“Chapter 30: A Family of Six (5)”

"Chapter 30: A Family of Six (5)"

"◎'Youqing, you really came.'◎"

"Creak— The door behind him was pushed open."

"Shi Youqing immediately turned to look."

"It was Tian Zikun returning. Seeing Shi Youqing’s startled reaction, he seemed amused, 'Why so jumpy?'"

"Before Shi Youqing could respond, Su Hui complained, 'My knees are so sore, why did you take so long to come back? It's always like this, you never stay long enough...'"

"Tian Zikun hurried to her side to apologize, 'Ah, it's my fault, an emergency meeting came up at work... Alright, let me massage it for you. You should speak up when you're uncomfortable. You’re our precious darling; you need to rest well. Come on, let me help you back...'"

"Watching the couple leave, Shi Youqing shifted his gaze thoughtfully."

"The shadow on the floor vanished along with them."

"Work hours were over."

"He spent a few minutes packing up books and the piano. When he opened the door, his eyes widened in surprise, 'What are you doing here?'"

"Bo Huai: 'Came to pick you up.'"

"'Is everything done in the kitchen?'"

"'Yeah, I avoided the NPCs on my way here.'"

"Shi Youqing felt somewhat relieved; their room was on the second floor, just a few steps away."

"Next door, Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng were preparing to go out. Shi Youqing paused at the door, observing."

"Players entering this game scenario had at least one prior experience and typically came prepared. Common items like concealable and easy-to-carry cold weapons were standard. Feng Bin brought a palm-sized dagger, while Li Yuancheng’s gear was more varied, including a fruit knife, long needles, and even pepper spray..."

"These tools could fend off people, but they faced more than just human threats."

"'Be careful tonight,' Shi Youqing warned Feng Bin, 'During the stipulated time, no matter what happens, don’t go outside.'"

"'Got it.' Feng Bin, with a flick of his nail, unexpectedly tore off the 'rat' sticker from their door."

"Li Yuancheng gaped in shock, 'What are you doing?!'"

"'The old man let us choose our rooms and specifically mentioned staying in them. Later, he assigned us to the security room for the night,' Feng Bin, staring at the sticker in his hand, explained, 'The security room’s safety is uncertain, but under the rules, our room has been safe for one night.'"

"Li Yuancheng slowly understood, 'You... you’re planning to switch the sticker to the security room’s door? To make it ‘our room’?'"

"Feng Bin nodded."

"'Smart move!' Li Yuancheng patted his chest, 'I thought you were being reckless.'"

"After Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng left, Shi Youqing and Bo Huai returned to their room, one after the other."

"After washing up, Bo Huai poured a cup of hot water and opened the medicine box to take out Shi Youqing’s daily medication."

"Shi Youqing instinctively reached out to take it, but the hand already brought it to his lips."

"Bo Huai's hand was large, with distinct knuckles and calloused palms. Every time it came close, Shi Youqing felt as if it could completely cover his face, involuntarily causing a tightness in his chest."

"But now, that hand was only bringing a small capsule close to his lips."

"In the shadow of the backlight, the other person watched him, his breath closely following."

"'...Thank you.' He opened his mouth, and the capsule was placed between his lips."

"After swallowing the medicine, Shi Youqing pulled the covers over himself and lay down, softly telling Bo Huai about the events in the piano room."

"Bo Huai didn’t leave: 'You sleep first, I’ll keep watch tonight. There might be trouble.'"

"Shi Youqing had a similar premonition; a ghost’s active appearance usually foreshadowed upcoming actions..."

"'Then wake me up if you get tired, and we’ll take turns.'"

"Bo Huai sat down by his bed, 'Sleep.'"

"Meanwhile, outside in the villa’s security room."

"The security room was small, containing only a folding bed, a table and chair, and a spittoon."

"Initially, Li Yuancheng, upon seeing the spittoon, pinched his nose in disgust, about to take it out, but was stopped by Feng Bin, 'If you remove it, you’ll have to go outside if you need to urinate at night.'"

"'Ah? Could it be that this spittoon is here because...'"

"'Normal security rooms don’t have this,' Feng Bin efficiently made the bed, 'Its presence indicates the game isn’t completely ruthless.'"

"'Damn!'"

"Li Yuancheng glanced at the spittoon a few more times before hastily placing it back in its spot."

"The presence of the spittoon in the security room subtly implied that they shouldn’t go out at night."

"The security room had three walls of transparent glass and a frosted glass door. Li Yuancheng felt insecure, but dared not cover the glass. Finally, he pushed the table behind the door as a barricade."

"With the bed made, Feng Bin poured a cup of water, drinking it as he looked at Li Yuancheng, 'Since our job is to stay awake at night, we can’t both sleep. We should take turns. You sleep first, or should I?'"

"Li Yuancheng smiled, 'You go ahead, I rested for a bit during the day, I can stay up longer.'"

"Feng Bin had spent the whole day investigating nearby and quickly fell asleep once he lay down."

