Chapter 35 - Reality (6)
After helping his sister Cheng Ling Ling with taking photos for the event, Cheng Zhi Chu changed back to his own clothes and sent her out of his room before breathing a sigh of relief.
He didnt expect Gu Zhen to actually call Ling Ling. Before that, they had not kept in contact for a long time.
Since that day, Cheng Zhi Chu no longer wanted to have anything to do with Gu Zhen. Because it only gave him unpleasant memoires, he had deleted or blocked all of Gu Zhens contact details. When Gu Zhen tried to look for him, he avoided him as much as he could.
Fortunately, Gu Zhen never visited his home. He would only occasionally go to his school to find him and it was only a handful of times because Gu Zhen was usually very busy. This year, after finishing fourth year, he still had to stay behind to work in his familys company, so he rarely returned to his university let alone look for him.
Some time ago, Cheng Zhi Chu had also heard that Gu Zhen would go to a famous university abroad next year to continue his studies. After graduating, he would stay there for a few years so they would likely not see each other again in the future.
Although it was something that he heard coincidentally, in addition to feeling angry, Cheng Zhi was a little stunned. However, more of him felt relieved when he thought of the fact that they would finally no longer have anything to do with each other.
But what he didnt expect was that Gu Zhen had been calling his sister..
Cheng Zhi Chu pursed his mouth and decided that he didnt want to think about Gu Zhen anymore. They wont see each other anymore so Gu Zhen cant do anything.
At this moment, the bear that was hiding behind the curtains poked out its little head and then stumbled out. When Cheng Ling Ling came into the room earlier, it quickly hid itself and it didnt dare come out until after she left.
The bear asked curiously: Mummy you dont like that man now?
Actually, it cant be considered like.My feelings for him at that time was more admiration. I didnt dare to consider that thought and, in the end, it was gone before it was even able to sprout.
Cheng Zhi Chu shrugged. He then cleared his throat and corrected the bear: Also, Pinecone. Ive already told you many times. I am a man. You should call me daddy.
But youre my mummy. The bear blinked a few times, Mummy, you wont abandon daddy in the future, right?
Cheng Zhi Chu felt a headache coming. There were so many problems with that sentence and he didnt know where to start, You are not allowed to say that anymore. Uncle Bai Yi and I are just good friends. If you say something like that again Ill..Ill take away your fried chicken!
Wu
The bear revealed a very wronged expression that made Cheng Zhi Chu feel a little bad. Why is he bickering about something like this with a teddy bear? He immediately coaxed it with a few words and promised it that he wouldnt take away his chicken before bringing it over to wash up.
After the shower, Cheng Zhi Chu laid back in bed. He pulled out his Boss Photobook and flipped through it. There was an additional profile that had been lit up. It was Xie Yuan Huais.
The Xie Yuan Huai in the photo had his eyes closed. His handsome and cold face looked very peaceful and he seemed to be in a deep sleep.
ID: 029]
Name: Xie Yuan Huai]
Source: Abandoned Hospital]
Difficulty: Hard]
Description: A ghost that wanders the hospital. Before his death, he suffered from a congenital heart disease. His body was weak, and he couldnt experience intense emotional changes. As a result, he developed an indifferent and quiet personality.
After he passed away, his family couldnt accept his death. They stored his body at the hospital and his soul was similarly left there, unable to venture out of the hospital and unable to be seen by others.
He had long known that he wouldnt live long. He suppressed his own emotions and didnt dare to have any attachments to this world. He was used to being alone, so he didnt feel lonely.
He didnt have any attachments, and he didnt know why he was still wandering around as a ghost.
But ever since you appeared, he thought, perhaps his existence was so that he would be able to meet you.
All the desires and greed that he had never felt before when he was alive sprouted uncontrollably in his heart that had stopped beating.
You allowed him to truly live again.
Despite the short encounter, he thanked you, loved you and waited for you all along.]
Sigh..
After reading the details, Cheng Zhi Chu couldnt help but sigh. Inside, he felt a little torn.
