Chapter 81

Since the eight players had no identification cards, no money, and no cars in this world...
In the end, they stole two cars that had been left unattended by their owners.
The female player felt guilty, so she used her own props and wandered around the homes of the two car owners.
Although the other players didn’t know exactly what she was doing, they could roughly guess that she was compensating the two families in some way.
Once they had the cars, it was time for the players to split into groups.
The three novice players stuck together and clung to the female player. The four of them took one car.
The other two veteran players didn’t have strong feelings about Xiao Cheng and thought it wouldn’t be a problem to share a car with her.
However, Xiao Cheng was very resistant to the two veteran players. She pointed at one of the male players and said, “Didn’t you think about trying to steal my props earlier? I’m not riding with you.”
The male player she pointed at looked somewhat embarrassed.
He had indeed considered it, and Brother Wei had noticed it too.
The male player didn’t want to admit it, so after his moment of awkwardness, he immediately said, “Who wants to ride with you anyway? Go by yourself. The three of us will go together.”
He meant that they would leave Xiao Cheng behind, and the other three veteran players would drive off without her.
Xiao Cheng retorted, “Without me to guide you, do you think you can find the place?”
After the eight players had decided to look for the lucky one, Brother Wei had persuaded Xiao Cheng to guide them.
Everyone had realized that Xiao Cheng truly had relived the experience; otherwise, she wouldn’t know so much.
Given that, she probably knew the location of the lucky one.
If Xiao Cheng was willing to guide them, it would save them a lot of time searching.
Brother Wei patiently persuaded Xiao Cheng and eventually convinced her to lead the way.
Xiao Cheng had her conditions for guiding them: once they arrived, they were not to interfere with her actions. In other words, if she wanted to kill the lucky one, the other players couldn’t stop her.
Everyone agreed to this condition, and only then did Xiao Cheng agree to guide them.
Xiao Cheng looked at the one among the three male players who had an honest and simple appearance and said, “Brother Wei, you and I will take one car. Let them find their own car to ride in.”
Brother Wei, who had just been watching the drama unfold, felt deeply helpless upon hearing Xiao Cheng’s words.
Why couldn’t this female player just leave him alone?
Brother Wei knew himself well.
No matter how good his social skills were, it was impossible for a teammate to trust him to such an extent in just one short game.
Has Xiao Cheng been influenced by something?
Brother Wei glanced at the other players.
The female player had already gotten into the car, but upon noticing the commotion on their side, she stepped out again to ask what was going on.
Brother Wei said, "It's nothing. Xiao Cheng and I will find another car. You all get in first."
Xiao Cheng shot Brother Wei a glare.
But Brother Wei didn't change his decision.
He simply grabbed Xiao Cheng's arm with one hand and pulled her away to a more distant spot.
Although Xiao Cheng didn't object to Brother Wei's decision, she was still unhappy and remained silent, sulking where she stood.
Brother Wei had wanted to say something to her, but a honk sounded from behind him.
He turned around and saw two cars approaching, other players had followed them.
Brother Wei decided to temporarily abandon his original intention.
He quickly stole a car, drove it over, and called for Xiao Cheng to get in.
"Your Highness, please get in the car."
Brother Wei had figured out that Xiao Cheng responded better to soft words than to force, so he could only speak gently to her.
At his tone, Xiao Cheng, though still wearing a stern expression, eventually got into the car.
She sat in the passenger seat and, at Brother Wei's reminder, fastened her seatbelt.
Brother Wei stepped on the gas.
Behind their car, two others followed.
However, it wasn't yet time for Xiao Cheng to give directions; that would only be necessary once they reached a specific city.
After driving for a while, Brother Wei noticed the straight highway was nearly empty and casually called out, "Xiao Cheng."
The interior of the car was small.
Brother Wei's call to Xiao Cheng was especially clear.
Xiao Cheng replied stiffly, "What is it?"
Brother Wei glanced in the rearview mirror at the two cars following at a distance.
They were far enough away, it should be fine.
Brother Wei feigned a cough and said, "Let me be a bit narcissistic and ask you a question. Do you like me?"
His question came out of the blue, startling Xiao Cheng.
"Me, like you? Are you joking?"
Xiao Cheng found Brother Wei's idea utterly unbelievable.
She glanced at Brother Wei's profile, an ordinary-looking man, not particularly handsome, just passable.
She didn't like him.
Xiao Cheng turned her face away and explained, "I just see you as a teammate."
Before the reset, Brother Wei had said he was her teammate.
Her behavior today was simply because she trusted her teammate.
Xiao Cheng's answer was within Brother Wei's expectations.
Brother Wei laughed heartily a few times and said, "I know you see me as a teammate."
Although he was talking to Xiao Cheng, most of his attention remained on the road ahead.
