Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Maybe the game designers didn’t realize that at this stage of the competition, simply searching for evidence and interacting with NPCs no longer restricts the actions of these streamers.

Their lives exist because of the game, and having struggled to get this far on the platform, they’ve long mastered the rules and can often use the most direct, even boring, methods to achieve their goals.

Just like tonight in this empty Yin Bridge Village, there were still a few people who cared about what happened in the story and the fate of the NPCs. But for them, what they cared about now was only their own fate.

Ying Zhixing quickly judged that he could trust Xi Yu, so he had Zhou Ze find a way to send Yan Ruyu away. He himself moved through the shadows of the low rooms, searching for Su Ziyan’s presence.

To many viewers, Ying Zhixing was the perfect streamer—handsome, quick-witted, rational, and extremely capable in combat... He always managed to quickly respond to various dangerous situations, leaving no flaws to be found.

But just as success can be attributed to Xiao He, failure can also be attributed to him. People who are too perfect tend to seem cold and mechanical, which led the audience to prefer streamers with more distinct personalities, turning Ying Zhixing into the "Pn B" for most viewers.

So, outside the stream, where Ying Zhixing rarely cooperated with Xi Yu, this rare collaboration added a subtle layer of tension to his situation.

As they walked, the chubby cat in a red bridal gown suddenly stopped in front of Ying Zhixing, grinning and saying, "Little Ying, didn’t expect me to come bring you a gift, right?"

Ying Zhixing, of course, felt disdainful toward these boring gifts. He coldly replied, "I’m busy. Just leave the stuff and go."

The chubby cat was used to each streamer’s personality and was unfazed by his attitude, smiling at him, "Aren’t you curious about what it is?"

Ying Zhixing answered, "Unless you’re giving me a gun, I’m not interested in anything else."

The chubby cat sighed and then presented a box of apples, wagging its ears happily, "The viewers commented that this is something Xi Yu likes to eat. You could give it to him to increase his favorability."

Ying Zhixing snatched it away, sneering at the well-meaning viewers, "Thanks. You can go now."

The chubby cat clapped its hands, "Alright, continue with your work."

After the chubby cat disappeared, Ying Zhixing stared at the object for a moment, his expression a mixture of hesitation and contemplation. In the end, he had a brief moment of conscience and decided to abandon his earlier cruel thoughts, continuing to search for Su Ziyan with a steely determination.

Meanwhile, Xi Yu’s group wasn’t idle either. However, with the vast area of Yin Bridge Village, it wasn’t as easy as they imagined to find a small, thin boy.

Zhi Shan kept moving, climbing over walls and rushing ahead, but eventually, she was too tired to continue and muttered, "They probably won’t be running around with Su Ziyan. After all, those three don’t seem stupid. Maybe they took Su Ziyan’s bones and locked him up somewhere. As long as Su Ziyan can’t complete the task, he’ll be eliminated."

Luo Xi’s voice was cold, "I know that too. Aren’t we trying to find a place where Su Ziyan can be locked up?"

Zhi Shan sighed, "What I mean is, Yin Bridge Village has so many nooks and crannies. If we haven’t found him by now, the chances of finding him are slim... Is Su Ziyan really such an important friend to you?"

Xi Yu and Luo Xi were already tired of bringing this girl along and naturally didn’t want to answer her.

Zhi Shan hurried to catch up with them and continued, "Maybe you think Mu Yuan’s actions are too cruel, but from another perspective, they’re also correct. If you could stop worrying about your image and relationships and just lock a few people up, maybe the game would end in a day or two."

Xi Yu finally turned around, pointing a stick at her, "Since you’re so confident in your words, what if I lock you up? By your logic, that would also be the right thing to do."

Zhi Shan finally pressed her lips together and didn’t say anything.

Xi Yu, with a bit of a macho attitude, didn’t like to trouble girls, but couldn’t help but scold her, "Next time you want to act smart, don’t forget you’re still human."

Luo Xi put his arm around Xi Yu’s shoulder, "Alright, no need to stoop to her level."

Xi Yu had already adjusted his mindset and didn’t want to comment on Zhi Shan anymore. However, the smart-aleck remarks from earlier had annoyed him, and he whispered, "I don’t believe she’s the girl who saved you. She won’t save anyone."

Luo Xi responded, "Yes, I don’t believe she’s Ling Xue either. Losing memories doesn’t mean losing everything. If we go back to the platform, I’m sure I’ll get a clear answer. Zhi Shan is definitely someone else."

Seeing them discuss her as if she wasn’t there, Zhi Shan’s face turned pale and then flushed red, holding back the urge to speak the truth just to survive. She quietly suggested, "Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Let’s continue looking for Su Ziyan."Luo Xi said coldly, "You've already got the earrings, so there's no need to continue cooperating. I don't think you're trying to find Su Ziyan, are you? What you really want to know is where I've hidden Ziye's body, right?"

Zhi Shan fell silent.

Luo Xi gave Xi Yu a look, and then he climbed over the wall first. Xi Yu understood that he was trying to shake Zhi Shan off and naturally cooperated.

