Chapter 124

Chapter 124

During her time working at Yuntai, Xia Zi frequently went in and out of Qin Yunshen’s office.

But lately, Qin Yunshen’s attitude had grown cold, and their relationship was far less harmonious than when she had just started.

Because of that, Xia Zi looked a bit uneasy and defiant this time, asking gloomily, “What now? You’re looking at me like you’re about to scold me again. I handled everything very proactively when the incident happened.”

“As deputy director of the security department,” Qin Yunshen said with implied meaning, “you basically have the highest level of access. You can go places others can’t, and carry resources others aren’t allowed to.”

Xia Zi blinked. “Yeah, so what?”

Qin Yunshen pressed his lips together, his firm expression turning serious.

Xia Zi thought for a moment, then grew agitated. “What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m abusing my authority? I haven’t done anything! If you’re going to say something like that, you’d better have evidence!”

Qin Yunshen slammed the table to cut off her noise. “You’re reading too much into it. What I mean is — if you want to wear the crown, you have to bear the weight. You’ve been given things others haven’t, which means you also have responsibilities. I leave the company for one hour and something like this happens. If I were reassigned back to the capital, wouldn’t Yuntai turn to ashes within days?”

Xia Zi ignored everything else he said and immediately asked anxiously, “You’re going back to the capital?”

Qin Yunshen replied impatiently, “Not yet. But if something like this happens again, I’ll probably have to step down and admit fault. Lin always is furious this time. He’s ordered that no one from the security department is allowed to leave Yuntai before the finals end, and all contact with the outside must be strictly monitored and approved.”

Xia Zi stiffened. “That... doesn’t seem appropriate, right? People will complain. Have you been managing too many androids and forgotten how to deal with people?”

Qin Yunshen snapped, “I’m giving you an order, not asking your opinion. If you can’t handle this, I’ll find someone else who can.”

Only then did Xia Zi agree: “I didn’t say I couldn’t do it. I got it.”

Qin Yunshen looked her over. “Give me a proposal within 24 hours. Go.”

Xia Zi hesitated, then whispered, “Is Mr. Lin really blaming you? I can go plead for you. He’s usually quite nice to me.”

Qin Yunshen didn’t want to deal with the little princess anymore. He silently opened his holographic computer and started working.

Only then did Xia Zi leave, looking thoroughly dejected.

After she closed the door and disappeared, Qin Yunshen finally looked up in thought, then quietly made a call: “Xiao Zhang, starting tonight, keep an eye on Xia Zi for me. No matter what she does or which streamer she interacts with, record everything and report back to me. This is a confidential task from Mr. Lin. Don’t breathe a word.”

“Got it, don’t worry!”

The one answering him was a young man he’d brought with him from the military — someone with no ties to the elites in the capital, and absolutely loyal.

Only then did Qin Yunshen feel a bit more at ease, letting out a long sigh.

The days spent preparing for the competition weren’t as tense, and time flew by quickly.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. The eve of another qualification round had arrived.

These days, Xiyu had been spending most of his time training in hand-to-hand combat, while Luo Xi buried himself in his computer day and night, looking like a complete nerd.

Maybe the security department found it odd, but his friends knew exactly what he was doing — racing against time to study Yuntai’s security system.

If he could eventually take full control of the cameras and the many layers of security access, then maybe... the streamers trapped in this place could finally fight for their freedom.

With that thought, it was impossible not to feel excited.

The night before the competition, Xu Tu pulled Xiyu aside in the cafeteria for a heart-to-heart. They only had a bit of wine — not enough to get drunk — but their emotions were clearly more turbulent than usual.Xu Tu looked out at the glittering lights outside the window and smiled faintly. “What a natural human life is like... I’ve only seen it in books and movies. People like us, we had no childhood, no growing up — we opened our eyes and had to face the world. We really are different from them.”

Xiyu asked softly, “Do you envy them?”

Xu Tu thought for a moment, then shook her head seriously. “Not really. My life’s been pretty good. Even though the game is dangerous and there are always jerks, I’ve had Aqi by my side all the way, and I met a reliable boss. That already makes me luckier than a lot of other streamers. I’m a happy person — even if I have a lot of unhappy worries.”

The more Xiyu got to know her, the more he liked her personality.

Because the warmth Xu Tu had was something he didn’t possess.

Unfortunately, the friendship of artificial humans was brief and extravagant.

As if sensing Xiyu’s thoughts, Xu Tu suddenly patted his shoulder. “Also, I’m really glad I met you. Even though it hasn’t been long, I knew from the start that you and the boss were connected somehow. You two are great together. Being able to understand love and affection — that’s a good thing no matter what.”

Only then did Xiyu speak, smiling: “Yeah, I think so too. So I’m not unhappy.”

“Really?” Xu Tu blinked. “Then smile more. Don’t always wear that tragic face — it makes me worry.”

