Chapter 66
Chapter 66
The rain outside was gloomy, casting a dim light inside the classroom.
The hateful president, He Kun, showed no remorse for deceiving the new members. He even swore that he had truly sent the group text message.
Other members of the Mind Society naturally echoed his words, with some even pulling out their phones as evidence of receiving the message.
No. 023, who had been frightened by the old ghost in the library that night, crossed her legs and said irritably, "What kind of evidence is this? You could have just not selected us when sending the message. Everyone else got it, but we didn't, so naturally, we'd be there and fall into your trap!"
He Kun, facing her sharp questioning, could only helplessly shrug, "It was just a mistake in the activity, it can't be called a trap... What else do you want me to do?"
"Let's hope it's just a mistake. Don't try anything underhanded," No. 023 said, giving him a hard look and scrutinizing the phone he always held in his hand.
He Kun changed the topic, clearing his throat, "Alright, let me talk about tomorrow's plans. Tomorrow we will officially investigate the ghost rumors in the library. If any new member keeps arguing, please leave the classroom."
No. 009, sitting impatiently, sat up straight, "Fine, let's see what other nonsense you come up with."
While everyone was arguing, Xiyu was completely lost in his own thoughts. There were two things he needed to do: First, of course, was to complete the plot, obtain the deletion code, and ensure that his friends and family would all succeed. The second was to find Mu Yuan and force that guy out of the game.
He had to admit, he and Luo Xi were stretched too thin. Both tasks lacked the manpower they needed, and the ideal person to help them was...
Xiyu’s gaze landed on No. 023’s back.
"...In any case, the cancellation of the last activity was definitely an accident. Tomorrow night at ten, we’ll meet at the library to uncover all the rumors there!" The shameless He Kun rambled on for a while and finally, feeling relieved, clapped his hands and said, "Alright, the meeting's over!"
With that, he took off first.
The other members, merely there as support, naturally scattered as well.
Wu Zhi was confused, "This same lie can't work twice, right? Are we going to attend?"
"Of course we are, let's see what he’s up to," No. 009 said unwillingly. "I suspect this president is still playing the Rose Game."
Luo Xi, sitting at the back, sneered, "Of course he is, and just like many other NPCs in the university, he's barely keeping himself together. That perverted A has already swept through the campus."
No. 023 rested her chin in her hand, "How about we tie him up and ask him?"
Luo Xi stopped her, "I've tried forcefully controlling NPCs. They’ll only be scared, not honest. To get clues, you have to earn their trust."
No. 023 shrugged helplessly, "Then forget it. I have other things to do. See you all later if fate allows."She said that and walked out.
Xiyu gave Luo Xi a look, then quickly followed No. 023 out.
No. 009, unaware of anything amiss, continued to chat casually: "Did you hear the broadcast this morning? Who was bold enough to go after Mu Yuan? I'm actually kind of curious."
Wu Zhi continued to be confused, "Who is Mu Yuan? Is he some kind of expert?"
No. 009 looked dismissively at him, "You haven't even checked the streamer rankings?"
Wu Zhi scratched his head, "I’ve seen them but forgot. I only remember he's in the top few."
No. 009, clearly irritated by his slow reaction, immediately stood up, "Well, if you hear anything about Mu Yuan getting into trouble, let me know so I can enjoy it."
Wu Zhi watched him leave, still standing there confused.
Luo Xi raised an eyebrow, "Aren’t you leaving yet?"
Wu Zhi hesitated, then finally gathered the courage to speak, "Please stop hurting No. 084. He's a good person, and he's really good at what he does. He wouldn't let his blood level reach 100 points! You should find another way out!"
"Thanks for your righteous words," Luo Xi purposely kicked the chair with an annoyed look. "Before I get mad, disappear quickly!"
Wu Zhi didn’t know Luo Xi’s identity, but seeing how he could control even Xiyu, he guessed he was formidable. He quickly shrank back and ran out.
