Ch2 - Ah, I Failed at Dying

The fifth day after Hai Ri arrived at this place, he drew the murderer card on his first round. Only after putting up a meticulous pretense was he spared from the fate of returning to a vegetable’s body. He also scored a bunch of points. The price – a dissatisfied twenty year old girl who went home in place of him.

Sheng Canyang and Hai Ri took the regular bus back, intending to return to district 9. Hai Ri was 1.8m tall and Sheng Canyang was 1.9m tall, so it was a bit of a squeeze on the bus. Hai Ri had his legs akimbo while playing Jewel of Atlantis when he saw Sheng Canyang toss their bags onto the luggage rack. 

Hai Ri couldn’t stop himself from saying, “Did you guess that I was the murderer?”

Sheng Canyang nodded, cool as a cucumber. Pulling his peaked cap down, he crossed his arms as if going to sleep.

Hai Ri lowered his head as he played his game. He’d died. Not quite believing his words, Hai Ri casually asked, “Who did you vote for?”

Sheng Canyang: “You.” 

Hai Ri: …

“Why?” Hai Ri was stunned.

He himself didn’t know what his ‘why’ was referring to – was he asking how Sheng Canyang had figured out it was him, or was he asking why Sheng Canyang had voted for him? Was Sheng Canyang not scared that he would give him the cold shoulder?

Sheng Canyang automatically understood his question as the former. “You weren’t the murderer in the first round, right?”

Hai Ri was silent for a moment as he continued playing. Just this one statement was enough for Hai Ri to understand that Sheng Canyang had indeed seen through his strategy.

Generally, the rules for this game were that there would be two rounds of voting, and that the murderer during the first and second round would be different people. After learning of this, Hai Ri stood forward after the first round’s murderer was voted out, claiming that there had been a misjudgment during the first round and that he was the real murderer. Therefore, everyone ruled him out during the second round. In fact, playing in such a way wasn’t advisable either. It was too risky, because if the real murderer were to jump out, Hai Ri would be exposed on the spot.

Hai Ri only made such a claim because he was convinced that the person voted out during the first round was indeed the murderer and that there was no other murderer present, which was why he dared to take their place.

Hai Ri rested his head against the seat in front of him, silently playing Jewel of Atlantis. Special effects rang out from his phone in the form of chimes. A very impressive-looking series of operations later, all his energy was sucked dry, and he had not even one successful level to show for it. Hai Ri couldn’t get over it and turned towards Sheng Canyang. “How did you guess that I was lying? Where exactly did I go wrong?” 

Sheng Canyang had his eyes closed in sleep. Hearing these words, he suddenly laughed and opened his eyes, staring at Hai Ri. “Ge, I was the murderer during the first round.”

Hai Ri: …

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Hai Ri instantly broke out into cold sweat.

If not for the fact that it was Sheng Canyang who was the murderer in the first round, the chill would have penetrated into the depths of his heart by now. In other words, Sheng Canyang was already certain Hai Ri was the murderer when he claimed to be the murderer in the first round, and was merely watching him put on a show the next few days. 

Sheng Canyang didn’t expose him; he didn’t even interrogate him once.

Hai Ri asked, “Why is it you? Did that person really die wrongfully the first round? There was irrefutable evidence against him.”

Sheng Canyang: “Want to review it?”

Hai Ri was a bit carsick from playing with his phone in the vehicle. Lying on his back as well, he said, “Forget it.” 

Sheng Canyang closed his eyes too.

Shortly after, Hai Ri opened his eyes. “Come to think of it, let’s do it.”

Hai Ri had gotten to know Sheng Canyang along the way. The two of them came from the same area and coincidentally had the same task, resulting in them traveling together. Logically, they didn’t have much of a friendship, so Sheng Canyang could already be considered extremely benevolent to treat him this well.

However, Hai Ri had a secret that he hadn’t voiced. 

Sheng Canyang was Hai Ri’s idol.

