Chapter 42: Family of Six (End)

Chapter 42: Family of Six (End)

◎[Triple Release] He's come out.◎

That night, Shi Youqing had trouble sleeping. Despite taking medicine, he felt wide awake. He turned over, then his gaze fixed.

The person in the opposite bed was also awake, eyes open, watching him.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked softly, his voice somewhat muffled.

"Not sleepy," replied Bo Huai.

The sound of the wind outside the window was clear, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, a somewhat eerie soundtrack. Shi Youqing pulled the blanket a bit higher, "Then, let's chat for a while."

The figure that was lying down stiffened for a moment, then sat up.

"After we get out, do you want to go see your family or friends?" Shi Youqing tilted his head, looking at him.

He only had his mother, and with her gone, there were no other relatives or friends. Most ordinary people, trapped in a game where death could come at any moment, would probably want to see their family and friends before entering an instance.

"No need," Bo Huai said, "There's no one."

Shi Youqing paused, surprised, but didn't press further. Then, yawning, he said, "Okay."

After a while, he turned over and slowly drifted off to sleep.

In a half-asleep state, someone came over and pulled the blanket over him. He comfortably nestled his neck and fell deeply asleep.

The next morning, as expected, Shi Youqing saw Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng in the dining room, both covered in injuries.

Hao Tianshuo and his group were extremely surprised, their mouths agape.

"Damn, someone really did try to break in last night!" Li Yuancheng said, rubbing his arm vigorously before sitting down on a chair and beginning to recount the harrowing night.

After dark, the family had indeed started to make a move. Almost immediately after midnight, Li Yuancheng and Feng Bin saw someone in the villa moving a box in the dark.

Clearly, it was a wooden box containing Xiao Zhi's corpse.

They naturally couldn't go out to stop them, and following Shi Youqing's advice, they shouted while shining a bright light over, but soon there were sounds outside the gate — several figures were actually trying to climb over the wall!!!

At that moment, Li Yuancheng was scared stiff. After midnight, they couldn't go out at all, but their duty was to prevent outsiders from entering.

If those people got into the villa, it would be the end for them.

In a panic, Li Yuancheng lunged for the landline to call for help, and this action gave Feng Bin a cue.

Feng Bin stopped him and, staring at the landline in his hand, said, "Actually... the solution has been there from the start. Youqing told us through the phone."

"Huh?"

Li Yuancheng didn't understand at first, but then, watching Feng Bin open the security room's secondary lock and direct him to help set up a concave space behind the door with foldable beds, chairs, and scrap wood, he finally grasped the idea!

"After midnight, we can't open the doors to go out, but those people can open them to come in!"

"Usually, a thief entering someone's property will disable surveillance if possible, and the security room allows for monitoring and control of the cameras."

"In that concave space we created, there's a rectangular board resembling a door, effectively serving as a second door for the security room. The concave space, connected to the security room’s exit, becomes another small room."

"When the thieves enter, they'll naturally find themselves in this concave space first."

"Now with an additional door, it's like how the game's system schedules NPCs’ daily movements. Xiao Zhi's ghost, programmed to knock on doors every day, would sense this new occupied space and come here. But to reach Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng, it would have to knock on this second door, after the first one."

"Feng Bin used this method to lure Xiao Zhi's ghost, which ultimately dealt with the knife-wielding intruders."

"The thieves, unaware of the rule against opening doors, would instinctively open it upon hearing a little girl knocking, ready to silence whoever was outside..."

"That was close!" Li Yuancheng said, patting his chest in relief. "At that moment, their knives were coming right at my face through the boards... When I heard the knocking outside, I was thankful for the first time that there were ghosts here!!! Really! Who would believe that my life was saved by a ghost?!"

"Shi Youqing examined their hands and arms, covered in scars mostly from resisting the thieves. Fortunately, they were only superficial wounds, not hindering movement."

"Did all the thieves die?" Hao Tianshuo asked in surprise.