Xiyu was startled. “I do?”

Xu Tu laughed. “Of course you do! You look like you’re ready to say goodbye to everyone at any moment!”

Xiyu knew he had been troubled lately, and with the challenges of the game ahead, he couldn’t really relax. But he didn’t want to affect others, so he curved his lips into a smile. “Got it. I’ll work on it.”

“Work on it…” Xu Tu found that even funnier, then downed the rest of her red wine and said cheerfully, “Human life is as fleeting as mayflies, black hair turning white in the blink of an eye — Xiyu, it really doesn’t matter how long our lives are. What matters is that we don’t regret our journey.”

Being taught philosophy by a bunny in the middle of the night, Xiyu felt a strange warmth. After a few seconds, he murmured, “No regrets… Of course I don’t regret.”

The day of the qualification match arrived again — this time, 48 contestants would be reduced to 24. To prevent the streamers from discussing strategies or forming alliances, the security department had arranged for mobile nutrient pods to be installed in each living quarter.

After two rounds of elimination, only four people were left in Xiyu’s area.

After breakfast, they gathered.

Bai Qi chuckled as he circled the newly installed nutrient pods. “Wow, door-to-door service, huh?”

“No choice. Teaming up messes with the randomness of the matchmaking. You’re paired two-by-two, so I’m sure you understand.” The security officer nearby briefly checked them with a device before saying, “Once you’re ready, head in. The match starts in twenty minutes.”

Xu Tu sighed. “Of course we understand. How could we not? We definitely won’t be on the same team, right?”

The security officer smiled. “It’s possible, but the odds are very low.”

“Doesn’t matter. If we do get teamed up, the others are the ones in trouble. Let’s just qualify based on skill.” Luo Xi said, then voluntarily handed over his wristband.

Once he did, the other three followed suit, skillfully choosing their respective nutrient pods.

After being encouraged by Xu Tu, Xiyu was in much better spirits. He even smiled and said, “Good luck. Stay safe.”

Sitting inside her pod, Xu Tu connected herself to the necessary wires and lay down. “No problem. Once I’m out, I want barbecue.”

With that, the nutrient fluid began to slowly seep through her body, and the transparent lid gently lowered into place.

The other three men exchanged a glance — and entered the game world as well.Before it truly came to life and death, everyone tried their best to stay calm — it was the last shred of dignity in front of natural humans.

Although only twenty-four people could remain at the end of this game, it was either that the rules were twisted, or there were barely any rules at all, forcing the streamers to become each other’s personal hell.

Familiar darkness surged in like a tide and receded again.

By the time Xiyu’s brainwaves stabilized, he was already far removed from reality.

After a moment of silence, music suddenly rang out in the darkness — loud gongs and drums, sounding suspiciously like the joyful tunes played at ancient weddings.

But what happy occasion could there possibly be in a competition?

Xiyu felt a chill crawl up his spine.

While he was lost in thought, Fat Cat suddenly appeared dressed in a little red dress, adorned in full bridal regalia, holding his silly face in mock shyness and saying, “Do I look good?”

Xiyu: “…You look good. Don’t tell me this game’s theme is… weddings?”

“Hee hee! You really know how to catch the main point!” The Fat Cat messenger cheerfully announced, “This is a game about brides.”

Xiyu furrowed his brow, unable to guess what it actually meant. He had to ask, “I see… do you have rules to announce?”

Fat Cat nodded, the accessories on his head jingling. “Yes, yes! Rule number one: streamers must not injure or kill one another!”

Xiyu, having learned to parse wording carefully, asked, “So kidnapping is allowed?”

Fat Cat: “I didn’t say anything.”

“How interesting — they push us to build physical strength, but don’t want us killing each other.” Xiyu raised an eyebrow. “Why are there always such cautious restrictions?”

Fat Cat scratched his head. “Because people like Mu Yuan and Mo Yi — they’ve wiped everyone out right at the start a few times. The audience got so mad, they didn’t even get to see anything!”

So that was it — worried the performance wouldn’t be entertaining. Xiyu gave a faint smile. “What else?”

Fat Cat blinked. “Also, death means elimination — no respawning. The game ends when only six live streamers remain.”

“Got it.” Xiyu raised an eyebrow. “So the goal is to get others killed without doing it yourself.”

Fat Cat snapped his fingers. “You catch on fast! As for other info, you’ll have to find it in the game! I heard you didn’t even get a gift last round — you better work hard this time!”

At this point, Xiyu didn’t care much whether the audience liked him or not, but he couldn’t say that out loud, so he just agreed. “Understood.”

Fat Cat grinned mischievously and added, “This round favors you, after all. Hee hee hee.”

Xiyu was puzzled. “Why?”

Fat Cat couldn’t help but beam. “You’ll see once you’re in. I can already predict — you’ll be one of the most popular ones!”