Plan A
Mist Map 22
The End
Why would the murderer love her? Su Xin didn’t know the answer to this question either.
But it was an emotion that could be very clearly sensed. Su Xin was relatively slow-witted, but this slowness was targeted. Towards people she knew or was familiar with, she could be said to maintain a state of blindness, unable to think in other directions. But it was different with strangers; she would be very sensitive in perceiving the other person’s emotions.
One day, the reason would be known; the truth would surely come to light1.
The man who came out this time still didn’t know anything. Including her, there had been a total of 11 people on the expedition back then. Among the few people she had contacted so far, it seemed only the Captain and she were still persistently engaged in activities related to ancient cultural relics.
The original host worked directly in a museum, while the Captain chose to rush about to various places. The others who had been rescued or had unfortunately passed away had all taken up other activities unrelated to ancient cultural relics or ruins.
The man who had awoken from his coma reacted much like Zhang Shuyi, largely the same, with minor differences, only not as exaggerated as Zhang Shuyi, nor did he have Zhang Shuyi’s severe after-effects. As for other things, he still knew nothing about the subject2; nothing had been found out.
This time, the answer the murderer told her was the connection between the four characters Xiao Xiaoru had seen before she died and the characters carved on the wall, as well as their meaning.
NI KI MO DO
“These are four characters that our clansmen chant during sacrificial rites. The meaning they represent is eternal life.”
Su Xin had long lost interest in this answer because the old expert she had sought help from before had told her that those characters had already been deciphered. Although he hadn’t explicitly told her what they meant, he had told her they should be used for sacrificial rites and prayers for blessings.
Eternal life? This kind of thing was truly laughable. What era did he think he was in now? Technology was so advanced; everyone clearly knew that the human body undergoes metabolism, and organs would gradually fail later on.
If you went to any elementary school now and asked the students if people could live forever, the answer they would tell you would definitely be no.
Can people live on forever? Of course, it’s impossible to live on forever. Only monsters can reach the state of eternal life, and so far, this kind of monster has never appeared because it violates the laws of natural science.
If eternal life truly appeared, it absolutely wouldn’t be through such ancient, feudal, and barbaric methods to continue life, but rather by using modern scientific methods to modify human cells.
Only after all six people were dealt with did Su Xin end her repeated efforts of rushing about.
Although the Captain breathed a sigh of relief, he still didn’t dare to relax, because the murderer had not yet appeared, and his final target was close at hand.
The secret hidden in the Mist Map was the place where the treasure of eternal life could be found. It was said to be a map; as long as someone could decipher it, they could obtain the treasure of eternal life and a large batch of riches.
Up to this point, all the riddles had been revealed.
Xiao Xiaoru was initially approached by the murderer and coerced, then forced to agree to cooperate, monitor the original host, and tamper with her phone and watch.
Of course, Xiao Xiaoru was unwilling to be controlled by the murderer like this, so he intended to unite with one of the murderer’s accomplices to prepare a rebellion—though it couldn’t exactly be called a rebellion. It was more like first feigning agreement with the murderer’s plan, then escaping when the murderer wasn’t paying attention.
But their mission seemed to have failed. Their mission initially was to lure the original host alone into the underground palace to meet the murderer, but Xiao Xiaoru, wanting to escape quickly en route, couldn’t possibly bring Su Xin and the other one along.
The Mist Map was with the murderer.
“I don’t believe in this eternal life stuff at all. They are truly too ignorant, and such a person actually vainly hopes to rule over me.”
The young man’s lighthearted voice sounded from the other side.
“This time, I don’t want to play games with you anymore. The game between us is already over. But I want to ask you out to meet. I hope you can dress up a bit prettier. I think we can have a very wonderful date. You know what bargaining chips I have in my hand; that thing is what you’ve always wanted, right? I know you are very, very persistent about it. As long as you come to see me, I will give it to you. The time is tomorrow, the place is that coffee shop on Yinguang Road3.”
If there were no mission restrictions, Su Xin would still go to meet this murderer.
She wanted to see what trick he was really up to4.
The worst outcome would be an explosion. Su Xin wasn’t afraid; as long as she completed the mission before her life ended, that would be enough.
“I’m on a date with you alone, so I only want to see you alone. Tell those meddlesome police and that friend who’s always by your side not to stick so close to you, okay? Otherwise, the owner of that coffee shop, the owner’s wife, and his whole family will… And don’t forget, I still have someone in my hands, right?”
Lin Qiaoying5.
This was a naked threat. The Captain, listening to the phone call beside her, gnashed his teeth in anger.
The most powerless moment for the police was this. The criminal was clearly not far away, and he clearly could arrest him, but he absolutely could not act rashly, because the murderer had a hostage.
