Chapter 647: Flying Over the Madhouse

Zhou Mingrui woke up early today.

As the saying goes, what you think during the day appears in your dreams; he replayed his recent experiences in his sleep.

Because of this, he noticed many things about the recent events were off—or rather, this oddness had gradually emerged since he drank that "Assassin" functional beverage that granted superpowers.

"Lu Mingfei… Su Yuling…"

Whenever he saw these two, he unconsciously felt conflicting emotions of vigilance and relaxation, along with a sense of déjà vu—not from memory, but from some inexplicable, mystical feeling.

Of course, this didn't mean he had any romantic interest in them.

In fact, Li Jiatu had once given him the same feeling, and that was why they became good friends.

Before Li Jiatu died, he mentioned Su Yuling in front of him, but Zhou later verified Deng En's police identity as genuine—so why did Deng En say Su Yuling was dead?

Lu Mingfei and Lu Mingze showed no emotional reaction to Li Jiatu's death.

Huai Zhi also differed from the girl in his memory; she returned at this time, still carrying the smell of smoke…

This wasn't normal.

Zhou Mingrui wrote the names of these three people on a blank sheet of paper and tapped the long table with his index finger: "Maybe I'm just too paranoid—or is my mind really starting to break?"

He remembered his third-to-last blind date—a female psychologist—who had told him he showed signs of mental health issues from years of overtime work.

A faint line of dawn appeared on the horizon; while staring out the window, Zhou Mingrui suddenly smelled the sweet aroma of steamed rice flour, snapping him out of his self-consuming thoughts.

Has Master Wei reopened?

Just one whiff felt like standing in a rice field, golden waves rippling under a gentle breeze, just as described in elementary school textbooks.

Hss—

Ha~

The illusion vanished; Zhou Mingrui hurriedly pulled on a jacket and leapt straight out the window from upstairs.

He landed as lightly as a feather, luckily at a time when even students were scarce.

"Two red bean buns, a cup of sweet soy milk, and a bowl of beef noodles—no green onions."

It was his old routine.

The red-haired young man glanced at him and said, "Wait a moment."

Zhou Mingrui froze; that familiar sense of déjà vu returned again—this time from Master Wei.

What's going on?

"Want anything else?" Master Wei asked. "Sweet tofu pudding isn't available today, but we have fresh milk pancakes."

"Please add one," Zhou Mingrui said politely. "Have the wedding arrangements in Germany been completed?"

It seemed like casual neighborly chatter, but it was a test—he sensed something had changed in the man before him.

"." Master Wei's expression grew complex.

Did I just step on a landmine?

In an instant, a dozen melodramatic soap-opera scenarios played out in Zhou Mingrui's mind.

"My sister is taking the college entrance exam, so we canceled it," Master Wei said.

"Do you need every single family member present for weddings over there?" Zhou Mingrui asked curiously. "A whole family loving each other?"

Master Wei lifted the noodles from the pot and said, "After all, she's the bride."

Zhou Mingrui was stunned.

He remembered Master Wei's sister was a silver-haired, red-eyed girl who claimed to be in high school—but looked more like a middle schooler.

"It's the twenty-first century—arranged marriages are out of fashion," Zhou Mingrui said incredulously. "Your sister's so young—who's this monster?"

Master Wei placed the noodles in the bowl, added bamboo shoots and beef, paused for a moment, then said, "It's me."

Zhou Mingrui finished breakfast and left.

Although Weigong Shilang had seen him secretly pull out his phone and press 110 several times, he never actually dialed.

Thank heaven.

"Hey, Master Weigong, you're here too?" Huai Shi came downstairs carrying a transparent bag filled with yesterday's kitchen waste.

"Three-flower cream. Chicken broth paste." Weigong Shilang's attention had been on Huai Shi's dress, but upon seeing the trash bag, he grew agitated:

"What the hell is that?"

"Oh, this?" Huai Shi held up the bag. "I was in a rush yesterday, so I used some tech."

Bang!

Weigong Shilang slammed his fist on the table and roared, "That kind of cooking has no soul!"

