HP - Chapter 60

Deadly Dating Show 04

Zhong Xu put down her pen, folded the letter in half, and dropped it into one of the mailboxes.

The entire process took only a minute.

She pushed open the crimson door and left the Heart Room.

"Ah Xu, you were way too fast."

Ji Zhou and Qiu Heming immediately gathered around her.

Ning Zhi hurried down from the second floor. "Have you all read the room rules? You can't stay out here too late."

The other guests heard Ning Zhi’s voice as well; they immediately composed themselves and followed her up to the second floor.

The layout of the second floor was equally warm and romantic, with soft carpeting in the living area, a bookshelf in the corner, and several musical instruments placed around.

The balcony door stood open, allowing a gentle breeze to blow in and lift the gauze curtains. From a distance, the guests could see an easel set up on the balcony as well.

However, at this moment, everyone’s attention was fixed on the rules posted outside each room.

[Room Rules]

[1. Every day from 23:30 to 06:00, guests must remain in their own rooms.]

[2. Every day from 23:30 to 06:00, if you see anyone else in your room—no matter who it is—please kill them immediately.]

He Bin chuckled. "Isn't this a dating show? Why aren't we allowed to spend the night together?"

Xiong Yu mocked him without hesitation. "You know this is a dating show, not some den of filth."

He Bin’s face darkened.

You Jiayun looked pale. "Why is it always about killing people..."

Indeed.

This didn't look like a dating show at all.

Then again, how could one apply real-world logic to this game world?

Being newcomers and seeing so many rules left everyone exhausted.

Although it wasn't even ten o’clock yet, most people chose to return to their respective rooms.

Each door was labeled with a guest’s name, and they checked in accordingly.

"Wait."

Ji Zhou suddenly called out to his teammates, his voice kept very low.

In the next second, each of his teammates received a "gift" from Ji Zhou.

Fruit knives, scissors, axes...

Ji Zhou kept a wrench for himself.

His forehead was glistening, covered in quite a bit of sweat.

They had seen him go downstairs earlier with a solemn expression; it turned out he had gone to scavenge for handy tools.

"You really thought ahead." Clutching the scissors, Ning Zhi felt much more at ease.

The rules forbade leaving the room but stated that if you saw anyone else, you had to kill them—of course one had to prepare some tools.

"Good night." Ji Zhou let out a long sigh of relief and cheerfully bid his teammates good night.

"Oh, and be sure not to turn off the lights tonight," Ning Zhi reminded them emphatically before returning to her room.

At Zhong Xu’s signal, Qiu Heming reluctantly exchanged the axe in his hand for her fruit knife.

Zhong Xu weighed the axe in her hand with satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. I’ll vote for you again tomorrow."

With that, Zhong Xu returned to her room, leaving a stunned Qiu Heming behind.

Vote for him again tomorrow...

Did that mean she had cast her heartbeat note for him today?

Qiu Heming pushed open his door, his ears flushing red.

The room wasn't large, the lighting was bright, and there was an alarm clock on the bedside table.

He glanced around, and his gaze landed on a mailbox hanging on the wall.

Did that mean the heartbeat notes everyone had delivered in the first-floor Heart Room would eventually end up in the mailboxes within their own rooms?

This mailbox was very similar to the one on the first floor, except it didn't have a lock.

Qiu Heming stepped forward to check and found that it was still empty.

He was in no hurry and went to take a shower first.

When the time reached 23:30, a faint sound came from the mailbox—as if something had been dropped inside.

As he had expected, the notes could only be received during the hours when leaving one's room was forbidden.

Qiu Heming wiped his glasses, which had become damp while he was washing his face, and opened the mailbox.

Unexpectedly, there were three sheets of letter paper lying inside.

Letter One: Thank you for the allergy medicine you delivered so promptly~

Letter Two: I really like doctors! My ideal partner has been a doctor since I was a child. I'm going to marry a doctor!

Letter Three: Handsome.

Qiu Heming: "..."

The first letter was definitely written by Yu Jianxing.

The second letter was too difficult to guess.

