Love between Lines

Indulging in playthings saps one's ambition; obsessing over Live Action Role Playing Games drives one mad.

Having played Shanghai Bund five times, Hu Xiu had drawn roles from the newspaper agency, I-Kuan Tao (a cult), the chamber of commerce, the U.S. consulate, and the Military Department...

She experienced five different storylines, none of which were the red faction's main plot. In the second half, thanks to Diao Zhiyu, she didn't receive a single red card.

Hu Xiu bought a card collection album at the merchandise shop. When she opened it, the dark cluster of cards made her feel agitated.

This guy never replied to her WeChat messages—everything he had to say was confined to the game, where he countered every move she made. With him, she couldn't even obtain a single red card.

The most infuriating part was that to escape via the red faction, she had to get past Diao Zhiyu.

Outside the game, Diao Zhiyu was often surrounded like a rice dumpling, with female players clustering around him for photos and poses. He spoke little and maintained an air of mystery.

Hu Xiu once saw him sitting on a bench, lost in thought as usual.

It was just after the morning session ended. Seated beside him were three other top-tier handsome guys, each standing 185cm tall, covering a range of types to satisfy any preference.

Regular female players chatted around them. The actors didn't mind—actresses even joined female players skipping rope outside. It was like a large-scale adult daycare.

This was completely different from Snowpiercer. Snowpiercer was commercialized, prioritizing interaction over acting skills, with six sessions daily. Private contact between actors and players was prohibited, and excessive online exposure was discouraged to encourage repeat visits. Shanghai Bund, however, focused on brand building—prequel stories were produced as short films on Bilibili, each actor had detailed character introductions, midweek acting workshops were held for skill refinement, and live streams were irregularly conducted.

Hu Xiu preferred the latter atmosphere. The actors were freer and more authentic, each secretly competing to outperform the others. Here, Diao Zhiyu seemed more driven due to the competition.

In Shanghai, where Live Action Role Playing Games flourished everywhere, achieving the top position in Immersive Theater required exceptional scripts and operational capabilities. The actors' dialogues and improvisations were recorded, with outstanding clips promoted on the official website. Hu Xiu thought she might have underestimated Live Action Role Playing Games.

While listening to this, Zhao Xiaorou sat in a coffee shop, having regained her usual sarcasm: "Li Ai, hear that? Hu Xiu went back to play Shanghai Bund again. Back then, she had boys she could fully enjoy in bed, but she chose to break up and now spends money on Live Action Role Playing Games."

"I was setting love free..."

"Save it. Eating cornbread while visiting brothels—you really know when to save and when to splurge."

How did she know Hu Xiu never ordered takeout over thirty yuan? Li Ai came to the rescue: "What's wrong with spending a little on love? Even if you were single, you'd still be a spendthrift."

The atmosphere seemed to return to how it used to be. Li Ai wasn't as lukewarm as before—though busy working on his laptop at the counter, he still listened to their nonsense, and he'd become sharper-tongued. Zhao Xiaorou, in better spirits, grew even more caustic, the two bantering like an old married couple. Hu Xiu didn't know how they had restored their friendship. After returning from Hong Kong, Zhao Xiaorou had indeed become much brighter. All one could say was, long live idols.

Li Ai pulled a folding fan from his bag: "A friend gave me this band merchandise. It's for you.One side of the fan was red with the character "Double Happiness", the other black with the phrase "If you can't drink, then get lost."" Remembering her recent nauseating drunken episode, Hu Xiu resisted the urge to refuse the gift.The matter with Diao Zhiyu wasn't over yet. Lying in bed, Hu Xiu grew increasingly unsettled the more she thought about it. Knowing Diao Zhiyu's temperament—how he never forgot a grudge in Snowpiercer, how he could hold onto a Marriage Certificate for six months—his refusal to even give her a red card now was clearly... forcing her to grind more.

The brochure stated it plainly: complete all twelve main storylines and assassination missions, and get a stamp for viewing all endings to receive the ultimate prize—a group photo with the entire cast.

It wasn't too much—with good luck, you could finish all thirty runs. At this thought, Hu Xiu couldn't help but spit in disgust. What Live Action Role Playing Game or Immersive Theater? It was just a gold-digging den for handsome guys, a money-shredding machine for female fans, a club for sexual fantasies!

