Chapter 157

When indecisive, just play a game for a while.

In the early hours past two, the B-512 dorm finally heard two steady, long breaths.

After countless tossing and turning, Qi Hengyu was finally dragged into sleep by fatigue.

Shen Zexi's willpower was slightly better, but under the incessant 'illumination' of the unavoidable, self‑luminescent Ying Guang Lu, his nerves finally gave out and his consciousness grew hazy.

On the floor, the Ying Guang Lu Cover Roll that lay motionless as if already asleep quietly lifted a corner without a sound.

Ying Duo sat up, movements gentle as a cat, making no sound.

His eyes, unusually bright in the darkness, after adapting to deeper darkness, first glanced left.

Qi Hengyu lay on his side, brows slightly furrowed, as if even in his dream he was guarding against something.

He then looked right; Shen Zexi lay supine, breathing evenly, but a hand rested on his forehead, futilely resisting the omnipresent green light.

Both fell into deep sleep, with a long string of "Zzzzz......" above their heads.

Ying Duo stood in the center of the dorm, looking left and right, pacing the small room round and round like a beast patrolling its territory.

【Concealment Proficiency +1】

【Concealment Proficiency +1】

He found a new way to grind skill proficiency.

Subsequently, Ying Duo's hands materialized two Energy Pistols, aiming at the two on the bed.

——————————————

Must admit, the PC version of the game is far better than the mobile version.

First, just the screen: the computer is many times larger than the phone, now he can see a clearer map on the PC; previously limited by the phone's size, the observable range was really limited.

In the mobile version, equipping weapons required opening the backpack and dragging the weapon onto the equip slot; unknown if the officials heeded his suggestion or the PC version simply has more features, now there are hotkeys allowing one‑click equip and switch.

Needless to say, it's incredibly convenient.

Yang Yixie, while getting used to the PC controls, found his mind wandering.

His chat with that guy ended with a bar address and the line "See you in seven days."

One second he was eagerly pressing him to meet, threatening with anything, the next second he tossed out "See you in seven days."

So much can happen in seven days; Yang Yixie, though he's learned some computer‑related stuff, has never actively done anything illegal, and this would surely attract official attention—acting rashly would easily cause trouble.

Over the years he's only ever hacked back and forth with someone's computer, but going up against the authorities—how is that any different from suicide?

With pent‑up frustration and nowhere to vent, let's go mess with NPCs in the game.

——————————————

Ying Duo walked to the two desks; perhaps because they were utterly exhausted, or because 【Concealment】 took effect, they slept especially deeply.

He began to search the desktops.

Shen Zexi's desk was very tidy, books sorted by height and color, pen cup pens all pointing up, no extra clutter.

Qi Hengyu's desk was relatively "lively": a few notes and black‑white manga spread out, with a quirky little ornament in the corner.

He interacted with the desk.

【Through repeated meticulous observation and environmental interaction, you have grasped the skill: Search LV. 0】

【Skill Description: Excellent observation and deep understanding of the environment let you always notice details and possibilities others overlook; everything in the world has its place and state, and you can always more 'efficiently' reallocate and utilize it.】

【Note: Yours, mine, everyone's—making full use of things brings harmony.】

Wow, a new skill!

Ying Duo's eyes glowed brighter in the dim room.

He first strolled to Shen Zexi's desk, fingertips lightly brushing the surface; this time he chose to search the desk.

No golden light.

Yang Yixie looked at the popping interface, which showed a uniform list of various books and pens etc.

He even searched the uniform pocket hanging on Shen Zexi's chair back; aside from a couple hundred dollars and a student ID, he found nothing.

Ying Duo wasn't discouraged; he ran his hand over all the books, recorded their contents, tossed the money into his pack, and immediately turned to Qi Hengyu's desk.

The manga's content can also be recorded, but it seems unlocking the book compendium in this game is useless; otherwise, in just a moment he could have unlocked many achievements.

He casually flipped through the notes; they were Qi Hengyu's somewhat erratic handwriting, filled with strange symbols and likely doodles from zoning out in class, and there was no noteworthy golden light.

Huh? Wait a moment.

Ying Duo's searching hand paused; look what he found!

A purple item! Or a plot item!

He found a photo tucked in the inner layer of the doodle‑filled notebook belonging to Qi Hengyu.

It looks somewhat aged, the corners slightly yellowed, bearing traces of repeated handling.

The photo shows a family of four.

A gentle‑looking couple stands in the back; the husband's hand rests affectionately on the little boy's shoulder, smiling warmly, while the wife holds a swaddled infant, her eyes curved.

The little boy embraced by the husband looks about seven or eight, radiating pure joy.

When the photo was taken, he was reaching out his tiny hand, gently holding the mother's held baby's hand.

The scene ought to have been warm and complete, a very nice family portrait.

But......

On the left side of the photo, exactly where the little boy is, there is a conspicuous tear.

It doesn't look like an accidental rip; rather, it seems a sharp object—like a small knife—was violently driven in, leaving a narrow, vicious slit.

The boy in the photo appears to have been torn by that rift.

【Plot Item: Torn Family Portrait】 (Purple)

【Description: It records past warm moments, but violence and scars have forcibly interrupted it; the position and direction of the crack are full of ominous meaning, seemingly hinting at some tragedy.】

【Note: Some cracks exist on the paper; some cracks are deeply rooted in the heart.】

Ying Duo's fingers lightly brushed the crack, and the gesture seemed a little more cautious.

Then, he very naturally slipped this purple-quality 【Damaged Family Portrait】 into his own backpack.

Qi Hengyu's money was less than Shen Zexi's, and Yang Yixie didn't turn it down, taking the entire order.

Hmm, didn't expect that he would one day miss that Ram‑Horn Monster; can't help it, the player really is short of money.

But it was still a gain; Ying Duo turned around with satisfaction, and silently returned to the Ying Guang Lu Cover Roll on the floor.

He lay down skillfully, pulled the blanket tight, crossed his hands over his chest, and resumed that perfectly standard sleeping posture.

In the dormitory, everything fell silent again, and Ying Duo turned back into the humanoid floor lamp emitting a faint green glow, illuminating this fated eventful night.