Luo Xi took out his phone in silence, used both hands to access the backend program, and quickly entered the code, looking for a way in.
He believed that Xiaozhi’s Rose Game program was likely different from everyone else's. She might even be the first person at this school to obtain an A.
If that’s the case, the presence of a deletion code in the phone would also be something to look forward to.
Xiyu left the classroom first and quickly caught up with No. 023 with his long legs.
Of course, No. 023 didn’t recognize Xiyu. She put on a half-smiling, half-impassive expression and asked, "What’s up?"
If this information had come from anyone else, Xiyu might have been skeptical, but he trusted Luo Xi completely, so he asked directly: "No. 023, are you Xu Tu?"
At that moment, a system prompt sounded in their ears.
【Congratulations, No. 084 Xiyu has uncovered No. 023 Xu Tu's identity】[The two form a C relationship, and can see each other.]
At the same time, No. 023, who was completely unfamiliar to Xiyu, now appeared in his eyes as Miss Xu Tu.
Xu Tu widened her eyes: "......"
Then she suddenly realized: "No wonder that night when we were playing the game, the boss kept teasing you. I thought he had found someone new."
"......" Xiyu smiled wryly and shifted the topic to the main issue, discussing how to extract Mu Yuan's identity and then use the seed item to find Bai Qi.
Xu Tu nodded repeatedly, immediately agreeing: "Okay, I'll finish today's Rose Game task as soon as possible and meet you at the gym in the afternoon. I believe the Mu Yuan incident will make Ah Qi suspicious of us, and he might show up too."
It was rare for Xiyu to smile lightly and easily: "Then I'll go catch my laborer."
Being trapped in the Rose Game, the phone turned from a tool into a ticking time bomb.
He Kun, walking while looking down, anxiously fiddled with his phone until Xiyu blocked his path, and only then did he look up in surprise: "What... what is it now?"
Xiyu lowered his head and spoke in his ear: "I know you're playing the Rose Game. Lv Xianxian has already confessed to me. How much longer do you want to keep pretending?!"
He Kun's rebuttal was immediately blocked. He couldn't believe it: "How could Xianxian confess to you?"
Xiyu sneered: "The Rose Game is like a ghost haunting everyone. Xianxian cut her wrist herself, and now she's a mess, seeing everyone as a lifeline! Besides, we're kindred spirits, because I’ve also been caught up by Xiaozhi and the Rose Game!"
He Kun, scared, checked to ensure there were no bystanders around, then lowered his head reluctantly: "...You're really persistent. What's there to say? I am playing the Rose Game, and I've also seen Xiaozhi’s vengeful spirit. But what good does telling you do? Can you help me, or can I help you?"
Xiyu took out the bloodstained badge: "The problem is, why did you insist on playing this game? Is Xiaozhi a member of the Spirit Society?"
"She isn’t!" He Kun was startled when he saw the badge: "Where did you get this badge?"
Xiyu: "What are you afraid of? Do you know exactly where it was supposed to be?"
He Kun’s face turned ugly.
Xiyu sneered: "It seems you're determined to hide it. Principal Huang told me before that if I had evidence, I should go straight to him. Since you won’t tell me, I’ll just hand this badge over to the principal and also inform him that you’ve been playing the Rose Game!"
Only then did He Kun panic and look up: "What are you going to tell the principal? I think you're the one who looks suspicious with that badge! It... it... Xiaozhi was wearing it when she jumped off the building!"
Xiyu looked at him with an amused expression.He Kun, discouraged, said, "Forget it, let me tell you the truth. Actually, many people know, I was the first to find Xiaozhi's body. At that time, this badge was attached to her backpack. I originally planned to take it off, but I was afraid the police would see the marks and suspect me, so I had to let it be taken along with the body... So how did you get this badge? Did you see Xiaozhi's body?"
Xiyu didn't respond to He Kun's words and instead said, "Since Xiaozhi isn't a member of the Spirit Society, why was she wearing the Spirit Society's badge? What is your relationship with her?"