Sheng Canyang had been an idol – also known as lovable bean – when he was alive. He’d debuted overseas and was of some popularity. When he committed suicide by jumping off a building, he’d only been nineteen years old.

It had never crossed Hai Ri’s mind that he would bump into him in this place. When he encountered him on the bus on his second day here, his entire person had been struck dumb. But when he thought about it again, Sheng Canyang had committed suicide. He was Chinese, so if he died, it was only right that he would be under this area’s jurisdiction.

Hai Ri had known this kid for a very long time. His fame overseas was through the roof, and he could be considered to have been all the rage for a while. The night he debuted at seventh place, fans in China and abroad erupted into curses, momentarily sending him onto the hot search for a few minutes. The hot search was called ‘Sheng Canyang isn’t worthy’. 

Three years ago during Hai Ri’s break, he was leaning against a window, vexed to death by work deadlines. As he scrolled through his phone out of boredom, he unintentionally clicked on the hot search, opening up a video taken by a fan. Clad in a thick white down-filled garment, Sheng Canyang was sitting on a flight of stairs and playing the erhu. The piece he was playing was <Troublemaker>. Sunlight penetrated the tiny window above the stairs, shining onto him. His short hair was combed very neatly, and he was smiling while playing. The camera held by the boy filming him was very shaky and exceedingly blurry, accompanied by the boy’s loud laughter.

Sheng Canyang’s shoulders trembled, his head bobbing to the chorus of <Troublemaker>. The musical piece was not an incoherent piece despite the fact that a modern, trendy song was being played using an ancient Chinese instrument. The cheerful tune played with the somber sound brought with it a thick atmosphere of hilarity. It was ridiculously funny.

And then, Sheng Canyang abruptly collapsed on the stairs in laughter just as the song ended. A moment later, his friends urged him in Korean to play another piece. Sheng Canyang sat up and pondered over it before gesturing for them to stop laughing. Picking up the bow once more, a tune flowed out from his fingers. He was playing <Hope Betrayed>.

One was a flower from paradise, one was a pure jade without spot or stain. If fate had not meant them for each other, then why in this life did they meet again? 

Gazing at the boy in the video playing with a lowered head, Hai Ri was suddenly moved. Then began his idol-chasing life. He watched the group release their first song and step onto their first stage. When they became popular and got onto a magazine, Hai Ri even bought ten copies of it. He half-heartedly chased after them for a very long time, until the year before Sheng Canyang committed suicide.

The past two days, Hai Ri would occasionally be at a loss when looking at Sheng Canyang’s face. His face matched up with the face in photos and in the performing arts industry. He was handsome, tall, and skinny. He was indeed that proud boy.

When Hai Ri thought about how this nineteen year old boy might have stood at the twenty-fourth floor of the sky platform and hesitated for a long while before shutting his eyes and jumping, his heart would still clench, aching painfully.

Sheng Canyang didn’t review the round for him and merely talked about the areas in which he had made mistakes. He didn’t show off as if this was the last time he would let Hai Ri off either. In fact, if Hai Ri hadn’t asked him about it, he might not have even had the intention of bringing it up. 

Hai Ri took out his earphones and picked a song on his phone. A dynamic tune sounded from his earphones. Sheng Canyang’s voice was bold and bright, with a youthful air to it. The chorus was followed by a rap segment. Hai Ri subconsciously pressed his toes against the ground, moving in time to the music.

The owner of this song – the person dozing off beside him with his eyes closed – had saved his life.

He might never know just how many times Hai Ri had vigorously typed ‘mama loves you!’ under his Weibo.

Life was truly like a f*cking poem. 

This upturned world was akin to a separate space the exact replica of the normal world. Buses were the mode of transport that connected the several districts. They were now located in Central Hua, district 1, and the place they wanted to return to was Northern Hua, district nine. The trip would take roughly eight hours.

Feeling slightly carsick, Hai Ri closed his eyes, but just couldn’t fall asleep no matter what. Midway, after less than three hours of traveling, the car came to a halt beside a rest station so that everyone could go to the toilet.

