As they came out of the hospital room, Bai Lixin received a message from the system.
[Ding! Hello, Player Bai Lixin. It’s nice to meet you again. Are you ready for today’s task?]
Bai Lixin: [Not ready.]
[…] The system, [Dear Player Bai Lixin, I believe someone as outstanding as you must be prepared to embrace today’s task. Please arrive at Studio No. 8 of the TV station by 8 PM tonight. You will spend your evening there.]
After the system’s message, a translucent blue 3D map appeared in Bai Lixin’s mind, with a green triangular icon indicating the destination.
Walking would take 2 hours, while driving would take half an hour.
It was currently past 3 PM, so there was still plenty of time before 8 PM.
Bai Lixin: [Why is the task being announced so early today?]
The system’s voice was cold and devoid of emotion: [Announcing the task early means accepting it early. After arriving at the designated location, your specific task will be assigned. Please ensure you arrive on time and do not be late.]
Bai Lixin complied without hesitation: [Understood.]
Could this Studio No. 8 at the TV station be the same as the one he heard had the accident during a performance yesterday?
After exiting the hospital room, Shen Mo put on the mask that covered most of his face. He glanced at the young man walking beside him and asked, “You don’t have a phone?”
The man’s low voice pulled Bai Lixin’s thoughts back to reality. He lifted his eyes slightly and glanced at the man, “Yeah, I don’t have a phone.”
Shen Mo: “Then do you remember my phone number?”
Bai Lixin hesitated for little, then spoke out a string of numbers.
Hearing Bai Lixin recite his phone number flawlessly, a smile flashed in Shen Mo’s eyes. He lowered his voice and asked, “Where else do you want to go?”
Bai Lixin: “I don’t know. I might go to the dissection room on the first basement floor next, and later on, I’ll need to visit the TV station.”
Shen Mo was curious: “What are you going to do at the TV station?”
Bai Lixin: “Taking on a job.”
Shen Mo: “Going to catch ghosts again? Your schedule seems packed; catching ghosts at night, running around during the day. You have 24 hours a day, can you really work for 20 hours straight? Do you get enough sleep?”
As they talked, they arrived at the elevator. The wall beside the elevator displayed the medical specialties for each floor. While chatting with Shen Mo, Bai Lixin nonchalantly glanced at the floor descriptions. When he saw the sixth floor, his gaze suddenly halted.
The sixth floor was the Psychiatric Department.
He remembered that Chen Ping, who had committed suicide due to loan sharks, had a girlfriend and she seemed to have developed psychological issues later on. He wondered if she had been treated here.
Bai Lixin: [Sister System.]
Escape System: [I’m here, Master Bai Lixin. Do you have any questions?]
Bai Lixin: [What’s the name of Chen Ping’s girlfriend?]
Escape System: [Her name is Zhang Qianqian.]
Bai Lixin: [Alright, got it. Thank you.]
As he thanked the system, the elevator reached their floor. Shen Mo followed Bai Lixin into the elevator like a big tail. When he looked at the button Bai Lixin pressed, he became even more curious, ”Why are you going to the sixth floor? Isn’t the morgue in the basement?”
The elevator was empty except for the two of them. Despite the ample space, Shen Mo stood closely beside Bai Lixin, as if they were surrounded by a crowd.
Bai Lixin cast a casual glance at Shen Mo, “Movie King, do you have a brother?”
Shen Mo looked bewildered, “No, it’s just me. Why do you ask?”
Bai Lixin shrugged, “Nothing. You like asking ‘why’, so I thought you might be one of the legendary Haier brothers.”
*The Haier Brothers are a cartoon where two brothers travel around the world to solve human problems and explore the mysteries of nature.
Shen Mo: “…”
Bai Lixin continued teasing, “Aren’t you running a fever? The second floor has a fever clinic. You can go there yourself.”
Shen Mo leaned against Bai Lixin and refused to move, saying nonsense, “No, I’m directionally challenged.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
———————–
In the live broadcast room
[”Fear Pestering Husbands”]
[”Stalking”]
[”Unbearably Ordinary”]
[When your hands are held, can sweet love be far behind?]
