After meeting the enigmatic Du Lai, they made their way to the bulletin board at People’s Square.

The bulletin board displayed a large city map, with the surrounding game zones marked on it. Several spots highlighted in red indicated the registration office, the supplies depot, the exchange post, and the headquarters of the organization.

The registration office was where residents were registered and managed.

The supplies depot was where resources were collected and distributed.

The exchange post was where items could be traded for leave passes.

Of these, the exchange post drew the most foot traffic. Beyond exchanging for leave passes, the place had gradually taken on new functions — swapping items, or finding teammates.

Because everyone who came here had items on hand.

And those with items tended to be people of some ability — far better quality than the mix of fish and dragons over by the square.

Yan Qingwen made a circuit of the place, got a general sense of things, and was ready to head back.

But Bai Youwei had no interest in leaving. She looked around with eager curiosity, and had Teacher Cheng call over a staff member to ask whether there was a way to exchange puzzles.

Not far away, Lu Ang’s eyes went wide. He said in a low voice to Yan Qingwen, “She’s not actually planning to collect puzzles here, is she?”

Ever since Bai Youwei had taken five puzzle pieces from them, they’d known what she was after.

But here, openly collecting puzzles — wasn’t that… drawing a little too much attention?

Yan Qingwen considered for a moment. “Let’s go over too. Since we brought her out, we need to see her safely back.”

Yan Qingwen and Lu Ang walked over.

Zhu Shu thought for a moment, then followed.

They had only taken a few steps when they heard two people nearby complaining:

“Old man, how could anyone possibly trade a puzzle? Puzzles grant immunity from one round of the doll game — they’re even more useful than leave passes!”

“Exactly. Even if the organization opened a channel for trading puzzles, no one would trade them away.”

Teacher Cheng quickly explained, “We’re looking for used puzzles.”

“Used puzzles?” The two who had been speaking exchanged a glance, then asked Teacher Cheng, “What do you want used puzzles for?”

“That’s none of your business,” Bai Youwei said flatly. “Just tell us whether you’ll trade or not. You both reacted so strongly when puzzles were mentioned — you must have some, or at least know someone who does.”

The two looked at Bai Youwei with wariness. “…Even if they’re used puzzles, they’re still puzzles. There might be uses we don’t know about. Why should we trade them with you?”

“Because I have items.” Bai Youwei smiled. “You’ve been camping out here this whole time — isn’t that exactly what you’re after? Can’t use your own items, so you want to swap with someone else? I’ll trade with you. Give me puzzles, get items in return. Quite the deal, don’t you think?”

As she spoke, more and more people began gathering around, casting curious or puzzled looks at Bai Youwei and Teacher Cheng.

People had seen trades for food, for medicine, for item-for-item swaps — but no one had ever seen anyone trading for puzzles.

Yan Qingwen frowned and led Lu Ang and Zhu Shu to stand beside Bai Youwei, lest anyone think an old man and a man with a bad leg were easy targets.

Lu Ang leaned close to his ear and said quietly, “That girl really is crazy. She didn’t even bring the rabbit along, and she’s still stirring up trouble here. Only Shen Mo can put up with her.”

Yan Qingwen’s lips curved slightly at that, but he said nothing. His gaze drifted sideways — and landed on a familiar face.

“…It’s that person from earlier.”

Lu Ang blinked and looked toward the distance, spotting the young man called Du Lai among the crowd.

Du Lai was staring intently at Bai Youwei, apparently curious about what item she would produce.

The exchange post’s staff member, seeing the crowd of onlookers growing, worried about things getting out of hand, and told Bai Youwei: “Any transaction requires a posted notice. Write it up, stick it on the trade board, and conduct the exchange privately. The exchange post bears no responsibility for any transaction.”

—