"I have no relationship with her." He Kun said something shocking: "This badge is mine! I was planning to make one for each member, and this is just a sample material. But later, I don't know how, it got lost. So when Xiaozhi died, I found the lost badge on her. I was more scared than anyone, you know?"
Xiyu still gave a half-smile.
He Kun, now a bit flustered, said, "I want to know why more than you! Anyway, what I’m saying is the truth. Even if the police were standing in front of me, I could only answer like this!"
— How could you be the first to find out about Xiaozhi's suicide? If you really have no connection with her, how could she steal your badge? As the secrets were revealed, more and more suspicions arose.
But Xiyu, fearing he might push He Kun too far, raised an eyebrow and said, "Okay, to avoid trouble, I won't report this to Principal Huang."
He Kun let out a small sigh of relief.
Xiyu then started to babble: "I've noticed that whenever I don't finish the Rose Game task, Xiaozhi's vengeful spirit chases me at night, so I came up with a method to eliminate her. But we don’t have enough manpower, you must help me with this."
He Kun looked pained: "How do you eliminate a vengeful spirit? Are you a Taoist priest from Maoshan or something?"
Xiyu smiled: "If you really believe in materialism, and actually take your Spirit Society seriously, you wouldn't be so scared of the Rose Game."
He Kun felt guilty.
Xiyu continued: "I admit my method may not work, but it won’t hurt to try. Don’t you want Xiaozhi to disappear?"
Although catching a vengeful spirit was a ridiculous suggestion, He Kun, who was clearly terrified of Xiaozhi, should want her to rest in peace. So why was there such strong resistance in his eyes?
Xiyu observed him closely.
He Kun stood there, frowning, as if he didn’t know what to say to avoid being dragged into this, turning into a complete mute.
Xiyu turned around: "Alright, looks like I’ll go to Principal Huang then—"
He Kun, unable to win against him or find anything to hold against Xiyu, finally relented and interrupted: "Okay, okay, how do you want to catch her? I want to make it clear, I won’t do anything dangerous or against school rules."
"You have no other choice! I guarantee you won’t get caught," Xiyu grabbed He Kun and smiled lightly. "As for whether it's dangerous or against school rules, isn't it up to me to decide?"
Just as Xiyu used his acting skills to make He Kun dizzy, Luo Xi finally got the progress from that broken phone.Although he wasn't able to crack the phone's password, he directly saw through the encryption strategy of the Rose Game A and managed to retrieve a large number of text logs from the storage.
A quick glance revealed that the text not only included a list of perverse tasks but also contained some strange chat records.
Could the original Rose Game have a communication feature?
So, who was the person chatting with Xiaozhi?
Could it be the mastermind behind the development of this horrible software?
With his mind full of doubts, Luo Xi immediately stood up, intending to share his findings with Xiyu to make up for the previous "jokes" he owed him.
Just then, the system suddenly pinged.
【No. 017, you’ve forgotten your fertilizer duties again.】
【The Rose Master has taken your phone. Please find it within one hour.】
【Otherwise, you will receive 40 bloo points.】
The classroom around Luo Xi began to fade and distort. He calmly looked at Xiaozhi, who stood at the door with her head lowered, her uniform covered in blood, without any fear, even mocking, "You still have time to steal my phone? First, check if your own phone is missing."
Xiyu, of course, had no idea about Luo Xi’s situation and directly took the unwilling He Kun to the gymnasium.
Since it was still daylight, there were many students in the gym exercising.
He Kun, with a heavy heart, muttered, "How are you going to catch ghosts? This morning, Xianxian read strange messages on the broadcast. Could it be you..."
"Correct," Xiyu shrugged and ordered, "You're very familiar with Xiyuan University, so by evening, get me ropes, wires, and several barrels of oil. I guarantee we’ll make progress."
He Kun naturally didn't understand, "How do these things catch ghosts?"