The two of them, with their long legs and quick movements, found it easy to ditch a girl. Despite Zhi Shan's frustrated efforts to keep up, just a few minutes later, she had completely lost any target.

At this moment, the third reminder from the matchmaker sounded.

As expected, the information was indeed useless, just as they had guessed.

[Candidates, why haven't I received your earrings yet?]

[I can only give you one last piece of help.]

[The tools for making the earrings are available in the five shops in the village.]

[The materials for the earrings are already on each of you.]

Her hoarse voice faded after the message.

Zhi Shan tightly gripped the bone ball earrings in her hand, standing alone under the red light of the street, feeling as though every inch of her skin was extremely cold. She rubbed her goosebumps-covered arms and took a deep breath before quickly setting off again.

Not far away, in another corner, Xi Yu and Luo Xi also heard the broadcast.

Luo Xi’s mind was still turning quickly. He chuckled and said, "It seems Zhi Shan is a person who only cares about profit. Now that she has the earrings, she might rush to hand in the task first. It looks like she's offended both of us. Who do you think she'll choose to eliminate in order to ensure her safety?"

Xi Yu narrowed his eyes, showing a rare look of frustration.

Luo Xi smiled again and patted his head, "Alright, I'll go hand in the task first. There will be more chances to find Su Ziyan."

Being the first to finish has its advantages, but it also comes with risks.

Xi Yu immediately said, "I'll hand it in. When it comes time for elimination, I'll give you one-third of the say."

Luo Xi laughed, "There are only the two of us. What's the use of one-third?"

Xi Yu smiled faintly, as if he had thrown aside the bad mood brought on by Zhi Shan’s remarks. He stood up, checked the direction, and fearing Luo Xi would beat him to it, immediately climbed over the wall and rushed toward the bride's resting room.

The large old house was brightly illuminated by the red lanterns. When Xi Yu arrived in a hurry, the matchmaker was sitting at the stone table, tirelessly making the paper dolls.

Xi Yu looked back at the Luo Xi who was following closely behind and immediately said, "I’ve made the bridal jewelry."

The matchmaker put down what she was working on, "I hope you won’t disappoint me."

Luo Xi immediately thought of Fei Ling and the other two's tragic deaths. He grabbed Xi Yu’s arm, and Xi Yu comfortingly patted him, then without hesitation handed over the bone ball earrings.

The matchmaker gave an even more terrifying smile, "That's right, this is exactly the jewelry fit for a bride. You truly have talent."

Xi Yu thought to himself, "About that privilege..."

The matchmaker delivered the good news, "Of course, no problem. You are the first to complete the task, and you've earned tonight's privilege. When it's time for the sacrifice, I'll let you speak first."Luo Xi followed, putting his hanging heart back in place, and handed over his task items.

The matchmaker clicked her tongue as she checked, "You completed it, but what’s the use of your effort with such talent?"

Facing the constant diss from various NPCs, Xi Yu, though angry, found it somewhat amusing. He glanced at Luo Xi and said, "At least you don’t have to get married, or else you’d be driven crazy by them."

Luo Xi remained calm, "Of course, I don’t need to marry. I can just marry you."

Xi Yu didn’t like being treated as a girl, immediately punching him.

Luo Xi had already anticipated this, grabbing Xi Yu’s wrist with one hand and, in one smooth motion, leaning in to kiss him on the lips.

The shocking scene in front of them caused the matchmaker to become furious and embarrassed, but before she could shout, three people entered the door, freezing at the sight.

Xi Yu struggled free from Luo Xi’s embrace, and seeing Mu Yuan, Wang Lou, and Zhao Zhusheng, his expression changed. He immediately noticed the bloodstains on their clothes and rushed forward, asking, "Where is Su Ziyan?"

Mu Yuan snapped back to attention, "You still have the time to care? What does his situation have to do with you?"

He then asked the matchmaker, "Has anyone handed in their task?"

The matchmaker replied, "You’re late."

Then, she continued to busy herself with making paper dolls.

The three of them walked over to the table to hand in their items, successfully completing the task. The earrings were stained with blood, and just seeing them brought to mind the pain of extracting bones from a body.

Xi Yu became even angrier, even trembling from the frustration. First, it was because of Su Ziyan, then he thought of Wu Zhi, and in the end, he felt an overwhelming fear of this kind of fate.

Mu Yuan, frustrated that he hadn’t come in first place, began to worry that Xi Yu might retaliate against him, and his face darkened.

But Wang Lou didn’t share this fear. With a sneer, he taunted, "Su Ziyan is definitely done for. There are still plenty of bones on him. If anyone hasn’t found all their materials, I’ll share them."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Lou received a heavy punch from Luo Xi, and his straight face was nearly knocked askew.

The matchmaker slammed the table in anger, "Stop making noise in here! Go back and rest, and wait for tomorrow’s task!"

Xi Yu completely ignored the old woman’s words, immediately grabbing Luo Xi’s hand and quickly leaving the stifling virtual mansion.