She'd seen the prizes showcased by ultimate high-level players in the Super topic—merchandise from all twelve factions: the Mafia's fan, the Chamber of Commerce's toy cigarettes, the U.S. Consulate's badge, the Intelligence Division's rose cufflinks...

That's right. Han Yiqiu's signature merchandise was a pair of rose cufflinks, symbolizing love and nobility.

They were also the best-selling item in the merch store. Every time Hu Xiu arrived at the venue, she'd head straight to the store, but she could never buy them—absolutely impossible.

Damn his popularity!

Moreover, she still hadn't figured out one thing: every line Diao Zhiyu delivered in the game felt, upon reflection, like he was picking a fight with her.

On the night they broke up, his eyes were clearly red-rimmed, his gaze dull in the rainy night, as if he didn't want to continue anymore. But when he saw her again, his words always tread the line of ambiguity. Two people who had once been intimate now exchanged looks that were anything but innocent. No matter how coldly Diao Zhiyu acted when his eyes fell on her, his thoughts were no longer pure.

Recalling how his expression had changed abruptly when he saw her in the first session, Hu Xiu stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep all night, convinced she'd made a mistake.

If she'd been softer, hadn't stubbornly told him not to look down on idol celebrities, hadn't broken up immediately upon hearing the no-dating rule, but had stayed by his side to figure things out together... maybe they wouldn't have reached the point where they could only interact passively in a Live Action Role Playing Game.

Letting someone she liked drown in love? How could she ever do that? But then it occurred to her: weren't the things she'd said to Diao Zhiyu somewhat similar to how her father criticized her?

Thinking she was more experienced, believing everything she'd gone through was advanced and useful, then forcing it onto others under the guise of "for your own good"...

The thought made her even more anxious. After surviving a week of studying, she squeezed into the simultaneous interpretation booth on Saturday and took a taxi to People's Square to catch the shuttle bus to Shanghai Bund. She rehearsed a series of lines in her mind, determined to ask Diao Zhiyu clearly in the game: Why did we break up? Do you want to sign the management contract or not? Do you still like me...?

She considered sending a WeChat message as a heads-up but decided against it. She couldn't be sure if her guess was right.

What if Diao Zhiyu had been serious about that breakup and had already moved on, treating her as just another player? How awkward would that be?

With such a sensitive relationship, some things had to be said face-to-face.

As soon as she got off the bus, Hu Xiu started praying: "Let me draw the Intelligence Division, so I can meet Han Yiqiu smoothly." That way, at the very least, she could seize opportunities to interact more during missions. If he had free time, she'd have a chance to explain...

She reached out and carefully felt for the name tag—Mafia.

Her whole world shattered.Carrying the name tag as I walked out, I happened to collide right into Diao Zhiyu. Beside her was an actor playing a forensic doctor, and the two were chatting and laughing.

The name tag fell to the ground. Diao Zhiyu picked it up and examined it thoughtfully, then silently prepared to leave.

"Diao Zhiyu!"

Fewer than ten people in the hall knew her real name. Diao Zhiyu turned around, colder than Qin Xiaoyi and more arrogant than Han Yiqiu. Hu Xiu's heart softened: "Can I talk to you?"

"It's almost time for the scene..." Diao Zhiyu cleared her throat: "I have nothing to say to you."

"Really?"

"Say whatever you need to say in the play—you're quite the actress, aren't you? Let's see who acts better. If you win, I'll talk to you."

After saying this, Diao Zhiyu raised an eyebrow and walked away. If her previous expression had been hard to read, this time Hu Xiu understood completely—Diao Zhiyu was provoking her.

This drama addict! Initially hopping mad, Hu Xiu suddenly perked up when she saw her own name tag.

In the first half, the Mafia and the Intelligence Division had a confrontation scene. Han Yiqiu and Du Mingquan were love rivals, with the same biological and adoptive father. A quarrel was about to break out at the Du family mansion.

Players from both factions would help their bosses argue. She rummaged through her bag and brought out the fan Li Ai had given her.

Du Mingquan was also one of the top handsome men in Shanghai Bund, with fair skin and an honest appearance, possessing model-like proportions. To appear rougher, he deliberately styled his hair in an old cadre fashion.

