Chapter 233: Someone Died

Chen Jun Nan, in your opinion... what age am I? Qi Xia asked.

Age...? Chen Jun Nan furrowed his brow. You look exactly the same as you did back then.

This pointed question almost overturned half of Qi Xia's wild speculations.

That meant he hadn't entered Zhongyan Zhidi at nineteen, but at twenty-six.

He wasn't from seven years ago, so could he be from seven years in the future?

There are too many doubts... Qi Xia frowned as he pondered for a while, then grabbed Chen Jun Nan. Don't you think there are too many doubts?

Chen Jun Nan was stunned. Where?

From your perspective... if the twenty-six-year-old me escaped for seven years and then returned here... shouldn't I be over thirty by now? Qi Xia frowned and asked. Why am I still twenty-six?!

This statement made Chen Jun Nan fall into thought as well.

So, maybe I never escaped at all... and instead became a "Yuan Zhumin"?

Qi Xia felt that only by considering himself insane could he explain everything: Those days, I went mad... and encountered another Yuan Zhumin, Yu Nian An! Since every Yuan Zhumin thinks Zhongyan Zhidi is the real world... I thought I met Yu Nian An in reality... but we were clearly just two mad people...

Qi Xia felt this guess was closer to the truth than any before.

This also explained why Yu Nian An appeared in Zhongyan Zhidi.

Chen Jun Nan thought Qi Xia was already acting crazy right now.

Lao Qi... Chen Jun Nan furrowed his brow and said, We've been operating together in Zhongyan Zhidi for so long... we should both know one principle.

What principle?

Yuan Zhumin absolutely cannot return to the Mianshi Fangjian. Chen Jun Nan said coldly. If you really became a Yuan Zhumin... then you'd be one forever.

No... that's not right... Qi Xia said. Yuan Zhumin can return to the Mianshi Fangjian... I saw Xu Liu Nian before... she did...

Before he could finish, Qi Xia froze.

Did Xu Liu Nian return to the Mianshi Fangjian?

They say she came from the same Mianshi Fangjian as Chu Tian Qiu, Yun Yao, and Jin Yuan Xun.

If she really went back, how could Yun Yao not know?

The last time he saw Yun Yao's reaction, she knew nothing about Xu Liu Nian.

So, was I deceived again...?

Was Yun Yao teaming up with Xu Liu Nian to deceive him?

Did Yun Yao actually know everything?!

Seeing Qi Xia's reaction, Chen Jun Nan was stunned for a moment, then reached out and slapped him clean across the face.

The slap wasn't very painful, but it was exceptionally loud.

What are you doing? Qi Xia jumped in shock.

Are you here to impersonate Qi Xia? Chen Jun Nan asked. Are you that "Hua Xing"?

What? Qi Xia slowly furrowed his brow. How could I possibly be a Hua Xing?

Then why are you babbling on like this? Chen Jun Nan asked, puzzled. The Lao Qi I know has never said "I was deceived." But I've heard it from you several times now. Are you really not an impostor?

I've never said "I was deceived"?

Yeah, you'd only say to me, "Don't worry, they can't deceive me." Chen Jun Nan shook his head helplessly. Looking at you now, I figure we'll never escape.

Chen Jun Nan's words jolted Qi Xia awake.

When he first stepped into Zhongyan Zhidi, he had confidently said something similar.

In terms of deception, he wasn't afraid of anyone.

But now, he was like a startled bird, cautious at every turn.

I'm starting to believe you're my teammate now. Qi Xia patted Chen Jun Nan on the shoulder.

Although it was their first conversation, Qi Xia felt very familiar with him.

Hey, don't touch me. Chen Jun Nan impatiently shook off Qi Xia's hand. I still suspect you're an impostor.

Yes, I almost wasn't Qi Xia anymore. Qi Xia smiled slightly. I should trust my own instincts.

As the two were talking, Yun Yao walked out from the teaching building.

Qi Xia. She called out.

What is it?

And this person is...? Yun Yao looked at Chen Jun Nan.

An old friend who's just joined. Qi Xia replied.

Oh... Yun Yao nodded. Tonight's the same as usual, there's a welcome party. Do you want to join?

I got it. You go ahead, we'll be there soon. Qi Xia said.

After Yun Yao walked away, Chen Jun Nan lowered his voice and said, You don't remember who Chu Tian Qiu is anymore?

Hmm? Qi Xia's face darkened. Did we know him before?

...

At the welcome party site, everyone listened to Chu Tian Qiu's monotonous opening speech.

It seemed like the roles had reversed this time.

Most of the teammates around Qi Xia were "Hui Xiang Zhe," but the people in Tian Tang Kou who retained their memories were fewer than last time.

That was understandable, though, since the more people who remembered, the harder it was for Chu to control.

What surprised Qi Xia was that Xu Liu Nian was sitting boldly in the crowd, as if everything that happened last time had nothing to do with her.

In this strange place, even if you committed a grave mistake, as long as you killed the person before they could "Hui Xiang," you could pretend nothing ever happened.

Qi Xia turned his head and saw the timid Tian Tian beside Yun Yao.

Yun Yao was introducing her to everyone and asking them to take care of her.

For Tian Tian, this wasn't a good idea; it would only heighten her anxiety, since in her world, everyone who was nice to her had ulterior motives.

Su Shan was sipping a bottle of beer while looking around at the noisy crowd. She had to admit, Tian Tang Kou gave her a very good first impression—there didn't seem to be any bad people here.

She turned to glance at Qi Xia and asked, Why did you arrive so late?

I just went to deliver something to my wife. Qi Xia said.

Deliver something?

Where's your wife? Lin Geng asked Qi Xia.

She doesn't want to come. Qi Xia shook his head. I don't want her to come either. This fake gathering is just an excuse to get some beer from Quan Tou—there's no need to involve her.

You haven't introduced us to what kind of person she is yet.

Zhao Yisheng and the others gathered around at that moment. Although they didn't understand why Yu Nian An appeared in the Mianshi Fangjian, she didn't seem dangerous at all—she was a very quiet girl.

She's a perfect person. Qi Xia said.

Perfect? Everyone was puzzled.

Zhao Yisheng smirked and said, Qi Xia, there's no such thing as a perfect person in this world.

There is. Qi Xia said firmly. Yu Nian An is perfect; she has no flaws.

Everyone shook their heads helplessly after hearing that.

Qi Xia had always been like this, so they weren't surprised.

Zhang Lüshi muttered to himself nearby, I really envy your love with your wife.

Li Jingguan raised an eyebrow after hearing that. I never asked you before, Zhang Lüshi—are you married?

No... Zhang Lüshi replied, then paused. Wait, yes.

Qi Xia sized up Zhang Lüshi and knew that everyone had their own stories.

But what kind of story would make a lawyer unable to tell if he was married or not?

Bad news, bad news! Jin Yuan Xun rushed into the party cafeteria, shouting loudly. There's a dead body!!