The unlocking of Maze access was set for one week later.

Bai Youwei believed that any player who had already prepared themselves would rush to clear the Maze as quickly as possible, because only the first wave of players to pass through the Maze could claim five puzzle pieces.

Moreover, the Maze could strengthen one’s physical abilities — an enormously important opportunity for both Kings and their subjects.

On Yan Qingwen’s side, he planned to bring Lu Yuwen, Su Man, and Zhu Shu with him. From early morning, they had begun packing their bags.

Su Man’s parents and Li Li both came to see them off, and Zhu Shu had built up a decent reputation at the base, so quite a number of people from the evaluation team and security team also came.

The group laughed and chatted, parting reluctantly, making for quite a lively scene.

On Bai Youwei’s side, things were considerably quieter.

Shen Mo had gone back last night to visit his father. With the Maze being so treacherous, it was perfectly understandable for him to go say goodbye to his family before heading in — only the time he was taking felt a little too long. Bai Youwei had waited and waited, all the way until noon, and still Shen Mo had not returned.

Was he really going to stay until after lunch?

With something weighing on her mind, she felt listless and downcast. Tan Xiao and Pan Xiaoxin did their best not to bother her.

Who would have expected Fu Miaoxue to come sneaking to her room, poking half her body through the slightly ajar door and crooking a finger at Bai Youwei: “Hey — want to know where your boyfriend is~?”

Bai Youwei frowned. “Fu Miaoxue, what are you playing at?”

“Come here, come here, come, come~!” Fu Miaoxue urged.

Bai Youwei pushed her wheelchair over, eyeing her suspiciously. “What on earth is it…”

“Aiyo, you’ll know once we get there.” Fu Miaoxue led her to the elevator and down to the meeting room.

Du Lai stood guard at the meeting room door.

“How is it? Still in there?” Fu Miaoxue was a little excited, sidling up to Du Lai to ask.

Du Lai nodded and handed her a pair of earphones.

Fu Miaoxue took them and immediately stuffed one earbud into Bai Youwei’s ear.

Bai Youwei blinked in mild surprise — and then Shen Mo’s voice came through the earpiece:

“…If we’re talking about who is or isn’t suited for this — among all of us here, probably not a single one is ‘suited.’ She became a King not because she’s suited for it, but because she wanted it.”

“Wanting something means she can do whatever she pleases? Sir, I’ll admit — she’s very intelligent. But is she truly fit to lead this group of people going forward?… Based on what happened with Fang Yu, I believe she fundamentally lacks the bigger picture. She will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, disregarding other people’s lives. Her desire to win is too intense. Letting someone like her be a King — sooner or later, something will go wrong!”

That was Yu Chaohui’s voice.

Bai Youwei felt a little dazed.

What was this supposed to be?

…Stabbing her in the back? She should have known all along — Fang Yu’s death had left Yu Chaohui with a grievance, and sure enough, he had held a grudge.

Then she heard Shen Mo again: “We’re talking about two different things… I know Fang Yu’s death is something you haven’t been able to move past. If you feel it isn’t right, you’re welcome to stay behind tomorrow. You don’t have to force yourself to come with us into the Maze…”

Bai Youwei felt a surge of irritation. She pulled out the earbud, eyeing Fu Miaoxue coldly. “Does stirring up trouble really make you that happy?”

“That’s right, it really does~” Fu Miaoxue tilted her head with a cheerful smile. “I’m someone who holds grudges. Whoever makes me unhappy, I’ll make them a hundred times more unhappy! So — does your heart ache right now? Do you feel wronged? Do you want to cry~?”

“You’re insane!” Bai Youwei tossed back the earpiece and turned to leave. She absolutely did not want Shen Mo to catch her eavesdropping outside — how utterly graceless that would be!

Fu Miaoxue chased after her from behind, grabbing the wheelchair’s armrest and leaning close to her ear: “Bai Youwei, the biggest difference between you and me is this — Du Lai has only me. But Shen Mo? How many people does he have behind him? Have you ever counted? Can you handle them all? Can you make every single one of them accept you?”

“I don’t need to.” Bai Youwei’s tone was icy. Her eyes looked straight ahead. “I don’t need anyone’s acceptance.”

She pushed her wheelchair and left.

Du Lai walked helplessly to Fu Miaoxue’s side and sighed. “Feeling better now?”

“Just about~” Fu Miaoxue gave a haughty little huff. “Serves her right for calling me a prosthetic.”

—