"Dead, completely dead," Li Yuancheng grimaced, "But we were afraid those corpses would move like the people here, so we stayed barricaded all night. At one point, I peeked outside and saw all of them with purple faces and frothing mouths... By morning, the bodies had disappeared."

"This manner of death corresponds to the sticker on Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng’s room – death by poisoning."

"Do you remember where they were burying the body last night?" asked Shi Youqing.

Nan Feng

？”

"Yes, it was in the area directly below Xiao Zhi's room on the second floor," Feng Bin replied.

Lin Lulu asked, "After you shouted at them, did the NPCs continue burying?"

Feng Bin nodded, "When we shone our flashlights at them, it was those two old people. They looked startled but didn't stop."

Shi Youqing thought for a moment, then said, “After we eat, let’s go dig up Xiao Zhi’s body.”

Su Xiyu responded and asked, "Are we hiding it in the basement again?"

"We have no other choice. We currently can't enter her room through the main door, and other rooms are too risky. We'll have to take the chance when no one is on the first floor and put it back in the basement."

"They discussed the matter over breakfast and reached an agreement, with no objections from anyone."

"Shi Youqing went for prenatal education early in the morning, and immediately afterwards, he headed to the garden."

"While Bo Huai was preparing for the longevity feast in the kitchen, the others were digging in the garden. It wasn't long before the bodies were discovered there."

"In addition to Xiao Zhi, there were three unfamiliar people with their faces covered."

"That’s them from last night!" Li Yuancheng exclaimed, his face turning grim, "Our task was to prevent outsiders from invading, but they..."

"They are no longer people, but corpses," Feng Bin stated."

"Only then did Li Yuancheng breathe a sigh of relief."

"Lin Lulu, covering her nose, looked at the bodies and asked, 'How do we deal with these? Throw them out?'"

"Su Xiyu replied, 'There can't be foreign objects in the garden, we must throw them out.'"

"‘Let’s dump them outside the main gate,’ Shi Youqing suggested. 'They don't belong to this household. It’s best not to keep them here.'"

"Thus, they quickly moved the three bodies outside the main gate."

"After the task, Li Yuancheng couldn't help but comment, 'It’s quite horrifying to think that there are three corpses at the doorstep on the day of the longevity feast.'"

"Lin Lulu remarked, 'Isn’t it more terrifying to have a dead person celebrating the feast?'"

"Shi Youqing, looking at the three bodies, said, 'But this could also be considered as adding to the lively atmosphere of the feast, right?'"

“……”

"Hearing these eerie words spoken in such a calm tone, Li Yuancheng started rubbing the goosebumps on his arm that never seemed to go away, 'Stop... It’s making me nervous...'"

"Hao Tianshuo, equally frightened, retorted defiantly, '...Isn’t that supposed to be a joke? Where’s your sense of humor?'"

“……”

"The midday meal was not grand, as the family had planned the main meal for the evening, when they would descend for the birthday celebration."

"After the meal, the old man came over with a camera, asking who knew how to take photos."

"No one spoke, uncertain of what awaited them after responding."

"Seeing no response, the old man handed the camera to Shi Youqing, who was nearest to him: 'Zikun told me you're the most educated here, so you must know how to use a camera. After the birthday celebration for my spouse tonight, you'll take a family photo for us. Make sure it's good, and no one is missing. Once that’s done, you all can leave.'"

"The group was stunned."

"Shi Youqing replied, 'Alright.'"

"The old man walked away, satisfied."

"As soon as the NPC left, Hao Tianshuo was the first to jump up, 'Ah, the dawn of going home!'"

"But Su Xiyu was not as relaxed: 'No one can be missing, including Xiao Zhi.'"

"Shi Youqing nodded, 'Before the photo, we need to bring Xiao Zhi’s body.'"

"If they had neglected to retrieve Xiao Zhi’s body during the previous burial phase by the elders, completing the task of taking a complete family photo tonight would be impossible."

"Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng instinctively looked at Shi Youqing, while the rest felt a mix of relief and lingering fear."

"Bo Huai volunteered, 'I’ll do it.'"

