Chapter 78 Reality

Chapter 78 Reality

◎[Two-in-One] Baby Fund◎

Shi Youqing woke up as soon as it was light.

He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but since exiting the last instance, his sleep quality seemed much improved.

With his hair a messy white tangle, Shi Youqing drew back the curtains, squinting in the bright light, basking in the warmth of the real world’s sun.

...It was very comforting.

After freshening up, Shi Youqing walked out to find breakfast already set on the table, with sounds still bubbling from the kitchen—Bo Huai was stewing soup.

It smelled delicious.

Shi Youqing approached and asked, "What is this?"

As he neared, Bo Huai's body tensed slightly: "Breakfast."

"Is someone joining us for the meal?"

"No..." Bo Huai then looked at him, a faint blush on his ears, "You’re weak, need to be nourished. Old hen stew is good for boosting appetite."

"Really? Let me try."

Bo Huai hastily ladled a small bowl, cooled it with a spoon, and carefully brought it to his mouth.

Shi Youqing drank it under his watchful eye.

"It's tasty."

Bo Huai's lips twitched slightly, then he turned to serve the soup.

At the dining table, Shi Youqing took a few bites before turning his attention to the TV.

The morning news was playing — a local xx tour group had a bus accident on a mountain road days ago. Most were rescued, but a female college student was missing and has now been found unconscious in the forest, currently being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Although the girl's face on the screen was blurred, Shi Youqing recognized her instantly—it was Guo Yalan.

The fact that she appeared in the real world meant—Guo Yalan had returned from the resurrection match.

Shi Youqing felt a surge of joy, absent-mindedly sipping the soup fed to him, only to realize that Bo Huai had already taken the spoon and managed to feed him three more spoonfuls.

Shi Youqing: "…"

After breakfast, they set off for the ghost house themed around the Ghost Festival.

This newly opened attraction was popular, mostly with young people, making for a vibrant scene. Thus, Shi Youqing’s striking white hair blended surprisingly well in this setting as they queued up.

As a group screamed their way out of the exit, the staff ushered them in.

Bo Huai took his hand: "It’s easy to get lost inside."

Shi Youqing nodded, maintaining a composed demeanor.

Once inside, eerie cries gradually echoed around them. A few steps in, Shi Youqing felt a hand grab his ankle.

"!" His face paled slightly, glancing back now and then.

Shi Youqing was naturally timid, especially in such sensory-overloading enclosed spaces. Even knowing there were no real ghosts, the fear was instinctual.

"Someone just grabbed my foot."

Bo Huai stopped and looked down.

It was actually a prop. Stepping on a specific board triggered a silicone hand to pop up, creating a chilling illusion of being followed by ghosts.

Without a word, Bo Huai picked him up.

Shi Youqing was surprised: "Is this okay?"

In the darkness, Bo Huai's Adam's apple bobbed: "Yes."

Shi Youqing's embarrassment lasted only two seconds before he grew concerned about himself: "If you get tired, let me know. Don't drop me."

Bo Huai, both amused and annoyed, almost wished he could bite him.

How could he possibly let anything hurt him, even the slightest?

The next challenges were somewhat thrilling. The NPCs were dressed frighteningly, with their facial bones and muscles realistically simulated. Each time they burst out, Shi Youqing would close his eyes.

Bo Huai held him steady, not in a rush to leave, calmly continuing to survey the surroundings.

After a while, once the NPCs had gone, Shi Youqing opened his eyes, looked up, and noticed the gaze from above. He asked, "Did you find the clue?"

"No," Bo Huai replied, "We're nearly at the exit now."

Shi Youqing looked forward and indeed saw a glowing passageway.

"The clue isn't here," he said, frowning.

Bo Huai walked steadily, holding him until they were completely outside the exit before setting him down.

Having held him for so long without even shaking his arms to relieve fatigue, it was as if he was holding a very light doll.

The area was crowded, so Bo Huai led him away. They had only taken a few steps when someone called out from behind, "Shi Youqing?!"

Shi Youqing immediately looked in that direction.

The one calling him was a somewhat familiar-looking short-haired girl.

Following his gaze, Bo Huai said, "Xia Shitong, from the Red Shoes instance."

Xia Shitong had already run over. She seemed a bit embarrassed and spoke in a low voice, "It really is you... You've changed so much..."

In the Red Shoes instance, this girl didn't talk much either, so Shi Youqing didn't have a strong impression of her. He raised his hand in greeting, "Hello."

Xia Shitong seemed not very adept at social interactions. Although she had called out to him, she now appeared quite nervous: "Hello, hello, I just got a bit excited seeing a former teammate and called out to you instinctively. I hope I didn't disturb you?"