Xiyu smiled dismissively, "Just bring them back, and I'll show you how to set up a trap to control vengeful spirits."
He Kun, nervous, said, "No, no... The gym has surveillance and security guards. Don’t mess around, we’ll get expelled."
"I’ll handle it," Xiyu said confidently, "I guarantee the school won’t get any evidence." He then threatened, "If you don’t listen to me, we’ll see each other in the principal's office!"
He Kun, afraid that his diploma might be at risk, didn't believe Xiyu could do anything too drastic but reluctantly agreed, "But the things you want really won't help. A ghost wouldn't be afraid of those."Xiyu raised an eyebrow impatiently, "Otherwise, teach me what’s useful? The scientific spokesperson, huh? — Hurry up, we don’t have much time!"
He Kun, feeling guilty, finally closed his mouth and obediently left with the list.
Xiyu let out a sigh of relief. He looked up and realized that Luo Xi was standing not far away.
Luo Xi's shirt had some blood on it, but he still looked confident and spirited.
Xiyu, worried, approached him, "Are you okay?"
"It took some effort to escape the mission, probably won’t be able to do it tomorrow," Luo Xi said with a smile. "I’ve noticed, you really have a talent for controlling nc."
Xiyu’s clear eyes showed a hint of helplessness as he crossed his arms, "No choice. If I set the trap myself and hurt Mu Yuan, the system will punish me, so I had to trick He Kun into doing it."
Luo Xi asked, "So, what about the surveillance and security guards?"
Xiyu glanced at him, "Don’t you have it covered? You played me around, don’t you think you should help with some of the work?"
"Of course," Luo Xi responded readily. "If it doesn’t work, I’ve got backup with the seed props."
Xiyu smiled faintly, looking at the students rushing around on the basketball court, and said softly, "I guess the people who hate Mu Yuan, those who help Mu Yuan, and Mu Yuan himself will definitely come to watch the fun."
Then he smiled again, "Luckily, I contacted Rabbit to help."
Luo Xi commented with a hint of jealousy, "Did you team up with her?"
Xiyu scoffed, "None of your business. You were the one who gave up the chance. Anyway, Rabbit suspects that Aqi will also come tonight. Bai Qi hasn’t contacted her, which means he’s in a tough spot, so we have to prepare fully."
"As long as we find a way to trap the people who come, we can adapt to the situation. Mu Yuan isn’t that smart," Luo Xi said, pulling out Xiaozhi's phone. "Let’s look at these new clues first."
Xiyu blinked in interest, and with the students walking by, he and Luo Xi found a quiet corner to sit side by side.
Luo Xi passed over the phone, "I already read through it roughly while cracking it, but take a closer look. I can only say that Xiaozhi and Snowy Young Master are both foolish, unfortunate people, and there are spoilers ahead… You’re not wrong to be messing with He Kun."
Xiyu took the phone with confusion and began reading through the chat logs that Luo Xi had retrieved from the backend.
As he read, his brow gradually furrowed.
March 10thXZ: Hello, what is this software used for? Why is the only person on my friends list you?
theis: This is a software that helps fulfill wishes. Everyone’s deepest wish is like the school's rose, as long as you work hard to absorb nutrients, it will surely bloom one day.
XZ: You speak so romantically, but how does the software fulfill wishes?
theis: Did you see the task list? The rose game will have you do something small every day. If you can stick to it for fifty days, then the wish deep inside you may come true.
XZ: I see, today’s task is “Don’t talk to anyone for a day.” This has nothing to do with fulfilling wishes. I don’t believe it.
theis: I’m not lying… Now tell me, what’s your wish? Try it out and see if the rose game can really fulfill it.
XZ: Does liking someone count as a wish?
XZ: …I think liking someone is just liking them, and if there’s no expectation for any result, there’s no need to fulfill it.
theis: Why not ask for a result? Being with the person you like, isn’t that the happiest thing in the world?
XZ: Because I’m too far from him, he’s surrounded by the girl he likes… Sigh, never mind, I’m going to uninstall this software.
