Chapter 113

Chapter 113

When Shen Muyun awoke, the sun was high in the sky. He didn't even know when he had passed out, but the triumphant strains of a victor's song echoed in his ears. He knew they had won, yet he had no strength left to resist.

Lu Huainan stood at the doorway, a tray in his hands. "Brother Yun, you're awake! You slept for ages. We talked about going to the amusement park earlier, but we missed the opening. Looks like today's our only chance. With 5,000 visitors, we were bound to miss it anyway."

Shen Muyun rubbed his lower back, admitting to himself that he really couldn't take much more.

"Huainan, next time, please listen to me. I really can't handle it..."

"Can't handle what, Brother Yun? I was just giving you a reward. What, was it not good enough for you?"

"Lu Huainan, that wasn't a reward—my back felt like it was breaking in half."

"It's fine, Brother Yun. I already massaged it for you and applied some medicine. Doesn't it feel cool and soothing?"

Shen Muyun clapped a hand over Lu Huainan's mouth. "Come on, hurry up. Let's get ready for the amusement park. Weren't you talking about haunted houses and other attractions? Let's check them out. It's not like it's strenuous—I can manage."

—

What they hadn't anticipated was the sheer crowd at the amusement park. Young people and children were everywhere. Shen Muyun was puzzled—what was the appeal of this type of amusement park that it could draw so many visitors?

"Brother Yun, this is the biggest amusement park in the area. Look, pick any ride you want. We don't have to go to the haunted house. If it's too scary for you, we can do something milder."

Shen Muyun scanned the guide. Truthfully, he preferred quieter attractions; he really couldn't handle anything too thrilling.

"How about we ride the Ferris wheel first? We can take in the city views from up there."

Lu Huainan took Shen Muyun's hand and plunged into the crowd, but seeing the long lines, he grew worried.

"I didn't even think about it—it's packed today. If we have to wait in these lines, who knows how many rides we'll actually get on."

Lu Huainan glanced at the haunted house nearby. Oddly, there wasn't much of a line at the entrance. Perhaps everyone was too scared.

"Brother Yun, how about we try the haunted house first and come back later? Maybe the lines will die down by then."

Shen Muyun looked at the line—it was indeed much shorter.

"Alright, your call."

Lu Huainan led Shen Muyun to the haunted house. There really weren't many people. A sign with safety warnings was posted at the entrance, and tickets were self-service.

As they approached the haunted house, Shen Muyun felt an icy chill shoot down his spine—a strange, inexplicable feeling that suddenly welled up. He didn't know what it was or why he felt that way.

"Brother Yun, what's wrong? You've gone pale all of a sudden—are you still not feeling well?"

"I'm fine. Maybe I'm just tired from yesterday."

Seeing Lu Huainan's excitement, Shen Muyun didn't want to dampen his spirits.

But once inside, he found it was quite similar to haunted houses back in China. Perhaps due to cultural differences, some parts meant to be terrifying didn't scare him one bit.

"Huainan, aren't we wasting our money here? Why did we spend money to come to a place like this?"

"Ah, Brother Yun, you're right. It doesn't even have that childhood scare factor."

Suddenly, a cold draft swept past from behind—inexplicable. But when he turned around, no one was there.

"Huainan, just now—was that an illusion?"

Lu Huainan warily scanned their surroundings. "No, it shouldn't be. Someone's here. There might be hidden doors or passages around. My mistake—we're not far from Shen Liuyun's company. What if he knows we're here... Brother Yun, stick close to me. Don't get separated."

The more he said this, the easier it was to get separated. Shen Muyun followed Lu Huainan, but it was quite dark. Though there were few people, they still bumped into others now and then.

Shen Muyun followed by feel, keeping up with Lu Huainan ahead, when suddenly someone grabbed his waist from behind.

"I got you..."

A robotic voice—probably an NPC.

Shen Muyun didn't turn around. Instead, he calmly lowered his head. "You lose. I'm not scared of you."

The NPC behind him, seeing Shen Muyun's unimpressed response, immediately let go.

Shen Muyun had a bad feeling, but didn't dwell on it.

"Huainan, wait for me!"

Lu Huainan heard Shen Muyun's voice and turned back.

"Brother Yun, how'd you get over there?"

"I ran into an NPC just now—a ghost character. It just grabbed my waist, though."

Lu Huainan immediately checked Shen Muyun over. "Brother Yun, how do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, it was just some NPC. Why?"

"Nothing. Let's keep going, Brother Yun. Stay close to me. We should get out of here—this place gives me the creeps."

