Chapter 30: The Human Rat

"The whole family is screwed, another lunatic." Qiao Jia Jin spat on the ground. "I have a feeling that if we stay here too long, we'll go crazy too."

Qi Xia was deeply bothered by this old man.

"Qi Xia, are you okay?" Lin Geng asked from the side.

"I'm fine." Qi Xia steadied himself. "These people won't stop me. I'm going to participate in the 'Youxi.' You don't have to come along."

"I'll go with you." Lin Geng said. "No matter what 'Youxi' you're joining, I'll go with you."

Hearing this, Qi Xia slowly came to a stop. He turned around and gave Lin Geng a cold stare.

That icy gaze startled Lin Geng.

"W-what's wrong?"

"Lin Geng, what's your motive?"

"Motive?" Lin Geng asked in confusion. "Do I need a motive?"

Qi Xia stared into Lin Geng's eyes again and said, "Why are you approaching me? No matter how you look at it, you should be with the other group, right? The three of us aren't on the same path as you, and we shouldn't be companions."

Hearing Qi Xia's question, Lin Geng just smiled faintly and said, "I've told you, I'm interested in you. I want to know what you're thinking."

"I want to get out." Qi Xia replied without hesitation. "I've said it many times—I want to get out and see my wife. She can't be without me. Do you understand?"

Lin Geng blinked and replied, "I understand."

"My wife is called Yu Nian An. She's suffered for me, endured hardships for me. She's my entire life's longing, so I have to go back to her. That's all I'm thinking about. Is that clear enough?"

"It's clear."

"Now that you know what I'm thinking, aren't you going to leave?" Qi Xia said coldly.

Lin Geng lowered her head slightly, thought for a long time, and then replied, "I'm sorry, but for certain reasons, I still can't go."

Qi Xia frowned at Lin Geng. Although he didn't sense any danger or lies from her, he still couldn't figure out her purpose.

"Suit yourself..." Seeing he couldn't convince this woman, Qi Xia turned around and continued walking forward.

Qiao Jia Jin followed Qi Xia and said, "Kid, we had a deal—you've got the brains, I've got the brawn. Let's cooperate."

"Do you have a reason you have to get out too?"

"Yes." Qiao Jia Jin nodded. "I don't want to die, but I also don't want to just sit and wait for it."

"Cooperation is fine, but I'll say this upfront." Qi Xia glanced at Qiao Jia Jin and continued, "We have no prior connection. If only one person can get out in the end, I'll abandon you without a second thought."

"You... don't you have any sense of loyalty?" Qiao Jia Jin shook his head helplessly. "You're really not likable."

Listening to their conversation, Tian Tian silently lowered her head.

It seemed like everyone had a clear goal.

But compared to them, what was she doing?

Suppose she managed to overcome everything and escape this hellish place.

Suppose she really returned to the real world and went back to her original life—would she just go back to those dreary days, embracing those filthy old men?

Thinking about it that way... maybe "dying here" wouldn't be such a bad ending.

"Tian Tian, what's wrong?" Lin Geng asked.

"Nothing."

Leaving the square, the group arrived at a street on the other side.

This street was different from the one with the convenience store—it seemed to consist of small residential houses, low buildings jumbled together, unclear if anyone lived there.

After walking a few steps, the four of them spotted another animal mask figure.

The person was standing at the door of an old room, hands behind their back.

Qi Xia walked straight toward them.

Getting closer, he saw that this person wore a huge rat mask, emitting a foul odor. But their build was slim and small, not as muscular as the other animal mask figures they'd seen.

Qiao Jia Jin spoke up: "'Shu Ren,' right?"

The rat-headed figure finally noticed the four of them, then smiled and said, "I'm not 'Shu Ren'; I'm 'Ren Shu,' okay."

Her voice was pleasant—it was a girl's.

This was the first time they'd encountered an animal mask worn by a woman.

"You punk, don't get cocky..." Qiao Jia Jin said irritably. "I don't care what you are."

"'Ren Shu' is 'Ren Shu'—get it wrong and it's trouble." The girl chuckled. "It's rare to have visitors here. Do you want to participate in the 'Kaoyan'?"

Qi Xia looked at the house behind Ren Shu and asked her, "What's the rule?"

"The rat-type 'Kaoyan,' entry fee one 'Dao.'" Ren Shu explained gently, like a patient salesperson. "You won't find a 'Kaoyan' this easy in other districts."

"So, what's the game behind you?" Qi Xia asked again.

Ren Shu turned and pushed open the door, stepping inside. It was a small warehouse.

"My game is called 'Cangku Xun Dao.' Right now, there's one 'Dao' in this room. Only one person can enter, and if you find the 'Dao' within five minutes, you win, and that 'Dao' is yours."

Qi Xia felt something was off, so he asked, "What if we don't find it?"

"Don't find it?" Ren Shu let out a light laugh. "If you don't, your entry fee is forfeited, and you lose one 'Dao.'"

"Lose one 'Dao'?" Qi Xia was stunned. "That's it?"

"What else could it be?" Ren Shu looked at Qi Xia in confusion.

What was going on?

Qi Xia furrowed his brow and thought carefully. Entry fee: one 'Dao.' Win: get one 'Dao.' Lose: lose one 'Dao.'

This game felt inconsistent. It didn't seem to gain more 'Dao,' and it wouldn't lead to death.

So, what was the point of participating in these games?

"Isn't this a good opportunity?" Tian Tian said. "We can use this to learn more about our situation."

"But..." Qi Xia still had doubts. Even if they won this time, what would it prove?

"I can go first and try." Tian Tian turned to Qi Xia and said, "If I die, it doesn't matter."

"What kind of talk is that?" Lin Geng sensed something was off with Tian Tian.

"Really." Tian Tian said calmly, "I just figured it out. Whether I get out or not, it doesn't make much difference to me."

With that, she asked Qi Xia for a 'Dao,' turned, and handed it to Ren Shu.

"Is that all?" Tian Tian asked.

"Yes, I've received the entry fee. The game starts once you enter the room." Ren Shu nodded enthusiastically. "Let me reiterate the rules: There's one 'Dao' in this room. If you find it and bring it out within five minutes, it's yours."

"Okay, I understand." Tian Tian nodded again.

"Are you ready?" Ren Shu asked.

"Ready." Tian Tian nodded.

"Great." Ren Shu said. "The game begins. Good luck."

With that, she closed the door.