The third... was probably from Zhong Xu.

Thump-thump!

His heart gave a powerful throb.

However, this was not the sensation of a heart racing from joy; it felt more like the excitement of an adrenaline shot.

At the same time, Qiu Heming saw the heart pulsing in the middle of his heart rate value leap forward by a large margin.

He felt a momentary surge of dizziness, as if he could hear the sound of people cheering and giggling in his ear.

...

Thud!

Thud thud thud thud!!

Zhong Xu was startled awake by a frantic knocking at the door.

Zhong Xu possessed a trait that others could only envy.

Her quality of sleep was excellent.

No matter how harsh the lighting, it never affected her ability to fall asleep.

But with this level of noise, she truly had no choice but to open her eyes.

Zhong Xu listened carefully for a moment and realized that the knocking was not at her door. The sound was coming from the room next to hers.

Who was it that lived next door to her again?

The knocking suddenly ceased.

Three seconds later.

Aah—

A shrill scream rang through the entire villa, lasting for a long time.

Accompanying the piercing shriek were heart-wrenching cries for help.

Zhong Xu glanced at the time: 03:00.

At this hour, one could only stay inside their room. No matter how loudly the person next door cried for their life, no one would step outside to go to their death.

However, it was hard to say how many people could actually return to sleep.

Zhong Xu gripped her axe and went back to sleep.

The following morning, the guests all pushed open their doors in a state of panic, their complexions looking sallow and grim.

"Did everyone hear that?" You Jiayun asked, his face deathly pale. "I couldn't sleep at all after that..."

At that moment, someone asked abruptly:

"Is He Bin still alive?"

The guests who were already awake gathered in unison at the entrance to He Bin’s room.

A smear of fresh blood had stained the name on his door red.

A thick, metallic stench of blood seeped out from the room; there was no need to explain what that implied.

Qiu Heming placed a towel over the doorknob and pushed the door open with force.

Despite being mentally prepared, the sight inside the room still caused people to scream involuntarily.

Splattered blood had reached the ceiling, and the entire duvet was dyed red.

The walls were covered in crimson handprints.

As for He Bin... he was scattered in pieces across the bed and the floor.

Hu Tongtong had already turned away to vomit.

Just as Zhong Xu opened her own door, a figure carrying a scent mixed with jasmine threw itself into her arms.

"..."

Lai Xia cried, her eyes brimming with tears, "Zhong Xu, I’m so scared."

Inhaling the delicate strands of jasmine, Zhong Xu slowly raised her hand and stroked the other's hair.

"If you're so scared, why did you go to look?"

"He Bin must have died such a miserable death because he violated the rules..." Lai Xia sobbed. "No matter how you look at it, I’m also responsible for not noticing that the meat was actually beef."

"Xiaxia truly is a responsible, good girl."

Zhong Xu’s voice was very soft.

Yet, upon being suddenly addressed by such an intimate nickname, Lai Xia, for once, felt no sense of joy.

She felt... as if this were a form of veiled mockery.

Sure enough, in the next second, Zhong Xu whispered into her ear:

"He Bin is definitely staring at you right now. Hearing what you just said, I’m sure he would feel quite comforted."

Lai Xia slowly lifted her face.

Just as she was caught between shock and suspicion, she saw Zhong Xu let out a sudden chuckle. "I’m just joking. I’m simply the type of person who enjoys a good jest."

"..."

The others could not bear to watch any longer and immediately closed the door.

"Ah He, why do you look so terrible?" Ji Zhou approached Qiu Heming and noticed the dark circles under his eyes, looking as though he hadn't slept a wink.

Qiu Heming said drowsily, "Insomnia."

All night long, his heart had been racing, his pulse exceeding 120 beats per minute.

For a time, he truly believed he was about to drop dead.

"Racing heart..." Zhong Xu realized something. "How many letters did you receive last night?"

"Three... that is likely the reason."

"Sigh, try to catch up on some sleep later."

The guests gradually woke from their slumber and gathered on the first floor for breakfast.

The director’s voice rang out.