Did you almost fall in love with Xie Yuan Huai?]
The system chuckled mischievously. Its tone was very teasing: I knew youre a gay. Pfft, you even had an ex-boyfriend. To think that you even have the nerve to claim that youre straight.]
[Scram! I was tricked by Gu Zhen!] Cheng Zhi Chu responded angrily, [Also, hes not my ex-boyfriend. I didnt go out with him.]
Keep arguing.] The system blabbered on, Lets see what you would do when Bai Yi finds out about it.]
Cheng Zhi Chus expression changed slightly: [Dont jinx me!]
Jinx you? Do you think you need someone else to jinx you? Looks like youre still not aware of how poor your luck is.]
The system poked at his sore spot. It then said:
It looks like I should remind you so that you dont end up dying later. That weapon that you synthesized with those weapon fragments, the Jokers Silver Coin, its best if you dont touch it. That thing is very ominous. How should I put it.It cant be considered a weapon. It should be considered a cursed item.]
Cheng Zhi Chu was shocked: [Why do you say that?]
You already know about the properties of a cursed item; they are unique and there will only be one of each cursed item with no repeats.]
The system said: But weapons are different. It is not unique and more like mass produced items. As far as I know, there is more than one of even the rarest S-class weapon. At least two of them exists.]
But I have never heard of this silver coin weapon. It seemed to be the only one that exists and that is the one that you have in your hands right now.]
You have also seen its description. Using it can bring you serious misfortune and theres even a possibility of the instance collapsing. With your luck, the possibility of that happening isnt small.]
It spoke very seriously, and it seemed to be certain about its prediction. Cheng Zhi Chu who heard this felt a little wronged.
I even suspect that its a cursed item. Theres something in it that has the terrible ability to deceive and tempt users. It was even able to trick the central systems classification of props, allowing it to be classified as a weapon instead.]
You should know that the speed at which weapons are passed around are a lot faster than cursed items. Players would also not think that the weapon can be fatal and would lower their guard thinking that as long as they drank some luck potion, they could use it as they pleased]
[I wont touch it anymore.]
Cheng Zhi Chu felt cold sweat form as he listened to the systems words. He vowed solemnly: [In fact, I originally didnt intend on using it. At that time, I had no other options.]
Fortunately, he was lucky at that time. Otherwise, he and Meng Ke would have definitely died right then and there.
Its good that you understand.]
Although the system may have a cheap mouth, at key moments it was still very reliable: You have quite a lot of Survival Points now. You can consider buying a few attack-type cards. Until you get your next weapon, you can deal with things using the cards first.]
[I have lots of Survival Points?]
Cheng Zhi Chu was a little surprised. He opened his own property chart and checked how many Survival Points he had.
Although he had just cleared an instance and was rewarded with 1,500 Survival Points, cards are relatively high-end items. The cheapest one starts at 500 Survival Points and attack-type cards would cost at least 1000 points. It wasnt something that someone like him could afford at this stage.
Player ID: Cheng Zhi Chu
Game Mode: Reality Mode
Level: 13
Blood: 170
Physical Strength: 65
Survival Point: 6613
Ability: 1 [View Details]
Skills: 2 [View Details]
Cursed Items: 3 [View Details]
Weapons: 1 [Weapon Fragments x0]
Cards: 0
Items: Boss Photobookx1 [Bounded], Flashlight x1, Low level blood tonic x3, Joshuas Necklace, Blood-stained Ring, Jokers Silver Ring, Teddy Bear
Bag Space: 9
Rating: C, Not so weak anymore but still weak.
Comment: Little gay, to be able to be bound with such a cute system K29 is the luckiest thing that would ever happen in your life. Remember not to fall in love with it.]
[My rating increased?]
Cheng Zhi Chu was both surprised and confused. He understood why he would suddenly have so many survival points.
When players ratings increase, they would be rewarded with a large number of survival points. They would even get discounts at the market place. An increase from D to C would reward them with 3000 survival points and a vast majority of the market places skills and props would have a 20% discount.
