As soon as Qi Xia’s words fell, the Chu Tianqiu before his eyes suddenly transformed into Xu Liunian.
She was completely unlike what was portrayed in TV dramas—neither gradually changing nor tearing off a mask. The entire person simply became another person instantaneously within half a second.
Qi Xia blinked, and the person before him changed back into Chu Tianqiu.
The person before him seemed to be covered by a curtain. Lifting the curtain, he was Chu Tianqiu. Pulling it closed, she became Xu Liunian.
“Qi Xia, stop making trouble.” Chu Tianqiu steadied his mind and said in a low voice, “I can’t expose my identity here.”
“You’ve helped me before, so I won’t make things difficult for you.” Qi Xia said. “Let me see Chu Tianqiu.”
“No!” Chu Tianqiu lowered his voice. “You should know his ‘memory’ is the key to escaping from here. He hasn’t lost his memory for two whole years! What you’re doing is putting him in a dangerous situation.”
“I know, but what I want to discuss with him is precisely the matter of escaping.” Qi Xia said. “I don’t care what game he’s setting up—just don’t treat me as a chess piece, or the situation will spiral out of control.”
After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu swallowed and slowly said, “Qi Xia, you really can’t see him. If you have any plans, I can relay them for you.”
“Relay…”
After hearing this, the corner of Qi Xia’s mouth lifted. “Very well. Just help me ask him one question.”
“What question?”
“Help me ask Chu Tianqiu, ‘How long have you been here?'”
“What…?” Chu Tianqiu was stunned. “You…”
“If Chu Tianqiu answers wrong this time, I’ll make him completely out of the game.” Qi Xia stood up, no longer paying attention to the person before him, and walked toward his own seat.
Seeing Qi Xia approach, Lin Qin smiled slightly. “Did the conversation go well?”
“It fell apart.” Qi Xia answered.
“Haha.” Lin Qin held her beer bottle and laughed helplessly.
The two then stopped talking and instead continued watching the noisy crowd.
Before long, Yun Yao finished singing. Amid the prolonged applause from everyone, she retreated back to her seat.
Many audience members at this moment also gradually returned to their original positions.
“Liar! That idol girl is really amazing!” Qiao Jiajin said. “I thought it was a recording, but it really was her singing!”
“Yes, she sings very well.” Qi Xia nodded.
Seeing Doctor Zhao also return to his seat with an awkward expression, Qi Xia suddenly had a new idea.
He just didn’t know if it would be somewhat bold?
“Doctor Zhao, tomorrow I want to team up with you to participate in a game.” Qi Xia said.
“Me…?” Doctor Zhao turned back to look at Qi Xia in a daze. “Why?”
“Because I think you’re a good person.” The corner of Qi Xia’s mouth lifted. “Here… I’m more reliable than Xiao Ran, right?”
Doctor Zhao stared at Qi Xia for a while and asked, “Who else?”
“Just you and me.” Qi Xia said. “We won’t bring anyone else.”
“What?” Doctor Zhao was stunned. “Just you and me?”
Qiao Jiajin and Lin Qin were also stunned after hearing this.
“Liar, you’re going solo?”
Qi Xia shook his head. “No, this is only temporary.”
After saying this, he turned to look at Lin Qin and said in a low voice, “Tomorrow I’m entrusting Qiao Jiajin to you. If he doesn’t come back, our cooperation ends.”
“Understood.” Lin Qin nodded. “Qiao Jiajin, let’s go together tomorrow.”
“Uh…” Qiao Jiajin looked very confused. “What kind of team division is this?”
“Fist, it’s decided.” Qi Xia patted his shoulder. “Doctor Zhao and I are two grown men—we shouldn’t encounter any danger. You go protect Lin Qin.”
Qiao Jiajin nodded helplessly. “Alright, but someone as amazing as me has a very expensive appearance fee.”
“Got it, got it.” Lin Qin also nodded. “I’ll buy you alcohol with the ‘Dao’ we earn.”
The “welcoming party” concluded amid everyone’s joyful atmosphere.
Starting tomorrow, everyone would no longer have any “happiness” to speak of. They would continuously throw themselves into games until “Heaven’s Mouth” was completely empty.
Qi Xia let everyone go back to rest first, but he himself walked against the night toward the wasteland behind the school.
Holding a can of beverage and a pack of snacks in his hand, he walked to “Zhang Lijuan’s” grave and slowly set them down.
Qi Xia raised his head to look at the pitch-black sky, then listened to the insect chirping in the distance, his eyes particularly despairing.
“Tiantian, that knife was deliberately placed in front of you. But… I let you die in the game only to let everyone get out. You won’t blame me, will you?”
…
The next day, everyone formed various small teams and set out again.
Although Qi Xia and Han Yimo retained their memories, they didn’t join Zhang Shan’s team.
Han Yimo’s memory retention was very short, and moreover, he was timid. No matter what, he couldn’t possibly participate in “Earth”-level games with Zhang Shan.
So he chose to follow Lin Qin and Qiao Jiajin’s team to tackle “Man”-level games.
Qi Xia and Doctor Zhao also packed their things and prepared to depart. What concerned Qi Xia was that Xiao Ran hadn’t returned all night—he didn’t know where she went.
She might have left “Heaven’s Mouth,” or she might be hiding in the shadows plotting revenge.
“Heh…” Qi Xia revealed a cold smile. “If your abilities are even greater, it would be best if you help me draw out Chu Tianqiu.”
“What did you say?” Doctor Zhao asked from the side.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
The two walked out of the school gate toward the earth-yellow sun.
“Qi Xia…” Doctor Zhao slowly turned his head to look at him. “Why me?”
“Because I understand most of the people in the team, but I alone don’t understand you.” Qi Xia said indifferently. “Doctor Zhao, what kind of person are you?”
“I’m a very realistic person.” Doctor Zhao answered. “I usually only do things that benefit myself.”
“I see.” Qi Xia nodded. “I’m the same. No one in this world lives for others, right?”
After hearing this, Doctor Zhao stopped talking and just quietly followed Qi Xia.
The two spent half an hour penetrating deep into the city center. During this time, they passed many “Zodiac,” but Qi Xia didn’t even glance at them.
Doctor Zhao couldn’t help but feel somewhat strange.
Didn’t the two of them come here to participate in games?
“Qi Xia, what are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for this time’s target.” Qi Xia said.
“You seem to understand this place very well. In just one day, you already have a target?” Doctor Zhao asked.
“Yes.” Qi Xia nodded. “Unfortunately, the target seems somewhat scarce and hasn’t appeared yet.”
Doctor Zhao looked at Qi Xia suspiciously and fell silent again. He felt something ominous in his heart.
For a full two hours, after the two had passed at least twenty-some “Zodiac,” Qi Xia finally found his “target.”
That “Zodiac” had a lifelike rooster head.
The comb on his head swayed like a large tumor, and the hair on his face was bright white.
“Found it.” Qi Xia said.