The murderer was an outlaw, who could disregard those lives, because one more life meant nothing to these murderers anymore; they would give up on themselves when in a desperate situation6. But they couldn’t, because they were the people’s police, and their responsibility was to protect those legal citizens protected by the country’s laws.
“I believe you shouldn’t expect me to have any conscience left. After all, a few lives really don’t matter to me; I have more than five lives on my hands. Do you know why I was able to escape from that mountain? Do you know why I could survive unscathed after the ritual was destroyed? And do you know why half of my face is disfigured?”
“Of course, it’s because I killed all those who vainly attempted to sanction me.”
The young man on the other side revealed a pleased expression. Back then, he had killed his own clansmen one by one. After so many years of changes, his clan didn’t have many people left anyway; to him, it was merely twenty or thirty lives.
This world wasn’t too kind to him, so why should he show mercy to others? Those who treated him with contempt deserved his punishment.
“It seems I’ve said a lot this time. Anyway, tomorrow at three in the afternoon, Yinguang Coffee Shop, I’ll be waiting for you. I hope you can dress up a bit prettier; after all, you are the most beautiful in my heart. If you could be even more beautiful, that would be even better. I hope that when you leave with me, you will also maintain your most beautiful appearance.”
Liao Qingjie wanted to hit someone after hearing this.
She was already imagining beating that person to a pulp. She hoped the Captain would give her this chance.
Regarding tomorrow’s situation, the heart of the one pretending to be a lover wasn’t just apprehensive; it should be very scared, extremely scared.
For the sake of the so-called bigger picture, she really couldn’t accompany her beloved. Could she only guard from afar on the periphery, clear out the surrounding people, and then use binoculars to stare intently at the situation inside, yet be unable to get close and do anything?
Damn accomplice.
That night, Su Xin appeared exceptionally calm. After finishing dinner and taking a shower, she sat on the bed drying her hair.
“You… don’t be afraid.”
Liao Qingjie didn’t know how to comfort her beloved; she felt that she herself needed comfort right now, her mood in a very unstable state.
“Which eye of yours sees that I’m afraid? On the contrary, I’m very excited. I’ve waited for this moment for too long. Actually, I don’t like him playing these dawdling games with me.”
Su Xin was truly in a very good mood, even wanting to hum a song. Her mission was almost complete; she just needed to find the Mist Map.
The original host’s wish was only to find the Mist Map; no subsequent repairs were needed. She just needed to touch it.
Su Xin had been waiting for tomorrow for a long time.
Liao Qingjie felt helpless. Her beloved was truly very, very special. It was precisely because of her specialness that her anxiety wasn’t too deep.
“You will definitely be able to come back safely tomorrow. We will all be outside protecting you.”
Liao Qingjie could only keep comforting herself, hating only that she couldn’t go into battle herself.
Su Xin didn’t seem to need her comfort or worry; on the contrary, it was she herself whose state was rather off.
“I’m not too sure about that. But is it very important to you?”
“Of course, it’s very important,” Liao Qingjie raised her voice, but noticing her emotions were a bit off, her voice lowered again, “We’ve been together for so many days. Although we can’t say we’ve shared life and death together, at least we’ve faced dangers together, right? So we should be very good friends, right?”
“Mm, friends.”
Su Xin continued to dry her hair, nodding absently.
From the moment she received this world’s mission, from the first instant she opened her eyes, she actually hadn’t planned on making any friends in this world.
Was it important? Not important at all.
The most important thing was how she would end all of this before her, catch the last person, and then find what she wanted.
“I know you’re very capable, much more capable than you appear. So you can definitely come out safely, right… Even if…”
Even if that murderer might have prepared something to perish together with you.
They all actually knew clearly in their hearts that if the murderer really carried such a dangerous item, they wouldn’t be able to save Su Xin.
“I’m not sure. After all, no matter how capable I am, I can’t possibly dodge it. This is something we all know well.”
“Just take it as a request from me, your good friend? We can’t possibly let that murderer off so easily, letting him die just like that, right? Besides, after you come back tomorrow, I have something to tell you.”
Liao Qingjie still maintained her composure, even though she really felt like crying right now.
Hey, don’t show such an indifferent attitude towards your own life, okay?
Don’t you know, even if you don’t care, there will be other people in this world who care for you.
So, try hard, try hard, okay.
“Sleep.”
Su Xin never easily made promises, especially those she might never be able to fulfill.
Those promises made despite being unfulfillable were nothing but lies, letting some people hold onto unrealistic expectations. It was better not to give them hope from the beginning.
Su Xin hadn’t been cruel enough to say, ‘Actually, I’m already prepared to die. Actually, I never planned to come back alive,’ but she truly didn’t care about this life of hers anymore. To her, this was never a real world anyway. Even if she died here, she could wake up again somewhere else.