"Hao Tianshuo initially wanted to argue, but upon recalling the state of the corpse, he hesitated, unable to finish his sentence."

"Su Xiyu raised her glass, a rare smile appearing, 'Regardless, it's been a pleasant cooperation. Honestly, this instance wasn't easy, but I've enjoyed these past few days... Whether we leave or die here, future meetings depend on fate, so let's drink to that.'"

"The air tensed for a moment before being shattered by Hao Tianshuo's outburst, 'Why leave it to fate? Sister, I have a bunch of business cards in my pocket! I offered you one that day, and you didn’t even look at it!'"

"Lin Lulu interjected, 'You don’t actually hand out business cards in an instance, do you?'"

"‘Of course not! I distribute them outside the instance too!’ he retorted."

“……”

"After a round of laughter, they gathered together, opting for water instead of alcohol to avoid misunderstandings, and touched their cups together in unison."

"As night fell, everyone assembled on the first floor."

"The long dining table in the restaurant was laden with a bounty of dishes, with a simple birthday cake at its center."

"Tian Zikun helped Su Hui down the stairs and, after settling his wife, went to call the elders."

"Soon, the whole family gathered around the dining table, and Tian Zikun, smiling, beckoned to them: 'Come join us. It's more festive with more people at an elder's birthday celebration.'"

"The group exchanged glances but eventually approached."

"The long dining table was occupied at the head by the birthday celebrant, the elderly lady, flanked by the male and female heads of the household and the old man."

"Shi Youqing and his group sat on the other side of the table, silently focusing on their meal."

"Despite being a joyous birthday feast, the atmosphere was unusually quiet."

"Shi Youqing’s wig had bangs that were too long, constantly covering his eyes when he looked down. Yet, in this situation, it provided a cover to sneak glances."

"His gaze peered through the gap in his bangs at the elderly couple."

"The very couple who had buried a body the night before now showed no sign of disturbance, even sporting faint smiles, their eyes reflecting a chilling sense of happiness."

"Hao Tianshuo, sitting opposite Shi Youqing, kept making faces at him. The silence was suffocating, and after a few seconds, his foot stomped heavily under the table."

"He quickly covered his mouth to stifle a yell, looking astonished at the opposite 'black-haired beauty'... Surely not, had the makeover changed her personality to be so fiery?"

"Then another stomp came!"

"Hao Tianshuo’s eyes widened in pain, thinking his foot might be ruined. He looked pitifully at Shi Youqing, and then in his peripheral vision, he caught a cold, shadowy gaze."

"Could it be…"

"No, it couldn't be…"

"Testing his theory, he kept his eyes fixed on Shi Youqing, even trying to wink."

"Another stomp followed!"

"…Damn it!!!"

"Hao Tianshuo was furious. Looking down, he saw what he expected: Shi Youqing’s feet were demurely side by side, certainly not capable of such an inhumane act!"

"Next to him, Bo Huai's poised foot, like lightning, kicked towards him again!"

"— Ambush!"

"Hao Tianshuo dodged backward vigorously, only to collide with his chair, and in a screech of friction against the floor, he tumbled over!"

"A wave of low exclamations swept across the table."

"‘My goodness, what's going on here?’ the elderly lady exclaimed, patting her chest and frowning, ‘You scared me to death.’"

"Li Yuancheng quickly bent down to help him up."

"Shi Youqing, who had been focusing on the NPCs, was oblivious to the under-the-table commotion and turned in surprise at the sound."

"Hao Tianshuo, filled with resentment, glared at Bo Huai through gritted teeth. Shi Youqing also instinctively looked towards Bo Huai."

"Bo Huai appeared indifferent, as if unaware of anything."

"‘What happened to you?’ Shi Youqing had no choice but to ask Hao Tianshuo."

"Sitting back down, Hao Tianshuo patted his clothes and said through clenched teeth, ‘It's nothing, just got startled by a cockroach. Let's continue eating…’"

"‘Cockroaches in the house?’ The female host covered her mouth and looked down, ‘Really?’"

