Players, Please Board the Train

They exchanged glances, both understanding the unspoken message.

Nie Xuan sighed, ”An individual’s strength is truly too weak. Relying on the nation is the best choice.”

”The nation can certainly be relied upon, but not every person in this nation is reliable.” Xu Huo finished his drink and patted Nie Xuan’s shoulder. ”When you elevate your expectations of individuals to the level of the nation, problems will inevitably arise sooner or later.”

Nie Xuan stared at his retreating back for two seconds before turning back with a smile, mimicking his gesture of rolling the glass.

After leaving the bar, Xu Huo tried to hail a taxi home, but every driver who heard his destination refused.

”We don’t drive to densely populated residential areas at night, young man. You’ll have to find another way.”

Fortunately, the subway was still running. Xu Huo tightened his shoelaces and ran toward the nearest station.

The subway was sparsely populated, with people keeping considerable distance from each other. They frequently glanced at the newly installed real-time surveillance cameras and the several security guards present.

Xu Huo found a seat and took out his phone to check messages. First was Team Leader Wu informing him about his family moving into a secure residential area, followed by concerned messages from his parents. Ms. Fang reminded him to remember to visit his psychologist.

There was also a thank-you message from Zhou Ning, who mentioned she had found a glove-type item in the game and told him he could collect it from her anytime.Another message was from Yan Jiayu, saying she had discovered a very interesting random dungeon in a neighboring city and inviting him to join her.

The message was sent on the day he entered the Hundred-Person Art Gallery. There had been no follow-up in recent days, suggesting she had gone in alone.

He turned off his phone and leaned back, dozing off.

At that moment, a person sitting at the other end of the bench who had been covering his face with a hat removed it and was about to stand up when he suddenly heard someone say, ”You’d better stay right where you are.”

The hat man jerked his head around to see the man who had appeared drowsy moments ago now looking at him sideways, his cold gaze conveying displeasure at being disturbed.

The hat man froze, then obediently sat back down.

Xu Huo closed his eyes again.

”Next stop: Egret Park. Passengers disembarking, please watch your step.” Half an hour later, the subway arrived at the station.

Xu Huo stood up and got off. The hat man hesitated but did not disembark.

Returning to his rented apartment, he had just opened the door when a kitchen knife came flying toward him.

Catching the knife mid-air, Xu Huo casually placed it on the nearby shoe cabinet and said to the person inside, ”Passed the Preliminary Trial Train?”

”Cousin, you’re so clever, knowing I would definitely pass the preliminary trial smoothly.” Yu Qingqing put down another knife and walked over smiling to fetch his slippers. ”I’ve been at your place for a day. Did you just return from a dungeon? Where’s that annoying Lichun? Is she dead?”

The Painting Woman materialized behind Xu Huo, peeking her head out.

Yu Qingqing snorted and pointed to the cold food on the table. ”Look, I made this. I learned from the head chef on the Preliminary Trial Train.”

Xu Huo glanced at her. ”You’re quite wealthy.”

”Of course. Before boarding, I transferred all the money from Mom’s account to mine.” Yu Qingqing said proudly. ”Money makes the mare go. The Preliminary Trial Train wasn’t as difficult as people say.”

”Call your mother. Don’t let her spam me with messages.” Xu Huo sat down at the table.

Yu Qingqing snatched the Painting Woman’s chopsticks, broke them, and threw them in the trash, ignoring her pitiful expression. ”I won’t. She wants me to go back and meet that Tang Guangbo. I don’t like him.”

Xu Huo remained calm and signaled for the Painting Woman to get another pair of chopsticks. ”If you don’t like him, don’t meet him, and don’t accept anything from him either.”

Yu Qingqing nodded repeatedly, sitting beside him with her cheeks cupped in her hands, her eyes sparkling. ”Do you know what my profession is?”

Without waiting for Xu Huo to ask, she answered herself, ”Psychological Analyst. What do you think? Doesn’t it suit me perfectly?”

”Using my characteristics, I can quickly analyze a person’s current psychological state. Cousin, you haven’t slept for days—why do you look so excited?”

Xu Huo lifted his eyelids to glance at her. ”What else do you see?”

”Hmm... I also see that you’ve been single for over twenty years and need a girlfriend. I have many friends who admire you. Should I introduce one to you?”

”Then did you see that if you don’t shut up within three seconds, you’re definitely going to get a beating?” Xu Huo looked at her coolly. ”Now that you’re a player, you won’t die easily.”

Yu Qingqing shrank back slightly, but soon her smile faded. Her posture relaxed, yet her eyes turned sharp. ”Last time, you told Lichun to hit me.”

”You’re welcome to challenge me when you can beat me.” Xu Huo put down his chopsticks and said seriously, ”Yu Qingqing, pretending won’t fool others or yourself. Since you’ve entered the game, see yourself clearly sooner.”

”How can you be sure I’m deceiving myself?” Yu Qingqing sneered coldly. ”I have the ability to protect myself.”

Xu Huo stared at her for a few seconds before saying, ”Genuine schizophrenia doesn’t present like you. Besides, I’m not schizophrenic either.”

Yu Qingqing raised her chin. ”I know you’re not, and I’m not imitating you.”

Xu Huo rubbed his temples and stood up. ”If there’s nothing else, go home early. Also, don’t install tracking systems on my phone. Tell your friend to go back. He has the same scented water as you. Next time you go out on business, use cleaning solution to wipe it off first.”

Yu Qingqing stormed out as if insulted, slamming the door, but returned shortly to knock. Xu Huo, who had been halfway through clearing the dishes, went to open the door. The person outside had put on a smiling face again. ”Cousin, I want to stay at your place for a few days.”

Xu Huo reached out and patted her head. ”Come in.”

Yu Qingqing immediately ducked under his arm and entered, then began ordering the Painting Woman to wash the dishes.

The two of them bickered noisily. The Painting Woman had now mastered the voice function, adding another voice to the chaos during arguments. Xu Huo simply took a shower and went to his room to sleep.

But Yu Qingqing was right—he was in an excited state and couldn’t fall asleep at all.

He opened the game panel, took out the bottle of Dream Fulfillment Serum, confirmed it had sleep-inducing properties, and drank it.

After lying down again, he fell asleep within minutes.

...

”...Do you remember the patterns on these mahjong tiles?” In his field of vision, a tall doctor in a white coat was speaking.

A chubby little hand reached onto the table and flipped over a mahjong tile. The doctor laughed upon seeing it and praised, ”Good. What did the nails of the third person you encountered on your way from the ward to the treatment room look like?”

”Pinkish-white with many vertical lines.” a childish voice replied.

The doctor’s hand reached over, covering the upper view. The perspective swayed slightly with his movements.

”I want to go out and play with the puppy.” the childish voice said.

The doctor shook his head. ”You’re sick. Children who are ill shouldn’t like puppies. It could harm you.”

”The puppy doesn’t bite.”

”That has nothing to do with the puppy. Any strong emotional fluctuations are unhelpful for your condition. Here’s a puzzle. Can you find where the missing piece goes?”