Chapter 172

Chapter 172

*I’ve missed you very much.*

This was the first time Xiao Huai had heard Lu Yuanshi say aloud that he missed him.

Before this, Lu Yuanshi had only ever asked,

*Did you miss me?*

*Will you miss me?*

Between the two of them, Lu Yuanshi was the first to admit he missed the other.

It would have been impossible to say Xiao Huai had not thought of Lu Yuanshi over the past few days. He simply did not want to admit it in front of Lu Yuanshi.

It was far too sentimental.

Xiao Huai looked away, handed his invitation to the old man, and turned to leave. Lu Yuanshi followed right behind him and began asking questions.

“How did that sound? Did it make your heart race?” He moved from Xiao Huai’s left side to his right. “I heard that telling someone you miss them counts as a confession. It might make their heart race. Did you feel anything?”

Xiao Huai was speechless. Lu Yuanshi really had been playing with him again. Xiao Huai had even assumed Lu Yuanshi might refrain from this kind of mischief because he did not seem well.

But judging by how energetic he looked now, Xiao Huai could forget that idea.

Lu Yuanshi buzzed and muttered around him like a tiny fly.

Xiao Huai gave a cold laugh and, under everyone’s watching eyes, grabbed Lu Yuanshi by the collar.

At that moment, Xiao Huai rose slightly onto his toes. They were so close that another fraction of an inch would have brought their lips together.

But Xiao Huai brushed past the corner of Lu Yuanshi’s mouth and leaned to his ear. “I did. Of course I missed you, my honored lord vampire.”

Lu Yuanshi froze.

*He is the only one I have marked.*

A heart that had been stirred would not easily grow calm again.

Xiao Huai released his collar. Seeing the momentary daze in Lu Yuanshi’s eyes, he smiled faintly like a victor.

But through Lu Yuanshi’s eyes, Xiao Huai’s smile looked dazzling and unrestrained. He could clearly see Xiao Huai’s curling lashes and the flawless contours of his cheeks.

It plucked the strings of his heart with effortless ease.

Lu Yuanshi lowered his head, a helpless smile touching his lips.

He knew Xiao Huai had been joking, yet he still felt that he could never outflirt him.

But one day, the jokes between them would cease to be jokes.

Because the truth was often hidden among countless lies.

Until no one could distinguish it or see it clearly.

The players were not fools. One glance at the pair told them that Xiao Huai and Lu Yuanshi knew each other. When Xiao Huai seized Lu Yuanshi by the collar, everyone assumed they were going to start fighting before the game even began.

Instead, they got this. To be honest, it was even more thrilling than a fight.

The players coughed, whistled, and each found somewhere else to look.

Grinning, Chen Chong whispered to Jiang Wenmei, “They really know how to have fun. Is everyone pairing off within the group now? That guy seemed exactly your type. Too bad someone’s already claimed him.”

Jiang Wenmei had truly had enough of Chen Chong.

Xiao Huai’s appearance did fit her ideal type.

But with that unapproachable aura around him and the innate coldness between his brows, who would dare speak to him?

“Go eat crap. I swear, you’re impossible.”

Chen Chong said, “How can a young lady talk like that? Be careful, or no one will marry you.”

“I’m still young!” Jiang Wenmei kicked him.

At that moment, two new players arrived in the courtyard. Butler Yang turned toward them. “It seems all the guests have arrived.”

Xiao Huai looked at the pair. One of them raised his head, revealing faint surprise.

Zhong Jiangyuan.

Zhong Jiangyuan had teamed up with a boy who looked like a student.

When Zhong saw Xiao Huai, he froze and silently mouthed, “Why are you here?”

Xiao Huai did not know what had happened, but from that reaction, their meeting truly was a coincidence.
Once Zhong Jiangyuan and the boy handed over their invitations, a System notification sounded in everyone’s mind.

[Welcome to the gods’ horror game. Fifth-floor game instance: “Town of the Blind”]

[The Gods’ Livestream is starting. Automatically connecting to the livestream pool.]

[Main Mission announced: Stay alive and find the missing man.]

[Side Mission: Uncover the truth of this world.]

[Friendly Reminder: Clearing the game requires only completion of the Main Mission. The Side Mission is optional. Completing it will yield richer rewards.]

[Please enjoy the game to your heart’s content. Entertainment above all!]

Every player received the mission information at the same time. Anyone capable of participating in a fifth-floor game had already undergone a qualitative leap in ability.

They immediately recognized this as a story-driven game.

Whether they pursued the Main Mission or the Side Mission, they first had to learn what had happened here.

Butler Yang turned around. The tapping of his cane against the ground reminded the players that the game had truly begun.

“It is already growing late. The young mistress has prepared rooms for all of you. Please follow me.”

This game had eight players in total. Before they knew the forbidden rules or obtained any intelligence, moving as a group offered some reassurance.

Zhong Jiangyuan also came to Xiao Huai’s side. “Xiao Huai, how did you reach the fifth floor so quickly?”

After an ordinary player finished a game, both mind and body would be traumatized, requiring a great deal of time to recover. They generally chose to farm some standby time in first- or second-floor instances.

Only once they were mentally prepared would they move on to the next floor.

At Xiao Huai’s pace, he seemed not to rest at all before rushing straight into the next game.

Zhong Jiangyuan ranked near the top among newcomers because he cleared games relatively quickly. But from the look of things, Xiao Huai would certainly occupy one of the top positions when the Newcomer Ranking next refreshed.

Naturally, he did not know Xiao Huai had already qualified for the Supernova Traffic Tier.

Players who qualified for the Supernova Traffic Tier were essentially guaranteed a place on the Newcomer Ranking.

As long as they did not stumble in this instance, they would become monstrous newcomers without question.

“What’s wrong? Is it strange? Still, meeting you here is quite a coincidence.” Xiao Huai spoke casually.

Zhong Jiangyuan wanted to say it was strange, but for Xiao Huai, perhaps it was not. Xiao Huai had awakened a supernatural ability while he was still a complete rookie.

And the ability was outrageously powerful.

Zhong pointed to the boy who had come with him. “That kid’s called Shen Yun. He’s my sponsor… No, I mean, I also work as a game companion sometimes. He’s my client.”

“Mm.”

“Oh, right. I have some clues about *Town of the Blind*. You should have some too, shouldn’t you?”

“I entered through a random game.”

“What?”

The random-game feature had only recently been added, and almost no one dared try it.

Everyone was accustomed to preparing clues in advance before choosing a game.

Ninety percent of the people who entered completely unprepared were terrifying in their own right.

Xiao Huai had helped Zhong Jiangyuan during his lowest point. Without another word, Zhong handed over his clues. “I’ve memorized all of this, so you can have them. Good luck in the game. I’m going back to my client.”

Xiao Huai looked at the two clue leaves in his hand and nodded lightly. “Thanks.”

“No problem. See you.” Zhong waved at Xiao Huai and hurried after Shen Yun.

Only after he left did Lu Yuanshi quietly drape an arm across Xiao Huai’s shoulders.

“I have a great deal of money. Will you play with me?”

Xiao Huai stepped several paces to the left, leaving Lu Yuanshi’s hand to fall through empty air.

“Sorry. I don’t offer game-companion services.”