This wasn’t her life; she was just living the latter part of someone else’s.
The next afternoon, Su Xin went without makeup, wearing a shirt and jeans, not having dressed up meticulously. What a joke, the murderer tells her to dress up, so she should dress up?
This was just like some ridiculous arguments, saying that girls wear makeup for others to see. Hilarious, can’t I wear makeup for myself to see?
Su Xin’s mood this time was the same. You tell me to wear makeup, so I wear makeup? Bullsh*t7.
After almost a month and a half, Su Xin once again saw this young man.
The young man was dressed elegantly and appropriately, sitting in the coffee shop. If one didn’t look at the other side of his face, he looked just like a suave prince.
“You still didn’t listen.”
The young man smiled helplessly, looking at Su Xin with doting eyes, as if looking at his unreasonably petulant girlfriend.
Su Xin was disgusted by his gaze. Honestly, she didn’t want to have such an admirer.
“Let’s be straightforward. Stop with the pleasantries; I don’t like hearing them. It makes it seem like we’re so familiar. Take out what I want.”
Su Xin had nothing to pretend with this murderer. Isn’t it better to be simple and direct?
“Okay.”
The Mist Map was spread out on the coffee shop table. Su Xin’s fingertip touched it, and she heard a voice ring in her mind.
【Congratulations, Host, mission complete.】
Send me back to the system space later. I’ll solve the current trouble first, though I don’t think the possibility of me getting out of here alive is very high.
Even if she could successfully survive, she wouldn’t choose to stay in this world.
【Okay.】
“You really do care about it, don’t you? Does it have some charm? I’ve looked at it several times and don’t think it’s anything special. Besides, this doesn’t look like a map. If there really were treasures of eternal life and a large batch of riches, it would have been plundered clean long ago, right?”
There was some confusion in the young man’s tone.
“To be honest, I’m not interested in it anymore either.”
Su Xin changed her tune from just a moment ago when she was looking at the Mist Map very excitedly. Anyway, the mission was already accomplished; she wasn’t interested in these things anymore.
“Women indeed change their minds faster than flipping through a book8.”
“You should know this place is already surrounded, right?”
“Mm, heavily surrounded9, very tight.”
“Are you planning to let me go?”
“How could that be possible? There’s nothing left in this world to be attached to. I’m not interested in anything anymore, but I want to take one thing away from this world.”
“I’m not some ‘thing’.”
“Human life? In my eyes, it’s not much different from an object.”
“Then solve my last doubt: why are you so special to me?”
This should also be a question the original host was very puzzled about.
“I know you must have forgotten that six years ago, when you helped me up, you gave me a smile.”
That was probably the happiest moment the young man had ever felt. That very pretty girl had smiled at him and gently asked him, does it hurt?
That bit of unfamiliar warmth became even more precious in the tragic contrast that followed.
Truly… special.
The sound of the explosion was deafening. Liao Qingjie stood up immediately and rushed towards that place.
Actually, the Captain had long anticipated this result, because the murderer already harbored suicidal intent. He wasn’t planning to escape with a hostage, but wanted to die with her.
Today’s situation was inevitable, and could also be called heroic.
“Miss Bai is a great person.”
The Captain sighed. Perhaps this was what they called sacrificing oneself for a just cause.
Su Xin’s consciousness had already turned to nothingness at the moment of the explosion.
Next was the system’s routine transition.
“Lord Fourteen, I don’t know why, but I feel a bit tired.”
Su Xin stood in the system space, saying this to the system that could manifest a physical form.
“I always feel like something is missing in this world, but it also feels like nothing is missing.”
【No need to worry. After the memory blurring process, those feelings will disappear. Returning to the real world, real world cryosleep lifted. This mission world settlement is 12 months. Remaining lifespan is 109 months. Memory has been successfully blurred. Please enjoy, Host. We’ll see each other next month.】
Okay.
Lord Fourteen gazed at his sea of data, erasing a point of light.
Su Xin was much more formidable than Sun Yixiao, both in terms of combat power and intelligence. However, her emotional intelligence needed to be much lower than Sun Yixiao’s.
Even after repeated clearings, Sun Yixiao would stubbornly remember those things. Even if she didn’t remember, she would fall in love anew and continue to pursue passionately.
But Su Xin was different.
Perhaps this was the difference between loving and being loved.
Extra: Missed Opportunity
Liao Qingjie wore all black, holding a funeral for her beloved. Very few people attended; she kept vigil by the spirit tablet alone.
Old Mo couldn’t stand seeing her like this.
“Old Liao, this isn’t you at all. She was just a girl who never loved you, she didn’t even know your feelings. She was great, but that’s no reason for you to self-torment like this.”
Liao Qingjie didn’t speak. In just a few days, her figure had thinned considerably, her face haggard, her eyes like dry wells.
