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墨書 Inktalez
Xu Nuan did not realize that by placing the hope of quickly leaving the game and obtaining the prize on herself, she had caused someone to temporarily give up on designing their own path, adding another scar to her already wounded heart.
Xu Nuan had always believed that she would no longer fear any harm from now on. However, as a human being, both physically and mentally, there is a limit. One can be fearless until that limit approaches, but when on the brink of it, even a single event can become the last straw that breaks the camel's back. It was only much later that she came to understand this truth.
Due to a series of reasons and coincidences, after Xu Nuan voluntarily revealed information about the secret passage, the mood of the group lightened unexpectedly, and they even managed to laugh as they set off.
Habitually lagging behind, Xu Nuan found this amusing, especially since Deng Yinyin, who often took every opportunity to confront her in front of others, occasionally turned back to cast eager glances at her and surprisingly didn’t mind walking in line with Gu Ze. So, even though Deng Yinyin had been constantly declaring her affection for Gu Ze, she still chose to yield in the face of life and money? Xu Nuan felt a bit disheartened but quickly reminded herself that making malicious assumptions about Deng Yinyin was not good; perhaps other things had happened in between.
"Is it really okay to go out like this?"
She knew that Gu Ze walking behind her meant he had something to discuss.
Aside from He Min, who occasionally glanced back, the others had long gotten used to Gu Ze and Xu Nuan sticking together while moving forward. However, they found it strange that despite these two often being close, they never seemed to have a particularly good relationship; they frequently ignored each other or argued.
There was a certain distance between them and the two ahead. Gu Ze's voice was kept low as he spoke to Xu Nuan, who was willing to engage with him at this moment since she viewed him as the main person helping her sort through her memories.
"It’s forced by circumstances, isn’t it?"
Recalling the earlier embarrassment made Xu Nuan slightly unhappy. She pressed her lips together; although her displeasure wasn’t very obvious, it was rare for her emotions to show at all.
"But it’s also a matter of seizing the opportunity, isn’t it?"
Among these people, Gu Ze knew the most secrets about Xu Nuan. Given that he already knew many things and considering all the various fish-related games they encountered along the way, Gu Ze might have a clearer view of their path than Xu Nuan did. This made it easier for him to ponder Xu Nuan's thoughts.
"If I could help it, I wouldn’t want to do this either."
For a moment, Xu Nuan's expression dimmed. Then she recalled how uncomfortable it felt when several people looked at her with eager anticipation; even their Alliance member Xu Hang had revealed similar emotions. Suddenly curious about Gu Ze's thoughts, she blurted out,
"Do you also hope that I find out where the secret passage is soon?"
After the words left her mouth, Xu Nuan suddenly remembered that Gu Ze had a mission in this game. Moreover, he had repeatedly expressed his intention to stay by her side, helping her navigate through challenges until everything was resolved.
"I'm sorry, I just remembered what you said."
Recalling those words made her feel impolite at this moment. Xu Nuan hurriedly added, still feeling uncertain inside. Would such a promise be fulfilled? Promises were often fragile, unable to withstand the test of time, especially in a game that grew increasingly perilous with each passing second.
Xu Nuan's mood sank further. Just then, she heard Gu Ze's voice.
"I certainly hope you figure out where that passage is soon."
Xu Nuan's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked up at Gu Ze, a flicker of shock and sadness crossing her gaze.
This promise was far too fragile; indeed, she felt unworthy of reaching out for more.
Gu Ze's words weren't finished; he merely frowned at Xu Nuan's expression.
"If you resolve these matters sooner, you'll be free from distractions."
Then he would have his chance.
Gu Ze didn't elaborate on this statement. No matter how beautiful his words or how sweet his promises were, the woman before him didn't trust him any further. Since nothing seemed to work, he decided to take action silently. Even if she refused to open her heart, it was fine; he would build a wall around her to keep others out while he had plenty of time and energy to watch over both the wall and her.
Just as his father had been patient with his growth, not allowing him to confront certain matters too early, Gu Ze also possessed enough patience for this woman.
"What do you mean by 'free from distractions'?"
Realizing she had misunderstood Gu Ze's meaning, Xu Nuan quickly lowered her head and hurried forward. The question slipped out before she could stop herself. She realized that Gu Ze knew what her first task would be after discovering the exact location of the secret passage. He didn't blame her nor did he place expectations on her like others did. This feeling made her feel at ease.
But that ease lasted only a second before she recognized that she shouldn't have asked that question. Once these matters were resolved, her mission would be complete; whether she lived or died became irrelevant. Surviving the game no longer mattered—she had nothing left to focus on.
"This is something you need to think about yourself."
