PTYS Chapter 85

“Understood.”

Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian had been hiding in the library, but they could hear Luo Zihao’s shouting from there.

Especially when they heard the names of Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu, they became even more nervous. Coupled with Shen Qingqiu saying that the thing was likely targeting them tonight, Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian couldn’t sit still any longer.

Following behind Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu, they grew bolder and bolder. They went downstairs to the teaching building behind the artificial lake and saw Luo Zihao there, refusing to leave.

From this angle, it was clear there was no one on the pavilion, so the only possibility was that someone was in the water.

Su Jin, not being slow-witted, realized that people couldn’t stay in the water for long. She quickly searched around for something and eventually found a basketball to throw.

After throwing the basketball, she and Zuo Tiantian immediately moved to a new location. This time, they climbed to the top of the clock tower on the teaching building, hanging onto the top. Although it was scary, from this angle, Luo Zihao, the inverted dead man, shouldn’t be able to find them.

Seeing him leave, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu resurfaced. Xiao Muyu stared at Shen Qingqiu, who seemed a bit guilty and turned her head slightly.

Just as Xiao Muyu was about to say something, a sense of crisis inexplicably arose. She pulled Shen Qingqiu into the water just as Luo Zihao appeared on the shore, staring eerily in their direction.

Unfortunately, having missed that chance, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu had a moment to catch their breath. With less than three minutes left, he still hadn’t found anyone.

Luo Zihao, in a frenzy, slammed into the pavilion’s pillars, his insensible body making loud banging noises.

His strength was terrifying, causing a pillar to crack and eventually snap, tilting the pavilion.

After wreaking such havoc, Luo Zihao finally left, crying and wailing as he headed towards the gymnasium.

Retaining human thinking, he knew there were people in the gymnasium.

The thumping sounds rapidly echoed in the gymnasium, and he kept calling out with venomous sadness, “I can’t find them, I can’t find them!”

At that moment, Zhang Zhu lost control of his emotions and ran out alone. He was truly terrified only when he heard Luo Zihao’s voice. Now, he hid under the lowest row of seats in the gymnasium.

That place was originally retractable; now that the seats were pulled out, Zhang Zhu was huddled in the slot where the seats used to be, in a very concealed position.

When Luo Zihao jumped in, Zhang Zhu could hear the sound clearly through the floor with every hit.

Zhang Zhu trembled with fear, huddling tightly, listening as the sounds outside became more urgent and resentful.

Swallowing constantly, his fear was inexplicably mixed with an uncontrollable curiosity.

Slowly turning his head, he peered through the gap. The gym lights were on, allowing him to see a narrow view of the floor, with nothing in sight.

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, Luo Zihao’s voice became very excited, shouting, “Found you!”

Zhang Zhu’s body stiffened uncontrollably, and suddenly, a half-face appeared in his view, eyes meeting his, with a cruel yet innocent smile in the remaining eye;

“Ah! Ah!” Zhang Zhu’s screams echoed throughout Yuanning High School without the need for a broadcast.

Huang Meng, who was also hiding in the gymnasium, covered her mouth tightly, tears streaming down her face, whimpering.

“Ding, this round of the game is over, Zhang Zhu is out! Congratulations to players Xiao Muyu, Shen Qingqiu, Su Jin, and Zuo Tiantian for passing the first round of the game!”

This announcement was good news for Xiao Muyu and her group, temporarily escaping death, but it also meant Zhang Zhu’s death.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu finally climbed out of the water without any worries, their wet clothes clinging uncomfortably as the cold wind blew.

Once on shore, they both shivered.

Next to the small artificial lake, there were dense, circular blood stains, both red and some white, left by Luo Zihao as he wandered around, making one’s scalp tingle.

Recalling the earlier scene, Xiao Muyu was still fearful. She turned to Shen Qingqiu, her eyes cold, and her words colder, “Shen Qingqiu, what were you doing just now?”

Shen Qingqiu was stunned. Xiao Muyu was angry, but she couldn’t tell if it was because she kissed her or something else…

“Are you talking about the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or something else?”

Xiao Muyu gritted her teeth, her tone even harsher, “I’m talking about your death wish. If Su Jin and the others hadn’t hit Luo Zihao with the basketball, were you planning to go out yourself?”