[Last night, guest Zhong Xu and guest Qiu Heming delivered heartbeat notes to one another.]

[Today, they shall become a temporary couple.]

At the dining table, everyone who heard this announcement wore a different expression.

Lai Xia sat down with her sandwich and gave Qiu Heming a sweet smile. "I’m so envious of you."

Qiu Heming said nothing. He lowered his head, poured a glass of milk, and placed it in front of Zhong Xu.

"I recall the rule being that during the day as a temporary couple, the boyfriend cannot refuse any request from the girlfriend?" Zhong Xu recalled.

"That is correct."

Zhong Xu looked thoughtful. "What if I ask him to die?"

"..."

Qiu Heming knew it.

No matter how sweet the atmosphere, Zhong Xu could tear it right in half.

She suddenly crinkled her eyes. "Of course, how could I ever bear to let Ah He die?"

Her smile was as bright as a flower; even though her tone was teasing, nevertheless...

His heart rate was likely exceeding 150 beats per minute now.

Qiu Heming felt that if this continued, he would soon need to take emergency heart pills.

Consequently, he rose quickly and walked outside to get some fresh air.

Beep beep beep—

A bus pulled up at the entrance and honked its horn several times.

Just as Qiu Heming was still feeling somewhat confused, he suddenly noticed a piece of paper stuck to the bus window.

[Work Commute Shuttle]

Work?

Work??

In the mailbox by the main gate, each guest received their own work schedule for the week.

For most people, it was a nine-to-five.

Wait—

What kind of work were they supposed to be doing?

After finishing breakfast, the guests boarded the bus one after another.

Zhong Xu thought for a moment and stopped Qiu Heming.

"You haven't slept all night; skip work today."

The effect of the temporary couple rule was triggered.

The bus doors promptly closed, and it drove away from Heartbeat Cottage.

Qiu Heming was deeply grateful; after all, in his current state, going to work would have been synonymous with going to his death.

However...

He asked Zhong Xu in confusion, "Don't you have to go to work, either?"

Hearing his question, Zhong Xu’s expression twisted.

This was because she saw that her own work schedule read:

Dear crematorium operator and corpse-collecting enthusiast Zhong Xu: Based on the principle of local work assignment, your workplace for today has been designated as Heartbeat Cottage.

Please ensure your work is completed by 17:00 today.

Qiu Heming: "..."

His expression twisted as well. "Are you saying that the fake profession you made up during your self-introduction has become your actual job?"

Zhong Xu nodded helplessly.

Furthermore, she had found a large crate next to the mailbox containing cleaning tools.

"There’s also this." Zhong Xu pulled two nameplates out of the box.

On the nameplates was a name she didn't recognize.

Chen Xiyu.

"I’m guessing this is the new guest taking He Bin’s place."

At Zhong Xu’s request, Qiu Heming returned to his room to catch up on sleep, looking back every few steps as he went.

Meanwhile, Zhong Xu dragged a massive vacuum cleaner toward He Bin’s room.

Even though she was already wearing a mask, the stench of blood still managed to penetrate it; it was nauseating.

Zhong Xu tested the cleaning tools first and found that they were indeed very effective—even the blood spattered on the walls could be sucked clean in an instant.

If it had been anyone else, they likely would have finished the job quickly and moved on.

Zhong Xu, however, was in no rush. Instead, she walked thoughtfully over to the body parts scattered across the bed.

Holding a stick in her hand, she flipped one of the pieces over.

Judging by the cross-section of the remains, the flesh appeared to have been torn apart, much like someone ripping through a piece of beef jerky.

The perpetrator was either not human, or a player wielding a specific kind of special item.

Even though she had consumed a stamina potion, her own strength was not sufficient to tear a living person into so many pieces.

In the next second, her expression shifted slightly.

Hidden within the shredded remains was a small, rolled-up slip of paper.

Zhong Xu donned a pair of gloves and unfurled the note.

The paper was saturated with blood, yet the line of text upon it remained exceptionally clear:

Week One, Monday Night

He Bin violated the kitchen rules. Eliminated.