Shi Youqing shook his head and asked, "Are you here to experience the haunted house too?"

Xia Shitong nodded, giving a resigned smile: "Mainly to build up courage. You know, for people like us, being too timid can lead to trouble... My strength is drawing. Sometimes, in horrifying scenes, the faces of people or corpses can provide crucial clues, similar to how a real-life murder scene would leave a lot of evidence on the body. The same principle applies in the game. I'm not particularly strong or smart, so I want to overcome my fear. This way, I can sketch key clues for my teammates in those kinds of situations!"

Shi Youqing was somewhat surprised: "You can create composite sketches?"

"Yes, sometimes I can draw from my teammates' descriptions, but seeing things with my own eyes allows me to sketch more accurately!"

After pondering for a moment, Shi Youqing asked, "Would you mind drawing something for me?"

The other was momentarily taken aback, then quickly smiled: "Of course!"

Ten minutes later, the three of them arrived at a café.

Xia Shitong took out her sketchbook, listening carefully to Shi Youqing’s description.

Shi Youqing’s description of the game's authority figure mainly came from his experiences in the 'House of Six' and the memories of being chased in the mountains after death.

Shi Youqing described the eyes with white pupils, specifying only the shape of the eyes and instructing her to draw the pupils like those of a normal person.

Xia Shitong diligently sketched, periodically confirming details with him for modifications.

As time ticked by, people came and went in the café...

Finally, Shi Youqing saw a familiar face on the paper.

He said softly, "You're really talented…"

Xia Shitong, biting her pen, asked, "Does it resemble him?"

"Very much so."

Xia Shitong, relieved, saw him about to transfer money as a reward and quickly shook her head: "I've always remembered that Red Shoes instance. Consider this my way of returning the favor."

After saying this, she packed up her bag and said goodbye to them.

After the girl left, Bo Huai looked at the sketch and asked, "Are you looking for him?"

"Yes, in my memory, he appeared in the real world."

Bo Huai promptly took the sketch without a word: "I'll look for him."

……

By that afternoon, the search by Feng Bin had also concluded—there were no clues in or around the Taohuayuan Bar.

In the evening, the trio visited several shops and streets related to the details of the last instance, but still found nothing.

"It must have been taken by other players already," Shi Youqing said, "Generally, the clues aren't hidden too obscurely."

Feng Bin commented, "Actually, it's not a bad thing. Think of it as an opportunity to rest a bit more."

Shi Youqing shared this sentiment. With enough attention to detail, the content of the clues could be discerned in the instance itself. Having the clues in advance would have been more secure, allowing for better preparation.

"Is it likely that the next instance will be a 'white world'?" he asked Feng Bin.

"During the novice period, it's common to alternate between 'black world' and 'white world' instances. However, as players gain experience, the pattern of world attributes becomes more erratic. The next one might not necessarily be a 'white world'."

"I understand."

As night fell, with the bustling night market behind them, the three reached their car. Just as they were about to get in, a green head suddenly popped out of a red sports car across the street: "Brother Qingqing! Ahhh, am I dreaming?!"

Shi Youqing: "…"

After a long pause.

In the midst of an eerie atmosphere, the trio became a group of four.

Under Hao Tianshuo's enthusiastic invitation, Shi Youqing enjoyed another highly nourishing late-night snack, thoroughly satisfying his hunger.

Bo Huai and Feng Bin barely touched their food, each lost in their thoughts as they watched Hao Tianshuo eagerly introduce various dishes and their benefits to Shi Youqing.

Only after Shi Youqing had finished eating to his contentment did Hao Tianshuo seem to remember something important: "Oh no! I forgot to tell you, before leaving the last instance, Guo Yalan asked me to pass a message to you!"

Shi Youqing looked up, the crumbs from the pastry around his mouth quickly wiped away by a hand. He glanced at Bo Huai, who retracted his hand, then turned to Hao Tianshuo: "What message? Why didn't you mention it earlier?"

Hao Tianshuo appeared genuinely regretful, slapping his thigh: "I was too excited! Ah, I almost messed up something important!"

Shi Youqing asked earnestly, "What did she want to tell me?"

Hao Tianshuo's expression turned solemn: "She asked me to thank you on her behalf."

Shi Youqing: "And then?"

Hao Tianshuo laughed, "That's it, nothing more."

Shi Youqing: "…"

"Over here, Feng Bin quickly stopped Bo Huai from getting up."

"At the same time, seeing Bo Huai's posture, Hao Tianshuo thought he was about to get hit and quickly hid behind Shi Youqing, exclaiming, 'Hey! Just because you have a fire-patterned tattoo near your eye doesn’t scare me! Beware, I have a dragon tattoo on my back too! Don’t make me take off my shirt!'"