Humph. Thats right, so you should hurry and give me your sincere gratitude!]
[Thank you, thank you!]
This time, Cheng Zhi Chu thanked the system very sincerely. After all, he received a lot of benefit with this upgrade. His tone however was too sincere, and it made the system feel a little embarrassed. For a long time, it didnt say anything. It seemingly had gone into hiding.
Cheng Zhi Chu was very pleased. Like a miser, he counted his survival points and was surprised to find that his points had again increased a little.
This is?
He was stunned for a moment. He then suddenly remembered that he had posted an instance guide to the forum and had received a reply from Winter Branch. After not appearing for the past two years, many players clicked onto his post to see the great god. Of the 6000+ points that he has, apart from the bonus points that he had received from clearing the instance and upgrading, it was basically all from just this post.
Fuck. Thats right. He was even replied by Winter Branch. After being in the instance for too long, he had completely forgotten about it!
Cheng Zhi Chu quickly sat up from his sprawled position and grabbed the phone on his desk. He checked the post replies.
Because he had received too many notifications from that forum, his phone was constantly vibrating so, with frustration, he muted the phone. During this time, the post had quickly received hundreds of responses and he had even received a dozen of friend requests. The numbers still continued to increase.
He pulled up the friendship application page and saw that the Meng sisters and Ji Yun Xiao had already sent over their friend requests. He immediately accepted their requests and even chatted with the Meng sisters a little.
Ji Yun Xiao however didnt respond to him. He may have been busy with something else. After all, Cheng Zhi Chu remembered that Ji Yun Xiao was styled up during the instance, so he was probably getting ready to record a show and didnt have time to check his phone.
As for the requests that he had received from the others, because he didnt know them and he wasnt certain whether these people were reliable, Cheng Zhi Chu didnt accept their requests. One by one he deleted their requests and slowly scrolled through until he suddenly saw an ID that stunned him.
Winter Branch has requested to add you as a friend.]
Cheng Zhi Chu: ??!!
Wait. Who? Who wanted to add him as a friend?!
He wiped his phone screen and checked it several times to make sure he didnt read the name wrong. He then let out an excited scream and rolled around in his bed happily. Without even needing to stop and think, he accepted the friend request.
The great god added him as friend!
The great god actually added him as friend!!
Cheng Zhi Chu smiled so happily, his cheeks were sore. Despite doing his best to tell himself that great god probably added him as a friend because his hand slipped; or it was just because great god wanted to ask more about the instance since he did mention that the instance was interesting, he still couldnt help but feel happy to the point that he felt like he could fly.
What made him even more excited was that, after accepting his friend request, Winter Branch quickly sent him a message.
[Winter Branch: Hello.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: !!]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Its Winter God! Its really great god!]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Hello Winter God!!]
Cheng Zhi Chu typed very fast. He couldnt wait to say hello to Winter Branch. Afraid that he was being too cold to the god, he even typed out a few lines of praise. He praised how great Winter Branch was and how his guide had helped him a lot.
Winter Branch remained very friendly and calm. In response to Cheng Zhi Chus enthusiastic praise, he politely thanked him and said that he only did it so that he could help everyone out.
Being able to interact with the great god so closely and along with the fact that great god was very approachable, Cheng Zhi Chus good impression of him once again increased several folds. At the same time, he was also very curious. Why did great god disappear for two years and when he reappeared two years later, the first thing he did was reply to his post.
However, this was Winter Branchs private matter and Cheng Zhi Chu didnt dare to ask. He decided to ask a more serious question.
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Great god replied to my post before and said that Midnight Mansion is an interesting instance. Why? Was there anything special about the instance?]
[Winter Branch: Yes, that instance is very special. I cant give you the details, but I can reveal one point: This instance isnt one that anyone can enter. It needs to be opened by a specific person.]
Specific person?
Cheng Zhi Chu was stunned. He couldnt help but think of Bai Yi.