XZ: I hope you don’t deceive yourself with this software. Sometimes, giving yourself a false hope is a very cruel thing.
March 13th
XZ: How strange, every time I uninstall this software, it re-installs itself. Could it be a virus?
theis: Oh, your wish hasn’t been fulfilled yet, so the software won’t disappear.
XZ: Did you make this software? Stop joking with me.
theis: It’s really not a joke, and the tasks aren’t hard. Even if you try, you won’t lose anything.
theis: How about you tell me, what’s the name of the person you like?
XZ: His name is… He Kun.
XZ: If you’re from the school, please don’t tell anyone. I’ll log off now.
March 15thXZ: I couldn’t resist trying the rose task recently. On the first day, it asked me to stay awake all night, the second day it had me wake up at 4:30 AM to listen to sad music, and today... it made me go to the rooftop at midnight to see the view...
XZ: You wouldn’t be some senior from the Department of Information Systems who made a prank software just to have fun with me, would you?
theis: Of course not. I don’t even know your name.
XZ: I don’t understand. Sticking with these things doesn’t make me better. I’ve been dozing off in class these past two days... if my grades drop, won’t my wish get further away from me?
theis: You just haven’t persisted long enough. If after a week there’s no progress with your wish, I’ll tell you how to uninstall it. Deal?
March 20th
XZ: I can’t believe it! Today, He Kun, the senior, actually came to talk to me! He asked if I wanted to join his mental health club!
XZ: But I’ve been in the literature club for two years, and the academic workload is heavy, so I had to decline for now. Will he stop talking to me?
theis: Of course not, it must be because the rose task is working. Don’t worry, keep playing the game, he’ll be more and more drawn to you. By the fiftieth day, you two will definitely be together.
XZ: That’s great. I’m starting to believe it now.
XZ: Actually, it’s nice to talk to you occasionally, even if the game doesn’t come true in the end.
theis: Why? Are you lonely?
XZ: Yeah, most of the kids at Xiyuan University come from rich families. I got in through a scholarship, so I don’t fit in with them, and I still don’t have many friends.
theis: They’re just wasting their lives because their parents are rich. They were born parasites. You’re nothing like them.
theis: You’re like a rose tree. Though you seem to be emotionless most of the time, once you bloom, you’ll catch everyone’s attention and become someone everyone at the school knows.
XZ: Thank you for the compliment.
XZ: But if you saw the real me and how ordinary I am, you wouldn’t say that.
March 23rd
XZ: Why is today’s rose task asking me to cut myself with a paper cutter? Are you kidding?
theis: The task wasn’t given by me. What everyone does each day is totally random; it’s all arranged by the rose.XZ: I’m scared.
theis: What’s the matter? Even if you get a wound, it will heal.
XZ: ...
theis: If you give up now, your wish will be wasted. Hasn’t He Kun been around you a lot lately? Do you want to give up the rose game and let He Kun disappear from your world again?
XZ: I don’t want to.
theis: Then you have to be braver.
March 27th
XZ: I’ve been tricked! I must have been tricked! I’ve been strictly completing the tasks every day, so why did He Kun end up with Lü Xianxian?
theis: This is just his confusion along the way in fate. Isn’t Lü Xianxian the person he’s always liked?
XZ: Yes, Xianxian is the goddess of the journalism department, she’s very beautiful, and I can’t compare to her.
theis: I believe if you keep persisting, He Kun will realize that Lü Xianxian isn’t the right person for him and will then fall into your arms.
XZ: I’d rather not be delusional.
theis: Believe in the power of the rose. Can you really leave all these tasks behind? If you delete this app, if you stop, you’ll be alone again.
XZ: I’m really conflicted. I feel like doing these meaningless things every day makes me a freak. When others see the wounds on me, they’re scared of me.
theis: Then why not let them come into this game world... and become like you?
XZ: No one would be as stupid as me.