Shen Qingqiu was silent for a moment, then smiled indifferently, “In that situation, we couldn’t hide any longer. If one of us didn’t go out, he would have found both of us.

You’re smart, Muyu. You know sacrificing one person is better than both. Besides, even if I was chosen, it doesn’t mean certain death. With you there, you’d find a way…”

“Fuck you!”

Xiao Muyu burst out these words, cutting off Shen Qingqiu, her eyes red with anger.

It was the first time Shen Qingqiu had heard Xiao Muyu curse, and she was stunned, “What did you say?”

“I said, fuck you! Fuck your one-person-is-better-than-two logic. Fuck your confidence in me. Do you think I’m a god who can control everything? If you die in this game, you’re completely dead!

No matter how skilled I am, I can’t bring you back to life. Even if I clear the game, you’re still dead, do you understand, Shen Qingqiu!”

Xiao Muyu’s agitation grew, grabbing Shen Qingqiu’s collar and pulling her close, before giving her a furious glare and letting go.

Shen Qingqiu remained silent, quietly watching her.

For some reason, despite Xiao Muyu’s rage, Shen Qingqiu saw deep sadness in her.

It felt like a net tightening around Shen Qingqiu’s heart, making it hard to breathe.

“I’m sorry.” After a long pause, she said hoarsely.

Xiao Muyu raised her hand to stop her, then sneered, “You ask why I’m angry, what do you mean? If you were ready to die, what was with that last act? Mouth-to-mouth, does it require a tongue?”

“Ahem.” Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian, who had just arrived, hesitated to approach after hearing such a private matter, choking on their own spit.

Shen Qingqiu felt a bit embarrassed, reaching out to hold Xiao Muyu’s hand, but Xiao Muyu shook it off. Shen Qingqiu groaned, bending over.

Xiao Muyu’s expression changed, quickly helping her up. Shen Qingqiu looked up weakly and said softly, “It hurts.”

Xiao Muyu glanced at the stunned Su Jin, then at Shen Qingqiu, gritting her teeth, “Serves you right!” But she didn’t let go.

Meanwhile, Luo Zihao’s voice came over the broadcast again, “What a pity, the game world is over. Couldn’t find my favorite partner. But with Zhang Zhu, I’m not alone. Everyone, rest well, and be careful. Haha.”

His cold, ethereal voice gave everyone goosebumps, especially when he mentioned Zhang Zhu, making everyone shiver.

After the broadcast, everyone involved came out. Thirteen people were now down to twelve, Zhang Zhu was gone. Those close to Zhang Zhu were pale and despondent.

Others looked at Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu with a mix of fear, envy, and shock.

They didn’t linger inside for long. After a ten-second countdown, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu found themselves lying in bed, the four girls in the dormitory waking up from their sleep.

After a while, the four of them huddled under their blankets, silently crying from the nightmare-like experience.

There was little joy in surviving; behind this luck lay an abyss of hopelessness.

Xiao Muyu remained silent, just watching the people around her. Shen Qingqiu lay beside her, almost face-to-face like a couple.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t let go, staring at her. When Xiao Muyu moved, she whispered, “Muyu, I’m sorry. I know what I did was presumptuous. I told you sacrificing one is better than two, but that was bullshit. I didn’t make that decision rationally. The number of deaths doesn’t matter to me; what matters is if you’re among them.”

Xiao Muyu stared at her, not blinking, making it unclear whether she was focused or indifferent.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t know why, but she had a lot to say.

“Remember when I asked when you’d let me into your mind, and you asked when I’d truly place you in my heart, not just my mind?

I wanted to deny your implication, but Muyu, my decisions weren’t rational. It’s because I have you in my heart, not just my mind.”

After a long speech, Xiao Muyu just watched her, saying nothing.

For the first time, Shen Qingqiu felt nervous. After a while, she whispered, “Muyu, can we not quarrel?”

“Okay.” Xiao Muyu whispered, then kissed her lightly. Shen Qingqiu watched her, feeling her heart throb, “Muyu, can you stay close to me tonight?”

Xiao Muyu nodded slightly, both of them closing their eyes, Shen Qingqiu leaning closer, holding her. Though not at peace, this moment offered a brief respite from the tension.