Chapter 88: An Idol

“Kings don’t meet kings?” Yun Yao found the phrase rather intriguing. “Are you saying that Qi Xia… is as strong as you?”

“No, he’s far more powerful than I am.” Chu Tianqiu put the chalk back and took a seat. “But he hasn’t endured enough trials yet. If we want to harness his strength, we’ll have to wait for the right opportunity.”

After stepping outside, Jin Yuanxun glanced at Qi Xia, who was silently waiting by the door, his expression slightly awkward.

“Is he ready to see me?” Qi Xia asked.

“No…” Jin Yuanxun shook his head. “Brother Chu wants me to ask you a question, like that.”

“A question?” Qi Xia pondered for a moment before nodding. “Caution is wise. What does he want to ask?”

“Which day did you arrive here?”

Qi Xia frowned, finding the question rather odd.

There were countless questions Chu Tianqiu could have asked, yet he chose this one?

“I arrived here three days ago.”

“Three days ago…” Jin Yuanxun nodded. “Brother, wait a moment. I’ll go relay that.”

Qi Xia gave a solemn nod, though he was barely able to keep standing.

…

“Three days ago?” Chu Tianqiu chuckled. “That’s what he said?”

“Yes.” Jin Yuanxun nodded. “Ah, brother, we all got here three days ago, so it’s not strange, right? Like that… Should I ask anything else?”

“No need to engage with him further.” Chu Tianqiu said. “This time, he answered wrong. We don’t owe him another chance.”

“Huh?” Jin Yuanxun was stunned. “Brother… That guy looks seriously injured, like that. If we ignore him, he might…”

“Then let him die.”

“Uh…” Jin Yuanxun froze. “Brother… Didn’t you say…?”

“Not yet.” Chu Tianqiu glanced back at Yun Yao. “Yun Yao, help me see him off.”

“Got it.”

Yun Yao stretched lazily and stood up, walking toward the door.

“Aish… Brother, if we want to escape, shouldn’t we rely on strong allies, like that?” Jin Yuanxun looked utterly confused. “If that guy really is that powerful, why not let him join?”

“He *must* join us—just not now.” Chu Tianqiu smiled faintly. “Right now, Qi Xia is like a wounded snake. He despises everything here. He wants to survive, he wants to escape. In this state, he can’t be part of ‘Paradise,’ nor can we consider him an ally.”

Jin Yuanxun stood dumbfounded for a long moment before nodding hesitantly, as if he half-understood.

Yun Yao hadn’t walked far before spotting Qi Xia standing outside the courtyard. Half his clothes were soaked in blood—a gruesome sight.

“Qi Xia?” Yun Yao called.

“Yes.” Qi Xia nodded.

“Let me ask you—if the first five digits of a seven-character password are ‘YMWDH,’ what should the last two be?”

“‘MS.’” Qi Xia answered without hesitation. “Are all of you in ‘Paradise’ this bored?”

“Wait, seriously?” Yun Yao blinked in surprise. “You figured that out in *one second*?”

“English abbreviations for ‘Year, Month, Week, Day, Hour.’ Ordered by duration, the last two must be the initials for ‘Minute, Second.’” Qi Xia said flatly. “Is this ‘Paradise’s’ recruitment test?”

“Oh, no. Just my personal little challenge.” Yun Yao smiled brightly. “I adore clever people. We lost a teammate trying to crack this code.”

“Then it just proves ‘Paradise’ isn’t all that impressive.” Qi Xia retorted.

“No, it’s just that *I’m* not impressive.” Yun Yao shook her head, correcting him. “If Chu Tianqiu had taken the test, he’d have solved it in a second too.”

“So when do I get to meet Chu Tianqiu?” Qi Xia asked. “He’s kept me waiting twenty minutes already.”

“You won’t be meeting him.” Yun Yao beamed, her eyes curving mischievously. “You failed the ‘interview,’ so ‘Paradise’ won’t be taking you in.”

Qi Xia’s expression flickered with disbelief.

“So the first question *was* the interview.” He stared at Yun Yao. “And I answered it wrong?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Yun Yao pouted slightly. “Chu Tianqiu said you were wrong, so you were wrong.”

“I see.” Qi Xia nodded, turning to leave.

“Hey!” Yun Yao called after him. “Even if ‘Paradise’ won’t take you, *I* like you. I love helping down-and-out handsome guys. Want to stay as my ‘fake boyfriend’? I’m sure Chu Tianqiu wouldn’t mind.”

Qi Xia glanced back at her, his expression tinged with mockery. “Appreciate the thought.”

“So cold.” Yun Yao scratched her head, then pulled out a bottle of water from behind her. “Here, take this. Let’s be friends?”

Seeing the plastic bottle in her hand, Qi Xia swallowed dryly.

He hadn’t had water in nearly a day.

“I’ll owe you for this.” Qi Xia took the bottle, twisted off the cap, closed his eyes, and downed it in one go.

In his current state—severely wounded—even poison wouldn’t scare him.

“So sweet…” Qi Xia exhaled. “Guess I was thirstier than I thought.”

“It’s sweet because I took a sip earlier.” Yun Yao flashed a knowing smile. “Now we’ve ‘indirectly kissed,’ haven’t we?”

“Thanks for the water. I’ll repay you if I get the chance.” Qi Xia tossed the bottle aside and walked away.

Watching his retreating figure, Yun Yao felt a twinge of annoyance. “So rude. A top idol shows you kindness, and you just walk away?”

“He’s gone?” Chu Tianqiu’s voice came from behind her.

“Gone.”

“Did he give up?”

“Didn’t look like it. More like he made up his mind about something.” Yun Yao shook her head. “That guy’s really something. I think I’m falling for him.”

“Oh? Just two days ago, you said you liked *me*. Changing your heart so quickly?” Chu Tianqiu gave a wry smile. “I really can’t figure you out.”

“Don’t try to guess an idol’s heart.” Yun Yao shrugged. “Looking forward to the next time we meet Qi Xia.”

The two walked away from the gate, leaving the ruined campus in silence once more.

The boy named Jin Yuanxun resumed his post at the entrance, scanning the surroundings warily, as if nothing had happened.

Qi Xia found a broken wall, sat down, and rested for half an hour before standing again and walking down the road.

After this indirect encounter with Chu Tianqiu, he understood the “rules” of this damned place even more clearly.

The situation was far more complex than he’d imagined.

Now, he had only one thought left—to reach the edge of the city.

If there was any way to escape, it would be there.