Ning Yao looked at Bai Youwei with tear-filled eyes. Thinking of the terrible fate that might befall her and her companions, she couldn’t help but let resentment spill out: “If it weren’t for you, you…”

Bai Youwei stared back at her, face expressionless.

But Ning Yao couldn’t finish the sentence. Because right now, blaming anyone was pointless. What was done was done — they had offended the local dragon, and fleeing was the only option left.

Youyou led Diandian and Jiujiu out from the corridor. The group of children looked around helplessly, first at Ning Yao, then at Yi Zichu.

“Brother Zichu… we…”

Yi Zichu had no ideas either, but he had to stay calm. Having these children depending on him forced him to shoulder responsibility like an adult.

“We… we pack our things and leave immediately.” Yi Zichu said. “Right now. The sooner the better.”

Diandian asked in confusion: “Brother Zichu, where are we moving to?”

Yi Zichu ruffled his hair. “Once we’re out of here, Brother Zichu will figure it out.”

He sighed inwardly. Finding a place that could accommodate five children was going to be extremely difficult.

But no matter how hard — there was no other way. Under these circumstances, leaving was an absolute necessity.

Yi Zichu was about to go pack with the others when Bai Youwei stepped lightly forward and blocked his path.

“…” He looked at her blankly.

Bai Youwei was looking down at her follower count.

Still growing, but the rate had clearly slowed.

The viewers up above really did need more stimulating content.

Though she couldn’t be certain yet how long she’d remain in this world… without finding Shen Mo first, it was best to accumulate as many followers as possible in the meantime.

Bai Youwei raised her head and looked at Yi Zichu. “I’m afraid you can’t leave.”

“Huh?” Yi Zichu looked completely baffled.

Ning Yao and the others were equally bewildered.

Bai Youwei said: “Because right now, you’ve all been taken hostage by me.”

Yi Zichu: “…”

Ning Yao: “…”

Youyou: “…”

Diandian: “…”

Jiujiu: “…”

Bai Youwei looked at this group of half-grown children and felt a mild headache coming on. This was her first time doing something like this, and she genuinely had no experience.

“Seems I need to do something to make you understand your situation…” She rummaged through her crossbody bag again, and this time pulled out a dagger.

Yi Zichu’s eyes went wide in shock. “You exchanged for that with points too?!”

“Mm.” Bai Youwei drew the blade from its sheath. The gleaming edge clearly reflected her face back at her. “360 points. Quite pricey.”

Yi Zichu could hardly believe it — Bai Youwei had spent 540 points in one go. Out of the 600 the newcomer gift package had given, she’d burned through it until only 60 remained!

How was she supposed to live?!

Yi Zichu couldn’t wrap his head around it. “Aren’t you going to eat?!”

Bai Youwei’s brow furrowed. While everyone stood frozen, she swiftly reached out, hoisted the youngest — Jiujiu — off the ground, and held her in place, pressing the flat of the blade against the little girl’s delicate neck.

“That’s why I need to rob you.” Her tone was light and detached, her eyes colder still. “I’ll say it once more: you have all been taken hostage by me.”

—

One hour later —

A group of street thugs arrived at the orphanage armed with clubs and rods — about fifteen or sixteen of them, shouting that they’d come to avenge their brothers.

But the moment they stepped inside, they froze.

Because what they saw was all five children in the orphanage, bound hand and foot and tied to a fire hydrant at the corridor entrance.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Doesn’t matter — saves us the trouble. Just drag them back for Brother Cao to look at!”

“Hey, you lot — look at the stuff on the floor… something’s off, right?”

They were standing on a wide plastic sheet. Black, oily residue had pooled on it, and their footsteps made it filthy, like trampling through mud.

“The smell… something’s wrong.” Someone finally caught on.

They turned around, and saw a girl wearing a white rabbit mask standing not far away, a lighter in her hand.

She smiled brightly. “A lighter — 2 points. You’re welcome~”

*Boom —*

Flames engulfed everyone in an instant.

—