The moment he said it, the heavy atmosphere shifted and something changed.

But Bai Youwei was unhappy.

She stared at Shen Mo with a slight frown, thinking: Why does it have to be Shen Mo? Why can’t it be anyone else?

Then she swept her gaze around the room and found old, young — and not really anyone else suitable. Tan Xiao was young and vigorous, but no one trusted him.

There was Yan Qingwen — but his side had already taken two injuries. There was no reason for her and Shen Mo’s side to have no one contributing.

Sometimes the logic is easy to figure out; the feelings are another matter.

Bai Youwei pursed her lips and sat silently among the group, saying nothing.

Cheng Weicai said, “The plastic bags are in the second cabinet from the right in the kitchen. The plastic wrap is in there too.”

Shen Mo gave a brief nod and went downstairs to prepare.

Even though it was summer, the temperature was not high at all. If anything, it was somewhat cold — let alone having to soak in that dark, frigid rainwater.

Bai Youwei sat in the attic, listening to Cheng Weicai, who had gone down with Shen Mo, talking in a rambling stream the whole way — one moment telling him to stay safe, the next telling him to come up quickly, then saying to tie a rope around his body so that if something went wrong, he could pull on it and let them know.

She also wanted to say something to him. She pressed her hands against the floorboards and slowly shifted her body, inching along little by little until she reached the attic staircase.

She could see Shen Mo surrounded by a cluster of people.

Besides the fussing Teacher Cheng, there were also Yan Qingwen, Su Man, and Tan Xiao.

Yan Qingwen said, “We’ve already searched the first floor multiple times. The question now is whether there’s a possibility that, after being soaked by the floodwater, the first floor has undergone some change we haven’t anticipated… For safety’s sake, this time let’s focus first on securing the waterproof bags and the plastic wrap.”

Su Man interjected, “Yan Ge — let me go too.”

Yan Qingwen shook his head. “You’re not a strong swimmer. If something dangerous happens underwater, he’d have to figure out how to rescue you too. Underwater is not like above water — every single second could cost a life.”

Tan Xiao wanted to go as well, but was refused by Shen Mo.

“Stay up here and watch the rope,” Shen Mo said.

Bai Youwei sat at the attic doorway, gazing quietly down at the group below. Shen Mo stood among them — tall, composed, calm, and radiating strength. He had the trust and recognition of everyone there.

And she could do nothing.

Until she could think of a method, all she could do was huddle in this cramped little attic. If Shen Mo weren’t here, she could only wait for someone’s fleeting moment of compassion — to receive whatever shelter they chose to offer her.

Without realizing it, Bai Youwei’s hands had curled into fists. She suddenly felt that she was, actually, quite unnecessary…

— It was the game that had given her the illusion she could stand on her own. And the game could shatter that illusion at any moment.

Not far away, Shen Mo raised his head and looked over.

Bai Youwei startled. Then she saw Shen Mo walk toward her, up the stairs, to stand before her.

His frame was tall; even crouching, bowing his head slightly, he could block the light from in front of her. The dimness made the distance feel smaller. Bai Youwei held her breath.

“I’m going down,” Shen Mo said.

Bai Youwei pressed her lips together, turned her face to one side, and said in a cool, flat tone: “You already made the decision. Why tell me?”

“In a bad mood again?” Shen Mo asked, amused.

She couldn’t see his face, but just from the tone of voice alone she could picture the resigned, helpless expression on it.

Doesn’t matter, she thought. Let him think she’s being petulant again.

— Bai Youwei told herself she didn’t care.

A hand reached out and took hers.

Bai Youwei froze. Before she could react, her hand had already been pressed to Shen Mo’s abdomen.

Bai Youwei: “…”

Shen Mo: “Better now?”

Bai Youwei: “…”

She curled her fingertips slightly. Solid, warm. Something in her chest was soothed in a way she couldn’t quite name.

“Mm… it’s okay,” she said quietly.

Shen Mo released her, ruffled her hair, stood, and walked away.

—