with a protective film to prevent the pool walls and system from freezing. But in summer, it wasn’t necessary, and Lu Yiyao had mentioned filling it with water for the summer, so the winter cover had been removed as it warmed up.
But now, the protective film was back on. Due to the dim light of the night lamp, it was hard to notice unless one looked closely. However, precisely because the light was dim, when it shone on the protective film, it reflected a serene light.
Aside from the weather not being cold, every detail was eerily similar to the winter night when Lu Yiyao confessed his feelings.
Finally, Lu Yiyao stopped. It was the same secluded corner, the same faint night light; even Lu Yiyao’s face contours in the dim light seemed identical.
Ran Lin’s heart pounded.
Still holding hands, he wondered if Lu Yiyao could feel his racing heart.
“What are you thinking about?” Lu Yiyao asked softly.
Ran Lin looked up at him, feeling sweet inside but teasingly replied, “I’m wondering if you did all this from memory, or did you visit Yuan Yiqun’s place again for reference.”
“I’m not close to Yuan Yiqun.” Lu Yiyao chuckled. “I asked Xia Xinran for photos. But the photos and that night are different, so it’s mostly from memory.”
A breeze passed between them.
Last time, it was the cold wind of a winter night.
This time, it was the warm breeze of a summer night.
“Then you should be wearing a Republic-era military uniform,” Ran Lin said, the memory clear as if it were yesterday, causing his eyes to curve into a smile.
“…” Lu Yiyao looked slightly frustrated, obviously regretting not fully recreating the scene.
Seeing this, Ran Lin quickly reassured, “The main point is you’re handsome; the clothes don’t matter.”
Satisfied, Lu Yiyao’s eyes gleamed with contentment. In the quiet of the night, Ran Lin looked up at the beautiful moon.
Suddenly, the hand he was holding gave a gentle squeeze. Ran Lin looked back at his partner, puzzled, “Hm?”
“Do you remember what I said the night I confessed to you?” Lu Yiyao asked.
Ran Lin remembered clearly, even the voice and expression Lu Yiyao had when he said it—
“You said, ‘I like you. I want to be with you.'”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his hand was released. Surprised, Ran Lin saw Lu Yiyao raise his hands, showing the palms and backs as if to prove nothing was in them.
Ran Lin blinked, watching Lu Yiyao’s empty hands, puzzled, only to see Lu Yiyao’s hands suddenly flash, pinching a ring between his thumb and index finger.
The ring was simple yet elegant, shining beautifully under the night light.
A rush of warmth filled Ran Lin’s eyes.
“The same words, I want to say them again today, but I need to add a word…”
Lu Yiyao knelt on one knee, holding up the ring, gazing steadily at his partner, took a deep breath, and spoke each word deliberately—
“I like you. I want to be with you forever.”
Ran Lin’s heart raced wildly, but he forgot to breathe. He seemed to have forgotten everything in the world along with himself…
“Cough, we understand you’re excited, but if you don’t say something soon, Lao Lu is going to feel pretty awkward.” A chuckling tease came from Huo Yuntao nearby.
Surprised, Ran Lin looked over to see Xia Xinran, Huo Yuntao, and Gu Jie pushing forward a beautiful multi-tiered cake. The cake, adorned in light blue and white, exuded a fresh and elegant warmth, and on top were two handsome men in suits, one kneeling before the other.
Gu Jie wasn’t informed about the coming-out.
Ran Lin was unaware of the proposal.
But now, even if Ran Lin was slow, it was clear—Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao were the only ones in the know all along. They had dragged Gu Jie, who had just learned the truth, upstairs under the pretense of sharing feelings, but it was actually to relay the next step of the plan.
Ran Lin turned back to look at Lu Yiyao, who was still kneeling, unmoved.
Without warning, Ran Lin took the ring, slipped it onto his finger, then pulled Lu Yiyao up and kissed him directly. Caught off guard, Lu Yiyao hesitated only for a moment before gripping his partner’s head and deepening the kiss.
Huo Yuntao looked up at the sky. Xia Xinran looked down at the ground. Gu Jie… watched intently. After all, love should involve plenty of kissing, and as a friend, his gaze was filled with joy and blessing.
Finally, the kiss ended.
The two faced each other again. Ran Lin, with a mischievous smile, raised his hand, revealing he was also holding a ring.
Lu Yiyao was stunned. His first reaction was to check his own trouser pocket, and indeed, the ring he had prepared for himself was missing. He’d planned another magic trick to bring it out, but with just one kiss, it had been snatched away…
As he was pondering this, his hand was suddenly pulled, and the next second, the ring slipped onto his own finger.
Their hands joined together, the matching rings gleaming in the moonlight.
The friends group erupted in hearty applause. Though only three people, they clapped with the gusto of thirty.
As the clapping subsided, the two continued their sweet nothings. The friends group had to remind them—
“Shouldn’t you come over and cut the proposal cake lovingly sponsored by the groom’s sister-in-law?”
……
As dawn broke, Xia Xinran and Huo Yuntao slept soundly in their respective rooms, while Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao saw off Gu Jie, who had to return to the set.
After bidding their friend farewell, the couple returned to the living room, opened the curtains, and cuddled on the sofa, quietly waiting for the sunrise amidst the ticking of the clock. Despite a sleepless night, they didn’t feel tired at all.
“Don’t tease Huo Yuntao anymore.” Ran Lin started, recalling something with a laugh. “Your magic is even colder than his.”
“I don’t mind the magic being cold.” Lu Yiyao, holding Ran Lin close, boasted contentedly. “As long as it charms the person I want.”
Ran Lin pretended to sigh dramatically. “I’m just too easy to pursue.”
Lu Yiyao nibbled on Ran Lin’s ear. “It’s you who pursued me.”
The nibbling was comfortable but Ran Lin couldn’t tolerate the reversal of truth. “You confessed to me first.”
Lu Yiyao stood firm. “Does confessing first mean the person is the pursuer?”
Ran Lin didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
“Then that settles it.” Lu Yiyao grinned. “You pursued me, no question about it.”
Ran Lin wriggled out of his embrace and turned to face him squarely, ready for a serious discussion. But Lu Yiyao suddenly put his finger to his lips, signaling for silence.
Ran Lin frowned but, having just enjoyed the proposal cake, allowed some “patience of love.”
Lu Yiyao picked up his phone from the coffee table and started flipping through his photo album quickly.
Ran Lin waited.
Ran Lin kept waiting.
Ran Lin was waiting even as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window.
“Hey—” Patience of love has its limits.
Finally, Lu Yiyao lifted the screenshot he’d found on his phone, trying to suppress a smile, whispered, “Kid, you wrote this, right?”
Ran Lin, seeing his own handwriting on the screenshot, was dumbfounded. After a long moment, he surrendered. “You win—”
It was a special autograph he’d given to Liu Wanwan when she wasn’t yet his assistant, back at the Dream Without Limits company, which she later posted on Weibo, causing quite a stir.
The evidence was undeniable; he was the first to confess, and there was no turning the case around. But Liu Wanwan had long deleted that Weibo post…
“When did you even take this screenshot?” Ran Lin exclaimed.
Lu Yiyao simply replied, “That’s a secret.”
Morning light filled the living room.
The couple on the sofa playfully argued, with the phone’s screen still lit. The full-screen screenshot showed Ran Lin’s signature from years ago, and above the flamboyant autograph were four words requested by a fan—
I love Lu Yiyao.
[End]
The author has something to say:
I really updated daily until the end, tears streaming TAT. Thank you to all the cool friends who accompanied me on this journey, your support was my greatest motivation. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. This is the end of the story. Everything I wanted to say is in the text. Teacher Lu and Xiao Ran Lin will continue to be happy, and I wish all the friends who have read this far a happy and joyful life. Love you forever, muah (づ￣ 3￣)づ
Kinky Thoughts:
This marks the end of the novel. This is probably one of the best showbiz novels I have read and easily my favorite of that genre. It’s well written, and the pacing was great. Little bits of humor made it quite a joy to read.
The portrayal of feelings and actions was quite realistic. I especially love the conversation both MCs had with their parents for their coming out. That hit quite close to home. I also love that there’s no public announcement. Let’s face it, in today’s (China’s) entertainment world, coming out is a death sentence for their career.
While it might be sentimental to the readers to have a public display, I think realistically this fits better. And in a way, they did come out to all the people that actually mattered to them on their own terms.
Ahhh… I can go on and on about this novel. I haven’t read anything like this (outside of Nian Zhong) in a while and this definitely rekindled my spark. Such an amazing novel. If you like this novel, you can check out Midnight Owl, another work by the same author, that I’m working on. It is an unlimited flow novel though, but still very good.
If you enjoyed this novel, please consider supporting the author by buying the raws. You can use Google Chrome with their auto translate and this guide on how to buy novels on jjwxc. Remember, only with your (financial) support can artists continue to produce more great works.
I would also like to thank everyone for your comments, encouragement, help with my translations, and ko-fi donations. It in part fuels my motivation to release so frequently.
With that, I do have a little bonus. Next is an extra that’s exclusive only to the traditional Chinese publication.
After that incident, the five friends didn’t eat anymore. Despite the Western restaurant serving various aromatic soups and desserts, all five of them didn’t touch a bite. Even Chi Yingxue, who had a sweet tooth, resisted the temptation of the cake for the first time ever—it was a choice between the itching desire to eat and the painful thought of dying a horrible death. Comparing the two, avoiding pain by giving up sweets was preferable.
The members of the travel group ate and drank comfortably, as if nothing had happened.
They were like a group of emotionless NPCs—a concept the five friends had come to accept.
As lunch drew to a close and the restaurant was almost devoid of anyone but the travel group, the leader, having eaten his fill, wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up to announce, “My fellow travelers, you all must be tired from this morning’s activities. Next, I’ll take you to a leisure bath center to relax and ease your fatigue. Then we’ll head to a resort in the suburbs to enjoy the beautiful mountains and green waters of our city…”
“Great!” Someone in the group initiated a positive response, and the others quickly joined in.
The five friends exchanged glances, their spirits, nearly crushed by the various deaths, reignited slightly.
Bath center, Finnish bath, badge.
This death-filled challenge, dark from start to finish, was finally showing a sliver of hope, a direction they could pursue.
As the large group left the restaurant, Xu Wang subconsciously glanced at the badge manual again, which still indicated “Finnish bath”.
Wu Sheng understood his concern and reassured his captain. “All signs indicate that only our team is facing these challenges tonight. If the hint changes, it will only be because we have found the badge.”
“There are no absolutes in anything.” Xu Wang shook his head, cautiously following the steps of the travelers in front, lacking his usual swagger. “Being cautious is never a bad thing.”
Seeing him like this, Wu Sheng chuckled. “A flowerpot and a fork scared you?”
Xu Wang rolled his eyes reluctantly but had to admit, “Without you, a flowerpot and a fork would have killed me twice already.”
Wu Sheng said, “But you have me.”
Xu Wang turned to look at him.
Wu Sheng slightly tilted his head, giving Xu Wang his most charming angle, and smiled breezily.
Xu Wang wanted to tease him and also felt like kissing him, but in the end, he did neither, just curving his lips into a smile.
What is love? It’s when you want to write a book titled “100 Examples of Wrong Ways to Be Cool” for someone to memorize day and night, yet also find them irresistibly cute when they try to act cool.
“Aren’t you scared?” Xu Wang asked seriously.
Since the first death, even the usually calm and indifferent Chi Yingxue had shown a desire to survive, but Wu Sheng remained as composed, calm, and methodical as ever.
“As long as you see through the connection between the things around you and accidental deaths, all so-called emergencies become a fixed link in the chain of death calculations.” Wu Sheng looked ahead, unruffled. “When accidents are no longer surprising, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng suddenly turned, raising an eyebrow. “Regretting it now, huh?”
Xu Wang was confused. “Regret what?”
Wu Sheng said, “Regretting not watching those thriller, suspense, horror, and detective movies with me.”
Xu Wang: “I could watch them eight times and still not reach your level…”
Was this a normal reaction to movies for anyone?
“No problem.” Wu Sheng shrugged. “It’s like you watched them when I did.”
Xu Wang’s silent retort stopped abruptly. He stared at Wu Sheng’s profile, outlined sharply by the afternoon sun.
“What’s up?” Wu Sheng felt a bit puzzled under his gaze.
Xu Wang gave him a gentle smile, speaking sincerely for once. “Suddenly, I think you’re quite handsome.”
Wu Sheng frowned slowly. “The word ‘suddenly’ seems oddly used.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng continued to look at him expectantly.
Xu Wang surrendered. “You’ve always been handsome—”
Advisor Wu was satisfied.
Xu Wang looked skyward in silence. Of course, he only did so for a second before immediately refocusing, keeping his vigilance radar up, watching ahead and both sides.
The three companions walking closely behind the leaders had to eat dog food for three minutes amidst their anxiety.
Kuang Jinxin enjoyed it, feeling a touch of happiness from their leaders’ harmony and intimacy, despite his vague understanding of love.
Chi Yingxue was indifferent, contemplating whether snatching the tour leader’s flag might trigger an interesting side quest.
Qian Ai, a single man yearning for a relationship, felt bittersweet, his heart aching with each step he took. The suspense and horror that had nearly driven him insane were inadvertently eased a bit.
