Chapter 261

So it is! Xia Xue blurted out: “How did you know I…” The man sized her up before slowly saying: “Hmm, do you have any idea how conspicuous you look in this place?”

Xia Xue looked down at her clothes, bewildered: “What’s wrong with them?”

Seeing her reaction, the man smiled faintly: “How did you find me?”

Xia Xue thought: Testing me, huh? She pouted: “I saw your name—it seemed so unique, so I thought I’d add you. Didn’t expect you to be even more unique in person!”

Xia Xue’s flattery sidestepped the real issue; the man had no reply, and they began chatting casually.

After half an hour of aimless banter, Xia Xue propped her cheek on one hand and muttered: “School is so boring—nothing fun at all!”

Mao Wei (the name of Night Blade, though whether it’s real is another matter) flickered a spark of excitement in his eyes, smirked, and glanced at Xia Xue: “Fun? There’s plenty. Just don’t expect your folks to call you home again soon!”

“No way! My parents aren’t in Zizhen—no one’s watching me!” Xia Xue replied offhandedly.

The hunger in Mao Wei’s eyes—like a predator spotting prey—intensified. He flicked his hair dramatically and stared into the depths of the bar: “Come on. I’ll take you somewhere thrilling.”

Xia Xue nodded and stood up to follow Mao Wei.

The bar’s dim lights and noisy music made it impossible for Luo Fei, monitoring from the surveillance equipment, to hear what they were saying. Watching Xia Xue’s movements with the micro-camera alongside the red-haired boy, Luo Fei felt dread. Where was she going with him?

He urgently whispered through the earpiece hidden in Xia Xue’s ear: “Xia Xue, don’t go. Tell him you’ll bring friends next time—make an excuse today!”

But Xia Xue didn’t react. Either the noise was too loud, or she simply ignored him.

As Xia Xue and the red-haired boy vanished deeper into the bar, Luo Fei grew anxious and was about to order his backup team to move—when the video feed from Xia Xue’s camera suddenly shifted, resembling a cybercafé.

Unlike the noisy bar outside, this cybercafé-like space was quiet. Naturally, Luo Fei could now clearly hear what was happening.

Xia Xue quickly glanced at the computer screen in front of her—it looked like an ordinary game. Then Mao Wei spoke: “Know what they’re playing?”

“Oh? A game, right?” Xia Xue blurted.

Mao Wei chuckled mysteriously: “Let me show you a whole new world of games.”

He pulled her to an empty computer. Instinctively, Xia Xue tugged her hand back—this subtle motion caught Mao Wei’s attention. He turned to look at her. Startled, she quickly said: “Hey, your hands are so cold!”

Mao Wei smiled: “They’re always cold.” As he spoke, Xia Xue feigned eager anticipation, sitting down and asking: “Hurry up—show me the game. Is it really as thrilling as you said?”

Mao Wei stayed silent, clicked his mouse a few times, and a game interface appeared: bloody, brutal. A real person tied to a chair endured torture. A list of commands lined the side—players could freely choose how to inflict pain.

Xia Xue swallowed her shock and revulsion, forcing a thrilled expression: “Wow, this game is so unique!” Mao Wei watched her, smug: “Thrilling, right? Want to try it yourself?”

Xia Xue involuntarily swallowed. Hesitating, she said: “I—I think I’ll pass.” She rose to leave, but Mao Wei grabbed her shoulder, laughing coldly: “Want to leave? If you came, you’re playing.”

Seeing the red-haired boy turn hostile, Xia Xue felt a flicker of panic—but then a decision flashed through her mind.

“Hmph! Fine, I’ll play! But I don’t like this kind—give me another one!” Xia Xue slammed the table with authority.

“Heh!” Mao Wei’s laugh dripped with unmasked triumph—the satisfaction of prey trapped.

“How do you want to play?” he asked smugly.

“I want to be this one!” Xia Xue pointed with a slender finger at the torturer on screen.

“Fuck!” Mao Wei cursed. “You can’t just play this one! This one requires…” He trailed off, as if remembering something, swallowing the rest.

“What?” Xia Xue sneered. “You can’t even handle this? Then why brag?”

“Alright!” Mao Wei laughed. “I don’t control this. But if you really want it, I can ask the higher-ups.”

Seeing an opening, Xia Xue pressed: “What do you mean, ‘higher-ups’? Hurry up—I bet it’s awesome!”

Mao Wei’s eyes gleamed with cruel amusement: “Fine. Come with me.”

Through the camera hidden on Xia Xue’s body, Luo Fei understood her intent—and grew even more frantic. This girl’s audacity! Alone, she dared to follow this red-haired…

He no longer hesitated. He immediately ordered the perimeter team to move, find Xia Xue, and prevent any harm.

Meanwhile, Xia Xue had already followed Mao Wei through a hidden door into a basement.

Dark and secluded, the basement had a U-shaped corridor lined with individual rooms, each door tightly shut. Xia Xue glanced around curiously. Mao Wei said: “Today, I’m giving you a blind box. Pick any room, open it. Whatever’s inside—you replace the current torturer. Dare to play?”

Xia Xue’s heart jolted. Were those scenes from the computers really played out here?!

Yet her face lit up with eager excitement: “Great! Let’s try now!” She reached for the nearest door.

But just before her fingers touched the handle, she pulled back: “Hehe! I can pick freely, right?”

Mao Wei nodded. Xia Xue grinned, passed the nearby door, and walked further down the corridor.

Since entering, she’d been observing the U-shaped corridor’s rooms. This basement was completely sealed—so far, the only entrance was the hidden door Mao Wei brought her through. Escaping wouldn’t be easy.

Not only was she anxious—Luo Fei was frantic. His backup team still hadn’t found the entrance.

Mao Wei had grown suspicious of Xia Xue’s delay in choosing. He stepped quickly behind her: “Time’s up. This one.”

He grabbed her hand and yanked open one of the doors.

“Ahh!” Xia Xue screamed at the sight inside.