[But why did God Xin go to the sixth floor?]
[The sixth floor is the psychiatric department. Didn’t they say Chen Ping’s girlfriend went mad?]
[Oh, I see.]
————————–
The elevator stopped on the sixth floor, and Shen Mo once again followed Bai Lixin like a big tail.
The corridor was still sparsely populated, with only a few nurses walking around. A duty nurse was stationed at the reception desk in the corridor. Bai Lixin walked over and asked, “Hello, I’d like to visit a patient.”
The nurse looked at them expressionlessly and spoke without inflection, “Name.”
Bai Lixin: “Zhang Qianqian.”
After checking, the nurse responded, “Room 603. Who are you to her?”
Bai Lixin pondered for two seconds and calmly replied, “We’re her university classmates.”
‘Zhang Qianqian was really here? What a coincidence.’
The nurse pushed a registration book toward them, “Please register. The patient’s emotions are unstable, so you have only 30 minutes for your visit. Also, avoid upsetting the patient.”
Bai Lixin: “What counts as upsetting the patient?”
The nurse looked at the computer screen and said, “She’s sensitive to the name ‘Chen Ping.’ Do not mention that name in front of her.”
Bai Lixin: “Okay. Thank you, Nurse.”
After a brief registration, Bai Lixin and Shen Mo quickly found Room 603 at the end of the corridor.
Room 603 was a single room with only one bed.
Bai Lixin glanced through the window on the door. At this moment, there was no one on the bed. However, a long-haired girl was sitting quietly at the desk by the window.
The girl was dressed in a hospital gown, and she seemed to be writing something with her head down.
Bai Lixin lightly knocked on the door twice. The girl, who had been focused on her work, heard the noise and quickly raised her head. She turned to face the door.
As she turned, Bai Lixin finally got a clear view of Zhang Qianqian’s face.
She was a gentle-looking girl, wearing round glasses with pink frames on her face. Her features were soft, and there was a faint smile on her lips, giving her a serene and beautiful appearance.
After Bai Lixin and Shen Mo exchanged a glance, they walked into the room. Zhang Qianqian put down her pen and stood up. She looked at the two unfamiliar visitors with suspicion and caution, “Who are you?”
‘Indeed, who were they?’
Bai Lixin gave a quick glance to Shen Mo at his side and immediately pointed at the man, “Him, Shen Mo.”
Shen Mo: “???”
Zhang Qianqian seemed to not have heard clearly, and she looked at Shen Mo hesitantly, “Who is he?”
Bai Lixin: “Um, do you happen to know the celebrity Shen Mo?”
Zhang Qianqian blinked in surprise, her gaze turning back to the masked man. An expression of hesitation turned into excitement after confirming it repeatedly. Zhang Qianqian rushed over excitedly, “Shen Mo? Are you saying he’s Shen Mo?! Shen Mo, how could you be here? Is this a dream?”
Shen Mo shot Bai Lixin a sidelong glance and slowly removed his mask. “With this, do you still think it’s a dream?”
Zhang Qianqian covered her mouth with disbelief and almost exclaimed in excitement, tears welled up in her eyes. “Shen Mo, it’s really you.”
She pinched her own face hard, and her facial features twisted from the pain. “Ah, it hurts. I’m not dreaming! Shen Mo, you’re really Shen Mo! I can’t believe I’m so close to you in this lifetime!”
“Please sit, please sit.” Zhang Qianqian hurriedly brought over two chairs from the wall and gestured for the two of them to sit.
Bai Lixin didn’t rush to sit down but rather casually strolled over to the window and glanced at the desk where the girl had been sitting just now.
Zhang Qianqian wasn’t writing, but rather drawing with a pencil.
Her artistic skills were impressive. Despite using only a pencil, she vividly depicted the content she wanted to express on the paper.
The most striking element in the drawing was a statue in the foreground. It’s body was adorned with flowing ribbons that seemed poised to lift it into the air, as if it would ascend to the heavens in the next moment.
Beneath the statue, many people were kneeling.
Judging by the surrounding architecture, this seemed to be a temple.
“Lady Yuexian?” Bai Lixin tentatively looked at Zhang Qianqian and mentioned this term, but she only gazed back at him blankly.
