Hu Xiu quietly sent a text message to Diao Zhiyu: "Did you not go to work today?"
"Intermission..."
"No days off recently?"
"Busy season..."
Hu Xiu felt a sudden choke, making it hard to swallow her steak. Diao Zhiyu had an especially unbearable habit when texting—he always tried to act cool, replying with just a few words each time, making him seem incredibly popular and extremely hard to deal with.
She did find a good trick, though: she took a photo of the night view and said, I'm having dinner with Pei Zhen.
Sure enough, he replied instantly: "Going to such a fancy place for a weekday dinner? Making a big deal out of it?"
"Is that not allowed? It's Dr. Pei's birthday today."
After two minutes, Diao Zhiyu's reply came reluctantly; Hu Xiu could almost sense his sarcastic tone through the phone: "Such an old-fashioned man, only knows restaurants for dates. If he has the guts, bring him to Rong City—I'll make sure he goes straight to jail."
"Wow, turning into Officer Feng and taking charge of the prison is quite the achievement."
"And you never come to visit. Heading back to the stage..."
He even added two periods to express his displeasure. Hu Xiu held her phone, sitting in her seat with a grin spreading uncontrollably across her face. How could there be a boy so annoyingly slick, teasing and then running off while pretending he didn’t mean anything by it!
When she looked up, she noticed Pei Zhen quietly cutting his steak, smiling but seeming a bit uneasy—
The unspoken thoughts passing back and forth had already been clearly conveyed; he must have realized she was chatting with Diao Zhiyu, seeing through it without saying a word.
Thinking of this, Hu Xiu put down her phone and focused on chatting with Pei Zhen about Li Ai's past, casually bringing up the ambiguous relationship with Zhao Xiaorou and the dramatic divorce saga of Internet celebrity Zhao Xiaorou.
In Hu Xiu's version, Zhao Xiaorou divorced for Li Ai—she had always thought so.
"Those two have always been awkward, neither willing to make the first move, but anyone with eyes can see they're definitely not just friends."
"Unless something really happens, they'll probably stay in this ambiguous state. It's not easy for adults to take a new step. I've heard a bit about Li Ai's lawsuit too; he probably isn't in the mood for a relationship until it's resolved."
Pei Zhen spoke about these matters very calmly, with a youthful clarity. He straightened his back and sighed: "My stomach can't handle this set meal; usually at this time, I'm performing surgery and have no appetite at all."
"Don't say you're getting old—it makes you sound fifty." Strange, the men she had some connection with all seemed to have stomach issues.
On the way home, Pei Zhen joked that his place hadn't been tidied up in a long time and he was embarrassed for Hu Xiu to see it.
Hu Xiu was startled—it was as neat as a showroom, looking almost unlived-in.
Pei Zhen then mentioned that the neighborhood was a bit far from the subway, making her commute troublesome. Hu Xiu thought to herself, as if I'm not from Shanghai—an elevator-fitted, finely decorated apartment in Century Park, and he talks like an old Versailles pro.
But Hu Xiu no longer took Pei Zhen's words as hints about family background. Someone who could be as happy as a child was most likely genuinely concerned that the person he liked had seen his home's minor shortcomings.
Thinking this, Hu Xiu said: "It's fine, don't treat me like an outsider. Anyone who's helped Li Ai shares a life-and-death bond with REGARD Café."
"Well then, I'll invite you over sometime to hang out."What to play? Hu Xiu certainly didn't dare entertain such talk at night. On moonless, windy evenings, whenever suggestive keywords like "home bed hard big" came up, conversations inevitably veered toward the gutter.
But she needed a more sophisticated way to deflect. After a moment's thought, Hu Xiu said, "I can bring my PS4. I recently bought a second-hand motion-sensing game - beach volleyball with beauties. It's really exciting to play."
The moment she finished speaking, she choked on her words—why couldn't she control this mouth of hers!
Pei Zhen actually took the joke in stride: "Sounds interesting. I prefer doing exercises in my room."
Damn!
The car pulled up steadily at the residential complex entrance. Hu Xiu flung the door open and ran: "Goodbye, Doctor Pei!"
Diao Zhiyu had mentioned three times about visiting Snowpiercer to see Feng Youjin—she couldn't keep standing him up.
The next day, Hu Xiu fortunately had a day off. She slept in, leisurely poached some eggs, and after breakfast headed to Snowpiercer. Using her behind-the-scenes role, she arranged for an investigator from Feng Youjin's team to escort her inside.
The investigator was a treacherous role—superficially responsible for gathering intelligence for Feng Youjin in Rong City, but actually a Japanese mole planted beside Feng Youjin. She had numerous Japanese contacts, all of which needed to remain hidden from Feng Youjin and especially from being discovered by Communist agents.
When the train whistle sounded, she felt a pang of nostalgia. A month had passed since her last visit, actors had changed roles, and the truth of changing circumstances across parallel universes remained constant.
When Qin Xiaoyi appeared, Hu Xiu felt completely unperturbed. As long as it wasn't Diao Zhiyu's Qin Xiaoyi, she felt zero tension—even somewhat composed, as if her IQ had instantly peaked.
