Chapter 9
Chapter 9
But what was this thread?
Why had she never noticed it before?
The only unusual thing that had happened was her recent trip into that so-called Horror Game Instance. Could Doctor Song have entered it before she did? Was this thread an Exclusive Gift the game had given him?
Knowing nothing about the Horror Game Instance, Yu Lingling had no idea how unusual she was. Nor did she know that while everyone else only received an Exclusive Skill, what she had was an Exclusive Gift.
Yu Lingling put on an innocent expression as she looked at Doctor Song.
Doctor Song was considering whether the information Yu Lingling had revealed about the Dumpling-Wrapping Grand Reunion was important. From her description alone, it sounded like a heartwarming event. Furthermore, his Exclusive Skill told him that Yu Lingling wasn’t lying.
After a moment’s thought, Doctor Song decided not to press her too hard and risk antagonizing her. “If you don’t want to tell me, Lingling, that’s fine. Can you tell me whether you’ve picked up any new hobbies lately? Do you still enjoy reading medical books?”
The question immediately brightened Yu Lingling’s mood. “I bought a sewing machine, lots of pretty fabric and lace, and some books and tutorials. I’m going to make beautiful clothes for my dolls. Doctor Song, do you know that kind of transparent Dollhouse that you can decorate yourself? I’m going to make a really beautiful one. I bought so many things, and I’ll start putting it together as soon as they arrive.”
A transparent Dollhouse?
Yu Huan thought of the thing he had seen that morning. Could the ability his sister had obtained in the Horror Game be related to the Dollhouse?
Seeing that Doctor Song was interested, Yu Lingling generously showed him her shopping cart.
Doctor Song used his Exclusive Skill to verify that every word Yu Lingling said was true. “That’s a very good hobby. You could make some other small crafts too, Lingling.”
Yu Lingling hummed her agreement twice.
Doctor Song glanced at the down coat hanging on the rack. “Are you still very sensitive to the cold, Lingling?”
Yu Lingling had arrived in a down coat that covered her from head to toe, with thick snow boots on her feet. Even indoors, she was wearing a sweater and a lightweight down jacket. “It’s cold outside.”
Doctor Song glanced at the flowers on the table and asked with a smile, “Lingling, was it something from your childhood-”
“Doctor Song.” Yu Huan, who had remained silent until now, abruptly cut him off. “I believe you’ve overstepped.”
Doctor Song gave an insincere smile. “My apologies.”
Yu Huan stared at him. “You should apologize to Lingling.”
Doctor Song turned to Yu Lingling. “I’m sorry, Lingling. I shouldn’t have brought those things up.”
Yu Lingling remained as sweet and obedient as ever. “I don’t forgive you.”
Doctor Song nodded. “You have every right not to forgive me.”
Yu Huan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the armrest of his wheelchair. “Doctor Song, if there are no other issues, Lingling and I will be leaving.”
“For now, there don’t appear to be any problems.” Doctor Song retracted the transparent thread. “Just remember to come back on time next month.”
Yu Huan replied bluntly, “The New Year is almost here. It’s bad luck to visit a hospital during the holiday. We’ll discuss it after the New Year.”
Doctor Song met Yu Huan’s gaze and changed what he had been about to say. “All right, but Lingling’s condition makes long-distance travel inadvisable.”
Yu Huan nodded. “Lingling, put on your coat and say goodbye to Doctor Song.”
Yu Lingling obediently rose to her feet. “Thank you, Doctor Song. Goodbye.”
Doctor Song stood as well, but then said, “Could Lingling’s brother stay behind for a moment? I’d like to have a few words with you.”
Yu Lingling had her back to Doctor Song as she reached for her coat. At his words, her hand paused.
Yu Huan spoke gently. “Lingling, wait outside for me for a little while.”
Yu Lingling lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the emotion in them. The corners of her lips curved upward, and her voice remained as sweet and obedient as ever. “All right. Don’t take too long, Brother.”