Since he was illiterate, he always carried a dictionary in his bag. As soon as the argument started, Du Mingquan took out the dictionary, and Han Yiqiu laughed, pointing at Hu Xiu: "Come on, read for your boss—what kind of dictionary is this?"

Hu Xiu took a closer look—Zhonghua Mingguo Dictionary. Wasn't this starting off on the wrong foot?

She immediately stuffed the dictionary back into Du Mingquan's bag, snapped the fan open with a flourish, glanced at it, then flipped it over to reveal a bright red double happiness character: "So what if we're uneducated? Our boss has love! Shen Ling, the movie star—Director Han, aren't you jealous?"

Han Yiqiu narrowed his eyes: "Du Mingquan, you've really taken in quite the disciple."

"Enough arguing..." Du Ruosheng thumped his cane on the ground: "You're both my sons. I can't stand to see you fight. Arguing over a woman—it's undignified."

Han Yiqiu smoothed his hair, his gaze cutting from Du Mingquan all the way to Hu Xiu, then pulled the door open and walked out.

Du Mingquan shook his sleeves: "Han Yiqiu has quite the temper. He was sent to Japan to study in his early years but ended up being trained as an assassin by chance. When he returned, he refused to acknowledge my adoptive father."

"There was another person who went with him, still here in the concession. You'll have to investigate that slowly."

He then glanced at Hu Xiu: "You have a special mission. Come back here to find me later."

Du Ruosheng had been arrested due to a conflict with the Intelligence Division. Du Mingquan handed her a string of beads: "Han Yiqiu has detained Du Ruosheng. Since you're clever, I'm sending you to bring the old man back."

"Han Yiqiu is stubborn and unyielding, but he values emotions above all. Take this string of beads and use your silver tongue. Don't boast about its value—he sees money as dirt. Appeal to his sense of duty and father-son bonds. Go."

Hu Xiu knocked on the door with the string of beads. Han Yiqiu was seated in his position at the Intelligence Division, with Du Ruosheng handcuffed to a chair across from him.

Hu Xiu thought to herself, if this were real history, the clash between father and son in such turbulent times would truly be fascinating.Saving lives is the priority right now. Han Yiqiu leaned back: "What brings you here..."

"I'm here to save the gang leader."

"Save him? Just you?"

Under his intense gaze, Hu Xiu suddenly panicked: "I have this string of beads..."

Han Yiqiu smiled, tightening the fountain pen in his hand before placing it on the desk, waiting to see what story she would spin.

Hu Xiu suddenly understood - in this ongoing play between the Intelligence Division and the Mafia, players always came to him. This time, he had anticipated it would be Hu Xiu and deliberately waited for her here!

Time ticked by, the scene growing increasingly awkward. Han Yiqiu tilted his head: "Time is precious. If you have nothing important, please leave. Du Ruosheng's head isn't just wanted by you - Japanese and Americans are queuing outside."

Players ran past outside, time was slipping away. Hu Xiu thought: The setting is 1941, location is the American concession, a string of beads, improvisation required, objective is to save Mafia boss Du Ruosheng...

She picked up the beads: "These beads have a story. If Director Han hears me out, you'll understand why I've come to beg you."

"Speak..."

"I'm a fallen socialite who escaped from Rong City. I was once in love with Rong City's Finance Minister Qin Xiaoyi, but fate intervened and we never married."

Han Yiqiu closed his eyes, the corner of his mouth visibly twitching.

"Qin Xiaoyi promised me we'd be together forever, but he fell for Lin Qiumei instead. He only gave me this string of beads as a token of love, promising we'd meet again someday."

"Then the plague came, and I escaped Rong City by train. After seven years of wandering, I reached Shanghai. These beads have been with me all along. Strangely enough, they've protected my life. I think it might be the power of love..."

Even Du Ruosheng's actor couldn't help but open his eyes - what nonsense was this player making up?

"Continue..." Han Yiqiu, however, was taking it seriously.

"If you're willing to release the gang leader, I'll give you these beads. In these troubled times, they'll protect you or Shen Ling - they serve their purpose."

"This love remains too deeply etched in my heart. Even though it ended badly, the affection these beads carry was genuine."