"I had no choice—I saw Zhou Ge was starving…" Huai Shi coughed awkwardly twice:

"There were no live hens around, only frozen chicken, but I improved it with alchemy—the taste was definitely better than… sorry, won't happen again."

Facing his Japanese culinary master, Huai Shi's conscience pricked him.

Compared to a Sword Immortal, Huai Shi thought "Cooking Immortal" suited Weigong Shilang better—maybe next time he should invite him to the Cooking Demon Competition?

"By the way, Huai Shi," Weigong Shilang gave Huai Shi a strange look. "Why are you back to Huai Zhi again, dressed as a girl?"

"."

That's because I've become Huai Zhi now.

Huai Shi thought for a moment, pulled out a functional beverage, handed it over, and asked, "Master, haven't you noticed anything different about me?"

"Different how?" Weigong Shilang took the drink, puzzled. "Isn't it the same as usual?"

Dark tone, ink-blue hair, skin pale as if never seeing sunlight—besides wearing a dress again today, there's literally no difference, right?

"." Huai Shi's eyes went blank for a moment.

He snapped back to reality, watching Weigong Shilang pull the tab on the can and prepare to drink the functional beverage—and suddenly realized something.

Why did I assume anyone else could notice that Niu Zi was gone?

The character Huai Zhi Suzi has long been well known; as a mountain spirit and future Confused Siming, haven't you always been a cross-dressing style?!

If I don't say anything, who would know my Niu Niu is gone?!

Wait

Coach, isn't something off here?

Today, Zhou Mingrui returned to the company to report to Huang Tao about Taichu Group's current acquisition intentions.

He didn't understand why Director Huang had always resisted being acquired by Taichu Group—those funds were enough for him to open ten more identical companies elsewhere.

But how goes that saying? You just drive the car. Switch channels. Do the work for the salary you're paid.

He was merely using Li Jiatu's remaining connections to act as a tool, whether it succeeded or not was unknown, and it wasn't his concern.

Fortunately, Director Huang didn't think with his lower body every second; after learning about Li Jiatu's situation, he merely told Zhou Mingrui to do his best, and even said some humane words of comfort.

"You say the chairwoman of Taichu Group is a girl?"

"Mm, she's very young and beautiful."

"I'd like to speak with her directly about business—do you have her contact? If you're tired today, take the day off; I'll go with that Nidhogg Group idol heir."

"."

Retracting my earlier words, this guy's brain is already under the control of his second brother.

After leaving the company, as agreed, Lu Mingfei was already waiting in a Bugatti Veyron parked by the roadside.

Zhou Mingrui saw her from afar and walked over to open the door, but to his surprise, the driver was that little girl, Lu Mingze.

"I have a driver's license," Lu Mingze smiled elegantly, as if knowing what Zhou Mingrui was thinking.

Zhou Mingrui nodded awkwardly.

The drive was smooth, and Zhou Mingrui didn't initiate conversation with Lu Mingfei.

Even though she was "my idol," and he deeply admired the music she created—still ranking high on internet music charts—he and she weren't that familiar yet.

No wonder, after debuting briefly and rescuing Nidhogg Group's entertainment industry, she vanished into retirement.

How could a heiress with uncountable wealth spend every day singing, dancing, and rapping for fans?

"Want a drink?" Lu Mingfei pulled out a can.

"Thank you." Zhou Mingrui took the drink but didn't drink it—only held it in his hand.

"Do you usually play video games?" Lu Mingfei asked.

"I do," Zhou Mingrui nodded: "I prefer souls-like games, and occasionally play tabletop RPGs."

Lu Mingfei nodded: "I prefer MOBA games."

"Li Jiatu does too," Zhou Mingrui replied instinctively.

He suddenly wondered if mentioning Li Jiatu's name might be inappropriate—he'd only buried him yesterday.

"Indeed," Lu Mingfei responded directly, gazing at Zhou Mingrui for a long moment before whispering softly:

"I once had a friend who loved souls-like games, especially the Bloodborne series—he especially enjoyed playing as a Hunter to hunt down Outer Gods."

Great minds think alike!

But why "once"?