The new Qin Xiaoyi was young and handsome with a slightly boyish voice, but lacked Diao Zhiyu's sex appeal. Hu Xiu thought, without sex appeal, how could Qin Xiaoyi maintain his reputation as Rong City's top young master? This new Qin Xiaoyi just wouldn't do.
But Feng Youjin needed rugged masculinity—a standard northern tough guy, tall and imposing as a bandit-suppressing hero, yet proper and rule-abiding, impervious to temptation.
The previous Feng Youjin actor had always been a valiant roughneck, so intimidating players sometimes complained. Diao Zhiyu might be too green to portray him well—he'd at least need to grow some stubble, right?
But when Feng Youjin finally appeared, Hu Xiu completely lost it, mentally screaming expletives—
Holy shit! What kind of ascetic warlord is this? How can a military uniform be this sexually provocative?
Is that leather jacket glued to his body to show off every muscle? Is this intentional S&M fashion?
Are those boots fitted with horseshoe nails making such crisp sounds? Standing so ramrod straight with his eyes looking down from above, why is he glancing at me... at me?
Feng Youjin's gaze settled on her, clearly relishing the familiarity though maintaining his warlord's stern expression. He immediately demanded a pat-down.
Soon Ning Zechen sauntered in, his collar habitually unbuttoned below the collarbone. Swaggering over to Hu Xiu, he pretended to drape an arm around her shoulders: "Minister Qin, why fear a search? Could you actually have something to hide? Chief Feng, searching Minister Qin would be boring—search her instead."
Hu Xiu hunched her shoulders as Feng Youjin approached. His leather boots clicked authoritatively with each step. His gaze swept over her before he leaned close to her face, then glanced at the name tag on her chest: "So flat... not interested."Her character was named Xu Zhenping. Hu Xiu glanced down at her own chest, then lifted her head to glare at Feng Youjin, who had already strutted off to immerse himself in his role, leaving only an arrogant silhouette behind.
And what a piece of work Diao Zhiyu was—using official duties as an excuse to ogle female players' chests during the scene, then having the nerve to add insult to injury. What a rogue!
After the first scene concluded, he didn't forget to gather his team members back to the train. Once aboard, Feng Youjin pried open his own compartment door and entered with a gun in hand.
The three team members stood together while Feng Youjin still hadn't put away his firearm. Hu Xiu thought to herself, "Surely this isn't necessary? I haven't even been exposed as the mole transmitting intelligence yet, and he's already making threats?"
Feng Youjin looked himself over and declared, "I, Feng Youjin, am a man of loyalty and principle. I've been in Rong City for over a decade."
"No matter how the powers that be change, as long as I have food to eat, you'll never starve."
"But any correspondence you have in Rong City—remember to read it to me. I, Feng Youjin, can barely recognize a few characters. For the tasks I assign from now on, whoever completes them will receive handsome rewards from me."
Yet he only gave each person two thousand. Hu Xiu finally remembered: among the four factions in Rong City, Feng Youjin was the poorest. The man was stingy, unreasonable, and prone to frequent outbursts with an exceptionally loud voice.
Thinking this, Hu Xiu suddenly smiled. With such a noble and imposing face, this character setup seemed rather unconvincing.
Feng Youjin approached Hu Xiu, tilting his head as he looked at her: "Why are you always grinning like that? Are you hiding something else, planning to pledge loyalty to someone else behind my back?"
"Let me be blunt: though we're both Sheriffs, I control more territory than Ning Zechen. Rong City has a prison—don't go throwing yourself at gunpoint."
Hu Xiu actually pressed her forehead against the gun barrel, successfully making the two other players laugh.
Feng Youjin tapped the gun against Hu Xiu's forehead: "I see you're truly hardheaded. But can your skull really withstand bullets? Want to test it out?"
The charming man had suddenly turned ferocious—how boring. Standing at the intersection in Rong City with the one thousand from Qin Xiaoyi plus Feng Youjin's two thousand, Hu Xiu mused.
Who would have thought Diao Zhiyu would be so immersed in Feng Youjin's Role too? The man who once splurged thousands now acted so miserly, making his team members earn their own money outside.
After going to the casino for a couple rounds and returning, she found Feng Youjin in the train... mending a leather jacket.
The sewing kit was filled with colorful cotton threads, and Feng Youjin was stitching with extreme concentration. Hu Xiu shook with laughter: "The Sheriff is quite skilled with his hands!"
"Necessity forces it. Qin Xiao serving as Finance Minister has left the police department bankrupt;"
"My wife and child are in his clutches, their fate unknown. Since you're here today, witness this poverty firsthand—I, Feng Youjin, swear undying hatred toward Qin Xiao."
He even threw her a flirtatious glance—no longer the faint charm squeezed from Qin Xiao's aloof persona, but Feng Youjin's deliberately greasy look. Hu Xiu thought, you really can act.
Diao Zhiyu stayed completely in character throughout. Finding it dull and knowing they often met outside the Role anyway, Hu Xiu turned to leave and carry out her tasks.
At the corner, she encountered Ning Zechen, who greeted her with a straw dangling from his mouth. Hu Xiu smiled and said, "Haven't seen you around lately."
