Chapter 35
The young man who appeared called himself Qiao Ke. He seemed not to notice Jiang Liu’s coldness, still smiling as he extended a hand and paused slightly in front of her.
“Number 097 is temporarily occupied. I am here in her place this time.”
Hearing this form of address, Jiang Liu felt an inexplicable aversion.
Whether they were NPCs or players, they were all living individuals. To be called by a cold, impersonal number like Qiao Ke did was truly unsettling.
Besides—
No matter how gentle and harmless Qiao Ke appeared on the outside, his gaze towards Jiang Liu always seemed to carry a different meaning, like a condescending appraisal, or the pity one might show a lab rat.
Jiang Liu lowered her eyes to his hand, making no move for a long time.
The joy of successfully clearing the instance instantly froze, and the atmosphere turned awkward.
Qiao Ke looked her over thoughtfully, a hint of imperceptible amusement in his tone. “A-Rank Players who can survive are as rare as phoenix feathers. You’re very good.”
It was clearly a compliment, but Jiang Liu couldn’t feel happy about it.
Zhao Ziming reacted quickly. He knew how to deal with NPCs better. Seeing Jiang Liu’s inaction, he had already stepped forward and nodded. “Sister Jiang isn’t much of a talker, but she’s indeed very strong.”
His arm blocked Jiang Liu as he took the initiative to shake Qiao Ke’s hand.
Their hands touched and parted. Qiao Ke smiled and nodded. “This way, please.”
He seemed very good-natured, completely ignoring Jiang Liu’s slight rudeness. Instead, he politely turned and led the way for them.
The garden behind them had completely collapsed and reformed. Jiang Liu looked back in the direction of the house, only to see the lone building standing there, with no sign of Xiao Si.
“Sister Jiang?” Seeing that Jiang Liu hadn’t moved, Xu Meng looked back in confusion.
“Coming.” Jiang Liu averted her gaze and followed the group.
Returning to the public area and seeing the familiar hustle and bustle, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s definitely more comfortable outside the instances. By the way, how come we’ve never seen Brother Qiao before?” Zhao Ziming was a natural at making friends. After just a few words, he was already familiar with Qiao Ke, chatting idly as they walked at the front.
Qiao Ke explained, “I used to lead teams in the Points Arena. I was just transferred over.”
He answered every question and lacked the usual arrogance NPCs showed towards players. His proper and polite gentlemanly demeanor quickly won the favor of several people.
Suddenly hearing a new term, Zhang Xiaochen brazenly squeezed his way over. “What’s a Points Arena?”
“Based on the comprehensive rating of your last three games, those who reach B+ Rank or higher can freely enter the Points Arena. Players can use their points as a stake for an entry ticket.”
Although his words were directed at everyone, his gaze subtly swept towards Jiang Liu, his meaning very clear.
Jiang Liu lazily lifted her eyelids and finally deigned to speak. “What are the benefits of winning?”
Qiao Ke’s face still held a smile. “Double the points, which can be exchanged for more props and a chance to clear the game.”
A classic game operator’s mindset, Jiang Liu thought.
The phrase “a chance to clear the game” made everyone’s eyes widen.
Zhang Xiaochen counted on his fingers twice and said in pleasant surprise, “Then couldn’t Zhao Ziming enter directly? And us…”
He looked at Jiang Liu and Xu Meng. “We have two A-ranks. Doesn’t that mean we’re set?”
As long as they successfully cleared the next game, their rank wouldn’t be too bad.
They reached the hotel in just a few minutes of conversation. Zhao Ziming led the others inside to register. Just as Jiang Liu was about to follow, she heard a voice from behind say, “Wait.”
Qiao Ke hadn’t left. Instead, he stood gracefully in the shade of a tree and spoke humbly, “Miss Jiang, you don’t seem to like me very much?”
Jiang Liu glanced over and couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.
She hadn’t looked closely before. Now, as he stood sideways under the tree, casually taking out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses from his pocket to wipe them, this expression and posture—
A flash of white light went through her mind, and she suddenly remembered a scene.
It was also on an afternoon. The sun was so bright it almost blinded her. Dizzily, she listened to the young man’s persuasion, though her mind had long since drifted elsewhere.
That person wore a long robe, and although his attire was different from Qiao Ke’s, the pair of gold-rimmed glasses in his hand was identical.
A hint of confusion appeared in Jiang Liu’s eyes. She stared at him and said, “Have I met you before?”
Qiao Ke showed a perfectly timed expression of surprise. “Why do you say that?”
The glasses rested securely on the bridge of his nose, hiding his eyes behind the lenses. Qiao Ke spoke sincerely, “You may not believe it, but there are some things you need to know. In this team—someone is harboring ill intentions.”
He dropped the ambiguous sentence and, before Jiang Liu could ask, turned and left. His steps were light but fast, and he disappeared around the corner in the blink of an eye.
A light breeze rustled the leaves. The streets were bustling with people, and the Lost Way Mall was still broadcasting its grand sale over a loudspeaker. Standing at the entrance of the stairs, Jiang Liu had a thought for the first time.
Perhaps her arrival here was not a mistake.
“Jiang Liu?”
Another set of hurried footsteps sounded behind her. It was the man who was always with Yang Caisi.
“You remember me, right? Number 082, Gao Yuan. I’m Xiao Yang’s colleague. She had something urgent come up and asked me to be the Guide.”
Gao Yuan had left in a bit of a hurry. His hair was a mess from the wind, and he looked somewhat surprised. “You came back by yourself?”