April 1st
XZ: Is this an April Fools’ joke? The rose task is asking me to send this game to thirty people. I don’t even have thirty alumni’s phone numbers in my phone.
theis: Maybe the rose doesn’t want you to be too lonely. Actually, this is easy to do. You have your class and your clubs. Just find your address book and send it one by one.
theis: I believe everyone will accept a game that can fulfill wishes.XZ: I’m afraid they’ll tell the teacher…
theis: What’s the worst that could happen if they tell the teacher? This is just an ordinary app, meant to bring hope to everyone. The teacher won’t say much if they see it.
XZ: But I still don’t want to do this. Forget it, I want to give up.
April 5th
XZ: ...
theis: Didn’t you give up? Why are you back? Did you realize you can’t leave the rose game?
XZ: In the three days I didn’t open the game, everything went wrong. The teacher criticized me, the class leader criticized me, and even He Kun stopped talking to me.
theis: That’s because you betrayed the rose. It’s angry now.
theis: I told you before, once you start this game, you have to use courage to persist.
XZ: After talking for so long, you still haven’t told me who you are. Are you the one who made this app?
theis: Of course not. I’m the one who used this app to fulfill my wish. I passed it to you because I hope you can find your own light in the painful life.
XZ: But you said you don’t know me.
theis: Think of it as a kind lie. I’m no longer at Xiyuan University, but Xiaozhi, I still hope you can be happy.
XZ: I really don’t know if you’re a good person or a liar.
theis: Believe what you want to believe. If you’re really unhappy, maybe you should just finish the game. I believe in the end, you’ll get something from it.
April 7th
XZ: I continued. I sent the game to a lot of people, but they didn’t install it. Some even advised me to uninstall the game…
XZ: But I don’t know why, after this game updated, when I press the delete button, all I get is a curse, and it won’t delete at all.
XZ: Everyone’s blaming me…XZ: What are you doing? Why aren't you answering me?
XZ: Today's rose mission asks me to cut myself fifty times, this is really too cruel...
April 13th
XZ: Why did you disappear?
April 17th
XZ: Other people have started playing the rose game too. Some have even asked how to complete the missions...
XZ: I didn’t know I could be needed by others.
XZ: If you see this message, can you respond?
April 20th
XZ: I’m in so much pain, I’ve given so much, and I’m really scared that in the end, it’ll all just be a joke.
April 25th
XZ: There’s no other way now, once I finish fifty missions, I’ll confess to He Kun.
XZ: Recently, his relationship with Lü Xianxian hasn’t been good, maybe I have a chance.
May 1st
XZ: I’ve written my confession letter.
XZ: Today’s mission asks me to say to myself a thousand times: I am a rose, it’s really a bit ridiculous.
XZ: I wish I really were a rose...
XZ: The roses on campus are almost blooming, the buds are really beautiful, where did you go?
May 2nd
XZ: Tomorrow I’m going to confess to senior, I hope the last rose mission goes smoothly.May 3rd
XZ: Why? Why is the last mission to end my life?
XZ: I can't do it...
May 4th
XZ: I confessed to senior, he rejected me, and even mocked me, saying I was spreading this perverted game everywhere and that I was a scheming monster.
nb stheis: You haven’t completed the last step of the game, so how could you possibly achieve your wish?
XZ: You finally appeared.
theis: I’ve always been here, just wanted to see if you had the determination to finish. It seems you're not a qualified rose after all.
XZ: I don’t know how to face He Kun now.
XZ: If I really end my life, will he like me, will he forgive me?
May 6th
XZ: A classmate had to go to the hospital because of self-harm related to the rose game.
XZ: The class president is going to report this to Principal Huang.
XZ: If it really gets to that point, I’ll have no excuse.
May 8th
XZ: I’ve thought for a long time, maybe my life became this bad because I didn’t completely finish the rose game...
XZ: This is also the last time I’ll talk to you here...
XZ: I want to say...
XZ: I hate you for giving me this game...
