At 12:30 midnight, the Non-Player Characters of the Live Action Role Playing Game "Snowpiercer" wearily awaited the final group of players. Once this three-hour session concluded, they could finally go home to sleep.
In this immersive interactive theater, actors moved within the setting, with their only pastime being slipping out the back door to smoke by the emergency exit, chatting about memorable attractive players.
Photos and QR codes for tips were posted outside the wall, occasionally earning them extra income. They jokingly referred to themselves as being in the "flesh trade," especially the new actor Diao Zhiyu, who played Qin Xiaoyi.
With his handsome looks and short curly hair, perfectly suited for his role as the aloof and solitary Finance Minister, his striking features made him particularly popular among young women.
Lately, he had grown noticeably more bored than before, tired of constantly trading on his appearance.
Those players seeking romantic tension in the game would immerse themselves deeply in their roles, their gazes direct and lingering on him, undoubtedly thinking about matters of physical attraction.
At 12:25, after check-in ended, he went to the station to pick up the final group of players.
Reciting his lines fluently, he added: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's getting late. Please bring your Invitations and enter Rong City. This way, please."
The "Snowpiercer" immersive theater was highly renowned in Shanghai, located in a downtown shopping mall with extravagant settings and Non-Player Characters.
Satin gowns, Knot Button Embroidered Cheongsams, pearl-strap evening dresses, and British academic-style shirts hung pressed in the dressing rooms, while vanities overflowed with jewelry.
The train's twelve private compartments served as the players' Role rooms. After the Steam whistle sounded and the train halted, the gates of Rong City opened to reveal a snow-blown city. Gazing across the glistening snow on the ground, one could see dazzling ballrooms, casinos, department stores, hotel rooms, and grocery shops... Antiques and curios filled bustling market stalls, with over a dozen Non-Player Characters performing live, creating a lively street scene where shops competed to attract customers amid the drifting scenery.
Diao Zhiyu went to the station to welcome the twelve players with a suit jacket draped over his arm.
Each carried a backpack containing their identity card and a knife. Judging by their unfamiliarity with one another, they appeared to be individual players grouped together.
The story took place in the northern Rong City during wartime, where political figures from various sectors were traveling by train to Moscow.
Stranded in Rong City due to heavy snow, Finance Minister Qin Xiaoyi was tasked with receiving the distinguished guests trapped at the station.
With the assassination of Rong City's commander, the players remained in the city to assist the New Rong City Candidate in rising to power.
There were four candidates: Finance Minister Qin Xiaoyi, Army General Feng Youjin, Police Chief Ning Zechen, and Japanese Intelligence Officer Lin Qiumei, each leading three players.
Over three hours, the lights would go out three times. During the day, Non-Player Characters engaged in dramatic performances, while at night, they interacted with players during blackouts. On the first night, players completed tasks, schemed against each other, and earned money; on the second night, they used side plots to elect the new Rong City leader, with successful supporters receiving an extra knife; the final night was the Coup d'état Battle Royale, where players used the knives hidden in their backpacks to attack others, while Non-Player Characters protected their group members.
The last survivor would be escorted onto the train by the new Rong City leader to escape the city.
The knives were specially designed: when they touched another player's clothing, a Night Light Coating would illuminate, signaling death and elimination. Additionally, rooms would gradually darken over time, and players remaining in blacked-out rooms would be assassinated by Non-Player Characters.The three and a half hours weren't particularly thrilling, with the final escape-and-hunt round being the main attraction. City dwellers trapped in mundane lives crave this kind of thrilling hunger games-style excitement.
Three individuals assisted Minister Qin in rising to power: a well-connected Gold Medal dance hall star, an American intelligence spy, and the owner of a political mouthpiece newspaper. On the first night, players from other factions would approach to receive missions. During downtime, Diao Zhiyu mostly observed other players or gambled in the casino.
Upon entering the Rong City scenario, his first move was to book the most expensive room to flaunt his privileged status, then pick a fight with the police chief while other players watched their performance.
Over the three-night stay, Diao Zhiyu showed no interest in male players, secretly assessing which of the six female players was more attractive instead.
Excluding three cross-dressing male players: the dance hall star wore a red cheongsam, genuinely beautiful with a flirtatious charm, her outgoing personality making her cling to him while calling him "Minister Qin" to wheedle more money from his pockets; the general's daughter wore a kimono, relatively quiet but with eyes constantly fixed on him - Diao Zhiyu knew she fancied him; the blue-cheongsam-clad intelligence agent seemed vaguely familiar, never making eye contact when coming for missions, which piqued his curiosity.
Qin Xiaoyi's Role in the Live Action Role Playing Game was a effeminate man who'd secretly loved Lin Qiumei for years, while Lin Qiumei and Ning Zechen were childhood sweethearts.
His storyline would gradually unfold. Sure enough, a player secretly planted a knife in his room, triggering the second-round plot where he'd be ordered by the Emperor to be taken to prison for interrogation, forced into a blood-stained white shirt before being thrown to the ground and kicked by colleagues.