"Lin Lulu hurriedly intervened, ‘No, no, there haven’t been any around these days. He must have been mistaken!’"

"Hao Tianshuo humphed but said nothing further."

"Dinner finished close to nine o’clock."

"The old man stood up and looked towards Shi Youqing, ‘Alright, let’s go to the living room and take that family photo.’"

"Shi Youqing replied, ‘Just a moment, let me grab the camera.’"

"Saying this, he went upstairs, signaling the others with a subtle gesture before leaving."

"Bo Huai promptly headed to the kitchen."

"Shi Youqing deliberately dawdled upstairs, timing it for when they would be moving the body from the basement, and then came down."

"In the living room, Lin Lulu and Hao Tianshuo were chatting with the family, providing cover for the kitchen. Seeing Shi Youqing descend, they intensified their conversation."

"Glancing towards the kitchen, Shi Youqing noticed Bo Huai and the others already at the door."

"‘Let’s start shooting,’ Shi Youqing approached, ‘We’ll arrange it as a traditional family portrait. The elders seated on the sofa, with the husband and wife standing behind, and the child in between the elders…’"

"‘What child?’ Tian Zikun laughed, ‘You’re confused. Our child is still in my wife’s womb!’"

"However, the elders’ expressions subtly shifted."

"‘Your child is right here,’ Bo Huai and Feng Bin brought over the wooden box containing the corpse, Feng Bin enunciating every word, ‘As you requested, no one will be missing from tonight's family photo.’"

"The elderly lady gasped dramatically, as if struck by a severe shock, then screamed uncontrollably, a bone-chilling sound. Undeterred, Bo Huai and Feng Bin continued, placing Xiao Zhi's body between the two elders."

"Su Hui, pale with fright, turned to run upstairs, but Su Xiyu, anticipating this, firmly blocked her way: ‘Madam, the photo isn’t taken yet.’"

"‘No…’ Su Hui shook her head, stepping back, ‘...how can this be? Can’t you see? She’s dead! She’s already dead!’"

"‘You’re dead too,’ Shi Youqing said."

"‘No…’"

"Lin Lulu and Hao Tianshuo were similarly stopping Tian Zikun, who was trying to escape through the main door."

"On the sofa, the two elders trembled as they looked at Shi Youqing in front of them, as if seeing a ghost."

"‘…Alright, everyone come for the family photo,’ the old man inhaled deeply, suddenly declaring, ‘It ends only after we take it.’"

"‘Dad!’"

"‘You already knew about Xiao Zhi’s body, and since everyone is aware now, what’s there to fear?’ The old man’s tone calmed slightly, ‘You didn’t want to be involved, deliberately leading your mother and me to the basement, leaving us, two old folks, to deal with it. Even if something happened later, you just had to pretend to know nothing... Do you still need to pretend now?’"

"‘Dad, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Besides, wasn’t it you and mom who suggested sending Xiao Zhi away? Afraid an unrelated granddaughter would compete with your future blood-related grandchildren for inheritance? Afraid she would harm my child? Weren’t those your words?’"

"‘When have you ever listened to us, old folks, like this?’ the old man retorted in frustration, ‘Would we have said such things if you hadn’t been resentful of Xiao Zhi since your wife got pregnant? If it wasn’t for you and your wife always considering Xiao Zhi superfluous, would we have treated her poorly?’"

"‘Enough! You’re all practically half-buried in the grave. If you won’t do it, should I?’"

"‘You…’"

"Watching the family, who had just been portraying happiness, now tear into each other with hurtful words, Shi Youqing wasn’t surprised."

"Amidst the argument, Shi Youqing caught something in the corner of his eye. On the floor, not far behind Su Hui, a small lump of flesh had appeared!"

"...The fetus could move on its own!"

"The crimson lump of flesh, now resembling a nimble snake, wriggled at an alarming speed towards the stairway…"

"No, it must not escape!"

"‘Catch it!’ Shi Youqing had barely shouted when a figure swiftly dashed forward."