Of course, he wouldnt be thick skinned enough to think that he is the special person so the only other people would be the four teammates. Wang Jianming, Ren Xue and Lu Wenjing have all passed away. Although it was possible, the most likely person would still be Bai Yi. After all, he is very strong, and he is also very mysterious. Perhaps he had something to do with that instance.
[Winter Branch: No one could enter this instance before. You and your teammates were the first group and my guess is that your group would also be the last. There would be no other players entering this instance.]
[Winter Branch: There are more than one special instances like these. I have been collecting information about them, but I havent been very successful. If you find anything, I hope you can share it with me, and I can reward you with something appropriate.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Im really sorry. I dont have anymore clues about this instance. Everything that I have written in the guide was all that I can say. Im really sorry about not being of much help.]
Seeing Winter Branchs message, Cheng Zhi Chu frowned. He felt that he shouldnt reveal everything about it including the fact that he had received a cursed item and what he experienced in the instance.
He was still a little wary. Although Winter Branch is a great god whos happy to share his guides, and he seemed to be of good character, he still didnt know what he was truly like. They had only just met, and Cheng Zhi Chu didnt know much about him so he naturally couldnt trust him completely.
He also regretted it a little inside. If he knew that the Midnight Mansion instance was special, he should have carefully considered whether or not it was appropriate to post the guide. But he didnt know about it before and it was too late to regret it now.
Moreover, if Bai Yi was the special person needed to open the instance, then maybe Abandoned Hospital was also a special instance. Until he is able to ascertain Winter Branchs true intentions, he shouldnt most about it. He should also tell the Meng sisters and Ji Yun Xiao not to post it.
[Winter Branch: Is that so? Thats okay, maybe you just cant remember. If you recall anything, you can always tell me.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Okay. If I think of something, I would definitely tell great god!]
..
Over the next few days, Cheng Zhi Chu worked out how he should spend his survival points and used it to buy blood tonics, new skills and cards. Soon, his survival points reached a new low and all he had left was a few life-saving points to use in emergencies.
At the same time, he also told the Meng sisters and Ji Yun Xiao not to post an instance guide. He didnt tell them the reason for it specifically but the three of them were understanding and easily agreed to it without asking further questions.
During the past few days, Cheng Zhi Chu would often chat with Bai Yi but for the time being he didnt mention Winter Branch.
Firstly, it was because he still hasnt figured out what Winter Branchs attitude towards the person that can open the special instances was like. Perhaps the other party was really only had good intentions, so he didnt want to make Bai Yi worried. After all, he is in Death Mode and constantly in great danger.
Secondly, Bai Yi may already know about the special instances and has his own secrets. Cheng Zhi Chu was worried that if he spoke rashly, he may end up asking something that he shouldnt have asked.
Winter Branch has also maintained contact with Cheng Zhi Chu over these past few days. Perhaps to show his sincerity, he would even take the initiative to ask Cheng Zhi Chu if he had any problems that he could help out with.
He asked about the Death Mode. In addition to his own curiosity, he also wanted to know if he could be of any help to Bai Yi. He wasnt worried about Winter Branch becoming suspicious since he is also in Death Mode so this topic would naturally be raised.
[Winter Branch: Very few people would choose Death Mode. Although you can get more survival points, the overall disadvantages outweigh the advantages. People who choose this mode usually have no other options.]
[Winter Branch: It is the same in my case.]
[Winter Branch: The most common reason is because the player is in on the brink of death in reality. As soon as they return to reality, they would immediately die.]
[Winter Branch: These people cannot return to reality and can only choose the Death Mode. Only when the game is cleared will they be resurrected.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: It turned out to be like this..]
Cheng Zhi Chu was a little stunned. Before, he had asked Bai Yi why he chose the death mode and Bai Yi didnt answer him directly only saying that it was complicated. Could it be that this was the reason for him as well?
A little worried, he put down his phone and laid in bed for a while. When he finally fell asleep, he had a strange dream.
He had returned back to school over the past few days but, since returning to school, he has never had a good nights sleep and would always have the same dream.
In his dream, he stood in a pitch-black space. In his hand was the silver coin.
