Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Qi Shuping led them toward the kitchen first.

She stopped just before they reached the final corner leading to the kitchen area.

“I need to go into the kitchen to investigate, and I’ll need your cooperation,” Qi Shuping said, turning to address Wang Hao and the other man.

Wang Hao looked at her and asked, “What do we need to do?”

“The same as before,” Qi Shuping replied. After a slight pause, she added, “You two pretend you’re going to hit me. I’ll use that as an excuse to ask the staff for help and take refuge in the kitchen.”

Wang Hao and his companion hesitated.

“Is there a problem?” Qi Shuping asked, appearing somewhat puzzled. Her gaze gradually grew suspicious as she watched them.

Wang Hao jolted and immediately replied, “No, that’s fine. We’ll do it just like before.”

Qi Shuping gave a small nod of approval before looking at Xu Tian. “Find a place to wait for a moment.”

Xu Tian had no objections.

Once the plan was settled, Qi Shuping turned away. The gentle expression on her face vanished instantly. She took a moment to compose herself, waiting until her eyes welled up with tears before stumbling toward the kitchen.

Wang Hao and his companion were stunned for a moment before they snapped out of it and hurriedly gave chase.

“You old hag, where do you think you’re going!” Wang Hao shouted, intentionally using a harsh tone, though his expression remained largely one of dazed embarrassment.

Qi Shuping had already reached the kitchen just as a staff member was coming out. She collided head-on with the employee. Before the worker could say a word, Qi Shuping grabbed hold of them, sobbing piteously. “Young man, please help me! They’re going to beat me to death! Please help me!”

The employee looked up, completely bewildered.

Wang Hao and the other man faltered in their tracks.

Clearly, they weren’t used to this sort of thing and found it hard to adapt. Wang Hao looked at the bar employee with a strange expression and said, “I suggest you mind your own business. Old lady, get out here right now!”

Qi Shuping clung tightly to the employee. “Help me!”

“Ma’am, don’t worry. This is a legitimate establishment; we don’t allow violence here,” the employee consoled her.

Qi Shuping nodded through her tears. “Thank you, thank you.”

“Stop talking nonsense! This is a private matter!” Wang Hao’s expression was off, but his words fit the role perfectly.

Qi Shuping immediately put on a terrified look. “Young man, could you let me hide inside for a bit? I’ll just stand by the door; I won’t get in the way of your work.”

Before the staff member could respond, Wang Hao took two steps forward. Qi Shuping acted like a startled bird and, before the employee could react, she bolted straight into the kitchen.

Wang Hao frowned and moved forward a few steps as if to chase after her.

Seeing this, the employee quickly blocked the two men.

Meanwhile, Qi Shuping had successfully entered the kitchen.

Wang Hao and his companion were no longer the original Wang Hao and his friend.

Qi Shuping had confirmed this. Although she was willing to believe Jian Fan’s words, she still needed to be cautious, so she had tested the two men.

In the previous world, Qi Shuping had never asked them to cooperate in a performance.

Wang Hao hadn’t denied her claim of doing things “the same as before.”

Besides testing the two men, Qi Shuping had two other goals for entering the kitchen. First, she wanted to observe the kitchen to see if she could find any useful clues. Second, she needed some garlic.

In some legends and films, Vampires were afraid of garlic. Qi Shuping couldn’t be certain what would actually be effective against a Vampire, so she had to try everything she could, one by one.

She managed to get some garlic from the chefs.

The employee drove Wang Hao and the other man away from the kitchen area. Originally, the worker intended to watch them leave the Bar, but since it was almost time for the Bar to open for the evening, things were getting busy. Seeing the two men walk away, the employee turned back toward the kitchen.
“Ma’am, he’s already gone. You can rest easy now. You should also head out quickly; our Bar will be closing soon,” the employee said.

Qi Shuping showed a grateful expression. “Alright, I understand. Thank you, young man.”

Carrying the garlic, Qi Shuping left the kitchen.

“Elder Qi, did you find anything?” As soon as they saw Qi Shuping approaching, Wang and Hao hurried over and asked eagerly.

Qi Shuping shook her head with a hint of regret. “I didn’t find anything.” As she spoke, she suddenly raised her hands. “Hold out your hands; I have something for you.”

Wang and Hao looked a bit confused.

Qi Shuping didn’t seem to focus on the two of them first. Instead, she turned to Xu Tian, took out two cloves of garlic, and handed them over. “There’s a custom in my hometown that garlic wards off evil. This world has been a bit too peaceful so far; I suspect things might take a turn toward the supernatural. There isn’t much here that can ward off evil, so this was all I could find. It’s better than nothing.”

Xu Tian’s expression faltered for a moment.

Qi Shuping said with a smile, “No matter how much schooling or experience you have, people my age are bound to be a little superstitious. If you don’t believe in it, it doesn’t matter if you don’t carry it.”

Xu Tian took them proactively. “Thank you, Grandma.”

Qi Shuping turned to Wang and Hao. “Do you two want some?”

Seeing that Xu Tian had accepted them, the two men nodded and each received two cloves.

They weren’t afraid of garlic.

Qi Shuping observed their reactions and quickly confirmed this fact. She needed to find the next item that might affect a Vampire.

Qi Shuping didn’t stay idle for a second; she tried almost everything she could get her hands on. Finally, she set her sights on the two Silver Bracelets on her wrists.

These were indeed a golden anniversary gift from her husband. When the Realm of Death pulled them into the game world, it did so based on their circumstances in the real world at that moment. Thus, Qi Shuping still wore the Silver Bracelets on her wrists within the Realm of Death.

Even if these were just digital copies, Qi Shuping still felt a special connection to them.

Therefore, she saved the silver jewelry for last.

By then, the Bar had already transitioned into its quiet morning hours.

Qi Shuping led the group of four as they wandered around the Bar before eventually returning to the main hall.

While the others weren’t paying attention, Qi Shuping slipped the Silver Bracelets off her wrists and hid them in her pocket. Then, she suddenly stopped and cried out in a panic, “My bracelets are gone!”

Wang, Hao, and Xu Tian all looked at her.

Qi Shuping seemed frantic. “Those were a golden anniversary gift from my husband! They’re very important!”

Xu Tian looked speechless, while Wang and Hao also seemed to find this development difficult to describe.

“What are you all just standing there for? Hurry up and help me look!” Qi Shuping suddenly snapped at the three of them.

Xu Tian glanced at Qi Shuping, then was the first to start searching the surroundings. Seeing Xu Tian move, Wang and Hao followed suit.

Qi Shuping appeared to be searching as well, but while Wang and Hao were off their guard, she lunged toward them. She clutched a Silver Bracelet in her hand, pretending to lose her balance. She stumbled into Wang, and as she did, she thrust the Silver Bracelet against him.

“Ah!”

Wang suddenly let out a piercing scream of pain.

Qi Shuping’s fall was a ruse. The moment Wang screamed, she realized the Silver Bracelets were effective against them. Using Wang’s body to steady herself, Qi Shuping immediately pressed both Silver Bracelets firmly against his chest.

Hao suddenly bolted upright. Realizing what was happening, he charged toward Qi Shuping.