Ch4 - Little Sister Carries A Doll (2)

Sheng Canyang was completely at ease with himself. Without the slightest hint of shame, he said while gripping his phone, “Let’s go?”

Hai Ri: “Ah.” 

Hai Ri felt like he and this child were kindred spirits.

They were truly kindred spirits – both of them possessed a natural calmness like that of ‘smashing a cracked pot’.

Sheng Canyang casually asked, “How do you feel about it?”

“Ah,” Hai Ri replied blankly. “It’s pretty frightening.” 

Sheng Canyang: “More frightening than the previous round.”

No, Hai Ri wasn’t referring to that. For better or worse, the previous round was conducted in a city, and Sheng Canyang could still be a decent, handsome guy… To be honest, Hai Ri didn’t quite dare to look at Sheng Canyang’s face now.

At its essence, his love might not be deep enough. It was too shallow.

The two people made their way together to the reception room at the start. Everyone had already gathered, and they were the last two to arrive. The middle-aged man who spoke previously and seemed to have the awareness of a leader spoke first, “Let’s introduce ourselves.”

The man said, “I’ll go first. My name is Ping Jie, the deceased’s husband and a general. My hands were slow and snatched this role. You might have realized that there are more clues that are unfavorable towards me… But I still want to say that I’m not the killer, just someone who’s carrying the pot. This is my 14th game and my last round, I can die after gathering enough points. I’m not here to play around, I really don’t want to live. I hope everyone will take care of me.”

Hai Ri: …

Everyone was speechless. Who in this place didn’t want to die? Nobody was here to mess around.

Hai Ri did a simple introduction. “I’m Jin Tian, the deceased’s lover. I have no motive to kill her, nor do I have any evidence.” 

Sheng Canyang stated, “My name is Apricot, the deceased’s daughter.”

The shock in everyone’s gazes when looking at Sheng Canyang was the exact replica of Hai Ri just now. Hai Ri had purely been shocked, but there was only horror left for those who didn’t recognize Sheng Canyang.

All of a sudden, a girl in the crowd carefully took measure of Sheng Canyang, saying, “Ah… are you…”

A sudden wave of tension swept across Hai Ri. He watched her mouth open in anticipation. She strained for a long while, and only managed to croak out, “One of ANEW’s… members.” 

Hai Ri had waited in eager anticipation for half the day, yet she still failed to come up with the name in the end.

Sheng Canyang casually responded, “That’s me.”

The girl exclaimed in excitement, “Why aren’t you dead yet!”

Hai Ri: ? 

“I’ll accept your lucky words,” Sheng Canyang wasn’t too bothered by it and was even cheerful. “I’m in a rush.”

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.

The girl’s face was flushed. “That wasn’t what I meant. Can I get an autograph?”

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Sheng Canyang: “I’m past my prime.”

Hai Ri: …

F*ck, that hurt.

The girl: “You’re very popular abroad! …Oh, right, what’s your name?” 

Hai Ri thought expressionlessly: This girl has to die this round.

You’re done for, thought Hai Ri. I’m going to vote for you. I see how sneaky you are, forget the f*ck about gathering points. Laozi will take care of you this round.

Sheng Canyang was obviously already accustomed to such situations. In reality, unless the person was like Hai Ri who chased a star with single-hearted devotion, it was inevitable that they would only find the faces of groups with seven or eight members familiar. Being able to say the group’s name was already a feat.

Sheng Canyang had no intention of introducing himself either, merely nodding at her. “You?” 

Only then did the girl return to her senses. Recalling the task, her complexion changed again. “I’m Shan Xing, this family’s maid.”

Seeing the change in her expression, Hai Ri internally made another mark against her. Breathing hitches upon a guilty conscience, confidence is lacking.

There was a middle-aged woman around the age of thirty among those remaining. From the way it looked, she was the child’s mother. She had plain, simple features, natural expressions, and a magnanimous and serene look. Smiling, her voice had a thick northeastern accent. “I am Xue Chuan, the kept lover. This family’s relations are quite messy.”

The two people left were a man and woman who hadn’t spoken at all. There was a relatively big distance between them, but Hai Ri could tell with a single glance that they were a couple. Even if they weren’t, they definitely knew each other. Their auras were simply too similar, and even their choice of strategy was similar – both tried their hardest to remain silent and only observe. 

The woman was good-looking, with long hair, fair skin, and a slim figure. When dressed in a man’s clothing, she gave off the feeling that she would be blown away by the slightest gust of wind. The role she was playing was Sheng Canyang, or Apricot’s, fiancé.

Hai Ri glanced at Sheng Canyang. “How old are you? You already have a fiancé?”

Sheng Canyang thought about it. “I seem to be fourteen.”

“Sure,” Hai Ri said. “Was it a forced marriage or a willing romance?” 

Sheng Canyang: “Stop being so talkative.”

The woman wore a displeased expression. “The interrogation can wait till we’ve searched for evidence, why do it now?”

“He’s asking me,” Sheng Canyang cut in before Hai Ri could open his mouth. “Not you. I’m okay with it.”

The perpetually-silent young man asked, “You know each other?” 

It was then that Hai Ri realized that revealing their association wasn’t a very good idea.

It’d completely slipped his mind. Most importantly, Sheng Canyang hadn’t reminded him either.

Sheng Canyang was very casual about it. “Yes, is that a problem?”

The man: “You came together despite knowing each other? Then this round won’t be nice to play.” 