Feeling exceptionally queasy, Hai Ri told Sheng Canyang, “Let me through.”

Sheng Canyang shifted his legs and Hai Ri rushed down in a haste. He retched for a while beside the pond without spitting anything out. 

“Carsick?” A woman asked. “Want some water?”

She was holding an unopened bottle of mineral water. Hai Ri didn’t take it, instead washing his mouth with the water from the tap. “No need.”

“Eat some hawthorn slices if you’re carsick,” The woman had short, neatly combed hair. “This is my first time seeing you, you’re a newbie?”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Hai Ri propped his arms along the sides of the pond, nodding weakly. 

Ktf kbwjc rjlv, “Ofa’r ufa ab xcbk fjmt batfg. Zs cjwf lr Ole Alf, jirb ogbw vlraglma clcf.”

Vwlilcu, Ljl El rtbbx tfg tjcv.

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So he had friends on the bus?

Hai Ri was bewildered. Then why did he still sit beside him?

Hai Ri wasn’t of the mind that this happened because Sheng Canyang liked him. Rather, he simply hadn’t known when getting on the bus and directly occupied the seat meant for another. Sheng Canyang glanced at them, but sat down without saying much.

Hai Ri asked, “You know him?” 

Liu Jie: “Yeah, we’re neighbors. We both stay on the fourth floor.”

Hai Ri: …

Hai Ri stated, “I stay on the fourth floor too.”

Liu Jie: “I’m 410, you?” 

“408,” Hai Ri answered. “I just came and only stayed a day. Not sure if the rental has been renewed.”

Liu Jie said happily, “What a coincidence, Sheng Canyang’s in 409.”

Hai Ri glanced at Sheng Canyang. “It is indeed a coincidence.”

Liu Jie also looked over. “None of his friends are on the fourth floor.” 

Hai Ri gave her a perplexed look. Liu Jie laughed, “You still don’t know? All those who live on the fourth floor committed suicide due to a mental illness.”

Hai Ri stared blankly.

What mental illness did Sheng Canyang have?

…… 

Wait?

What mental illness did he have?!

Liu Jie said, “Some commit suicide due to money, some because of emotion, and others from terminal illness. And some, like us, are sick. Not that it matters that much, the pain is dulled to varying degrees in this place.”

The confusion in Hai Ri’s heart was in a class of its own. When he turned towards her, his gaze was much more sincere. “I’m not sick.” 

Liu Jie smiled, “Maybe. You can test your despair level.”

The driver went to the toilet, then shouted up front for everyone to quickly get up the bus and prepare to leave. When Hai Ri next turned around, Sheng Canyang and his friends weren’t in sight anymore. He boarded the bus and returned to his seat. As it was meal time, many people bought instant noodles to eat on the road, the smell of instant noodles worsening Hai Ri’s nausea.

A short while later, Sheng Canyang got on with a bag in hand. Sitting down, he settled the plastic bag on his legs, took out two bottles of water, and passed one to him.

Hai Ri accepted it. “Thank you.” 

He thought Sheng Canyang would also be eating, but after retrieving the water, he threw the plastic bag onto the luggage rack over their heads and sat back down with his bottle of water.

Hai Ri still had his earphones on, listening to music. He unscrewed the cap, but in a moment of carelessness, his phone fell off his thigh, unplugging his earphones. The dynamic music belonging to Sheng Canyang’s group instantly blared from his phone.

Hai Ri: …

Sheng Canyang: … 

Hai Ri’s hand shot out unhesitatingly in a hasty attempt to fish his phone up. Despite his best efforts, he was unsuccessful. His other hand awkwardly held onto the opened bottle of water. After a moment of hesitation, Sheng Canyang took the bottle of water from him. Hai Ri silently picked up his phone, pressed the buttons crazily, and swiftly put a stop to the music. The entire process was as smooth and natural as flowing water.

This small bit of effort resulted in a layer of sweat all over Hai Ri. Retrieving his bottle of mineral water, he mumbled, “… Haha, thank you.”

