Chapter 405: The Bookworm

Yunyao looked at Zhang Chenze, and after a long while, she finally nodded.

"I understand, our paths are different," Yunyao said. "Since our ways diverge, we cannot scheme together—I can only wish you well."

"Yunyao… right?" Zhang Chenze confirmed.

"It's me."

"Even though I don't know what your plan is exactly, I've been through the game with Lin Qing, Qin Dingdong, and Su Shan, and I believe they are trustworthy people," Zhang Chenze said earnestly. "You haven't played the game with Lin Qing, so you shouldn't criticize her actions."

Yunyao's eyes gradually dimmed, and she replied, "You're right, I apologize, but this is a hurdle in my heart. Because of 'Jidao,' I've lost teammates over and over again—that pain is unbearable."

"It's okay…" Lin Qing nodded and said, "The 'Jidao' now is nothing like the original 'Jidao.' My way of doing things is different from theirs."

After speaking, she glanced sadly at Su Shan's body and turned to Yunyao. "Have you decided where you're going?"

"Mm…" Yunyao nodded. "From when we played the Dishe game before, I remember the game area was huge, divided into many small rooms. I think we can use that as our first hideout."

At that moment, Tiantian stepped forward and looked at everyone's injuries. "You all seem hurt… Are you sure you won with us?"

Li Xiangling, standing behind, glanced at Lin Qing's right leg and said, "Sis, I know a bit about setting bones. I can give you some basic treatment."

Lin Qing and Qin Dingdong exchanged a glance. They didn't have a great impression of Yunyao, but heading back to "Tianguang Kou" in their current condition would definitely be troublesome.

"Even if we don't see Zhao Yisheng…" Lin Qing said, "We need to go back and find Qi Xia first—there's something we have to ask him about."

"Qi Xia?" Yunyao shook her head silently after hearing that. "If I'm not mistaken, Qi Xia didn't return to 'Tianguang Kou' last night. He went to 'Mao' with Qiao Jiajin and Officer Li, and later Chen Junnan followed them. They should still be there."

"What? That bastard Chen Junnan went too?!" Qin Dingdong was stunned. "Is he really just avoiding me? He shows up when I look for him, and leaves when I arrive—what a pain in the ass."

"So, what's your plan…?" Li Xiangling asked. "Lin Qing Jiejie's injury is serious; walking back could be dangerous…"

"Since Qi Xia isn't at 'Tianguang Kou,' there's no real need for us to go back," Lin Qing said, turning to Li Xiangling. "Can you help stabilize my right leg? I'll head to 'Mao' later to find Qi Xia."

"No problem, Lin Qing Jiejie," Li Xiangling nodded.

"Then, can we go with you all to that Dishe game area first?" Lin Qing asked Yunyao.

"It's… possible," Yunyao said. "Don't take what I said earlier to heart; I just…"

"It's fine." Lin Qing smiled slightly. "From your micro-expressions, I can tell what you're thinking. You've just been hurt by betrayal too many times."

Yunyao nodded with a bitter smile.

Just as the six of them had agreed to leave, they turned around and were startled to see a strange man standing in front of them.

The man's figure didn't seem to appear out of nowhere; it was as if he'd been there all along, staring blankly at a screen.

He had a pale face, messy hair, and thick black-framed glasses. In his left hand, he held a copy of "Boyi Lun," and he wore a slightly wrinkled white shirt with the hem tucked into his pants, despite not being very old.

"Sorry… very sorry…" the man stammered. "I just heard you mention 'Dishe,' right? I mean… sorry to interrupt… but do you have any news about him?"

Seeing the man's face, Qin Dingdong sucked in a breath and subtly stepped back half a pace.

These past few days had been absolutely insane.

"Baigui Yexing is an understatement…"

Qin Dingdong thought to herself, scanning around and considering ways to escape.

Yunyao frowned slightly at the sight of him. She realized that anyone who could appear so silently nearby was no ordinary person—even the naturally perceptive Li Xiangling hadn't noticed him, so they needed to tread carefully.

"We… did mention 'Dishe' just now," Yunyao said. "We were saying we want to go play his game. Do you want to join?"

"Oh yes… yes…" The man nodded and adjusted his glasses. "You ladies… I mean, you people should go play Dishe's game… Dishe does have games, that makes sense."

From that brief exchange, Yunyao sensed that this man was like a "native resident." His thinking seemed off, but he didn't have any "echoes."

"So, are you going too?" Yunyao asked again.

"Me? Am I going?" The man looked awkwardly at Yunyao and stammered once more. "Ah, I won't go… It's no use if I go; I need to find someone."

"Who are you… looking for?" Yunyao asked.

"Find… who am I looking for?" The man seemed confused. "Who was I looking for? I don't even know that person… Oh right… How can I find someone I don't know…"

"Then, what's your reason for looking…?" Lin Qing asked from the side.

The man's expression slowly turned cold. "My research materials… my experimental samples are running out… Without Dishe, I can't continue… What am I going to do…"

He slowly raised a hand to grab his hair, making his already messy hairstyle even more disheveled.

"What am I going to do?! How many Dishe are left?! The experimental samples can't run out!"

How many Dishe are left…?

The women all frowned. Did this mean he'd made deals with various Dishe?

"Don't pay attention to him…" Lin Qing whispered. "This guy's too weird; let's go."

"Mm." Yunyao nodded and signaled to Tiantian and Li Xiangling with her eyes.

As the group started to leave, they noticed Qin Dingdong had already backed away several steps.

"Hey…" The man turned his head toward Qin Dingdong's direction, narrowing his eyes and examining her closely. "Sorry… why are you so far from me?"

"Ah?!" Qin Dingdong was startled. "I… I'm not… I've been standing right here…"

"Wait…" The man adjusted his glasses and scrutinized Qin Dingdong. "Sorry, what did you… just say?"

"I said I've been standing right here…" Qin Dingdong repeated.

"You said you saw me eight years ago?!" The man suddenly widened his eyes and shouted in shock. "Are you trying to trick me?!"

"What the hell…" Qin Dingdong realized something was wrong and turned to run.

The man widened his eyes and waved his hand slightly, causing vines to sprout instantly from Qin Dingdong's feet, tripping her to the ground.