The tour group entered a shaded path paved with asphalt, with mechanical work sounds coming from ahead.
Looking up, they saw four workers digging up the road surface within a marked area using handheld drilling machines. This is a common practice for repairing potholes or other issues on the road by removing the old surface and replacing it with new material.
The shaded path was about six meters wide, with the travel group walking on the right side. The work area was about seven meters long and three meters wide on the left front side. The road surface within this area was already half dug up, with broken pieces of the road not yet cleared away, left in their pried-up state.
The four workers, heads down, focused on their task, paying no attention to the passing travel group.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng exchanged a glance, then Advisor Wu turned back to his team and warned, “No matter what happens, don’t listen, don’t look, don’t be curious, don’t gather around.”
Chi Yingxue returned a look, acknowledging the message.
Kuang Jinxin nodded vigorously.
Qian Ai said, “Understood. Just keep a steady pace and follow the leader closely.”
If there was any so-called safe zone in this challenge, it certainly revolved around the “immortal leader”.
With a unified mindset, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng quickly sped up to stay close behind the leader, and the other three companions immediately followed their pace.
In a moment, the five of them formed the first phalanx of the larger group, staying no more than one and a half meters behind the leader.
Soon, the large group brushed past the workers, divided by the centerline of the road.
Xu Wang tensed all his nerves, focusing only on the leader’s small flag, taking steady, measured steps forward.
The seven-meter-long construction area didn’t take many steps to cross, but for those on high alert, each second felt interminably long.
Finally, they followed the leader past the construction zone, seeing the road ahead become wide and smooth again.
“Ahh!”
“Eek!”
“Ahh—”
Suddenly, a series of screams erupted from behind them, very close, no more than two meters away!
The leader didn’t turn his head, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything.
Xu Wang was prepared for something to happen on this seemingly normal path with a construction crew. Thus, he didn’t falter in his steps. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Wu Sheng flinch at the sound of the screams.
Xu Wang wasn’t prepared for this reaction. Concerned, he was about to ask what was wrong when Wu Sheng steadied himself, his stride firm again, as if the earlier falter was just an illusion.
Suppressing his doubts for the moment, Xu Wang continued to follow the leader closely.
They were at the front, with only the leader and two other travelers ahead of them and the rest of the group behind.
Whatever was happening behind them, Xu Wang really wanted to know, but he was determined not to look back, to stay alive.
After a dozen seconds, they reached the end of the shaded path. The leader suddenly stopped and turned around, as if he had just remembered he was leading a group. His concerned gaze passed over them to look behind.
Only when the leader turned did Xu Wang dare to twist his neck to see what had happened.
The once compact group had split into three parts.
One part was their group, following the leader in the first phalanx; another part comprised people who slowed down to watch the commotion. Due to the crowd slowing down, they were scattered and not in any formation. The last six, likely those who had screamed, remained near the construction area. Some were sitting on the ground, gasping for air, others were standing on one leg and shouting, all seemingly busy with something stuck to their shoes.
At that moment, a slight tremor emanated from the ground.
Then, with a thunderous “boom”, the entire section of the road within the construction area collapsed!
Xu Wang watched in horror as the four workers and the six tourists nearby were swallowed by the pit in an instant, without even a chance to cry for help!
The collapsed section was only a dozen meters away from where he stood!
The trembling of the ground didn’t stop with the collapse but grew even more intense.
“Not good, the whole road is going to collapse—” A traveler closest to the collapse yelled and started running frantically forward!
Seeing this, the other travelers also began to run.
The leader, already at the front of the group, sprinted away from the shaded path and onto a more open pedestrian street.
Wu Sheng wanted to remind his teammates not to move, but when he turned around, he realized there was no need; all his teammates had remained still, evidently “experienced” by now.
At the same time, a notification rang in their ears—
[Owl: Someone used [(Defense) Happy Moment of Levitation] on you~~]
This was one of Xu Wang’s stationery.
As the notification sounded, all the companions felt their bodies lighten, their feet slowly lifting off the ground.
Just a few seconds after they were airborne, the entire shaded path collapsed.
Except for them, all the surviving travelers had already run out of the path and joined the pedestrian walkway.
Xu Wang operated the defense stationery, leading his teammates to float through the last stretch of the path. Just as they caught up with the rear of the main group, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew!
A large advertisement billboard hanging outside a building in front was ripped off by the strong wind and crashed right in front of the group!
Of the five people in the first phalanx, except for the leader at the very front, the remaining four were all crushed under the billboard!
The wind stopped without any warning, just as suddenly as it had appeared.
The noise subsided, and the world returned to silence.
Blood slowly flowed out from under the billboard…
The five companions floated about twenty centimeters above the ground. Although they anticipated it, they were still frightened.
Had they followed the leader closely just now, they would have been the ones lying under the billboard.
In less than five minutes, ten people had died. The death toll had risen to sixteen.
After floating along the pedestrian walkway for about ten minutes, the five companions and the remaining travelers, led by their leader, arrived at the bath center.
Upon entering the lobby of the bath center, Xu Wang was about to deactivate his defense stationery. After all, it’s more convenient to walk in enclosed spaces. But before he could even close his eyes and concentrate, Wu Sheng stopped him. “Don’t deactivate it yet.”
Xu Wang was puzzled, but knowing Wu Sheng must have his reasons, he didn’t ask further. He just lowered their floating height slightly so that the five of them skimmed the ground, appearing as if they were walking with the main group.
Following the leader, they entered the elevator and went up to the 5th floor, where the men’s bath was located. Xu Wang didn’t deactivate his defense stationery until Wu Sheng gave him a nod in the changing room.
Finally, the five companions landed on the ground.
Several male travelers around them, including the leader, had already started undressing.
Xu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he could finally ask Wu Sheng the reason for them to remain floating. Unexpectedly, Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin, who had been holding back all this while, spoke almost simultaneously—
Kuang Jinxin: “Sheng Ge, do you know what happened before the road collapsed?”
Qian Ai: “What did those people step on while walking on the shaded path? Why did they scream and then just stop walking?”
Xu Wang held his forehead, thinking that Wu Sheng hadn’t looked back when the incident happened. No matter how smart he is, he couldn’t have eyes on the back of his head.
Just as he was pondering, he heard Wu Sheng say, “They stepped on nails.”
Xu Wang looked at his advisor in surprise. “Did you see nails on the ground when you passed that section?”
“I didn’t see them.” Wu Sheng sat down on the nearest bench.
Xu Wang was confused. “Then how do you know?”
Wu Sheng crossed his legs, bent over to take off a shoe, and revealed a shining nail head on the sole. “Because I stepped on one too.”
Chi Yingxue, Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai: “……”
Xu Wang widened his eyes. “Didn’t it pierce your foot?”
Wu Sheng pondered for a moment and said, “It did a bit.”
“Why didn’t you take off your shoe immediately?!” Xu Wang doubted the extent of “a bit”!
Wu Sheng shook his head. “Any unnecessary movement can distract and lead to accidental risks.”
Xu Wang wanted to hit him!
But what he did was pull down the other’s backpack and search for the medical kit.
Qian Ai stepped closer, looking at the shoe thrown on the ground. The tip of the nail protruding from the shoe was definitely more than “a little bit”. Just looking at it made his own foot hurt.
Chi Yingxue looked at the nail in the shoe, then at the unfazed Wu Sheng, somewhat surprised.
Kuang Jinxin expressed his concern. “Sheng Ge, later find a plastic bag to wrap it up. Don’t let it touch water. As soon as we leave the Owl, go get a tetanus shot.”
“Okay.” Wu Sheng readily agreed to the scientific suggestion.
“It would be nice to have healing stationery.” Qian Ai scratched his head in irritation. They had plenty of stationery in the team, but none for healing. It wasn’t that they were wasteful; injuries were just too frequent.
“It’s okay.” Wu Sheng didn’t mind. “Pain is good, especially in this challenge. It keeps people alert.”
Qian Ai: “……”
He finally understood why Wu Sheng could be a leader, find a partner, and show affection.
Watching the subway door close in on his chest, getting narrower and narrower, and feeling the safety door scraping against his back as it slowly closed, Qian Ai felt a chill from head to toe.
He absolutely did not want to die like this!
“Ahh— Ahh— Ahh—” With a burst of survival instinct, Qian Ai flung his arms forward forcefully while kicking back hard with one leg!
“Crack—”
“Crack—”
The subway door in front trapped his arms, and the safety door at his back caught one of his legs. Qian Ai, in a stance akin to a one-legged rooster throwing punches, managed to keep a sliver of space open in both doors!
As long as there was a gap, the subway couldn’t possibly move… right?
But then, a slight vibration indicating the train was about to start came from the subway door, trapping his arms.
…Could this get any more horrifying?!
“Xu Wang! Wu Sheng! Xiao Kuang! Xiao Xue—” Qian Ai shouted at the top of his lungs, almost breaking his voice. This situation, like being trussed up like a pig, was impossible to even describe!
And perhaps it was his imagination, but after trapping him, the doors didn’t trigger any alarms and seemed to be tightening even more? His arms and legs were now clamped so tightly that they were going numb!
“Hold on, Lao Qian—”
His captain’s voice came from beyond the layers of people inside the carriage.
Qian Ai felt like crying. “I can hold on, but the train is starting to move—”
“Xiao Kuang, press the emergency door release. The red one!” This time it was Wu Sheng instructing. Obviously, he couldn’t reach it himself and had to rely on Kuang Jinxin, who was closest.
But then came Kuang Jinxin’s anxious voice. “I pressed it. No response!”
The train began to move.
Qian Ai suddenly realized his initial assessment of his predicament was off. Given the current situation, the subway would pull his upper body along with it, while his legs, along with his lower body, would be trapped by the safety door. He wasn’t going to be twisted to death; he would be torn in two!
Closing his eyes, Qian Ai braced for death.
One second.
Two seconds.
Five seconds…
It felt like his arm was indeed moving with the subway, but the expected bodily twisting and breaking didn’t happen.
Confused, Qian Ai opened his eyes to see that the subway was indeed moving, but at a snail’s pace of maybe 1 millimeter per second. So from the time he braced for death to now, his arm had only shifted less than a centimeter with the train.
And perhaps it was an illusion, but it seemed like his arms were visibly thinning?
[Owl: Someone used [(Illusory) Time Slow] on you~~]
[Owl: Someone used [(Defense) Shadow Play] on you~~]
With these two notifications in his ears, the subway had moved a few centimeters. Qian Ai could distinctly feel his upper body moving with the train, but at the same time, his entire body had thinned to half its original thickness!
By the time the subway door and safety door were half open, Qian Ai had completely thinned into a paper-like shadow puppet!
As his arms thinned, the gap in the subway door was only a paper-thin slit!
Qian Ai, who had been waiting for this moment, swiftly slipped through the gap and into the carriage!
Once inside the carriage, the illusory and defense stationery used by his teammates were deactivated. Looking at the subway, it was already speeding away, and looking at his body, it was inflating back to its robust form!
Qian Ai, scared out of his wits, pushed his way through and sat on the ground, gasping for breath, relieved to have survived. Remembering his past experiences squeezing into subways, he was terrified. He swore that from now on, if he could board a subway, he would; if not, he would definitely wait for the next one. If anyone tried to squeeze him, he’d fight back!
Before he could catch his breath, Qian Ai sensed something was off. Alert, he looked up, and sure enough, through the dense ‘wall of legs’, he saw four familiar pairs of eyes.
His four companions, in two pairs, were squatting in front of him, peering through the gap with concern.
Xu Wang: “Lao Qian, are you okay?”
Qian Ai: “Still alive.”
Wu Sheng: “Don’t relax. Danger can come at any time.”
Qian Ai: “Understood.”
Kuang Jinxin: “Sheng Ge used [Time Slow].”
Qian Ai: “Thanks, Class Monitor.”
Kuang Jinxin: “Xiao Xue used [Shadow Play].”
Qian Ai: “…Cough, thanks.”
Chi Yingxue looked at him from a distance with an indifferent and silent gaze.
Qian Ai felt awkward. “Xiao Xue, if you don’t say ‘you’re welcome’ or ‘we’re teammates’, it’s going to be really awkward for me.”
Chi Yingxue said, “Wu Sheng didn’t respond just now either.”
Qian Ai sighed. “But it wasn’t awkward.”
Chi Yingxue quietly looked at him for a while, then suddenly said, “Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Xiao Kuang, Xiao Xue.”
Qian Ai was a bit confused. “What?”
Chi Yingxue said, “That’s the order you called for help in.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Is he seriously arguing about who was called first?! Is he a preschooler?
“Well,” feeling obligated to appease him since he owed him a life-saving favor, Qian Ai tried to explain, “You don’t understand, the most important person is always called last, to anchor the formation!”
Chi Yingxue frowned, somewhat skeptical, then turned to look at Kuang Jinxin.
Kuang Jinxin didn’t help Qian Ai with his ruse, but sincerely assured him, “Next time I’ll make Qian Ge call you first and last—twice—you can take both the starting and anchoring positions!”
Chi Yingxue tilted his head, picturing the scene, and then shook his head with a frown. “No need.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Does he have to be so blatantly disdainful!
