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.
Nol brought the doll’s head close to his ear, as if the spit from Witch Lynn was about to traverse space and spray onto his face.
Ben, who had keen hearing, got startled and tumbled down from Nol’s knee, scrambling up Teest’s leg.
“Why didn’t you take the initiative to contact us, huh?” Lynn raised her voice angrily. “It’s bad enough you told Anakin about the ‘Demon King’ matter, but what’s with sending someone to relay your message?”
“I wasn’t sure if your magic could be eavesdropped on, so I didn’t dare to use it recklessly,” Nol replied in Country C’s language. “Now that I know it’s safe, sister, please calm down…”
Lynn’s volume didn’t decrease in the slightest. “Everyone is worried about you! Let me tell you, I’ve put you on speaker. Anakin has informed me about the situation. You’re handling such an important matter all by yourself?”
In the background, Officer Luo’s “yes, yes” and Dr. Zhu’s agreement could be heard, along with the distinctive smacking sound of Uncle Ma.
All of them had witnessed his mental breakdown, and the urgency in their tones didn’t seem feigned.
Nol felt a warmth in his heart and couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Teest. “I’m really fine. It’s just been a couple of days. Rather than hiding and crying, I’d prefer to expose the mastermind behind this… I’ll tell you guys some insider information. I actually have a clue now.”
He hesitated for a moment, ultimately not revealing the truth about the four eyeballs. Such information would only add to their stress. It was better for him to handle it alone.
Thanks to someone, Nol’s mindset had indeed stabilized significantly. That “someone” was currently resting on his shoulder, with ears stretched long, blatantly eavesdropping on the conversation.
Just in case, Nol didn’t divulge everything to Anakin. As a supplement, he briefly explained the “world will authorization” of the two worlds and his plans for the future.
“…We’ll first head to Ice Rock City to completely escape the Temple’s surveillance. Then I can return home for a visit,” Nol said earnestly. “After that, we must make a trip to the Dragon’s Lair. There are neighbors there, and I have some matters to investigate.”
Such as why there was only one moon over the Dragon’s Lair and the origin of Kando’s dragon blood.
With some luck, the dragons might even provide more clues—as formidable immortal beings, they had lived from the emergence of Tahe World to the present, serving as living historical records.
“You said you didn’t like going on business trips, right? I thought you would stay to support the Lost Tower… Never mind, on the way there, just set up a few more surveillance dolls for me, and I’ll continue my work.” Lynn sounded like she was gritting her teeth.
“Of course,” Nol readily agreed.
“Be careful of Eugene and Golden Sword,” Lynn emphasized at the end.
“What language is that?” Nol had just ended the call when Saint Bernard curiously asked.
To the locals of Tahe, the language of Country C was completely encrypted. Inside the carriage, not just the baffled Knight Saint Bernard but also Painter and Fischer could only exchange bewildered looks.
“It’s the home language of Noli. Her family is really attached to her.” The height difference between them was subtle yet comfortable, so his head was seemingly stuck to Nol’s shoulder. “Communication was poor at the seaside earlier. She was just checking in.”
He seemed to be answering Knight Saint Bernard, but his gaze swept over Painter on the opposite side.
Nol nodded. In a sense, Teest’s explanation wasn’t wrong.
“Oh.” Saint Bernard nodded seriously, without doubt.
Suddenly, the carriage shook violently. Knight Alaskan raised his voice. “I smell Ice Rock Giants—!!!”
Saint Bernard’s fur bristled. “Here?!”
Ice Rock Giants, monsters made of rock and voodoo clay, belonged to the golem category. These creatures were usually not wild. There must be a Player behind them—without system assistance, natives simply lack the capability to create them.
In the setting of “Tahe World”, only Alchemists, Swamp Wizards, and Archaeologists could create them. Ice Rock Giants were high-level, excellent killing machines, even capable of besieging cities.
The shadow wolf’s fur stood on end, making a purring sound. However, the remaining four—especially Nol and Teest—showed no sign of tension or movement.
These humans certainly didn’t understand the severity of the situation. Saint Bernard’s paws touched his sword. “It’s Demons, definitely the Eternal Church’s Demons!”
“Isn’t the border defense of Shiva very strict?” Nol asked curiously—despite swallowing a potion to change his voice, it didn’t sound too out of place. However, he still wasn’t used to it, preferring not to speak unless necessary—a true “shy type”.
“It’s strict. Those Demons must have killed the border guards to enter. Anyone can stop those crazy humans in Ice Rock City, except those Demons… Even if we chopped up those Demons, they can’t be killed!” Saint Bernard’s tone was full of hatred, his teeth bared.
“They might not necessarily be coming for us. But if things go south later, don’t worry about us. Just run as far as you can!” He added firmly.
[I also don’t think they’re coming for us.] Teest hugged Nol, pretending to be scared, but he sent his thoughts languidly. [At a guess, something must have happened to the First Regiment, making them a target for those people—like the captain being away, or recent personnel changes—things like that.]
Ben shivered and jumped back onto Nol’s knee, squeezing into the gap between the two. However, Nol ruthlessly picked him up by the nape of the neck and placed him back on the cushion.
You’re stronger than an Ice Rock Giant. What’s there to fear?
Ben looked puzzledly at Teest, who was clinging to Nol in “fear”, and let out a whimper of grievance. Nol had no choice but to pet it a couple of times, letting it stay at his feet.
[We’ll see how things go,] Nol said, his fingers brushing over the letter opener in his pocket.
A few plumes of gunpowder smoke appeared not far away. Knight Alaskan decisively halted. Unfortunately, he underestimated the Demons’ taste for mischief—the earthquake grew closer, and just as the goat carriage turned around, two figures flashed in front of the snow goats.
“Ah, it’s a puppy,” a man’s voice said cheerily. “Can we take them back to play? I’ve kept Alaskans before.”
“Let’s see what they’re here for first.” Another voice approached the carriage, straightforwardly poking his head in. “Let me see, let me see… oh, the Evergreen Nuns! Two girls, jackpot.”
The man looked to be in his twenties, with a very ordinary round face and excessively developed muscles, looking like a weathered potato. The high aesthetic standards of Tahe’s art department for warrior equipment seemed oddly matched by this person’s earthly taste.
Nol: “……”
“What girls?” The other man, curious, also leaned in.
This guy had a donkey face that he thought was handsome, but it looked more like a beginner’s overconfident 3D model. Seeing his Swamp Wizard outfit, Nol could roughly guess the source of the Ice Rock Giant… but this man had added quite a few gaudy gems to his plain wizard’s attire, and the pointed hat was adorned with a star, shining like a cheap Christmas tree from a street stall.
Watching these two paper tigers, Nol’s eyes began to hurt.
“How are these two considered girls?” Donkey-Faced Christmas Tree said, his gaze sweeping over Fischer with disdain. “One old lady and one country bumpkin—only the other two look decent.”
Fischer looked at them with a gaze that was almost full of pity.
Muscle Potato was already climbing into the carriage. “Which one do you want? I—”
“What have you done to the Knight Order?” Nol couldn’t stand the possibility of sleazy remarks and took the initiative.
Potato paused, then chuckled twice. “Still counting on the Knight Order? Those guys were beaten black and blue and couldn’t even save themselves. As long as you behave… Fuck!”
Knight Saint Bernard suddenly moved, biting the hand he extended. The dog-headed beastmen’s bite force was so strong that it snapped Potato’s wrist right off. He reacted very quickly, immediately jumping out of the carriage with an extremely ugly expression.
Magical light flashed, and a new hand sprouted from the wrist.
Seizing the opportunity, Knight Alaskan created a snowstorm to disrupt their vision, driving the goat carriage to flee madly. The carriage hadn’t managed to get ten meters away before two explosions were heard. The wheels completely shattered, and the carriage crashed heavily to the ground. Knight Alaskan, trying to stabilize the course, didn’t dodge in time. He slammed into the ground and was knocked unconscious.
“Kill those two damn dogs.” Muscle Potato cursed. “Later, let someone dig up their hometowns. We’ll go in for a batch of dog skins—what’s it to you if I mess with some women? Looking for death?”
“The guests haven’t been handed over yet.” Saint Bernard helped up Painter, who looked the oldest, with blood still dribbling from his mouth. “We are responsible for our guests.”
His voice was mixed with angry growls.
Donkey-Faced Christmas Tree sneered. The Ice Rock Giant behind him took two steps forward and threw a punch at Saint Bernard and Painter. Teest glanced at Nol, about to make a move, when the warm body in his arms suddenly disappeared.
The agility of a Demon King was no joke. Nol teleported in front of the Ice Rock Giant’s fist, raising his right hand. The fist, as large as a house, was forcibly stopped mid-air.
The frail “nun” stopping the monster with a slap was too surreal, leaving both Demon Players and Knight Saint Bernard dumbfounded.
In their bewildered gaze, the black-haired nun’s fingers slowly tightened. The Ice Rock Giant’s fist made a cracking sound under the strain. The spider web-like cracks spread rapidly along its arm from the hand. In less than five seconds, it exploded into ice shards and rubble on the spot.
The still-glowing core of the golem clattered to the snow, flickering on and off.
At this moment, Nol felt more contemplation than relief.
Throughout this journey, thanks to the curse of “Physical Destruction”, he had been constantly hammered into the ground by formidable enemies, barely surviving each time. Thank god, he could finally experience what it was like to be “a monster”.
The two Demon Players lost any inclination to mess around, almost simultaneously activating their magical items, ready to flee. However, the moment their thumbs were about to press the buttons, they found themselves unable to push them down.
In the snow, delicate golden threads glinted faintly.
“So, you weren’t planning on letting them go after all.” Teest deliberately reverted to his male voice. “You could’ve said so earlier.”
Muscle Potato’s face turned extremely ugly. “Fuck, a damn tranny… Argh!”
Before he could finish cursing, the letter opener was deeply stabbed into his shoulder. Potato’s body frighteningly swelled, and the next second, he vanished into thin air right before melting completely.
Done.
Nol withdrew his hand.
For some skill tests, he had been suffering from a lack of test subjects. Like his “seal”—that was, system custody—whether it could work on pure Earthlings. Since the Demon Players willingly came knocking, he wouldn’t miss this excellent opportunity.
Now, it seemed the answer was affirmative. Even Earthlings, without a trace of game elements, could be “saved” by the system, which was quite interesting.
Nol pondered this as he turned to the remaining Donkey-Faced Christmas Tree.
To Christmas Tree, the opponent’s move was nothing short of terrifying. That strange nun had merely stabbed his teammate with a small knife, and the next second, his teammate’s body swelled like a bubble and disappeared into thin air.
Not only that, but their team relationship also vanished! Even the name in his friend list was gone!
Impossible. Christmas Tree shivered. Aren’t Players supposed to be immortal?
Seeing the terrifying black nun turn towards him, Christmas Tree almost pissed his pants. Unfortunately, he was a magic class, not cut out for close combat with enemies.
“Explain the situation.”
The black nun was beautiful, but her voice was ice cold. The small knife in her right hand still had blood on it, and at that moment, the thin letter opener was more intimidating than a Berserker’s ax.
“How many of you are there? Why did you attack the Knight Order? What is the current situation within the Eternal Church?” she asked, word by word. “You’d better answer me directly. If you dilly-dally, I’ll have to let this person deal with you.”
“Don’t.” The cross-dressing… man? Boy? chimed in. His eyes curved, circling the black nun. “You look even better when you’re interrogating, honey.”
This guy seems to be using gold thread?Although the age doesn’t quite match, but—
Thinking of that notorious Mad Monk made Christmas Tree tremble even more. All the bright gold decorations on his outfit clanged wildly. “I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything!”
“I heard the captain of the First Regiment went to Eternal Day City.” Christmas Tree glanced quickly at Teest, whispering, “We just took the opportunity to have some fun.”
“Enlightening.” Painter smiled. “I heard the intelligence security of the Investigation Knights is very good… So, you all kept a close watch on the Knight Order’s intelligence and movements, daring to sneak into the Shiva just to play games with the Order, huh?”
Christmas Tree was sweating bullets.
“Alright.” He cleared his throat. “It was the Eternal Church’s orders! They somehow got information and sent us to disrupt the Order, to dampen the spirits of the Temple of Life. We were just following orders… It was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding…”
“You’re so loyal to the Church?” Fischer interrupted with a sneer. “Unless there’s a shared interest, Demons wouldn’t lift a finger. You guys wouldn’t even pass the soy sauce at the dining table, but now you’re all about ‘orders’.”
Christmas Tree’s sweat was about to freeze on his skin. What’s the deal with this bizarre nun group?
These people were so outrageous, they couldn’t possibly be high-level Players from the Temple, right?
…But Temple Players wouldn’t know so much about the Church…
“Last chance,” Nol said calmly, the letter opener in his hand flashing with a hint of snow light.
“I-I can’t.” Christmas Tree turned pale. “I have a contract. All my assets are mortgaged to the Church… If I talk, it’s all over, all over.”
Fischer’s expression blanked for a second. “Oracle.”
“Only an oracle could make you agree to such a deal.”
Christmas Tree stared blankly at Fischer.
“What oracle? God’s selection prophecy, God’s feedback, or what…?” His reaction had already proven everything, and Fischer relentlessly pursued.
Teest said nothing, idly playing with a small clump of corruption. The corruption, like a living object, crept up on the bright gold decorations, making them instantly decay and wither.
Not Temple Players.This group is definitely not Temple Players, not even normal Tahe people.
Christmas Tree had a flash of insight. He looked at the corruption, then at the inscrutable black nun in front of him, somewhat dazedly saying, “The Demon King’s army…”
Nol smiled at him.
Christmas Tree’s eyes welled with tears. Gone was his earlier bravado. He opened his mouth, his voice terrifyingly small. “The Temple of Life is searching everywhere for the heroes who defeated the Demon King. The previous divine route was disrupted by the Temple…”
“The day to heed the oracle is coming. The Pope hopes we can carve out a new divine route, passing through Shiva…”
Before he could finish, he suddenly choked, and his tongue swelled terrifyingly in his mouth. Christmas Tree’s face turned purple, his eyes desperately rolling—this was probably some kind of contract curse. Nol felt a clear wave of dark magic.
But it didn’t matter. They got the information they needed.
The letter opener’s light flashed, and the convulsing Christmas Tree began to melt on the spot, then was firmly sealed by Nol into the system. While he was dealing with Christmas Tree, Teest’s corruption crept over the fragments of the Ice Rock Giant, corroding it into nothingness.
From the two Demon Players’ attack to the complete disappearance of all traces, the whole process took less than ten minutes. Knight Saint Bernard stood dumbfounded in place, turning into a dog-headed knight statue.
What to do?
The guest needs protection… but the guest is strong and doesn’t need protection…
The guest is dangerous… but the guest saved him, never showing hostility…
Knight Saint Bernard tilted his head, unsure of what to decide. If only the village chief was here, it thought in distress. The chief would know how to deal with humans.
While it was deep in thought, Nol approached.
“Please forgive our secrecy,” he said softly, “We have our reasons, but I swear to Sheepskin Ball Village, we bear no ill will towards Shiva. You just need to hand us over to the Temple of Life—once we get our identity verified, we’ll leave Shiva immediately.”
“That Demon said ‘Demon King’…”
“We tricked him. It was all an illusion.” Teest quietly retracted the corruption. “We just came back from the Endless Sea and were tainted with the scent of corruption, so he was fooled.”
“I see.” Knight Saint Bernard tried to think, while Nol looked at it with a gentle gaze.
Although “altering memory” was an option, memory modification had certain side effects. He really didn’t want to harm these fluffy good knights.
Besides, this seemed to be just a human internal issue. The races of Shiva were mostly of gentle nature and not prone to causing trouble.
Sure enough, Knight Saint Bernard scratched his head, deciding to give up thinking. “Uh… okay, but I have one condition!”
“Say it.” Nol stood up straight.
“Let my friend go back first.” He pointed to the unconscious Alaskan, moving his nose slightly warily. “The two of you don’t need our protection, so I alone as a witness is enough.”
Painter walked over to the Alaskan promptly, the gentle light of healing magic shining. The wounds of Knight Alaskan healed quickly, and soon he opened his round eyes.
“Ah!” He got up alertly, his nose twitching wildly.
With a snap, the “timid” Teesti stuck to Noli. Nol also instinctively shrank, assuming a defensive posture. They all sensed the presence—very cleverly hidden, but still exposed due to the vast difference in level.
A knight in red armor rode towards them, the hooves of his horse emitting faint magical waves, making no sound. As he got closer, they realized it wasn’t red armor—the knight was covered in blood. The originally silver-white armor was stained with blood.
The horse was also covered in bloodstains, emitting a strong smell of blood.
He stopped in front of them, quickly dismounted, and surveyed the situation. Then he took a few steps forward, approaching the seemingly oldest “Sister” Painter and the “injured” who hadn’t yet managed to stand up.
“Good afternoon, respected madam.”
The Blood Knight took off his helmet. Nol was about to gasp but was preemptively restrained by Teest.
This is bad. Eugene Malloy came faster than they had imagined.
“Please do not be afraid.” He extended his hand politely to Painter. “The situation is under the Temple’s control. I am just here to pursue deserters. Madam, did you encounter Demons?”
“Pfft…” Seeing the “affectionate” scene between sworn enemies, Teest almost laughed out loud, but was pulled back in time by Nol.
Painter hadn’t yet had the chance to bluff when Alaskan jumped up.
“Saw them!” He cried out sadly. “Two Demons, one with an Ice Rock Giant. They blew up our cart, and the goat—two goats!”
“I can’t smell them. They must have run back the same way!”
The author has something to say:
The dog can’t figure it out, so the dog stops thinking! Anyway, humans fighting humans. As long as it’s not the Demon King, it’s fine.
Lu Yimeng stared blankly at the phone screen that she had unlocked. Her desire to investigate had vanished, replaced only with a profound sadness.
She knew her brother had always hoped for their parents to thaw their icy relations. Even if they couldn’t completely reconcile, at least they could sit down and talk amicably. Indeed, this was her wish too, but it was only now that she realized underneath her hope lay casual acceptance, whereas beneath her brother’s hope lay deep hurt.
0602.
Lu Yimeng silently repeated this now vague date in her mind, gradually recalling that on the day before their parents divorced, she and her brother had just celebrated the happiest Children’s Day.
