Early in the morning, when Wu Mabo and the others woke up, they cast somewhat complicated glances at Tong Xiaosong.
Tong Xiaosong’s eyes were swollen, clearly indicating that he had cried quite a bit the previous night. However, he acted as if everything was normal, evoking a sense of heartache.
Wen Dong sighed, “Tong Xiaosong, if you have anything on your mind, you can talk to us. Don’t keep it to yourself.”
Tong Xiaosong rubbed his eyes. He knew that his current appearance lacked persuasiveness. However, how could he explain his feelings? If he revealed the truth, his roommates would undoubtedly think he had been misled.
Considering what happened with Zhi Xian last night, he couldn’t disclose those events either.
Initially, he thought about staying silent. Still, recalling Zhi Xian’s teachings in his dreams, he felt he shouldn’t remain silent. It would be unfair to his roommates’ concern.
So, Tong Xiaosong chose to lie. He said, “I had a nightmare last night. I can’t remember the details, but I woke up crying. There’s really nothing on my mind.”
Wu Mabo responded cheerfully, “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. Just remember, whenever you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen.”
Tong Xiaosong felt a bit touched but still couldn’t speak the truth, so he simply nodded in agreement.
***
During lunchtime in the cafeteria, Tang Yuxin sat down with a haggard expression.
Wen Dong asked with concern, “Are you still feeling unwell?”
Tang Yuxin replied, “My time of the month is here. I can go find Gu Xuan to play the ghost game now. But have you guys not noticed that something’s off in the school these past few days?”
Everyone looked puzzled.
Wen Dong asked, “What’s wrong?”
Tang Yuxin looked around, lowering her voice, “There are more students, our school doesn’t have this many people.”
At her words, everyone subconsciously looked around. Indeed, there were more people in the cafeteria than usual, but what’s the big deal?
Wu Mabo didn’t pay much attention, saying, “Maybe they’re just here for a free meal?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Tang Yuxin lowered her voice, “Last night, my time arrived, and I used the method Gu Xuan taught me to take a look. Many students on the playground are not alive.”
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Tang Yuxin looked disgusted and said, “I don’t know. I can’t see during the day.”
As everyone was listening intently, someone with long legs took a step and sat beside him.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafted into his nose, and without lifting his head, Tong Xiaosong knew who had arrived.
In his mind flashed the entanglement from last night, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly shifted to the side.
Zhi Xian, wearing Gu Xuan’s face, said, “I happened to come to the cafeteria for a meal. You guys are quite a group here.”
Wu Mabo looked around and exclaimed, “Where did you come from? We didn’t see you just now.”
Zhi Xian smiled, “Maybe I’ve always been here; you just couldn’t see me.”
Hearing this, Tong Xiaosong’s heart trembled, suddenly understanding why Zhi Xian understood him so well and why he was always so timely.
Wu Mabo rolled his eyes, not believing at all, “Forget it, we need to find you anyway. Tang Yuxin has her period. Can the ghost game start now?”
Zhi Xian agreed, “Let’s start tonight. If everything goes smoothly, we can end it tonight.”
Wen Dong caught the key point, “And if it doesn’t go smoothly?”
Zhi Xian replied, “Then we’ll play the ghost game again. It doesn’t matter how many times. I can guarantee your safety.”
Everyone: …
At that moment, the cafeteria lady brought a basin of pitch-black soup medicine.
In everyone’s surprised gaze, Zhi Xian smiled and said, “A tonic for invigorating yang. Each person drinks a bowl, and it’ll warm you up a bit tonight.”
Saying that, Zhi Xian scooped out a bowl and placed it in front of Tong Xiaosong, smiling, “Drink more.”
Tong Xiaosong: …
He felt that Zhi Xian’s smile was somewhat ambiguous. Remembering the scenes from last night, he quickly lowered his eyes, buried his head, and drank the medicine, not daring to look at the other person again.
Wu Mabo asked, “What are we going to do tonight? Can you tell us in advance? Last time in the Yin Underworld, we almost got eaten by ghosts. It would be better to be prepared.”
Tong Xiaosong hesitated. The one who took them to the Yin Underworld last time was the real Gu Xuan.