Shen Muyun thought it was just Lu Huainan being jealous, but the next moment, he understood what Lu Huainan meant.

He felt himself being pulled roughly into a small side door. The space inside was cramped, dimly lit, and empty.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

Shen Muyun called out twice and felt the walls around him—soft, probably a planned surprise element by the organizers.

He glanced toward the door, planning to leave, but a black-clad figure grabbed him from behind, pinning him in place.

"Muyun, how did you end up alone?"

A chill shot up his spine to the top of his head. All he could think was, *What is this? This is truly terrifying. How did things turn out like this?*

Shen Muyun fought hard but was held tightly in the other's embrace. That familiar scent finally made him realize what was wrong—why would their NPC speak Chinese, and so fluently at that?

"Muyun, my dear little brother, why aren't you saying anything? This amusement park belongs to me. Do you like it?"

Shen Muyun struggled fiercely a few more times.

"Brother, why did you suddenly decide to open an amusement park?"

"Nothing much, I just like amusement parks. Do you remember? When we were kids, you always pestered me to take you to amusement parks."

Remember? He didn't remember anything.

"Um, brother, I don't really remember things from childhood. Could you let me go?"

Shen Liuyun breathed softly into his ear. "Muyun, but I don't want to let you go. What should I do? When you were in China, Lu Huainan saved you, but I never wanted you to be saved. You're mine—you belong to me. We brothers should be together forever."

"Brother, get a grip. Father has passed away, the Shen family needs you, this home needs you. How could you..."

"What's the matter with me? I'm perfectly fine now. We only call each other brothers; there's no other relationship between us. Why is Lu Huainan allowed, but I'm not?"

"No, you can't. You're my elder brother, the big brother I've always looked up to."

"Hahaha, Muyun, you're so naive. Back in the orphanage days, I said that when we grew up, I'd give you the best gift. We were going to be together. Have you forgotten, or are you just deliberately trying to provoke me?"

Shen Muyun froze. How could that be? What happened between them at the orphanage? Damn it, he couldn't remember anything. This body's memories were all patchy.

"Muyun, have you really forgotten everything?"

"I truly don't remember. Things from the past, things from now—I've forgotten so much. No matter what, we shouldn't be like this. Snap out of it, brother..."

Shen Liuyun released him and took the chair in the center.

"Muyun, don't bother looking. You can't leave this place. I designed this amusement park—only I know how to get out. Do you think Lu Huainan will be freaking out?"

On the screen in front of them was Lu Huainan's figure, looking like he was close by.

"Brother Yun, where did you go? What's going on? No, it can't be. Brother Yun wouldn't just disappear. Where are you?"

"Brother, just let me go. I don't need the family assets—it can all be yours. But I don't want Lu Huainan to suffer any harm."

"Is that so? Everything? Then can you be mine?"

Shen Muyun immediately backed away. "No, that's impossible. Brother, I could never be yours. There are so many people out there—why are you stuck on me?"

"Why? There's no reason. Can something like affection be quantified? Muyun, come on. Being with me is what's best for you."

A sudden alarm blared in Shen Muyun's head.

"Warning! Warning! Shen Liuyun's emotional threshold has gone haywire. Host, distance yourself immediately. Host, please distance yourself immediately."

This system only knew how to issue warnings. What was he supposed to do now?

"System, do you have a way to get me out of here?"

"Host, the system does not have that capability. Moreover, you cannot just disappear. What if Shen Liuyun becomes suspicious?"

"Is there any direct way to escape?"

"No. This is an enclosed space. Besides, Lu Huainan's emotions are all over the place right now because he's remembered events from his childhood. This could lead to serious problems. So, Host, you must figure this out."

"That's just useless talk. What should I actually do to get out?"

"This space was deliberately designed by Shen Liuyun. Who would have thought you'd fall for the trap so easily? Maybe wait for Lu Huainan—he might find you soon."

Shen Muyun gave up on communicating with the system entirely. "Shut up!"

"Muyun, who are you telling to shut up?"

Shen Muyun was startled. Could Shen Liuyun have overheard what he just said?

"Nothing, it's just... I thought I heard something, like someone was around."

"Is that so? Muyun, don't worry. You'll be comfortable here. Besides, we have an underground passage—I can get you out. Later, I'll announce to the public that my younger brother has passed away due to health reasons..."

He's insane—a complete madman. "Brother, can you act normal? We're biological brothers. No matter what you're thinking, you should keep it to yourself."

"Is that so? I didn't manage to catch you back in the country, but now that I have you, this works too."