PTYS Chapter 113

Shen Qingqiu’s comment made everyone laugh, lifting the spirits of the three who had been feeling a bit down.

Chen Kaijie looked at Xiao Muyu and sighed, “As expected of Captain Xiao, always so perceptive. Just a few words from you and I feel much better. But I really am not good at this kind of puzzle-solving task. Speaking of that exam, I really can’t imagine how you managed to complete those four difficult physics problems in ten minutes.

My physics was decent when I was in school, but even if I could solve a challenging problem, it would still take me more than ten minutes.”

Zuo Tiantian and Su Jin nodded in agreement. Reading, calculating, and thinking all in one go takes time, especially with difficult problems.

Moreover, it was after so many years since graduation, in such a tense, life-or-death situation, to complete the problems with only two points deducted was extraordinary.

“Even the vice-captain solved the final problem. It makes the three of us feel especially inadequate,” Su Jin sighed, feeling a bit dejected.

On the other side, Shen Qingqiu and Xiao Muyu exchanged glances and both smiled. Shen Qingqiu raised her eyebrows a few times and said leisurely, “Honestly, we are not as amazing as you say, but Muyu is truly smart, a bona fide academic achiever. You definitely can’t compare to her.

As for me, I’m not just about brute force. Although my brain isn’t as good as my Muyu’s, it’s not inferior to yours at all.”

Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian were puzzled by what they heard. Shen Qingqiu then turned to Chen Kaijie, “They don’t know, but didn’t you notice? The best problem I solved, what page and question was it?”

Chen Kaijie paused, recalling what happened in the instance, and his eyes widened slightly, “It was question 34 on page 39.” He suddenly realized, as the overlooked details flooded his mind.

“I get it now. Before activating the second-to-last physics problem in rooms 29 and 24, you and Captain Xiao had already seen question 34 on page 39 because they had been activated and could be seen.”

“See, you’re not that dumb,” Shen Qingqiu remarked.

Xiao Muyu nodded as well, “At that time, I suspected those problems were important. Although I didn’t know if they would be tested, I memorized that question and mentioned a few key points to Qingqiu.” Xiao Muyu managed to finish early with high accuracy because from the moment she saw the problem, she and Shen Qingqiu had memorized it.

Therefore, their exam start time wasn’t the system’s announced point. By the time Shen Qingqiu entered the room and the rules were announced, Xiao Muyu had already thought through the problem in her mind.

Shen Qingqiu was also smart, and with Xiao Muyu having explained the key points, she was able to solve the final problem as well.

The three listened in stunned silence. Zuo Tiantian pulled a face and said, “Captains, your explanation hasn’t made me think you’re any less smart. In fact, it makes me think you’re even smarter. Who could have thought of that?”

Su Jin couldn’t help but laugh, “Well, we’ve seen how formidable Captain Xiao and the vice-captain are before. Let’s just get our spirits up and prepare for the next instance.”

Xiao Muyu nodded. After a moment of silence, she looked up seriously at Chen Kaijie and the others before finally speaking, “There’s something I need to clarify with you all, since it directly concerns you. After hearing it, feel free to share your thoughts.”

Her sudden seriousness made Chen Kaijie and the others tense up, sitting up straight. Shen Qingqiu just glanced at her, guessing what she was about to say, and kept silent.

“Captain Xiao, what is it? Please tell us,” Su Jin said, suppressing a smile and becoming serious.

Xiao Muyu pondered for a moment and then said, “Have you noticed that the instances we’ve been going through together are unusually difficult, much more complicated and dangerous than the ones you open by yourselves?”

This statement left the three stunned, and then they looked surprised and suspicious. Su Jin’s face turned a bit pale, and after a while, she nodded but tentatively said, “It is more difficult, but isn’t that because they are special edition and limited edition instances?”

Xiao Muyu’s expression was serious, “From the very first time, I noticed that my first instance had a death rate far exceeding that of other newcomers. The second instance was absurdly difficult, and while the third was more normal, it was still harder compared to what you described.

After going through so many instances, I have a vague feeling that the system seems to be targeting me specifically. Although I have no concrete evidence, I felt it necessary to tell you.”

Her words made the atmosphere heavy. Chen Kaijie’s expression changed multiple times, and he was full of confusion, “I don’t understand. If it’s true, why would the system target you? Is it because you and the vice-captain are too strong, so it increases the difficulty to maintain balance?”

Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian thought about it and found it reasonable. Such an explanation made sense to them because encountering a duo as strong as Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu was unimaginable.

“If that’s the case, we don’t see any problem. We’re just worried that we might drag you down,” Zuo Tiantian said with some concern. If they encountered a team-dependent instance and they couldn’t keep up, it might lead to failure.

Xiao Muyu didn’t reveal everything to them. Firstly, because she herself hadn’t figured everything out, and secondly, because Shen Qingqiu had mentioned that SkyNet had monitoring. The mysteries surrounding her were something she had to explore on her own.

Telling Chen Kaijie and the others wouldn’t help much, and might even put them at risk.

So, with their understanding, Xiao Muyu didn’t explain further, as her purpose had been achieved.

“I brought this up to let you make an informed decision. Emotions are emotions, but tasks are tasks. In this instance, if you die, you really die. So, I think you have the right to know this.”

Su Jin was the first to respond, “I had already suspected this. Even if you hadn’t said anything, Captain Xiao, I felt our instances were more difficult. But going through them with you, I only worry about myself keeping up. I don’t need to worry about anything else, and sometimes I even feel a sense of reliance. If I left, I don’t think I could find a better match.”

“My thoughts are the same. Our ultimate goal is to clear the game, and the SSS-level instance is our target. What’s the point of going through overly easy instances now? I don’t think the difficulty of the final instance will change based on my choice of teammates. Since that’s the case, why not choose teammates I trust and hone myself in advance?” Zuo Tiantian’s words resonated with everyone.

“Captain Xiao, vice-captain, you don’t need to say more. We know what we’re doing. I still want to follow you. In this world, we know how terrifying ghosts can be, but we also know the unpredictable nature of humans. Meeting you feels like a stroke of luck.”

He spoke with emotion, his eyes shining with sincerity.

Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu looked at him. Finally, Xiao Muyu smiled and extended her hand.

Shen Qingqiu also reached out, placing her hand lightly on the back of Xiao Muyu’s, her thumb gently stroking her palm.

Su Jin, Zuo Tiantian, and Chen Kaijie extended their hands as well. Five hands were stacked together, like a solemn promise that from now on, the five of them would entrust their lives to each other, sharing both fortunes and disasters.

“Should we come up with a team name?” Chen Kaijie suggested, feeling a surge of excitement.

“Five Blossoms,” Shen Qingqiu lazily suggested.

Chen Kaijie pulled a face, looking at Shen Qingqiu.

“Five Good Fortunes?”

Xiao Muyu looked exasperated, “Just stop talking.”

“Five Tiger Generals,” Chen Kaijie said, inspired by Shen Qingqiu’s reminder.

Zuo Tiantian looked disgusted.

“It should be catchy, imposing, something that would scare those ghosts away from us,” Chen Kaijie added.

After he spoke, Xiao Muyu, Su Jin, and Zuo Tiantian all looked at Shen Qingqiu. She frowned, “Why are you looking at me?”

Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but laugh, “Then let’s call it the Shen Qingqiu Team. Nothing scares ghosts more than you.”

Everyone burst into laughter. In the end, the team name was left undecided. Chen Kaijie opened a bottle of red wine and stood up to pour everyone a drink, “Tonight, we drink until we drop!”

Xiao Muyu saw the situation, glanced at Shen Qingqiu, and stopped her from handing over the cup, placing her palm over Shen Qingqiu’s cup. She said to Chen Kaijie, “She doesn’t drink.”

Chen Kaijie slapped his forehead. “I forgot, the deputy team leader has a bad stomach. No drinking today. I’ll order some drinks.”

“Get her a bottle of milk.”

“I can drink, my stomach doesn’t hurt anymore,” Shen Qingqiu said anxiously. How could she drink milk while everyone else was drinking?

Xiao Muyu didn’t say anything, turned to look at her, and gazed at her intently.

Seeing this, Shen Qingqiu obediently retracted her hand and said seriously, “Ahem, I’ll drink milk, I like milk.”

Zuo Tiantian couldn’t hold back her laughter. It was clear that the deputy team leader really listened to Team Leader Xiao.

This restaurant, Xitu Lanya, served good food, and everyone was in a good mood. They chatted and drank, and by the end, everyone was quite tipsy.

Xiao Muyu wasn’t very good at drinking, but she had tried to restrain herself. However, seeing everyone so happy, she ended up having a few more drinks. By the end, she was slightly tipsy.