The female players seemed to enjoy this - with the torn white shirt revealing patches of his skin and, well, muscles.
During the second round, everyone worked to earn money for their faction to buy votes. The winning faction members would receive an extra knife; completing certain side missions also yielded knives. More knives meant higher survival odds during the third night's kill-or-be-killed finale. To avoid being helpless prey, players kept running around him, completing missions before darting off.
With surveillance cameras throughout the venue, even yawning had to be done discreetly with turned backs. Players' character names were displayed on chest badges, yet by game's end he still recognized no one.
The dance hall star continued happily teasing him. She perfectly embodied her Role - frivolous, using her character to flirt with the equally handsome Diao Zhiyu, though her behavior suggested she wanted his real-life contact information; the general's daughter was somewhat aggressive, always trying to dominate during voting, making Diao Zhiyu feel such controlling girls were rather suffocating.
Especially in the casino when she suddenly grabbed his collar, Diao Zhiyu frowned but still turned with a smile: "Patience, let me finish this round."
He frequented the casino for its strategic view and to observe mission-completing players during downtime.
After losing considerable money on consecutive triplets, he overheard two people arguing: "Starting fights before the game even ends? At least pretend to be competent during the roleplay if you're so pathetic!"
Arguing during Live Action Role Playing Game - how deep must their grudge be? He turned to leave, spotting a burgundy skirt hem at the corridor corner - the dance hall star.In another group, the dance hall owner was whispering, his voice low but still audible.
"The boyfriend Hu Xiu brought seems to have asked other girls for their contact info. What a scumbag, I knew it."
"Oh? Does she have bad luck? Always getting cheated on. Last time, she even got her engagement called off."
"I should tell her."
"Focus on the game for now. She seems happy wearing that cheongsam in the scene."
"Interesting, you care more about Hu Xiu than me. I'm your husband, shouldn't you reflect on that?"
"She came here to see one of the NPCs. She's joined multiple sessions. Don't mention it during the game."
"Oh, trying to find another boyfriend? So many options, huh?"
If he heard correctly, it should be the "Xiu" from "shy." The blue cheongsam, the intelligence agent wandering around the hall in the distance—that must be her.
It was his first time hearing a player's real name in a Live Action Role Playing Game, quite memorable.
After the second round of voting, Feng Youjin earned enough money to buy the Gold Medal left by the general. The next scene belonged to Feng Youjin and Lin Qiumei, playing siblings in a romantic plot.
He left the ballroom. The lights in Rong City dimmed. His next task was to protect the members of his own group and help them survive until the end. The third night—the escape and hunt—began.
The background music grew tense and ominous. Figures frequently darted through the twelve rooms. In the darkness, Diao Zhiyu couldn't make out details clearly, only distinguishing people by the shapes of their clothes. Right from the start, he saw the dance girl stab her boyfriend—attacking one's own, one of humanity's habits.
People hid in the darkness. Once a room turned red, it could no longer be used as a hiding spot, and the safe area gradually shrank.
He shielded the three players in his group. The dance girl, hiding behind him, asked proactively, "Minister Qin, what's your WeChat ID? Do you have Weibo?"
"That's not very convenient."
"I'm asking for a friend."
He had a faint suspicion it was for the girl named Hu Xiu. Standing under the surveillance cameras, he replied gently, "It really isn't convenient. Maybe next time we meet in Rong City."
"She's been here three times already. Each time, she couldn't get into your group and didn't dare ask customer service for a Behind-the-scenes role. She's going broke just to see you."
Diao Zhiyu was taken aback by this. The dance girl poked his arm and said, "Little brother, your tickets are expensive. It's not easy for your big sister to come see you. Money doesn't grow on trees."
"Enough talk. Do you have another knife? Give me one. I'm going to stab someone."
If the company found out he had private contact with players, he'd be fined. Diao Zhiyu glanced at the surveillance cameras and prepared to find the other players in his group.
In the darkness, someone bumped into his arms, and a knife stabbed into him.
Hu Xiu in the blue cheongsam smiled timidly. "Sorry, good thing you're an NPC, or I'd be dead."
She had beautiful eyes, her pupils dark and bright under the dim light, as if filled with deep emotion.
Diao Zhiyu's heart skipped a beat. He teased her back, "What are you smiling for? Hurry up and hide, or you'll get killed."
She laughed. "I never planned to survive till the end. I came to see a handsome guy. Now that I have, I can leave."
"Who did you come to Rong City to see?"
"Isn't Minister Qin supposed to have a photographic memory?" Though he couldn't see her face, he could tell she was smiling. "Of course I can't say who I came for. I don't want to burden him."
"Are you Hu Xiu?"
"Yes, how did you know?"Diao Zhiyu simply smiled and replied, "I remember you..."
By making players happy in various ways and providing satisfactory service, he could earn an extra performance fee.
To put it bluntly, making others happy was his job. NPCs weren't actors—he knew the difference. Besides, she had come specifically for him.