It seemed He Bin had indeed met his end because he violated the rules during the beef incident.

But He Bin was a man who knew how to cook—how could he possibly fail to distinguish beef from other meat?

And what roles did Jian Xiu and Lai Xia play in the middle of all this?

She had originally assumed this was simply the price he paid for having a foul mouth; she hadn't expected to find such an unexpected gain while collecting a corpse.

Zhong Xu rolled the paper back up, found an empty box, and tossed it inside.

After confirming there was nothing else to find, she finally began cleaning the room. The tools provided were powerful, and she soon had the room scrubbed so thoroughly that not a single trace of blood remained.

Finally, she swapped He Bin’s nameplate for the new guest’s.

The entire Heartbeat Cottage was deathly silent.

Zhong Xu sat on the sofa for a while and began to feel drowsy; before she knew it, she had fallen fast asleep right there on the cushions.

A driverless van pulled up outside the villa.

A tall, slender figure stepped out.

He glanced at the rules posted by the entrance and pushed open the villa’s front door.

Was there really no one here to welcome him?

How lonely...

As he walked into the foyer, he suddenly came to a halt.

From his position, he could see the sofa. A person was currently lying there, perfectly still. Though the bright lights shone directly onto her face, she didn't seem the least bit bothered; she was sleeping soundly.

Such a bold one?

The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. He casually plucked a strand of cat hair from his shoulder and started toward the sofa area.

The lights hadn't disturbed Zhong Xu’s sleep, but in her dreams, she suddenly felt as though a gaze had been lingering on her face for a very long time.

She snapped her eyes open, and their gazes met.

The stranger showed not a hint of embarrassment at being caught staring. He smiled and said, "Hello. I’m Chen Xiyu."

The new guest.

Zhong Xu immediately sat up, sizing him up without the slightest attempt to hide her scrutiny.

This new guest had dazzling blond hair.

He was dressed in a loose, baggy T-shirt, and on his slightly pale face, a pair of "peach blossom" eyes were crinkled with a smile.

Zhong Xu slowly spoke up. "Staring at someone while they sleep is quite a rude thing to do."

Chen Xiyu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this and sighed, "True, I suppose I’m just a rather crude person."

"..."

Quite a move—sincerity truly is the ultimate weapon.

Chen Xiyu immediately followed up with a beam. "Sister, it’s mealtime. Have you eaten yet?"

"Who are you calling 'Sister'?"

"Because your aura makes you feel like an older sister." Chen Xiyu looked utterly sincere, then suddenly seemed to think of something; his eyes shifted to a nervous gaze in an instant. "Sister, if you're angry, you have to tell me. I’ll definitely change."

Why did this person feel so "tea-like"?

Chen Xiyu scanned the empty living room and asked casually, "Aren't there supposed to be twelve guests in this game? Where are the others?"

"Out at work."

"Then you don't have to work, Sister? I’m so envious."

Before Zhong Xu could open her mouth, a voice rang out from the stairs.

"Ah Xu?"

Having finished his nap, Qiu Heming walked down the stairs. His gaze fell upon Chen Xiyu, a faint chill piercing through the lenses of his glasses.

But Chen Xiyu acted as if he hadn't noticed a thing, putting on a smiling face to offer a greeting. "Hello."

The moment the greeting was over, he immediately turned his smile back toward Zhong Xu.

Qiu Heming had studied psychology.

He was surprised by the hostility this new guest showed toward him, and also... why was this person acting with such unusual closeness toward Zhong Xu?

Qiu Heming suppressed his internal emotions and approached. "A new guest?"

Chen Xiyu showed no intention of responding to him.

Zhong Xu naturally sensed the subtle tension in the air and spoke up, "He is—"

Chen Xiyu suddenly interrupted. "Actually, I know you."

He gazed at Zhong Xu, the smile in his flirtatious eyes deepening.

"Fugitive Crematorium Worker."

Zhong Xu: "...?"

Zhong Xu’s expression twisted instantly in surprise. "You..."