"Bo Huai quickly grabbed the squirming mass of flesh, which twisted incessantly in his palm."

"With no time to lose, he rushed back to the sofa, holding the flesh aloft towards Shi Youqing, ‘Ready to take the photo.’"

"At this moment, the four NPCs mechanically turned their heads, all looking at Bo Huai."

"Noticing the flesh in his hands, the female host gasped, then screamed in horror, ‘No… put my child down!’"

"Hearing this, the expressions of those surrounding them abruptly changed."

"The rule here... is to obey!"

"Simultaneously, Shi Youqing raised the camera and forcefully pressed the shutter."

"The photo was successfully taken!"

"In the picture, a flushed young husband, a crying and panicked young wife, a sneering elderly lady, an angrily scolding old man, a lump of flesh pinched in a large hand, and between the elders, that little girl with an unrecognizable face… her lips, imperceptibly turned up at the corners…"

"The next second, the floating interface in front of the seven players changed."

[Black World Instance: Family of Six]

[Game Progress: 100%]

"Following that, a vivid image forcefully invaded Shi Youqing’s mind."

"Under a gloomy overcast sky, a little girl cautiously extended her hand, which was then held by a young couple."

"The man bent down and said, ‘Xiao Zhi, from now on, I am your dad, and we will always be a family.’"

"That was Tian Zikun and his former wife."

"As the images flowed, Shi Youqing's perspective shifted. He found himself able to see the girl’s face only in mirrors, while all the adults loomed high in his field of vision."

"— This was Xiao Zhi's memory."

"Her new home was much better than she had imagined. She had her own room, a father and a mother, and soon, her grandparents would join them. Days passed, and she thought she would grow up slowly just like this."

"It started raining one day when the elderly couple visited their home."

"The sternness of the grandparents frightened her, making her so nervous during meals that she accidentally dropped her chopsticks."

"‘Why are you so clumsy?’ she heard her grandfather say."

"‘Eat properly, don’t play with your utensils, and be obedient!’ her grandmother scolded."

"Her nervousness increased; she nodded and ate quickly. However, in her hurried state, she struggled to breathe and suddenly fell ill…"

"The elders were shocked. Tian Zikun and his wife at the time rushed to get medicine... It took a while before she recovered."

"That day, she only remembered the grandparents watching her intently. After a long time, the grandfather stepped out to smoke, and the grandmother grilled her father with questions..."

"She went back to her room, then quietly crept downstairs after a while."

"She overheard them talking:"

"‘She’s old enough to remember everything, right? Will she ever see you as her real father?’"

"‘Still sick? The problem isn’t serious, but it sure is worrisome, isn’t it?’"

"‘Anyway, I can’t make decisions for you…’"

"The flickering images were like a carousel of memories – her parents’ arguments, the grandparents’ murmuring... Three months later, she heard the news of her parents' divorce."

"She was terrified, believing everything was her fault. When her mother left, she ran back to her room and watched her mother's retreating figure from the window."

"Perhaps sensing something, the woman looked back."

"The girl’s memory was hazy, so the woman’s face was blurred too. But Shi Youqing could clearly sense the woman pausing, then quickly returning. She went to the girl's room, knelt down, and said, ‘Xiao Zhi, it’s not your fault. I just can’t live with them anymore, it has nothing to do with you.’"

"That day was overcast with dark clouds, and she finally hid behind the curtains, watching her mother leave for the last time."

"Soon, the people in charge of her changed from her mother to her grandparents, who said, ‘You should be obedient. With your poor health, who would be responsible if something happened? That’s why you need to listen to us even more.’"

"She nodded in agreement."

"Then came an unending list of instructions."

"She wasn’t allowed to make noise while eating; she couldn’t cry; she couldn’t talk carelessly outside; she couldn’t play with other kids without permission; she couldn’t contradict the elders; she wasn’t to mention her mother; when her father brought other women home, she couldn’t say she was his daughter; she couldn’t casually call her father ‘Dad’; she wasn’t allowed in family photos, as her father was planning to start a new family, and it wouldn’t be good if an aunt who minded saw them at home..."