This brief but incredibly cruel conversation seemed to make Xiyu realize how an introverted and innocent girl was gradually dragged into the abyss by the demon hidden behind the mobile app.Xiaozhi was indeed foolish. If she hadn’t blindly trusted the other person, this disaster wouldn’t have happened.
But for a young person under twenty, choosing such a tragic way to end their life during an unstable psychological and emotional period—rather than blaming them, it might be more appropriate to feel regret that no one understood or tried to stop her.
While Xiyu was silently reflecting, Luo Xi suddenly forcefully grabbed his shoulder: “You’re the kind of person who’s hard to figure out, but generally speaking, you’re still someone who can empathize with others' experiences. It’s all just a game, it’s unnecessary.”
Xiyu snapped back to his senses, realizing his hands were trembling, and quickly tried to calm down: “Sorry, I was just really frustrated.”
Luo Xi said seriously: “Actually, the company had conducted an experiment before. A synthetic human could survive in a nutrient chamber for no more than seventeen days. After seventeen days, both physically and mentally, the synthetic human would suffer irreversible damage.”
Xiyu frowned: “So, what does this mean for us...?”
Luo Xi smiled bitterly and continued to explain: “This selection process has made us go through three rounds in succession, which is really pushing our limits. On the tenth day inside the nutrient chamber, we will become more emotional, even unable to control our virtual bodies. So you must stay clear-headed, and when facing anything, you should ask yourself for rationality, not just focus on your own feelings.”
This was a very harsh reminder.
Xiyu knew that Luo Xi had always been somewhat critical of his way of handling things. With no way to argue, he sincerely nodded.
Only then did Luo Xi ask: “What do you think about the chat logs?”
“The person behind the temptation of Xiaozhi is definitely the creator of the Rose Game, it’s so obvious,” Xiyu frowned. “The person named themselves ‘theis,’ which is the name of the god of justice. They’re either a character with a middle school mentality or extremely antisocial.”
Luo Xi responded quickly: “I agree. So, in your opinion, who would make such a software? If we were to follow the plot, what kind of mindset would someone have to make such a conclusion?”
Xiyu thought seriously: “The Rose Game targets students from Xiyuan University. I suspect the person behind it has an extremely perverse desire for control over students or an abnormal hatred. As for the so-called rose, it probably holds significant meaning for that person... Unfortunately, this instance isn’t a small one with just a dozen people; the number of non-player characters is more than the broadcasters. It’s rare to catch hold of He Kun’s line, and I’m afraid that just the two of us won’t be able to gather all the intelligence.”
“I believe the plot is multi-threaded, but the outcome is the same,” Luo Xi seemed thoughtful after hearing his analysis. “Xiaozhi’s wish is to get He Kun’s love, so the hope He Kun gives is the most important bait to lure Xiaozhi into the game. Do you think He Kun’s actions were spontaneous when Xiaozhi was playing the Rose Game? He’s about to graduate, is popular in the history department, and has a good relationship with the beauty Lü Xianxian. He’s someone who’s quite proud, right? Why would he suddenly appear by Xiaozhi’s side?”
Xiyu blinked: “Someone arranged it on purpose! The person who can influence He Kun should be a teacher.”
Luo Xi held her long fingers together: “To make software, to simultaneously influence He Kun and Lü Xianxian, to be cynical, and to like roses... this can only be narrowed down through big data. If we don’t have access to the teachers’ full information, it’s impossible to get any answers by asking randomly.”
Xiyu was also at a loss.
At that moment, Xu Tu appeared out of breath, her school uniform jacket torn with several cuts, the scratches concentrated on her left arm. She didn’t seem to care about the pain and quickly approached, saying: “I’m not too late, am I?”
Xiyu threw Xiaozhi’s phone to her: “You’re late, the plot’s already progressed a few episodes.”