"In the dimly lit security room, Li Yuancheng sat silently on the chair, reciting Marxism..."

"The digits on the digital clock on the table slowly changed."

23:57……

23:59……

"It was 00:00."

"Li Yuancheng yawned, continuing to recite textbook knowledge to boost his positive energy."

"'Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony...'"

"'Excuse me, is anyone there?' someone asked from outside the door."

"The mumbling stopped abruptly; Li Yuancheng's teeth chattered briefly as he forced himself to look up."

"Outside, behind the frosted glass, the vague silhouette of a girl's long hair and dress could be seen..."

"Li Yuancheng held his breath, turning back, about to call Feng Bin."

"'Open the door,' the girl's voice was chilling, her nails tapping on the door, 'I see someone, open the door quickly.'"

"Help me..."

"Li Yuancheng screamed internally."

"'Open the door, open it quickly.'"

"...How could he possibly open the door?!"

"But then, the words he heard at noon rapidly flooded into Li Yuancheng's mind."

"'His death wasn’t because of waste, but likely due to disobedience.'"

"'If the rule is absolute obedience, then must we comply with whatever the NPCs say?'"

……

"Li Yuancheng froze, but fortunately, he was already by the bed. Clutching at his last hope, he shook Feng Bin’s shoulder vigorously, 'Wake up... Feng Bin! Brother Feng! Something’s happening! Wake up! Wake up, please! Help me...'"

"But the person in the bed was unresponsive, as if in a deep coma, no matter how much he shook or slapped him."

"Li Yuancheng was rigid with fear."

"'Why won’t you open the door for me?' The voice outside was eerily taunting, almost laughing, 'You have one minute, or else I’ll get angry...'"

"In that instant, Li Yuancheng's hair stood on end, his grip on Feng Bin trembling uncontrollably."

"He turned his head, gasping heavily, and looked towards the door."

"The girl’s silhouette was motionless, seemingly watching him through the door."

"You must not disobey..."

"Disobedience means death..."

"He couldn’t afford to die..."

"Li Yuancheng desperately covered his mouth to stifle any sound, and after a few seconds, he finally made a decision. Supporting himself on the bed, he stood up and stepped towards the door..."

*

"Meanwhile, in a room on the first floor."

"Su Xi, with her sharp hearing, suddenly opened her eyes."

"Lin Lulu was still asleep next to her. Su Xi quickly woke her, 'Did you hear that?'"

"Lin Lulu groggily opened her eyes, 'What sound? What are you talking about?'"

"'The knocking!'"

"Lin Lulu blinked, sitting up quickly. She listened intently for a moment, her expression turning grim, 'It’s next door...'"

"Someone was knocking on the door next door!"

"Su Xi’s face darkened, 'The only person next door is Hao Tianshuo.'"

"Lin Lulu: 'I remember he drank a lot tonight, saying he was afraid of ghosts scaring him... He must still be drunk.'"

“……”

"Both remained silent."

"The knocking next door lasted for a while, but thankfully, Su Xi didn’t hear any sounds of the door opening."

"Soon after, the footsteps that had vanished reappeared at their door!"

"Lin Lulu, frightened, edged closer to Su Xi."

"'Open the door, open it quickly,' a childlike yet eerie voice echoed, 'I know you’re in there.'"

"Lin Lulu looked at Su Xi with eyes full of fear."

"Su Xi, biting her knuckle, regretted, 'Had I known this would happen, I should have followed Hao Tianshuo’s example.'"

"Ghosts are considered NPCs too, and it was uncertain whether ignoring them would break the rules. Getting drunk and passing out like Hao Tianshuo, unable to hear anything, might not count as disobedience... That guy might not be good at other things, but he knew how to exploit loopholes!"

"But they had already heard the knocking; even if they knocked each other out now, it would be too late..."

"Not opening the door would be disobedience."

"But obeying meant letting the ghost in."

"Lin Lulu, understanding this too, tried to hold back tears but failed, 'What do we do... Letting it in would lead to trouble, right?'"

"'Definitely... If your and Shi Youqing’s feelings are right, that’s a malevolent ghost... Let’s not open the door for now, just hold on,' Su Xi squeezed her own hand, closing her eyes, 'We need to think, think carefully... We must have missed some piece of information...'"

"However, the girl outside didn’t give them time to wait, 'Counting down one minute, if you don’t open the door, I’ll get angry...'"

*

"Shi Youqing was asleep."

"Perhaps because Bo Huai was keeping watch, he didn’t experience the terrifying sleep paralysis again."

"But he had a dream."

His dream took place in this very villa, with an unusually spacious setting.

Someone was playing the piano, the same "Moonlight Sonata" he had played for the mistress on the first day. However, the piano notes now sounded more somber and oppressive, and no matter where he went, the music seemed to envelop him.

As if driven by something, Shi Youqing walked towards the source of the piano music — the piano room on the second floor.

Upon opening the door, an indescribable chill rushed towards him.