“Who do you want to be with?”
A strange question suddenly broke into her ears, pulling Lu Yimeng out of her memories. She looked towards the source and found it was her dad asking her brother.
Hadn’t her mom shared the information with her dad? As Lu Yimeng wondered, she heard her brother’s resigned voice. “Mom already asked me this, and I’ve told her, whoever the person is, it has nothing to do with my orientation.”
Lu Yimeng felt puzzled; something seemed amiss…
“I know you’re worried we might go after him. So here, I promise you, your mom, and I will absolutely not disturb him,” Lu Guoming said, pausing before continuing earnestly, “We just want to know who you’re with now. You liking men has already worried your mother and me to death, and now we don’t even know who you are with. You keep telling us to relax, to accept. How can we relax? What are we supposed to accept?”
“Would you accept it if I tell you who he is?” Lu Yiyao felt his dad’s words seemed reasonable yet elusive, unsure of the depths as he was still outmatched in wits by his father.
“It depends on the kind of person you choose.” Lu Guoming ignored his ex-wife’s frown and continued calmly, “If he’s completely unreliable, then your mom and I wouldn’t need to work so hard to convince ourselves to accept your choice. But if he’s as upright as you, at least your mom and I won’t worry about you running into trouble when we can’t see.”
Lu Yiyao had never expected such a logically tight conversation with his father. At this moment, Lu Guoming wasn’t the father who’d bang the table at the slightest disagreement but rather a calm and wise businessman.
Lu Yiyao gazed into his father’s eyes, unable to decipher his thoughts. Lu Guoming concluded, “We don’t oppose for the sake of opposing; we just want you to be healthy and safe.”
Lu Yiyao sensed an underlying implication in the phrase “oppose for the sake of opposing”, and glancing at his mother’s subtly rising discontent, he knew his intuition was right. His father was subtly negating his mother’s original stance and pulling her towards his “rational” camp.
But… Lu Yiyao frowned. Healthy and safe was a strange pairing.
“Don’t parents usually wish for their children’s health and happiness?” Not often able to discuss emotional topics, Lu Yiyao seized the opportunity to ask.
Lu Guoming glanced at him and scoffed. “You make your mother so upset, and you still expect happiness? Dream on.”
Lu Yiyao: “……”
Was his dad genuinely unable to accept his homosexuality, or was he here to support his mom?
“Alright, no need to be secretive. If I really want to find out, I can,” Lu Guoming said. “Also, by hiding it like this, you think you’re protecting him, but have you considered that this also makes us doubt him? Well think, since you can negotiate with your parents for him, why can’t he stand by you?”
Lu Yiyao was at a loss for words.
This argument was too powerful, logically impeccable, and devoid of right or wrong—just human nature. Even if he found it unreasonable for his parents to lower their impression of Ran Lin, he couldn’t deny the inevitable logic from their perspective.
“Ran Lin.” Lu Yiyao didn’t expect to capitulate so soon, revealing his lover’s name. Unlike his firm refusal when facing his mother, perhaps his father’s genuine approach gave him a sense of potential dialogue.
Lu Yiyao hoped this wasn’t just wishful thinking.
Lu Guoming nodded, turned to his ex-wife, and sighed. “I told you, just lay out the facts and reason, and our son is approachable.”
Lu Guoming’s tone seemed to express relief towards his son, but upon closer listening, there was an unnoticeable pride, as if saying to his ex-wife—see how useful I am.
“Ran… Lin?” Lu Yimeng, who had approached at some point, clutching her brother’s coat as if for security, was taken aback. “Isn’t it Gu Jie?!”
Lu Yiyao, bewildered, looked up at his sister. “What?”
Fan Li was about to remind them about Gu Jie, but then remembered Gu Jie’s advice—if Lu Yiyao knew she’d gone to him, he’d undoubtedly be hurt and angry. So, she swallowed her words.
Her son’s friend had nobly kept their secret, and Fan Li, unusually, conceded. As for the secret, it would forever rest in her heart, occasionally brought out to serve as a warning to not act impulsively and to understand respect.
In fact, she understood all the principles Lu Guoming had spoken.
Yet she couldn’t get over that one hurdle in her heart.
As Fan Li was distracted, Lu Yiyao had already grabbed his phone, showing photos of his lover to his dad and sister. Lu Yimeng didn’t need to see the photos to know who Ran Lin was, but the direct impact of the handsome, fresh-faced young man in her brother’s photo added to her perplexity.
Her brother’s serious expression didn’t seem like a joke, and he wasn’t one to use friends as shields, so Ran Lin must be the genuine sister-in-law.
So…
How had she mistaken the person? And why had she become increasingly convinced?
Lu Yimeng sat blankly on the sofa, lost in a daze, thinking that with her own intelligence, she might not be able to handle the huge business her mother runs…
Among the entire family, Lu Guoming was perhaps the only one whose heart wasn’t much disturbed. He didn’t have his ex-wife’s dark history or his daughter’s major blunder. He naturally took his son’s phone and examined it carefully.
But, in truth, he couldn’t make much sense of it. All he knew was that he was looking at a young man who was very clean and pleasant to the eye. For more information, he had to ask his son. “Is he an actor?”
Naturally, it was impossible for his father to know about the entertainment industry as well as his sister, so Lu Yiyao honestly replied, “Yes.”
Lu Guoming continued, “What about his family situation?”
Lu Yiyao responded, “A happy family of three.”
Lu Guoming: “……”
His ex-wife and daughter might not be so clear on Lu Yiyao’s resentment toward the lack of family completeness, but Lu Guoming understood it all too well—a large part of it being his own past stubbornness. So, seeing that he was about to enter a sensitive topic, he swiftly changed the subject. “What kind of person is he?”
This was the right question to ask Lu Yiyao, who needed no time to think. “Kind, tolerant, sincere, hardworking, considerate of others, not too concerned about gains and losses, ready to go through fire and water for friends. He is clearer about his goals than I am. He loves acting and has been striving on this path. It’s also because of him that I figured out what I really want to do.”
Lu Guoming watched his son’s face from beginning to end, not missing any detail. Yet, he found his son to be very serious and sincere, without a hint of exaggeration. But what he heard seemed like something else, as if his son was turning the man into an angel.
He couldn’t conclude what Ran Lin was like, but it was evident that his son was in a state of “confirmation”. In such a case, no matter how much they persist, it would not change his son’s mind.
No, perhaps as early as when his son chose drama and acting, he had already accepted this reality. So, about his son liking men, consciously or unconsciously, he had been convincing himself to accept it.
Fan Li had already snapped out of her blunder, and seeing her ex-husband’s current state, it was obvious he was ready to resign himself to the situation, which was incredibly frustrating. She had brought him to be a united front, but now, it seemed more like he was muddying the waters.
“Bring him over one day to meet us.” Lu Guoming handed the phone back to his son, somewhat helplessly yet with a hint of emotion. “Some things can’t be resolved by just talking about them, because that’s like building castles in the air. If you want to solve it, you need to face it head-on, clash, and grind it out in reality.”
Fan Li’s eyes widened. This wasn’t muddying the waters; this was outright switching sides! Lu Yiyao was surprised too, but fearing a late response might lead his father to rethink, he quickly agreed. “Okay! He’s currently on set. Once he’s finished, I’ll arrange it!”
Today must be an auspicious day, Lu Yiyao thought, good for reunion, communication, and harmonious conclusions. Fan Li had lost her will to argue. After all the efforts of dropping her pride to summon her ex-husband, it turned out to be in vain. She left the room tiredly and went back to her room. The sound of the door slamming reverberated from the second floor to the living room, carrying a sharp edge.
As Lu Yiyao gradually calmed down from the initial joy of seeing his parents together, he looked at the firmly closed door on the second floor, feeling quite uncomfortable.
“Your life is your decision but allow us some time to accept it.” Lu Guoming regained his authority without his ex-wife, finally reverting to his usual state.
But Lu Yiyao was already immune to this, smiling bitterly. “I thought it would be mom who would agree first. I didn’t expect…”
“You should have known,” Lu Guoming replied. “Especially when it comes to ‘the son being disobedient’, I have more experience.”
Lu Yimeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Mom’s influence is indeed powerful, making dad know how to joke and tease now.
“Have you really thought this through?” Lu Guoming looked intently at his son. “This path is not easy, especially since you both are in the entertainment industry. You might face many challenges in the future.”
Lu Yimeng pondered for a moment, then met his father’s gaze firmly. “I have thought it through.”
Lu Guoming leaned back on the sofa, his mouth twitching slightly, seemingly resigned. “Then there’s nothing more I can say.”
Passing the hurdle with his father was much smoother than Lu Yimeng had expected. So much so, that when his father finally gave his tacit consent, he felt an unreal sensation. “I thought you’d insist on grandchildren or that I at least have a son even if I don’t get married…”
“How can I expect your son to accept my business when even you don’t?” Lu Guoming replied with slight irritation.
“……” For the first time, Lu Yiyao seriously reflected on the indelible trauma he had caused his father.
Rubbing his temples, Lu Guoming stood up, somewhat reluctantly. “I should go back now.”
Lu Yiyao and Lu Yimeng, of course, didn’t want their father to leave, but they also understood that their parents’ issues wouldn’t be resolved immediately, especially with Lu Yiyao’s situation. They didn’t stop him.
As he reached the door, Lu Guoming turned back with a concerned look and said to Lu Yimeng, “Go check on your mom later. Try not to let her stay alone and brood.”
“Don’t worry,” Lu Yimeng replied understandingly.
“And you,” Lu Guoming directed at his son. “Better not go up for now. You’re considered hazardous material at the moment.”
“Got it.” Lu Yimeng never thought his father could be so detailed, adapting his approach based on the person.
After seeing off their father, Lu Yiyao took a deep breath and went back to the living room, sitting down on the sofa, finally feeling a wave of exhaustion. He had thought the encounter with his father would be light, but only now did he realize he had been on edge the whole time. Even seeing his parents together had been uplifting, but the weight of coming out never really lifted from his heart.
“Brother…” His sister’s voice suddenly broke his reverie.
“Hm?” Lu Yiyao turned, seeing Lu Yimeng fiddling with his phone, scrolling through pictures, those of a certain individual…
“Ran Lin is really handsome,” his sister commented sincerely.
Happy to hear compliments about his partner, Lu Yiyao was pleased but also remembered the earlier confusion. “Can you now explain the mix-up…”
Lu Yimeng never felt so embarrassed in her life, and worse, she had led her mother astray. But on second thought, she wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, she had guessed someone close to her brother…
Five minutes later, after hearing his sister’s “deduction”, Lu Yiyao didn’t know how to react. After a while, he just said, “Next time you have doubts, don’t deduce on your own. Just ask the person involved directly.”
The famous detective Lu Yimeng nodded fervently.
……
Later, when Lu Yiyao returned home to rest and the villa’s lights dimmed, Lu Yimeng pushed open her mother’s bedroom door. As expected, the light was still on.
Fan Li sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, looking down at something.
“Mom…” Lu Yimeng softly called as she approached, only to discover her mother was looking through a photo album.
Lu Yimeng was familiar with this album because she had scanned and archived all the photos in it the year before last, boasting to her mother that even if the photos were damaged, they wouldn’t need to worry anymore because of the backups.
“Are you wondering how such a handsome boy ended up growing up so differently?” Lu Yimeng joked as she sat down beside her mother to look at the album together.
On the page they turned to, a young Lu Yiyao was seen swinging his short, chubby arms as he learned to walk, his silly laughter almost audible through the photo.
When her mother didn’t respond, Lu Yimeng casually flipped to the next page, revealing almost exclusively photos of the siblings; one just learning to walk, the other not yet walking, both frolicking together, some pictures indiscernible as to whether they were playing or fighting.
The entire album was filled with hers and Lu Yiyao’s childhood.
A tear dropped onto the album. Lu Yimeng was startled and quickly raised her hand to wipe it for her mother. Fan Li turned her face away, sniffing slightly with a barely noticeable sob, and asked gruffly, “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t be mad at me. I’m not the one who came out.” Lu Yimeng protested innocently.
Fan Li glanced at her sideways. “Don’t think I don’t know; you and your brother are always in cahoots.”
Lu Yimeng raised her hands, as if surrendering, and swore, “I’m absolutely neutral this time.”
After scrutinizing her daughter for a few seconds, Fan Li finally relaxed slightly, her voice softening. “Don’t worry, your mother is not that fragile.”
“Typical CEO Fan.” Lu Yimeng chuckled. “I didn’t even have to say anything, and you knew I came to comfort you.”
Fan Li sighed deeply, embracing her daughter’s shoulder, finally feeling some support and less isolated. Men are unreliable, especially her ex-husband; daughters are more considerate…
Lu Yimeng continued, “Mom, actually homosexuality is quite normal, just like some people are naturally left-handed. Let me show you some information…”
“Goodnight!” Fan Li cut her off.
“Mom, don’t lie down… Fine, I’ll sleep with you tonight!”
“……”
“Mom, just look at this picture first. This is Ran Lin. You barely looked at him downstairs. Isn’t he handsome…”
“Lu Yimeng—”
“Mom, you might not get to hold your own grandchild, but you can still hold a grandchild from outside the family. After all, even if Brother has children, they won’t carry your surname. There’s no difference between grandkids outside the family, right…”
……
Ran Lin only found out about Lu Yiyao’s coming out to his family in December. By then, the broadleaf trees on the streets of Xi’an had shed all their leaves, leaving only bare branches, a stark visage of early winter.
There was no dramatic process, just a message from his lover—[I’ve told my family about us. After you wrap up filming, my parents would like to invite you to dinner.]
Ran Lin received this message on his way back to the hotel after work, completely stunned.
It wasn’t until he returned to the hotel that he eagerly connected to a video call with Lu Yiyao—
“Just like that?” Ran Lin asked incredulously, feeling like his lover had omitted some important details.
“It was definitely not easy to accept at first, but with more explanation, more communication, oh, and Mengmeng bombarding my mom with all sorts of educational materials.” Lu Yiyao smiled slightly, seemingly recalling his mother’s helpless expression in the face of the “forced education”. “Anyway, it went relatively smoothly.”
Lu Yiyao’s words seemed casual but Ran Lin could hear the underlying difficulties. After a few seconds of silence, he said somewhat sadly, “Because parents are always powerless against their children.”
Lu Yiyao knew Ran Lin was thinking of his own parents, understanding the guilt of causing one’s parents’ distress. With that thought, he said, “When you’re ready to come out, remember to include me.”
“No.” Ran Lin looked at him a bit resentfully. “You didn’t include me when you came out, so I won’t include you.”
“Is this… retaliation?” Lu Yiyao grinned.
Ran Lin looked at him innocently, accepting the accusation.
Both understood each other’s reasons. Ran Lin knew why Lu Yiyao hadn’t included him—it was to spare him from facing his own parents’ reprimands. Lu Yiyao also understood why Ran Lin refused; they were both driven by the same motive.
“Wait.” Ran Lin finally realized what had been bothering him from the conversation. “Your parents ‘together’ are inviting me to dinner?”
Lu Yiyao paused, then smiled. “Yeah.”
Ran Lin tilted his head. “But you said they…”
“Because of my coming out, they ended up sitting together again.” Lu Yiyao found this outcome quite miraculous; he certainly hadn’t expected such a turn when he came out.
“This…” Ran Lin was at a loss for words, finally managing to say, “Is this a blessing in disguise?”
Lu Yiyao shook his head. “It’s joy upon joy.”
Ran Lin paused, then smiled. “Yeah.”
Coming out, no matter how difficult, is not a disaster but a joy—a step towards a more authentic life.
……
After the video call with Lu Yiyao, it was nearly 11:30 p.m. Ran Lin took a quick shower and got into bed, intending to scroll through Weibo before sleeping.
But then he saw a trending topic that caught his eye—Zhang Beichen was rumored to be kept by someone.
Ran Lin was shocked, his sleepiness vanishing as he clicked to read more—
[Zhang Beichen’s shocking sugar daddy rumor! A source claimed he’s been living with a high-level executive from an entertainment company for some time, and it’s with this mysterious partner’s help that he smoothly landed a role in <Mint Green>…[Read full text]]
[Zhang Beichen’s prime roles all thanks to “mysterious boyfriend”?! [Images][Images][Images][Video link]]
[Zhang Beichen embroiled in fresh gay rumors, spotted returning to an apartment with a mysterious man. Old intimate photos with another man resurfaced…[Read full text]]
Although the wording used by various marketing accounts in their reposts was not entirely the same, the material they used was strikingly consistent—all were a thirty-something-second secretly filmed video from an underground parking lot. The video was dim and blurry—it could be said to show Zhang Beichen and a mysterious man, or just any two passersby; it was too blurred to make out clearly. As for the photos included in the marketing accounts’ posts, they were either screenshots from the video or old “intimate photos of the same sex” that had been circulated before.
Though the evidence seemed flimsy, given Zhang Beichen’s prior “gay rumors,” the rhythm started by the marketing accounts was aggressive.
Ran Lin checked the earliest entertainment account that broke the news and found it was around six in the evening, chosen precisely as the traffic on Weibo started to peak.
Ran Lin wasn’t sure if this was the result of some paparazzi studio’s “hard work” or if someone had instructed the studio to dig up “dirt”, but the rhythm had already taken off, with the onlookers settling in early, munching on melon seeds—
[Whether you believe it or not, I do. Watching entertainment gossip for years, my experience is that any scandal mentioned over and over again is mostly true.]
[Zhang Beichen seems to have been quiet since <Mint Green>, and suddenly there’s this news. Is there a new project coming up?]
[I’m not a fan, but I feel like the picture is so blurry that not even his mother could recognize him, and they even have to draw a red circle to point out it’s Zhang Beichen. Feels a bit like a setup…]
[Waiting for the HD video.]
[What era is it? Who cares if he’s gay, as long as he acts well. The paparazzi have too much free time.]
Compared to the spectators’ enthusiasm and indifference, and even many expressing tolerance towards “gays”, Zhang Beichen’s fans reacted more vehemently—
[If this kind of video can be considered evidence, then I can randomly shoot a video of two people in a dark place and call it a scoop! This is already defamation!]
[Chen fans, no need to argue with them. Just report this kind of thing!]
[My idol has been so low-key this half year that he almost disappeared, and now he’s being slandered like this!]