But Chen Xiyu had already risen from the sofa with a smile. "Where’s the kitchen? Let's fix something to eat."

He stood before the kitchen rules and turned his head back. "Fugitive Crematorium Worker, dinner requires a man and a woman to work together, but what about lunch?"

Qiu Heming spoke flatly, "If it isn't stated, then the rule doesn't exist."

"That won't do; I’m afraid of hidden rules," Chen Xiyu said, drawing out his words. "Fugitive Crematorium Worker..."

Zhong Xu reached her limit and stood up, staring at him expressionlessly. "Do you believe I’ll kick you right into the kitchen?"

"But I’m the only person in this world who actually knows you!"

At those words, Zhong Xu’s eyes flickered.

"Fugitive Crematorium Worker" was her online handle.

She didn't like being managed by others, so working a conventional job was out of the question for her.

Furthermore, she had no home; she had originally been a wanderer, traveling from place to place.

Consequently, she had come up with a solution that provided the best of both worlds.

She had become a blogger—a travel blogger.

She disliked popular tourist spots because of the crowds, preferring to visit niche locations; she was particularly fond of rugged, untamed nature.

Her wandering and adventures had attracted a following.

While her follower count wasn't massive, they were highly active and loyal, allowing her to earn enough to feed herself and cover her travel expenses.

However, she had never once revealed her true face in her videos.

On the rare occasions it was necessary, she mostly showed her back or her hands. She was extremely careful; not even half of her face had ever been caught on camera.

So, how exactly did Chen Xiyu recognize her?

Seeing her expression grow increasingly unfriendly, Chen Xiyu hurried to explain. "Because I'm a fan of yours. When it comes to my favorite idol, I could recognize you even if you were turned to ash."

The moment the words left his mouth, Qiu Heming had already stepped forward and dragged him into the kitchen.

Chen Xiyu hadn't expected such a move. "Hey?!"

Qiu Heming gave a half-smile. "Afraid to die?"

"You want to fight?"

"It’s not out of the question."

The midday sun streamed through the kitchen window, spilling onto the countertop.

Standing against the light, Qiu Heming slowly removed the glasses from the bridge of his nose.

Zhong Xu walked in.

She passed between the two men in their standoff, took a peach from the refrigerator, and said as she washed it, "Be careful when you fight. Don't hit each other in the face; I'm afraid that if you’re beaten ugly, you’ll be eliminated immediately."

Chen Xiyu smiled. "Only uncivilized people fight. Big Brother, what exactly is your relationship with Sister?"

Qiu Heming glanced at Zhong Xu, who was busy watching the drama unfold, and said naturally, "We're a couple."

Even if it was only the temporary version.

Chen Xiyu shook his head. "Doesn't seem like it, though."

He kept smiling, but his "peach blossom" eyes were filled with provocation. "When Sister looks at you, there isn't a trace of emotion at all."

Zhong Xu suddenly spoke up. "When I look at you, I actually do feel a little something."

"Oh?" Chen Xiyu asked with great interest. "Really?"

"I have a feeling you’re a very helpful person. So, can you cook? I’m quite hungry; I’d like four dishes and a soup."

"..."

"Cook well. If you die, I’ll personally collect your corpse to express my gratitude."

Leaving those words behind, Zhong Xu dragged Qiu Heming out of the kitchen, indifferent to whatever spectacular expression Chen Xiyu might have been making.

Qiu Heming felt a bit skeptical that leaving him in there alone might result in everyone going hungry.

Zhong Xu curled her lip. "It won't. He loves showing off so much; let him show off to his heart's content."

Qiu Heming knew that Zhong Xu didn't target people without reason.

The fact that this new guest knew the real-world Zhong Xu yet couldn't offer a clear explanation had undoubtedly stepped on one of her landmines.

Regardless, he didn't care much for the new guest either.

The two of them sat in the living room. Zhong Xu took a piece of paper and lowered her head, seemingly sketching or writing something.

For a rare moment, Qiu Heming felt a bit nervous.

Zhong Xu asked casually while writing, "How is your body feeling?"