“What did you say?” She asked with confusion.
Her expression didn’t appear feigned; she genuinely had no knowledge of the title “Lady Yuexian.”
Bai Lixin quickly switched his wording, “What is this painting?”
Zhang Qianqian furrowed her brows and shook her head, “I just drew something randomly. I had a dream during my nap at noon. This scene appeared in the dream. Since I had nothing else to do after waking up, I decided to draw it.”
Bai Lixin: “You’ve drawn it beautifully. So, this scene was from your dream? It’s very realistic. I thought it was a scene you’d witnessed.”
“No,” Zhang Qianqian shook her head, “But what did you mean by ‘Lady Yuexian’?”
Bai Lixin: “Oh, nothing much. I thought the object held by the statue looks like a moon, so I assumed it was related to Lady Yuexian. I heard about a temple dedicated to the Lady Yuexian that’s known for being miraculous. That’s why I thought your painting depicted Lady Yuexian.”
Zhang Qianqian’s expression remained blank and dazed for a couple of seconds. Her eyes took on a distant look, and she murmured the phrase twice, “Lady Yuexian… Lady Yuexian…”
A few seconds later, she shook her head to clear her thoughts, her eyes transitioning from confusion to clarity, “I haven’t heard of that name, but ‘Lady Yuexian’ does sound nice. Do you know where it is? Is it really miraculous? I’d like to visit once I recover from my illness.”
Bai Lixin stared at Zhang Qianqian for a moment and then smiled and shook his head, “We don’t know where it is either. We’ve only heard rumors about it.”
Zhang Qianqian looked slightly disappointed as she withdrew her gaze, “Well, that’s alright.”
After a moment, she suddenly looked up at Bai Lixin, then at Shen Mo, and belatedly asked, “Wait, why did you both appear here?”
Bai Lixin didn’t flinch, his face not betraying any embarrassment, “Of course, we came specifically to visit you.”
Zhang Qianqian’s cheeks turned red, and she straightened herself in shyness, “But I’m just an ordinary person. Why would you come all this way to visit me?”
Bai Lixin glanced at Shen Mo.
With a faint sigh in his heart, Shen Mo put on a serious expression, “X University is my alma mater, and Dean Zhang is somewhat like a half-teacher to me. I came to the hospital today for treatment, and I happened to hear that you were here, so I came to visit a junior.”
‘You wander around, and I still end up the one supporting you.
But I don’t mind.’
Zhang Qianqian suddenly realized, her eyes gleaming with tears as she looked at Shen Mo, “Senior Shen, I never expected that after becoming famous for so long, you still remember your alma mater. It’s no wonder you’re so popular.”
An affectionate smile appeared on Shen Mo’s face, “I heard you’ve been in a decent state these days. How are you feeling?”
Zhang Qianqian lowered her head in embarrassment, “I didn’t expect my illness to cause Senior Shen to visit. I’m really sorry. I suffered from mania recently. I can’t control my emotions when triggered and might even engage in self-harm.”
“I’ve been quite distressed. But I’m helpless. My parents were worried about me, so they brought me to the hospital for treatment.”
“I’ve been in the hospital for over a week, and my condition is mostly stable now. The doctors say I’m recovering well and have taught me many methods to relieve stress.”
“They said they’ll observe me for another week. If everything remains stable, I can be discharged and recover at home.”
“I’m fine now. Thank you for your concern, Senior Shen.”
Shen Mo: “You can rest assured. I didn’t put in much effort. I rushed here this time and even forgot to prepare a gift for you.”
Zhang Qianqian was pleasantly surprised, “Your presence here is the best gift. How could I even ask for more? Originally, I felt my recovery was only about 70%, but now that you’re here, I suddenly feel like I’ve reached 90%. You don’t know, I’m also part of your fan club. Once I’m discharged, I’ll continue supporting you… Oh, no, I’ve been supporting you wholeheartedly even in the hospital!”
Shen Mo smiled, “Support is no problem, but don’t spend recklessly. My achievements so far are due to my own dreams, not to bleed you dry. Just look up to me and learn, that’s all. I don’t need the honors and data from what you spend. I heard the fan circle has been chaotic lately. If you get a chance, mention it to other fans.”