"Until six months later, when her father finally remarried. The new mother, after a few tests, learned of her identity, initially not having much objection to this adopted daughter."

"But over time, she always saw them going out to the hospital together. She thought her father was ill, but her grandfather chuckled, ‘Your new mom found a good doctor. Maybe it won’t be long before your dad has his own child.’"

"She was stunned but still instinctively said, ‘But I am Dad’s child.’"

"Her grandmother snorted, ‘...If you say so.’"

"Suddenly angry, she retreated to her room and didn’t come out all day."

"She thought her grandparents would call her for dinner, but she was left waiting, hungry until midnight, her stomach aching with the emptiness."

"All snacks were hidden, and there was no dinner left. She knocked on the door, but her usually gentle father, woken up, was unusually irritable and furiously threw a cup at the door, ‘What’s all this noise at midnight? I work hard, can’t you just behave?’"

"Terrified, she went to the first floor and quietly called out for her grandparents."

"She said, ‘I’m hungry…’"

"After a long while, she heard them respond, ‘Serves you right. We’ve spoiled you too much. That’s what you get for not listening!’"

"So she went hungry the whole night."

"This lesson taught her never to disobey again... She thought as long as she was obedient, she would have her own family."

"But that day still came."

"Her new mother was pregnant."

"The whole family was overjoyed, so excited that they immediately went to a hotel to celebrate. She was left behind at home because she was too slow to put on her shoes."

"Holding back tears, she called her father, ‘You left me behind!’"

"Her father said, ‘Oh, just eat at home. The maid has cooked. There are too many relatives here, and you always seem so timid around them. It’s better if you don’t come.’"

"She slowly put down the phone, starting to get angry."

"She was serious. When her father, mother, grandparents returned, she remained silent, vowing in her heart not to speak again unless they apologized."

"That same night, she discovered they had taken a new family photo at the hotel, one that didn't include her."

"So, she stubbornly stayed silent for three whole days."

"On the evening of the third day, waking up with a stomachache and going to the bathroom, she heard faint voices downstairs."

"Her name was being mentioned."

"‘Have you noticed, ever since your wife got pregnant, Xiao Zhi has been acting strangely?’"

"‘Indeed, these past few days, no matter how I ask her, she doesn’t speak, just like a mute.’"

"‘Children can be frightening when they turn bad,’ the grandmother sighed. ‘I just saw a news story about a child who tried to harm their newborn sibling out of jealousy for the divided affection…’"

"‘If it can happen with one's own children, what about one who isn’t biologically related? Your wife also said she doesn’t seem like a good child. Now, I’m afraid to let her near Su Hui!’"

"‘You finally have this child, you must be very careful…’"

"‘Mom… surely it’s not that extreme, is it?’"

"‘I always said you shouldn’t have adopted such a child. If she were healthy and lively, it would be different, but she’s always sulking, like a ghost. It’s frightening just to look at her for too long... I’m worried she’s harboring some malice.’"

"‘You know your wife has been complaining about her recently…’"

"‘But I’ve raised her, I can’t just…’"

"‘Maybe... you should send her back? Zikun, you clearly don’t want this child anymore, do you?’"

“……”

"She quietly returned to her room and cried all night."

"The next morning, taking advantage of the time when her family went out shopping, she packed her bag and left home."

"She was playing an extensive game of hide-and-seek."

"She hid in an abandoned, unfinished building, her backpack filled with snacks. She ate a little each day, waiting to be found, waiting for them to realize her importance and then to be valued and cherished."

"By the fourth day, she couldn’t bear it anymore and, avoiding passersby, stealthily returned home."

"She had taken the house key when she left, and upon returning, found the house empty, even the maid was absent. Notes on the wall indicated that her family had gone to the hospital, apparently because her mother was unwell these past few days, and the maid had taken leave."

"When she heard noises outside, she immediately hid in the kitchen."

