Chapter 50

Did you hear me? I’m going to chase after you.

In the game, she had to test his acting skills to see how well he could endure. Qin Xiao Yi, with a serious face, looked at the marriage certificate. His Adam’s apple moved slightly. This was her push, forcing both herself and him to face this situation to see if his resolve would waver.

The Qin Xiao Yi before her overlapped with the image of Diao Zhi Yu, the sadness in him almost palpable, but he held himself together with great effort—a natural instinct for an actor: “Is your love sincere?”

“Without a second thought...”

“By signing this certificate, will you support each other and grow old together?”

Pei Zhen, not familiar with the role-playing game format, was unusually sincere: “I will treat him well, Minister Qin can rest assured.”

Qin Xiao Yi took up the pen, and his writing was vigorous, almost wild. The first few strokes were strong and steady, but the final stroke seemed to escape hurriedly.

He tossed the pen on the table, not even offering a single blessing. This fit his role in the game, a man with a small heart when it came to emotions. In the usual setting of Snowpiercer, when someone came to sign a marriage certificate, he would just show them the door.

All of this was for her.

As she was about to leave, pulling Pei Zhen with her, Qin Xiao Yi called out: “Doctor Liang, please wait.”

He took off a watch from his wrist and placed it on Hu Xiu’s hand: “As Rongcheng’s finance minister, I cannot be stingy with congratulatory gifts—this is a gift for you both.”

This was the same watch he had given her each time she visited. After becoming more familiar with her, Qin Xiao Yi had given it to Hu Xiu every time she came to play.

It didn’t take much thought to realize that Diao Zhi Yu had planned the storyline in advance. After signing the marriage certificate, the officiant would personally place the watch on her wrist and say a few vows.

This had been an unfulfilled wish of his last time, and this time, he had changed the ending himself. Qin Xiao Yi in Rongcheng would forever remain the man who loved but could not be loved in return.

Surprisingly, there were others joining the wedding officiating ceremony: Zhao Xiaorou and Li Rong.

Li Rong was a handsome young man with a delicate appearance, but a mischievous aura still clung to him. He began by saying his wedding vows: “I witnessed this lady’s elegance at the gambling table, and I believe she possesses the noble quality of a golden gem. I want to bring her home to be my lady.” His words made the audience laugh.

Zhao Xiaorou stood on tiptoe to grab the microphone: “Thanks to Officer Ning for officiating. A true man, always straightforward.”

It didn’t look like they had resolved their differences—rather, it seemed like a bit of a circus act. Ning Zechen, with a piece of straw in his mouth, looked at Zhao Xiaorou with a smirk, playing along with her.

Zhao Xiaorou then changed her tone: “Also, thanks to Mr. Huang Xiao for the marriage certificate. Though he seemed a bit unsure about marrying me, it’s his lack of decisiveness that gave me the opportunity.”

The kind-hearted Huang Xiao, holding a cane, sat in the audience—actually Li Ai. With just a few words, Zhao Xiaorou had struck a painful chord. He had stayed up all night helping her organize things, yet this was how she repaid him—she was clearly holding a grudge...

Hu Xiu took the microphone and glanced at Qin Xiao Yi, who was leaning against the bar, staring at the lights in the distance. She took a deep breath and, both in and out of character, said what she needed to:

“I’m Dr. Liang Min, a newcomer to Rongcheng. Perhaps I didn’t reach the position of director through entirely legitimate means, but I hold the highest respect for healing the sick and saving lives.

In this chaotic era, people suffer greatly from the ravages of war, and no one yearns more for stability than we do. Health is a luxury we can only dream of.

That’s why I chose to marry Mr. Lin. Outside of Rongcheng, he is an outstanding doctor.”

In 1934, becoming a female hospital director was a testament to the idea that what men can do, women can do too, and they must constantly improve.