"I'll share Minister Qin's words with you too. Remembering our past connection, these beads I give only to you..."

"Enough..." Han Yiqiu took out a key and handed it to Hu Xiu: "Go unlock the handcuffs yourself."

Hu Xiu's heart raced wildly. After running Snowpiercer seventeen times, this improvisation felt like firing a mortar right at Diao Zhiyu's weak spot. As she helped the gang leader leave, Han Yiqiu suddenly called out: "Wait..."

Turning back, she saw Han Yiqiu examining the beads seriously, with genuine emotion: "Then you came to Shanghai... for whom?"

Taking a deep breath, Hu Xiu said earnestly: "To become the next Mafia leader Du Mingquan's - wife."

With that, she slammed the door shut and left.

Did you think you were the only one improving your acting skills?

When the first half ended, Du Mingquan took out a blue stamp and stamped it on everyone's card booklet. Hu Xiu couldn't hide her curiosity: "I haven't seen this before."

"Qixi Festival event. We'll have this special stamp all month, with our names on it."

Hu Xiu thought to herself: Diao Zhiyu, just you wait. This isn't over.

During the break, she tore a page from her notebook and meticulously copied out a vertical-style Marriage Certificate she found online. Swaggering into the second half, she entered the Du residence and immediately bowed to Du Ruosheng: "Gang leader, as you heard earlier, I came specifically to marry Du Mingquan. As his adoptive father, you must bless our union!"Impromptu performances happen all the time, but the two male actors had never encountered such a spectacle with a marriage certificate. Du Mingquan fully embodied his illiterate persona: "Godfather, what's written on this? I can't understand it..."

"Let me read it for you." Du Ruosheng never missed a chance to stir up drama.

Hu Xiu covered Du Ruosheng's mouth: "Guild Leader, forgive my rudeness, but you can't read this! The vows are too embarrassing!"

After managing to get the signatures of the groom and the marriage witness, Hu Xiu carefully wrote her stage name, Lu Qingdi. Spotting the actors with official seals, she coaxed and tricked them into stamping the marriage certificate. The newspaper editor still remembered her: "Did you bring this marriage certificate yourself?"

"Yes, to be honest, the moment I laid eyes on Du Mingquan in this concession, I knew he was the one."

The editor stamped the certificate with a gossipy grin: "If Du Mingquan and Shen Ling call off their engagement, remember to announce your wedding in the paper."

By the end of her scheming, only Han Yiqiu, who had failed in his confession, remained. Before the small theater performance began, Hu Xiu approached him: "Director Han, I heard your confession to Shen Ling didn't go well."

"So what?"

"Director Han only loves Shen Ling, right?"

"Of course..." he declared firmly, standing up and taking two steps forward.

Hu Xiu understood his body language perfectly—in the scene, he was admitting it, but in reality, he was lying. Still wearing that string of white beads, he couldn't even bring himself to look at her.

"In that case, Director Han, could you stamp this for me? Everyone else has witnessed my marriage certificate with Du Mingquan, and I'd like your blessing too."

Just a glance at the certificate twisted Han Yiqiu's face: "You woman..."

"What about me? Am I fickle? I pledged myself to Minister Qin in Rong City, then ran off to Shanghai to marry Du Mingquan—nothing but a lovesick fool, right?

Minister Qin Xiao never even married me—he abandoned me! Yes, that's right, he abandoned me!

I couldn't bear to hold him back for the sake of his future, my heart aching with pain, yet he coldly cut off all contact...

Director Han must be different from Minister Qin—so upright and straightforward, you'd surely take pity on a poor soul like me. Once I'm married to Du Mingquan, won't Shen Ling be yours?"

Taking the marriage certificate, Han Yiqiu glanced at Hu Xiu, smiled gently, took out his seal, opened the lid, and stared intently at her for three seconds.

A pang of sorrow struck Hu Xiu. Diao Zhiyu, you've truly improved—on the Snowpiercer, you couldn't get past the hurdle of the marriage certificate, but now you can offer sincere blessings in a play...

Halfway through that thought, Han Yiqiu clenched his fist, crumpled the marriage certificate, and stuffed it into his pocket: "Go back and tell your Guild Leader that letting him go doesn't mean I've forgotten this debt. I won't bless anyone connected to him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find Shen Ling."