He would again and again flip the coin and every time it would reveal the jokers side. Every time he flipped it, he would make a wish; money, reputation, status, women..As long as he flipped the coin, he would be able to get anything he wished for.
It was the same today. After flipping the coin again and again, he had received everything. Just as he was about to flip it one last time and wish for eternal life, he suddenly felt something nudge his face and instantly woke up from this dream.
Wu
The bear made a very soft noise and patted his face. Seeing him wake up, it breathed a sigh of relief and moved to turn on the bedside lamp before gesturing to him to look next to his hand.
Cheng Zhi Chu looked over and the drowsiness that he still had was instantly scared away-Without his knowledge, that Jokers Silver Coin had actually come out on its own and was lying quietly next to his hand. His hand even looked like he was almost about to touch it!
What the hell is this thing
He was scared pale and he shrank over to the corner of his bed. He didnt dare touch the silver coin. That thing was too ominous. Although it isnt bounded, its attribute is still a weapon so it could not be sold at the marketplace and he could only keep it.
And this silver coin also cannot be thrown away. It would still be considered as his possession so if anyone or anything threw it, the result would always affect him. If he disposed of it..Who knows when this thing would be flipped?!
Damn, how can this silver coin be a weapon? How unlucky can he get for him to get this kind of thing through weapon synthesis?!
[Im obviously not just a weapon..]
At this moment, Cheng Zhi Chu heard a soft, whisper-like voice. It sounded particularly disturbing in the middle of the night. Cheng Zhi Chu immediately covered his mouth so that he didnt scream out loud.
[My power has been sealed, so I can only be used as a weapon.]
[If you are willing to free me, I would give you everything that you desire my master..]
[I dont need it!] Cheng Zhi Chu wouldnt be fooled by this, [I want to you hurry and disappear.]
[My master, please dont be like this. You should know that your luck isnt actually that bad]
[But for some reason, you have the tendency to attract evil.]
[Of course, those evil does not include me. I am here to help you.]
Bullshit. The most evil thing here is clearly you!
Cheng Zhi Chu snorted, but the silver coin didnt seem to hear his inner voice and just continued to speak.
[My master, if you are willing to use me, everything will be different.]
[In order to prove to you my usefulness, from tomorrow onwards, you and the people around you will experience great luck. As long as you continue to use me, you would continue to have this kind of luck for a long time.
[I apologise for disturbing you. Well then, good night my dear master.]
After saying this, the silver coin no longer said anything. In just a blink of an eye, it disappeared and returned inside Cheng Zhi Chus storage bag.
Cheng Zhi Chu was still a little alarmed. After being stunned for a while, the bear patted his forehead and indicated to him that he was safe. Only then did he turn off the light and whisper his thanks to the bear. He eventually managed to fall asleep and fortunately didnt dream of the silver coin. Like this, he slept peacefully until dawn.
The next key, he continuously worried about the silver coins words. A little anxious, he didnt know if he would really have good luck. If he really did, he didnt know if he would need to pay a price for it.
In short, he shouldnt be fooled!
With this kind of resolution, Cheng Zhi Chi decided that he would not touch anything related to luck today. This would also include the card game that he has been playing. He didnt log in today to avoid himself using his luck.
However, he soon realised that those actions of his were pointless. When he went for his morning exercise, he unexpectedly found a wallet by the side of the road. He ran past it and just happened to see a phone next. The third thing that appeared was a thick stack of cash. It was as if, as long as he didnt pick them up, he would encounter more and more things.
Cheng Zhi Chu didnt have any choice but to pick up all these things and drop it off at the schools lost and found centre. As he dropped it off, he just happened to run into the phones owner, and it turned out to be his professor.
The professor was grateful, and he recognised Cheng Zhi Chu as one of his students. He looked at him very kindly, like he was ready to give Cheng Zhi Chu a high score at the end of the semester.
