Chapter 123: Departure

“He’s back!” Chu Tianqiu’s expression shifted as he quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Despite his minor flaws, Chu Tianqiu seemed to genuinely value his teammates.

Zhang Shan opened the school gate, and the car slowly rolled into the center of the square.

Yun Yao was the first to fling open the car door, stumbling out in a panic. “We’re dead, we’re dead, we’re dead… It’s all ‘ants’… Scared me half to death…”

“Yun Yao!” Chu Tianqiu approached and asked, “Well? Did you find Xiao Nian?”

“No.” Yun Yao stood up, frustration written across her face. “We found the taxi Qi Xia mentioned, with Xiao Nian’s photo inside, but she wasn’t there.”

“Not there?”

Chu Tianqiu was momentarily stunned.

“Qi Xia… Did you really see Xiao Nian there?” he asked.

“What do you think?” Qi Xia furrowed his brows. “The car had her license and photo—why would I make that up?”

“It is strange,” Yun Yao nodded. “Why would Xiao Nian’s taxi appear in ‘Terminal Land’? This isn’t her ‘Echo’ either.”

Chu Tianqiu lowered his head in thought before saying, “Regardless, we can almost confirm that Xiao Nian is still alive in ‘Terminal Land.’ If we keep searching, we’ll find her eventually.”

Jin Yuanxun and Xiao Yanjing also got out of the car, both looking utterly exhausted.

“You’ve worked hard,” Chu Tianqiu said with a smile. “Rest today. The others can handle the next steps.”

“No way!” Yun Yao shook her head decisively. “Today’s the first time I’m teaming up with Qi Xia—even if I’m dead tired, I’m pushing through.”

“What?” Qi Xia blinked. “Teaming up with me?”

“Yep.” Yun Yao nodded. “It’s ‘Paradise’s’ rule—I’ll lead you into a game to test your skills.”

Chu Tianqiu leaned in and whispered to Qi Xia, “For the record, this ‘rule’ never existed before.”

Qi Xia sighed. “What about my teammates? How will they be assigned?”

“You can arrange them yourself if you want,” Chu Tianqiu replied. “Otherwise, I’ll send them to some ‘Human-level’ games. A few already have full strategies—they can even ‘gamble with their lives.’”

“I can decide?” Qi Xia nodded thoughtfully. “There’s a woman on the team, Xiao Ran. She’s sharp and gentle. And a man named Zhao Haibo—brilliant and selfless. I’d like them to try an escape game called ‘Human Rabbit.’ I’ll sketch the map for you.”

“No problem.” Chu Tianqiu nodded. “You know your team better than I do. I’ll follow your lead.”

Qi Xia borrowed paper and a pen from Yun Yao, sketched a rough map, and handed it to Chu Tianqiu.

“What about the others?” Chu Tianqiu asked after taking the map. “Any special arrangements?”

“Not really. Just make sure they stay safe.”

“Got it.”

“And us?” Qi Xia asked. “As ‘Paradise’ members, any rules to follow in the game?”

“None.” Chu Tianqiu smiled. “Act as you see fit. But there’s one unspoken rule—bring back every fallen comrade’s body to the school for burial. I won’t leave my people abandoned in the wild.”

“Understood.” It was a heavy topic, but Qi Xia didn’t argue.

Chu Tianqiu nodded and pulled a slip of paper from his pocket, handing it to Yun Yao. “Here’s today’s game assignment. Handle it along the way.”

“Will do. Qi Xia and I will give it our all,” Yun Yao said.

Qi Xia thought for a moment. “If we’re heading out, I’m bringing the shirtless guy over there.”

Qiao Jiajin awkwardly crossed his arms and grinned. “So… can I go put on a shirt first?”

As Qiao Jiajin hurried off, Yun Yao chuckled. “He’s adorable.”

Qi Xia glanced at her. “Who else are you bringing? Just the three of us?”

“Who else would I bring?” Yun Yao pouted, looking at the men around her. “Xiao Yanjing and Jin Yuanxun ignore me, and Chu Tianqiu has to stay here. How did a top idol like me end up like this?”

“Wha—? Sis, when did I ever ignore you?” Jin Yuanxun flinched.

“See?” Yun Yao pointed at him, addressing Qi Xia. “Hear that? He calls me ‘Sis.’ Might as well ignore me.”

“I…” Jin Yuanxun froze, his limited social skills no match for Yun Yao.

Xiao Yanjing awkwardly chimed in, “Miss Yun, it’s not that I ignore you—we just don’t have much in common.”

“Listen to that.” Yun Yao patted Qi Xia’s shoulder. “‘Miss Yun’—sounds so formal. Haven’t heard that in twenty years.”

Qi Xia sighed. “Seems like *you’re* the one ignoring *them*, not the other way around.”

“Same difference.” Yun Yao pulled out lip balm and applied it. “Point is, we ignore each other.”

The two mild-mannered men squirmed under her words, leaving even Chu Tianqiu at a loss.

Qi Xia suddenly wondered—how had Yun Yao become Paradise’s second-in-command?

Was she stronger than most here?

Soon, Qiao Jiajin returned, now fully dressed—but to Qi Xia’s surprise, Tian Tian followed behind him.

“What’s going on?” Qi Xia asked quietly.

“Uh… let her explain,” Qiao Jiajin scratched his head, struggling for words.

“Are you two heading out for a ‘game’?” Tian Tian asked.

“Yes.”

“Take me with you.” Her expression was uneasy. “I can’t stay here. There’s no place for me.”

Qi Xia immediately understood but hesitated to agree.

Tian Tian believed no one here respected her, so she clung to him and Qiao Jiajin.

This poor woman had little will to survive—she might very well die in a game.

Though they weren’t close, Qi Xia wanted her to live. Her life had been hard enough; she didn’t need more suffering.

“If it’s inconvenient, it’s fine.” Tian Tian seemed to notice his hesitation. “I’ll wander on my own. Maybe I’ll bring back some ‘tokens’ for everyone.”

She patted her pockets, then looked at Qi Xia. “Can you lend me one ‘token’?”

Qi Xia only had one left, and giving it to her would be a death sentence.

“Forget it… come with us.” He shook his head. “If we earn any, I’ll share.”

“Really…?” Tian Tian didn’t seem thrilled. Qi Xia knew she didn’t want tokens—just an excuse to join them. “Then let’s be clear: I’m only here for the ‘tokens.’ You don’t have to trust me…”

“Got it.” Qi Xia nodded, then turned to Yun Yao. “Idol, the three of us are broke. Sure you still want to team up?”

“Qi Xia, today you’ll experience what it’s like to be spoiled by a sugar mommy.” Yun Yao patted her bag. “I’ll cover the entry fees. You just bring the brains.”