…Her consciousness was hazy and muddled.

Her head felt like it was splitting apart, as if someone was taking a massive hammer and chiseling away at her skull, blow after blow.

In her daze, she heard Shen Mo’s voice—low, calm, each syllable carrying a slightly raspy magnetic charm, like plucking strings in her ears.

Mm… it was the most beautiful G string on a cello.

Bai Youwei’s mind was a chaotic mess.

After another dizzy spell, she finally opened her eyes. The first thing that came into view was a ceiling with faded colors, then country-style wall lamps, wallpaper decorated with floral prints… and also, an old-fashioned fireplace.

Flames burned in the fireplace, slightly dispelling the chill from her body.

“You’re awake?” Shen Mo walked over carrying a cup of water and sat down beside her.

The water in the cup was still hot, so he placed it on the coffee table to cool.

He helped her sit up a bit and tucked a cushion underneath, letting her be more comfortable.

“…Where are we?” Bai Youwei asked. As soon as she spoke, she discovered her voice was terribly hoarse.

Shen Mo glanced around and said, “We’re in a house at the top of the mountain. I first encountered Teacher Cheng and Xiaoxin, then found you halfway up the mountain. We haven’t found Tan Xiao yet… Yan Qingwen and Lü Ang went out to look for people.”

After a pause, he looked at Bai Youwei: “You have a fever.”

Bai Youwei weakly covered her forehead. She couldn’t really tell, only feeling weak all over and dizzy.

“She should take a bath, then change into dry clothes, and her hair needs to be dried too,” Zhu Shu said from the side. “There’s no medicine here, so we need to find a way to bring down her fever as soon as possible.”

Su Man said irritably, “Please, big star, we’re in dire straits right now—where are we supposed to get bathwater for her?! Besides, this is the dolls’ territory. No one can guarantee this house isn’t dangerous!”

Zhu Shu pressed her lips together and said, “There’s a bathroom on the second floor, with hot water, and the bedroom wardrobe has clean clothes. If you’re worried about safety hazards… I can go try it first.”

Su Man frowned. “Hey, don’t tell me you just want to take a bath yourself?”

Zhu Shu looked somewhat helpless but didn’t argue. “Being soaking wet really is uncomfortable.”

“No way.” Su Man refused flatly, her face cold. “I don’t agree. Before Brother Yan left, he told me to ensure everyone’s safety. Besides, those clothes in the wardrobe look weird, like they’re for dolls to wear. How can we wear them?”

Bai Youwei listened to them talk quietly, her gaze briefly sweeping over the surroundings.

The position where she was lying was a long sofa against the wall in the living room—deep blue, printed with pink and white roses. The sofa also had several cushions with matching patterns. In the corners around the living room were piled countless stuffed dolls.

Toy bears, toy rabbits, toy kittens and puppies…

She closed her eyes. Her foggy mind recalled what Tan Xiao had read before entering the game—Welcome to the Dollhouse.

Was this place the Dollhouse?

Teacher Cheng brought over freshly brewed tea, setting out cup after cup on the coffee table. “Everyone drink some hot tea to ward off the cold.”

“Achoo!” Pan Xiaoxin suddenly sneezed.

Everyone looked over.

Xiaoxin awkwardly rubbed his nose.

Teacher Cheng said worriedly, “The temperature here is very low. I don’t know if it’s related to the rainstorm outside—it feels like spring or autumn. We’ve all been rained on and don’t have many clothes. At this rate, we’ll easily catch colds.”

Perhaps because she was facing an elderly person, Su Man’s forceful attitude softened slightly. She hesitated: “How about… you take the kid upstairs to wash, and I’ll stand guard outside the door.”

“No need.” Pan Xiaoxin rubbed his nose and walked over to sit by the fireplace, saying quietly, “I’ll just dry my clothes here by the fire…”