His words made Jiang Liu frown. Did he not know about Qiao Ke’s arrival?
Seeing Jiang Liu’s silence, Gao Yuan scratched his head in embarrassment. “It’s my fault for leaving late. I had to deal with a bunch of data before I left. It’s a good thing you’re all out.”
After speaking, he couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “With Xiao Zhao around, you don’t really need a Guide anyway. I don’t know why Xiao Yang was in such a hurry to ask for my help.”
No wonder he got along so well with Yang Caisi; he was a chatterbox, a perfect complement.
Jiang Liu found it a little amusing. She temporarily concealed the matter of Qiao Ke and nodded in response. “Xiao Zhao mentions you often. He’s inside.”
Gao Yuan smiled cheerfully. “That’s great. Let’s all go in.”
While registering, Jiang Liu asked casually, “Where did she go?”
“To the Inspection Department, of course. She’ll be back later,” Gao Yuan replied nonchalantly. He then put an arm around Zhao Ziming’s shoulder in a brotherly fashion. “We’re all friends here. How about coming over to my place for a drink?”
This was just a polite offer. He had only met Zhang Xiaochen, Xu Meng, and the others once, so they wouldn’t really agree. Therefore, Gao Yuan’s invitation was only directed at Zhao Ziming.
But just as the two were about to leave arm in arm, Jiang Liu, having put away her room card, suddenly chimed in, “Alright.”
Gao Yuan was stunned.
He subconsciously glanced at Jiang Liu and saw that she had already started walking, following them as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He let out a surprised “ah.”
Wait, he was just being polite. How could such a smart-looking person not understand social etiquette?
Seeing him stop, Jiang Liu looked over in confusion, her eyes full of puzzlement. “I happen to be hungry. Aren’t we going?”
Faced with such a look, even Gao Yuan felt a little embarrassed. He had no choice but to nod. “Ah, yes, let’s go, let’s go. All together.”
What’s the big deal? Xiao Yang clearly values this girl. Besides, how much can a little girl drink?
Half an hour later, Gao Yuan decided to take back his words.
How did this girl know so much about alcohol? The moment she walked in, she had her eyes on the good bottle that Yang Caisi had given him. And she was incredibly good with words. A few compliments piqued his interest, and he cheerfully opened the bottle for the three of them.
He had thought Zhao Ziming was already a great drinking buddy—articulate, tactful, and perceptive. But Jiang Liu was even more skilled. Once she picked up her glass, she never put it down. She didn’t pry into game-related topics, instead starting off by complimenting his taste.
Half an hour later, Gao Yuan was already dizzy from the alcohol, slurring his words as he told her interesting stories about the system.
In contrast, Jiang Liu sat quietly on the sofa, her round eyes darting around, examining the layout and decorations, looking as if nothing was wrong.
“By the way, where does Yang Caisi live?”
Gao Yuan was drunkenly pouring wine when he heard Jiang Liu’s sudden question.
He faltered for a moment, then waved a hand towards the window. “Everyone’s here. High-level NPCs have their own houses. Xiao Yang is right next door.”
As he spoke, he shook the empty bottle and slapped his forehead. “No more wine. I’ll go get some from Xiao Yang’s warehouse…”
The key Yang Caisi had left him last time was still there. Gao Yuan staggered to his feet, but Jiang Liu had somehow appeared in front of him.
The girl before him bent down slightly, a radiant smile on her face as she held out her hand. “You and Xiao Zhao keep talking. I’ll go get it.”
Gao Yuan was a little dazed, his tongue thick. “Is… is that okay?”
As he spoke, he had already taken out the key, which Jiang Liu quickly snatched. “I’m a guest and a player. It’s what I should do.”
Her words sounded particularly pleasant to Gao Yuan, and he readily let go of the key. “It’s the house on the right. The warehouse is in the room at the far right on the first floor.”
There was no response for a long time. He looked closely and saw that Jiang Liu had disappeared at some point.
Listening to the fading footsteps outside, he felt that something was not quite right, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He had no choice but to temporarily suppress this strange feeling and went to chat with Zhao Ziming, glass in hand.
This was a neighborhood of single-family villas. The houses weren’t large, but they were more than enough for one person to live in. It seemed the system’s benefits were quite good.
Jiang Liu looked around and used the key to open the door.
Yang Caisi’s room was very clean, or perhaps it should be described as empty. The furnishings she saw upon entering were even sparser than at Gao Yuan’s place. As far as the eye could see, there was only a television that hadn’t been used in who knows how long.
There was no sofa in the room. Instead, it was covered with a thick carpet that was soft to walk on and made no sound.
There were three rooms on two floors. Jiang Liu wandered around the living room for a bit but didn’t go directly to the warehouse. Instead, she thoughtfully went upstairs.
The bedroom window was closed, and the bed was neatly made. There was nothing on the desk. The house had no signs of life, feeling more like a house than a home.
Her fingertips brushed against the wall, and she suddenly frowned.
There was a hidden door next to the bed. You wouldn’t notice it if you didn’t look closely. The lock was hidden behind the curtain, and none of the keys in her hand fit.
What kind of secret needed to be hidden away like this? Jiang Liu’s eyes shifted, and she suddenly had an idea.
When Yang Caisi returned, this was the scene she saw—
Jiang Liu, her face flushed and reeking of alcohol, had a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. It was unclear whether it was from nervousness or the heat. She was intently focused on her work in the corner.
The soft carpet had perfectly concealed her footsteps, so Jiang Liu hadn’t noticed her at all.