[I just want to know who Zhang Beichen offended? Half a year of silence, and as soon as he hits the hot search, it’s this crap. It’s too much!!]
[So what if they went to an underground parking lot together? Don’t you visit your friends’ houses? Haven’t you ever stayed overnight at a friend’s place? Before, it was easy to spread rumors when opposite-sex friends hung out together, now even just hanging out with a buddy is called gay. What should celebrities do? Just stay home and play with cats?!]
Netizens and fans, of course, can only react based on their own emotions.
But Ran Lin knew about the situation between Zhang Beichen and Mr. Qin. He didn’t know Mr. Qin and couldn’t confirm if he was the “mysterious man” captured in the video, but according to what he had heard before, Mr. Qin had been involved with many celebrities and had never been in trouble, and when Ding Kai asked him to keep it a secret, he also mentioned that Mr. Qin didn’t like trouble. Therefore, allowing such negative information to come out was unreasonable.
Even if some reckless marketing accounts leaked it, it should have been suppressed immediately. Now, not only had it not been suppressed, but it has also escalated to trending, indicating that no one was pressing it down but rather someone was pushing it up.
Ran Lin suddenly remembered what Lu Yi Yao had said: Zhang Beichen had already broken up with Mr. Qin, but it was not a happy parting, so Mr. Qin used his connections to suppress him. Could it be that merely suppressing him wasn’t enough, and they wanted to completely ruin Zhang Beichen? How deep must the hatred be to push someone to the brink?
Until Ran Lin was too tired and put down his phone to sleep, there was still no response from Zhang Beichen’s side.
Ran Lin had a night of messy dreams, remembering nothing clearly, just a vague impression of time flowing backward to a memory of Drifting, but it was too blurry, and when he tried to catch it, he couldn’t.
On the way to the set, Ran Lin called Yao Hong to ask if she knew about Zhang Beichen’s situation.
Yao Hong had obviously seen Weibo and pondered for a moment. “He must have offended someone.”
Ran Lin: “You mean someone is deliberately targeting him?”
Yao Hong: “Yes, it’s obvious it’s a concerted effort to slander him. Otherwise, that short video wouldn’t have caused such a stir.”
Ran Lin said, “But even with slander, it’s insufficient evidence. That video is completely unclear who is who.”
“That person didn’t want to completely ruin Zhang Beichen,” Yao Hong mused. “If it were really Zhang Beichen in the video, the person who took the video would have had the opportunity to get a clearer shot. This kind of video, which can be blackened with a hint or whitewashed with a wash, is mostly meant as a warning or a lesson.”
Ran Lin: “Mr. Qin?”
Yao Hong: “Possibly, because Zhang Beichen hasn’t been working much in the past half year, it’s unlikely he’s made any new enemies.”
Ran Lin couldn’t understand this logic. “He’s already used his connections to suppress Zhang Beichen. Isn’t that enough?”
Yao Hong thought for a moment and analyzed objectively. “That depends on his motives. Everyone has their own reasons for doing things. If his goal was to make Zhang Beichen disappear, then suppression would have been enough. If he wanted to completely ruin Zhang Beichen, having been together for so long, he could have released even more damaging information…”
“A warning and a lesson are neither intended to make someone disappear nor to ruin them, but to make someone… obey.” Ran Lin felt like he was catching on to some truth. “Does he want to get back with Zhang Beichen?”
Yao Hong cautiously said, “I can’t be sure.”
Ran Lin realized he was bothering Yao Hong and quickly said, “Sorry, Hong Jie, for calling and asking you all these questions early in the morning.”
“It’s okay.” Yao Hong now felt towards Ran Lin the same way she felt towards Lu Yiyao back then—almost like her own child, naturally concerned. “How’s the filming going? Can you handle it?”
Half a month ago, Yao Hong, who had been staying at the set, returned to Beijing to deal with company matters. It was from that day that the weather turned colder, making shooting summer scenes increasingly challenging.
“Don’t worry, everything is going smoothly.” Ran Lin patted his chest.
Yao Hong laughed. “I’ll come over next week. Don’t let me find you’ve lost weight. Otherwise, I’ll have to explain to the boss for a long time.”
Of course, Yao Hong’s reference of “the boss” could only be President Lu.
Ran Lin used to think of Yao Hong as a gentle and nurturing figure, but now that he was working one-on-one with her, he truly understood why she had always held the upper hand in her long-standing rivalry with Wang Xi. There was definitely a reason for her success.
Fortunately, Ran Lin arrived at the film set, so he no longer needed to worry about how to fend off his agent’s teasing and promptly initiated the exit procedure. “Hong Jie, I’ve reached the set. Gotta go now.”
“Okay.” Work always came first, so Yao Hong was ready to hang up, but she suddenly remembered something else. Considering Ran Lin had called early in the morning to inquire about Zhang Beichen’s situation, she added, “Oh, right…”
Just as Ran Lin was about to hang up, he heard her and quickly put the phone back to his ear. “Yes?”
Yao Hong said, “Zhang Beichen and Wu Xuefeng have terminated their contract.”
Ran Lin: “Who is his agent now?”
Yao Hong: “None.”
Ran Lin was puzzled. “What do you mean ‘none’?”
Yao Hong: “It means he currently has no team. Wu Xuefeng almost took the entire studio with him.”
Ran Lin: “……”
Both Zhang Beichen and Xia Xinran’s contracts expired simultaneously, and neither renewed, both forming their own studios. Xia Xinran’s original agent stayed with the original company, whereas Wu Xuefeng left with Zhang Beichen. However, Zhang Beichen might have already been on bad terms with Mr. Qin by then, so after forming the studio, he also didn’t receive any significant notices, and there were no splashes in movies or TV dramas. Such artificially caused “suppression” made it useless for the studio members to be capable; it’s normal to have the intent to leave, but the entire team leaving with Wu Xuefeng was a bit…
Perhaps knowing what Ran Lin might be thinking, Yao Hong added, “Zhang Beichen initiated the termination. It should be said that he fired Wu Xuefeng, so the latter taking the entire team with him might be a bit of retaliation. However—” Yao Hong’s tone shifted. “Wu Xuefeng’s reputation in the industry hasn’t been too good these past two years. It’s hard to find someone else to elevate a talent to Zhang Beichen’s level.”
“Ran Ge.” Liu Wanwan came over to remind. “Makeup is waiting.”
Ran Lin nodded, hurriedly wrapping up the call with a few brief sentences.
The rest of the day, Ran Lin was fully immersed in his role, busy shooting, with no time to think of anything else.
Only on the way back to the hotel after work did he have the opportunity to open Weibo and found that “Zhang Beichen was being kept” was still trending, with the comments section fermenting freely, showing no signs of public relations efforts.
When someone steers the narrative, the direction of public opinion will solidify towards a particular viewpoint, but if no one does, the public opinion will be diverse. Marketing accounts used to creating sensationalism for attention almost dug up all of Zhang Beichen’s past, and “National First Love Drifting Story” naturally became a topic of discussion.
Especially since they had just appeared together at a film festival in September, the photos were still fresh. Thanks to the marketing accounts, “Drifting Group Missing One” also quietly entered the top twenty trending topics—
[Drifting Group’s brotherly love runs deep, often meeting up, but why is Zhang Beichen always missing?… [Images]]
[#DriftingGroupMissingOne At the film festival, four members of the Drifting Group appeared together, Zhang Beichen had no interaction with the other three… [Video link]]
“National First Love Drifting Story” was already a variety show from years ago, and considering the rapid turnover in the entertainment industry, the fact that it was still remembered and frequently mentioned was rare. However, for the audience and fans, these were all old news, lacking in interest, so without someone specifically spending money to stir up the topic, it just lingered around seventeenth or eighteenth place on the trending list without causing much of a stir.
Now, looking at these, Ran Lin didn’t feel much, just occasionally opening screenshots from the show and sighing at how things had changed.
Zhang Beichen’s Weibo hadn’t yet responded, with the latest post being from a long time ago. Ran Lin clicked on the comments and, as expected, found new fans coming in to offer support.
Exiting Zhang Beichen’s page and returning to his own homepage, he was notified of a few new posts and casually scrolled down, unexpectedly coming across a fresh post from Zhang Beichen.
Ran Lin’s first reaction was that it was too coincidental; just as he was thinking about how Zhang Beichen would respond, he stumbled upon a brand-new post. But after reading the entire long post, he was momentarily stunned, unable to snap back to reality for a long time—
[This time, I really want to take a break. I debuted on a talent show at eighteen, and it’s been nine years now. I’ve gained a lot and lost a lot. In the past few years, I’ve only focused on moving forward, and only this year have I started to look back, but now I can’t see the path I came from clearly. I don’t have much literary talent, so I can only make this somewhat abrupt announcement. To everyone who cares about and likes me, I’m sorry. I’m leaving the entertainment industry. This is a decision I’ve made after careful consideration. I want to take a break and live life differently. Lastly, I want to thank all the friends who have sincerely been with me. You are the most precious memories of these nine years. And to everyone I’ve hurt, I can’t make it up to you. I can only say I’m sorry.]
The cheerful group slowly walked away, soon disappearing at the end of the road, merging into the bustling traffic under the bright sunshine.
The friends quietly watched them leave, remaining silent for a long time.
The sunlight was warm, but it couldn’t dispel the chill shrouding their hearts.
After a while, Xu Wang let out a sigh, relaxing his tense nerves. He turned to talk to Wu Sheng, only to find him, at some point, busily writing on paper with a pen.
“What exactly are you trying to solve?” Xu Wang asked as he leaned in to look.
He had seen Wu Sheng busy the night before and, not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, had patiently waited without asking. Today, however, his curiosity got the better of him.
Wu Sheng was engrossed in writing and didn’t respond.
Xu Wang looked directly at the paper.
An A4 sheet, already half-filled by Wu Sheng, listed a series of harrowing deductions—
1) Intersection + Red Light + Horizontal Heavy Vehicle = Death
2) Intersection + Green Light + Horizontal Electric Bike = Scraping → Falling → Horizontal Vehicle → Death
3) Auto Repair Shop + Doorway Tire Inflation = Explosion → Air Pressure Impact → Death
4) Store = Falling Signboard → Death
5) Manhole Cover = Loose Manhole → Flipping → Falling to Death
6) Bus Stop = Uncontrolled Bus → Death
7) Bridge = Breaking and Collapsing → Death
8) ……
The more Xu Wang read, the colder he felt. By the end, even his curiosity had vanished in the chilly wind.
Although they knew dangers could lurk everywhere, being in the safe zone of the café, their first and most direct reaction to the street view was visual pleasure, followed by a gradual rise in vigilance.
But after reading what Wu Sheng had written, Xu Wang felt as if everywhere he looked was shrouded in darkness, marked with skulls.
Finally finishing the last point, Wu Sheng put down his pen and sighed heavily. He then briefly introduced his findings to Xu Wang, calling them “Death Formulas”.
“……” Although Xu Wang had already guessed the content, hearing Wu Sheng confirm it still left him with mixed feelings.
Qian Ai came over, picked up the formula sheet, and felt as if the gates of hell were opening slowly towards him. “You really listed them all out… Intersections, manhole covers, stores, bus stops… Isn’t there anywhere safe to stand? We can’t just fly the whole time, right?”
“Low altitude flying might hit power lines, high-altitude flying might collide with drones,” Chi Yingxue casually added from his seat, not joining the group but clearly understanding the conversation, helpfully supplementing Qian Ai’s concerns.
Qian Ai glared at him. “You speak as if it doesn’t concern you. Don’t blame me for not warning you. With your head in the clouds, you’re most likely to fall into a trap.”
Chi Yingxue tilted his head, looking innocently at Qian Ai. “Are you cursing me?”
Qian Ai: “……”
To agree would seem uncaring towards a comrade; to disagree would mean succumbing to evil forces. It was an impossible choice!
“Xiao Kuang, stop sitting idly, come over and memorize these formulas.” Qian Ai decided to involve Kuang Jinxin instead.
Chi Yingxue watched them tussle, remaining expressionless. However, seeing Kuang Jinxin eagerly cooperating and rushing to learn about the “Death Formulas”, his brows involuntarily furrowed.
Oblivious, Kuang Jinxin focused on the formulas.
“This is just a preliminary list, based on our previous experiences and the most obvious dangers in daily life,” Wu Sheng explained. “But the challenge won’t be this straightforward and crude. I’ll continue to sort out more complex, coincidence-dependent death traps later.”
Listening, Xu Wang admired Wu Sheng’s intellect. “Fortunately, you’re a good person…”
If he were evil, with that brain, he’d be a terrible force to reckon with!
Wu Sheng looked at Xu Wang uncertainly. “Is this… a compliment?”
“Absolutely,” Xu Wang affirmed decisively.
Wu Sheng was satisfied, and the corner of his mouth raised a smile in relief. “Then my effort tonight was worth it.”
Xu Wang eyed him skeptically, doubting his true motivation. “Are you sure you’re not just enjoying the process of tackling these problems?”
Wu Sheng immediately admitted seriously, “Of course, that’s part of it…”
Xu Wang: “……”
Bullshit! He was certain Wu Sheng was completely absorbed in his obsession with the problems!
“Captain.” Kuang Jinxin gently tugged at Xu Wang’s sleeve, advising, “Don’t be jealous. In the human world, you’re definitely first in Sheng Ge’s heart.”
“Thanks, Xiao Kuang.” Xu Wang patted his teammate’s head. “But that just made me feel worse.”
Wu Sheng stood up and walked around the table to stretch and clear his mind.
The Death Formula could only create awareness of dangers. To really succeed in the challenge, they needed a Survival Formula. But if every scenario required one or multiple specific survival formulas, the data would be overwhelming. Finding a universal formula applicable to all environments would be ideal…
While Advisor Wu was brainstorming, Chi Yingxue somehow got hold of the Death Formula sheet. He glanced through it and nodded in approval. “Pretty good.”
Qian Ai curled his lips upon hearing this. “There’s never a bad tactical note from Wu Sheng.”
Chi Yingxue explained, “I meant these ways of dying are pretty good. Clean, quick, not too painful.”
Qian Ai uncomfortably retorted, “No matter how quick, it’s still death.”
Chi Yingxue: “But it won’t hurt.”
Qian Ai wanted to scream. “You’re dead, no life, no pears to eat, get it?”
Chi Yingxue: “…….”
Kuang Jinxin originally intended to join the discussion but now gave up, sitting in a corner, eavesdropping, and chuckling to himself.
……
Three days later, at midnight, after not encountering any other teams for three consecutive days, the five of them felt as if they were on a solo mission. So when they finally decided to start the challenge and met familiar faces at the real-world coordinates, Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Kuang Jinxin, and Qian Ai were all stunned, their faces a picture of shock.
Only Chi Yingxue remained calm.
But his calmness only excited the others more.
When ten people stepped into the purple vortex together, reappearing behind the open-air café, Yue Shuai’s first words were, “You really recruited him as a new teammate?! When I saw the overall scores, I thought it was someone with the same name!”
Yue Shuai hadn’t intended to start with that. Friends reuniting should be warm and cordial. But the impact of seeing that familiar face was too strong.
Xu Wang said, “With such a nice name, it would be hard to find someone with the same one.”
Yue Shuai: “……”
Wu Sheng, Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai: “……”
Chi Yingxue, hearing his captain’s unintentional praise, smiled satisfactorily.
But before he could enjoy the moment for two seconds, he was met with a hostile gaze. Chi Yingxue looked towards the source of the gaze and asked the question he had been wanting to ask. “Have we met before?”
Wei Tianhang was instantly infuriated. “You almost blew our tires out, and you just forgot about it?”
Chi Yingxue blinked in bewilderment.
“At the amusement park, your captain shouted, ‘Chi Yingxue, shoot the car’,” Su Mingzhan clarified with clear logic and rich detail. “Remember now?”
Chi Yingxue suddenly realized, and looking at Ye Tianhang, he knew where the memory discrepancy was. “You had braids that day.”
Today, with no intention of going through the challenge, Ye Tianhang had let his hair down. “…You remember people by their hairstyles?”
“Not entirely,” Chi Yingxue seriously said. “Only when someone’s looks are really unremarkable do I remember their hairstyle.”
Ye Tianhang: “A’Su, don’t stop me. I’m going to kick him to death today—”
While members of the two teams displayed their “unity and friendship”, the captains of both teams had already moved on to the main topic. After all, the choice of teammates was an internal affair, and Yue Shuai had only made a passing comment. In contrast, information sharing was the real deal.
However, once they began sharing, both captains realized a problem—both teams’ best achievements were up to this point, with no knowledge about the subsequent levels.
Yue Shuai held his forehead. “I thought I could get some information from you guys.”
“Don’t be disappointed just yet,” Xu Wang said. “This is your first time here, right? But it’s our second time. At least for this challenge, we have experience.”
Yue Shuai perked up. “Really? What exactly is this challenge about? Tell me.”
Xu Wang became serious. “Death lurks around every corner.”
Yue Shuai despaired. “I just told a ghost story in the last challenge.”
Xu Wang shook his head. “This time it’s not ghosts, but accidents…”
In just a few minutes, Xu Wang roughly explained the content of the challenge, concluding, “That’s all we know. Last time, we didn’t even make it past this street before we were all wiped out.”
“That’s enough.” Yue Shuai said sincerely, “Thank you.”
“Let’s not be formal with each other.” Xu Wang patted his shoulder. “Our teams, if you think about it, are like childhood sweethearts.”
Yue Shuai looked at him with mixed feelings. “Where do you come up with these phrases? But then again, damn, they kind of make sense.”
Xu Wang grinned. “That’s the art of language.”
“Enough with the banter. Aren’t you planning to go through the challenge today? Hurry up,” Yue Shuai urged them, mindful of the time.
Seeing that he wasn’t planning to join them, Xu Wang asked, “Aren’t you going through today?”
Yue Shuai frowned. “I can’t compete with you guys. It would be like fighting my own family!”
Xu Wang raised an eyebrow, sizing up this “family member”. “Please be honest.”
After a long stare, Yue Shuai reluctantly admitted, “Alright, dealing with NPCs is hard enough. I don’t want to deal with you guys as well.”
Xu Wang: “Can you guarantee you won’t meet other teams tomorrow?”
Yue Shuai: “Other teams coming in will at least observe for a day, right? It’s the eighth challenge. No one would rush in blindly.”