Ning Zechen, also unusually in character, didn't mention Zhao Xiaorou's name: "We broke up..."
"Huh?""She doesn't actually like me that much, as you all know. Anyone could tell this day would come from the moment we met. She has someone she likes, right?"
Hu Xiu found himself at a loss for words. Ning Zechen leaned against the phone booth: "There's nothing to be upset about. We're all adults. Isn't this the kind of scene that often appears in American dramas? Waking up to find your bedmate gone is the best way to avoid awkwardness."
"But..."
"This is Rong City. If there's nothing else related to me, I'll take my leave now. I still have an appointment with Miss Lin Qiumei."
Ning Zechen waved the money in his hand as he left, showing no intention of sharing any with Hu Xiu.
Hu Xiu glanced around and indeed found no cameras - that explained why Ning Zechen dared to speak the truth.
This seemed to be a spot specifically designed for slacking off. Hu Xiu called out to stop Ning Zechen: "Chief Ning, may I ask you something? What are the customs for marriage in Rong City?"
In Snowpiercer, aside from Ning Zechen and Lin Qiumei, all players could marry NPCs.
This was probably Snowpiercer's surprise segment for players - witnessing love and sharing feelings before the Battle Royale, preserving the final sweetness before the slaughter.
Unsure how to increase favorability points, Hu Xiu simply bought a Marriage Certificate from the department store and went looking for Feng Youjin.
Feng Youjin had just emerged from the prison where Qin Xiaoyi was being interrogated, still burning with anger. Seeing Hu Xiu, he glanced at the Marriage Certificate as if it were nothing: "What's this for?"
"I want to become a warlord's wife!"
Feng Youjin's expression turned incredulously amused: "What kind of wife?"
What he didn't dare say off-stage became permissible in character. Thinking this, Hu Xiu took a deep breath: "Chief Feng, marry me!"
His pupils flickered briefly before responding: "I don't marry men."
Hu Xiu pestered Feng Youjin, chasing after him while pretending to discard his name tag: "Rules are rigid but people are flexible, Chief Feng. Please consider me."
"Why should I consider you?"
"With your wife and child gone, don't you need someone to warm your bed?"
Feng Youjin was amused but couldn't break character: "How can a man warm a bed? I, Feng Youjin, have a reputation in the martial world to maintain."
"Gender equality, Chief Feng! Can't men warm beds too? If the press department investigates, they might even think you're getting a good deal."
He was indeed acting with more enthusiasm - stingy, frugal, quick-tempered. Feng Youjin's personality was completely different from his real self, which was probably what actors called a challenge.
And since he rarely got to visit Snowpiercer, he had to play along. Suddenly inspired, he went to find the female player in carriage 8: "Miss, could we exchange Roles?"
The player performing the other Role was completely confused. Hu Xiu fabricated a flimsy excuse to obtain the female character's name tag, then stood before Feng Youjin once more.
Feng Youjin looked down, suppressing a laugh: "What's this?"
"Can't you read, Chief?"
"Watch your tone." Feng Youjin slammed a dictionary on the table: "You think I'm illiterate? Read it to me."
After the Marriage Certificate was read aloud, Feng Youjin closed his eyes with a faint smile. Hu Xiu remained in character: "Chief, I've just bribed Minister Qin to personally eliminate your wife and child.""But please don't be angry - out with the old, in with the new. There's a relationship right before you, and when wife and children don't return for so long, you're bound to grow distant. I happen to be particularly skilled in this area, you see..."
Feng Youjin pressed his lips together, wanting to laugh but forcing himself to hold it in, determined to stay in character: "This is the first time I've seen someone raise affinity points like this."
Fifteen minutes later, Hu Xiu and Feng Youjin stood on stage receiving the gazes of both players and Non-Player Characters, along with a substantial amount of wedding money.
Hu Xiu found the moment quite magical. The background music was still "Night Shanghai," and the person beside her was Feng Youjin.
The military uniform made him appear somewhat broader, yet his profile still retained a youthful spirit. Perhaps this was the angle she'd see if they were really getting married...
After being lost in thought for quite some time, she only snapped out of it when Feng Youjin stomped his foot. Feng Youjin stood on stage delivering his wedding speech: "I, Feng Youjin, have been roaming the martial world for many years, and this isn't my first marriage. But this time, rather than calling it a wedding, it's more accurate to say I was ambushed."
Hu Xiu, however, was playing her part with pride: "From today onward, I am the new warlord's wife. Everyone must respect my status, or else it's straight to the dungeon with you!"
The atmosphere was lively and completely devoid of any romantic tension.
After the game ended, Hu Xiu walked out satisfied. Diao Zhiyu's text message arrived shortly: "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"To give you a surprise."
"This is the first time I've seen anyone get married like that."
"Aren't I clever? Making you heartbroken before quickly marrying you - isn't that the most profound kind of love? You should praise my cleverness."
Diao Zhiyu took several minutes to reply: "Warlord's wife? Warlords were from the 1920s, and Rong City is set in 1934. Do you even have a brain? Everyone says Team Feng is uncultured, and you're really making me proud."
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