“Zzz—”
Suddenly, a harsh friction sound of the tracks erupted, jarring and piercing, as the high-speed subway abruptly stopped!
The entire carriage jolted violently with inertia. People piled on top of each other, tumbling forward, and cries of alarm erupted instantaneously.
Before everyone could get up and steady themselves, the lights in the carriage went out, and the air conditioning stopped.
The people, who were just exclaiming in shock, were silenced by the sudden darkness, plunging the world into a moment of pitch-black stillness.
Xu Wang’s heart sank.
Underground tunnel, power outage, enclosed carriage, lack of oxygen… The words that popped up in his mind grew increasingly terrifying.
Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand.
Despite not being able to see anything in the darkness, Xu Wang knew it was Wu Sheng.
The hand that grabbed his steadied him, and then he heard Wu Sheng’s firm voice. “Safety hammer.”
Xu Wang understood but was concerned. “Doesn’t this count as leaving the group?”
Wu Sheng said, “First, break the window to ensure air circulation. If the leader leaves, then we’ll follow.”
Soon, passengers regained their senses and started shouting again, causing chaos in the carriage.
However, it was too crowded, so it was mostly just mental chaos, as bodies were tightly packed like sardines.
Finally, the emergency lights in the carriage lit up. Though dim, they were enough for the eyes to adjust to the dark to make out the surroundings.
Xu Wang looked over countless heads, finally spotting the small flag of the leader at the connection between carriages.
Five minutes later, the two struggled to reach the safety hammer. Wu Sheng took the hammer without hesitation and smashed it against the carriage window!
The glass was instantly covered in cracks.
Wu Sheng decisively struck a second and third time!
The entire pane shattered and fell away, bringing in a cool breeze and instantly easing the stuffiness of the carriage.
After breaking the window, the two moved away from it, retreating to the center of the crowd to avoid any potential accidents.
Half an hour later, the impatient passengers began to climb out the window, one by one, walking along the underground tunnel to the next station. The five companions didn’t move, only watching the leader.
Finally, when only a third of the passengers remained in the carriage, the leader waved the small flag. “Let’s go.”
The tour group walked for about twenty minutes in the underground tunnel, with the five companions on edge the entire time, until they finally reached the next station. They climbed up to the platform and returned to the surface.
Seeing the sunlight again was overwhelmingly emotional.
“Everyone must be hungry. Let’s go to the restaurant for lunch,” the leader announced the next activity to the gathered travelers without mentioning the subway incident.
The tour group members, seemingly unfazed by the startling events, eagerly discussed what delicious food to have upon hearing about lunch.
If the sense of horror had seeped into the bones of every companion, then a great sense of absurdity, like a cover, enveloped the entire world of this ordeal.
The leader took everyone to a Western restaurant that was elegant in appearance and stylishly decorated. Upon entering, a handsome man was playing the piano by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The arrival of the tour group nearly filled two-thirds of the restaurant. The five companions sat at one table, still in the middle of the tour group’s tables, with the leader at a table three tables away to the left, chatting lively with a few travelers.
As soon as they sat down, Wu Sheng collected all the knives from around the companions’ plates, wrapped them in a napkin, and pushed them far away, leaving only forks for everyone.
Xu Wang gave him an approving look, and then the waiter brought the appetizer—salad for each person.
Xu Wang, already with a chilled heart, had no appetite for the cold dish. However, the torment of the journey had drained too much energy. If he didn’t eat something soon, he would starve to death rather than of fright.
Luckily, the seafood pasta arrived soon, its steaming aroma enticing. The five companions immediately pushed away the salad and focused on eating their pasta.
After eating about half the plate and feeling somewhat full, Xu Wang slowed down, picking at the noodles while quietly discussing with Wu Sheng. “Who do you think is the most suspicious?”
Wu Sheng looked around at all 27 members of the group and finally said cautiously, “Hard to say.”
Xu Wang was persistent. “There must be some range of suspects, right?”
Wu Sheng pondered for a moment, his gaze landing on the leader.
“You suspect him?” Xu Wang hesitated. “He’s the leader, leading the way, and he’ll surely survive till the end. But isn’t it too obvious? Can it really be that simple?”
“That’s why I said, it’s hard to say. We have too few clues for now,” Wu Sheng replied, his gaze shifting to a table next to the next one, where four girls were taking selfies.
Xu Wang keenly recognized that two of them were survivors from the earlier road crossing incident!
At that time, due to the sound of an engine, five people quickly ran to the opposite sidewalk. Then, after the electric scooter collision, the chef, a young girl, and another person were thrown back onto the motorway and hit by a sports car. The two who ended up on the sidewalk and ultimately survived were them!
Knowing that Xu Wang had recognized them, Wu Sheng didn’t elaborate further, just saying, “Currently, these are our only two suspects, but the evidence is too flimsy to conclusively point to anyone.”
Xu Wang glanced at the restaurant clock. “It’s already half past twelve.”
Their deadline was before sunset.
Wu Sheng fell silent, scanning the entire place again, intending to review each member of the travel group. Suddenly, an argument erupted from the table next to the next one.
“What did you say? Say that again!”
“I said you’re shameless!”
As the argument escalated, both participants stood up, revealing themselves as the two surviving girls whom Wu Sheng had suspected.
Everyone in the restaurant stopped and looked towards the source of the noise, even those who were halfway through their meal.
Xu Wang’s alarm bells were ringing. He immediately warned his companions, “Everyone, be alert.”
But they didn’t need his warning; any sudden incident was already linked to death in everyone’s mind. Even Qian Ai put down his pasta and was on full alert.
“You’re the one who’s shameless!” One of the short-haired girls, infuriated, grabbed a glass and splashed lemon water in the face of the girl opposite her!
Not to be outdone, the long-haired girl retaliated, throwing her drink back!
But the first girl was prepared, dodging smoothly, and the lemon water ended up on the floor.
Not willing to give up, the long-haired girl grabbed another glass of lemon water and continued the assault!
This back-and-forth exchange continued until they had used up all the lemon water on their table and the adjacent ones. Finally, they were persuaded to sit down by the other two at their table, still huffing angrily, but the “water festival” came to an end.
Xu Wang was tense throughout; his heart was already stuck in his throat. He only let out a long, relieved breath long after the girls sat down.
Time to resume eating pasta to calm down.
Xu Wang twirled some noodles onto his fork, about to eat, when he suddenly remembered the incident at the intersection. After the red sports car passed, they thought it was over, but then the electric scooter and blue sports car followed in quick succession.
With this thought, he turned to Wu Sheng, asking anxiously, “This isn’t another sequence of events, is it?”
Wu Sheng turned to look at him, but his gaze only lingered on Xu Wang’s face for half a second before shifting to his diagonal rear. Puzzled, Xu Wang was about to look back when he saw Wu Sheng’s expression change.
In the next second, Wu Sheng suddenly snatched the fork with noodles from Xu Wang!
Before Xu Wang could react, he heard a slipping sound from behind. Instantly, he felt a massive force pushing against the back of his head, smashing his face into his own hand, and then down into the plate of pasta!
Everything went dark for a moment—his nose stinging and his brain blanking out.
Only when the pressure lifted did he, in confusion, raise his head, not minding the spaghetti sauce smeared on his face and forehead, and angrily turned back to see who was responsible.
The culprit was a burly waiter.
Apparently, he had slipped on the lemon water spilled on the floor, losing his balance and tumbling onto Xu Wang’s back. Now, the disheveled waiter was looking anxiously at the next table.
Xu Wang’s table was very close to the adjacent one. Sitting at the edge, he was only about twenty centimeters from the person at the nearest seat of the next table, who, like Xu Wang, now also had their face and hand stuck in a plate of spaghetti.
Understanding the situation, Xu Wang realized the waiter’s sturdy build had caused both of them to be crushed.
“Are you alright, sir?” Seeing that the customer hadn’t gotten up, the waiter, now worried, leaned in, asking while gently tapping on the customer’s shoulder.
“Clang—”
The customer slid to the floor.
A fork was embedded in his right eye, almost entirely, leaving only a bit of the handle visible.
Xu Wang, looking at the body on the floor and then at his own fork that Wu Sheng had timely snatched away, felt a chill run through his body.
The Demon King Child’s method of attacking people was easy to figure out. He would first use illusions to confuse his opponent, making them see countless children and unable to discern which one was real. Once successful, he would approach his enemy at high speed and then use his ultimate move, “Love Slap”.
With the combination of illusions and high speed, the Demon King Child’s strike was extremely difficult to avoid. However, Zhou Qian’s weapon had two abilities that were naturally the nemesis of these tactics.
The Rib of God, in itself a divine artifact for creating illusions, hadn’t yet fully unleashed its power due to the limitations of Zhou Qian’s own stats. But against such monsters, it was more than enough, allowing Zhou Qian to momentarily come to his senses and identify the real Demon King Child amidst the illusions. Zhou Qian’s ability to control time, effectively slowing down speed, was the trump card against the Demon King Child.
Thus, Zhou Qian had easily killed the Demon King Child with a short knife. But, as expected, the situation wasn’t that simple—the child could resurrect.
Zhou Qian’s time-slowing skill was very powerful, but it also drained MP quickly.
He had tried to conserve his MP but still used up 15% of it. It had taken him about a minute to kill the Demon King Child once.
But in the next 29 minutes, he could use such a tactic at most six more times before running out of MP. If the Demon King Child could resurrect without limit, Zhou Qian would be completely unable to resist him. To make matters worse, when the time was up, the Demon King Father would awaken.
Currently, it seemed that the child’s resurrection was related to his father. Perhaps the father’s “womb” was a medium capable of transferring life points, allowing his son to continuously resurrect.
The system mentioned that the life points of the Demon King Father were unknown. Perhaps this number was infinitely large, allowing him to provide endless life points to the Demon King Child.
Should Zhou Qian try to kill the father first? But given his seemingly infinite life points, that seemed too difficult.
Waking him up prematurely would only lead to a dire two-on-one situation without any other benefit.
Moreover, the system had specifically emphasized at the beginning not to easily awaken the Demon King Father, whose attack power was unfathomable. It was very likely that upon waking, the Demon King Father would directly unleash a powerful move.
This meant that the moment Zhou Qian woke him up would be the moment of death, as his basic stats were too weak to withstand a major attack from a big boss.
Lacking attributes, Zhou Qian resorted to using items. Before the Demon King Child launched his next attack, Zhou Qian hastily equipped his small dragon with armor and himself with a full-body protective device.
Additionally, to save MP, he put on shoes that increased his speed to 200% for up to 10 minutes.
Just a minute later, the Demon King Child recovered and quickly launched a second round of attacks on Zhou Qian.
Accompanied by the piercing cries of the child, the illusion surged, and layers of child-like afterimages interwove into a giant web around him, slowly tightening as if to strangle Zhou Qian to death.
With the Rib of God firmly in his left hand and leveraging the power of the weapon, Zhou Qian identified the real Demon King Child within a thousandth of a second and then quickly found the right direction to retreat with the help of the speed-boosting shoes.
Even though his speed was fast enough, it was still too late—
Just as Zhou Qian retreated ten steps, the Demon King Child, with palms combined, rapidly struck at his face! But at that moment, Zhou Qian’s right hand holding the short knife didn’t even have time to swing!
In this critical moment, Zhou Qian had to repeat his tactic and slow down time again.
With the speed-boosting shoes, he didn’t slow time down too much this time and only consumed 7% of his mana to successfully counter-kill the Demon King Child.
However, the golden light on the Demon King Father’s belly soon brightened again.
The lifeless body of the child lying on the ground quickly came back to life!
……
When Zhou Qian chose to enter this instance, high-level gamblers once again gathered to watch.
Initially, they weren’t interested in Zhou Qian playing such instances, always feeling he would clear them easily.
But as the situation developed, they too became somewhat nervous.
It seemed that fighting alone wasn’t Zhou Qian’s strong suit.
[Wait, I think this pair of bosses isn’t too hard to beat! Am I alone?]
[You’re not alone. I thought of it too. The key problem might lie in the father’s “womb”. Players indeed can’t kill the father in one blow, but piercing and destroying his womb should be doable.]
[Exactly. Without the womb, the father shouldn’t be able to resurrect the Demon King Child. Then, players can kill the child and focus on fighting the father.]
[But according to the system’s hint, the father might unleash a big move upon waking. How will Qian Ge dodge it?]
[Doesn’t Qian Ge have a pet? Use it to bait the big move!]
[Right, pets are for sacrifices, after all!]
[Right! So, Qian Ge’s correct approach should be: attack the father’s womb, severing the life connection between him and his son; meanwhile, let the pet dragon take the brunt of the father’s powerful move! Once the father has used his ultimate move, there will surely be a cooldown period, which Qian Ge can use to deal with the Demon King Child!]
[Reliable plan. After killing the Demon King Child, the next consideration is how to kill the Demon King Father.]
[But still… Even if the son dies, the father is tough to deal with, with all his stats unknown and thus unfathomable. From a numerical perspective, he completely overwhelms the player in every aspect! How can this be fought?]
[The father can keep resurrecting the child indefinitely. He’s immortal—impossible to defeat!]