The greatness of medicine lies not only in healing but in giving people hope. Using this microphone, I also wish for everyone to become someone who is loved. Adults might not need love, but humans definitely need affection.”

The audience below applauded. Some players, playing the murder mystery game so seriously and delivering such lines, found it puzzling.

Hu Xiu couldn’t explain why. But at that moment, she really wanted to express something through the microphone—her feelings toward Snowpiercer, her experiences at the hospital, the progress she made under Pei Zhen’s influence, and to prove to Pei Zhen that Snowpiercer is not just a game that worships money; through the guidance of the players, she could reach new heights and perspectives.

Pei Zhen, standing by, said nothing. His almost 1.9-meter tall frame, with his left hand holding his right wrist, seemed to be lost in thought. Lin Qiumei and Ning Zechen wore playful smiles on their faces.

Qin Shaoyi watched from below the stage, his face, now revealed after a haircut, exuding coldness and loneliness. His intense, deep eyes wouldn’t leave her, burning with tenderness that seemed almost too much to bear.

In a moment of daze, Hu Xiu felt that when his black curly hair hid his eyes and nose, it was as if he were afraid of letting people see that kind of deep affection—wet, like an arrow piercing the heart. No one could remain indifferent to it.

A hand gently turned her face. Pei Zhen cupped her face, his lips brushing her corner before shifting to her lips.

A commotion rose from the audience. Whistles sounded, and someone shouted, “Get together! Get together! Get together...”

She still held the marriage certificate in her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Qin Shaoyi remain still. She took a deep breath, then another. Half of her felt sweet, the other half sad. The two men were competing fiercely. Qin Shaoyi was trapped within the game, while Pei Zhen’s victory was not easily won.

Such a smart man, dealing with necrotic cells and cancer, could hardly be unaware of the emotional ripples in the air. The only thing he could do was seize the gaps where he could act.

None of the three had won, and neither had she.

Next, the new candidate for the director of Rongcheng was about to be announced. When Pei Zhen pulled out 300,000 yuan from his bag, Hu Xiu caught a glimpse of it. How could he get so much money without saying a word? It was an IQ wipeout.

Does this mean...

“Let us announce that Qin Shaoyi, the Minister of Finance of Rongcheng, has been elected as the next head of Rongcheng!”

Qin Shaoyi stood up, his face, which she had long been accustomed to, exuded loneliness and coldness. He had imprisoned Ning Zechen, executed Feng Youjin and Lin Qiumei, and the lights in the Palais des Sports dimmed.

A beam of light chased after him, scattering roses, and he smiled dejectedly. His slender fingers pulled a rose petal from his chest, tore it up, and threw it into the air. His facial features, previously hidden by his hair, now appeared clearly, his superior and cold expression visible. The scattered petals fell on his cheek like a drop of crimson tear.

Hu Xiu thought to herself that no matter whether Qin Shaoyi would ever belong to her, he would always be an unforgettable character in her life.

For many regular players, the battle royale segment was not scary at all. In the past, they were afraid of the dark mostly to find Qin Shaoyi, but now, knowing the terrain by heart, and even getting scared in the haunted house, she felt bored to the point of sleepiness.

Pei Zhen seemed to be looking for her, still thinking of protecting her? But she hadn’t seen Qin Shaoyi, and she didn’t have the intention of looking for him.

But it seemed that this was a 500-square-meter area, and since the room was getting darker and smaller, she could no longer see him.

“Do you really want to marry me in the game, or are you just using me to provoke Diao Zhi Yu?”

Pei Zhen suddenly appeared behind her, breaking through her mental shield. Then she heard him say, “Kill me.”

It seemed like he had something to say. In the dark, two glowing layers appeared, one orange and the other green. The green light on Pei Zhen’s face made Hu Xiu feel particularly... embarrassed.

“I didn’t want to say this, but I understand. All along, I’ve respected you, cautiously testing you at every opportunity. I’ve never been so humble.

