At night, outside the corridor’s large windows there was still a vast darkness, and unlike daytime, the lights in the corridor have changed from a dazzling white to a dark yellow. Shen Mu arrived on the 3rd floor, in front of No. 8’s door. The door still looked the same as it did a few hours ago when Shen Mu had just left, only a small gap was left opened.
Shen Mu held the doorknob, actually slightly trembling.
Quietly walking into the room, No. 8 lied on the bed with closed eyes, seemingly asleep. Shen Mu nervously walked in front of the bed, using his hands to test his breathing, before finally thoroughly relaxing. No. 8 really fell asleep.
After relaxing, Shen Mu sat by No. 8’s bedside, helping him to properly cover some parts of his quilt that slide off, and also quietly looked at his sleeping face for a while.
“You can sleep for a while first, I’ll go find Kexin and discuss this.” A moment later, Shen Mu quitely urged sleeping No. 8, before standing up.
“You still know how to get up? ” A somewhat childish female voice came from the doorway, the voice carrying strong ridicule and resentment. However, the voice was also deliberately lowered.
At the doorway was precisely the little girl, Kexin. She seemed to have guessed that Shen Mu would come here to where No. 8 was. She did not wait in the gaming hall, but instead, came over herself.
The result of the soundproofing in the room was very good, yet the corridor’s was ordinary. Shen Mu beckoned towards Kexin, indicating for her to come in to speak. Kexin curled her lips, but did not hesitate to come in, and even locked the door in passing. Then, she unceremoniously went to Shen Mu’s side, sat on the bed staring at Shen Mu but did not speak. Although her fear could be seen, to Shen Mu it was not same as the avoidance and trembling during the day.
Seeing that she was not that afraid, Shen Mu, had thoughts to tease her on the contrary, deliberately using a playful voice, saying: “Little girl, you are alone in a room with a big brother, you are not afraid?”
Who could have expected Ke Xin’s completely unafraid manner, but also strangely looked Shen Mu, pouting towards the still sleeping No. 8: “What do I have to fear, don’t you like men?”
Seeing this reaction of Ke Xins, Shen Mu felt even more interested, and continued to tease her: “Who told you that I liked men, big brother is the most fond of the kind of little loli like you!”
Shen Mu finished speaking, Ke Xin’s face really changed——no longer a face filled with unhappiness, but a unconcealable surprise, staring steadily at Shen Mu’s eyes.
Shen Mu did not anticipate this reaction of Ke Xins, there was a bad feeling in his heart.
“You…don’t recognise me? The little girl finally asked.
This time, it was Shen Mu’s turn to be surprised.
“Me?” We…… know each other? “
Looking at Ke Xin’s look that changed from surprise to helplessness, Shen Mu restrained his playful mood, and told her the truth: “I’m sorry, Ke Xin, I didn’t mean to say that. To tell you the truth, when I woke up this time, I didn’t remember anything about who I was and what had happened before.”
“You, you don’t remember anything…” Shen Mu’s comfort seemed to be counterproductive, Ke Xin’s voice carried a little bit of a sobbing tone.
“They…the doctor said you might not have been able to wake up, or may not have been able to fully recover even after waking up. The specific circumstances can only be observed again after waiting for you to wake up…” Ke Xin’s voice trembled a little, “Will you wake up? Can you remember when you wake up? “
Shen Mu was completely serious, Ke Xin seemed to know more about his situation than Liu Bo: “Ke Xin, I’m sorry, can you tell me what had happened first? To tell you the truth, after I woke up today, I was here, I didn’t know anything about any previous matters, or the real world. “
Ke Xin’s shoulder somewhat shook, it could be seen that the little girl strove to stabilize her emotions, as she talked to Shen Mu regarding some circumstances, which was basically the same as what Liu Bo had said. However, concerning the state of Shen Mu’s body, she knew more details. Shen Mu was given three critical notices, his breathing had completely stopped once, and a few minutes later he was miraculously revived again.
“My name is…Qiu Kexin. “Kexin look into Shen Mu’s eyes and said, “My mother’s name is Qiu Siying, do you remember her?”
Shen Mu shook his head apologetically.
Kexin explained to Shen Mu: “We were in the same building, my mother used to cook food for you.”
When she was saying this sentence, Kexin lowered her head, her voice carried an unspeakable sadness, Shen Mu was also influenced by her, and cannot help but ask: “Is Auntie still ok now?”
Kexin shook her head: “My mother died when I was very young.” Speaking here, she looked up at Shen Mu again, “The number of times she hugged me was not more than the times she hugged you. “
Shen Mu felt uncomfortable, Kexin lost her mother at a young age, and was now also involved in this crisis filled game. He didn’t know how to comfort the little girl. Shen Mu thought about it, and gently patted her head.
“Don’t rub my hair.” The little girl’s voice was sullen, her attitude had changed back to her previous unhappiness, but it was also somewhat different.
“Kexin why do you hate me? Have I ever bullied you before?” Shen Mu had some doubts.
“Just based on you?” Kexin pouted, but ultimately still said, “You liked the brother of Su Huatong in my class. Su Huatong said in class that you are gay, so because I live close to you, I will also be infected. No one else in the class wanted to play with me after that.”
Hearing this, Shen Mu knitted his brows: “This logic does not make sense at all, how were the cause and effect established…Did you speak to the teacher?”