"Much better after that nap," Qiu Heming answered immediately. "My heart rate has returned to normal."

"Mm..."

"Ah Xu..." He gazed fixedly at her as she wrote. "Why did you vote for me yesterday?" he asked softly.

Zhong Xu looked up, appearing slightly confused, but she answered the question nonetheless. "Because the moment you handed over that allergy medicine, you looked handsome."

A reasonable justification.

It was just that simple.

"By the way. Given your condition today, I probably won't be able to fulfill yesterday's promise. We'll do it next time."

Under the rules prohibiting cheating, Zhong Xu didn't state her meaning explicitly.

However, Qiu Heming understood what she meant.

Receiving too many heartbeat notes wasn't necessarily a good thing.

While Zhong Xu had originally said last night that she would vote for him again today, her doing so was no longer suitable given his physical condition.

"I was careless," Zhong Xu reflected, a rare occurrence for her. "Doctors naturally come with their own halo; they are bound to be popular."

Did she seem... somewhat regretful?

Qiu Heming found it difficult to describe the exact flavor of his current emotions, but the words in his heart escaped his lips first. "I was very happy to receive your note."

Zhong Xu paused for a brief second, then smiled.

She then held up the note she was writing for Qiu Heming to see.

It listed the name of each guest and the traits they had displayed thus far.

For example:

Lai Xia: Pleasant jasmine scent, suspect in He Bin’s elimination.

Jian Xiu: Lai Xia’s suitor, suspect in He Bin’s elimination.

"According to the game’s objective, there is someone among us who has replaced a guest. Let’s temporarily refer to them as the 'werewolf,'" Zhong Xu said. "The werewolf can 'kill,' which is why the game warned us to 'be careful of the other guests.'"

Qiu Heming also fell into deep thought. "If another civilian guest gets eliminated next time and those two are also present at the scene, would that confirm their identities as werewolves?"

"Mm-hmm." Zhong Xu lowered her head again. "However, the fact that we have to stay here for four full weeks suggests the situation isn't that simple... so I need to record every piece of information I observe, otherwise I’ll forget it all too quickly."

Qiu Heming found himself following her train of thought for a while before realizing it belatedly.

He had been completely diverted from the original topic.

He pushed up his glasses and gave a helpless smile.

"Sister, I’ve prepared the four dishes and the soup you wanted."

At the dining table, Chen Xiyu propped his chin on his hand and said with a smile, "Sister, take a look and see if you like it."

"It’s delicious. If only I could eat your cooking every day." Zhong Xu was not stingy with her praise.

The implication was clear: In that case, you can do the cooking every day.

"That’s a bit of a shame," Chen Xiyu sighed. "I once swore that I would only cook every day for my wife."

Ignoring Qiu Heming’s slightly warning gaze, he served Zhong Xu a bowl of soup. "Sister, why don't you think it over?"

Zhong Xu considered her own skin to be among the thickest in existence.

She hadn't expected to find someone even more shameless than herself.

She continued eating expressionlessly, treating Chen Xiyu as if he were thin air.

After lunch, Qiu Heming cleared the table and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Zhong Xu followed him in and began rummaging through the cabinets.

"How strange. There’s cat food here, but there isn't a single cat in this cottage." Zhong Xu picked up a bag of cat food to examine it. "And according to the living room rules, this cottage isn't allowed to have so much as a single strand of cat hair."

"This might be related to the truth behind Heartbeat Cottage."

Qiu Heming picked up the conversation, catching a glimpse of an annoying figure slipping silently into the kitchen.

"Sister..."

Before Chen Xiyu could even speak, Qiu Heming flicked a hand full of water directly into his face.

Chen Xiyu looked up and gave Qiu Heming a half-smiling glance, but he didn't wipe his face. Instead, he silently tugged at the corner of Zhong Xu’s clothes. "I don't know what I did to upset this big brother... look at me."

Qiu Heming: "..."

Zhong Xu glanced over. "Your big brother is actually quite kind. He’s just helping you wash your face."

Chen Xiyu: "..."

