Everyone looked at each other.

Zhu Shu tentatively asked, “Could it be related to those clothes upstairs? For example… do all ten of us need to put on the designated outfits together to activate the game?”

“That’s possible.” Yan Qingwen nodded slightly. “But those outfits might also be a trap. Before we understand the situation, I don’t recommend everyone change into those clothes.”

Zhu Shu nodded in agreement, then looked at the others, hesitating: “So what should we… do now?”

No one spoke.

The rain outside seemed even heavier, raindrops pounding against the windows with crackling sounds.

Inside the house seemed even quieter.

Shen Mo said, “My thinking is, since the game hasn’t started yet, we should first recuperate and make full preparations. Those who aren’t feeling well should rest and adjust as soon as possible. How much water and food do we have now, how long can it last, and this house—are there places we haven’t checked, like hidden compartments or a basement?”

Teacher Cheng spoke up: “When I was boiling water earlier, I looked around the kitchen. There’s no food here, but electricity and water are both fine. I still have a few packs of instant noodles in my backpack.”

“I have some loquats in my schoolbag…” Pan Xiaoxin brought over his backpack, opened it, revealing half a bag of loquats.

Bright yellow—because the backpack had gotten rained on, many loquats were covered with rainwater.

Before entering the game, he and Tan Xiao had been picking loquats from trees, picking many. Later, after coming out of the Lucky Quiz game, he’d carried his backpack into this place.

Cheng Weicai went to the kitchen and got a large glass bowl, saying, “Xiaoxin, pour out the loquats. They’ll easily spoil if they’re stuffed in the backpack.”

Yan Qingwen’s group also searched themselves. However, they’d entered even more hastily than Shen Mo’s group—they hadn’t brought anything, much less food.

The only thing on Lü Ang’s body that could count as “food” was probably cigarettes, which he’d already thrown into the fireplace.

In other words, all ten of them together had only two packs of instant noodles and a pile of loquat fruits for food.

Truly pitiful.

Li Li said in a low voice, “Earlier when Tan Xiao and I were circling in the forest, we didn’t find any traces of animals. It might be because the rain was too heavy… If there really is nothing here, we…”

He didn’t finish the rest, but everyone understood his meaning.

If there was truly nothing here, and the game didn’t start, they would be trapped here… and starve to death.

“We’re all players who’ve undergone data upgrades—our physical condition is stronger than normal people’s. Going hungry for a few days shouldn’t be a big problem.” Yan Qingwen looked down at his wristwatch. “…We all ate breakfast this morning, then entered the Lucky Quiz, which took about an hour or so. The current time is eleven o’clock—not yet time to be hungry. I suggest at noon each person eat one loquat, which should be enough. From now on, let’s conserve food.”

Cheng Weicai said, “Let’s search more. Such a large house—maybe we can find something to eat. When the rain stops, we’ll go outside to look…”

“Let’s split up and search.” Shen Mo’s expression was calm. “While searching, it’s best if everyone takes turns bathing. A hot shower can effectively prevent anyone else from catching cold due to the rain, and can also help restore stamina.”

Yan Qingwen nodded. The two groups reached a consensus.

So the entire afternoon, they searched the house while taking turns bathing and drying clothes.

Because they were concerned that Bai Youwei was sick and resting, they left her room for last to search.

When Shen Mo pushed the door open, he discovered the towel and blanket had both fallen under the bed. Bai Youwei was wearing a black dress with white trim, lying quietly on the bed.

Her hair was long and slightly curled, spread out like seaweed, almost merging with the black dress. Her skin was translucently pale, like an exquisite doll.

…Doll?

Shen Mo’s heartstrings unconsciously tightened. He walked over and called her softly: “Bai Youwei.”