Who could have expected that this sentence would cause Kexin’s expressions to immediately change, from hesitation and unhappiness to hurt and…guilt? Kexin twisted her head around, no longer looking at Shen Mu and began to play with the corner of her clothes.
Seeing the little girl like this, Shen Mu also did not know whether he should continue to ask.
At this time, a slightly cold hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, Shen Mu hurriedly turned around, it seemed that the sound of the two people arguing woke up No. 8. When Shen Mu’s gaze connected with his misty eyes having just woken up, the scene from the dream that was already distant in his mind, clearly surfaced at this moment, and Shen Mu felt that his cheeks were emitting heat.
No. 8 seemed to become completely awake, and actually smiled when he saw Shen Mu, the happiness in his eyes were filled with a trace of grievance.
Shen Mu was stimulated by this smile, after his state of mind rippled for a moment, he softly asked: “Did you already know me?”
“…… “The No. 8 blinked, seemingly aware that Shen Mu was speaking to him, but had a very confused appearance.
“Well, we’ve made progress!” Shen Mu smiled as he patted No. 8 on the head.
Little 8 was aware of the outside world, and also had his basic instincts. When he fell into the water before, he knew to climb ashore, but wasn’t able to climb, and also did not know to go to the ladder. With his current appearance, how could he survive without anyone to take care of him? After returning to reality, how could he find him?
No. 8 evidently did not have so many worries. He was holding onto Shen Mu’s arms with some happiness, having a strong interest in his sleeves, playing with relish.
Cold dog food was randomly slapped onto Kexin’s face: “I thought you liked Su Huatong’s brother!”
Shen Mu: “That’s not right, I only like my little 8.”
Kexin: “……”
“Ok then, Kexin, let’s talk about the important matters.” Shen Mu became serious, “Do you have any thoughts on what we should do tonight?”
“I…” Kexin was hesitant, “Why are we killers…If only we had drawn a town role…”
“Kexin, do you think there is any difference between drawing a killer card and a town card?” Shen Mu thought about it before saying, “Or do you think there essentially any difference between the killers voting out a player at night, and when everyone voted out a player during the day?”
“This…” Kexin did not think from this angle, and somewhat understood.
“In fact, this preliminary game, was like a battlefield, the two sides confronting each other, until one side is defeated. Although the killer side and the town side’s requirements to win are not the same, but when drawing the card, everyone has the same probability to draw each card. From this point of view it is also fair, because although some may be unconvinced, but luck is indeed part of one’s strength,” Shen Mu said softly.
“I understand, in other words, the killer side and the town side, was basically the A side and the B side. We can also completely change the address, we can be called the ‘Special Agents Advance Team’, they are called the ‘Undercover Teams’!” Ke Xin’s voice somewhat brightened.
Shen Mu could not help laughing: “Yes, that’s basically it. In the future official competition, there may be different game rules and identity cards, don’t be tangled on the identity names.” Thinking for a while he continued to say, “We were drawn into this game, and this is no longer the real world and the rules are also no longer the rules of the real world. If we want to live, we must abide by them. We can even exploit them, but we cannot violate them.”
Shen Mu gazed at Kexin’s eyes: “If it was possible, if the rules did not to force the two parties to be hostile to each other like the current situation, where only one party can win. Rather, there was a possibility for joint survival, even if there was little hope, I hope that more people can survive. But the current regulations…” Shen Mu shook his head gently.
Kexin shook her head before nodding: “I know. Although some brothers and sisters treat me well, if they discover my identity, they will not be lenient. If I was a policeman, and they were a killer, they would also not let me off.”
The little girl’s growth and intelligence caused Shen Mu to feel a little distressed, but in this game, it may be a good thing. Otherwise, how far can you go even if you pass the preliminaries? If the punishment in the official competition was terrible, to the point that it’s related to life and death, people will never be lenient on her just because she was young, but instead treat her as a pushover and dispose of her first.
“Okay, then let’s get started. On the first night, when we have no idea who the police might be, we should start with a more cohesive and intelligent person.” Shen Mu said.
“Um.” Kexin nodded, thinking for a while to say, “After you left, the fierce No. 1 told everyone about the matter regarding you about Su Huatong’s brother. But apart from her, it seemed that no one else’s reaction was very big.”
At this moment, Shen Mu felt a slightly warm breath near his ear. No. 8 was plastered to him, his eyes were filled with grievances. It seemed that because Shen Mu had been talking to Kexin, he was completely ignored.
“Little 8, who do you think we should kill?” Shen Mu immediately held his hand, asking seriously.
“…” Seeing that Shen Mu turned around to talk to him, No. 8 immediately became very happy, and Shen Mu also followed him, revealing a smile.
Kexin’s heart became cold: I think our team is done for…
At this moment, Shen Mu gently pulled over No. 8’s hand, opened his cell phone, and said while clicking, “Our little 8 is the smartest. OK, we’ll listen to you, tonight we’ll kill that person.”
“Did he just speak?” Kexin did not hold back and asked. After knowing that she had asked a stupid question, she turned away instantly and stopped talking. After being silent for a while, she finally couldn’t hold back, depressedly asking: “Who did you say you were going to kill?”
Shen Mu smiled: “Guess.”
Timeless Translations 