Hearing Qin Dingdong’s question, Qi Xia remained silent.
“Isn’t this terrifying?” Qin Dingdong shivered slightly. “My friends aren’t really my friends, and my parents might not even be my parents. I’d be living what I thought was a normal life in a completely unfamiliar place—I might even forget everything and grow close to those people… It’s horrifying. What exactly are those people? And who would *I* be in that case? Where are my real friends and family?”
“I’ve already said,” Qi Xia reiterated, “it’s possible your memories weren’t altered—only your personality was.”
“But I don’t believe that!” Qin Dingdong retorted. “Classmate Qi, I’ve trusted every word you’ve said before, but not this time… Because I’m a liar too. Your expression betrays you—you’re clearly lying to yourself! Even *you* aren’t sure of the answer…”
“Qin Dingdong,” Qi Xia said coldly, meeting her gaze, “if you, as a liar, can’t even deceive yourself, who *can* you deceive?”
“You—”
Seeing the two on the verge of an argument, Chen Junnan quickly stepped between them. “Sis Dong…”
Only now did he understand why Qin Dingdong had always been so fixated on reclaiming her altered life—because she was desperate to return to reality and live normally.
Yes, she was only in her twenties, yet she had already been trapped here for decades. The best years of her life had been sacrificed to the “Land of the End.” Why *shouldn’t* she reclaim her own life?
“Calm down, Sis Dong,” Chen Junnan said softly. “Let’s work together and focus our efforts.”
Qin Dingdong glanced at Chen Junnan standing before her, gradually steadying herself before gently pushing him aside and turning back to Qi Xia. “Classmate Qi, I want out. I’ve had enough of this place. I *need* to find my real life and return to it—exactly as it should be.”
“Don’t be naive…” Qi Xia replied. “Qin Dingdong, in seventy years, *no one* has ever escaped. How do you know you’ll succeed?”
“Because I’m more clear-headed than anyone else,” she declared firmly. “Not just seventy years—if necessary, I’ll wait seven *hundred*. As long as I have enough time, even if I’m not as smart as you or Chu Tianqiu, I’ll still find a way out.”
“I hope you can stay that confident,” Qi Xia said. “And I hope you never lose your mind.”
“Then I’ll take that as your blessing,” Qin Dingdong shot back. “If, by the time you manage to free this place, I still haven’t figured out which version of my life is real—leave me here forever.”
“You’re sure?” Qi Xia asked.
“Absolutely.” She nodded. “I’ve always had wild ideas. If I stay here, my timeline will freeze. My real friends and family won’t disappear, and I won’t spend my life lost in confusion.”
Qi Xia said nothing more, only giving Qin Dingdong a solemn nod before turning and walking toward the direction of Earth Snake. The others followed.
As Chen Junnan and Qiao Jiajin walked forward, they exchanged glances, sensing the situation was still thorny.
No matter how many times this issue resurfaced for Qi Xia, his response never changed.
He refused to discuss Yu Nian’an with anyone and would never admit that her existence might be fabricated. Even with mounting evidence, he wouldn’t budge.
But this time was different—Qi Xia had invited the three of them to *protect* the “truth” of Yu Nian’an with him. It almost sounded like a plea for help.
He had entrusted them with his trust, but Chen Junnan couldn’t shake a terrible premonition—Qi Xia was wavering.
Though Chen Junnan didn’t know what that would lead to, if Qi Xia was resorting to asking for help, the consequences must be dire. Did Yu Nian’an’s existence—or lack thereof—directly impact his plans?
Watching Qi Xia’s solitary figure, Chen Junnan sighed heavily. Right now, Qi Xia was like a flickering candle in a storm. His self-assurance could no longer fully convince him that Yu Nian’an was real—he needed others to remind him, to anchor him.
“But what *is* Yu Nian’an…?” Chen Junnan muttered under his breath, staring at Qi Xia’s back. “Why *her*?”
If Yu Nian’an truly didn’t exist, how had Qi Xia conjured someone entirely fictional? And if he needed someone to cling to, why not choose an actual *participant* from the Land of the End?
The four walked in silence for nearly two hours before finally spotting Earth Snake’s game site.
The building was clearly a storefront, but at first glance, it was impossible to tell what it sold.
Both walls were lined with glass, revealing empty wooden shelves inside.
Approaching, Qi Xia saw no sign of Earth Snake. He glanced up at the sign—faded and rusted—where the words “*Bookstore*” were barely legible.
The sight made him frown.
“A bookstore…?” He scanned the barren shelves. “Where are the books?”
Within seconds, Qiao Jiajin and Chen Junnan caught up.
“Old Qi,” Chen Junnan called, “this the place?”
Qi Xia pulled the map from his pocket and confirmed. “Yes.”
“Where is everyone?” Qiao Jiajin asked. “Game in progress?”
“Likely.”
Qi Xia nodded, eyeing the door—locked from the inside. Apparently, spectators weren’t allowed during the game.
Before they could strategize, figures began emerging from behind a wall inside. Three or four *participants* stepped into view, heads bowed, expressions desolate, moving slowly toward the exit.
Behind them was a pale-skinned snake-headed man holding a rope, his demeanor equally somber.
“Whoa, an albino snake,” Chen Junnan remarked. “Hope it’s not venomous.”
Qi Xia ignored him, watching as the participants unlocked and opened the door, stepping outside.
Tear tracks stained their faces.
“Eh—?” Qiao Jiajin blinked. “Why’re they cryin’?”
The participants wiped their tears, turning back to bid Earth Snake reluctant goodbyes. Some even grasped his hand, murmuring things like *”Take care of yourself.”*
Earth Snake, expressionless, reassured them with a simple *”I know.”*
The scene left Qi Xia and the others utterly baffled.
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