"It was her grandparents returning."

"They talked about her mother for a while before finally mentioning her."

"Hearing her name, her heart pounded with a mixture of apprehension and hopeful anticipation."

"‘Any news about Xiao Zhi?’"

"‘We’ve reported it to the police, but if she can’t be found, there’s nothing we can do. We checked the house’s surveillance, and she left on her own. We can’t be blamed for this…’"

"Pain started to well up inside her, and she felt like crying."

"‘Really, causing such a fuss at her age, what will become of her later on…’"

"‘Did she find out about the discussion to send her back?’"

"‘How would I know?’"

"‘But if we really can’t find her…’"

"The outside fell into a hushed silence."

"Her young heart turned into a stagnant pool."

"She understood their last words. Rather than concern, it sounded more like a veiled hope."

"Not daring to emerge, she entered the basement through a hidden door in the kitchen."

"The house had surveillance cameras; they would eventually find out she had returned."

"She waited behind the dark door."

"She had given up on staying in this house, yet, in the end, she still longed to see a trace of urgency, worry, and regret in the eyes of this family."

"Even just a little."

"She wanted to be the winner in this game of hide-and-seek."

"The air was stale around her, and discomfort soon set in. Her illness flared up almost instantly, but when she tried to open the door to leave, it was stuck…"

"In the endless darkness and suffocation, the scene shifted to faint sounds of joy and laughter."

"That was the sound of the couple returning home, the elders chatting and laughing with them, as if nothing had ever been missing from the house..."

"A surge of fierce emotion welled up in Shi Youqing’s chest, but then the scene before him rapidly changed."

"Days later, the young couple, smelling something odd, quietly opened the secret door, only to recoil in horror moments later."

"Dazed, they reviewed the past surveillance footage, only then discovering the girl’s return days earlier…"

"Between reporting to the police and hiding the truth, Tian Zikun chose the latter."

"‘Even if we can prove it was an accident, the investigation into her cause of death won’t spare me from public scrutiny! You know what might happen if the company’s stock is affected…’"

"‘We’ll pretend we know nothing; mom and dad will handle it… They’re old enough… Besides, we’re not murderers…’"

"That day, the elders, sent to retrieve something from the basement, conveniently discovered the body, leading to the sequence of events Shi Youqing had deduced."

"Influenced by the news of the elders burying cash, they decided to bury the child’s body in the garden."

"On the day of the burial, their unusual behavior caught the attention of some burglars, who, following the same news story, surmised that the elders might be burying cash there…"

"The night the elders buried the body, the three burglars, who had planned to disable the cameras before stealing the wooden box from the soil, suddenly and inexplicably started digging…"

"By the time they realized what they were doing, the cameras had already captured them taking the box."

"It was as if something beyond their understanding had compelled them to act this way…"

"But upon opening the wooden box, they found, to their shock, not treasure, but a small corpse."

"The three burglars were terrified, one wanting to flee while the others insisted on destroying the surveillance, so they sneaked into the house…"

"What followed was a horrific massacre."

"After killing the entire family in their sleep, the burglars finally came to their senses."

"This house seemed like a twisted space that amplified malice, making everyone lose control from the moment they entered."

"‘We… we killed people…’"

"‘This is cursed… But we’ve spilled blood before, don’t panic. You, hurry up and look for cash and valuables, we’ll deal with the bodies!’"

"With things already gone too far, the three thugs buried all the bodies in a pre-dug pit in the garden."

"As they were leaving, one of them looked back cautiously and saw a girl standing rigidly in the center of the garden, staring intently at them."

"He was so frightened that he wet his pants. That pause allowed the arriving security team to catch the murderers red-handed…"

*

"In the midst of heavy breathing, Shi Youqing suddenly woke up."

"In the nearby dining area, seven chairs emitted a faint light."

"He heard Li Yuancheng say, ‘The chessboard has appeared!’"

"Directly opposite, violating the ‘obedience’ rule, Xiao Zhi’s corpse had climbed onto Bo Huai's back, pressing him down heavily until he knelt on one knee."

