“Rot in hell, another lunatic.” Qiao Jinyong spat on the ground. “I swear, if we stay here much longer, we’ll lose our minds too.”
Qi Xia was thoroughly unsettled by the old man.
“Qi Xia, are you okay?” Lin Qin asked from the side.
“I’m fine.” Qi Xia steadied himself. “These people won’t stop me. I’m going to join the ‘game.’ You don’t have to follow.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lin Qin said. “Whatever ‘game’ you’re joining, I’m coming too.”
Hearing this, Qi Xia slowly halted. He turned and fixed Lin Qin with an icy stare.
The sheer coldness in his eyes sent a shiver down Lin Qin’s spine.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“Lin Qin, what’s your motive?”
“Motive?” Lin Qin looked puzzled. “Do I need one?”
Qi Xia locked eyes with her again. “Why are you sticking to me? Logically, you should be with the other group. The three of us aren’t your kind, let alone your allies.”
Lin Qin simply smiled. “I told you, I’m curious about you. I want to know what you’re thinking.”
“I want out,” Qi Xia said without hesitation. “I’ve said it a hundred times—I need to get back to my wife. She can’t survive without me. Do you understand?”
Lin Qin blinked. “I understand.”
“My wife’s name is Yu Nian’an. She’s suffered for me, endured hardships for me. She’s my only reason to keep going. That’s all there is to it. Clear enough?”
“Crystal clear.”
“Now that you know what I’m thinking, are you still not leaving?” Qi Xia said coldly.
Lin Qin lowered her head, thinking for a long moment before replying, “Sorry, but for certain reasons, I still can’t go.”
Qi Xia frowned. He didn’t sense danger or deceit from her, but her intentions remained a mystery.
“Fine. Suit yourself.” Seeing no point in arguing, Qi Xia turned and strode forward.
Qiao Jinyong followed and said, “Listen, conman. We had a deal—you’ve got the brains, I’ve got the brawn. We work together.”
“Do you also have a reason you *have* to get out?”
“Yeah.” Qiao Jinyong nodded. “I don’t wanna die, but I’m not gonna sit around waiting for it either.”
“Fine, we’ll cooperate. But let’s be clear.” Qi Xia glanced at him. “We’re not friends. If only one of us can make it out, I won’t hesitate to leave you behind.”
“Dang it! Not even a shred of loyalty?” Qiao Jinyong shook his head in exasperation. “You’re really not likable.”
Hearing their exchange, Tian Tian quietly lowered her head.
Everyone seemed to have a clear goal.
But compared to them… what was *she* even doing?
Even if she somehow fought her way out of this hellhole…
Even if she returned to the real world, to her old life—she’d just go back to that bleak existence, faking smiles for those filthy old men.
Now that she thought about it… maybe *dying here* wasn’t such a bad ending.
“Tian Tian, what’s wrong?” Lin Qin asked.
“Nothing.”
Leaving the plaza, the group arrived at another street.
Unlike the convenience store’s area, this one was lined with small residential houses—low, cramped buildings packed tightly together. It was impossible to tell if anyone still lived there.
Within minutes, they spotted another animal-masked figure.
This one stood at the entrance of a dilapidated house, hands clasped behind its back.
Qi Xia walked straight toward it.
Up close, they could see it wore a grotesque rat mask, reeking of decay. Unlike the others, this figure was petite—nothing like the hulking animal-masked enforcers they’d seen before.
Qiao Jinyong spoke first: “‘Rat Man,’ right?”
The rat-headed figure finally noticed them and chuckled. “Not ‘Rat Man.’ ‘Human Rat.’”
Her voice was soft—a woman’s.
This was the first time they’d encountered a female beneath an animal mask.
“Rot in hell, you’re getting cocky now…” Qiao Jinyong scoffed. “I don’t give a damn what you are.”
“‘Human Rat’ is ‘Human Rat.’ Get it wrong, and things get messy.” The girl giggled. “But since you’re here, wanna try a ‘test’?”
Qi Xia eyed the house behind her. “What are the rules?”
“Rodent-class ‘test,’ entry fee: one ‘token.'” Human Rat spoke like a patient salesperson. “You won’t find an easier ‘test’ in any other district.”
“So what’s the game behind you?” Qi Xia pressed.
Human Rat pushed the door open, revealing a small storage room.
“My game is called ‘Warehouse Token Hunt.’ Right now, there’s one ‘token’ hidden inside. Only one person can enter. Find it within five minutes, and you win—the ‘token’ is yours.”
Something felt off. Qi Xia asked, “And if we don’t find it?”
“Don’t find it?” Human Rat burst out laughing. “Then your ‘token’ is forfeit. That’s all.”
“Just lose one ‘token’?” Qi Xia was stunned. “That’s it?”
“What else?” Human Rat tilted her head, confused.
What was going on?
Qi Xia frowned, running the numbers: entry fee—one ‘token,’ win—gain one ‘token,’ lose—lose one ‘token.’
The game made no sense. There was no real gain, no risk of death.
So… what was the point?
“Isn’t this a good chance?” Tian Tian said. “If we try it, we might understand our situation better.”
“But…” Qi Xia still hesitated. Even if they won, what would it prove?
“I’ll go first.” Tian Tian turned to him. “If I die, so be it.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Lin Qin sensed something off about her.
“Really.” Tian Tian’s voice was eerily calm. “I’ve been thinking… whether I leave or stay, it doesn’t matter.”
Without another word, she took a ‘token’ from Qi Xia and handed it to Human Rat.
“Is this enough?” Tian Tian asked.
“Yep! ‘Entry fee’ received. The game starts the moment you step inside.” Human Rat nodded cheerfully. “Rules recap: There’s one ‘token’ hidden in the room. Find it within five minutes and bring it out, and it’s yours.”
“Got it.” Tian Tian nodded.
“Ready?” Human Rat asked.
“Ready.”
“Great.” Human Rat smiled. “Game on. Good luck.”
With that, she shut the door.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage