Chapter 21
Chapter 21
“Hey, why are you insulting me? You’re the one who isn’t human.” Lin Yinxi looked up. She knew what she had just done looked terribly impressive.
They had probably already imagined her as some incredible figure.
Lin Yinxi felt she ought to explain that she was simply one person doing two jobs.
She had to do human work.
And entity work too.
Just an ordinary workhorse fresh out of the beginner village.
Lin Yinxi explained, “Remember the Deep Blue Aquarium Visitor Guidelines we saw at the entrance? The rules on that sign apply to visitors. As you can see, I’ve already obtained temporary employee status so I can stay in the aquarium for the full seven days.”
Xu Haitang’s expression said she had suspected as much.
Now she was absolutely certain that Lin Yinxi was no ordinary newcomer.
Some extraordinary opportunity must have come her way. She kept her abilities hidden, looking like an ordinary student while navigating the scenario with ease.
No wonder she sat down everywhere she went!
Everything must be under her control!
Xu Haitang felt a newfound respect for Lin Yinxi.
Lin Yinxi had no idea that her explanation was making the misunderstanding worse.
Chu Yanran had regained consciousness. She remembered none of what had happened and thought she had simply fainted.
Chen Fei told her what had happened. She looked at Lin Yinxi, shaken by how close she had come. If Lin Yinxi had not pulled her back, she would probably have eaten that mince by now.
“All right. If you have any real abilities, put them to use. We’re a team. As long as one of us gets the key that lets us leave, we can all escape together.” Xu Haitang began organizing an exchange of information.
Lin Yinxi shared what she had learned. “I asked the visitors nearby. The aquarium closes at eight p.m. After that, visitors who haven’t rented tents aren’t allowed to stay inside.
You rent them at Whale Shark Hall. They’re rather expensive, but if you can’t get employee status, renting a tent is the only way to stay in the aquarium overnight.”
Chen Fei scratched his head and pointed diagonally ahead. “My girlfriend and I found out where to eat. There’s a coffee place just outside this jellyfish area. They sell snacks there. We haven’t had time to check it out yet.”
Xu Haitang said, “I heard that Zone B’s outer wall has already been repaired. According to the original scenario requirements, we have to stay here for seven full days. We absolutely cannot get kicked out after closing tonight.”
Lin Yinxi had plans of her own. “I have employee status. I’m going to act alone tonight.”
“Since you’re an employee and plan to go alone tonight, we’ll part ways here.” Xu Haitang was exceptionally decisive. She gave Lin Yinxi a long look. “Miss Lin, take care of yourself. Once tonight is over, we’ll meet up tomorrow. Don’t die.”
Lin Yinxi nodded. “You too.”
They agreed to meet in the jellyfish hall tomorrow.
Xu Haitang turned with Chen Fei and Chu Yanran and hurried toward Whale Shark Hall, as marked on the aquarium map.
They had to get there before the eight p.m. closing time and rent tents that would let them spend the night safely.
Though hunger made Chu Yanran’s stomach ache, the threat of death left her no choice but to grit her teeth and follow. They would find food after renting the tents.
There were two hours left until closing at eight.
Yang Shu did not immediately follow them.
Standing with his back to Lin Yinxi, he lifted the hair over his left eye. That bloodshot eye watched Xu Haitang and the couple walk away.
“Aren’t you going to rent a tent?” Lin Yinxi asked casually as she straightened her cleaning bag.
“Rent a tent? How naive.” Yang Shu gave a low, slightly unhinged laugh. “In a contaminated zone, buying safety is a laughable fantasy.”
He turned, his red left eye fixed on Lin Yinxi.
“This eye lets me see the concentration of contamination in the aquarium.” Yang Shu pointed to his eyeball. “Ever since that incident, I’ve seen a red thread attached to each of those so-called visitors in Zone A. And all those threads lead to the tent camp in Whale Shark Hall.”
“So, Miss Lin, I’d rather go with you.” Yang Shu stepped forward, closing in on her.
He too thought Lin Yinxi was an expert playing dumb.
She really wasn’t!
Her phone had merely helped her discover that working under entities made it easier to find a way to survive.
Lin Yinxi’s eyelid twitched.
She was not surprised the tents were a trap. In this hellhole, there could hardly be such a thing as sleeping comfortably and clearing the scenario.
The tent camp probably had additional rules to follow.
“I can’t carry you through this. You don’t have an employee badge, so I can’t take you into Zone B.” Lin Yinxi stepped half a pace back, putting some distance between them. “I’m going to find something to eat first. If you don’t want to follow Haitang and the others, you’d better find another way quickly.”
“Then let’s eat together first.” Yang Shu seemed in no hurry.
He had kept his lighter in his hand the whole time.
Earlier, when Red Raincoat appeared, he had stood aside and lit it. Lin Yinxi suspected that lighter was a taboo artifact too.
From outside, the café in the jellyfish area looked like a giant blue jellyfish-shaped house. Tables and chairs stood around it, but there were few visitors. As Lin Yinxi approached, she saw a sign outside the door.
At the bottom was the official seal of [Deep Blue Aquarium].
Jellyfish Café Ordering Guidelines
To our hungry visitors: We offer the most authentic flavors of the deep sea. To ensure an enjoyable meal, please observe the following etiquette.
[1. This café is the only establishment in Zone A that sells food and drinks to visitors. Taking food out is strictly prohibited.
If you experience gastrointestinal discomfort or a strong urge to vomit during your meal, immediately swallow your vomit. Do not soil the tables or chairs.
Our staff are extremely averse to dirt. Customers who soil the tables or chairs will be permanently blacklisted.]
[2. Coffee can briefly refresh you and help you stay alert.
Our latte art consists of random patterns automatically generated by a machine. If you find that your latte art resembles a face in agony, with its mouth opening and closing on the surface, add the complimentary sugar cube and stir until the face has completely disappeared. You may then drink safely.]
[3. Our signature desserts, including Red Velvet Deep-Sea Mousse, are made with live ingredients. They are exceptionally delicious and can greatly relieve fatigue.
If you taste a distinctive flavor or hear unusual sounds while eating, please pay them little attention. This means our ingredients are extremely fresh.]