Sheng Canyang seemed to be smiling, yet also didn’t seem to be smiling. He didn’t say much.

Hai Ri found this incident f*cking outrageous. 

Sheng Canyang could only be considered someone of little popularity domestically. His fans numbered three million, but it was unclear how many of them were bought. As someone who had debuted abroad, his popularity overseas was much greater than that domestically.

But after his death, he suddenly became a household name within the country.

Forced to the point of jumping off a building, Sheng Canyang remained on the hot search for two consecutive days. All the marketing accounts and ordinary netizen accounts discussed and mourned him, regardless of whether it was on Weibo or Moments. In a flash, he became loved by everyone.

However, Hai Ri didn’t post anything those two days. He simply couldn’t accept it, very much couldn’t accept it. 

He was not someone who blindly followed the crowd. He was purely a fan, so why had the situation turned so wretched?

Should he explain? Hai Ri was at a loss.

Sheng Canyang had zero intention of asking him about it.

Hai Ri steeled himself and said, “Actually, I’m…” 

Sheng Canyang followed up. “My fan?”

A mountain-like pressure pressed down on Hai Ri. “Yes yes, thank you for your understanding.”

Sheng Canyang: “Who do you like?”

Hai Ri momentarily didn’t understand him and let out an ‘ah’ sound. 

Sheng Canyang: “Who in the group do you like?”

Hai Ri: “You.” Had he not made it clear enough?

Sheng Canyang: “And?”

Hai Ri had no choice but to pick someone else. “Shan Yu is also quite good.” 

Hai Ri had a somewhat favorable impression of Shan Yu, the boy who had helped Sheng Canyang film <Troublemaker>. Sheng Canyang was the sole Chinese person in the group and when he was asked during a variety show who he had the best relationship with in the team, he’d pointed at Shan Yu, saying that he’d helped him out a lot. Hai Ri was quite fond of watching their interactions; fans like him were later labeled CP fans.

Hai Ri was a conscientious fan. Harboring the heart of a mother and feeling distressed for the hardships that his son working abroad had to go through, he felt that it wasn’t easy for his son to have a genuine friend. Hence, he would occasionally forward Shan Yu’s Weibo posts as well, commenting the two statements ‘good luck, you’re the best’.

Sheng Canyang nodded. “I understand.”

For a moment, Hai Ri didn’t react. He nodded as well, but a while later, he suddenly turned around again. “I wasn’t lying to you, I really am your fan.” 

Sheng Canyang: “Why didn’t you say so at the start?”

“There wasn’t a chance,” Hai Ri replied. “I didn’t know how to say it.”

Sheng Canying twisted open the bottle cap and took a sip of water. “Thank you.”

What was he thanking him for? 

Hai Ri didn’t understand, but if Sheng Canyang wanted to thank him, then he would let it be. The kids nowadays had overly complex thoughts that were beyond his comprehension.

Son, mother is also at fault for your death, you don’t have to thank mother.

Hai Ri obtained four thousand points from the previous round; his next round would take place the following day.

Time originally should not have been this tight, but Hai Ri was currently in a points-gathering state of emergency. He had never been this poor in his entire life and truly had no other solution, so he could only hurry on his way and accumulate more money. 

After completing his first task, he lay at home for two days and discovered that there was a local area network in this place, albeit one that was not connected to the real world. Many apps could be used as per normal after going online and the people who came to this world also continued to use these apps. However, only messages from people also in this world could be received, and messages to others would not be sent out.

This world bore a distinct resemblance to the China of twenty years ago – rustic and unsophisticated, with none of the extravagance of a big city. The two enormous roving whales in the sky was the only thing that was very different about this city. It was said that they were gray whales. Their entire body was in a grey-blue shade, white speckles dotting the entirety of their bodies. Every two hours, they would let out two cries.

From what he’d heard, there were two whales in every district, although the breed varied. Some were killer whales, and others were sperm whales. Hai Ri had never looked up at them when he went out, so he wasn’t too clear on this either.