Chen Kaijie drank the most, his face and neck were red. In the end, Shen Qingqiu called a car to send the three of them home, while she and Xiao Muyu took another car. A lunch that lasted a long time; it was already four in the afternoon.

In the car, Xiao Muyu didn’t say a word, just stared at Shen Qingqiu. Seeing her unusual expression, Shen Qingqiu realized she had drunk too much, her face was flushed.

Worried about her discomfort, Shen Qingqiu reached out to unbutton her collar, then touched her burning face with a cool hand. She asked, concerned, “How are you feeling?”

Xiao Muyu moved slightly and then pressed Shen Qingqiu’s hand, her cheek nuzzling into her palm like a sleepy cat.

Such a gentle action, yet her face still bore her usual calmness. If not for the softness in her eyes, Xiao Muyu might have seemed aloof.

Shen Qingqiu bit her lip, unable to look away. Xiao Muyu wasn’t satisfied with just nuzzling; she glanced at Shen Qingqiu, pointed to her own right cheek, and kept staring at her.

Shen Qingqiu understood, her heart melting, and reached out her left hand to stroke Xiao Muyu’s right cheek.

Shen Qingqiu’s fingers were soft, though her fingertips had some thin calluses, they weren’t rough. Pressed against Xiao Muyu’s burning cheek, it felt incredibly comfortable.

Xiao Muyu closed her eyes slightly, enjoying the sensation, making a small, soft noise, like a purr, which was adorably cute.

Drunk, Xiao Muyu lost all her usual seriousness and distance, behaving like a kitten with its claws retracted, exposing its soft belly to Shen Qingqiu.

With the driver still in the car, Shen Qingqiu didn’t do anything too bold, just comforting Xiao Muyu.

When they got home, Xiao Muyu leaned on her, clinging to her.

As soon as Shen Qingqiu opened the door, Tong Lin, who came running to greet them, saw their state and immediately turned around, diving back into the card, flipping it over deftly.

Shen Qingqiu was silent for a few seconds, looked at Xiao Muyu, and then bent down to carry her.

Startled, Xiao Muyu quickly wrapped her arms around Shen Qingqiu’s neck, frowning lightly. “You scared me.”

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but laugh, holding her steadily. “It’s my fault, I should have warned you. Are you sleepy? I’ll carry you to bed, okay?”

Xiao Muyu thought for a moment, then leaned her head on Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder, murmuring in agreement.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes softened, she wanted to put her down and kiss her. How could she be so cute?

She carried Xiao Muyu to the bedroom, carefully laid her down, and prepared to take off her shoes. But Xiao Muyu held onto her neck, not letting her go, frowning with dissatisfaction.

Shen Qingqiu was stunned, propped herself up on the bed, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Muyu looked at her, still frowning, and said seriously, “You didn’t kiss me.”

Shen Qingqiu blinked, a smile spreading from her eyes, seemingly enveloping Xiao Muyu completely.

“Do you want a kiss?”

Xiao Muyu pointed to her lips, “Of course.”

Shen Qingqiu’s heart pounded, swallowing nervously, she leaned in, whispering, “As you wish.”

The kiss, tinged with the scent of alcohol, was intoxicating. Shen Qingqiu was lost, almost unable to resist Xiao Muyu’s allure. They tangled on the bed, with Shen Qingqiu nearly unable to control herself.

Satisfied, Xiao Muyu fell asleep, leaving Shen Qingqiu restless and unsatisfied.

After wiping Xiao Muyu’s face and hands, Shen Qingqiu sat beside her, trying to calm down.

In a daze, she remembered Xiao Muyu’s murmured words, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

“I don’t want to know what you’re going to do, just promise me one thing, don’t leave me again.”

Her eyes showed a trace of pain as she gently held Xiao Muyu’s hand.

“How can you not want to know what I’m going to do? The things those people want from you must be very important. You need to know to deal with them.”

Shen Qingqiu felt helpless but couldn’t help but smile. “Not leaving you again, when have I ever left you?”

But as she smiled, Shen Qingqiu buried her head, overwhelmed by a surge of sadness.

“What’s wrong with me?” Shen Qingqiu was confused.

Author’s Note: I wanted to write more, but since I need to start a new plotline, I need to organize the details. I haven’t decided which plot to write next. However, this chapter serves to lay the background for the upcoming plot.

Good luck to everyone taking the college entrance exams! Last year, a reader told me they estimated they scored over 650 points. Keep it up, everyone!