Qiu Heming felt a surge of pleasure. "Don't mention it."

When evening arrived, the people who had gone out to work finally returned, looking utterly exhausted.

Who could have imagined that even in a game, they would still have to live the life of a corporate slave?

"My name is Chen Xiyu. I’m twenty-four years old, I’m unemployed, and my hobby is playing games."

Upon hearing the new guest’s self-introduction, the others all wore looks of envy.

If they had known it would be like this, they would have introduced themselves as unemployed too.

Zhong Xu couldn't help but steal a few extra glances at him.

This man was clever. She had only mentioned in passing that the others had gone out to work, and he already knew enough not to dig a hole for himself during his introduction.

"Welcome to the group."

Her teammates all turned unfamiliar eyes toward Zhong Xu, surprised by her sudden enthusiasm.

Chen Xiyu, meanwhile, seemed exceptionally happy.

Zhong Xu looked at the guests around the dining table, each with their own distinct expressions, and gave a slight smile. "Why don't we play a game after dinner? It might help us all get closer."

Her teammates immediately realized the source of Zhong Xu’s sudden warmth.

Play a game? She’s looking to set a trap for someone, isn't she?

Naturally, they supported her proposal, and Chen Xiyu—who had been calling her "Sister" nonstop—voted in favor with both hands and feet.

"I think it’s a great idea; I love playing games," Lai Xia said, winking at Zhong Xu.

Once Lai Xia agreed, Jian Xiu raised his hand as well.

Like a row of falling dominoes, more and more people joined in; even those who were hesitating eventually agreed for the sake of fitting in.

The director, finally remembering that this was a dating show, stepped forward to make an announcement.

[Fun little games can quickly break the ice and accelerate the relationships between guests!]

[Guest Zhong Xu’s proposal is excellent. Therefore, Guest Zhong Xu shall organize tonight’s icebreaker session.]

She hadn't expected to receive the director's backing.

Zhong Xu looked thoughtful, her gaze casually sweeping over everyone’s expressions as if by accident.

"It’s an old game—'I have, you haven't.'"

After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room’s sofa area, the coffee table piled high with snacks.

In such a relaxed atmosphere, everyone seemed to forget the gruesome state He Bin had been in that morning. They began to look forward to the game, as if they really were just hanging out with a group of new friends.

"Everyone takes turns stating one thing they have done that no one else has. If you haven't done what the speaker says, you have to fold down a finger." Zhong Xu held up both hands. "Since there are so many of us, everyone gets ten lives. Whoever loses must accept a punishment."

Everyone understood the rules.

However, Zhong Xu didn't rush to start. Instead, she added, "This game is no fun if people lie, so you must be honest about your own experiences."

At this, a few people began to feel a faint sense of unease.

"Of course, if you insist on lying, there’s nothing I can do; after all, we don't have a lie detector here to tell truth from fiction," Zhong Xu said with a smile. "But I’ll start the game by casting a curse—liars shall forever lose the ones they love."

"..."

Zhong Xu looked at their horrified expressions with satisfaction.

In the real world, perhaps no one would take such a curse seriously.

But this was a game world, and every player had a collection of absurd experiences.

The nature of the world itself was mystical.

Furthermore, on a dating show, a curse involving the "eternal loss of one's loved ones" sounded ominous no matter how one looked at it.

"Fortunately, I’m the type of person who never tells a lie."

Ji Zhou smiled and pulled out a bottle of water. "How about we spin the bottle to decide who starts?"

The game began—

Initially, the style of the game remained relatively normal.

"I’ve dated ten different girls."

"I’ve won a Starlight Award."

"I have a best friend I've known for over ten years."

"I’ve eaten my own boogers."

The living room fell silent for a heartbeat.

Noticing the incredulous stares directed at her, Xiong Yu tossed her hair with effortless charm. "What’s wrong? Is that not allowed?"

In the next second, several people kept their fingers raised without flinching.

Xiong Yu: "..."

What on earth? Has eating boogers become a common occurrence these days?

Sorry, but childhood really was just that ridiculous.