When he looked up yesterday while going out and saw the gigantic creature swimming about in the sky, he’d nearly fainted dead away from fright. Utterly shocked, the phone in his hands narrowly avoided slipping out of his grip. 

The whales roamed about in the sky harmlessly and very quickly swam off. Speechless, Hai Ri felt like his worldview had been completely shattered. He signed up for the next task right on the spot, deciding that his priority was to first survive so that he wouldn’t have to go back and be a vegetable.

Hai Ri thought that this really seemed like a dream.

A dream containing the whales he was fond of and the idol he was chasing. If this were a dream, it would be a short one.

Ice cream in hand, he pressed the button for the lift. The lift doors opened, and a person carrying a pile of skirts and even a pair of high-heeled shoes walked out directly. 

Hai Ri subconsciously held the lift doors open for him. With the ice cream in his mouth, he murmured, “You dropped your things.”

The person turned back around. Hai Ri picked up the black stockings for him.

Hai Ri placed the stockings at the top of the pile and pulled the ice cream out of his mouth. “Where are you sending them to? I’ll help you?”

Sheng Canyang responded, “No need.” 

And then, a yellow wig fell off.

Hai Ri picked it up for him again, shooting him a glance.

Sheng Canyang had nothing to say. “Help me pile them into the car.”

Hai Ri took two articles of clothing from him. They appeared to be a woman’s skirt and accessory, but were extremely flamboyant. Both were in very bright colors and had massive shimmery pieces on them. He didn’t ask what they were for, not like it was convenient for him to speak with the ice cream in his mouth anyway. 

Sheng Canyang pushed open the door with his shoulder. There was a car waiting outside with the trunk open. Sheng Canyang tossed the clothes in, saying, “Just put them here.”

A car window rolled down and a yellow-haired youth spoke to him, “It’s been hard on you, Sheng-ge.”

Hai Ri placed the clothes down and removed the ice cream from his mouth. “I’ll be off then.”

But the youth asked, “Sheng-ge, is he your friend?” 

Sheng Canyang: “I won’t be going, you go back on your own.”

The youth: “Don’t be like that, Sheng-ge. How meaningful can it be without you?”

Sheng Canyang waved a hand at him, already heading back in. “Next time.”

Hai Ri also said politely, “Goodbye.” 

The youth: “Goodbye! Handsome bro, get Sheng-ge to bring you along next time!”

Hai Ri sucked on his frozen popsicle and then threw it into the rubbish bin, waving a hand at him.

Sheng Canyang took the initiative to speak to him. “Haven’t seen you the last two days.”

Where could they possibly meet? They didn’t have a single mutual friend and Hai Ri also didn’t have friends here, so he had only gone downstairs to have his meals and buy frozen treats. 

Hai Ri said, “I was hiding at home.”

Sheng Canyang: “When’s your next task?”

“I just registered for tomorrow,” Hai Ri replied. “I’m lacking money, what about you?”

Sheng Canyang: “Tomorrow.” 

Caught off guard, Hai Ri glanced at him. “You’re lacking money too?”

Sheng Canyang smiled. “No, I’m anxious to die.”

Hai Ri: …

Hai Ri actually had nothing to say. In this context, saying anything would be wrong. This motherly heart of his was about to crumble from pain; his son really didn’t want to live. Even in this place, he yearned wholeheartedly for death. 

He wasn’t qualified to be a mother.

Sheng Canyang pressed the button for the lift. The front counter staff’s line of sight swept across Hai Ri, back and forth. But when Hai Ri looked over, he pretended to be filling out a form. The bright and clean lift doors reflected their two tall, skinny silhouettes. Sheng Canyang’s skin was quite fair, but Hai Ri was even fairer than him due to his parentage – a standard lady-killer with a high nose bridge.

There was a bang and Hai Ri turned back the next instant, catching the unprepared front counter staff red-handed.

Hai Ri exclaimed, “Whatcha looking at me for!” 