Su Mingzhan: “And even if we do engage in PK, it’s better against other teams than against you guys.”
Yue Shuai: “Exactly. With our relationship, I can’t bring myself to do it.”
Su Mingzhan: “Mainly because even if we did, the chances of winning are not high.”
Yue Shuai: “Captains are talking. The rest should not interrupt!”
Su Mingzhan: “Angry but still handsome.”
Yue Shuai: “……”
Tao Anan: “Captain, aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Oh right, I’ve been waiting to meet you guys to talk about this.” Yue Shuai slapped his forehead and quickly opened his hidden item bar on his arm. “This badge, we got it on 5/23. As soon as we got it, the hidden item bar appeared. Looking at the number of slots, I suspect there’s a badge for each challenge from 1 to 13.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Yue Shuai: “Why are you looking at me when I’m showing you the badge?”
“Not just the badge, but also a manual.” Xu Wang revealed his own badge manual without reservation.
Childhood friends might be a joke.
But some things are real, and without even realizing it, they naturally take on a warm form.
It was Yue Shuai’s first time seeing the manual, and he immediately asked, “Where did this come from?”
Xu Wang said, “At the grocery store in the basement of the Castle Hotel on 6/23. It cost 200,000 yuan.”
“Damn, that’s daylight robbery.” Ji Yiming, who had been watching the commotion between Ye Tianhang and Chi Yingxue, rushed over to take a closer look at Xu Wang’s badge manual. “What’s so expensive? Does it let you pass the level with a single click?”
“Just a hint for the hidden badge location!” Qian Ai followed suit, indignant. “A single click pass? In your dreams! If there was such a thing, the merchants would probably sell it for a million!”
“So, what’s the use of the badges?” Yue Shuai asked.
Xu Wang shook his head. “Collecting all 13 badges is the key to unlocking the challenges after 13/23.”
Yue Shuai was startled, then realized, “No wonder no one has ever passed the 13th level on the leaderboard!” Shocked, he quickly asked Xu Wang, “What’s your phone number?”
Xu Wang was taken aback for a moment. “Huh?”
“To keep in touch.” Yue Shuai now fully recognized the importance of staying connected. “Or leave your WeChat—anything that lets us talk anytime. Can’t always rely on meeting here. That’s like waiting for the stars to align*!”
*Year of the Monkey, month of the horse (猴年马月) Idiom that basically means only God knows when.
Wu Sheng: “s-h-e-n-g-g-e-w-u-d-i.”
Yue Shuai: “His WeChat ID?”
Wu Sheng: “Mine.”
Yue Shuai: “I want his.”
Wu Sheng: “Either add me or stay disconnected.”
Yue Shuai: “……”
Xu Wang: “Cough, well, adding him is the same as adding me.”
“……” Yue Shuai swore that in Xu Wang’s smile, he saw a blinding sweetness.
After days apart, the style of this team is still so puzzling!
……
Beijing time. Yue Shuai, Su Mingzhan, Tao Anan, Ji Yiming, and Wei Tianhang stood shoulder to shoulder, bidding farewell to their colleagues.
Captain Yue slowly waved his hand, his eyes heavy with concern. “Be careful. Take care.”
Xu Wang managed a strained smile in return. To those in the know, it was like sending friends off to battle; to others, it might look like they were heading to the gallows.
The five friends left the fence and entered the pedestrian path.
Just two seconds later, noisy footsteps came from around the corner ahead—the city tour group that had already passed the café once was back again.
At the same time, “Ding—”
[The demon causing accidents is among these people. Find them before sunset if you’re still alive.]
From a distance, the tour leader waved the small flag and smiled at the five of them. As the main group arrived in front of them, the leader asked enthusiastically, just like the previous three days, “Are you interested in joining our all-inclusive city day tour?
This time, Xu Wang nodded. “Yes.”
As soon as he spoke, the wind picked up. Under the warm sunlight, there was an ominous chill.
The author has something to say:
Captain Xu told Xiao Yueyue: Wait for me to give you the way to this level~~
Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and even Wu Sheng, who were all included, didn’t expect Xu Wang to have such a straightforward talk with Chi Yingxue. It was okay to share information, especially after the twists and turns of the past twenty or so days. Everyone had already considered Chi Yingxue a team member in their hearts, even if they didn’t say it out loud.
However, for such an important matter, they should have at least prepared a preamble. Starting with “I have talked with the Owl” was too abrupt; Chi Yingxue would be foolish not to be confused!
The three companions silently looked at their new teammate, who indeed appeared confused.
Xu Wang also belatedly realized his impetuousness and quickly tried to remedy the situation. “This matter, well, it’s a long story…”
“The Owl talks every day,” Chi Yingxue suddenly said.
Xu Wang, interrupted, was startled. “What?”
Chi Yingxue sighed, his voice filled with inexplicable confusion. “The Owl talks every day.”
Xu Wang and the three listening companions finally understood that their new teammate wasn’t bewildered by shock but had completely misunderstood the situation, failing to see why this was even a topic for discussion…
“It’s not an internal ear prompt. It’s a real conversation, back and forth, understand?” Xu Wang pointed to himself and then to Chi Yingxue, almost in desperation. “Like how we’re talking right now!”
Chi Yingxue raised an eyebrow, a glint of interest finally appearing in his eyes. “Oh? You can have conversations with the Owl?”
“I can’t. It was just a fluke that we had one conversation, just once.” Xu Wang sighed regretfully, wishing he could communicate with the Owl anytime.
“Oh,” Chi Yingxue’s face showed a hint of disappointment, but his interest remained. “Is it a person or a bird?”
“Ah?” Xu Wang was unprepared for this focus of interest, and after a long pause, he weakly said, “I didn’t see it. It only spoke without showing itself…”
Chi Yingxue frowned slightly, dissatisfied. “Then did you ask it for strategies?”
“……” Captain Xu, finding the question too sharp, had no answer.
The last bit of interest in Chi Yingxue’s eyes disappeared, leaving only disappointment.
Xu Wang swallowed hard, sincerely reflecting. “I was young and naive then. If heaven gave me another chance to do it over… No, wait, that’s not the point!” Almost led astray by his teammate, Xu Wang quickly got back on track, earnestly looking at Chi Yingxue, emphasizing, “I’ve talked to the Owl. Don’t you find that incredible?”
Chi Yingxue blinked, calmly nodding. “Not seeing it, not catching it, not getting any strategies—indeed, it is incredible.”
Xu Wang felt a pang of pain in his heart and was rendered speechless.
Wu Sheng pulled his disheartened captain back and took over, objectively and concisely recounting the experience of Xu Wang encountering the Owl ten years ago, focusing on the timing and manner of the Owl’s appearance and the words it said. During the narration, he didn’t seek Chi Yingxue’s opinion, as the new teammate didn’t seem naively curious.
“So,” Wu Sheng concluded after the recount, “we need to both pass the levels and figure out what all this is really about.”
Chi Yingxue tilted his head at him. “According to you, the Owl said passing 23 levels would allow us to leave?”
Wu Sheng nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why don’t we just keep going?” Chi Yingxue asked, puzzled. “Why bother researching all this?”
“Setting aside whether we can pass all 23 levels.” Wu Sheng’s eyes darkened. “After being tormented for so long for no reason, are you content?”
Chi Yingxue looked at Wu Sheng’s determined eyes and a hint of anticipation curled the corner of his mouth. His body that was casually leaning on the sofa also straightened slightly. “You want to destroy the Owl?”
Xu Wang, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin: “……”
Yan Wang gets happier in battle, while Chi Yingxue finds chaos more interesting. In the matter of “not wanting to live peacefully”, they were in perfect harmony!
Wu Sheng, lacking the keen emotional perception of his teammates, only knew that Chi Yingxue asked a question, and he had to give a truthful and objective answer. “Currently, we haven’t thought about how to apply our research findings. At this stage, we are mainly focused on the operational logic and existence of the problems.”
Kuang Jinxin added, “Sheng Ge also made little cards to give to NPCs!”
Qian Ai said, “Yes, to enlighten them about life and the universe.”
Xu Wang added, “And it’s continuously being updated and upgraded. Now it’s already the third version of the card.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
After a long drift, when life was almost becoming a dead loop of going back and forth in the first few levels, Chi Yingxue finally experienced a turning point in his level-clearing career—he joined a scientific research team.
……
After regrouping, the small team adjusted their rhythm, following a “three days of rest + one night of level-clearing” pattern. They breezed through levels 6/23 and 7/23 in one go. Since these levels didn’t require finding badges, it objectively made the team’s progress more focused and efficient.
On the afternoon of the eighth day, the small team arrived in Suzhou, the location of 8/23.
Xu Wang didn’t know whether Chi Zhuolin had installed satellite tracking on Chi Yingxue or if Chi Yingxue was in constant contact with his brother. In any case, Chi Zhuolin was very timely with their location updates. They had just arrived in Suzhou, and the hotel car came to pick them up.
Returning to a familiar place, the teammates inevitably recalled the shadows of their last failed attempt. But once they entered the hotel suite, they first set aside their worries and enjoyed the peace.
It wasn’t until after dinner, as the night deepened, that Xu Wang’s heart gradually calmed down.
Looking around the suite, Qian Ai, who became sleepy after eating, dozed off on the sofa; Wu Sheng, who seemed to be planning something, was at the desk, already filled with several sheets of draft paper; Kuang Jinxin sat beside the desk, intently watching Wu Sheng’s writing and drawing, not making a sound or asking questions, just understanding on his own, serious like a student in class; Chi Yingxue moved a single sofa in front of the TV, munching on an apple while watching a shopping channel, thoroughly engrossed.
According to their rhythm, today, tomorrow, and the day after were all “rest periods”, with the real “level-clearing day” only coming the day after tomorrow. So there was no pre-level-clearing tension at the moment.
But Xu Wang was still a bit uneasy.
The reason was simple: their last attempt at 8/23 had ended too tragically. Xu Wang still felt bone-aching pain whenever he thought of it.
It was around 11:30 p.m. when the five of them took a taxi to the coordinate point. Not long after getting off the taxi, it was midnight. Stepping into the purple vortex on the ground a month later, they returned to the starting point of 8/23.
A semi-open-air café with an excellent view.
The open-air part was surrounded by quaint green fences. Inside were several round tables, chairs, and large umbrellas for shade. A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying the aroma of coffee.
In reality, it was a cold, dark midnight.
But inside 8/23, it was a spring-like morning.
However, the five of them were well aware that, under this bright sunshine, a “bloody massacre” would soon take place.
There were already NPC customers under several of the sun umbrellas, leaving only one empty table by the fence. The five sat down, and a waiter came over to ask what they wanted to drink.
After ordering casually, the waiter left and never returned. Naturally, they weren’t served any coffee.
Just like 2/23’s airport, it was a “virtual experience”.
“It’s better in the castle banquet hall. The food and drinks are real, not fake.” Qian Ai sighed, pulling out a big white pear from his pocket and biting into it causing juice to splash everywhere.
Xu Wang remembered the large plate of fruit in the suite and asked, hoping for the best, “You only brought one in?”
“Do I look like the kind of person who eats alone?” Qian Ai took off his small backpack and, with a clatter, pulled out four more, all shiny, smooth, and fragrant. He distributed them to his teammates. “Eat as much as you like. There’s more when you’re done.”
Xu Wang realized that Classmate Qian wasn’t planning on clearing the level today; his bag was packed like he was going on a hike or a picnic.
Each of the five companions held a pear and sat around a table, enjoying their snack.
Two minutes later, the Owl’s purple vortex closed, and no new teams entered the café—distinguishing NPCs from peers was simple: just check if there’s coffee on the table.
“Are we the only ones in this level today?” Kuang Jinxin looked around, surprised. Even if they weren’t planning to clear the level, as long as they were at this coordinate point, they should have entered 8/23.
“A score of 8/23 is enough to make the overall leaderboard,” Qian Ai muttered while chewing on his white pear. “It’s normal to have fewer teams going through the levels.”
“It’s also possible that there are other teams,” Wu Sheng said. “They just didn’t get stuck at the coordinates like us.”
“That’s true.” Kuang Jinxin nodded.
To avoid encountering other teams, many would intentionally choose different times or places near the designated coordinates to enter the ‘Owl’.
Chi Yingxue, uninterested in the others, gazed distantly beyond the fence at the bustling street corner and said with an air of hope, “Are we really not going through the level today?”
Xu Wang gave him a “calm down” look and said earnestly, “Let’s just wait and see for now.”
Chi Yingxue shrugged. With no coffee or pastries, he had to make do with a bite of pear.
The fence was the safe zone, like the ancient castle’s banquet hall. Once they left, it meant the challenge began. Last time, as soon as they stepped out, they received the level content prompt. After joining the main group, they hadn’t even left the street when they all perished—a dark three minutes.
Noise from the street corner grew louder, indicating a large group was approaching.
Wu Sheng’s relaxed demeanor changed as he said solemnly, “They’re coming.”
Xu Wang tensed and quickly looked towards the street corner. Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin also became serious, turning their heads with Xu Wang.
Chi Yingxue, not as prepared as the others, continued nibbling on his pear, though his gaze shifted to the corner. As the team leader’s small flag appeared in the distance, he forgot to bite his pear.
Around the corner came a group of about thirty people, led by a flag-bearing leader, followed mostly by young men and women in their twenties and thirties, chatting and laughing lively.
They moved quickly, reaching the café in a short while. The guide approached the five of them, inviting warmly through the fence. “Are you interested in joining our all-inclusive city day tour?
Xu Wang decisively shook his head. “No, thanks.”
The leader asked again, “Sure you won’t join?”
This time, Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin all silently shook their heads.
Wu Sheng helped refuse a second time. “No need, thank you.”
The leader looked disappointed but didn’t persist, turning back to lead the group onwards.
The group passed the café, reaching a crosswalk.
The light was red.
About thirty people stood obediently, waiting.
In the distance, a dump truck approached normally, with no unusual speed or direction.
But just as it neared the crosswalk, a loud “bang” sounded—a front tire burst!
The driver, in panic, slammed on the brakes, but the vehicle, losing its front wheel, couldn’t maintain its course. With that brake, the truck drifted towards the thirty people waiting at the light!
It happened so fast. People who were laughing seconds ago were now stunned, with the two closest to the road instantly swept under the truck!
The others, realizing the danger, screamed and fled.
However, the truck, losing balance after drifting, flipped over, burying three people who couldn’t escape under a pile of debris!
In the chaos, another screeching brake sounded from a trailing vehicle, trying to stop too late. It hit a person who had run into the road in panic.
They avoided the burst tire and the dump spill, but not the following vehicle.
In just a few seconds, six people died.
As the dust settled, the group had lost several members. Yet, from the leader to the survivors, they all seemed amnesiac, resuming their cheerful demeanor and laughing as they crossed the road and continued on their planned route.
Xu Wang shuddered, feeling that cold terror unique to this challenge again.
Death is frightening.
But what’s scarier is knowing that a slight misstep could kill you, yet not knowing where the danger lies.
Or rather, death could come in countless ways at any moment.
[The demon causing accidents is among these people. Find them before sunset if you’re still alive.]
That was the first sentence they received from the [Cheat Sheet] after leaving the café fence last time.
Feeling weightless, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng only saw Xiao Hungry opening his mouth but couldn’t hear his voice anymore.
As the world stabilized and their vision cleared, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng found themselves back in front of the blue metal panels at the fenced construction site. However, their position had shifted from the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the site to a temporary parking lot on the east side.
At three in the morning, the coldest time of the night, the air alone was enough to make one feel the chill of the north, even without a breeze.
Yet, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng felt nothing.
They stared at each other, physically back in reality, but their thoughts still lingered in the “Owl”.
Finally, Xu Wang broke the silence. Under the quiet moonlight, his voice, filled with confusion and disbelief, was especially clear. “Do you think the change in mission was part of the original task setup and Xiao Hungry was just following the process, or…”
Unable to articulate another bizarre possibility, Xu Wang trailed off.
“Or was it Xiao Hungry’s own improvisation?” Wu Sheng helped him finish.
“Right, right.” Xu Wang exhaled in relief, calming down a bit. “That’s what I meant.”
Wu Sheng shook his head helplessly. “Hard to say.”
Xu Wang felt like changing his name to Despair. If even Wu Sheng couldn’t figure it out, there was little chance of getting a conclusion.
“Actually, it’s not just about changing the mission,” Wu Sheng continued. “The bet earlier, the one-minute countdown, and even before that, him directly teleporting us to the Ghost Spring, might not have been part of the Owl’s original setting.”
Xu Wang was astonished. “That’s a bit too overbearing…”
“Unless we go through this mission line again, there’s no chance to understand it fully.” Advisor Wu sighed while gazing at the starry sky, his eyes filled with unfulfilled regret.
“Go through it again?” Xu Wang didn’t like the idea at all. “I absolutely don’t want to go through such a heart-wrenching line a second time!”
Wu Sheng looked puzzled. “Didn’t you tell Xiao Hungry not to forget you?”
“We can meet again, but meeting doesn’t mean we have to do a task.” Xu Wang looked up at the sky, picturing a beautiful reunion. “We can chat, play chess, catch ghosts, or something. It would be fun and enjoyable, how nice.”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Suddenly, a ringtone sounded from Xu Wang’s pocket. On the quiet night street, it was exceptionally loud.
“Where are you two?” The call was from Lao Qian. As soon as it connected, his robust voice came through.
Xu Wang felt incredibly guilty, having been so preoccupied with discussing Xiao Hungry that he nearly forgot about his two valiant teammates.
He quickly described their approximate location. About five minutes after hanging up, Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin turned the corner from the street. In the Eastern Courtyard’s old house, walking from the Underworld to the Heavenly Realm didn’t seem far, but back in reality, the distance was quite evident.
The four friends took a taxi back to the hotel before exchanging their experiences.
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin’s story was simple, mostly about being tormented by the Dream Ghost. Of course, Classmate Qian’s gallant education of the Dream Ghost was a highlight.
After the two friends finished, Xu Wang recounted the submission process he and Wu Sheng went through.
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin didn’t expect such a complicated process, let alone the remaining mysteries and “frightening conjectures”.
At least for Qian Ai, the idea of NPCs acting freely was quite hair-raising. “Aren’t you two overthinking it?”