I don’t mean to belittle Diao Zhi Yu, but I’ve never felt inferior. I came late, and he beat me to it in your heart. But if you’re using me to test him, I disagree.”

“It’s not fair. If you still have feelings for Diao Zhi Yu, I’ll definitely lose after three months abroad.”

“So...”

“Would you be willing to be my girlfriend?”

“Huh?”

“Normal competition between men, give me a chance to serve first, and I’ll consider it fair.

During my 100 days abroad, if he doesn’t budge, you’ll have enough time to give up and seriously date me. If he’s sincere enough, then he succeeds in stealing my girl. At least I’ll know I wasn’t just a substitute.”

Hu Xiu didn’t respond, the darkness giving her a chance to avoid eye contact. Her heart was as calm as a lake.

“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as a yes. I focus on academics, my interest in medicine exceeds my interest in people. I’m not willing to waste time on trivial things, and I won’t let my dignity be measured on a scale by others. Hu Xiu, this is my last bit of humility.”

“Agreeing now would truly humiliate you. Pei doctor, Snowpiercer is just a game. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.

In the next three months, I’ll be working hard. At the hospital, I’m neither up nor down, always led by the rules. The light you see is from Diao Zhi Yu. You saying this, I also find it unfair.

So, three months later, if you return and recognize my excellence, if you can see the light I emit, then confess your feelings. It won’t be too late then.

I don’t want to treat anyone’s feelings as a tool for amusement. If you truly want to pursue me, you have many flaws—

You have experience but little time, too stable emotions, and an air of an old hand. If you’re truly ready to pursue, from the day you return from the US, show me all you’ve got.”

Pei Zhen smiled, “Okay. You better keep your word.”

Someone walked by behind them, it was Zhao Xiaoru: “What the hell, you two died here talking in whispers?”

“Just some infighting.”

“Li Ai gave me a marriage certificate and wants to marry me, but I won’t give him that chance. Does he think I’ll just give in that easily? No one’s going to be played with like this.”

Zhao Xiaorou took out a knife: “Watch closely, I’ll be the last one standing today.”

She was true to her word. Not only that, but Li Ai was the one whose protective layer she had slashed with her own hand—his expression seemed to show that he was willing.

Hu Xiu never saw Qin Shaoyi again.

The game ended, and Qin Shaoyi escorted the players out, saying through the door gap: “I still have five more rounds, you all head back first.”

“Well played…” Pei Zhen looked at his phone; even doctors on January 1st didn’t get a holiday, and the hospital was pushing him to go for consultations.

Diao Zhiyu smiled: “You flatter me. Today is my last day playing Snowpiercer. I’ve resigned.”

Hu Xiu looked in shock as he closed the gates of Rongcheng.

Back at the hospital with Pei Zhen, Hu Xiu spent the afternoon writing a tutorial for the BEC intermediate and advanced exam. It was dry, really dry. Looking at the pile of documents in front of her, it seemed she hadn’t been to the simultaneous interpretation booth for over half a month.

When she got home, she curled up in bed, tossing and turning. Her mind was stuck on one thing she couldn’t get past—why did Diao Zhiyu resign from playing Qin Shaoyi?

Why did he resign from playing Qin Shaoyi? As a drama major in the acting department of Shanghai Theatre Academy, it was impossible for him to focus solely on a small stage like a murder mystery game. Moreover, as a young director, he was caught between commercial and artistic realms, full of ideas and energy. His work in Snowpiercer was long and restrictive, taking up too much of his time. Or perhaps he was being pursued by some rich woman and was tired of this business-like exchange of flesh... Or maybe it was because of her?

How could it be? She was just an ordinary player—if she were to boast, she might call herself a regular friend, or slightly more than that...

He was originally one of the most popular actors in Snowpiercer. If it was because of her that he felt defeated and thus decided to quit, wasn’t she deeply at fault?