“Old Liao!”
“Shh, don’t speak so loudly here. Don’t wake her. Her sleep is actually very light, just like mine.”
Old Liu couldn’t forget Liao Qingjie’s voice and words when she had called him that day.
Liao Qingjie on the other end of the phone seemed to be crying.
She said, Old Liu, from today onwards, I no longer have anyone I can love.
She knew clearly that after that girl left her, no one else would ever occupy her heart.
There would never be such an existence again.
Liao Qingjie had truly wondered if things would have been different if she had spoken her heart that night, but she also knew very clearly that nothing would have been different. Her confession wouldn’t have—perhaps it would have caused some trouble, but it definitely wouldn’t have brought any happy emotions.
It was the first time she had liked someone so much, but before she could even say her feelings out loud, that person was already gone.
She wanted to crush that murderer’s bones to ashes, but there was no need for her to do anything; that body was already beyond viewing.
A heart full of love had nowhere to pour out, and neither did her hatred.
Perhaps this was what it meant to miss an opportunity. She should have won, having arrived by your side at just the right moment.
This was the right time, the right person, but the fruit of love never ripened; it was nipped in the bud.
Serves you right for being timid, for not making a move sooner, for being afraid of this and that.
If heaven could give her another chance to start over, this time, she absolutely wouldn’t let them miss each other again.
If everything could rewind and start over, she would definitely say those words.
I like you.
This time, when Su Xin woke up, she didn’t feel as comfortable as usual; instead, her head hurt a lot.
It felt like she had gone through something very tiring. Perhaps the mission in the last world wasn’t too smooth.
Su Xin couldn’t remember clearly. She thought absently while pouring herself a glass of water.
At this very moment, Qiu Qingqing also opened her eyes on the bed in her own room.
Receiving the recent memories made her feel very unhappy.
Having gone through so many worlds, only two had been failures; they hadn’t successfully gotten together.
Last time, Su Xin’s mind was entirely focused on completing the mission, with no mood to spare for thinking about other things.
Qiu Qingqing also remembered a lot of advice her good friend in that world had given her.
The dependence of love and the dependence of friendship are different. Your method was wrong from the very beginning.
Why don’t you try boldly? Perhaps there will be a different outcome. Of course, when you are familiar enough. Don’t you know her very well? If you know her, you’ll know what to do.
That voice was like a bewitchment, making Qiu Qingqing somewhat distracted and unsettled10.
Could she really do that? She had already waited for too long.
Illusion and reality intertwined. The satisfaction in the illusory world made her feel even emptier in reality.
Why couldn’t the reality become real?
If someone asked Su Xin what the most dumbfounding thing in the world was for her?
She would definitely answer, it must be her good friend confessing to her.
What the f*ck???
“Today doesn’t seem to be April Fool’s Day, right? You’re not joking with me, are you?”
“No, I’ve liked you for a long time. Can we try?”
“What kind of joke are you playing? This isn’t funny at all. Stop messing around, Qingqing. Hurry back to your room and read your books.”
“Why don’t you believe me?”
“Should I believe you?”
The atmosphere grew increasingly sticky. After Su Xin and Qiu Qingqing stared blankly at each other for a long time, Su Xin finally had to consider the fact that her good friend might not be joking.
But this wasn’t interesting at all.
Qiu Qingqing sighed and walked closer helplessly.
“You still don’t believe me even like this?”
A light kiss like a dragonfly skimming water, full of deep affection.
It must be because of the way she got out of bed today; all of this in front of her might be fake.
“I think you might be lovesick11 lately. You really need to seriously consider what you’ve said. If absolutely necessary, you can consider finding a partner. I won’t disturb you. I’ll give Boss a heads-up in advance. Either you leave, or I leave.”
Of course, Su Xin didn’t want to create a situation where they would never interact with each other again until death; that was impossible.
She just felt that the current situation wasn’t very good. Qiu Qingqing should calm down and think about some issues. She herself didn’t need to, because she had always been very calm.
Qiu Qingqing laughed. Indeed, one shouldn’t believe others’ words.
What bullsh*t candor.
Su Xin’s way of thinking was actually very simple, but the roles she assigned to people were also very fixed.
A good friend was a good friend; it was impossible for them to become lovers.
It was like an AB formula12; Su Xin had considered her a condition from the start, so it was impossible for her to become a result.
Su Xin would have casual s*x with strangers she found agreeable, but never with her.
She now had only three paths to take: one, let Su Xin leave, and they could never go back; two, let Su Xin suppress her feelings, and if she couldn’t hold back anymore, she would come running back on her own; three, restore the original state.
Their personalities weren’t actually very compatible, but Qiu Qingqing was dead set on doing this.
Fourteen, help me, Qiu Qingqing called out in her heart.
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