Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
Chen Junnan turned his head irritably and stared directly at Han Yimo.
Ever since arriving in this classroom, the man had been eyeing him, making him feel deeply uncomfortable.
Now that everyone else had lain down to sleep, Chen Junnan decided it was time for a “heart-to-heart” chat with the man in front of him.
“What the hell are you looking at?”
Han Yimo furrowed his brows tightly and lowered his voice. “You know damn well what I’m looking at. I should be the one asking—what the hell are *you* planning?”
“I don’t get it,” Chen Junnan shrugged. “Aren’t we all just getting ready to sleep?”
“Sleep my ass…” Han Yimo cursed under his breath. “You son of a…”
He gritted his teeth, as if holding back words, but the presence of others nearby stifled him.
“Come outside!”
Han Yimo pushed open the classroom door and stepped into the hallway.
Moments later, Chen Junnan followed.
“What’s up? Planning to throw down with me?” Chen Junnan slowly rolled up his sleeves. “You might not be cut out for this—I might just beat you to death.”
“Chen Junnan, right?” Han Yimo spat bitterly. “You should know how badly I want to kill you…”
“Kill me? For what?”
“Because you’ve made my life hell!”
“Seriously?” Chen Junnan sighed. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“You…” Han Yimo was visibly seething. “I held back earlier because there were too many people… What’s your real purpose in coming here with us? Planning to keep causing trouble?”
“My purpose?” Chen Junnan tilted his head in confusion. “Do you live by the sea? Mind your own damn business.”
“I…” Han Yimo’s frown deepened, his anger barely contained.
“Besides, I don’t like your tone,” Chen Junnan shook his head. “A lowlife who spreads vile rumors online—what gives you the right to interrogate me like a cop?”
Han Yimo stiffened at the words.
“How… how do you know about that?”
“Hah.” Chen Junnan raised an eyebrow. “So that’s it. You don’t even remember me? No wonder you’ve got the guts to challenge me tonight.”
“What…?”
“Old Han, I haven’t had it any easier than you,” Chen Junnan chuckled wryly. “Seven damn years—you take the stage, I take the stage. We’ve been stuck in the same cycle…”
“Bullshit!” Han Yimo grabbed Chen Junnan’s collar. “You’re the reason I’m like this! Because of you… I’ve been trapped for seven years!”
“Is that so bad?” Chen Junnan asked. “Don’t you feel like a damn superhero? Knowing everything about *that day*?”
Han Yimo slowly released his grip, his expression twisted in pain.
“Chen Junnan… you’re insane, but I’m not…” His voice trembled slightly. “To keep from losing my mind… I had to keep finding new things to do…”
“Oh?” Chen Junnan smirked. “So what’s your gig now? Forum moderator? Game streamer? Or something even weirder?”
Han Yimo refused to answer.
“Chen Junnan, just… stop causing trouble,” he muttered, turning away. “This time… we might actually have a chance to escape. Qi Xia—don’t you think he’s like some kind of savior? He’ll lead us out…”
At those words, Chen Junnan’s expression shifted.
He’d assumed they were in the same boat, but Han Yimo was far worse off.
*”This man called Qi Xia”?*
Had Han Yimo forgotten Qi Xia?
If he didn’t even remember Qi Xia, how had he held on this long?
“A savior, huh?” Chen Junnan nodded. “You’re right. Old Qi *does* seem like one. Don’t worry—I won’t mess things up.”
“Really…?” Han Yimo eyed him skeptically.
“Yeah. What happened before won’t happen again.”
Han Yimo hesitated, then nodded and turned back toward the classroom.
Watching him leave, Chen Junnan felt a pang of guilt.
For everyone here, the “Land of the End” wasn’t the real terror. Neither were the “Zodiacs” or the “games.”
The real horror was *giving up*.
Chen Junnan glanced out the window, shook his head, and was about to return when he spotted a shadowy figure in the darkness.
Lin Qin.
“Well, well,” he grinned. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing eavesdropping on men’s talk at this hour?”
“Sorry,” Lin Qin stepped into the light. “I know I shouldn’t have, but… I did it on purpose.”
“Damn, bold move,” Chen Junnan replied lightly, though his eyes stayed sharp. “Mind telling me why?”
He knew this woman was dangerous.
She’d appeared alongside Qi Xia the second time he showed up.
Back then, seeing Qi Xia again, Chen Junnan had nearly lost his mind—laughing in sheer despair.
But to his shock, Qi Xia wasn’t a hallucination. He was *real*.
So… who the hell was *she*?
Someone who could just waltz into another’s interview room… was no ordinary person.
“Chen Junnan, I just wanted to confirm your motives,” Lin Qin said. “To see if we’ll be fighting or cooperating each round.”
“And *your* motive?” he shot back.
“I need to follow Qi Xia to find a way out.”
“Why are you so sure he can get us out?” Chen Junnan smirked.
“That… I can’t say.” Lin Qin’s gaze remained guarded.
She knew this man retained far too many memories. His “Echo” triggered too easily—he might even remember things from *before* the seven years.
Which meant his “Sacrificial” ability wasn’t activated by her.
He *chose* to die.
“Fine, keep your secrets.” Chen Junnan shrugged. “My purpose is simple—I *will* get Old Qi and Old Qiao out.”
“Then our goals overlap significantly,” Lin Qin nodded. “I hope you’re not lying.”
“Relax. I’m not like Old Qi.”
Lin Qin gave a vague nod.
“By the way, I’m Lin Qin, of the ‘Extremists.’ Have you really never met me before?”
“Nope.”
She nodded again and turned to leave.
Chen Junnan stared out at the night, muttering in confusion, “What the hell is an ‘Extremist’? Staying locked up all these years… I had no idea the Land of the End had changed this much.”
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