She wasn’t worried about Diao Zhiyu losing his direction; she was more afraid that the two marriage contracts had made him feel defeated. She knew how devastating it could be to face defeat from someone close.

After midnight, Hu Xiu hesitated for a long time before pulling out her phone to text Diao Zhiyu: “I really didn’t expect today to be your last day as Qin Shaoyi... You probably haven’t finished work yet, but if you see my message on the way, just consider it a way to pass the time. Let me share a secret with you. Before I met you, at twenty-six, I was dumped.”

Just typing that much brought back that dark, hopeless period. During that time when she was unemployed, Zhao Xiaorou had forcibly thrown away the furniture she shared with several ex-boyfriends. In the desolate suburbs, they decided to part ways. “A woman who is kicked out of her home after ten years, her daughter won’t turn out any better.” You can be dumped, which shows you’re just like your mother, a disgrace circling around her ear. She had even once thought about ending it all.

Time wouldn’t carry her forward. At twenty-six, she had no money and had to force herself to make rent, and the meager income often made her feel like she only deserved to live such a humble existence. But she couldn’t tell him all of this, she didn’t want to play the victim.

“I won’t go into specifics, but my twenty-six was awful. At twenty-seven, I thought I’d just keep living like this, in despair.”

“But unexpectedly, I pulled myself together faster than I thought. It felt like my soul had been reinvigorated. Most of the time, I was running like crazy, in a frenzy, becoming a lively person again, even stronger than before... all because of you, Qin Shaoyi.”

“Empty enthusiasm may leave scars, but because of you, I felt the rush of emotions, the feeling of living, with blood, flesh, and a heartbeat. It’s living truly, more joyful than Li Donghai, luckier than any lottery. Even if Qin Shaoyi never appears again, I still have to thank you.”

“Thank you for appearing in my life.”

At 4 AM, her phone suddenly started vibrating incessantly. Most women living alone in the middle of the night would be scared by a phone call, and Hu Xiu was no exception.

Summoning the courage to answer, it was Diao Zhiyu. What on earth? Why call at 4 AM? Was he having a heart attack, or was he attacked by robbers? Did they have a blood feud?

“Hello?”

“Come downstairs...”

“Huh?”

“I’m downstairs at your building. Come down now.”

The tone was the same as when Qin Shaoyi was acting menacing in Rongcheng. Hu Xiu looked out the window in confusion, and there was Diao Zhiyu, holding his phone up, staring at her.

She rushed to brush her teeth and throw on a jacket, then almost tripped and fell down the stairs, her head throbbing from the pain.

She had stayed up all night the previous day, worked all day, and now he was coming to find her. The stamina of young people wasn’t meant to be used this way.

Oh, right, he had resigned, so he could sleep the next day. Why did he need to talk at this hour? He could have waited to talk during the day at REGARD.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Diao Zhiyu, dressed in a black down jacket, was there. As soon as Hu Xiu saw him, she sneezed.

“What’s going on?”

“Got a few questions for you.”

“Big brother, it’s four in the morning.”

Diao Zhiyu removed his down jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders and head, completely ignoring her protests: “Did you do it on purpose, signing the marriage contract with Pei Zhen?”

“Yes...”

“Is it because you were angry that I rejected you before? I never came to see you perform the play, letting you down again and again?”

“Yes...”

“Are you in a relationship with Pei Zhen?”

Hu Xiu took a deep breath but didn’t answer. The clouds parted, and the moon hung overhead. Diao Zhiyu’s face gradually tightened, his breath growing faster as he exhaled white mist. It seemed like he was getting anxious. Finally, Hu Xiu, irritated by his nonsense, snapped: “If there’s nothing else, I’m going back upstairs.”