Xu Wang understood. Anyone would find it unbelievable, as they had never encountered NPCs deviating from their scripted roles in the Owl before. And while the events could be retold, the feelings couldn’t.
“If you had experienced it yourself, you definitely wouldn’t think we’re overthinking,” he could only say.
……
At noon the next day, the four friends took a train from Xuchang to Anyang.
They hadn’t reached a conclusion about Xiao Hungry for the time being, and another teammate had been waiting for several days. Fortunately, both 5/23 and 6/23 were in Henan, so it was just over an hour’s train ride away.
Xu Wang had informed Chi Yingxue in advance, who then directly sent the location of a hotel. Right off the train, the four friends took a cab there.
In the hotel lobby, as soon as Xu Wang mentioned “Mr. Chi”, they were warmly and politely led to the elevator and taken straight to the top floor.
Exiting the elevator, Xu Wang knew immediately, without asking, that it was a top-tier suite again.
At the end of the corridor, the suite door was wide open, with Chi Yingxue leaning against the door frame, facing their direction, watching them from afar.
He wore a haze blue knitted sweater and deep blue acid-washed jeans today. Though both were in the blue spectrum, the difference in depth made for a harmonious match. The low-key and quiet colors complemented his fair skin, giving him a melancholic serenity.
Of course, the four friends knew that this was a “false impression” brought by his outfit.
Chi Yingxue couldn’t possibly be melancholic and quiet. For example, he was frowning at them from afar.
As they got close enough to hear each other clearly, he immediately said, “Tsk, you guys are slow.”
Having said that, he turned and entered the room.
Qian Ai was puzzled, glancing at the other three friends. “He waited at the door just to complain?”
Xu Wang chuckled, patting his shoulder. “That’s Xiao Xue’s special welcome ceremony. You have to understand.”
Qian Ai: “…It’s too hard to understand!”
While talking, the four friends entered the room. The suite, not as big as the one in Beijing, was still nearly 300 square meters. Even with five people inside, it felt spacious.
“Did your brother book this again?” Xu Wang looked at Chi Yingxue.
The latter, already sitting on the sofa, shrugged his shoulders in response.
Xu Wang was conflicted. “Does your brother have a pass for all the top presidential suites in five-star hotels across the country?”
“He only has this one good point,” Chi Yingxue said while peeling an orange and tossing a segment into his mouth.
Qian Ai, busy looking around, didn’t hear the context but caught the last part and asked, “What good point?”
Chi Yingxue, chewing the sweet and sour orange, naturally replied, “He’s rich.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Why did he even ask!
The four travel-weary companions put down their backpacks and settled themselves comfortably, officially starting their reunion.
“If you didn’t come soon, I was planning to switch teams,” Chi Yingxue declared, finishing the last segment of his orange, expressing his feelings about the wait.
Xu Wang noticed his impatience, appreciating that this new teammate, known for his lack of patience, had waited so many days for them. However, he still felt the need to defend his team. “Switch teams? Where else could you find a company as good as ours?”
Chi Yingxue raised an eyebrow. “What’s so good about it?”
Without hesitation, Xu Wang responded, “The CEO has tremendous personal charisma.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
Seeing the conversation might not go further, Captain Xu quickly changed the topic. He briefed the new teammate on their twenty-day journey through the challenges and then focused on the experience with Xiao Hungry in 5/23.
Unlike Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin’s skepticism, Chi Yingxue clearly didn’t believe a word and simply nodded. “Oh.”
Xu Wang: “That’s it? Don’t you have anything else to say?”
Chi Yingxue thought for a moment. “It must have been part of the mission line’s original setting.”
“……” Xu Wang wished Chi Yingxue had more curiosity, just like Wu Sheng, whose curiosity was like a disease. Why couldn’t these two teammates balance their curiosity about the world!
“Forget it.” Xu Wang gave up. “Tell us about your experiences. How was your journey through the challenges these days?”
Although they kept in touch with Chi Yingxue through WeChat, their communication was infrequent and rarely detailed about the challenges. They mostly exchanged information to avoid attempting the same challenges on the same day.
Chi Yingxue: “Joined teams, submitted papers.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Kuang Jin Xin: “……”
Qian Ai: “That’s it?”
Chi Yingxue: “Then joined another team, submitted another paper.”
The four companions: “……”
Sensing his teammates’ speechless stares, Chi Yingxue felt compelled to elaborate. “I’m too familiar with the first five levels. It’s all the same to me, whoever the team is, as long as I want to turn in my papers.”
“Don’t boast.” Qian Ai couldn’t stand his exaggeration. “When we met on 3/23, didn’t we submit before your team?”
Chi Yingxue shrugged. “Han Buting didn’t let me do as I pleased.”
“It wasn’t freedom? Don’t tell me that pushing Kuang Jinxin on the Ferris wheel was Han Buting’s plan,” Qian Ai blurted out without thinking.
After saying it, he regretted it a bit, feeling like he was dredging up old grievances.
Kuang Jinxin didn’t expect Qian Ai to bring that up, but he was indeed curious about what Chi Yingxue was thinking back then, so he looked at him.
Unexpectedly, Chi Yingxue was also examining him, and after a thorough look, he turned to Qian Ai and asked seriously, “Don’t you think his face screams ‘please bully me’?”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
He regretted thinking about it for so long!
Qian Ai couldn’t sit still anymore, ready to throw himself at Chi Yingxue like a cannonball, but Xu Wang quickly intervened, reminding him, “Presidential suite, presidential suite—”
Qian Ai’s raised fist reluctantly returned to his side.
It’s hard to fight when you’re indebted!
After finally calming Qian Ai down, Xu Wang felt exhausted.
There was Wu Sheng, who intermittently spoke in abstracts, and now Chi Yingxue, who could make sense but provokes enmity with every sentence. Leading this team wasn’t easy!
But on second thought, what teammates say isn’t as important as what they do.
Chi Yingxue didn’t owe them his patience. Though they were teammates, they hadn’t actually spent many days tackling levels together before splitting up. With Chi Yingxue’s almost non-existent patience, switching teams would have been normal, and Xu Wang had even anticipated it.
Thus, reuniting with Chi Yingxue after more than twenty days was quite surprising for Xu Wang.
He also felt a bit guilty.
He didn’t expect Chi Yingxue to fully open up to them, and likewise, he hadn’t fully opened up to Chi Yingxue.
But now, he didn’t want to hold back anymore.
“Xiao Xue.” Xu Wang took a deep breath and began.
After many days, Chi Yingxue’s resistance had worn off, and he couldn’t help but respond, “If you keep calling me that, I’ll leave the team.”
Xu Wang didn’t expect to have to change the nickname first and quickly thought of another: “…Xue?”
Chi Yingxue, resignedly sinking into the sofa, replied, “Just stick with Xiao.”
With the comparison, Xiao Xue instantly seemed full of robust masculinity.
Xu Wang’s lips curled in triumph, but he quickly became serious again. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Chi Yingxue didn’t seem very concerned and asked casually. “What?”
The crisp notification sound rang out beside the Ghost Spring, interrupting the still-deliberating Captain Xu and Advisor Wu. They received good news from their teammate.
[Owl: Congratulations on finding the 5/23 Ghost Mansion badge!]
Xu Wang, squatting beside the well, turned to look at Wu Sheng with a pitiful expression. “Heaven didn’t hear your prayer.”
Wu Sheng sighed and nodded, rarely admitting his own lack of divine power.
“No team happened to submit their papers just now,” Xu Wang added, sounding utterly disheartened.
Wu Sheng asked, “Have you decided what to do?”
Xu Wang took out a yellowed little paper packet from his pocket, staring at it blankly. It was hard to imagine that such an inconspicuous thing, thrown into the spring, could annihilate all the ghosts in the Eastern Courtyard.
Though they were called ghosts, Xiao Hungry and those in charge were all very much alive, with emotions, friendships, and loyalties.
“Who let you in here!” Suddenly, a stern voice came from behind.
The two turned around sharply to see the manager from the Heavenly Realm.
Seeing the paper packet in Xu Wang’s hand, the manager’s body was suddenly enveloped in dark energy, his voice deepened, and his eyes shot sharp lights. “What are you planning to do with the Ghost Spring?”
The two immediately stood up and faced the manager.
Xu Wang instinctively clenched the paper packet in his palm, gripping it tightly, his lips moving, but he couldn’t answer the manager’s question. Perhaps the earlier dilemma had exhausted all his mental energy, and now the usually ready lies deserted him.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. But then, a very short “ding!” sound came from their arms.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were both surprised.
Not only surprised by the timing of the notification but also that they had never heard such a “ding” before!
Since joining the Owl, they had heard three types of “dings”: the first was the common notification “ding—”, the second was the paper submission notification “ding-ling-ling—”, and the third was the record-breaking notification “ding-ling-ling-ling-ling~~~”.
But this short “ding”, almost unnoticeable if not paying attention, was a first!
With the situation urgent, they no longer cared about revealing their identities and simultaneously raised their arms—
[Cheat Sheet]: 1 minute. Countdown begins now.
The two exchanged a quick glance, baffled.
They had seen countdown notifications before, but they always knew what the countdown was for!
For instance, the 4-hour bomb defusal on the red-eye flight, the 15-minute cross-dimensional battle in the doomsday city, or the 5-minute grace period for disbanding or kicking out members after forming a 5-person team in the Owl.
But this vague countdown, what were they supposed to race against time for?!
Wu Sheng’s gaze shifted to the paper packet tightly held in Xu Wang’s hand, his voice low and fast. “Ghost Spring”.
Xu Wang’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Only one minute left to poison the Ghost Spring?!
They had been deliberating for ten minutes and still hadn’t made a decision!
“What are you sneaking around for?” The manager stepped forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Leave the Ghost Spring now, or I’ll be forced to be unpleasant.”
There were 50 seconds left in the countdown.
Sweat in Xu Wang’s palm dampened the paper packet.
“Wu Sheng,” Xu Wang suddenly called in a low voice.
“I’m here,” Wu Sheng replied.
“Even if I throw this packet into the spring, even if it causes destruction, the Eastern Courtyard will still be the same tomorrow, right?” Xu Wang asked softly.
“Right, otherwise, how would other teams continue their challenges?” Wu Sheng quietly answered, watching the manager on the other side of the spring.
“Then why can’t I bring myself to do it…” Xu Wang’s eyes heated up, and his throat turned bitter.
Wu Sheng gave a helpless smile. “I can’t answer that question for you because I feel the same way.”
There were 35 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “Why isn’t the manager coming over?”
Wu Sheng: “He’s probably waiting for the countdown too.”
Xu Wang: “What happens when the countdown ends?”
Wu Sheng: “He’ll probably come over to send us on our way.”
There were 20 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “Will Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang blame us?”
Wu Sheng: “Xiao Kuang probably won’t.”
Xu Wang: “And Lao Qian?”
Wu Sheng: “That depends on how much trouble he went through to get the badge.”
There were 10 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “What if I say you were too soft-hearted to do it?”
Wu Sheng: “I don’t mind. It’s up to them whether they believe it or not.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng: “You said I was rational and not inhumane.”
Xu Wang: “…That was you who said that!”
The countdown ended.
The manager didn’t move but slightly tilted his head towards the right upper space, respectfully saying, “Boss, you won.”
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were stunned, following his gaze upwards.
Above the Ghost Spring, a dark figure faintly appeared.
A black robe, red eyes, and the same gaunt face with a sallow complexion, but the expression was now imposing, no longer showing any signs of frailty or pity. Instead, there was a sense of danger and oppression.
Xiao Hungry had become a formidable figure.
Overwhelmed by this turn of events, Xu Wang couldn’t accept it, even with the evidence right in front of his eyes, and he still asked in disbelief, “Xiao Hungry?”
The Starving Ghost floated down, not going to his manager, but landing in front of Wu Sheng and Xu Wang.
Just a step away, they faced each other directly.
The Starving Ghost gave a faint smile. “You deceived me, and I deceived you. We’re even.”
Anger boiling up inside him, Xu Wang pushed the Starving Ghost away. “Get lost! We only hid our task from you, but you’ve been playing us for fools from the very beginning!”
The Starving Ghost staggered backward, the smile fading from his face, but his eyes still held no hostility.
“I only lied to you about my identity,” he said, eyes downcast, his emotions hidden in the shadows.
“Ha, just that? What about ‘leading many people but no one ever willing to take you out of the Underworld’? A ghost’s lie*? Oh, I forgot, you are a ghost! What kind of double agent are we, compared to your supreme undercover act!” Xu Wang had never been so emotionally invested in an NPC. As much as he had been troubled before, he was now equally furious.
*(鬼说) It’s a term referring to something equivalent to a “tall tale”.
The Starving Ghost looked up slightly, his expression much colder than Xu Wang’s agitation, but if one listened carefully, there was deep sincerity in his voice. “I didn’t lie to you.”
“Not lie to me? You’re the boss of the Eastern Courtyard. Do you even need someone else to take you to the Heavenly Realm? The heavens will follow you wherever you go!”
“It’s different, whether the heavens follow me or someone is willing to take me to it.”
“So, those who ignored you were lucky enough not to be deceived by you?”
“They didn’t need to. Because I wouldn’t let them enter the Human Realm.”
“……”
Xu Wang, already infuriated and mentally short-circuited, was even more frustrated by the ghost’s sharp retorts.
Wu Sheng held Xu Wang’s shoulder and patted it soothingly. He asked the Starving Ghost on behalf of Xu Wang, “Is your death real?”
The Starving Ghost frowned slightly, not understanding. “Huh?”
Wu Sheng was much calmer than Xu Wang. Although he felt awkward, his logic was still clear and organized. Rather than being upset by the deception, he cared more about “clarifying matters for Xu Wang”.
“You said you starved to death in your previous life and have been hungry ever since, unable to be satisfied. Is that true?”
The Starving Ghost said without hesitation, “Yes.”
Wu Sheng raised an eyebrow. “The boss of the Western Courtyard said that the boss of the Eastern Courtyard is the Heart-Digging Ghost.”
The Starving Ghost remained calm. “Always hungry, always wanting to dig out hearts to eat.”
Wu Sheng: “At the manager’s place in the Underworld, you knew we weren’t ghosts. Why didn’t you dig out our hearts?”
The Starving Ghost looked at him quietly. “I dig out the hearts of evil people, not friends.”
Wu Sheng was silent for a long while, his eyes flickering. “Our goal was to poison the Eastern Courtyard. With one small packet, all the ghosts there would be annihilated. Do you think we consider you a friend?”
The Starving Ghost looked at Xu Wang, still tightly clutching the paper packet. “But you still didn’t do it.”
“Are you done questioning!” The manager by the Ghost Spring, unhappy now, interjected. “You were already exposed at the manager’s place in the Underworld. If it weren’t for the boss, you wouldn’t even be able to enter the Human Realm, let alone the Ghost Spring!”
Just as Wu Sheng was about to respond, Xu Wang asked the Starving Ghost first, “Why did you help us, knowing we were going to poison the entire Eastern Courtyard?”
“I didn’t know at that time.” The Starving Ghost shook his head. “As for why I helped?” He thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head again. “I can’t explain.”
Xu Wang looked at him and suddenly realized that although the entire demeanor and expression of the ghost had changed, becoming completely cold, the eyes of the Starving Ghost still held some familiar elements from before.
“When did you find out that we were going to poison the place?” Xu Wang’s anger had passed, and now he just wanted a clear understanding.
The Starving Ghost answered, “When you persuaded me to leave the Eastern Courtyard.”
Xu Wang asked, “Knowing that, why didn’t you expose us?”
The Starving Ghost said, “I thought you wouldn’t go through with it.”
Xu Wang smirked. “So you made a bet with the manager to see if we would go easy on you?”
The Starving Ghost paused for a moment, then said, “It was to see if you cared about me as a friend.”
Xu Wang looked at him intently. “You won. We indeed couldn’t go through with it. And then?”
The Starving Ghost said, “I regretted it.”
Xu Wang: “……”
The Starving Ghost: “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing, boss?” The manager floated over and landed next to the Starving Ghost. He angrily said, “If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have sent them to the afterlife just now!”
Xu Wang’s chest heaved with turmoil, his mind in chaos, unable to sort out who was right, who was wrong, and who owed whom more. It was a complete mess.
Suddenly, the Starving Ghost grabbed his arm.
Xu Wang was startled and instinctively tried to pull away, but the Starving Ghost’s grip was so strong that he couldn’t break free.
Looking down, Wu Sheng was in the same predicament.
The Starving Ghost held each of their arms, eyes closed, surrounded by black energy, muttering under his breath.
Xu Wang panicked. “Xiao Hungry, there’s no need to curse us over a quarrel…”
Before he finished speaking, a combined “ding—” sounded.
On their arms, held tightly, the owl emblem on the [Cheat Sheet] automatically opened, entering [Cheat Sheet].
The new notification in the [Cheat Sheet] already stunned Xu Wang and Wu Sheng, but what shocked them even more was that the mission inside the [Cheat Sheet] had changed!
The original mission was — [Cheat Sheet]: [Mission] Infiltrate the Eastern Courtyard, find the Ghost Spring, and pour in the Soul Annihilation Powder!
The new mission was — [Cheat Sheet]: [Mission] Infiltrate the Eastern Courtyard, find the Heart-Digging Ghost.
Xu Wang was dumbfounded.
Even Wu Sheng’s mind was a bit muddled.
The one-minute countdown earlier was without a clear indication; now the mission had inexplicably changed. Encountering two “inconceivables” in one night was a bit too much, wasn’t it?!
And… find the Heart-Digging Ghost? Wasn’t that Xiao Hungry? They had already found him!
“Ding—”
[Owl: Congratulations on passing the 5/23 test and handing in your papers! See you tomorrow~~]
They succeeded?!
Xu Wang looked at the Starving Ghost in astonishment, his eyes nearly popping out. A myriad of questions flooded his mind, each one begging for an answer.
But time was already running out.
Before the world spun around him, Xu Wang, following his instincts, said what he most wanted to say, “My name is Xu Wang, and he’s Wu Sheng. We’ll remember you, and don’t you forget us either—”
The mother came knocking at the door, and Gu Jie felt that the likelihood of a misunderstanding was slim, especially given how certain she seemed. Sometimes, when one side is assertive, the other can easily become flustered and unsure…
But this wasn’t some small, trivial matter to be blamed for inadvertently; this was a huge accusation!
“Auntie,” Gu Jie began with difficulty. “Please think carefully again. Did Lu Yiyao really say it was me? Did he tell you himself that he was involved with me?”
Fan Li, seasoned by years in the business world, prided herself on being able to discern truth from lies. The bewilderment on the young man’s face in front of her didn’t seem feigned. Moreover, if he truly were in a relationship with Lu Yiyao, he should have shown some heartache at the suggestion of breaking up or persuading Lu Yiyao. Even if he could mask it on his face, what about his eyes? Unless he had no real feelings for Lu Yiyao, it was impossible not to show any sign.
But all she saw in him was “shock”, and this shock didn’t contain any hint of guilt or worry over a secret being discovered but rather complete perplexity. Besides that, the only thing he had shown was reassurance and consolation to her, a grieving mother, including holding her hand continuously to offer warmth and strength.
“He told me himself.” Fan Li decided to bluff one last time, watching Gu Jie’s face intently for any microexpressions.
She witnessed the entire transformation of Gu Jie from shock to bewilderment, from bewilderment to perplexity, and from perplexity to despair.
Finally, Gu Jie sighed deeply, his face becoming more troubled as his brows knitted tightly. “I don’t know why he would say that. As a friend, I support him unconditionally, whether he likes men or women. But personally, I really can’t respond to these feelings… Auntie, there are some things I’m not at liberty to discuss, but since you came today, could you convey my stance to Lu Yiyao? Even a hint would do. I don’t want to lose this friend, and it might be easier coming from you…”
“Wait a second,” Fan Li interrupted him, feeling the need to calm down and think things through.
She had come here intending to persuade this man to leave her son, but how had it turned into something like a matchmaking conversation, and why was he solemnly rejecting?!
Something was definitely amiss.
Fan Li quickly reviewed the events from last night, when Lu Yiyao confessed to her, to this morning’s departure, trying to reconstruct every detail as accurately as possible. She quickly identified the pivotal moment—it was Lu Yimeng!
She had extracted the information from her daughter, but the more she thought about it, the more credible Lu Yimeng’s slip-up seemed.
But “credible” depends on whether Lu Yimeng’s perceived “truth” is indeed true. What if her daughter had been mistaken?
She had assumed Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” came from Lu Yiyao and concluded that Lu Yiyao didn’t involve his sister in his confession to avoid her wrath. However, what if Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” didn’t come from Lu Yiyao at all? What if her son didn’t even know his sister was aware? That would make more sense why he chose to confess alone. After all, with an overly reactive Lu Yimeng present, who knows if the conversation could have proceeded smoothly?
Another critical point was Gu Jie’s obvious lack of romantic interest in Lu Yiyao. She knew her son well enough to know he wouldn’t force anyone into a relationship. During his confession, Lu Yiyao’s demeanor was clearly of someone who believed the other party reciprocated. If the other party hadn’t given any indication, even remotely, or was as completely unaware as Gu Jie seemed to be, then her son wouldn’t have acted that way.
Fan Li didn’t want to admit she had been misled into a huge blunder by her daughter, but that was the only explanation that made sense.
Gu Jie watched as Fan Li’s eyes flickered with intense thought, clearly pondering over a crucial and complex issue. He waited patiently, not daring to interrupt, fearful that even a cough might disrupt her concentration.
“Why are you so sure you can’t reciprocate Lu Yiyao’s feelings?” Fan Li spoke again, the previous aggressive demeanor and manipulative softness fading, replaced by rational calm. “Is there something about him you find unsatisfactory? His looks? Body? Personality? Family? Or us as his parents…”
“Gender.” Gu Jie knew it wasn’t polite to interrupt, but with his reputation at stake, he got straight to the point to prevent any further misunderstandings. “No need to consider aspects like looks or personality; first and foremost, his gender isn’t suitable.”
Fan Li bluntly asked, “You like women?”
Gu Jie sincerely replied, “Auntie, to tell you the truth, in all my years, you’re the first person to doubt my orientation.”
Obviously, her misunderstanding was firmly established now, and it was a big one at that.
For the first time in her life, Fan Li experienced what it felt like to desperately want to crawl into a hole and disappear. But as embarrassed as she felt inside, she couldn’t let it show; otherwise, it would be too humiliating.
Although Gu Jie wasn’t involved with her son in that way, he was still a friend, or even a close friend, which was beyond doubt. Her son didn’t have many close friends, so Fan Li found herself involuntarily thinking from her son’s perspective about today’s events and Gu Jie’s reactions—
“Have you ever considered that Lu Yiyao saying he’s with you might just be a way to use you as a shield, to protect the person he’s really involved with? And your words today are essentially dismantling his cover.”
Gu Jie was puzzled. “Are you suggesting I should collude with Lu Yiyao to deceive you?”
Fan Li didn’t answer directly but said, “I just think that since you’re friends and he’s asked you to cover for him, it wouldn’t hurt to help him out a bit.”
Gu Jie’s brows, which had begun to relax with the clearing up of the misunderstanding, furrowed again. For the first time since meeting Fan Li, he showed a look of disagreement and even displeasure, something that hadn’t happened even when Fan Li was accusing him earlier.
Fan Li noticed the change in his emotions, somewhat surprised, but remained composed on the surface.
Gu Jie had already started speaking, his voice calm yet assertive, displaying an utterly serious attitude. “Auntie, I’m a straightforward person and I speak my mind. Please don’t take offense…”
Fan Li knew that usually, when someone starts with such a preface, what follows tends to fall into the “definitely not going to like hearing it” category.
Gu Jie continued without pausing, “I consider Lu Yiyao a friend, and I’d take a bullet for him if he needed. But in this matter, I don’t think he should use me as a shield. Using me doesn’t help solve the problem. In essence, it’s just delaying tactics. But how would delaying a few days change anything? Would you change your mind and accept him? It’s just evasion. So using me as a shield is wrong, and not even telling me about it goes against the principles of friendship…”
Fan Li was taken aback by Gu Jie’s bluntness. It seemed she inadvertently put her son in the line of fire and was about to explain when Gu Jie cut her off again—
“Auntie, please let me finish,” Gu Jie insisted, looking directly into Fan Li’s eyes with an open and honest gaze. “I don’t just disagree with Lu Yiyao’s approach; I also disagree with yours. Not to mention anything else, you came here first asking me to persuade him, and when you found out I wasn’t the person you were looking for, you felt I wasn’t helping Lu Yiyao enough, like I wasn’t a good enough friend. From start to finish, you’ve only considered things from your perspective. Have you considered mine?”
Gu Jie is the type who won’t stop once he starts talking, aiming for complete clarity. However, once he finished, he realized that Mother Lu’s expression was… not too favorable.
Gu Jie was at his wit’s end. His entire Gu family favored speaking the harsh truth, disliking any form of sugar coating or beating around the bush, including his mother with her straightforward and fiery temper. Gu Jie dreaded such scenarios where tact was required. “I mean, Auntie, I’m just saying. I didn’t mean to criticize you. I just feel that…”
“Sorry,” Fan Li suddenly interjected.
Gu Jie stopped mid-explanation, stunned.
Fan Li wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to reason, especially now that she realized she had targeted the wrong person, leaving her without any animosity towards Gu Jie and feeling rather apologetic. Indeed, Gu Jie’s words might have made her lose face, but instead of defending herself and making things worse, she chose to apologize frankly, acknowledging that she had acted impulsively by coming here and unfairly making Gu Jie carry the blame. If she were in Gu Jie’s shoes, she might not have remained as calm as he had.
“It’s okay…” Gu Jie said awkwardly, scratching his head, unsure how else to respond.
But Fan Li shook her head. “Not just for barging in without understanding the situation, but also for deceiving you.”
Gu Jie, puzzled, sat up straighter, waiting to hear the “truth”.
“Lu Yiyao didn’t use you as a shield. He only told me he liked men, not who it was.” Fan Li thought admitting such a mistake would be embarrassing, but once she said it, she found it easier than expected, perhaps due to the atmosphere or being influenced by Gu Jie’s directness.
However, honesty is indeed a balm for the soul.
For the first time since last night, Fan Li felt a bit of relief. Though she was far from feeling entirely unburdened and her heart was still heavy, at least there was a small corner where she could relax, not having to hold back or restrain herself, and speak some heartfelt truths—
“It was my daughter who told me, saying that her brother and you were involved. I assumed Lu Yiyao had told her. Now it seems more likely that she deduced it herself from what she perceived as clues.”
Gu Jie looked into Fan Li’s sincere eyes, willing to believe her words this time, but asked, “Is your daughter a police officer?”
Fan Li was momentarily puzzled. “No.”
Gu Jie heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, there would be so many more miscarriages of justice in this world.”
Fan Li couldn’t help but laugh, then felt a touch of melancholy.
Gu Jie, coming back to his senses, remembered the shock of learning about Lu Yiyao’s orientation. They had been friends for so long, and he hadn’t noticed any hints. Lu Yiyao had hidden it too well!
Initially, when she realized it was a misunderstanding, Fan Li wanted to glean some clues from Gu Jie. But now, seeing him even more clueless than herself, she found it somewhat amusing yet frustrating.
Perhaps it was because Gu Jie was as baffled as she was that Fan Li felt a subtle sense of camaraderie with her son’s friend. Facing Gu Jie, she unconsciously relaxed, no longer feeling antagonistic but rather empathetic due to their shared astonishment.
“Coming in full of steam and leaving with my tail between my legs.” Fan Li was rarely self-deprecated. “This must be the most unsuccessful negotiation in my life.”
As she got up to leave, she heard Gu Jie say, “I think it was a very successful conversation.”
Fan Li looked at him, puzzled, and sat back down. “How so?”
Gu Jie explained, “Because if you hadn’t come to me today but had found the person Lu Yiyao really likes, you would have completely failed.”
Fan Li narrowed her eyes, a subconscious gesture of defense. “What do you mean?”
Gu Jie pondered for a moment, then said, “Auntie, everything I’m about to say is the truth. Please don’t take offense…”
“Do you have anything I’d like to hear?” Fan Li was already wary of this young man’s preamble.
Gu Jie fell silent.
Seeing his struggle to find the right words, Fan Li softened again. “Just say what I might not like to hear.”
Gu Jie exhaled, prepared himself, and faced Fan Li squarely. Without considering anything else, he spoke his mind, hoping to offer some insight to his friend’s mother. He might not understand loving men, but the trope of mothers trying to persuade their children to break up with undesired partners was all too common in dramas and news stories. Every time he saw it, he wanted to offer his two cents—
“Auntie, Lu Yiyao was honest with you, so why do you ignore him and try to persuade the person he likes to break up instead? Because you don’t want to confront your son, you think it’s easier to deal with an outsider than your own son… Right?
It had been many years since anyone spoke to Fan Li in such a manner. In the business world, everyone maintains layers of decorum, never revealing their true thoughts directly, preferring to beat around the bush. Her children, of course, are frank with her, but out of filial piety, they rarely point out her faults, and even when they do, they choose a gentle and indirect way.
Being bluntly called out on some of her darker thoughts was hard to bear.
But Gu Jie wasn’t being critical. It seemed he just preferred to be clear to the maximum extent, eliminating any ambiguity to ensure his thoughts are transmitted to the listener as accurately and undistorted as possible.
Such straightforwardness is disarming, yet not offensive. It even carries a certain charm that makes you want to listen more.
“But you’re wrong, Auntie. If you had found the right person today, not only would you not be able to avoid confronting Lu Yiyao, but it would also strain your relationship with him even more. I think Lu Yiyao didn’t want to tell you the person’s name because he wanted to protect him, not wanting him to bear the brunt of the storm. Yet, you’ve done exactly what Lu Yiyao least wanted to see. Do you think this is solving the problem, or is it exacerbating the conflict?”
Fan Li: “Maybe I would have been able to persuade that person to leave Lu Yiyao.”
Gu Jie: “And then, would Lu Yiyao not be heartbroken?”
Fan Li: “Heartbreak heals.”
Gu Jie: “What about the hurt caused by his own mother?”
Fan Li frowned, staring at Gu Jie.
“I’m just putting myself in his shoes; I might not be right,” Gu Jie continued. “But I think Lu Yiyao was honest with you about his feelings for men because he trusts you, respects you. Otherwise, he could have just not married for life and kept a secret affair. He knows you won’t immediately accept it, so why would he come out and ask for trouble? Because you’re important to him. He wants your approval because he wants a completely honest relationship with his family. But by respecting you this way, did your approach respect him? If you had found the person he likes today, then the hurt your words would cause that person would essentially all be inflicted on Lu Yiyao.”
Fan Li felt a pang in her heart. Everything Gu Jie said made sense, and she started to consider what if she had found the right person today, what would the aftermath be once Lu Yiyao found out the truth…
“So, there’s no solution to this. If Lu Yiyao informs me, I just have to accept it, right?” Fan Li felt trapped, unable to move forward, unwilling to step back, and eventually turned to Gu Jie with a sour smile. “You’re a good advocate, but no matter what you say, I can’t accept my son liking men.”
Gu Jie shook his head without hesitation. “Persuading you to accept a man loving another man is something Lu Yiyao should do, not me. I won’t take his place in persuading you. Besides, I can’t do it; this is also an unknown territory for me.”
Fan Li was taken aback, confused. “Then what was all that you just said…”
“I wanted you to understand, regardless of the final outcome, you should communicate and resolve it with Lu Yiyao, not seek others,” Gu Jie stated. “Because the root of the issue is Lu Yiyao liking men—it’s irrelevant who he likes.”
Fan Li’s face showed genuine sadness. This wasn’t feigned; Gu Jie’s words had truly affected her. “Why does it have to be like this? It’s abnormal. Men should like women. Why can’t he just…”
“I can’t explain this matter clearly, but he’s not an exception. Homosexuality has existed since ancient times. There’s a saying, ‘If it exists, it’s reasonable’…” Gu Jie faltered, realizing he was out of his depth. “But one thing I know, he really loves you, so he doesn’t want to deceive you.”
Fan Li looked down, and Gu Jie couldn’t see her face but clearly saw a tear drop onto her leg and disappear into the dark fabric.
“If he really cared for me as his mother, how could he bear to make me suffer so much?”
Gu Jie heard her say.
After a long silence, Gu Jie said, “He can’t bear it. I remember my mother always willing to tell me, son, no matter what big trouble you encounter, don’t carry it alone, tell me. Even if I can’t help, just listening is sharing the burden. I haven’t actually shared any troubles with my mother, fearing it’d make her sad. But if I were in Lu Yiyao’s situation, I would choose to tell my mother too, because it’s you parents who make us believe that a parent’s love can encompass everything.”
Gu Jie blinked, suppressing the warmth in his eyes, feeling a bit homesick and melancholic.
Fan Li remained head down, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Gu Jie leaned over to pat her back, his heart filled with sorrow.
It was a while before Fan Li finally looked up, her face marked by tears but otherwise plain and not too obvious. What surprised Gu Jie was her quick recovery—venting silently and calming down swiftly.
Gu Jie inwardly marveled, ‘Truly Teacher Lu’s mother.’
“Thank you for not holding it against this middle-aged woman and being willing to talk so much.” Fan Li exhaled, looking sincerely at Gu Jie. “Though I still can’t accept it… like you said, the root lies with Lu Yiyao. It’s an internal family matter, and bothering others is pointless.”
Having seemingly persuaded Fan Li gave Gu Jie a huge sense of accomplishment. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand and raised it, as if they were about to arm wrestle, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t say a word about today’s visit to Lu Yiyao, as if it never happened!”
Fan Li was momentarily stunned, then realized.
If Gu Jie told Lu Yiyao, he would undoubtedly be angry with her for taking matters into her own hands. Then all that Gu Jie mentioned about “exacerbating the conflict” and “hurting Lu Yiyao” would probably all come true.
Looking back, Fan Li realized that what she did was not only impulsive and poorly considered, but also quite foolish and illogical. She always thought the wives beating up the mistresses in the news should be confronting their husbands instead. Yet, when it came to her own situation, she reacted just as irrationally.
“Thank you.” Fan Li didn’t know what else to say. She was grateful that she had found the wrong person today, and even more grateful that the wrong person was Gu Jie. Her son didn’t have many friends in the entertainment industry, but if they were all like Gu Jie, a few would be enough.
Fan Li, now with a shifted perspective on solving the problem, was truly ready to leave this time.
Gu Jie offered to escort her downstairs, but she declined, so he only walked her to the door and watched as she entered the elevator before closing the door and returning inside.
However, once back inside, he went to the window to look down, and before long, he saw Lu Yiyao’s mother leaving the building.
Her car couldn’t enter the residents’ underground parking, so it was parked in an open-air spot in the complex.
Gu Jie watched her walk away with mixed feelings. Coming out is torturous enough to think about, and it’s bound to be a long battle. He didn’t think he had the power to turn the tide, but the least he could do was help Teacher Lu bring his mother home, preventing the battlefield from spreading and involving the innocent. As for how to continue solving the problem behind closed doors, he could only send his best wishes to Teacher Lu.
This was the first time in his life he had spoken so much in one go. Though he felt somewhat drained, he thought it was worth it for a friend.
With that thought, Gu Jie closed the window, turned, and went back to his bedroom, keeping his deeds to himself.
……
Dai Chu was driving while glancing at his boss in the rearview mirror. Since she left Gu Jie’s place, she hadn’t said a word and was just staring out the window, seemingly lost and bewildered. This wasn’t the Fan Li he knew, lacking her usual sharpness, composure, and determination, instead appearing somewhat vulnerable.
He didn’t know what had happened at Gu Jie’s house, but perhaps the crux wasn’t there. Since seeing Fan Li that morning, she seemed struck by something.
Having worked with Fan Li for years, Dai Chu rarely saw her like this. Even when she was occasionally emotionally agitated or even lost her composure, it usually had something to do with Lu Guoming, her ex-husband. A few harsh words, and it was mostly over—just anger. But this time was different.
“Not going back to the office,” Fan Li suddenly broke her silence, decisively stating. “Just drive around this area for a bit.”
Dai Chu was confused but saw his boss regaining her usual demeanor and didn’t ask further, driving the car in circles around the neighborhood.
In the backseat, Fan Li picked up her phone and dialed a number.