"While that left everyone speechless, Shi Youqing retorted, '...That’s not a temporary tattoo on Bo Huai.'"

"'Youqing,' Feng Bin said, 'that’s not the point, let’s first have them...'"

"'Are you saying he actually got it tattooed near his eye? That harsh?' Hao Tianshuo was shocked."

"Feng Bin: '...'"

"Hao Tianshuo continued, 'But isn’t your tattoo too casual? If it were me, I’d get them around both eyes, and a horizontal script on the forehead for symmetry!'"

"After saying this, he was intimidated by the other’s grim aura and added quietly, 'Maybe not couplets, a vintage summoning pattern would be better... You know, like a summoning beast, it’s more upscale than a mount.'"

"Feng Bin sat down, giving up on trying to reason with Hao Tianshuo."

"Unexpectedly, this time Bo Huai didn’t react violently but instead sat down and started playing with his phone."

"Feng Bin glanced over and saw a search engine page where the other was typing: 'summoning beast tattoo...'"

"Feng Bin: '...'"

"You guys might as well have a fight."

"At that moment, Hao Tianshuo eagerly fetched water for Shi Youqing, asking, 'Brother Qingqing, are you and your caregiver close?'"

"'He's not a caregiver,' Shi Youqing clarified, 'he’s my childhood friend.'"

"This revelation made everyone turn their attention toward him."

"Feng Bin was dumbfounded, 'Childhood friend? Since when?'"

"'I only remembered recently; we were in the same kindergarten.'"

"Feng Bin/Hao Tianshuo: '...'"

"'Kindergarten?'"

"Yes, back then I was in the senior class, and he was in the middle class."

"...So, not even in the same class?"

"But in the same school."

Hao Tianshuo barely suppressed his laughter: "Your 'childhood friend' really takes the cake for tracing back the roots!"

Feng Bin, however, pondered another aspect: "Then, don't you have a lot of 'childhood friends'? After all, there were elementary and middle school days after kindergarten..."

Shi Youqing shook his head: "No, I had no other classmates after that."

He was referring to his life before he passed away at six, which naturally meant no more classmates.

Feng Bin, who often visited his house, misunderstood this to mean something else - due to his unusual illness, Shi Youqing had always studied at home, hence having no classmates.

He must have longed to attend school like a normal person, right?

"I'm sorry," Feng Bin began, regretting his assumption, "I..."

Shi Youqing raised a hand: "It's okay, I have 'childhood friends' now."

Feng Bin: "..."

Hao Tianshuo finally couldn't hold back his laughter and burst out, clutching his stomach.

"Childhood friends, hahaha!!"

Shi Youqing: "What's so funny?"

Hao Tianshuo quickly covered his mouth, shaking his head.

Shi Youqing, overly full and indifferent, moved with the grace of a dignified long-haired cat. Leaning forward to get up, Hao Tianshuo hurried to assist, but Bo Huai beat him to it. Reluctantly, Hao Tianshuo moved aside and followed, asking, "Brother Qingqing, are you leaving now?"

Shi Youqing: "It's late, time for bed."

Hao Tianshuo: "Indeed, early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy!" Whispering this, he gently gathered the silver-white hair that had fallen onto the other's arm and placed it back carefully.

The young man glanced over with a side-eye.

Hao Tianshuo hastily blurted out, "I didn't touch your hair!"

Shi Youqing began to ponder, "My hair... seems to be a bit of trouble."

"Not a trouble at all!"

Two voices almost simultaneously responded.

Bo Huai, completely ignoring the huffing Hao Tianshuo, continued, "No worries, I'll take care of it."

Shi Youqing didn't say anything more, leisurely strolling to aid his digestion.

"Yu Ze has also woken up in the hospital," Feng Bin spoke up, "Do you want to go see him?"

Upon seeing Yu Ze at the dormitory while discussing ghost stories, Hao Tianshuo immediately nodded in agreement, exclaiming, "Great, great!"

Shi Youqing suggested, "Let's go tomorrow. Now that Guo Yalan has emerged from the resurrection match, the memories of her death among those outside the game will surely be altered. We can check out the situation."

Feng Bin, appearing to have thought of something, asked Shi Youqing, "Is the condition for the appearance of the big wheel to find two paths to survival?"

"That's what the system says."

"Then there's no problem. I'll ask some other players later."

The four of them arrived at a square, where a fountain was actively spraying water.

Bo Huai acted swiftly, covering Shi Youqing's face with his hand just as the water shot towards them.

