Chapter 873: Dong

Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore.

Jiang Ruoxue said with a mischievous smile: Honestly, even I didn't expect you to use Yinguo like that. As expected, smart people and carefree ones will make Huixiang produce completely different effects. If this Huixiang were yours, that would be great.

If this Huixiang really were mine... I'm afraid I'd be forever obsessed with what the most rational Yinguo is, and I probably wouldn't reach your level.

Is that so? Jiang Ruoxue nodded, then continued, But anyway, you've already figured it out, haven't you? Do you still need me to give you advice?

I'm just confused... I said, If Bai Yang isn't part of Shengxiao anymore... what will he become?

What's so confusing about that? Jiang Ruoxue raised an eyebrow and said, Just list out all the types of people in this place, and you'll get it.

List them...?

That's right. Jiang Ruoxue nodded. Then she held out her hand and counted on her fingers one by one: Besides Shengxiao, the other possibilities are Lüyi, Yuan Zhumin, Shen Shou, and Can Yu Zhe.

I was slightly stunned, feeling like my thoughts suddenly cleared up.

Jiang Ruoxue held up four fingers in front of me, then folded two of them down: Lüyi and Yuan Zhumin can't communicate or think, so Lao Sun wouldn't be friends with them. That means Bai Yang could become a Shen Shou or a Can Yu Zhe.

Yes... that makes sense. I nodded. I'm really not that smart; earlier, the sudden events had left my mind blank, but now that I've calmed down, my thoughts are much clearer.

Thinking about it this way...

Bai Yang is very likely to become a Shen Shou, I said seriously, because he once said he wanted to become something other than human... So, he's probably heading in the direction of Shen Shou from now on. He wouldn't end up as a Can Yu Zhe, right?

What? He's not going to be human anymore? Jiang Ruoxue exclaimed in surprise, What a strange ambition!

That's what he said himself. I replied.

I told Jiang Ruoxue everything about the theory Bai Yang had shared with me. She's my best friend, so I've never hidden anything from her—not even the meaning of "YNA".

He's quite the formidable character... Jiang Ruoxue sighed softly, Solving problems at the root... Why didn't I think of that?

So, you think he's impressive too? I asked.

Yes. Jiang Ruoxue nodded, It's like everyone else is figuring out how to earn money, but he just goes and robs a bank...

After saying that, she paused: That example might not be the best, but you get the idea.

Do you want to meet Bai Yang? I asked.

Take me to see Bai Yang? Jiang Ruoxue raised her eyebrows, Is that appropriate? You're the one who's socially anxious, and now you're organizing social gatherings?

What social gathering... I laughed at her teasing, It's because Bai Yang once discussed a profound topic with me, and I tried to help him understand it based on my own perspective... I just feel like something's missing.

A profound topic? Jiang Ruoxue was a bit surprised, What kind of deep discussion could you and Bai Yang have? The origin of the universe?

Uh... not quite that deep. I shook my head, He asked me what 'love' is, but Jiang Ruoxue, you know... I...

You're still single since birth. Jiang Ruoxue said bluntly.

Yeah... that's right.

Oh my god... She sighed deeply, Are you two okay? Two people who've never dated, both with such sharp minds, insisting on discussing what 'love' is? Couldn't you use those brains for something else?

Uh... I... well, I said, awkwardly smoothing my hair, Bai Yang has taught me a lot, and this is the first time he's asked me for help... Even though I haven't experienced it, I've at least watched some dramas.

But why did he suddenly ask about that? Jiang Ruoxue changed the subject, Does he have feelings for you?

After thinking it over, I said, Honestly, I don't feel like he has any interest in me at all... In his eyes, I might just be a clever dog.

I also told Jiang Ruoxue about what Bai Yang had said regarding "hypnosis", and at that moment, she fell into deep thought.

Hold on... 'Love'... 'hypnosis'... and a strong motive? She seemed to piece it together and quickly tugged at my clothes, This isn't good, Zhichun. When was the last time you talked to him about this?

Uh... about two years ago.

Two years... that could be tricky. Jiang Ruoxue said, I don't know if we can still fix it. Hurry, take me to find him!

We can do that, but what's the problem exactly? I asked.

I'm worried that the 'love' you described to him in theory was too perfect. Jiang Ruoxue said, In this world, anything too perfect doesn't hold up.

At her insistence, that very afternoon, I took Jiang Ruoxue to Bai Yang's game site.

Truth be told, it was my first time looking for Bai Yang in the afternoon. When we arrived at the game site, we noticed bloodstains around the entrance, as if someone had died there.

But could people die in a "human-level game"?

Bai Yang was standing there, leaning against the door of his game site, his feet in the bloodstains, staring blankly at the mirror.

He was acting differently from before. In the morning, he would mutter to himself in front of the mirror, but now he seemed deep in thought.

Is that him? Jiang Ruoxue asked.

Yes... but something seems off... I said.

Bai Yang stared at the mirror for a long time without blinking, almost like he was asleep.

Hey! Jiang Ruoxue stepped forward and called out.

Bai Yang didn't react at all; he just kept staring blankly.

What's going on...? She turned back to me, puzzled.

I have no idea... I shook my head.

Hello? Jiang Ruoxue called out to Bai Yang again, Are you asleep? Hey?

But Bai Yang still didn't respond.

I have to say, Jiang Ruoxue's style is completely different from mine. If I were in this situation, I'd probably give up and avoid the awkwardness.

Instead, she walked right up, waved her hand in front of his face, and when he didn't respond, she reached out and knocked hard on the door behind him.

Knock, knock, knock!

Knock, knock, knock!

Bai Yang seemed startled by the loud noise and snapped out of it, looking at us. It was as if he had been in some deep self-hypnosis, just as he had mentioned.

The moment he saw us, he instinctively asked: Who is it?

So, Bai Yang is at work after all! Jiang Ruoxue said with a smile, I called for ages and you didn't answer—I thought Bai Yang wasn't working!