No one answered the call, and Fan Li’s expression grew darker.
She tried again and again, and finally, on what seemed like the umpteenth attempt, the call was answered, but clearly not by the person she wanted—
“Oh… In a meeting. I see. Then please tell him that Fan Li is looking for him… Yes, right now.”
Dai Chu wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but human curiosity is a fatal weakness.
The words “Fan Li is looking for him” seemed effective because soon enough, Dai Chu heard Fan Li engaging in a conversation—
“I need to see you, right now… What, you’re not in Beijing? When are you coming back? Oh, uncertain… You don’t care if something happened to our son?!”
Dai Chu was startled, sensing something significant as Fan Li seemed to have gained the upper hand—
“Fine, tomorrow at noon. I’ll wait for you at XX.”
Dai Chu now believed something monumental had occurred because Fan Li, who had sworn never to deal with her ex-husband, had initiated a call to him. If this got out at the company, it would provide enough gossip for the old employees for a year.
……
Lu Yiyao’s original plan was to go home for the weekend, but just two days later, he received a call from his sister. “Brother, you need to come back, something has happened at home!”
Lu Yiyao’s breath hitched, immediately fearing the worst about his mother, with himself as the likely culprit after coming out. “Don’t panic. Tell me clearly. What happened?”
Lu Yimeng: “Dad’s here!”
Lu Yiyao’s mind blanked.
Not because his sister made “Dad’s here” sound as ominous as “the wolf is coming,” but because “Dad’s here” in itself was alarming enough.
“Dad’s… where?” Lu Yiyao’s heart pounded, fearing a false alarm.
“Dad’s at our place… No, he’s come to where mom and I are!” Lu Yimeng, eager for clarity, not only chose her words carefully but added more description. “He’s sitting in the living room right now, and mom even made him brew his own tea!”
“Mom didn’t make him tea?”
“How could she? She didn’t even let the housemaid make it for him, and insisted he do it himself.”
“That’s good then…” Lu Yiyao steadied his heartbeat. “The situation can still be controlled.”
“The situation between them can be controlled, but I’m afraid once you come back, it won’t be.” Lu Yimeng sounded grave.
“Me?” Lu Yiyao didn’t catch on immediately.
“Of course, you,” Lu Yimeng said exasperatedly. “What else could make two enemies who haven’t seen each other for sixteen years sit together for tea?”
“What enemies…” Lu Yiyao frowned involuntarily. “That’s dad and mom.”
“Yes, dad and mom.” Lu Yimeng sighed. “They both asked me to tell you to drop everything you’re doing and come home for a lecture.”
Lu Yiyao glanced at the time; it was already five. He decisively said, “Okay.”
Having both parents together had always been Lu Yiyao’s dream, whether studying in the UK or starting his career back home. Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would revisit this desire under the moonlight. But as the years went by and his parents remained apart, his hope faded until he nearly accepted the reality that they might never reunite.
Now suddenly being told his father was sitting in his mother’s living room, even if the purpose was to jointly scold him, he couldn’t control his excitement, speeding home just shy of getting a ticket.
As he approached home, the sky was darkening. Lu Yiyao parked the car and walked to the front door, his steps light, not like he was about to face the storm of coming out but more like anticipating a joyful family reunion.
“I’m back—” Lu Yiyao announced as he entered the hallway, looking into the living room.
“Cough—” As if to ensure his presence was noted, a cough came from the living room.
Unable to contain his buoyant mood, Lu Yiyao quickly changed his shoes and headed to the living room. Lu Yimeng was the first to greet him. Lu Yiyao handed his sister his coat and then eagerly looked towards the sofa. Indeed, both his dad and mom were sitting there!
Although they were each at one end of the sofa, as if the Milky Way separated them, Lu Yiyao was still overjoyed. His voice almost sang as he greeted them, “Dad, Mom.”
Lu Yimeng, holding her brother’s coat, stayed on a dining stool a safe distance away, not wanting to get caught in the storm. Yet, seeing her brother return so happily, she couldn’t help but feel a bit eerie. Was this some new strategy for coming out?
“Don’t grin like that!” Lu Guoming, seeing his ex-wife not initiating the conversation, decided to assert his paternal authority with a stern voice. “What’s going on? Your mother told me… cough, that you’re suddenly into men?”
“Yeah.” Lu Yiyao moved a single sofa to face his parents directly, then sat down. His gaze hadn’t left them for a second, even as he arranged the furniture. Once settled, he didn’t even blink.
Lu Guoming felt a bit unnerved under his son’s direct gaze. Ever since that night with the fishbone incident, he felt his authority as a father wane. Now, being stared at by Lu Yiyao, he felt the last bit might crumble too.
His son had matured, and he had aged. The intellectual development of the son and the waning authority of the father seemed to progress in tandem. Though somewhat melancholic, Lu Guoming didn’t find it too hard to accept. He even felt his relationship with his son became more harmonious post the “fishbone era”—less authority, more warmth.
But now, his wife—or rather, his ex-wife—needed his authority, so he had to bravely face up. “Hmm? Just a ‘yeah’?”
Lu Yiyao smiled, not sure why, but his lips curled upwards uncontrollably. “It’s not that I want to like men; I’ve just always liked men. Think about it, have I ever dated a girl from childhood to now?”
Lu Guoming frowned. “How do you know you don’t like women if you’ve never dated?”
Lu Yiyao firmly replied, “Then how did you know mom was the one you wanted to marry as your first love?”
“So we divorced, right?” Fan Li finally found a flaw in her son’s argument. “It’s precisely because we had no experience before dating that we thought we were right, but it all turned out to be wrong.”
“That can’t be said for certain…” Lu Guoming didn’t fully agree.
Fan Li glared at him.
Lu Guoming was about to retort but remembering the rare occasion of sitting together on the same couch for a united front, he backed down.
Lu Guoming was in a somewhat elated state when his ex-wife approached him, which lasted until he was informed about his son’s homosexuality. It took him a while to gather his thoughts and understand what his ex-wife meant.
Unlike his ex-wife’s vehement rejection, Lu Guoming, though surprised and subconsciously repulsed, wondered if it was another act of rebellion, like when Lu Yiyao chose acting over business studies. Was it just to spite him?
So, after listening to his ex-wife’s complaints, his first question was whether she had been pushing Lu Yiyao into blind dates recently.
Then, the ex-wife exploded.
Lu Guoming didn’t want to recall the “passionate” afternoon teatime that followed. Ultimately, when he came to believe Lu Yiyao was sincere, the impact was somewhat lessened due to the back and forth.
Although he didn’t understand the LGBTQ+ community well, having dealt with various people in business and keeping up with news and social media, he had a rough idea about homosexuality.
It was hard to accept emotionally, but logically, he knew it couldn’t be changed. He understood his son was not one for frivolous acts. Even when Lu Yiyao chose to study acting to defy him, he pursued it earnestly, and upon returning home, he diligently worked on his career, never slacking due to the initial rebellious choice.
So, if Lu Yiyao was open about liking men, it must be a well-considered decision. Lu Guoming wasn’t open-minded enough to accept it without any barriers, but years of rationality and calm made him realize that, like it or not, he’d have to force himself to accept it.
But he couldn’t tell his ex-wife that.
His only role now was to share her indignation. If it was found out he had any sympathy for the situation, he’d be ousted immediately.
Lu Yimeng watched the family dynamics from afar, confused about the currents within the storm. Her mom scolding her brother was expected; her dad aiding the scolding seemed right, but her dad’s attitude was subtly nuanced, and his attention was divided between her mom and brother, not fully committed to the scolding. And her brother, well, he seemed to ignore everything said, smiling foolishly at his parents from start to finish.
Lu Yimeng had initially planned to rush in and defend her brother at an opportune moment. Seeing that might not be necessary, she continued to fiddle with the phone she’d snatched from her brother’s coat pocket.
Her brother’s phone lock screen password had always been a sore point for her. It was just four numbers, and he liked using memorable dates. Despite her intelligence, she had failed to crack it countless times, which was a disgrace to her name as a sister and fan!
Click.
The screen unlocked.
Lu Yimeng was stunned, incredulously staring at the unlocked phone screen. What had she just tried…?
She took a deep breath, shut the screen, and then turned it on again to re-enter the numbers—0602.
The screen obediently lit up.
Indeed.
Lu Yimeng wanted to laugh but couldn’t muster it, wanting to criticize her brother but felt an odd pang of sympathy.
The first time she attempted to sneak into her brother’s phone, she tried their parents’ wedding anniversary.
It wasn’t until today that she remembered to try their parents’ divorce anniversary.
This visit to see him was sudden and rushed, and because they were in a hotel, they couldn’t be alone together easily. So, their intimate moments were few and far between, almost down to counting minutes.
However, for Ran Lin, who had endured a two-year long-distance relationship, these challenges were nothing. After finishing filming and returning to Beijing, they would have plenty of time to be affectionate. There was no rush for immediate intimacy. So, even though he was reluctant, he let go of his thoughts and fully devoted himself to his work after seeing off Lu Yiyao.
Meanwhile, Lu Yiyao returned home on the second day after his departure.
It had rained earlier in the day, and the temperature had dropped sharply. When Lu Yiyao finished work and returned to his mother’s villa, it was just getting dark.
“Brother!” Lu Yimeng heard his car and opened the gate, calling out to him. Lu Yiyao parked his car and approached her with a smile, intending to pat her on the head. However, before he could, his younger sister hugged him.
Lu Yiyao was used to this and entered the hallway with his sister still hanging on him. He closed the door and asked, “Where’s Mom?”
Before his younger sister could answer, Mrs. Fan coughed from the living room. Lu Yiyao smiled and said, “Mom, I’m back.”
“I knew you were at home waiting. Couldn’t you have come back a bit earlier?” Fan Li complained as she walked over, her words and the affection in her eyes not quite matching.
Lu Yimeng finally let go of her brother and turned to help with the conversation. “Mom, if Brother came back any earlier, he might as well have taken the day off.”
Lu Yiyao smiled but remained silent as he bent down to change his shoes.
Fan Li continued to nag, but it was clear she was happy to have her son home.
As Lu Yiyao entered the house, he noticed that half the table in the dining room was already filled with cold dishes. He assumed the hot dishes would be served when he returned.
However, he couldn’t find the cake, so he took off his coat and curiously asked his younger sister, “Where’s your creation?”
Lu Yimeng smiled sweetly. “It’s the grand finale, of course.”
Twenty minutes later, all the hot dishes were on the table, and Lu Yiyao, who had changed his clothes and washed his hands, helped his mother bring the plates to the table. Today, the housekeeper was off, so all the dishes were prepared by Fan Li.
She was quite skilled in cooking, and Lu Yiyao remembered that when he was very young, he used to frequently enjoy her homemade meals. However, she became busier over time, and her time in the kitchen dwindled. After their parents divorced, Lu Yiyao was sent abroad, and when he returned to reunite with his mother and sister, it became rare to see her cooking.
“Brother, you’re really something,” Lu Yimeng said with admiration as she smelled the delicious food. “You can make Mom willingly put down her work and cook. You’re the only one in the world who can do that.”
“You make it sound like I’m mistreating you,” Fan Li said, bringing the last dish to the table. She glanced at her daughter with a teasing tone. “I didn’t cook, but I still managed to raise you so tall.”
Lu Yimeng retorted, “Other girls raised by their mothers are delicate and fair-skinned, and I turned out this tall. What kind of upbringing is that?”
“Do you want to eat or not?”
“I do.”
“Then hurry up and unveil your grand masterpiece.”
“Here it comes.”
Lu Yimeng quickly went to get the masterpiece, and Lu Yiyao watched her departure in a daze.
“What are you thinking?” Fan Li noticed that her son had been relatively quiet since he entered the house.
Lu Yiyao snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his mother with a faint smile. “I’m thinking about what wish to make later.”
Fan Li didn’t expect her son to give such an answer. She was rarely stirred by romantic sentiments but replied gently, “What’s there to think about? Your entertainment career has had a successful conclusion, the company is stable, and the only thing left is your marital status. So, what wish do you think you should make?”
The mention of marital status caught Lu Yiyao’s attention, and he almost blurted something out. However, Lu Yimeng was quicker and had already brought over the beautifully decorated cake.
It was a three-tiered cake covered in gold dust, with a spiral staircase leading to the top, where a small figure in a suit stood, holding a beautiful trophy.
“Since the day you won Best Actor, Mom and I have been waiting to celebrate with you. Now, with your birthday coming up, we can have a double celebration.” Lu Yimeng explained, her tone carrying some annoyance at her older brother for not coming home for so long.
“But then again,” Lu Yimeng continued, “if you had come back after winning the award, I wouldn’t have been able to make this cake.”
With Lu Yimeng’s words, Lu Yiyao could only smile helplessly. “Can I make a wish now?”
“Of course,” Lu Yimeng said as she lit the candles with a lighter, turned off the lights, and the candlelight illuminated the cake and the area around the dining table.
Lu Yiyao wasn’t used to making serious wishes during these family gatherings. Usually, he just closed his eyes, made a quick wish, and blew out the candles, leading to Lu Yimeng often complaining about how he rushed through it.
Finally, Lu Yiyao slowly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles all at once.
Lu Yimeng got up to turn on the lights, and in the renewed brightness, her confusion was evident on her face. “Brother, why are you acting so strangely today…”
Lu Yiyao looked at his sister, who was getting closer, with an expression that seemed to say, “Tell me more.”
“Before, when you made wishes, it felt like you weren’t thinking seriously, like you were just going through the motions. But just now, it was different,” Lu Yimeng said, moving closer to his face. “You definitely have something on your mind!”
Lu Yiyao pushed her head away and said with an indulgent tone, “Eat your food.”
A glint of curiosity flashed in Fan Li’s eyes, almost too quick to notice. The family enjoyed a joyful meal, but only Lu Yiyao seemed preoccupied, occasionally lost in thought. Fan Li knew her son had something on his mind, but he didn’t want to discuss it in front of his sister, so she patiently waited.
After dinner, the family of three, who rarely had such gatherings, sat in the living room, eating fruit, watching TV, and chatting. Finally, Lu Yimeng started yawning, and that was when Fan Li took the opportunity to suggest that it was getting late and they should rest.
Lu Yimeng didn’t suspect anything and yawned as she headed to her room. Fan Li also went back to her room, but when she reached the bedroom door, she glanced back at Lu Yiyao, who was still sitting on the sofa.
Lu Yiyao had been watching her all along, and with that look, he was sure that his mother had sensed that he wanted to talk about something.
As Fan Li closed the door, the entire house quieted down. Lu Yiyao got up, turned off the living room lights, and moonlight suddenly shone in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, merging with the light from the night lamp left in the corner, creating a faint and hazy glow.
Lu Yiyao took a deep breath, as if determined, and ascended the stairs to Fan Li’s bedroom door. Without knocking, he gently opened the door and entered the room.
The light was on in the bedroom. His mother was sitting by the bed. Seeing him enter, she showed no surprise. She was probably sitting there, waiting for him.
“What is it that you must avoid your sister to talk about?” Fan Li cut to the chase. After all, she had already imagined too many scenarios that night and had no patience for her son to slowly get to the point which he might not reach anytime soon.
“It’s not about avoiding Mengmeng. It’s just that she gets startled easily. I don’t want her to create a fuss before we finish talking,” Lu Yiyao said softly.
Fan Li nodded. “Now it’s just the two of us, mother and son. Tell me, what is the grave matter that has burdened you so heavily?”
“Do you remember when Mengmeng said I was particularly serious when making a wish earlier?” Lu Yiyao smiled. “It’s because I really hope that what I am about to say will go well.”
“Don’t beat around the bush, just say it.” Fan Li urged, yet deep down, she had a bad feeling. If her usually straightforward son was circling around with his words, the matter might be more serious than she anticipated.
The inevitable moment arrived, and Lu Yiyao exhaled softly, looked steadily, and said slowly, “Mom, I can’t bring myself to like women.”
The room suddenly fell silent, as if time had stopped.
Fan Li looked at her son in disbelief, wishing he would make a face the next second and say, “Mom, I’m just kidding.”
But he didn’t. Lu Yiyao’s expression was more serious and determined than ever before.
“It’s okay.” Fan Li tried to make her voice light and breezy so as not to pressure her son further. “Medicine is so advanced now; these are small issues and easily treated.”
Lu Yiyao looked at his mother blankly for a moment, then suddenly realized and hurriedly explained, “I’m not saying I’m incapable with women… I mean, indeed, I don’t feel for women, but there’s nothing wrong with me per se; I just can’t like women. I like men.”
This statement brought an even more profound silence to the room.
In the stillness, Fan Li realized her earlier misunderstanding, but the unveiled truth was even harder for her to accept.
In the prolonged silence, she didn’t know what to say. Shock and surprise intertwined into a surreal feeling. She felt her brain thundering, pounding with a headache, and making it hard to breathe.
Finally, Fan Li spoke, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of coldness, a suppressed restraint. “Since when?”
Lu Yiyao, feeling pained, still met her sharp gaze without flinching. “I was born this way, and I’ve realized it long ago.”
Fan Li asked, “Then why only say it now?”
Lu Yiyao paused for two seconds and said, “I’ve been thinking about how to tell you, and it took me so many years.”
“No.” Fan Li seemed to smile briefly, but it was too quick to be sure. “You’re telling me now because you’ve found the person you want to be with.”
Lu Yiyao tried to suppress the surprise in his heart, but his expression shifted slightly.
Unexpectedly, Fan Li softened her tone. “Who is he? What kind of person is he? Can you tell Mom?”
Lu Yiyao pursed his lips, silently staring at his mother for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. “It’s not time yet.”
Fan Li slightly frowned; a hint of sadness apparent in her eyes. “Why?”
Lu Yiyao felt guilty but remained firm. “Because you still need time to truly accept that I like men. This matter has nothing to do with whom I’m with now. Even if I’m single, it doesn’t change the fact. Mom, if you can’t accept the real me, then no matter who I’m with, you won’t be able to accept it.”
The room was too quiet that the echo of Lu Yiyao’s words lingered for a long time.
Fan Li’s eyes began to redden, seemingly trying to suppress the tears with several deep breaths.
Lu Yiyao appeared unmoved, yet his hands clenched white behind him.
It was a torturous moment for both.
“You need to give me time,” Fan Li finally said, her voice hoarse.