A man sat upright at the piano, engrossed in playing, with a little girl standing behind him, her hands clasped together as if quietly observing.

Suddenly, both of them turned to look at him.

Shi Youqing staggered back in fright.

The girl's face was obscured by her hair, making it impossible to see clearly.

And the man's face was not that of the expected male host, Tian Zikun.

A stranger, yet exuding a nearly twisted and malevolent aura. Most unnerving was the fact that the man's face had no eyes...

He said, "Youqing, you've come, as expected."

Shi Youqing stepped back in surprise: "…How do you know my name? Who are you?"

The man paused, a hint of regret in his voice: “You've forgotten me?”

“Who are you, really?!”

In an instant, Shi Youqing saw endless black mist spreading forward, converging at the spot where the man's eyes should be. Abruptly, where there were no eyes, a pair of white pupils slowly opened.

Those were not human eyes.

Shi Youqing felt a sense of déjà vu, as if... he had seen them somewhere before…

The man smiled and said, “Youqing, you haven’t fulfilled your promise to me. How can you run away?”

“...Stop calling me that! I don’t know you!”

The man’s smile deepened, he turned back to continue playing, his hands' veins bulging out, covered in a moist, cold mist like an underwater creature: “He gave you a family, and you think you're truly human?”

"'...Family?' He stared blankly at everything before him, feeling a sense of emptiness and unease in his heart."

"'Come back.'"

"Shi Youqing looked up, suddenly lunging forward, grabbing the man by the collar, 'Where is Shi Wen? Do you... do you know where my mother is?!'"

"The man's smile vanished instantly, his pupils turning vertical like a snake’s. In a cold voice, he said, 'Pitiful, you’ve returned to Chenggu Town but still remember nothing.'"

"'Stop talking nonsense!' He struggled with discomfort, suppressing a cough as he shouted, 'Where is my mother? You must know, you monster...'"

"'Monster? Poor Youqing,' the man gripped his wrist tightly, 'deceived into this state.'"

"The next moment, a heavy punch landed on his face."

"The man looked astonished."

"Shi Youqing glared at him, 'Where is Shi Wen?!'"

"Wiping blood from his mouth, the man laughed again, observing him scrutinizingly."

"...Kill him."

"A wave of violent emotion, like never before, filled Shi Youqing’s chest and seeped into his blood. As he raised his heavy hands to act, everything before his eyes suddenly blurred."

"'Youqing!'"

"Shi Youqing opened his eyes to find himself rigid and gasping for air."

"Bo Huai was rubbing his trembling hands, his eyes red, seemingly immersed in a cold and somber aura. Seeing him awake, Bo Huai quickly masked his startling emotions, cupping his face gently, 'It’s okay now...'"

"Shi Youqing was drenched in sweat, as if he had been pulled from water."

"Bo Huai, seemingly restraining something, turned to bring a basin of hot water to wipe him down."

"Breathing easier now, Shi Youqing was visibly calmer, with slight moisture in his eyes, which Bo Huai gently wiped away with his fingertips."

"He murmured, 'I dreamt of a monster...'"

"'It must have been ugly enough to scare you. It won’t happen again,' Bo Huai stiffly wiped his neck, as if he could control others' dreams, 'Never again, don’t be afraid.'"

"'I’m not afraid...' As Shi Youqing used Bo Huai's support to sit up, about to speak further, the silent wooden door was suddenly knocked."

"'Open the door, I know you're in there.'"

“……”

*

"Midnight, 00:03."

"In the security room, Li Yuancheng, already gripping the doorknob, and Su Xi, ready to give up on the first floor, were both startled into halting their actions by the sudden ring of a phone."

"In the villa, both the staff quarters and the security room were equipped with landline phones."

"Both parties, cautious to the extreme, picked up the phone, expecting eerie sounds but instead heard something unexpected."

"A young man's weak voice was surprisingly clear at that moment, 'Don’t open the door...'"

"'Shi Youqing?!'"

"'It’s me,' the voice was soft and slow, 'The rule of 'obedience' doesn’t apply to all NPCs...'"

"'...What do you mean?'"

"'Traditionally, 'obedience' often implies children obeying adults, subordinates obeying superiors. It's about inferiors accepting commands from superiors. The NPCs in the villa are our superiors, the old couple also hold the status of elders, so we must obey them... But the sixth family member... is a child, not covered by this rule.'"

"'So, don’t open the door.'"

"[Author’s Note]"

"Thanks to the angel who gifted a landmine: Triton 1;"

"Thanks to the angelic supporters who nourished me: Eating Glutinous Rice Balls 20 bottles; Triton 18 bottles; --Waiting for the Aurora-- 15 bottles; zbht (Loving Little Xiao Edition) 13 bottles; Silly Goose 10 bottles; Ai Li 5 bottles; Men Who Don’t Love Themselves are Like Spoiled Cabbage, Stranded 1 bottle;"

"Many thanks for all the support. I'm committed to keep pushing forward!"