Gripping the steering wheel, Brother Wei felt a sense of relief at Xiao Cheng's words, and his tone lightened a bit as he said, "Xiao Cheng, have you ever thought about this, you trust me way too much, don't you?"
Xiao Cheng was taken aback.
When Brother Wei hadn't mentioned it, she hadn't noticed.
But now that he brought it up, she suddenly realized how excessively strong her trust in Brother Wei had become.
Last time, she had only trusted him a little, but this time it had instantly turned into an intense trust.
With this as a starting point, Xiao Cheng abruptly became aware of many unusual things about herself.
She was overly dependent on Brother Wei, overly eager to win his trust.
Things that would never have happened to her before were now occurring.
How could she possibly care about others' thoughts?
Impossible!
Why is this happening?
Xiao Cheng could only think of one explanation for her abnormality.
That was her own item causing trouble.
The price her item demanded might be greater than she had previously imagined.
While Xiao Cheng was frantically thinking, Brother Wei spoke up.
He said, "You trust me. I must repay your trust. So, I want to remind you. You might be influenced by something around you that's affecting your behavior."
Xiao Cheng listened to Brother Wei's words in a daze.
Brother Wei was indeed the same Brother Wei she had encountered before, the one who would help her.
He was still such a good person.
Who could she trust?
She probably had no one else to trust.
She could only trust Brother Wei.
Thinking of this, Xiao Cheng clung to him like a lifeline and said, "Brother Wei, it might be because of my item. Its description says, 'Time rewinds, the more you use it, the more despair you feel.'"
Her eyes were filled with hope as she looked at Brother Wei.
Even without turning around, Brother Wei could sense the expectation in her gaze.
Brother Wei felt a headache coming on.
He had only pitied her and kindly reminded her out of goodwill, he hadn't intended for this girl to reveal her item's description to him.
Brother Wei had a feeling he had brought trouble upon himself.
He shouldn't have spoken up with that reminder!
Brother Wei knew Xiao Cheng was staring at him eagerly.
He sighed and said, "I don't know how to resolve this issue with your item. From the outcome, it seems to amplify all your emotions, your affection, your malice, and your despair."
Brother Wei stepped on the brake, temporarily parking the car near the roadside trees to avoid any accidents while they were talking.
He said to Xiao Cheng, "Your extreme trust in me, your biased views toward that lucky one, and your current fragility, all of these are likely brought on by this item. It truly lives up to its description: the more you use it, the more despair you feel."
Time rewinds to the moment when the Hanged Ghost accidentally witnessed the two embracing.
The Hanged Ghost held the food, hesitating whether to retreat now or push further, continuing to intimidate the Princess to create more opportunities for the Ghost King.
With the Ghost King as her backing, even if she wasn't the most capable subordinate in the eyes of the Ghost Queen, her position was still more secure than the little girl's.
While the Hanged Ghost hesitated, it caught a fleeting approving glance from Lu Zize.
The Hanged Ghost understood, this level of involvement was enough. It was time to step back and not play the third wheel.
The Hanged Ghost slipped away quietly.
But Gu Yi'an remained unaware of the commotion around her.
In her panic, she clung to Lu Zize, and her mind immediately settled.
With Lu Zize present, the Hanged Ghost wouldn't dare to wave dismembered body parts in front of her again.
The Hanged Ghost wouldn’t dare provoke Lu Zize.
Because he was a god.
As Gu Yi'an calmed down, she suddenly realized what she had done.
She had actively embraced Lu Zize.
The aura emanating from Lu Zize was icy cold; even through the fabric of his clothes, she could feel that chill.
Yet, paradoxically, he gave her an overwhelming sense of security.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Gu Yi'an froze.
She seemed to trust him too much, to rely on him too heavily.
The surroundings inexplicably grew unbearably warm.
The temperature of her body seemed to skyrocket in an instant.
Slowly, Gu Yi'an turned toward the desk nearby. Her gaze fixed on it, unfocused. She could hear her own breathing and almost feel the rhythm of her heartbeat.
She could sense Lu Zize watching her. She couldn’t guess his expression, perhaps, as usual, he wore a gentle smile, amused by her earlier fluster.
Gu Yi'an didn’t dare look up.
She needed to let go, to step out of this embrace, if he didn’t mind her impulsive action.
Gu Yi'an began to withdraw her hands, very slowly.
But she was already too late.
Who would let a prey that walked right into the trap slip away again?
Gu Yi'an heard a soft chuckle, from the other person.
His arm wrapped around her, not with force, but her body involuntarily leaned into his.
She was firmly trapped in his embrace.
"You always discard me after using me. It really hurts my feelings a little," Lu Zize said, his voice as gentle as ever. Though he claimed to be hurt, there wasn’t a trace of sorrow in his tone, only amusement.
He drawled leisurely, "I think, this time, I want a title.
I can’t let you keep throwing me away like this."