[Yeah, I was wondering why Qian Ge didn’t think of destroying the womb earlier. Qian Ge is truly Qian Ge. He wouldn’t act rashly for a reason.]
[No, I think Qian Ge is wrong this time. If it were me, I would have let the dragon bait the ultimate move first. Dealing with one monster is always better than two!]
After a long discussion without a conclusion, the gamblers watched as Zhou Qian had already killed the Demon King Child three times, with less than 70% MP remaining.
At this point, everyone turned their attention to Priest.
[Priest, we need an answer. How do we solve this?]
[We initially thought attacking the father’s womb was the way to go. But the more we discuss, the more we feel it won’t work. Even if we sacrifice the pet to kill the child, it’s useless. The father’s life points are infinite… This puzzle is unsolvable!!!]
Hearing everyone’s words, Priest slowly said, “100 people enter, 10 die from the Demon King Child’s first attack; of the remaining 90, 10 will choose to attack the Demon King Father, fail, and get killed by the father and son combined—”
[And the rest?]
[Damn, what’s the answer?]
“Only 15 people clear the dungeon successfully, so 65 people will make the same mistake—”
“Like you, they think of destroying the Demon King Father’s womb to cut off the connection between father and son. But according to the system’s hint, this means waking up the father and very likely triggering his ultimate move; even if they survive the move, they still have to deal with these two…”
Priest continued, “They hesitate, not daring to make an immediate decision, only to kill the Demon King Child over and over again in their indecision and contemplation.
“Perhaps after killing the Demon King Child ten times, they finally make a decision—continuing like this isn’t the way might as well go with the initial plan—destroy his womb first and then adapt as things unfold.”
Pausing for a moment, Priest added, “Of these 65 people, about 30 will die in the combined attack of the father and son after waking the father by removing his womb, leaving 35 alive.”
“But at this point… these 35 people don’t have enough MP to face the real monster.”
“So ultimately, all these 65 people die.”
Smiling at the image on the tablet, Priest said, “These numbers are actually quite objective. The foolish or those with low combat power are eliminated at the beginning, about 20%; those who clear it are 15%; and those who die slowly in between make up 65%. You can calculate, does it approximate a normal distribution?”
[I get what Priest means.]
[Me too. He’s mocking us for being part of that 65% majority.]
[If we were in that game, we could avoid the early attacks and think of removing the womb, but we belong to the majority who hesitate, delay, and ultimately die due to lack of MP.]
[Wow, shh, quiet, look! Qian Ge is making his move!]
[!!! He’s really going for the Demon King Father’s womb!]
[Why?! He didn’t let the dragon bait the ultimate move?!]
[Ah, then he himself will have to face the ultimate move… This can’t be good! He’s finished…]
[Ah, the Demon King Father is waking up!]
……
In the game.
Zhou Qian tightly gripped the Rib of God in his left hand to slow down time, and while the effect of his speed shoes hadn’t worn off, he used his extreme speed to reach the Demon King Father before the Demon King Child could catch up.
The Demon King Child seemed to sense something and suddenly shouted, “Daddy!”
Some fear of losing his father probably triggered him, and suddenly, he charged at Zhou Qian with unprecedented speed, his palms creating numerous palm prints, all striking towards Zhou Qian’s back!
Zhou Qian leaped up, his back, abdomen, and legs all stretched out straight, almost parallel to the ground. This way, he narrowly avoided a few palm strikes and then adjusted his posture as he landed, eventually flipping halfway and returning to the ground in a kneeling position on one knee.
The wind created by his landing fluttered the hair on Zhou Qian’s forehead, revealing a pair of cold and slightly mocking eyes.
Meanwhile, he reversed his grip on the short knife and thrust it downward with force. As the cold light vanished, the tip of the knife pierced straight into the meatball on the Demon King Father’s belly.
Purple blood splattered on Zhou Qian’s pale, thin chin. He raised his knife-wielding hand, thumb up, casually wiping his face, and then stood firm without retreat or avoidance.
“Ah—! How hateful!! Pay with your life!!”
The Demon King Father woke up, immediately letting out a tremendous roar.
That roar was filled with endless hatred and murderous intent, as if determined to chop into a thousand pieces the one who woke him up and even destroyed his womb!
However, facing this hatred, Zhou Qian remained calm and composed.
While slowing down time, he slightly sidestepped to avoid a slap, merely dodging the Demon King Child attacking from the side as usual.
[What is Qian Ge doing?]
[Why is he so calm?]
[The Demon King Father is about to unleash his ultimate move, right? Wuwuwu, I’m scared]
[Hasn’t Qian Ge dodged yet?]
[Hey, look, the Demon King Father didn’t unleash his ultimate move!]
At this moment, Priest spoke up. “He can’t unleash it.”
The gamblers said in unison, “Why?”
Priest, with a faint smile, said, “At this moment… he doesn’t have an ultimate move at all.”
On the screen, Zhou Qian looked at the Demon King Father with a pleased smile on his face.
“The system says he has unknown vitality, unknown defense, unfathomable attack power… Initially, everyone would think his health points are incredibly high. But who would have thought that he would actually be easy to kill.”
After finishing his words, Zhou Qian reversed his grip on the knife and mercilessly slashed at the Demon King Father’s neck.
“Maybe you also have fast speed and astonishing attack power. But under my slowed-down time, all of that is of no use.”
Zhou Qian watched with a smile as the purple blood slowly spilled out and climbed up the knife, but this smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Staring into the eyes of the Demon King Father, Zhou Qian’s gaze was extremely cold and ruthless.
Only when he saw the Demon King Father’s data on the system panel did his eyes show a bit of satisfaction.
“Your unknown vitality is because it’s merely a thousand points. I’m already at Rank S, with a life value of 50,000. It turns out ‘unknown’ can also mean very small, so small it can almost be ignored. Indeed, it’s a trick of the system.”
The Demon King Father’s life points quickly bottomed out, and he lay motionless on the ground.
Zhou Qian turned to look at the Demon King Child.
The Demon King Child, caught in the drastically slowed-down time, seemed to be moving very slowly. But he seemed to sense something, his eyes becoming watery.
Tears were accumulating in his eyes but couldn’t flow out, merely because they were constrained by time.
“The key to clearing the dungeon is in the word ‘cooking’.”
Zhou Qian said to the Demon King Child, “Your father is skilled in childbirth, childcare, and cooking. But what was he cooking? Of course, it was cooking a delicacy for himself.”
“So, it’s not that he has endless vitality and can transfer it to you upon your death. The real situation is the opposite—”
“The one who is truly immortal and has endless life is you. He nurtured you, raised you, and in the end, he was going to cook you and eat you to absorb your power.”
“As for that golden light… It’s also a trick to deceive the players.”
As he spoke, Zhou Qian reached into the broken belly of the Demon King Father and felt a golden pill-like object.
Shortly after it was in Zhou Qian’s palm, it emitted a golden light, flickered a few times, and then went out.
Its intermittent glow wasn’t the Demon King Father transferring life to his son; rather, it was absorbing life from his son.
Why?
Only because his own life force was extremely weak.
In fact, he needed to rely on his son to live.
Shortly after securing the golden pill, Zhou Qian received this prompt—
[Player Zhou Qian obtains item: Taotie* Golden Pill]
*An ancient Chinese mythological creature that is one of the “four evil creatures of the world.” It is one of the four that’s opposed to the holy four creatures (Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise). Notably, it’s known for its gluttony (thus the word (饕餮) can mean glutenous).
[Effect: The Taotie never knows satisfaction, and it loves to absorb people’s life force the most, so under certain circumstances, it can help you absorb someone else’s life force.]
[Player Zhou Qian unlocks the complete story: —
A man on the brink of death from a severe illness obtained a Taotie Golden Pill from an old Taoist and swallowed it. The pill could absorb the life force of people around the man, allowing him to hang on to life.
But the life force of ordinary people was limited and couldn’t satisfy the man’s needs, so he began searching for ways to extend his life.
Hearing that there was a spiritual woman on Purple Mist Mountain with a robust life force, the man spent his days searching for her on the mountain. His goal was to kill her and absorb her spiritual power.
After successfully meeting the spiritual woman, the man realized her power was too strong for him to kill directly, and even the golden pill couldn’t actively absorb her power.
So, the man began to deceive the woman, making her fall in love with him and eventually marry him.
He bought an apartment in Blue Harbor City, claiming he wanted to bring the spiritual woman into the world to live an ordinary life. He cared for her in every way, and the spiritual woman, unsuspecting, willingly bore his child, and the two became a loving couple in the eyes of others.
Unbeknownst to the spiritual woman, while she was pregnant, the man used an old Taoist to cast a spell on the child in her womb.
Thus, each day as the child grew, it consumed more of the mother’s spiritual power.
By the time the child was four months old, the spiritual woman’s spiritual power and life force had been completely consumed by the child, leading to her eventual death from depletion of her spiritual energy. She transferred all her spiritual power and life force to the child.
While the child’s physical body wasn’t fully developed, it could provide limited life force to the man, enough for him to live another hundred years. However, if the child was carefully nurtured, absorbing the essence of Purple Mist Mountain and turning into a spirit monster, upon reaching the age of four, the man could eat its flesh and blood to become immortal and god-like.]
“Your father deceived your mother’s feelings, using her womb as a tool or vessel to create an elixir of immortality, and the medicine cultivated in this vessel was you.”
“He was skilled in cooking—not to cook food for you, but to cook your flesh and blood, making you his delicacy. He raised you to four years old to eat you.
“Such a scoundrel; he deserved to die. I have avenged you and your mother.”
Quickly scanning the story sent by the system, Zhou Qian spoke to the child before the slowed time ended. “So, when the system initially said that the Demon King Father would wake up from his sleep in 30 minutes, it really meant that in 30 minutes, you would turn four years old.”
“Why did the system say the Demon King Father was unfathomable?”
“Because 30 minutes later, when he woke up, he would eat you and then become immortal.”
“Probably that’s why so many players couldn’t clear the dungeon. Many of them faced the Demon King Father, who had become immortal.”
“The system’s so-called unbelievably strong Demon King Father actually referred to him after becoming immortal, that is, after waking up and eating you.”
“Indeed, who could beat him in that situation? So, the system wasn’t really lying, right? I’m tired of these little tricks from the game designers. But I never expected—”
“To encounter the power of the Taotie here. Speaking of which…”
Zhou Qian smiled, holding the golden pill, and patted the small dragon on his shoulder. “Dragons have nine sons, and the Taotie is one of them. What kind of dragon is your father? Are you related to him?”
Yawning, Zhou Qian began to think of ways to delay time.
Actually, only about 10 minutes had passed in normal time.
Zhou Qian estimated that if he could delay another 20 minutes, he should be able to directly absorb the Demon King Child’s life force with the golden pill in his hand and then clear the dungeon.
However, in the next 20 minutes, Zhou Qian couldn’t really kill him. According to the setting, after absorbing all the spiritual woman’s power and turning into a spirit monster on Purple Mist Mountain, he would resurrect time and again.
His life force was endless and invincible, only absorbable by the golden pill.
Zhou Qian brought out all sorts of items: the Universe Teleportation Mirror, Flying Ropes, even Flash Smoke Bombs, and more. Now that the Demon King Father was dead, Zhou Qian’s MP was almost depleted.
Surviving the next 20 minutes against the Demon King Child wouldn’t be easy.
Zhou Qian decided not to kill the Demon King Child futilely. He would hit and run, simply biding time.
With so many items, plus using the small dragon for cover, even though he might be heavily injured upon leaving, clearing the dungeon wasn’t a big problem.
Unexpectedly, just as Zhou Qian prepared all his items and planned everything for the next 20 minutes, the small dragon, staring at the golden pill in his hand, suddenly made a move.
The golden pill suddenly rose into the air and hovered. The next moment, the small dragon opened its mouth, and the golden pill flew into it and was swallowed.
“Little Dragon, you—”
Zhou Qian blinked and saw it surrounded by a golden glow, rapidly growing in size, quickly becoming the length of an adult, rising into the air, and hovering.
From the data panel, its strength had increased significantly, and the system even offered options to increase its skill values.
Considering the current situation, Zhou Qian immediately increased all its skills to speed, granting the small dragon extremely high agility.
Essentially, Zhou Qian still considered the small dragon a part or incarnation of Bai Zhou, and after dividing his spiritual power with the small dragon, he could control it as a Shepherd.
“Not bad at all.” Zhou Qian patted its head. “Even the incarnation has upgraded so quickly. Then—”
After cleaning the bloodstained knife and putting it away, Zhou Qian switched the Rib of God to his right hand. Narrowing his eyes at the Demon King Child not far ahead, he waved his left hand forward. “Little Dragon, cover me!”
Time resumed its normal pace.
Zhou Qian’s MP was down to 5%, but he didn’t care.
The small dragon swooped in, and he leaped up, mounting it.
The infant’s crying sound rose again, and countless illusions immediately surrounded Zhou Qian. After identifying the real Demon King Child coming from the left with the Rib of God, Zhou Qian thought of dodging to the right. The small dragon swiftly received the signal from his brain and immediately moved to the right.
Two palms fiercely struck the ground, the force so great that it tore open the earth.
But the dragon had already carried Zhou Qian away in advance, soaring lightly like a drifting cloud, rising several feet into the air, facing the Demon King Child from a distance.