Hao Tianshuo got sprayed in the face and yelled, "Ahhh!"

Feng Bin didn't run away. Instead, he stared at them in amazement, then smiled and took out his phone to take a selfie.

Half of his body was soaked, and the lens was blurred by water, but he still captured a group photo of the four of them:

Shi Youqing's face was mostly covered by a large hand, with only his bright, curious eyes peering out, while Bo Huai kept his gaze fixed on him; Hao Tianshuo, holding his green head, yelled and waved in front of Shi Youqing; Feng Bin was mesmerized by his own reflection in the camera.

Leaving the fountain square, Feng Bin looked back at the photo and momentarily forgot about the game—they seemed like ordinary young people, no longer burdened with the fear of dying at any moment.

……

The next morning, Shi Youqing and the others headed to the hospital where Yu Ze was currently staying.

Inside the hospital room.

Yu Ze struggled to type on a tablet beside his bed. He was in recovery and couldn't talk for long periods. He was weak but desperately eager to know about Guo Yalan. His fingers trembled as he typed and communicated with Feng Bin, occasionally emitting short syllables.

"Your relative is right, she's indeed fine."

"But I don't know which hospital she's in. Don't you have her family's contact? Tell us, and we'll check on her for you."

"Okay, I've noted it down."

"Ah... okay." Feng Bin saw a new line of text on the tablet, picked it up, and showed it to Shi Youqing.

Shi Youqing looked up to see it.

[Could you relay this message to Shi Youqing for me?]

[Shi Youqing, feel free to ask for anything. I'll agree to whatever you request. If you need me in the future, you can take me along, and it's okay to use me to test rules and taboos.]

Shi Youqing: "..."

He walked to the bedside and, looking at Yu Ze's post-surgery, emaciated face that was almost unrecognizable, frowned and said, "You should focus on recovering. It's pitiful to see you like this."

Yu Ze: "..."

This was the first time Shi Youqing viewed someone in the hospital from this perspective. It made him feel extremely healthy. He clasped his hands behind his back and became more self-satisfied: "Although you're in such a condition, being able to play with the tablet is pretty good."

Yu Ze was speechless.

...He had just undergone a surgery! And the tablet wasn't for playing!

At this moment, Shi Youqing noticed the darkened forehead of Yu Ze, showing a sympathetic look again. He leaned forward to inquire, then straightened up, recalling some encouraging phrases he had heard in hospitals before: "Wish you a speedy recovery and live life with a smile."

Everyone: "..."

As a visitor, Shi Youqing felt quite good about himself. He disliked hospitals, and the nurses outside were hinting that it was time for Yu Ze to rest. So, after Feng Bin finished his final discussions, Shi Youqing stepped out.

Just as he stepped out of the room, a weak, breathy voice came from behind: "Tha...nk you."

Leaving the room, Hao Tianshuo couldn't help wanting to pinch Shi Youqing's face several times, but he pulled his hand back halfway each time, smiling wryly: "This is the first time I’ve felt so happy visiting a hospital!"

Shi Youqing disapprovingly glanced at him: "Don't make fun of how people look when they are ill."

Hao Tianshuo: "Ah? No! I mean..."

Feng Bin sympathetically suggested: "Stop explaining, it’s better to just stop now while you can."

“……”

In the following days, they met almost daily, first visiting Guo Yalan, whose address they had found. She was physically fine and relatively stable emotionally.

Feng Bin asked her about the resurrection match.

Guo Yalan’s expression finally showed cracks as she looked down and said, "The malice towards players in the resurrection match... is immense, very immense."

As for more information about the resurrection match, due to game restrictions, she couldn't reveal much and seemed reluctant to recall it. Shi Youqing could tell that the resurrection match had left a profound impact on her.

However, being able to come out of it was the best outcome.

When leaving, Guo Yalan offered to have them stay for a meal, but Shi Youqing declined, simply stating, "I don't like eating in hospitals."

Guo Yalan smiled and said, "Okay then... I plan to rest properly for a month and won't be looking for clues. Feel free to contact me if you need anything."

"Alright."

As they left the hospital, Shi Youqing chatted with the others about where to eat. While walking, he suddenly felt someone watching him. When he turned to look, the door of a car across the street had just slammed shut.

It was just a moment, but Shi Youqing saw it.

It was Zongzhu Yuan.

Zongzhu Yuan looked extremely haggard, a stark contrast to his previous arrogance. He had been smoking in the back seat, watching Shi Youqing, then suddenly stubbed out his cigarette and slammed the car door shut.

The car drove off immediately, quickly disappearing at the end of the road.

—It could have been mistaken for a criminal gang encountering the police.