Gu Ze certainly wouldn't provide her with an answer to this question. Those who find themselves in a dead end may need reminders from others, but it seems that the dead end of the heart is something she must navigate on her own. Forcing someone out of it would only result in a living corpse.
"However, you should know that your current lifeless appearance is quite unappealing. If you handle these matters with this attitude, how will you look once they're resolved?"
Typically, Gu Ze would only resort to cold sarcasm towards Xu Nuan when he was extremely angry. This was the first time they had not argued, yet Gu Ze's tone was sharp and cutting.
Xu Nuan stared at Gu Ze in shock, her inner disappointment dissipating. Instead of anger, she realized she could no longer feel mad at this man; she even found herself unable to stop any of his actions.
A voice deep within her told her it was because she understood that this man meant well for her. It’s difficult to discern the good and evil in the world, yet she could effortlessly recognize his goodwill, directed solely at her.
"Looking bad is still better than looking sick like Xie Huai."
Xu Nuan instinctively retorted without any malice, merely feeling pity for Xie Huai, who was innocently caught in the crossfire.
"Sick?"
Only after saying this did Xu Nuan remember that she had intended to ask Xie Huai about his health. He was already frail and delicate, resembling a bamboo pole, and now his face had turned pale, which was quite alarming.
Gu Ze clearly had this on his mind as well; he quickly walked over to Xie Huai's side and patted his shoulder.
As Xu Nuan approached more slowly, she heard Xie Huai's very faint and weak voice.
"I just have a slight fever."
Xu Nuan frowned; Xie Huai did not look like he merely had a fever. Gu Ze had already reached out to check Xie Huai's forehead and frowned in response.
"Your forehead feels very cool, but your body is extremely hot."
The others gathered around to observe Xie Huai's condition, and Xu Hang promptly handed him a thermometer.
Thirty-seven degrees Celsius.
A perfectly normal temperature, but anyone who touched Xie Huai's arm could feel the heat radiating through the fabric.
Everyone was momentarily stunned; how could he be so hot if it wasn't a fever? Aside from cold medicine, what else could they give him?
"When did these symptoms start?"
Xu Hang's expression darkened. Although there had been some disagreements during a previous Survival Game due to their individual missions, their relationships had since returned to a harmonious state after several collaborations, and no issues had arisen for the time being.
Xie Huai, who had initially felt fine but suddenly began to feel unwell, forced himself to recall.
"It seems like it started during the last round, just as we were nearing the highest point of the island. I thought I just caught a chill from the sea breeze and took some medicine."
"Then it has nothing to do with Chi Xiaoming and the others; it wasn't anything we ate at the Supply Station."
He Min immediately reached this conclusion, and the others nodded in agreement. Although they had encountered that challenge because of Chi Xiaoming's group, they still remained wary of those four.
Xu Nuan squinted thoughtfully, glancing at Deng Yinyin and He Min before hesitating for a moment to share her recollection.
"Before that, did Xie Huai sustain any injuries?"
Gu Ze quickly grasped Xu Nuan's implication.
"He might have been poisoned. If it were a fever caused by an infected wound, it wouldn't present like this. I remember you were injected with Muscle Relaxant by Lin; the side effects aren't like this unless there's poison in the medication."
"Not just this time."
Xu Hang also recalled the events.
“When Yu Yu snatched the statue from us, he got injured as well. He was cut by Yu Yu's dagger, and it was a severe wound that could heal in just a couple of days.”
“Since it has healed, there shouldn’t be any problem. It’s likely that Lin poisoned the potion. Xie Huai, you should drink the Antidote quickly,” He Min concluded swiftly.
Gu Ze, who had just relaxed his furrowed brow, frowned again. He glanced at He Min and then at Xu Nuan, whose expression seemed unaffected and oblivious.
“No matter the reason, you look like you’ve been poisoned. The Antidote shouldn’t be harmful; drinking it is better than doing nothing. Besides, it’s about to rain. If you don’t have the strength, you won’t be able to go far.”
Deng Yinyin only heard what she wanted to hear and hurriedly took out the Antidote to hand it to Xie Huai.
The clouds of Swarm had already gathered above them, and the raindrops were brewing, ready to fall at any moment. Xie Huai understood this; even if he believed that medicine could be toxic, he still drank the Antidote.
Xu Nuan had never known that the Antidote could work so effectively and quickly. Once Xie Huai finished drinking it, the abnormal flush on his face disappeared, and his skin felt cool again; although his body was still warm, it was no longer burning hot.
Seeing that it was effective eased everyone's minds. They quickly moved past the incident and put on their raincoats again. Just after taking a few steps, large raindrops began to fall, pattering against them and the ground.
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