“I have to admit, your methods are too deep. You made a fan sign to catch my attention, acted pitiful in the rain, continuously played murder mystery to get familiar with me; waited outside Snowpiercer for me to finish work, but never added me on WeChat, always waiting for me to make the first move;

“When I got used to having you in my life, you disappeared. I had to go to REGARD to look for you, getting caught in your circle, unable to get out because of your physical touch. When I was hesitant about Lin Qiumei, you pulled out Pei Zhen’s name at the right moment. One card after another, giving me a taste of sweetness but also making me feel defeated... and today, you’ve married Pei Zhen.”

At first, when we met, you seemed so delicate and pitiful, always needing protection and care. But now, looking back, your every step feels like a meticulous trap that sends a chill down my spine.

Did you carefully set up this script for me? From Qin Shaoyi to Diao Zhiyu, the script was detailed, with each move planned out—how to leave marks, stir my nerves, create events to make me unforgettable, and when the timing was right, to make me feel guilty, with red eyes waiting for me to surrender?

Hu Xiu was stunned in the oversized down jacket. Her hat, which had been perched on top of her head, fell off with a snap as she heard this, blocking her view.

Well, at least she couldn’t see Diao Zhiyu’s face. He wasn’t just angry; his expression was practically twisted.

Young men in a fit of rage could be so cute—it was cute enough to make her want to laugh.

What script? Was Zhao Xiaorou’s carefully planned “pure desire” script for her considered one?

From start to finish, nothing in it made sense. She did the opposite—wearing the most outdated outfits, making outrageous gestures, and dealing with sudden situations all day long.

Thinking about this, she felt frustrated: “If you really think that, then I can’t help it... these are all my true feelings, but the way you put it, I feel like I’m some sort of rhythm master.”

“Pentakill, I heard it.”

“Huh?”

“I said, during these days of silent treatment, I’ve been playing games when I get home every day, thinking your schemes were too deep. I didn’t want to talk to you, and I didn’t know what you were messing with on my computer. Then today, I got your inexplicable farewell text and could only bury myself in playing LOL. Just now, I got a pentakill, and I heard it.”

“Oh... What did you hear?”

“I heard you like me.”

“So now I’m asking, do you still like me?”

“Are you really dating Pei Zhen?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Diao Zhiyu walked over, lifted the hood of her down jacket, and without hesitation, held her head and kissed her lips.

In that moment, Hu Xiu felt her blood boil, her entire body seemingly evaporating. Diao Zhiyu’s lips, which had tasted nothing the last time, kissed her this time with certainty and precision—her eyes didn’t even have time to close.

On the other hand, he was fully prepared. His eyes were tightly closed as he kissed her, his lips touching hers then pulling away, trembling slightly as he nervously released her. His nose brushed against hers and her cheek, cold. Under the light, she noticed a mole beneath his eye that she had never seen before. If it wasn’t for being this close, no one would have noticed.

The taste of mint candy seeped into her mouth, so sweet it almost suffocated her, burning her so much that she couldn’t move…

When he pulled back, Diao Zhiyu’s face was red, from his ears to his forehead, his neck wrapping around his face, his breathing all over the place.

Before Hu Xiu could even process what had happened, Diao Zhiyu spoke, “Pei Zhen kissed you on the cheek, so why can’t I?”

“The rules of the game aren’t set by you alone. Pei Zhen overtakes when he wants to, you stop when you say stop. I’ve been caught in your game, and I still have to go along with your performance.”

“So from now on, this script is mine too. It’s just acting, whether it’s a win or a loss, a happy ending or a bad ending, it’s no longer just up to you.”

After saying that, he turned around and walked off, not even bothering to take his down jacket with him. Hu Xiu, now in the down jacket, felt like she was about to explode from the heat, her mind in a daze. “What script? I haven’t acted with you at all. What’s going on with you, coming here at four in the morning just to lecture me?”

“Still playing dumb...” Diao Zhiyu turned back, sneering, then blew out a breath, furrowing his brows halfway before changing his expression to one of utmost seriousness, almost like an oath: “Then let me say it again, I, Diao Zhiyu, am going to pursue you.”