Shi Youqing was somewhat baffled but quickly dismissed the incident, shifting his focus to choosing a restaurant with the others.

...He hadn't noticed the fleeting dangerous glint in Bo Huai's eyes just moments before.

After the meal, Shi Youqing suddenly asked Hao Tianshuo, "You haven't found any clues for the next scenario either, right?"

Hao Tianshuo replied, "Find what? I never knew what clues were! I play for the thrill!"

Feng Bin: "..."

Shi Youqing nodded, "Then you can treat me."

Hao Tianshuo, who had been enjoying a large crab, choked in surprise: "Wha-what?!"

Shi Youqing spoke seriously, "You treat me. Market price is fine. Didn't you say you don't team up with acquaintances? This is a financial transaction, so we’re not acquaintances."

Bo Huai/Feng Bin: "..."

"Qingqing brother..." Hao Tianshuo was almost at a loss for words, "Do you know how many people want to treat you?"

Shi Youqing replied, "I don't trust strangers."

Sometimes the treachery of teammates can be more terrifying than the destructive power of ghosts. He just wanted to save up some money before finding his mother and cover future expenses.

"So you mean... you trust me?" Hao Tianshuo, clutching his green hair, blushed, "Great! But I can't just pay the market rate... How about this: besides money, I'll have someone draft a will. If I die someday, all my possessions, including my car, house, and savings, will go to you. My parents left me a small company, managed by professionals for now, but it'll be yours later... Their own assets are many times more than mine, so they probably won’t scatter my ashes over this..."

“……”

Feng Bin couldn't help but tease, "Didn't you adamantly refuse to team up with acquaintances before?"

Hao Tianshuo declared confidently, "As Qingqing brother said, this isn't teaming up, it's a transaction! Don't try to undermine our pure monetary exchange!"

“……”

Hao Tianshuo laughed again, "Besides, nothing in this world is unchangeable. Just adapt, just adapt, hahaha..."

Shi Youqing agreed, "You're absolutely right."

The other two: "..."

In the meantime, Feng Bin, seeing Hao Tianshuo getting tipsy with happiness, took the opportunity to ask, "Brother, hasn’t your straight guy persona changed too?"

"What are you talking about?" Hao Tianshuo instantly became alert.

Feng Bin was relieved and turned to leave, then heard him muttering softly, "Qingqing brother, so good-looking... hehehe..."

“……”

Feng Bin's mouth twitched, and unable to resist, he smacked that green head down onto the table, then silently returned to his seat.

……

That night at home, Bo Huai poured a cup of hot water, reminding Shi Youqing to take his medicine.

After watching him drink it, he asked, "Why did you agree to be hired by Hao Tianshuo?"

"We can't just sit around and deplete our resources," Shi Youqing said. "I'm already unemployed, and my mother might get sick like Yu Ze when she comes out. We’ll need a lot of money."

Bo Huai paused, then said, "I have money."

Shi Youqing: "Where did you get money?"

Bo Huai: "I remember my life before I turned into a monster."

Shi Youqing: "What do you mean?"

Bo Huai: "I've set aside a fund for you, under your name."

“……”

"That money, saved up since I was young, should be enough for you."

Shi Youqing froze, completely stunned.

Bo Huai continued, "If we're not short of money, do we still need to make a deal with Hao Tianshuo?"

After thinking for a moment, Shi Youqing replied, "Yes, we do."

In the last scenario, only Hao Tianshuo recognized him. He simply felt that such a person could become a companion.

This time, Bo Huai asked nothing. He pulled over a bench for Shi Youqing to lie down and began to wash his hair gently and carefully.

……

With some time before the next scenario, Feng Bin started daily mountain training; Hao Tianshuo, having nothing better to do, consulted various Eastern and Western fortune-tellers and diviners, then amusingly analyzed the potential challenges of the next scenario. This became Shi Youqing's daily entertainment; meanwhile, Shi Youqing and Bo Huai continued to investigate the man in the portrait, but still made no progress.

Half a month later, on a rainy day, they entered a new scenario.

This time—it was still the dark world.

[Author's Note]

The new scenario, Butterfly Paradise, starts updating tomorrow!

Thanks to the little angels who supported me with their gifts: 66630488, Luoshui Fudeng, Invincible Vivi, A Roll of Steel Wool, Meow a Mi, Foldback Translocation, Beauty Accepting Fate 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Ji Shan, Fleeing the Madhouse 10 bottles; Spherical Marking Sub-cp (Mother's Edition) 6 bottles; Hating Everything That Can in Front of My Mom 5 bottles; Please Let It Snow Next 2 bottles;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!