“Ugh—!”
The Demon King Child furiously slapped the ground again, causing it to crack open instantly.
Stepping on the battered ground, he leaped up, lunging towards Zhou Qian in mid-air.
In mid-air, however, a deep blue dragon tail swept across, hitting the Demon King Child’s head and flipping him harshly to the ground.
Zhou Qian’s voice echoed in the air. “Didn’t you understand what I said? Your father is the one who harmed you. I’m the one avenging you.”
The Demon King Child didn’t listen, his health dropping to the lowest and then instantly restored to full, as he roared and charged at Zhou Qian again.
Zhou Qian shook his head.
It seems the child’s mind was completely altered by his father.
He must think his life is for his father.
Maybe when his father wanted to eat him, he would willingly sacrifice himself.
“Without me, there would be no you. Your life was created by me, and you should serve me, offering all your flesh and blood to me.”
Sitting on the small dragon’s back, Zhou Qian looked down at the Demon King Child with a piercing gaze. “Did your father brainwash you with this line?”
“But have you ever thought about your mother?”
“Maybe she willingly gave birth to you. Maybe she was willing to share her life force with you. But did she want to give it to your father? She was harmed by him for her entire life.”
The Demon King Child couldn’t understand Zhou Qian’s words at all.
Under the curse, from birth, he lived for his father.
Even his daily cultivation, eating fruits and animals rich in spiritual power, was to make himself tastier.
He was pitiable, but beyond saving.
Zhou Qian patted the small dragon’s head. “Your dad and I wouldn’t do that to you. Don’t fight him head-on. He can’t die. If we wait until 30 minutes, we should be able to use the golden pill to absorb his life force.”
On January 20th, the filming for <Youth of Wuling> wrapped up.
On the day of the wrap, a thin layer of snow fell in Xi’an, quickly melting as it touched the ground. Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu squatted on the snowy street, munching on Roujiamo stuffed with vegetables. Tang Xiaoyu’s had green pepper and shredded potato, while Ran Lin’s had the secret recipe with dried flowers. They ate joyfully together, their breaths forming white mists in the cold air. A sense of liveliness and vigor emanated from them amidst what would typically be a dreary scene.
This was an early scene in the script, but since it takes place in winter, it was scheduled to be the last to shoot.
“Cut! That’s a wrap!” The director’s voice rang out like a melody. Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu jumped up in excitement, and the entire crew cheered and rejoiced.
After nearly four months of hard work, the project was finally complete.
At the wrap party, Tang Xiaoyu insisted on drinking with Ran Lin, a fitting celebration for the close brothers they portrayed from <Sword of Fallen Flowers> to <Youth of Wuling>. Ran Lin, who genuinely considered Tang Xiaoyu a good friend, happily agreed.
An hour later, Tang Xiaoyu realized challenging Ran Lin to a drinking contest was the biggest mistake of his life. Thankfully, Ran Lin, considerate of their friendship, didn’t push him too hard and eventually helped the unsteady Tang Xiaoyu back to the hotel, assisting his assistant in settling him in.
The next day, Tang Xiaoyu returned to Beijing, while Ran Lin flew straight home—just in time for Chinese New Year’s Eve, which he hadn’t properly celebrated at home for years. This time, planning a surprise, he didn’t inform his parents of his arrival.
Reaching his family’s bun shop around noon, the place was lively with a few tables of customers. Wearing a cap and mask, Ran Lin chose a corner table to sit.
The young waiter promptly handed him the menu, which listed various buns, sides, and drinks.
Ran Lin looked at the menu, and the waiter looked at Ran Lin, curiously wondering when this customer would remove his mask. After all, everyone comes to the shop to eat buns, and it’s unusual for someone to keep their mouth covered after sitting down.
Yet, this customer actually placed an order while still wearing the mask.
The young waiter, though full of thoughts, maintained a welcoming smile and quickly turned to place the order.
Ran Lin’s gaze followed the waiter, not really on him but looking towards the kitchen.
However, from the front, he couldn’t see into the kitchen at all; he could only see the waiter flashing by with the order, disappearing down the corridor leading to the kitchen.
Familiar tables and chairs, familiar scent of steamed buns.
As a child, Ran Lin often darted into the shop because it was surrounded by lively activities and lots of things to play with. He would usually pick an empty table to do his homework, then, after finishing, throw his backpack into the cashier area and run out to play.
Everyone in the street knew him, and his parents weren’t worried about his safety, so they let him be.
It can be said that this shop and this street carried all of Ran Lin’s childhood.
They say childhood experiences affect one’s entire life, but there wasn’t anything significant in Ran Lin’s childhood. So, the only lasting impact was his consistent breakfast of buns and soy milk.
Taking a deep breath, the familiar aroma seemed to have a calming effect, relaxing him inside and out.
It felt like coming home, shutting the door, and being at peace regardless of the storms outside.
Suddenly, he felt a stir of emotion.
Ran Lin took out his phone and took a picture of the shop’s interior, sending it to Lu Yiyao without any text, just the photo.
As the waiter brought the steaming hot buns, as if timed perfectly, Lu Yiyao’s reply came—[Is this your family’s shop?]
Ran Lin was surprised that Lu Yiyao could guess it was his family’s shop from a photo that didn’t show any buns, or anything explicitly related to a bun shop. They must have a special connection!
Ignoring the fact that he should have informed his partner he was safely on his way home from the airport, Ran Lin, caught up in the sweet moment, laughed, and took a second photo—this time with the buns.
Just as he was about to send the enticing photo of the hot, plump buns, his phone was suddenly snatched away.
Ran Lin looked up instinctively and saw his mother standing beside him, looking down with a frown, “What’s so interesting about our buns that you need to take pictures?”
Ran Lin, surprised, looked down at his new black long down jacket, touched his hat and mask, and wondered if there was any problem. Finally, he took off his mask and looked up, asking, “I’m covered up like this, and you still recognize me?”
Lu Qing rolled her eyes. “I gave birth to you and raised you. I could recognize a hair of yours on the barber’s floor.”
Ran Lin: “…Mom, one should be humble.”
Lu Qing pinched her son’s face and then, unable to contain her joy, turned and shouted towards the kitchen, “Lao Ran, our son is back—”
Lu Qing’s voice was melodious and clear. It was pleasant when she spoke softly but had strong penetrating power when she shouted.
Ran Lin wanted to tell his mother not to shout since there were other customers in the shop and it might affect the business, but as all four tables of customers looked over, he understood why his mother was so at ease.
“Auntie He, Uncle Wang, Auntie Zhang…” Among the four tables, three were old neighbors. Ran Lin quickly nodded and greeted each of them.
When he looked at the last table, which turned out to be new customers, two young men, he thought to just give them a smile, but to his surprise, they both exclaimed in astonishment—
“Ran Lin?!”
Ran Lin thought they recognized him as an artist, but one of them stood up and came over, expressing genuine fondness and admiration for him. They discussed his various roles from <Sword of Fallen Flowers> to <Chronicles of Winter>, then <Dyeing Fire>, and even talked about <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>!
Ran Lin knew he had sister fans, but he didn’t expect to have brother fans as well. As the door remained open to welcome guests, the news of his presence quickly spread, and soon the shop was bustling with customers. Before Ran Lin could even see off his brother fans, more and more patrons entered, filling the shop with an energetic atmosphere.
Ran Yimin finally came out from the kitchen, hands cleaned of flour, to find his son surrounded by a crowd so thick he couldn’t even see his head. Although he couldn’t see his son, the extent of his popularity was evident, bringing a foolish grin to Ran Yimin’s face, glad that he hadn’t gone out for a drink with his friends.
With the surge in popularity came an increase in orders; after all, occupying a spot in the shop without ordering anything wouldn’t be proper.
Lu Qing quickly pushed the still gleeful Ran Yimin back into the kitchen and followed to help with the work.
Ran Lin, fully dedicated to his family’s business, eventually removed his hat and mask and sat behind the cash register like a mascot. With Ran Lin there, the shop’s popularity didn’t wane all day.
Even if the shop was full from morning to evening, they wouldn’t make a significant profit since it was a small business. However, Lu Qing and Ran Yimin were thrilled that their son was so well-liked, and Ran Lin was happy to make his parents proud.
All parents and children around the world are alike.
Parents always hope their efforts will lead to their children’s success, and children always wish to make their parents proud.
It wasn’t until the shop closed for the day that Lu Qing finally had a moment to ask, “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? Why sneak back?”
“…What kind of words are those?” Ran Lin questioned his mother’s choice of words, suspecting she had been watching too many dramatic TV shows.
“Your mother is so happy she’s lost for words,” Ran Yimin interjected, floating past the mother-son duo with a comment.
Lu Qing, too busy to deal with her husband, focused on understanding her son’s situation. “How long are you staying this time?”
Ran Lin grinned at his mother. “Until the 15th day of the first lunar month.”
Lu Qing was momentarily stunned, not expecting her son to stay for the entire Chinese New Year celebration. Her heart burst with joy, but the more excited she got, the less she knew what to say, eventually patting her son on the shoulder. “The company you signed with this time is quite considerate. I like it!”
Ran Lin smiled and decided to tell Lu Yiyao later that evening that, though he hadn’t made an appearance yet, he had already made a good impression.
But after his joy, he felt a bit nervous. This visit wasn’t just about celebrating the New Year; it was also about coming out to his parents. Ever since realizing he was gay, Ran Lin had been preparing for this moment, but now that it was here, he felt anxious.
By New Year’s Eve, Lu Qing had started bustling around in the kitchen early in the morning, while Ran Yimin, after finishing pasting up the couplets, wandered around the house restlessly, trying to help with this and that, a typical case of being too idle but wanting to contribute.
Since Ran Yimin wasn’t much help to Lu Qing, Ran Lin, even less so, was promptly shooed out of the kitchen. He wasn’t skilled with plants either, so he ended up sitting on the sofa with his phone, playing the part of a child waiting to be fed.
However, this “child” was brewing a significant matter. From the morning, he couldn’t calm down, his palms occasionally sweating.
[Were you nervous at the time?]—He reached out to his experienced partner for some moral support.
After a long wait, the reply from his partner was just two words—[It’s okay.]
Ran Lin squinted his eyes and typed back irritably—[What does ‘it’s okay’ even mean!]
After a bit of silence, the reply came—[Just like you are now.]
Ran Lin was frustrated; that clearly meant extremely nervous!
As if hearing his complaint, the phone vibrated again—[If I admit I was nervous, it would undermine my image as a business tycoon. 😊]
Ran Lin—[That image of yours with no public recognition can fall apart for all I care…]
Lu Yiyao—[I just want to pull you close and give you a big kiss regardless of what you say.jpg]
Ran Lin—[Why are you busy making memes on New Year’s Eve instead of working?]
Lu Yiyao—[Are you sure you want to talk about it today? It’s a big day after all.]
Realizing the conversation was getting back on track, Ran Lin paused, then replied.
Ran Lin—[The atmosphere is good during the New Year, and we have a saying here. You can’t hit children during the New Year. 😊]
Lu Yiyao—[Scheming boy.jpg]
Ran Lin saw this meme for the first time, featuring a figure with a cunning smile, looking utterly cheeky.
…What was his partner thinking when he made this meme!
Before Ran Lin could comment, his phone vibrated three times in quick succession—
Lu Yiyao—[Don’t worry, I’m with you.jpg]
Lu Yiyao—[As you say, parents are always at their children’s mercy.jpg]
Lu Yiyao—[Go for it, Xiao Ran Lin.jpg]
Memes are indeed weapons of mass destruction. At any rate, Ran Lin’s heart turned as soft as peach juice, and his nervousness sweetened by the sentiment.
Ran Lin—[Lu Yiyao.]
Lu Yiyao—[…Why so serious all of a sudden? 💦]
Ran Lin—[I love you.]
The phone was quiet for a long time, so long that Ran Lin wondered if his partner had just put down the phone and missed the message, until it finally vibrated again—
Lu Yiyao—[Yeah, I know.]
Ran Lin gritted his teeth at the response, deciding they needed to discuss “how to properly respond to a partner’s declaration of love” when he got back.
At 8 p.m., the Spring Festival Gala began, and the Ran family’s New Year’s Eve dinner officially started.
Ran Yimin, who only got to drink once a year without being scolded, happily took out the Maotai wine his son had gifted him and poured himself a glass.
After pouring his own, he attempted to pour for Ran Lin, but Lu Qing intervened. “If you want to drink, just drink, but don’t always lead your son down the path of alcoholism.”
Ran Yimin frowned, disagreeing with his wife’s comment. “I may be a drinker, but my son is not. He has a talent for drinking, but it’s always you holding him back. His talent is being buried!”
Lu Qing rolled her eyes. “What talent? It’s just genetics. If you had listened to me and quit drinking when we were trying for a child, Ran Lin wouldn’t be like this now.”
“……” Ran Lin really wanted to ask what his current situation was. Although he wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, he quite liked his hidden talent of never getting drunk.
“Son, you see?” Ran Yimin, unable to win against his wife, turned to his son for support. Although he might seem quiet over the phone, whenever the family of three gathered, he became quite chatty—a performer who thrived on the spot. “Your mother always bullies me like this at home. It’s not easy for me to have endured until now.”