Sheng Canyang pointed at the woman. “Isn’t she your girlfriend?”

Everyone: …

Seemingly not expecting Sheng Canyang to voice it so directly, the couple momentarily weren’t sure whether or not they should refute and subconsciously glanced at each other. As long as such a matter was not refuted on the spot, the atmosphere would turn complex. There was no fixed rule prohibiting people from taking part in the game together, so if players chose to conceal it themselves, then that was up to them.

The girl called Shan Xing suddenly slapped her head. “Canyang! You’re Canyang! Correct?” 

The girl exclaimed excitedly, “I remember seeing you in my classmate’s Moments. The one who committed suicide because of the homosexual matter, was that you?”

Hai Ri’s face iced over in an instant; he was truly angry now. He said with the utmost courtesy, “You really know how to talk.”

Shan Xing stared blankly. An ‘ah’ sound later, she said, “Everyone knows about it.”

Hai Ri was just about to say something when Sheng Canyang pushed open the door. The deceased was still waiting outside stiffly. 

Sheng Canyang said dully, “That’s me.”

As if having waited for an eternity, the deceased took a step forward. “The sky’s about to darken. After 8pm, all movement will cease. Please search for evidence. As long as the door to the room can be opened, it can be searched.”

Sheng Canyang took the initiative to walk out. Hai Ri shot Shan Xing a glance, his icy expression shocking Shan Xing.

Hai Ri hated it the most when other people brought up Sheng Canyang’s cause of death as a topic of conversation. This was not exclusive to Hai Ri; all of Sheng Canyang’s fans detested it as well. 

The month before and after Sheng Canyang’s suicide, public sentiment had taken over the internet. Virtually all of the internet seemed to be in a joyous clamor, and it was only his fans who were silent. Hai Ri loathed the people who spouted obscenities before Sheng Canyang’s suicide only to utter symbolic words of pity after his death. The steps to the modern version of hell were made of strand after strand of internet wires.

If Sheng Canyang had really been as indifferent as he appeared to be, he wouldn’t have committed suicide back then, nor would he be so anxious to die now.

Hai Ri walked over to Shan Xing and lowered his head, telling the girl who only reached his chest, “Control your mouth, got it? Meimei, shut your mouth if you don’t know how to talk.”

Hai Ri: “Stay away from Sheng Canyang.” 

Shan Xing looked up at him. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid. Hai Ri had flamboyant, very aggressive looks, and when such a man so grimly warned her, a flush spread over her face. The corners of her mouth moved. The truth was that she had no idea what she had said wrong.

Looking at her, Hai Ri felt like he was looking at those people on the internet – their unconscious cruelty had forced Sheng Canyang onto the path to death, but after his death, they acted as if they had nothing to do with it.

And yet they didn’t dare to say anything when Hai Ri stood before them now.

“Forget about the autograph,” Hai Ri said to her. “Who knows if you’ll have to go back and live after this round? You won’t be able to bring it along even if you want to.” 

Hai Ri turned, speaking to the rest as if everything was all right. “We’ll gather back here at 6.30pm and account for the evidence, okay?”

Everyone could only watch him in silence after his flare up. The middle-aged man Ping Jie responded, “Sure. There’s half an hour left, that’s enough. Let’s hurry and do a round of investigation before the sky darkens.”

Hai Ri nodded. He ordered the deceased, who was blocking the door, “Let me past.”

Everyone: … 

The deceased slowly let him past. Hai Ri directly made his way out and when he turned the corner, caught sight of Sheng Canyang standing at the door along the corridor, staring at the cherry blossom tree outside.

Seeing the way his clothing was exposed under the sunlight, Hai Ri still felt that it was unacceptable. The skirt at half length only reached up to Sheng Canyang’s armpit!

Hai Ri asked, “Don’t you feel suffocated?”

“It’s all right,” Sheng Canyang replied. “I can change out of it once the evidence left on it has been examined.” 

Hai Ri heaved a deep sigh of relief.

Sheng Canyang laughed, glancing down at himself. “No, is it that much of an eyesore?”

Hai Ri: “I can’t take it, aren’t you wasting natural resources like this?”

Sheng Canyang thought that Hai Ri was joking. “I’m fooling around with a serious look?” 

“Who wants to fool around with you?” Hai Ri retorted. “I’m serious. What are you looking at?”

Sheng Canyang: “You know what’s the rule for survival here?”

“What?”

“Don’t make an enemy out of others,” Sheng Canyang looked back. “That girl’s going to die.” 

Hai Ri glanced back and saw Shan Xing’s silhouette. She seemed to have entered the general’s room in search of evidence.

“What do you mean? She’s going to die tonight?” Hai Ri questioned. “Meaning someone’s going to set me up?”

Sheng Canyang said calmly, “No. I’m the murderer, I’ll be killing her tonight.”

Hai Ri: … 

Hai Ri had a slight urge to smoke, he was really in need of a cigarette now.

The two of them met each other’s gazes. A moment later, Sheng Canyang slowly bent over at the waist, rested his elbow on Hai Ri’s shoulder, and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. Only then did Hai Ri realize that he had been poking fun at him. The thought of pummeling this brat to death crossing his mind for an instant.

Hai Ri: “F*cking scared me half to death.”

Sheng Canyang’s delight lasted a long time, eventually triggering Hai Ri’s laughter as well. Sheng Canyang whispered into his ear, “Shut the door tightly at night, don’t come out no matter what.”