Cheng Zhi Chus heart skipped a beat, but he didnt feel happy at all. He conversely felt a little scared. What made his scalp go numb was that, throughout the whole day, he would constantly hear about all kinds of good news
One of his roommates managed to get his hands on a free meal voucher allowing him to enjoy a generous meal. Another roommate received the best equipment in the game after opening a treasure chest. Even the stray cats that live downstairs outside the dormitory were fed with expensive canned fish and had eaten until their bellies were round and bulging and they were unable to move anymore.
Everyone was happy. Only Cheng Zhi Chu was worried. He then received a call from his sister. The young girl in the phone screamed with great excitement and exclaimed that Cheng Zhi Chus photo was selected by the event and she would be able to go watch Ji Yun Xiaos variety show as the audience.
Brother!! I love you!! You are my lucky charm!!
The girl in the phone was so excited that she almost cried. Cheng Zhi Chu congratulated her and then hung up with a complicated expression.
[My master, as I said, I will give you everything that you desire.]
[I promise that I will never flip to the devils side. Didnt you see last time how I helped you get rid of those enemies?]
[Please believe me. Dont be afraid of me. My master, I am your loyal slave.]
[My strength is far more this. I can do more for you in the future..]
The silver coins voice rang in Cheng Zhi Chus mind. It was filled with endless temptation, as if it was calling for his deepest desires.
Cheng Zhi Chu didnt pay attention to it and just went straight back to his dormitory. When he just opened the door, he heard his roommates angry shouts.
Fuck this hacker and his whole family!!
The roommate that had managed to receive the best equipment in the game this morning was sitting in front of his computer and cursing fervently. When he heard Cheng Zhi Chu come in, he immediately turned around and revealed a wronged expression. He rushed over to hug Cheng Zhi Chu and started complaining with snot and tears.
Cheng Zi.I was hacked!! The hacker cleaned out my whole account. All my equipment, my money, theyre all fucking gone..
Cheng Zhi Chu who heard this was also very angry. Just as he wanted to comfort his roommate, the door to the dormitory was again pushed open. The roommate who had left to enjoy his free meal came back with a pale face while supporting himself against the wall. Completely weak, he almost collapsed onto the floor.
I, I cant do this. Ive been having explosive diarrhoea this whole time. There definitely is something wrong with that restaurants hygiene! Hurry and take me to the hospital
Cheng Zhi Chu and the other roommate heard this and immediately rushed to help support the other person out. As they reached downstairs, they saw the stray cats also on their way to the hospital. It was said that they had eaten too much and needed to be taken to the vet to receive treatment.
Cheng Zhi Chu hurriedly sent his roommate to the hospital and accompanied him to get his intravitreal fluids. After busying about for a while, he finally had the chance to sit down and catch his breath only to suddenly receive a bunch of messages.
[Oh no!! Cheng Zi did you pick up Professor Lius phone earlier?! I just saw him raging that a lot of important information in his phone was deleted. He now thinks that you did it. Hurry up and go and clear things up with him!!]
Fuck!!
He immediately stood up, notified his roommate, and rushed back to his university to find his professor. He hurriedly tried to clear his name and the professor was just barely able to be convinced. His expression however didnt improve.
Looks like he will have to leave it up to God to help him pass this course..
Cheng Zhi Chu hung is head and walked out the office dejectedly. He was already exhausted. But he then received a call from home. It was a call from his mum.
Ling Ling was hurt. She got the news that she was selected to watch Ji Yun Xiaos variety filming and was too excited. She ended up missing a step and falling off the stairs, injuring her leg. Im taking her to the hospital to get it checked.
His mother was both anxious and distressed. She said helplessly to Cheng Zhi Chu: She cried very sadly and said that she definitely wouldnt be able to go to Ji Yun Xiaos show this weekend. Looks like you will need to go in her stead.
..
Cheng Zhi Chu ended the call and fell silent for a while. Anger appeared on his face and he angrily asked the silver coin:
[Was this the fucking good luck you mentioned? Ah?!]
[..]
The coin shamelessly kept silent.
Only after a long time, it said:
[.My master. This is definitely because you still havent freed me and unsealed my power. If you just agree to free me, you will surely-]
[Scram!!]
****
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