The staff subconsciously replied, “So what if I’m looking at you?”

Hai Ri: ?

The staff lowered his head and filled in the forms with immense embarrassment.

The lift just happened to arrive, so Hai Ri entered the lift, not taking the incident too seriously. The door boy pressed the button ‘4’. 

Sheng Canyang: “Don’t offend him, you’ll suffer too if he makes trouble for you.”

Hai Ri: “I didn’t offend him, isn’t it him who’s offending me?”

Sheng Canyang burst into laughter, two laugh lines on his smiling face. If he were to give a small smile, there would be two faint laugh lines. Many fans felt that an unsmiling Sheng Canyang was good-looking and gave off an icy aura, but the pictures Hai Ri saved of him were virtually all images of him smiling. In fact, a smiling Sheng Canyang gave off an even icier aura than when he didn’t smile.

Hai Ri unintentionally shot him a few glances. Sheng Canyang turned towards him briefly, but Hai Ri looked away. “If we have the same task tomorrow, help me.” 

Sheng Canyang: “You play very well.”

Hai Ri stretched his body. “Hopefully I won’t draw the murderer card again.”

The lift came to a stop with a ding and Hai Ri walked out. The building was extremely large and so was the entire fourth floor. He still had a long way to go before he would arrive at his room. Walking behind him, Sheng Canyang sent out two messages on his phone.

In front of him, Hai Ri didn’t say anything either. Suddenly, Sheng Canyang asked, “Do you want to join a theater?” 

Hai Ri: ?

Sheng Canyang: “Stage theater. Sometimes tasks require a bit of acting, so… are you interested?”

Hai Ri didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”

Sheng Canyang: “Sure?” 

Hai Ri thought internally: Son, mother will support you in anything you do. Even if you say you want to die, mother won’t hug your thigh and say you can’t.

Hai Ri: “I’m sure, what do you want me to do?”

Doubt was written all over Sheng Canyang’s face at his straightforwardness. He replied to his friend’s text: [He said okay.]

His friend Yellow Hair sent an emotional message back: [Which is also to say, we finally won’t need the 190cm you to play the role of the female lead.] 

Sheng Canyang looked up from his phone and took a cursory glance at Hai Ri’s figure.

A confused Hai Ri: ?

Sheng Canyang sent a reply back: [He’s only slightly shorter than me.]

Yellow Hair: [180cm and 190cm are worlds apart. He’s only a bit taller than me, but you’re taller than me by a Himalayas.] 

Sheng Canyang kept his phone. “You’ll play the female lead.”

Hai Ri said blankly, “Oh.”

So that was what the clothes were for, Hai Ri was struck by the sudden realization. He scanned himself. “Am I too tall?”

Sheng Canyang: … 

Hai Ri glanced at his expression. Understanding suddenly dawned on him. “Who was the female lead before me?”

Sheng Canyang: …

Hai Ri said in alarm, “Who can play the male lead if you’re playing the female lead?”

Sheng Canyang: “Liu Yifan – the boy you saw just now.” 

Hai Ri said in even greater alarm, “He’s only 170cm, right?”

Sheng Canyang: “He can be taller with insoles.”

Hai Ri didn’t think that was the issue. He asked with some delight, “Why can’t you two exchange places? Isn’t it okay if he plays the female lead?”

Sheng Canyang couldn’t quite bring himself to say it. “The audience felt that his performance of the female lead was too unsightly.” 

Hai Ri: …

Hai Ri lamented, “What a misshapen love.”

Sheng Canyang: “In order to play the female lead, Liu Yifan did voice training all day and night. In the end, he was sent back down by the audience on his first stage.”

Hai Ri: “…That is quite miserable.” 

“That’s not all,” Sheng Canyang reached his room. Standing at the entrance, he took out his key and told Hai Ri, “All day and night means he didn’t train during the day or night, and was directly booed back down the moment he went up.”

Sheng Canyang: “See you tomorrow.”

Hai Ri’s stomach hurt from laughing. “See you tomorrow.”