Xu Tu was annoyed, flipping through the phone and saying: “I didn’t want to complete the mission, but the punishments keep getting harder to escape. I almost got stuck in the instance just now... This Xiaozhi, really, she’s like the foolish old man of the ghost world!”She said this and slumped her shoulders, making a ghostly expression, mimicking it perfectly: "…Why… why didn’t you complete the mission… we agreed on this…"
Then Xu Tu angrily put her hands on her hips: "Just these few lines, I’m already sick of hearing them."
Xiyu sighed in amazement, shaking his head: "My acting skills are nothing in front of you."
"Alright, don’t reveal anything to He Kun yet. Let’s first use him to take care of the trap," Luo Xi said with a smile as she stood up, ready to step forward.
Xiyu was puzzled: "What for?"
Luo Xi smiled: "Didn’t you want to control the security system of the gym? I’m making it up to you now."
The whole afternoon, the gym was in chaos.
Luo Xi first took the opportunity to break into the monitoring room, using hacker methods to seize control of the surveillance and broadcast software. Then, as dusk approached, she boldly tied up two security guards who were eating takeaway at the door, throwing them in the warehouse. Her actions were ruthless and swift, looking like she was very familiar with this kind of operation.
With such a powerful ally, by the time He Kun arrived, exhausted and carrying several bags in the evening, Xiyu already had a solid plan in mind.
He Kun, panting, said, "You really found this much… don’t get too greedy now."
Xiyu crouched down to inspect: "It’s enough. Come here and help me set it up."
He Kun wiped the sweat from his face, clearly backing down: "I still need to go back and write my thesis. I’m not messing around with you anymore."
"What, afraid I’ll bring Xiaozhi over and talk to her about your business?" Xiyu deliberately tried to scare him, with a very complex smile.
He Kun, feeling guilty, stammered, "I… I don’t have anything to hide."
Xiyu smiled meaningfully.
Xiaozhi had indeed jumped from the building after being harshly rejected by He Kun. The more this was the case, the sweatier He Kun became, feeling like he was being seen through by the new member.
Xiyu patted his shoulder: "If you listen to me, nothing will happen. I just want to get rid of Xiaozhi. If she disappears completely, you and Lü Xianxian will be free too. Understand?"
Only then did He Kun reluctantly nod, looking at the pile of inexplicable materials: "So how do we set it up?"
Xiyu suppressed the guilt of deceiving the non-player characters and grinned: "I’ll teach you."
【Attention all students, the sun has set. Please return to your dormitories immediately, or you will be held responsible for the consequences.】The familiar broadcast sound rang out again, echoing through the dark gymnasium.
The familiar broadcast sound echoed again in the gym, which felt somewhat distant and eerie.
The virtual university has a rule prohibiting activities at night, so there were naturally no other people around.
For the first time, Xiyu felt uneasy about not returning to the dorm, but seeing Luo Xi and Xu Tu both remaining calm, he couldn't help but ask, "Have you two not returned to the dorm at all these days?"
Xu Tu, resting in a corner in the dark, hummed, "I don't even know who the other female streamers in the dorm are. To avoid trouble, I just disappeared completely. They probably think I committed suicide and left the game."
Xiyu blinked and said, "What kind of punishment would that be?"
Luo Xi replied casually, "Punishment isn't exactly the right word, but the first two hours after nightfall, there's a chance you'll run into wandering Xiaozhi, and she'll chase you up to the rooftop."
Only someone with his skill could downplay such a danger so lightly.
Xiyu sighed and smiled, "After all this trouble, don't you think I've been too aggressive?"
"Back in the Starfleet, it was my decision to eliminate the Will team. Some things can't be stopped once they've started," Luo Xi said. "Even if Mu Yuan hadn't shown up, I would still have made you his flower."
Xiyu was surprised, "So you're supporting me?"
"Obviously," Luo Xi snorted. "Why would I waste so much time here if I didn't support you? Do you think the game designed by that idiot is fun?"
Xu Tu laughed beside them, "After all, you're going after Mu Yuan for the boss. He's enjoying it inside."