“It’s me who has it tough.” Lu Qing raised her voice by an octave, drawing her son’s attention back to her. “Marrying your father was the greatest hardship of my life…”
The Spring Festival Gala on TV dazzled with song and dance.
But the Ran family enjoyed their own harmony and joy off-screen.
This was the New Year’s Eve night Ran Lin missed the most: lively, festive, filled with the warmth of family. Even his parents’ bickering sounded cheerful to him.
Rarely sticking to the tradition of staying up late, the family was unusually spirited and managed to stay awake until the clock struck twelve. At that moment, Ran Lin stood up from the sofa and loudly wished, “Dad, Mom, Happy New Year.”
Lu Qing and Ran Yimin’s smiles were filled with happiness, every wrinkle a testament to their joy.
As it was just family, there was no custom of exchanging red envelopes, so after the New Year’s greetings, the celebration was considered complete.
Lu Qing yawned, ready to get up for some rest, but she noticed her son, who had just finished his New Year’s greeting, still standing in front of them, motionless.
Lu Qing looked up, the smile slowly fading from her face, replaced by a slight confusion. “Hm?”
Ran Yimin, less sensitive than his wife, looked at her first, thinking she might have some instructions.
It was only when Ran Lin spoke that Ran Yimin realized it wasn’t his wife who had something to say, but his son—
“Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you.”
Seeing the serious expression on his son’s face, Lu Qing knew it was something significant and immediately muted the TV with the remote.
The living room fell into sudden silence.
“Speak,” Lu Qing said succinctly.
While the gala continued on the TV, the contrast only made the atmosphere in the room more solemn.
Ran Yimin looked at his son, then at his wife, confused about the situation.
Thump.
Ran Lin knelt down without warning. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry.”
Lu Qing was stunned, speechless for a moment.
Ran Yimin was shocked, his voice trembling with concern. “Son, what are you doing? Did you do something wrong? Don’t scare your parents…”
“No!” Ran Lin quickly denied.
Before even coming out, he was nearly labeled a criminal by his own father.
“Then just spit it out already!” Lu Qing’s lifetime hatred was for unfinished sentences, and only her son was an exception. If it were Ran Yimin, she simply couldn’t tolerate it.
“I’m gay.” Ran Lin had rehearsed countless versions of coming out—subtle, roundabout, indirect, and full of hints. But now, facing his parents’ genuinely concerned eyes, all his tactics failed him, leaving only two dry words.
But isn’t that the core of it, just those two words?
It was hard to say, but once said, it was out there.
“I like men. I have since I was little. I’ve been hiding it from you. I’m sorry… Mom, you always hoped I’d settle down soon. I’ve found the person I want to be with. We’ve known each other for four years and been together for three. I know it’s hard for you to accept right away, but I promise, I haven’t gone bad. I’m still me.”
After pouring his heart out, Ran Lin looked at his parents with immense trepidation and a sliver of hope.
If Lu Qing and Ran Yimin were initially confused by the term “gay”, by now, even the slowest would understand.
But understanding didn’t make it any easier to speak.
Silence spread like wild grass, erasing the festive mood that filled the room just moments ago.
Ran Lin, watching his parents’ continued silence, felt his tiny hope extinguish, giving way to a prickling bitterness.
“Dad, Mom.” Ran Lin’s voice cracked, barely suppressing a sob. “Please, say something…”
Ran Yimin put his arm around his wife’s shoulder, patting gently, then finally spoke to his son with an unexpectedly calm voice. “What do you want us to say? You’re not asking for our opinion. You’re just informing us.”
“This isn’t something that can be discussed.” Ran Lin shook his head gently, pained by the hurt he caused his parents, yet feeling unjustly aggrieved. “It’s innate. I can’t change it… I used to write with my left hand, and you could make me change that because I have two hands. But I only have one heart. I just like men. I can’t switch this heart for another…”
“Enough.” Ran Yimin frowned, clearly uninterested in poetic explanations. “Just tell me, is this really something that can’t be changed?”
“Really,” Ran Lin replied without hesitation.
Ran Yimin’s chest heaved, obviously suppressing strong emotions, yet his arm still held Lu Qing’s shoulder, fearing any relaxation might lead to her breaking down.
“Why can’t you just let us have a peaceful New Year…” Lu Qing finally spoke, her voice slightly shaky, but she didn’t cry.
Ran Lin didn’t know what else to say, so he just kept repeating. “I’m sorry…”
“We don’t need your apology.” Lu Qing’s voice tightened. “We’re afraid you won’t be true to yourself. Two men can’t marry, have no children, no legal protections, no ties. If you break up, it’s over. You’re young now and unafraid, but what about when you’re old, old? When you’re alone, what will you do?”
Ran Lin expected to face fundamental rejections like “two men together isn’t normal,” but instead, every word from his mother was for his consideration.
Tears couldn’t be held back anymore.
Ran Lin wiped his face, but tears kept coming. He tried to breathe deeply, but it was of no use.
Seeing her son cry, Lu Qing’s own long-held tears fell. “Why are you crying? If anyone should cry, it’s your dad and me…”
Her words might have sounded harsh, but said through tears, they lost all their force.
Ran Yimin watched his wife and son crying together, his heart a mess. He couldn’t hold back his own tears, but fortunately, neither his wife nor his son noticed. He blinked hard and managed to push the tears back.
“Say something!” Lu Qing, on the verge of breaking down, snapped at Ran Yimin, who seemed as silent as a gourd.
Ran Yimin felt wrongly accused but understood that his wife needed someone to vent on. With their son, a grown man, crying like that, of course, she couldn’t bear to scold him.
With a heavy sigh, Ran Yimin resignedly said to Lu Qing, “This can’t be changed. I can’t even quit drinking myself, and this is something intrinsic to him. How can he change it.”
“I’m not forcing him to change.” Lu Qing sniffled, taking several deep breaths to steady her voice, but it choked up again as she continued, “But how will he manage in the future? People expect to have a companion in their old age. Who will take care of him when he’s old?”
“Mom…” Ran Lin cried it all out and felt as if the heavy stone pressing on his chest had been shattered by tears. It hadn’t completely gone away, but at least the suffocating pressure was no longer there. “Even married people get divorced these days, it’s so easy now. Having a marriage certificate doesn’t guarantee anything. Besides, you have to trust my judgment. Lu and I… we’ve been together for three years now. He’s even told his parents, and they said they want to invite me to dinner…”
“His parents want to invite you for dinner?!” Lu Qing exclaimed, eyes wide.
“Yeah.” Ran Lin wiped his face again, finally stopping the flood of tears.
“My precious son, how can you be so naive!” Lu Qing shook off Ran Yimin’s arm, got up, and walked over to fiercely tap her son’s forehead. “That’s them wanting to meet you in person to talk seriously. Mark my words, they’re probably going to tell you to stop bothering their son.”
“……” Ran Lin looked up at his mother, deciding he definitely needed to monitor her drama-watching list in the future. What a bunch of convoluted plot twists!
“Get up. It’s the New Year. What are you kneeling for.” Lu Qing grabbed her son’s clothes, pulled him up, and tossed him onto the sofa. Then she leaned in close, staring into his eyes as if she were a lie detector. “You’ve really been together for three years?”
Ran Lin nodded firmly.
Lu Qing watched him silently, her eyes reddening again, but this time she didn’t cry. “Mom doesn’t understand all this, but I just want you to be happy.”
Ran Lin hugged his mother tightly. “I am happy, very happy.”
……
For half a month, Ran Lin followed his parents like a little helper, visiting relatives, meeting friends, acting as a mascot when the shop was open, and trailing home after closing. Occasionally, he even showed his mother the impressive figures in his mobile banking app.
Finally, on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after eating a glutinous rice ball, his mother, tired of his explanations, waved her hand impatiently. “Okay, I understand now. I’m not stopping you from pursuing your dreams and freedom. Can you just sit down and eat a glutinous rice ball quietly?”
Ran Lin chuckled, scooped up a black sesame one, and popped it into his mouth, only to burn his tongue.
At first worried, Lu Qing rolled her eyes when she saw he was okay. “Serves you right, talking non-stop all day.”
Ran Yimin chimed in, “Your son’s been talking for half a month, you’ve been nagging for a life…” The last “time” was cut off by his wife’s sharp glare, swallowed back down.
The bowl of glutinous rice balls didn’t take long to eat, but with everyone silent, just the sound of spoons clinking against the bowls, the minutes stretched out unusually long.
Although his mother didn’t want him to keep talking, Ran Lin was still uneasy and was about to say something more when he was preempted—
“After the fifteenth day of the first month, the New Year’s celebrations are considered over.” Lu Qing looked up at her son, her voice grave. “So from now on, let’s not bring up last year’s issues. You live your life well, and that will be the greatest filial piety to your father and me.”
Ran Lin felt a warmth in his heart and a sourness in his eyes. A myriad of emotions condensed into a single word. “Yeah.”
“And…” Lu Qing put down her spoon, deciding to give a final lecture. “Next time you have something to say, just say it. Don’t flop to the ground and kneel at every turn; we’re not in a TV drama…”
“Of course, ideally, there won’t be a ‘next time’.”
“Oh right, we made you switch from using your left hand to your right because we were afraid of you smudging your homework with pencil lead and ink. We thought if we didn’t push you to change, the school teachers would. It’s not like we were full and had nothing better to do than worry about which hand you used! That’s an old matter from years ago, and you’re still bringing it up. Why do you hold grudges…”
On New Year’s Eve, Ran Lin came out, and by the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, his mother was dredging up old grievances.
…But who’s really holding the grudges here!
……
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Ran Lin returned to Beijing, first going back to his rented apartment, and only when night fell did he drive to Lu Yiyao’s villa.
As he opened the door, the house was pitch dark; neither the main lights nor the night lights were on, and it was eerily quiet, as if no one had been there.
Ran Lin frowned. He and Lu Yiyao had agreed to spend the night here, and Lu Yiyao had said he’d come straight here after work.
Could he still be working overtime?
Puzzled, Ran Lin naturally moved to turn on the entrance light, but before his hand could touch the switch, he was suddenly pinned against the wall, and the next second, lips claimed his.
The familiar scent calmed Ran Lin down. He wrapped his arms around the other’s neck, deepening the kiss.
The chill of just entering was gradually dispelled by the fervent kiss, but as Lu Yiyao’s hand slipped under his shirt, Ran Lin shivered anew.
“Welcome home.” The kiss finally ended, and Lu Yiyao whispered with a smile.
As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Ran Lin stared unblinkingly at him, guessing, “Is there good news?”
Lu Yiyao lightly nipped his nose. “Doesn’t successfully coming out count?”
Ran Lin raised an eyebrow. “I told you on New Year’s Eve, aren’t you a bit too prolonged in your excitement?”
Lu Yiyao’s smile widened, leaning close to whisper in his lover’s ear. “<Youth of Wuling> has been sold.”
Ran Lin was surprised. “Already? The post-production isn’t even done yet.”
Lu Yiyao explained, “Two satellite TV stations we talked to the year before just confirmed the deal yesterday. It’s actually considered slow. Some dramas are sold right when they start filming, stations don’t even look at the content, just the cast.”
Ran Lin: “Are you implying I still need to work harder…”
“……” Lu Yiyao was speechless. Thinking too much can indeed be worrisome.
Ran Lin didn’t know much about TV series distribution, but seeing Lu Yiyao so happy, he knew it must be a good result. But when he asked about the selling price…
“So you’re still going to lose a few million?”
Lu Yiyao shook his head. “That’s just satellite TV. There’s still online platforms. It won’t be a loss.”
Ran Lin breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
Lu Yiyao held Ran Lin tight, nuzzling his neck gently. “It’s already very good. I originally planned for the show to be a loss leader, but now we’re not just breaking even. We’ve made a profit. It’s an unexpected joy.”
Ran Lin shared his happiness. “You really are suited for business…”
Lu Yiyao lightly bit his neck. “Mainly because I chose the right lead actor…”
Ran Lin wanted to be modest, but the gentle biting on his neck made him weak and relaxed.
By the time he came to his senses, he was already being carried upstairs by Lu Yiyao.
Ran Lin hadn’t had dinner yet, so he indulged Lu Yiyao first. By the end, he didn’t have the energy to move a finger.
Lu Yiyao, however, was full of energy, turned on the light, and went down to make a late-night snack for his lover.
Ran Lin felt like a human-shaped power bank, exclusively for Lu Yiyao.
It was late at night, and Lu Yiyao didn’t make anything too complicated—just two bowls of noodles. He brought them into the bedroom, setting up a small, foldable table on the bed to eat with his lover.
While slurping noodles, Ran Lin detailed the entire coming-out process to Lu Yiyao.
After he finished, Ran Lin genuinely reflected. “That tactic of ‘fatigue bombardment and brainwashing popularization’ that Mengmeng used should be promoted.”
Lu Yiyao smiled. “You can tell her yourself.”
The dinner date had already been set for this weekend.
Ran Lin pursed his lips and, after a while, softly said, “I’m a bit nervous.”