Once the first round of cheerful banter concluded, everyone gradually forgot about the opening curse and became deeply immersed in the play.

Until the second round.

Zhong Xu spoke after a moment of quiet contemplation. "I have handled He Bin’s corpse."

"..."

Zhong Xu ignored the bizarre looks from the crowd and carefully scanned the room.

Every single person folded down a finger.

"Why would you be in contact with He Bin’s corpse?" You Jiayun asked, bewildered.

"If I hadn't cleared out He Bin’s remains, where would our new guest sleep tonight?"

Ah, so that’s what she meant.

Everyone’s minds instinctively drifted back to Zhong Xu’s profession and hobbies—crematorium operator, with a penchant for collecting bodies.

Wait a minute.

Did that mean the new guest would be staying in He Bin’s room?

The gruesome scene from that morning flashed through many people's minds, leaving them with a wave of lingering fear.

Thank goodness they had arrived early!

Chen Xiyu: "What? Someone died in my room?"

Lai Xia offered comfort. "It’s only natural to be scared."

Chen Xiyu: "How exciting!"

"..."

Fine. Alright.

He was brave to the point of being a total freak.

Next, it was Qiu Heming’s turn.

He clearly understood what Zhong Xu was trying to achieve, so he took a moment to think.

"I touched the beef last night."

The appearance of the beef the previous night had been sudden.

Only a few people at the table had actually come into contact with it—like Qiu Heming, who had dumped the plate, and Yu Jianxing, who had taken a bite but suffered an allergic reaction...

If anyone else had touched that beef, then...

Lai Xia smiled slightly and folded down a finger.

She hadn't touched it.

Jian Xiu, sitting beside her, went through a series of facial expressions. His eyes flickered incessantly, showing clear hesitation.

Ultimately, his remaining raised fingers did not move an inch.

He had touched the beef.

If the Game is confusing, it is basically “Never Have I Ever,” but instead of “Put a finger down if you have” you keep the finger up. Basically, you keep a finger up and your “life” if you “Have” done the statement and lose one if you "Haven’t."

List of Characters:

The Main Team

Zhōng Xǔ (终栩): 24 years old, who says she's a crematorium operator whose hobby is "collecting bodies."

Qiū Hèmíng (秋鹤鸣): 29 years old. A doctor who enjoys reading. 

Níng Zhì (宁稚): 25 years old. A game designer who enjoys gaming.

Jì Zhōu (季舟): 25 years old, claimed to be an actor who enjoys performing.

The Other Male Guests

Yóu Jiāyùn (游嘉运): 25 years old. A cheerful restaurant owner and real-world friend of Ning Zhi; he was one of the first to arrive at the villa.

Jiǎn Xiū (简修): 24 years old. A blunt and hearty professional sprinter whose hobby is running; he was the first to trigger the "Heart Rate Value" notification.

Hé Bīn (何彬): 32 years old. A boastful photographer who claims to be an expert at photographing women. [DEAD]

Lín Shí (林时): 26 years old. A soft-featured entrepreneur who started his own company and enjoys reading.

Chén Xīyǔ (陈西雨): 24 years old. A self-proclaimed "unemployed wanderer" who enjoys playing games.

The Other Female Guests

Xióng Yù (熊玉): 28 years old. A tall, elegant lawyer who enjoys singing; she acted as the initial guide regarding the villa's entry rules.

Lài Xià (赖夏): 23 years old. A sweet-smiling tea artist who smells of jasmine; she acts very "innocent" and tried to cling to both Zhong Xu and Ji Zhou.

Yú Jiànxīng (俞见星): 26 years old. A gentle, second-tier actress with wavy chestnut hair who enjoys painting.

Hú Tóngtóng (胡彤彤): 20 years old. A timid university student with a ponytail who enjoys binge-watching dramas.

Sevyn here ~~~

This had to be the longest chapter, omg it took so long. Over 20 pages of just the English alone after I finished translating/editing. 

Life is getting busy again, but I'll try to at least get one chapter out a week.

Enjoy!