"He fell asleep."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Cough, cough…"

Lu Mingfei covered her mouth and began coughing, as if choked by her own saliva.

"Are you okay?" Zhou Mingrui didn't understand.

"I'm fine," she wiped her lips ungracefully with her sleeve, lifted her head, took a breath, and sighed:

"I don't like single-player games—even playing King of Fighters with elementary school kids in an arcade feels more fun than playing single-player."

"I didn't used to know why, but over the past two years, I realized it's because I find no sense of accomplishment in single-player games."

"Playing single-player is like returning to high school class—no matter how well you play, even if you take zero damage, no one notices you."

Hearing her speak of such private matters, Zhou Mingrui tactically wanted to take a sip—but found the can unopened.

"Do you agree?" he ventured to speak.

Otherwise, she'd just be talking to herself, and the atmosphere would grow increasingly awkward.

"I agree," Lu Mingfei nodded, admitting:

"Games are the simplest and cheapest way to gain others' recognition—that's why I like competitive games: CS, Warcraft."

Exactly like Li Jiatu.

Zhou Mingrui recalled how, whenever he went out with Li Jiatu, the top-tier rich kid, they never went to fancy places—only internet cafes.

Every time, he'd get free internet, takeout, even free Nutri-Quick.

"Actually, many people recognize you," Zhou Mingrui wanted to mention her massive online stalker fanbase, but something felt off.

"I got lucky—I suddenly became impressive, inherited a fortune, and found the best partner in the world. But when everyone thinks I'm amazing, I still feel no sense of accomplishment."

Lu Mingfei shook her head and said:

"I still love games, but now I enjoy more kinds—I can play Mario with my partner in the room and never get bored."

If someone had once sat in a luxury car and told Zhou Mingrui these things, he'd have thought they were being pretentious—but looking into her eyes, he was momentarily dazed, as if seeing Li Jiatu sitting before him.

"That sleeping, foul-mouthed keyboard warrior would sometimes drink cola and eat sweets in his rented apartment, gripping his controller and bragging he broke another record, while I'd snatch the controller to humble him."

"The other guy dabbled in everything, but he preferred watching others play, pointing out moves, and casually eating 'deceptive meals' while saying they were 'perfect for rice.'"

"Compared to before, I've met many friends now—all good, all talented—but I still feel we four fit best together."

"Maybe because we're both introverted, or because we're the kind who lack motivation unless under pressure."

Lu Mingfei shrugged and said: "So whenever I beat them at games, I feel more accomplished than in anything else."

Zhou Mingrui imagined the scene—it was indeed very relaxing.

"It's a pity, that guy's still asleep and hasn't woken up yet."

It's a truly sad thing.

"Miss Lu, may I ask something?" Zhou Mingrui furrowed his brow slightly, his expression thoughtful, and asked: "Is your sleeping friend…"

He paused halfway through.

Lu Mingfei nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"Your romantic partner?"

"I bought a watch last year—beep—beep—!!!"

Zhou Mingrui never expected his idol would curse—and such a crude curse at that.

Under the blazing sunlight, beside the shade, several luxury cars were parked in front of a white building.

"Hehe~ Girl, smile for me."

The man, handsome with a flame mark on his forehead and long black hair, grinned, revealing a bright, enthusiastic smile:

"Shall I smile for you instead?"

Zhou Mingrui felt he had seen this man before; after thinking, he realized the man was Xiao Yan, chairman of Dan Alliance Pharmaceuticals.

This isn't Tai Chu Group.

Lu Mingfei actually laughed, and tossed a can of drink to the other.

"Thanks." Xiao Yan glanced at the drink in his hand, popped open the can, and drank it straight down.

"The chairman of Tai Chu Group asked us to meet here," Lu Mingfei explained to Zhou Mingrui, pointing at the building.

Zhou Mingrui looked inside the building and saw several ambulances parked there.

The metal plaque at the entrance bore four large characters: "Old Day Hospital."

"Zhou Mingrui?"

A clear, melodious voice, one that naturally brought calm, sounded out.

Zhou Mingrui turned around and saw his blind date, Audrey, tall and with smooth golden hair, standing there.