Lu Yiyao let out a sigh of relief but felt a deeper guilt and discomfort. “Mom, I’m sorry.”
Fan Li took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, shaking her head as if to shake off the prior conversation. “No more talking. I want to rest.”
Lu Yiyao didn’t expect things to be settled in one conversation. In fact, this was already much better than he had anticipated, so after saying goodnight, he left.
A sleepless night followed.
The next morning, Lu Yiyao got up early for work, knowing his mother would be awake. Indeed, as he descended the stairs, he saw porridge and side dishes on the dining table. His mother looked a bit haggard but urged him to eat quickly and go to the office to set an example for his employees. She didn’t mention last night’s conversation.
Knowing that haste wouldn’t bring success, Lu Yiyao didn’t bring it up again, obediently finishing his breakfast and driving to the office.
But Lu Yiyao was resolved that starting now, he would return home every weekend, gradually talking, until his mother truly accepted the fact that he liked men. Then it would be natural to introduce Ran Lin to the family.
Lu Yiyao was optimistic because his mother’s reaction was much better than expected, but what he didn’t know was that as soon as he left, Fan Li’s expression turned cold, staring out the window lost in thought.
If it were an employee of Fan Li’s company, they would instantly recognize that the boss was angry, very angry, to the point that no amount of yelling or table-flipping could resolve the issue. So she became even calmer, because only in calmness could she devise a satisfying solution, either to strike a deadly blow to her enemies or to completely eradicate the problem that irritated her.
When Lu Yimeng came down the stairs, sleepy-eyed, Fan Li was still sitting there; her face was no longer clouded with anger but only sadness. Lu Yimeng was surprised to see her mother hadn’t gone to the office yet and quickly explained as their eyes met, “I start work at nine. I’m not late.”
Although Lu Yimeng worked for their family business, starting from the bottom and being miles apart from her mother, the CEO, she hardly ever saw her at the company. She subconsciously thought her mother, a powerful woman who was at her office by seven each morning, might not understand the schedule of their junior employees, who started work at nine.
But after her explanation, she realized that her mother wasn’t about to reprimand her; in fact, her mother might not have even absorbed her words. Her mother just stared blankly at her, her eyes slowly welling with tears.
Startled, Lu Yimeng snapped awake and hurried over. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
She had always thought only something as severe as the divorce from her father could make her sturdy mother so vulnerable, and that had been over a decade ago. Her mother hadn’t shown such emotion since then, so Lu Yimeng felt as if the sky was falling.
“Mom, talk to me. What’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” She would have shaken her mother by the shoulders if she wasn’t worried about making matters worse.
“Your brother…” Fan Li finally spoke, her voice carrying both weariness and sadness. “He’s told me everything.”
Lu Yimeng’s eyes widened, and she inhaled sharply. “What, what did he tell you?”
Fan Li looked deeply at her daughter. Lu Yimeng swallowed, forcing herself to wait for her mother to speak first to avoid any blunder that would infuriate her brother.
Fan Li took Lu Yimeng’s hand gently, as if drawing strength from her. “Your brother said he likes men, and he has already found someone he wants to be with…”
Lu Yimeng’s mouth fell open, unsure of what to say next.
She had thought of the possibility of her brother coming out when she saw her mother’s expression, but actually hearing it made the revelation feel incredibly abrupt. Such a big revelation just dropped without any preamble or cushioning. At least some sort of buffer could have been provided!
But then she thought, no matter how much you cushion or prepare for such news, it’s still a bolt from the blue, especially given the societal norms where most parents wouldn’t accept it. Her mother’s reaction was already quite extraordinary.
As Lu Yimeng’s thoughts raced, none of her expressions escaped Fan Li’s watchful eye.
Fan Li had initially wanted to inquire if Lu Yiyao had been closely involved with anyone recently, given that Lu Yimeng was her brother’s biggest fan and closely followed his every move, including his social engagements. Knowing Lu Yiyao liked men, her daughter must also be undoubtedly curious about who the person was and might even help her find out.
But Lu Yimeng’s reaction right now, with surprise, conflict, and realization, lacked any disbelief or shock. This meant she had already known about “Lu Yiyao liking men”!
Fan Li was unsure whether her son had told her daughter or if her daughter had found out on her own—because yesterday, Lu Yiyao had avoided Lu Yimeng when he came to her. This could be interpreted as “he thought Lu Yimeng was unaware” or “he hoped his mother would think the daughter was unaware, thus not directing anger at her.” But whichever it was, it didn’t matter. As long as Lu Yimeng was aware, this matter would be much easier to handle than anticipated.
“Mom, actually, it’s not as serious as you think. Homosexuality… uh, it’s already legal in many countries, like the United States and the UK. It’s quite normal there, and they can even register for marriage. Brother has been studying in the UK, influenced by what he’s seen and heard, so he can understand…”
“I’m not angry, and I won’t blame your brother,” Fan Li interrupted softly, then her face hardened, and she narrowed her eyes unconsciously. “If anyone is to blame, it’s that surnamed Lu.”
Lu Yimeng silently looked out the window.
Dad, I’m sorry!
Sniffling, Fan Li spoke again, solemn and earnest. “I know what kind of person your brother is. He’s not one to joke about such matters, nor is it a fleeting whim. So, although it’s really hard to accept, I can try. But the person he chose… I forgot the name; I really don’t think he’s suitable for your brother. Does your brother want to be with him for a lifetime, and does he sincerely want to be with your brother for a lifetime? Besides, your brother never dated before him, and with all the temptations in the entertainment industry, your brother never wavered, so why now for… What’s his name? It’s on the tip of my tongue…”
Fan Li frowned deeply, massaging her temples in thought.
Lu Yimeng sighed, “Gu Jie.”
Her mother must be truly saddened; otherwise, her usually excellent memory wouldn’t fail to recall a name.
“Right.” Fan Li’s face remained unchanged, still furrowed with worry. “I think his intentions in approaching your brother aren’t pure.”
“You can’t say that.” Lu Yimeng, unsure of the effectiveness of her consolation, still wanted to support her brother. “Everyone’s in the entertainment industry, seeing each other all the time, so developing feelings over time is normal. And he’s also in movies and variety shows, so he’s not short on money. What could he be after from Brother?”
Fan Li’s eyes lowered in silence. Lu Yimeng sat quietly beside her, hoping her mother wouldn’t dwell on her concerns too much.
“Forget it.” Fan Li finally lifted her head and said to Lu Yimeng, “Don’t worry about me and go to work.”
Lu Yimeng hesitated.
“Relax.” Fan Li patted the back of her daughter’s hand. “I won’t do anything rash; I just need some time to process this.”
Seeing that her mother didn’t have an extreme reaction, though still apprehensive, Lu Yimeng obediently washed up, brushed her teeth, ate breakfast, and then hurried off to the company to be a proactive and upward-moving successor.
However, on the way to the office, Lu Yimeng hurriedly made a call to tip off her brother. At the time the phone rang, Lu Yiyao was alone in the meeting room, watching the behind-the-scenes footage from Xi’an for the drama <Youth of Wuling>, a weekly routine task to understand the filming progress and make a reasonable forecast for the future—a unique habit of Lu Yiyao, the actor turned executive.
By the time he returned to his office, it was already 9:30 a.m. Lu Yiyao noticed his phone plugged in and flashing its notification light. He checked to find three missed calls from Lu Yimeng, all between 8:30 and 9:00.
Shrugging, Lu Yiyao called her back.
The call was cut off almost as soon as it rang but then rang again shortly after—Lu Yimeng was calling back.
“Hello…” Lu Yimeng’s voice sounded secretive.
Lu Yiyao chuckled. “What are you doing?”
“At work,” Lu Yimeng whispered, obviously suppressing her voice. “It’s not good to be seen making personal calls by the supervisor, so I’ve hidden in the bathroom.”
Lu Yiyao laughed. “What’s up?”
“Stop pretending. Mom told me everything.” Despite her quiet voice, Lu Yimeng’s tone was firm. Originally, she had called to tip off her brother, but now that they were talking, she began to admonish him, “Why would you hide something as important as coming out from me? I could have supported you and spoken for you!”
Lu Yiyao was taken aback, feeling that his sister’s focus was… somewhat off?
As if hearing his thoughts, Lu Yimeng continued with a hint of resignation. “You think you’ve kept it a secret? I’ve noticed it long ago and was just waiting for you to say it. I thought I might even be a god-tier support when the time came.”
Lu Yiyao was astonished.
He had genuinely thought he hadn’t given anything away. Was this some kind of telepathy between siblings?
“You always hang out together, and you even visited his set. If others can’t tell, how could I not notice? Ever since you debuted, when have you been so close with anyone?” Lu Yimeng sighed, her voice softening as she thought of her mother’s condition that morning. “Mom’s quite upset, but it seems like she’s trying to accept it. I told her that this kind of thing is common overseas, and many countries allow marriage… Hopefully, she’ll take it to heart.”
Hearing this made Lu Yiyao feel a mix of discomfort and sorrow. “Did Mom say anything else to you?”
Lu Yimeng replied, “Not much. Just worried you might be deceived. She said if anyone is to blame for you liking men, it’s Dad’s fault.”
Lu Yiyao, about to assert his maturity in discerning genuine feelings, paused when he heard the latter part. “Blame Dad?”
Lu Yimeng hesitantly continued, “I accidentally mentioned it when I said that countries like the UK and the US allow marriage… That your studying in the UK might have influenced you.”
Lu Yiyao facepalmed.
He remembered considering the same thing when he first realized he might like men. It seemed like his father was destined to carry this blame.
“When are you coming back?” Lu Yimeng suddenly asked. Lu Yiyao replied, “This weekend, and I’ll be coming back every weekend from now on.”
Lu Yimeng breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. This is probably going to be a long battle, but don’t worry, brother, I’m with you!”
For the first time since last night, a genuine smile spread across Lu Yiyao’s face. “Got it.”
“Okay, I better go back to my desk before the supervisor comes looking for me.” With the tip-off complete, Lu Yimeng quickly ended the call.
Lu Yiyao looked at his phone and slowly smiled, feeling quite good about having an ally.
……
While Lu Yimeng was making her tip-off call, Fan Li, on the other hand, had Dai Chu thoroughly investigate Gu Jie’s background.
Now that his name was known it was easy to find his information. He was an artist in the entertainment industry, had appeared on variety shows, acted in movies, and was acquainted with Lu Yiyao… Putting all these clues together, there was no need for further narrowing down or investigation; the target was clear. Moreover, according to the information Fan Li received, this man had posted a photo on Weibo dining with her son just two days ago.
A face with distinct features, proper and well-placed, tanned skin, and a sturdy and robust physique, he seemed every bit the embodiment of masculine youth.
Him and Lu Yiyao?!
Fan Li couldn’t imagine it; just thinking about it made her feel like she was going mad.
When she first heard from Lu Yiyao that he liked men, she was unable to accept it. Now, pinning a face to the person supposedly leading her son astray, the chaotic images in her mind from the previous night took on a concrete form, and it became even more unbearable for her. She didn’t argue with her son right then only because she understood him well and knew that doing so would only backfire. It was better to stabilize him first and then find a solution.
She could see her son had made up his mind, so the solution naturally had to come from the other person involved.
“Is he in Beijing?” Fan Li asked, looking at the apartment address listed in the information.
“Yes, he returned from Xi’an yesterday,” Dai Chu replied.
“I want to meet him.” The reason Fan Li could manage such a large company alone was her ability to be patient when necessary and decisive when needed.
Dai Chu understood that when Fan Li said “meet”, it was more akin to “confronting.” He informed her, “He just returned from Xi’an yesterday and doesn’t have any engagements today. If he hasn’t made plans with friends, it’s likely he’ll be at his apartment. Even if he’s gone out, we can wait for him.”
“Okay.” Fan Li stood up. “Let’s go now.”
Dai Chu was puzzled but quickly followed. Suddenly being tasked with investigating an artist, understanding his complete social and friendship circles, and then going to confront him—the whole situation was odd.
Dai Chu sensed that this had something to do with Lu Yiyao, especially since Fan Li and Gu Jie were unrelated. But Gu Jie was as clean as distilled water. Since entering the industry, he had hardly any scandals, except for a brief rumor with an actress named Qi Luoluo, which was later proven false. He hadn’t been in any confirmed relationships either, dedicating his prime years to acting, fitness, and free fighting—essentially a homebody in another sense.
Moreover, Gu Jie and Lu Yiyao were good friends. The information gathered showed a deep brotherly bond, with no trace of Gu Jie ever betraying Lu Yiyao. So, what exactly was Fan Li worried about, and what did she want to discuss with Gu Jie? Dai Chu couldn’t figure it out.
……
Gu Jie was woken up by the doorbell.
Before it rang, he was dreaming of Chang’an, savoring rose mirror cakes, drinking Bingfeng soda, tearing into lamb stewed buns, picking wide belt noodles, all delicious and heartwarming…
And then, abruptly, there was no more.
Gu Jie yawned and got up, figuring it was his assistant at the door, as no one else would come this early. He wasn’t scheduled for any work today, but you never know if the assistant might bring some company matter to his attention.
So, he opened the door in his shorts, bare-chested. “What’s the order now…”
Gu Jie’s words stopped abruptly.
The cold wind outside hit his robust upper body, raising goosebumps.
But this discomfort was nothing compared to the shock of seeing who was at the door.
A woman in her fifties, dressed simply, her face somewhat haggard, and a well-dressed man in his thirties, tall and strong. More importantly, he didn’t recognize either of them.
“Did you… maybe knock on the wrong door?” Gu Jie could only think of this possibility.
“Hello,” the woman said, her voice weary but gentle. “I am Lu Yiyao’s mother.”
Gu Jie’s mind went blank for a moment.
But his mouth acted quicker than his brain. “Uh, Auntie, please come in. I’ll go put on some clothes…”
With that, Gu Jie stumbled into his bedroom to get dressed—civility and politeness are basic virtues, even in a state of confusion.
As Dai Chu listened to the banging and clanging from Gu Jie’s bedroom, he couldn’t help but think that the man wasn’t so much dressing as dismantling something. Lost in thought, he heard Fan Li say, “Wait for me in the car downstairs.”
Dai Chu hesitated, mainly concerned for Fan Li’s safety, especially given Gu Jie’s muscular build, but then he remembered that the man was Lu Yiyao’s friend and probably wouldn’t be discourteous to his friend’s mother. Although he didn’t know what Fan Li intended to discuss, her instruction to wait downstairs likely meant she had a plan.
“Alright. Call me if you need anything,” Dai Chu said and took the elevator down. As the elevator doors closed, Fan Li entered Gu Jie’s apartment.
When Gu Jie came out dressed, Fan Li was already sitting on the sofa, looking at him with gentle eyes like calm waters.
However, Gu Jie felt uncomfortable under her gaze, but he didn’t forget to pour a glass of water for Fan Li. Holding the cup, he approached and handed it over, asking, “Auntie, what brings you here?”
The fact that Lu Yiyao’s mother had come to see him was something Gu Jie couldn’t fathom even if he used 100% of his brain.
“Sit down.” Fan Li didn’t answer his question but instead asked him to sit.
Gu Jie took a seat on the sofa across from Fan Li, facing her at a conversational angle yet maintaining a certain distance, feeling somehow safer this way.
Once Gu Jie was settled, Fan Li slowly began. “You probably know why I am here today.”
Gu Jie swallowed nervously. Did he really know?
“I know it’s sudden for me to come like this, but I really had no other choice,” Fan Li said, her voice growing sadder.
“What exactly happened?” Gu Jie asked worriedly.
Fan Li shook her head, her eyes brimming with helplessness—half for Gu Jie to see and half genuine. “He’s my only son, and I was hoping he’d marry and have children. Now he tells me he likes men; what am I supposed to do?”
Gu Jie’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, wondering if he was still dreaming.
Teacher Lu is gay?!
No, this must be a dream. It has to be—
“I don’t want to be a bad person, and I want to be an open-minded mother, but I hope you can understand a mother’s distress,” Fan Li said, becoming emotional and her hand trembling as she grasped Gu Jie’s.
The dream was so vivid that Gu Jie could clearly feel the sadness of Lu Yiyao’s mother. He really wanted to comfort her and tell her to be more open-minded. While loving men might be hard for the older generation to accept, it didn’t stop Lu Yiyao from continuing to be filial and a good son. At most, he might not be able to give her grandchildren, but life is always full of regrets, isn’t it?
However, it didn’t seem appropriate to say all this now. What if it only upset Mother Lu more and her health suffered?
“Don’t be upset, Auntie.” Gu Jie held Fan Li’s hand back, thinking carefully about what to say next. “I can understand you. I know every mother has high hopes for her son, hoping that he will be healthy and happy and have a harmonious family…”
Fan Li didn’t expect Gu Jie to be so considerate, and his expression seemed genuinely sincere. Surprised and feeling a bit guilty, her initial intention of playing the sympathy card turned into earnestness. “Lu Yiyao wasn’t always like this. He’s just confused for the moment. Even if he has told you something now, he might change later…”
“He hasn’t talked to me about these things, really.” Gu Jie finally started to grasp the situation, realizing that Lu Yiyao’s mother thought he was in on it and was coming to confront him.
Fan Li then asked, “Now that you know, can you help me persuade him?”
“This…” Gu Jie was in a difficult position and could only equivocate, “I can try to help you, but I can’t guarantee it will be effective.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I’m asking too much of you,” Fan Li continued, looking at Gu Jie earnestly. “But I’m really out of options. Even if you can’t persuade him, can you at least break up with him?”
“……” Gu Jie was stunned, his mind a tangled mess, unable to find the end of the thread. Fan Li waited patiently, sensing his hesitation.
They locked eyes, a silent struggle ensuing.
Finally, Gu Jie spoke, but his question was unrelated to the previous turmoil. He just wanted to know one thing—
“Auntie, who exactly is Lu Yiyao involved with?”
Fan Li was taken aback, showing the same bafflement Gu Jie had minutes ago. “Isn’t it you?”
Gu Jie was shocked by the answer and retorted, “Me?!”
Fan Li’s voice rose unconsciously. “Isn’t it?!”
Gu Jie replied somewhat sheepishly, “It shouldn’t be…”
Kinky Thoughts:
LMAO. Poor Gu Jie, the straightest man in this novel…
Kinky Translations 