Footsteps approached. Hu Xiu instinctively grabbed him: "Can I hide behind you for a moment?"
Behind Diao Zhiyu was an emergency exit, where the girl concealed herself completely.
But the green glow at his legs betrayed her presence. A passing journalist laughed and said, "Brother, I'll let it slide this time, but next time I won't be so polite."
After the person left, Diao Zhiyu continued teasing her: "You really should go now. You can't hide here for long."
The girl jumped out from behind him, cautiously looking around: "It's all because your voice is too magnetic. Whether you speak softly or loudly, it's always recognizable. And you're too thin."
"Complimenting me?"
"Saying you lack a sense of security." She turned back to look into Diao Zhiyu's eyes: "Watch me here, Minister Qin. Even with just a knife, I'll win. Last time you said I was foolish."
"Of course you're clever." Seeing Hu Xiu's adoring gaze, his smile deepened in the darkness.
"Next time you come, will you still recognize me?"
"Probably..."
Hearing the comment about lacking security displeased him. In his day-to-day performances, he played his part, quickly recovering even when his mind occasionally blanked. He was exceedingly polite to everyone, receiving tips and feeling a subtle sense of accomplishment. The company forbade sharing personal contact information or self-promotion—he was just an attractive picture in a peep box, and he had mastered that role.
Welcoming new players each session, then locking himself back into the emptiness of the peep box afterward—no one knew about that. Let alone the fact that he was an NPC—many people didn't even understand what that term meant.
An alarm sounded, reminding him to go to the final match room to watch the results. Behind the flowers and tables, only the dancer and the woman in the blue cheongsam remained. The night light coating on eliminated players seemed to cheer them on. A player shouted, "Xiu, go for it! You can't lose this round. This is your only chance to take down Zhao Xiaorou!"
The ballroom owner, never one to miss drama, added: "Xiu, Xiaorou has a secret to tell you."
"Wang Guangming, shut up." The dancer spoke, tugging at the blue cheongsam's sleeve as both waited for an opportunity to strike.
"Hurry up, you two. Don't keep everyone waiting. Women need to be ruthless at critical moments! Xiaorou, if you won't say it, I will—"
Before he could finish, the blue cheongsam stabbed the dancer. The dancer's coating lit up—game over.
The dancer threw the knife to the ground and yelled: "Wang Guangming, you've been holding back long enough! I want a divorce! You and your vulgar, big-mouthed humor—see you at the civil affairs bureau tomorrow!"
The room fell silent, darkness masking the awkwardness. Zhao Xiaorou flung her shawl over her shoulder: "Hu Xiu's business has nothing to do with you anymore. What are you staring at? The show's over!"
The casino owner finally exploded: "You think you're so independent now? You're divorcing me over Hu Xiu?"
"I'm doing this for myself!"
Diao Zhiyu couldn't let things escalate further. He stepped between them: "The game is over. No arguing. Let's exit orderly through Rong City's gate."
Before he could finish, he was suddenly shoved. A fist grazed his cheek, and his waist hit the corner of a table.Other NPCs rushed forward to intervene: "Assaulting staff is prohibited. Please leave the venue."
As Diao Zhiyu looked up, through the gaps in his curly bangs, he saw Hu Xiu's terrified expression.
The punch he received had completely wiped away his fatigue. When Hu Xiu passed by him, she timidly asked, "Are you okay?"
This only made him feel more humiliated and angry. If he hadn't been worried about embarrassing her with the "green hat" incident, he might have avoided that punch altogether. Suppressing his emotions, he replied flatly, "I'm fine..."
Diao Zhiyu was deeply displeased. Next, Feng Youjin, as the winner of this round's Non-Player Character, would escort the victorious players onto the Snowpiercer. All Diao Zhiyu had to do was bow and take his leave in Rong City.
As he bent down, he remembered that during the rounds Qin Xiaoyi had won, when the gates of Rong City closed to send off the players, he had once seen a dejected Hu Xiu among those waving from the crack of the door.
She really had come for him.
Changing clothes after work, his slender, lean figure reflected in the mirror. He was still handsome, aloof, with a touch of delicate beauty. The bruise on his face could easily be explained away with a few extra lines tomorrow.
But the shame and anger within him slowly simmered. At this moment, he truly wasn't happy. Even players who came for him would have boyfriends behind his back—getting upset over players made him feel inconsistent as a handsome guy, but he couldn't help it.
"Encountering such juicy gossip late at night is so thrilling."
"What, a divorce?"
"No, that girl named Xiu—her boyfriend added someone else on WeChat and left his girlfriend stranded, sharing a ride with someone else."
"I heard Hu Xiu came to play for Diao Zhiyu. Diao Zhiyu, since you don't have a girlfriend anyway, why not just take her in?"
"Don't joke around." Diao Zhiyu changed into his denim jacket and took one last look at himself in the mirror. "I'm heading out first..."
Walking on the road at 1 a.m., the name Hu Xiu lingered in his mind. What he didn't know then was that his story as an actor truly began with Hu Xiu.
OpenNovel