INSIDER Chapter 106

Having participated in so many games, Lu Chu was already very familiar with the process, knowing it by heart.

Returning to the pure white space with floating square screens, he glanced at the time on his wristband—144′59″.

He had a long way to go before reaching twenty-four hours—1,440 minutes. He didn’t even have half of that time yet.

A long duration meant that each person’s life would face danger repeatedly on the way to the end, hundreds or thousands of times, before reaching the destination.

Moreover, they didn’t even know if the destination truly held a path to the future.

Clearing his mind, Lu Chu waited quietly, and then, when the door to the illusion appeared and the time on his wristband turned to 139′59″, he stepped into the door without any hesitation.

.

Stepping through the door, the view expanded, and Lu Chu looked around, surprised to find that this time, the illusion was set at night.

Aside from the first time he entered the illusion, Lu Chu rarely saw a night scene. He still remembered his first illusion: a food street in a brightly lit night alley filled with the fragrance of various foods.

This time, the illusion seemed to be at a lantern festival. Various lanterns of unusual shapes were placed around the park, some large, some small. The larger ones were as tall as two people, while the smaller ones were the size of children. They came in various forms, including pure animal and plant shapes, familiar anime characters, and traditional figures from New Year’s paintings.

Lu Chu looked up and saw the sky filled with colorful lanterns. Some were conventional round shapes, while others were star and moon shapes, full of childlike charm. They were strung together, crossing from one tree to another. Small shrubs were also adorned with lights, decorated like adorable Christmas trees.

The deep blue night sky was clear, with a brilliant galaxy, stars dotting the night like a beautiful painting.

This illusion looked very bright and warm.

Lu Chu glanced at the colorful lights but didn’t walk far. He was waiting for his teammates.

Soon, Luo Qi came out. Seeing Lu Chu at the entrance, she nodded in greeting and stood beside him, crossing her arms as they waited for the others.

After a few people Lu Chu hadn’t met arrived, Song Gui, Yuan Kejie, and Qian Zhen joined them one after another.

Song Gui greeted everyone with a smile and a wave: “Yo.”

Luo Qi mocked, “Put away that face of yours.”

Song Gui shrugged with a smile.

Yuan Kejie couldn’t help but ask, “Another game over, ten minutes reduced by five minutes for the illusion, so solo tasks only add five minutes. At this rate, when will we reach twenty-four hours? Haven’t you found a suitable team task yet?”

Talking about business, Song Gui became serious: “I was just about to discuss this. I found a suitable team task, and it’s very different from the tasks we’ve done before.”

Luo Qi raised an eyebrow: “What type?”

Song Gui said, “A team battle.”

Yuan Kejie was astonished: “Team battle? Against whom?”

Song Gui explained, “You should know by now, ‘rules’ aren’t the only ones.”

Lu Chu immediately understood: “You mean we’ll be fighting players governed by other rules.”

“Yes,” Song Gui looked at everyone, “Are you afraid of killing?”

Qian Zhen shook his head.

Luo Qi scoffed, “What do you think has kept me alive till now?”

Lu Chu thought of that game, where 7 had held his hand to plunge the knife into his body.

They were bound to get blood on their hands.

And the first person he killed was his lover.

Only Yuan Kejie hesitated: “If possible, I don’t want to hold you back, but my combat skills are indeed weak. I’m afraid I can’t kill anyone.”

“It’s okay,” Song Gui said, “A good team isn’t made up of just warriors.”

Lu Chu agreed with Song Gui’s view. In a complete team, each member must have their own strengths and roles. Only through cooperation could they achieve victory. Song Gui would make a good leader in the real world.

“This team battle evaluates the score based on the number of surviving members in each team. There are several teams participating; the exact number is unknown, depending on the number of people who choose this game at that time,” Song Gui continued explaining. “These types of games are rare. According to the information I got from someone who has been in the game longer than me, if the final result is satisfactory, those who died in the team battle will also survive. That’s why I chose this game.”

He needed to minimize the risk. He couldn’t afford to lose any team member he had painstakingly gathered.

Luo Qi noted the key point and then asked, “I’m curious, how do you know so much?”