Gu Xuan and Zhi Xian had been alternating appearances, and now Zhi Xian was in front of them. Where was Gu Xuan?
Was he elsewhere in the school, conveniently avoiding Zhi Xian?
Did Gu Xuan know about this round of the ghost game?
Or was it that Gu Xuan and Zhi Xian had discussed it together?
Tong Xiaosong’s heart throbbed with a hidden pain, reluctant to dwell on it any further.
Zhi Xian took out a human-shaped yellow paper from his pocket and lowered his voice, “Tonight, we will enter the inverted world through the mirrors. Stick this thing on all the dead people. The operation range is extensive, requiring a comprehensive search of the entire school. Drink more medicine; that place is very yin. If you don’t drink enough now, you will feel colder at night.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Mabo hurriedly scooped himself another bowl and gulped it down.
Wen Dong frowned, “Why does it have to be the whole school?”
“Cutting the grass without removing the roots, the spring breeze blows and they grow again.” Zhi Xian explained calmly, “The source of the strange occurrences is not the ghost game, but the things buried deep underground that you all have encountered before. It’s simple to escape the ghost game, and we can also just protect ourselves, then one day watch other students who played the ghost game accidentally die again. However, I want to truly end this wicked cycle.”
Wen Dong was skeptical, “Are you really that benevolent?”
“In the past, perhaps not.” Zhi Xian smiled, “But now, I want to be a good person.”
Tong Xiaosong looked up at Zhi Xian, feeling that he was lying.
Zhi Xian couldn’t be a good person because he wasn’t a person in the first place.
Wen Dong, however, felt that Zhi Xian was somewhat sincere. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll go too. According to your plan, it would be better to have more people.”
Upon hearing this, Ke Lin hurriedly added, “I’ll go too!”
Wu Mabo was shocked and secretly tugged on Wen Dong’s clothes, whispering, “Have you forgotten what I told you? If we’re in trouble, you can call the police and be a witness…”
Zhi Xian seemed to ignore him, smiling, “That’s even better. With more people, we can move faster. We can come back sooner. It’s settled then.”
Afraid that Wen Dong might change his mind, Zhi Xian added, “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll leave first. Keep an eye on Tong Xiaosong and make sure he drinks more; he’s not very strong.”
Tong Xiaosong:…
After Zhi Xian left, Wu Mabo exclaimed, “Why did you two get involved?”
“Because he is saving people,” Wen Dong said calmly. “Although I don’t know why Gu Xuan suddenly had a change of heart, he is indeed trying to save people. I feel like I should contribute.”
Ke Lin nodded, “Me too. I’ll follow Dong zi; I won’t go wrong. If even someone as rational as him is going, I have nothing to worry about.”
Wu Mabo thought for a moment and said, “That actually makes sense.”
“Of course, these are all my subjective speculations,” Wen Dong brought the conversation back. He looked at Tong Xiaosong and asked, “Tong Xiaosong, there are things between you and Gu Xuan that we don’t know. Although I respect you, I feel the need to ask you: Do you think the decision I just made was right?”
Tong Xiaosong was stunned. How could he know if it was right? If he knew, he wouldn’t have been so conflicted all along.
After a moment of silence, Wen Dong smiled, “Since you haven’t objected, I’ll take that as your approval. No matter what you’re struggling with, it indicates that Gu Xuan is worth trusting now.”
Tong Xiaosong silently lowered his head. Gu Xuan wasn’t worth trusting, but that was Zhi Xian.
“I don’t know. I don’t know if he’s lying. I can’t tell,” Tong Xiaosong admitted.
Wen Dong pondered for a few seconds, “How about you tell us? We can figure it out together.”
Tong Xiaosong silently closed his mouth…
Wen Dong continued, “I don’t think it’s much like a lie. Even if he is lying, we’re together, and with more people, we can escape if needed.”
Thanks for the chapters!!! 💜💜💜
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Yes!! Thank u 🤍🤍🤍
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I just binged the entire thing so far and I’m OBSESSED. I truly love you for updating!!! Thank you so so much!!!
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Thanks for this wonderful update~~~
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This identity issue had gone for too long.