Yu Huan agreed.
Once Yu Lingling had gone out and closed the door behind her, the smiles vanished from both men’s faces.
Doctor Song no longer looked remotely as gentle and refined as before. He picked up the bottle of allergy pills from the corner of the desk and shook it a few times, listening to the tablets rattle inside. “Yu Huan, what do you think your sister meant by bringing me flowers?”
Yu Huan made no mention of Yu Lingling having already entered the Horror Game. “It’s only natural to bring a gift when visiting someone.”
Doctor Song held up the pill bottle. “Don’t tell me you truly believe someone who, at the age of three, could manipulate several researchers into slaughtering one ano-”
A pitch-black, scythe-like weapon was suddenly pressed against Doctor Song’s neck. Its handle alone was as tall as a grown man, and a crescent-shaped blade curved from its tip.
Doctor Song stood perfectly still, not daring to move. He murmured, “The Soul-Severing Scythe.”
The Soul-Severing Scythe looked impossibly heavy, yet it seemed to weigh nothing in Yu Huan’s hand.
Outside the room, Yu Lingling suddenly narrowed her eyes. A moment later, she lowered her head and continued shopping on her phone, humming softly, “Little Spider, be good, open up the door~”
Yu Huan’s features were as exquisite as a painting, but his expression was cold to the extreme. “Doctor Song, my sister is very well-behaved. She’s a kindhearted good child.”
Doctor Song said nothing more.
Yu Huan gave the scythe a light sweep, severing every invisible thread in the room.
Doctor Song’s face turned deathly pale. He clenched his teeth, but blood still trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Yu Huan put away the Soul-Severing Scythe and settled back into his wheelchair. “Do not disturb my sister’s peaceful life.”
He turned his wheelchair toward the door. When he opened it, his voice was warm and gentle once more. “Thank you, Doctor Song. My sister and I will be leaving now.”
Doctor Song remained silent.
Yu Huan closed the door behind him, then reached down to pat Yu Lingling, who was squatting on the floor like a giant mushroom. “Want to have hot pot for lunch?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Yu Lingling instantly forgave Yu Huan for making her wait outside while he had a private conversation with Doctor Song. “And I want milk tea.”
Yu Huan agreed.
Yu Lingling happily pushed his wheelchair. “Brother, when are we going shopping for New Year supplies?”
Yu Huan’s wheelchair did not actually need anyone to push it, but he enjoyed his little sister fussing over him. “After hot pot.”
Wrapped in a fluffy scarf, Yu Lingling had only her beautiful almond-shaped eyes exposed. “We need candy, red envelopes, fish, and a huge pork hock.”
Inside the office, Doctor Song spat out a mouthful of blood. Clutching his chest, he grumbled, “How petty. Still, it looks like Yu Lingling hasn’t come into contact with the Horror Game yet. Yu Huan, Yu Huan…”
Even saying Yu Huan’s name filled his voice with intense jealousy.
Doctor Song ground his teeth. “Why are you so lucky? Why are you the only one – the only one who can lea-”
The shrill ring of a telephone cut him off.
It came from an obsolete rotary phone.
Doctor Song hurried to answer it.
A raspy, magnetic voice spoke from the receiver. “An anomaly has appeared on West Street, and the civilians have already been evacuated. Based on the projected instance data, you, Fengli, and Tongyu are assigned to handle it together.”
Doctor Song’s expression turned solemn. Both his twisted amusement and his earlier jealousy disappeared, replaced by an unnatural calm. “Understood.”
The raspy voice paused before continuing, “Come back safely.”
Doctor Song chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
After hanging up, Doctor Song went into the back room and changed his clothes. Before leaving, he glanced once more at the flowers on his desk.
“Though I die a hundred deaths, I will never retreat. I will protect all living beings without regret.” He sighed. “Ah, I really did choose the wrong line of work.”