Song Gui helplessly said, “Just a wide social circle.”

Luo Qi doubted, “A social circle in such a game?”

Song Gui did not elaborate further.

Luo Qi did not press on. She would know what she needed to know sooner or later. As long as Song Gui meant no harm, there was no need to worry.

She picked a blade of grass from the nearby bush, put it in her mouth, and said, “Since business is over, I’m off.” Then she turned and left with her hands in her pockets.

Yuan Kejie quickly said, “I’ll go with Qi Qi.”

She jogged to catch up with Luo Qi, who seemed impatient but didn’t refuse her company.

The taciturn Qian Zhen also bid farewell to the two and went his separate way.

.

Soon, only Lu Chu and Song Gui were left.

Seeing no one around, Song Gui asked Lu Chu in a low voice, “Can you tell me about your experiences now?”

Lu Chu knew he was referring to his experiences as a ‘player’: “You’re very interested.”

“Of course,” Song Gui nodded naturally, laughing, “It’s all your fault, Lu Xiao Chu, for being so mysterious. It piqued my interest.”

“But unfortunately, you still won’t get the chance this time,” Lu Chu raised his wrist with the wristband and smiled, “Because I don’t have much time left.”

He didn’t mind telling Song Gui about his experiences. After all, Song Gui, having met another “Lu Chu,” already knew his biggest secret. Knowing he was a player meant he could infer most of the facts.

Lu Chu looked at his remaining ten minutes—he indeed had no time left.

Song Gui didn’t press further. Instead, he looked at the lanterns and asked another important question: “Can Qi Li find us and join our team to complete the task?”

Qi Li was a powerful person. His addition would significantly increase their chances.

Song Gui and Qi Li were governed by different rules, unable to communicate. But for some reason, Song Gui felt Lu Chu knew Qi Li’s situation and would give him the right answer.

Sure enough, Lu Chu answered directly: “He can.”

The certainty in his tone was unmistakable.

Hearing this, Song Gui turned to Lu Chu, sensing something different about him.

This change was subtle.

Lu Chu had always been a warm person, humble and polite, leaving a good first impression.

But now, his warmth and softness seemed not just from his own gentleness. It was the aura of someone loved and happy, someone whose smile naturally followed the sweetness in their heart, making the air around them gentle.

Song Gui felt puzzled. Considering the atmosphere between Lu Chu and Qi Li, Qi Li’s attention and protection towards Lu Chu, and Lu Chu’s familiarity with Qi Li, he had a guess that seemed unrealistic and incredible, yet Lu Chu’s smile made him think more.

He tentatively asked, “You and Qi Li, are you… together?”

Lu Chu was startled, looking at Song Gui.

Seeing his reaction, Song Gui knew his unbelievable guess was right. He explained, dispelling the odd feeling, “You give off a different vibe than before.”

“Different?” Lu Chu questioned.

“It’s like you know someone will always be with you, so you’ve become more resolute and warm.” Song Gui tried to describe his perception, feeling a bit envious as he spoke.

Lu Chu smiled softly and admitted, “We’re together.”

There was no fear or hesitation about the future. Being with such a perfectly compatible person, love felt so natural.

Lu Chu added, “I’m glad you said I’ve become more resolute and warm because he gave me these.”

Song Gui sincerely said, “Lu Xiao Chu, you’ve always been someone who inspires trust and warmth.”

Lu Chu looked at him in surprise.

“That’s why you’re standing before me now, isn’t it?” Song Gui asked, his eyes free of their usual masks and pretense, looking at Lu Chu with genuine warmth, “You love life, humble and kind, discerning good from evil, without excessive sympathy, yet with deep respect for all life. You must have given many people light and warmth, even if you didn’t realize it.”

Hearing this, Lu Chu was stunned, then smiled warmly: “If that’s true, that’s wonderful.”

He had always held a stable trust in life. Even when he couldn’t see, he could feel light and warmth deep within. When life felt hard, he thought of the green trees and blooming flowers he had never seen, feeling a clear and gentle stream flow through his heart, bringing clarity and warmth.

If these unintentional emotions had ever given someone strength, that was truly wonderful.