Tears shimmered in Zhang Qianqian’s eyes, “Okay, us Ink Fans will definitely not embarrass you!”
Shen Mo finished playing the emotional card and glanced at Bai Lixin.
At this point, Bai Lixin also came over and sat beside Shen Mo. Contemplating the nurse’s words, he hesitated for two seconds before asking, only to hear Shen Mo’s calm voice ring out, “Do you remember, Cheng Ping?”
Zhang Qianqian was momentarily stunned. Her original smile froze, and the light in her eyes vanished.
In an instant, she turned into an ice sculpture.
However, the ice sculpture shattered swiftly. After a brief flicker of emotions, Zhang Qianqian’s expression eventually regained its composure. “I remember.”
Bai Lixin glanced at Shen Mo.
‘Was this the power of being an idol and pillar of support? So strong that it could even overcome fear.’
Zhang Qianqian: “Why did you suddenly ask? Did something happen to him?”
Bai Lixin and Shen Mo exchanged a glance, and saw the confusion in each other’s eyes.
Bai Lixin pondered for a couple of seconds and attempted to ask, “When was the last time you saw him?”
Zhang Qianqian’s expression turned cold. She bit her lip and she seemed reluctant to recall the past, “About a month ago. We had already broken up by then.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
Based on the information obtained earlier, Zhang Qianqian shouldn’t have broken up with Chen Ping. So why did she say they had broken up? Moreover, how could Zhang Qianqian not know that Chen Ping had died?
Considering the timing of Zhang Qianaian’s hospitalization, it should be right around the time of Chen Ping’s suicide.
Logically, she should be aware of Chen Ping’s suicide.
Shen Mo’s voice rang out again, “Why did you break up? Wasn’t he outstanding? Did he do something wrong to you? Do you know about Chen Ping’s recent situation?”
Zhang Qianqian seemed to recall something, her expression filled with disdain as she shook her head, “I haven’t seen him since we broke up. It’s been a month since I last saw him. It’s not hard to find a two-legged man, two-legged men are everywhere. Although I’m not outstanding, there’s no need to tie my heart to that phoenix man.”
*It refers to a type of man who comes from a humble background but has managed to achieve success and prosperity through his own efforts. Just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, these men have transformed their lives for the better. However, this has become a slang to describe men who look for richer city girls to marry and become prosperous through them.
Bai Lixin: “Do you dislike him a lot? But he has a good reputation among the students.”
Zhang Qianqian gave a contemptuous snort and scolded again, “Just a phoenix man.”
“What good reputation? It’s all just an act.”
Bai Lixin and Shen Mo exchanged glances.
Bai Lixin: “Was Chen Ping not good to you? Didn’t he often buy you luxury items?”
Zhang Qianqian’s eyes widened suddenly, “Who said that? Was it him spreading that himself? I knew about his family background when I was dating him, so I never asked him for anything. My family background is decent. I felt sorry for him at the time and thought he had a tough image to maintain, so I even bought him many luxury bags, shoes, and clothes. During the time we were together, he used my things – my food, my clothes, my belongings. In return, he once gave me a plastic rose, and I was moved to tears.”
“Back then, my friends said I was crazy. My parents scolded me, but I was stubborn. Then something happened.”
As Zhang Qianqian spoke, she suddenly started panting heavily, and her once clear complexion turned red. She was displaying signs of a relapse.
Shen Mo consoled her, “Out with the old, in with the new. It’s not worth getting angry over a guy like this. You’re still young, you’re knowledge and you have a good background. There’s no need to get entangled with someone like him. Just as you said, it’s not hard to find a two-legged man and two-legged men are everywhere. If this one isn’t good, the next one will be better.”
The power of an idol was truly extraordinary. Zhang Qianqian’s expression quickly relaxed.
She added, “Later, I realized something. I was just his college girlfriend. He had a different image within the school walls compared to outside.”
“He had a major in finance and related fields. He didn’t have much classwork so he often used his specialized skills to earn money on weekends. It’s common for students to work and earn money, so I never suspected him.”