Lu Yiyao knew that Ran Lin wasn’t nervous about Lu Yimeng and held his hand, saying, “Don’t worry, my parents are very…”
Lu Yiyao considered words like “kind,” “gentle,” “good-tempered,” each with its calming effect, and finally chose—
“Very reasonable people.”
“……” Ran Lin felt like he hadn’t received much comfort.
The day of the dinner quickly arrived.
Before meeting Lu Yiyao, Ran Lin had never imagined sitting down to eat with his boyfriend’s parents, but when the day actually came, he imagined countless scenarios of how it might unfold.
In pessimistic moments, he envisioned endings with arguments or even overturning the table. In optimistic moments, it was awkward silence or subtle verbal sparring.
But, like with his coming out, none of the imagined storms happened. It was just a very normal dinner, casual eating and chatting, as if friends were visiting.
Ran Lin didn’t know how much groundwork Lu Yiyao had laid behind the scenes, but as the beneficiary of these efforts, he felt as happy as he had told his parents.
Of course, the “casual chatting” wasn’t entirely without substance. In fact, Lu Yiyao’s parents, like his own, were worried and uneasy, though they masked it in seemingly casual conversation—
“What are your plans for the future?” Lu Guoming asked.
Ran Lin answered honestly. “I love acting, so I’ll probably continue to act until I can’t, or no one wants me anymore.”
“And in life.” Lu Guoming paused. “I mean, about the two of you.”
Ran Lin saw Lu Yiyao about to speak and pressed his hand under the table, knowing his parents were clear about their son’s thoughts and now wanted to hear what their son’s partner really thought.
“Our relationship can’t be made public for now,” Ran Lin said calmly. “Maybe in the future, if the environment allows, we might, or maybe not. But it won’t affect our life together.”
Lu Guoming asked, “Hiding it for a lifetime, won’t it be too hard?”
Ran Lin pondered for a moment. “It will be, but it’s worth it.”
Lu Guoming had no further questions, just looked steadily at him, as if he could see his son’s future in his face.
Fan Li hadn’t spoken much, but she listened intently when her ex-husband spoke. She wasn’t thrilled, but at least she felt more grounded. Ran Lin gave her a clearer picture and direction for her son’s partner’s “wild thoughts”. Ran Lin’s “honesty” and “stability” also steadied her wavering heart a bit.
Lu Yimeng, unable to hold back any longer, leaned in with the most gossipy question of the meal—
“Ran Ge, what do you like about my brother?”
Ran Lin, who was sipping soup, almost choked at the question.
Of course, he could list what he liked about Lu Yiyao, but it felt a bit awkward in front of his parents.
Seeing Ran Lin’s hesitation, Lu Yiyao felt a slight pang. “Is it that hard to answer?”
Ran Lin, feeling helpless, glanced at Lu Yimeng, then at Lu Yiyao, seeing both siblings full of anticipation. He took a deep breath and began listing his lover’s qualities for his future sister-in-law. “Your brother is upright, open, diligent, dedicated to his work, ambitious, and self-reflective, which is actually quite rare. He might not seem very warm to friends, but he holds them in his heart, says less but does more, and…” The more he praised, the smoother he got, even recalling their first meeting, that Lu Yiyao who managed a smile despite being furious, felt like just yesterday. Thinking of this, Ran Lin couldn’t help but smile. “He’s got a good temper.”
“Mm,” Fan Li, who had been quiet, suddenly agreed. “He got that from me.”
Lu Yiyao: “…”
Lu Yimeng: “…”
Lu Guoming: “…”
Feeling the sudden silence, Ran Lin decided it was safer to remain quiet and continued drinking his soup quietly.
Xu Wang never felt that fifteen minutes could be so long.
He was huddled with his little companions in the main group, following in the footsteps of those ahead without deviation, not because of the rules but out of sheer desire.
But no matter how cautious you are, an intersection will invariably appear in front of the group.
It was an eight-lane intersection with a wide road. At that moment, the light was red. The longitudinal traffic was stopped, and the lateral traffic was moving in an orderly manner.
Xu Wang’s throat tightened, and he felt a sense of dread.
Now, at every intersection, he felt as if dark clouds hovered above, and the road signs seemed to spell out ominous paths.
The sound of the ding was like a lifesaver. Xu Wang immediately activated the protective gear he had been longing to use!
[Someone used [(Defense) Golden Bell Shield] on you~~]
[Someone used [(Defense) Righteous Energy Shield] on you~~]
[Someone used [(Defense) Unmovable Umbrella] on you~~]
As soon as he activated one stationery, three notifications sounded…
Xu Wang, Qian Ai, Chi Yingxue, the three fastest, or rather, the most desperate to survive, looked at each other in silence.
Wu Sheng, who almost used his stationery, retracted his hand from the [Stationery Box]. He was glad that he always played it safe, not chasing false speed. Otherwise, he would have had quadruple protection now.
Kuang Jinxin looked up at the sky-blocking [Unmovable Umbrella], then turned to look at the swirling [Righteous Energy Shield] and the shining, reflective [Golden Bell Shield], and immediately felt a sense of security.
“Three is good. Better to be safe.” Thinking of this, Xu Wang felt relieved.
With the stationery activated, the five of them and the other travelers around them maintained a safe distance, but they still followed the leader’s route, staying within the group.
The fellow travelers seemed indifferent to the sudden appearance of the defense stationery. They had become accustomed to oddities. Even if someone died right in front of them, they would continue on unfazed. What’s an extra umbrella or shield?
With the stationery in hand, Xu Wang’s anxiety eased slightly. He then remembered the man who had spoken to him before the gas explosion.
“Do you suspect he’s the demon?” Wu Sheng understood the captain’s intent as soon as Xu Wang brought it up.
“It’s not suspicion.” Xu Wang looked back at the man who had fallen to the back of the group. “It’s just that he mentioned the restaurant smelled good, and then it exploded. That’s too much of a coincidence.”
Wu Sheng also glanced at the man, who was now chatting happily with a petite, delicate girl.
Turning his gaze away, Wu Sheng said, “Let’s not think about it for now.”
Xu Wang was puzzled. This was their mission. What else should they think about?
Just as he was about to ask, the group suddenly stopped. Xu Wang looked up and understood what Wu Sheng meant.
They had reached the intersection.
This was a critical juncture. It was crucial to focus on saving their own lives. As for the demon, let someone else worry about it.
There were 20 seconds left on the red light.
The travelers at the front of the group stopped and almost completely blocked the side of the road. Xu Wang and others in the middle part were essentially the second layer of the crowd. Despite this, Xu Wang felt uneasy and, protecting his teammates, retreated two steps back, blending with those originally at the end of the group to form the last layer of people waiting for the red light. They were at least two rows of people away from the roadside, a distance of one and a half meters.
10 seconds left.
The traffic flowing sideways seemed normal.
5 seconds.
4 seconds.
3 seconds.
2 seconds.
1 second…
Xu Wang’s heart rose to his throat, almost holding his breath at the last second.
The red light went out, and the green light came on. The lateral traffic had cleared, and no new cars came. The vertical traffic began to move slowly.
The leader raised the flag and stepped onto the pedestrian crossing, calling to the group to keep up…
Xu Wang sighed in relief, following the group slowly, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
The eight-lane road was wide, but with 60 seconds of green light, they had enough time.
The travelers at the front walked a bit fast, but the group of five wasn’t in a hurry. They walked steadily forward. The five travelers at the back, including the chatty cook and the girl, were even more leisurely.
So, when the leader and half of the travelers had already reached the opposite sidewalk, walking a few meters away, Xu Wang’s group still had two lanes of traffic to cross.
At that moment, a sports car’s engine roared from the right. It sounded like it was speeding through a red light!
Xu Wang finally understood why there hadn’t been a single car in the lateral direction for so long. The road was clear for this deadly sports car!
Driven by instinct, he unconsciously wanted to run forward to cross the remaining lanes as quickly as possible.
But in the moment he lifted his leg, he hesitated.
His alert nerves made him turn his head to the right. The fiery red sports car, approaching rapidly, was targeting the last lane!
At the same time, Wu Sheng also stopped Qian Ai from running forward, and Chi Yingxue restrained Kuang Jinxin—Advisor Wu’s rational instinct and Chi Yingxue’s wild instinct sensed danger.
However, the few people at the back of the group, upon hearing the engine, quickened their pace and suddenly overtook the five friends!
“Don’t…” Xu Wang wanted to shout for them not to run, but it was too late.
As they reached the last lane, the fiery red sports car also arrived!
Xu Wang’s breath caught!
Unexpectedly, the cook at the back, in a split-second decision, opened his arms and pulled himself and the four others onto the sidewalk!
The fiery red sports car passed behind those five people and in front of Xu Wang’s group, creating a gust of wind!
The five who narrowly escaped death barely stabilized themselves, turned around, and watched the dust raised by the car, both shocked and relieved.
Xu Wang also took a deep breath, as if he had just brushed past death himself.
“Make way, hurry!” Suddenly, an anxious shout came from the sidewalk.
Xu Wang was startled and saw an electric delivery scooter speeding along the sidewalk. Before he could get a clear look, the scooter crashed into the five people who had just stepped onto the sidewalk!
Two of them fell to the side, while the cook, the petite girl, and another person were knocked back into the last lane of traffic.
They fell in a jumble, unable to get up. Just as Xu Wang was about to help, he felt a breeze from the right.
Instinctively turning his head, he only caught a glimpse of blue.
Then, with a “bang”, the three people in the lane were hit and sent flying.
At the same time, Xu Wang felt a huge impact on his [Golden Bell Shield], almost knocking him off balance.
The blue sports car’s windshield shattered, but it sped past Xu Wang’s group without slowing down.
Unlike the red car, it was silent from beginning to end, like a ghost.
The three people hit were scattered across different lanes, all bleeding onto the road. The cook, who had spoken to Xu Wang earlier, lay lifeless, his head half-crushed.
Xu Wang turned away, unable to bear the sight, feeling nauseous.
The green light turned red again.
The five friends finally stepped onto the sidewalk.
These last few meters felt like a walk through hell.
The death toll rose to five.
The [Golden Bell Shield] was broken, and the [Unmovable Umbrella] was gone. Only Qian Ai’s [Righteous Energy Shield] remained.
Following the group for a while, Xu Wang finally calmed down.
“Protection isn’t infallible…” He told his teammates with a grave expression.
Qian Ai patted his chest, like a guardian. “Don’t worry, at least my [Righteous Energy Shield] is still here.”
Wu Sheng glanced at him. “That’s because the attributes don’t match.”
Qian Ai: “Huh?”
Kuang Jinxin: “Righteous qi against evil qi, Qian Ge, your armor is clearly meant for defense against supernatural attacks.”
Xu Wang: “So, it can’t prevent collisions, nor will it be destroyed by impact forces.”
Qian Ai: “…Then why didn’t you remind me when I used it before?”
Kuang Jinxin: “I thought you were using it to guard against demons and ghosts.”
Xu Wang: “As a complement to physical defense for me and Xiao Xue.”
Wu Sheng: “I was almost about to praise you for your thoroughness.”
Qian Ai despaired. “You guys are overdramatizing this…”
“Stop chattering.” The leader had come over at some point and chided them. “Did you hear anything I just said?”
The five companions were stunned.
The leader sighed with irritation, saying, “It’s too dangerous on the road. In just a short while, so many things have happened.”
The five companions were just about to comment on the danger-awareness of the leader!
But the leader smiled like a spring breeze. “Next, we’ll take the subway.”
The five companions: “……”
Qian Ai: “Wait, leader, maybe reconsider? The surface is dangerous, but underground is even more unsafe!”
Leader: “The subway is the safest mode of transportation.”
Xu Wang: “Safety is useless. We could die just crossing the street at a traffic light!”
Leader: “You don’t need to cross streets in the subway.”
Wu Sheng: “Think about it again.”
Leader: “I’ve already considered it thoroughly.”
Chi Yingxue: “Can we leave the group?”
Leader: “No.”
Kuang Jinxin: “We’ll run on the surface.”
Leader: “The subway fare is included in the group fee. It’s a mandatory expense.”
During the conversation, the group arrived at the subway station entrance. Excluding Xu Wang and his group, there were still twenty-seven people left.
In such a situation, any further nonsense could lead to distraction and death, so the companions didn’t dare to argue with the leader any longer. They focused entirely, stepping down the stairs and entering the subway station.
The sun had reached its highest point. It was noon.
Despite it being midday, the subway station was crowded, like during the morning rush hour, teeming with people, bustling, and packed tightly.
The sunlight from above didn’t reach inside the station. Instead, the cool air from the central air conditioning was quite strong, chilling people’s backs.
The tour group squeezed into a boarding area in the middle of the platform, with the increasing number of waiting passengers behind them, unconsciously or consciously pushing the people in front.
“Stop pushing. The train hasn’t arrived yet—” Qian Ai yelled, frustrated, but to little effect.
However, they were in the middle of the waiting crowd, with layers of people ahead and safety doors on the platform, so even those at the very front, at most, would just be pressed against the safety doors, not in danger of falling onto the tracks.
But such crowding made it really suffocating.
A gust of cold air came from the empty subway track’s end—the subway was arriving.
The pushing force of the waiting crowd suddenly increased. Those at the front couldn’t bear it any longer, continuously shouting, “Don’t push, don’t push”…
In this noisy and chaotic scene, the subway roared in.