"Shi Youqing instantly recalled the suffocating scene involving Tian Zikun and moved to help, but then the system's voice echoed, ‘Congratulations to player Shi Youqing for clearing the [Family of Six] instance. Once the chess piece is taken, all rules limiting players or NPCs become void! For your safety, please leave through the exit as soon as possible!’"

"‘The exit is in the kitchen!’ Su Xiyu, holding her black chess piece, turned and shouted, ‘They’re starting to turn into zombies, hurry!’"

"As the rules were lifted, Bo Huai stood up, shaking off Xiao Zhi from his back, and caught the figure rushing towards him, momentarily caught off guard before lifting the slender body onto his shoulder."

"Shi Youqing, intending to help, was suddenly scooped up and hoisted onto Bo Huai’s shoulder."

"Feng Bin, having collected their black chess pieces, looked back to see them managing and then led the way."

"Hao Tianshuo came running with a pot lid as a shield, ‘Brother Qingqing, I’m here!’"

“……”

"The NPC corpses behind them began to decay, the foul stench pursuing them relentlessly and drawing ever closer…"

"‘Give me back my home…’ As the contorting corpse almost reached them, Hao Tianshuo flung his pot lid, striking it back."

"‘Whoa, damn! I can’t believe I hit it!’ Hao Tianshuo exclaimed, thrilled. He turned to Shi Youqing, ‘See, he's just a mount! With me here, there's no problem at all!’"

“……”

"Bo Huai, with a grim face, kicked him ruthlessly towards the exit, showing no mercy."

"Hao Tianshuo's cursing voice gradually faded away in the distance towards the exit…"

"Soon, Shi Youqing and Bo Huai also stepped through the iron gate."

"Leaving was their primary objective. They did not look back, but as they crossed the threshold, Shi Youqing distinctly felt someone pat his back."

"A wave of dizziness hit him."

"When he opened his eyes, Shi Youqing found himself not in his real home, but in that piano room."

"This time, however, the person playing the piano was himself."

"At first, his reflection was identical to him, but as the piano tempo rapidly changed, his body and hair turned pale. The room expanded, his body grew larger, covered in countless eyes, except for where the eyes should have been, which remained blank..."

"Under the glaring lights, that bizarre face shimmered ominously."

"Shi Youqing wanted to leave, but his body moved beyond his control. He watched the monstrous figure rise, looking not at him, but behind him."

"He immediately turned, encountering once again the man with white irises."

"‘Youqing,’ he heard the man speak in an almost sorrowful tone, ‘come back.’"

"In an instant, the bizarre man disappeared before his eyes — devoured by the monstrous creature’s long hair, which brutally shredded his form."

"A sharp pain struck his head."

"Shi Youqing opened his eyes once more."

"This time, he saw the ceiling of the bedroom."

"He had emerged."

"The window was open, letting in a cool breeze that felt comfortable."

"Bo Huai was sitting by the bed, intently watching him, as if worried about something."

"Shi Youqing blinked, his face expressionless, ‘I… want some juice.’"

"The other person paused briefly, then said, ‘I’ll make some.’"

"A few minutes later, Bo Huai returned with the juice."

"Shi Youqing sat up, seeming drained, staring blankly at his reflection in the window, sipping the juice."

"During this, Feng Bin called, saying he would bring over their black chess pieces that evening, and then shared good news: a hint for the next instance, which he saw in the hands of a child right at the door upon leaving."

"‘[Do Not Accompany],’ Feng Bin said, ‘It’s the hint for the next White World instance.’"

"[Author's Note]"

"Thanks to the little angels for nourishing my work: --Waiting for Aurora-- 10 bottles; Little Waist 5 bottles; Did Your Cat Eat Today 2 bottles; Keep Going, Stranded, Men Who Don't Love Themselves Are Like Spoiled Cabbage, Bag It, Give Up, Quan Quan 1 bottle each;"

"Thank you all so much for your support, I will continue to work hard!"