Finally, when the train stopped and the safety doors and train doors opened almost simultaneously, the waiting passengers swarmed and squeezed in, while those wanting to get off struggled to make their way out.
Fortunately, not many were getting off, and soon it became a lively scene of everyone squeezing in.
The five companions were pushed apart. Although they were at the same door, their positions were scattered. Chi Yingxue and Kuang Jinxin somehow got to the front, Wu Sheng and Xu Wang were in the middle, and Qian Ai ended up at the back.
As the four got on the train, Qian Ai was still squeezing from outside. Seeing the carriage already full, boarding became increasingly difficult. Almost all of the tour group had boarded, making Qian Ai anxious.
If he couldn’t get on, he would definitely be left behind!
Determined, he took a deep breath, and with a “huff—” he pushed forward with force!
With Qian Ai’s push, the row in front was pushed into the subway, and the already packed carriage somehow squeezed in five or six more people.
It was now completely full. Qian Ai, pressed against the back, was stuck outside the subway door, just a body’s width away from getting in!
The door closing warning sound beeped.
Qian Ai panicked, instinctively stepping back.
He thought, even if he had to leave the group, it was better than getting caught between the safety door and the subway door. If the train started, he would be crushed!
But as he stepped back, his body didn’t move an inch!
Qian Ai turned back sharply. Those who couldn’t get on the train were still desperately trying. They didn’t care about the doors closing and continued to press against him!
The doors of the subway and the safety doors both began to close slowly…
The tour leader patiently waited for them to join the group. Once the five of them blended in with the main troop, the leader waved the small flag and smiled brilliantly. “Stay close. Don’t stray from the group.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the five received a new prompt—
[Cheat Sheet]: Leaving the group is prohibited, or else it will be considered a failed submission.
[Cheat Sheet]: Stationery can be used after 15 minutes. Countdown starts now.
They had to wait fifteen minutes to use stationery? During the countdown, they could only rely on their bare hands?
Xu Wang opened his stationery box, and indeed, it was all grayed out.
The main group had started moving again, continuing along the pedestrian path. Without time to think further, Xu Wang hurriedly led his team to catch up.
They were in a mixed commercial and residential area, bustling with traffic and an array of quaint and elegant shops. Walking in the middle of the group, with the road on their left and the shops on their right, Xu Wang’s small team, though standing shoulder to shoulder, had no leisurely spirit of sightseeing. What bound them tightly together at this moment was a single factor—their will to survive.
[Any event that breaks habitual behavior could be a precursor to a deadly accident.]
This was the universal survival formula Wu Sheng had summarized, applicable in any environment.
Since joining this tour group, this phrase had been echoing in their minds, serving as a prominent alarm bell.
What does “breaking habitual behavior” mean?
For example, if you’re walking normally and suddenly there’s an empty can on the ground, you could choose to step on it, kick it, or avoid it. But whichever you choose, it breaks your initial habit of walking at a consistent pace, and hence, it poses a danger.
By extension, many seemingly trivial things could be deadly traps.
The more Xu Wang thought about it, the heavier he felt. He didn’t notice when the tour leader had moved back to the middle of the group until Wu Sheng greeted him first. “Leader.”
Xu Wang looked up to see the leader’s concerned smile. “You don’t seem very excited?”
If it were you facing the threat of death at any moment, you wouldn’t be happy either!
Xu Wang muttered in his mind but still put on a brave face, smiling at the leader. “We’re not familiar with everyone, so we’re hesitant to just start talking.”
Survival was their first priority, and finding the accident-causing demon was the second. Since the leader had approached them, Xu Wang certainly couldn’t miss this opportunity.
Sure enough, the leader opened up. “Everyone here is young and easy to get along with. This group regularly organizes these backpacker activities. The group number is XXXX…”
The leader was almost about to reveal the whole history of the tour group. However, there was hardly any useful information, especially regarding the backgrounds of each person in the group.
“Leader—” Someone from the front of the group called out.
The leader quickly stopped talking and hurried to the front.
Xu Wang watched his back, deep in thought.
Wu Sheng, noticing, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xu Wang pursed his lips. “Don’t you think he’s a bit too enthusiastic?”
Following his gaze, Wu Sheng also watched the leader. After a while, he said, “Usually, the one who first seems suspicious isn’t the culprit.”
Xu Wang looked at him and nodded. “Right, the movies haven’t been watched in vain.”
In addition to writing formulas, their advisor had been binge-watching thrillers, mysteries, horrors, and detective films for the past three days, with a dedication akin to preparing for a crucial exam.
Behind them, Kuang Jinxin was absorbed in his thoughts, staring at his arm.
Chi Yingxue noticed and leaned over, saying coolly, “Xiao Sijin, watch the road, not your hand. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you die.”
Being too absorbed in his own thoughts, Classmate Kuang didn’t hear Chi Yingxue. He suddenly looked up, walked quickly to Xu Wang, and asked, “Captain, what is a Finnish bath?”
The Finnish bath was the hint for this level’s badge. The hint had been the same for the past few days.
Xu Wang naturally assumed his teammates understood it, so he hadn’t discussed it further. Now asked by Kuang Jinxin, he realized the generational gap between him, in his thirties, and the younger team member in his early twenties.
In his childhood, Finnish baths were common, later replaced by steam saunas, and now sweat steaming was popular.
“It’s a dry sauna without steam,” Xu Wang explained to his teammate in detail. “It’s a small wooden cabin with hot stones. You pour a ladle of water on the stones, and with a sizzle, the room temperature rises…”
“Captain, I’ve experienced it. I just didn’t match the name…” With Xu Wang’s description, vivid imagery struck Kuang Jinxin, stirring his memory.
Chi Yingxue and Qian Ai also felt the vividness of the description.
The former was indifferent, but the latter imagined a dire death scene—a closed, small wooden cabin at a high temperature. It seemed very dangerous!
“Wait.” Xu Wang suddenly grabbed Wu Sheng.
Wu Sheng, who was listening attentively, was startled, not understanding why he was suddenly involved. Turning around, he saw Xu Wang looking worried.
“Do you think,” Xu Wang asked seriously, “Xiao Kuang suddenly asking me about the Finnish bath could be a suspicious event breaking habitual behavior?”
Wu Sheng was momentarily stunned.
The next second, a woman’s scolding came from above their heads. “Marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life—”
They instinctively looked up. It was a resident on the fourth floor above the shops, the only one with open windows adorned with potted plants. The cozy atmosphere contrasted starkly with the argument inside.
“Regret it? Then remarry—” A man’s voice roared back defiantly.
The entire group stopped, looked up, and listened to the excitement.
The woman seemed to be driven to a frenzy by anger, letting out a series of shrill screams!
Screams came from inside the house, spilling out from the windowsill. In an instant, the woman had already rushed out half of her body and was about to jump!
Her husband must have rushed over, holding her waist tightly. “I was wrong. I was wrong. Just calm down—”
“Let me go—” The woman, now crying and exhausted, refused to go back inside. With a forceful swing of her arms, she pushed a flowerpot off the outer windowsill!
The flowerpot came crashing directly towards Xu Wang’s head!
Wu Sheng, with quick reflexes, pulled Xu Wang into his arms!
“Crash—”
The flowerpot shattered at their feet, spreading debris and soil all around.
“Don’t look anymore. Let’s go!” Wu Sheng urged, pulling Xu Wang and calling out to the other three teammates.
Xu Wang, still dazed from his near-death experience, followed Wu Sheng mechanically.
The other three quickly caught up.
The main group remained stationary, still engrossed in the spectacle, making their departure seem abrupt. However, moving from the middle to the front of the group didn’t break any rules.
Chi Yingxue, trailing behind, had just moved a meter away from where the flowerpot had fallen when he heard a whizzing sound above, like a sharp blade cutting through the air.
Before he could look up, a scream rang out next to him, so piercing it didn’t sound human.
Turning his head, he saw, just a few steps away, a fellow tourist who was watching the excitement with a kitchen knife embedded in his skull.
The knife had sliced through his head like a watermelon. The blood was blocked by the blade, unable to spurt out, and only trickled down from his forehead to his brow.
He stared at Chi Yingxue, mouth agape, but beyond that initial scream, he couldn’t utter another sound.
The arguing couple on the fourth floor looked down to see the deadly consequence of their dispute. Their lips trembled, and their faces turned pale.
The young man who was struck collapsed to the ground.
His head landed right next to Chi Yingxue’s feet.
The tourists, however, remained indifferent. Seeing the argument had ceased, they became disappointed and regrouped around the leader, not sparing a glance at the fallen body.
Chi Yingxue looked down at the corpse, lost in thought.
Kuang Jinxin approached, not daring to stare directly at the body like him, and asked, “Do you think dying like this is quick and painless?”
Chi Yingxue didn’t respond.
“This challenge really means death.” Kuang Jinxin sighed. “Don’t take it lightly.”
With no time for further discussion, he pulled Chi Yingxue to catch up with the others.
Ahead, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were already being engaged in conversation by a fellow tourist.
As they approached a small restaurant, the delicious aroma wafting out led a man about Xu Wang’s age to strike up a conversation. “Smells good, huh? Wonder what they have for lunch today.”
Xu Wang, preoccupied with identifying the demon, was instantly on guard, engaging in the conversation while cautiously sizing up the man. The more he observed, the more he found the man suspiciously talkative.
Having gone through so many levels, Xu Wang had never been so wary of any NPC, often finding them friendly in many levels. But here, he couldn’t trust anyone; everyone seemed like they could be the demon.
“I’m a chef, so I care about food.” The man chatted merrily on his own, laughing heartily.
Wu Sheng, who had been observing, suddenly frowned, sniffing the air as if he detected something.
Seeing his reaction, the man joked, “You think it smells good too, right? Haha.”
Wu Sheng’s gaze fell on the restaurant door, and his expression darkened. “Gas!”
Xu Wang and Qian Ai together: “What?”
Without time to explain, Wu Sheng shouted, “Get down—”
The three instantly hit the ground. Kuang Jinxin, still confused, was pushed forward by Chi Yingxue, and they too fell flat on the ground!
Just as they landed, a massive explosion occurred, so close that it hurt their eardrums and their bodies could feel the shockwave!
With his head pushed down by Chi Yingxue, Kuang Jinxin couldn’t see anything. He only heard the sound of shattered glass and debris flying around.
Something brushed past their heads, bringing with it the chilling sensation of the wind, making Kuang Jinxin’s hair stand on end.
Choking smoke enveloped the area for a while before gradually dissipating.
The tourists, who were slow to react but narrowly escaped harm, began to stand up.
The five friends also got up.
The once fragrant restaurant was now unrecognizable in the aftermath of the gas tank explosion.
The façade and windows were completely destroyed, and the interior had caught fire. Although the dust from the explosion had settled, the smoke from the burning continued to billow relentlessly.
Kuang Jinxin clutched his racing heart and turned to look at Chi Yingxue, teasing him. “You were quick this time.”
Chi Yingxue dusted off his clothes, pulled out his phone from his pocket, and started fiddling with it very seriously… pretending not to hear.
Kuang Jinxin looked at him with a mix of annoyance and relief. It seemed that a bit of fear sparked Chi Yingxue’s will to survive.
“Why are you messing with your phone here? It doesn’t even work in this place.” Qian Ai slowly got up as he breathlessly responded, still shaken.
Chi Yingxue looked at his phone again and again, finally breathing a sigh of relief. “Good.”
He then put it back in his pocket, looking relieved.
Qian Ai suddenly realized that Chi Yingxue had never turned on his phone and had a moment of realization. “Damn, are you using it as a mirror at a time like this?!”
“……” Kuang Jinxin couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. He had been wondering why Chi Yingxue was holding his phone, only to realize it was to check his appearance.
Seeing Chi Yingxue casually regain his composure, Kuang Jinxin felt for the first time a stark difference between him and Yan Wang.
In a situation like today’s, if it had been Yan Wang, he would have been thrilled. That person loved facing more dangers and tougher battles but never cared about his appearance.
Chi Yingxue wasn’t just vain; he also liked cakes, leisure, and making sarcastic comments in his mind that occasionally slipped out, provoking Qian Ai to almost start a fight.
Chi Yingxue, Yan Wang.
Two completely different personalities yet living in the same body. To this day, Kuang Jinxin found the concept of split personalities fascinating. He always unconsciously wanted to get close to Chi Yingxue to ask him what it felt like to have two personalities and how it all worked.
But the captain had said it was impolite to pry into someone’s privacy, so he held back his curiosity and kept his questions to himself.
“Thud—”
Another person collapsed behind them.
The five friends froze, and the main group they were following turned around as well.
At the back of the group, another person had fallen. A triangular piece of glass had pierced his neck, severing an artery. Blood gushed out and flowed along the cracks in the tiles, painting a stark red at the feet of the five.
Kuang Jinxin felt a chill run through his body.
If Chi Yingxue hadn’t pushed his head down just in time, the shard that had grazed their scalps might have been lodged in his neck.
The person who fell to the ground slowly stopped breathing but still had his eyes wide open.
The wind had ceased.
The sun continued its climb towards its zenith.
In less than fifteen minutes, two people had died.
Kinky Translations 