Chapter 45: Vengeance

Although Ji Linmo knew that Qin Feng’s current behavior was a side effect caused by the use of a prop earlier, no one could be certain whether this aftereffect would fade away or remain for life.

“Hey, kid.”

Ji Linmo looked over at Qin Feng, as if something had occurred to him. He reached out, pulled open the boy’s collar, and placed his fingers on the youth’s neck.

“You’re not pretending to be foolish, are you?”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The pulse throbbed vividly beneath his fingertips. The boy’s heartbeat was perfectly normal, showing no change in response to his words.

Ji Linmo withdrew his hand. The wariness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of helplessness.

He really had gone dull. After staying in this world too long, he had become suspicious of everything…

With a mind so thoroughly damaged, how could this possibly be an act?

The boy before him remained completely absorbed in his battle with the eight-treasure porridge. Unlike most, even though he had already scooped the porridge onto his spoon, he persisted in dipping his fingers into the spoon and licking them clean.

“I’ve told you, the spoon is for eating the porridge. Just put it straight to your mouth.”

In the end, Ji Linmo gave up on correcting the boy’s behavior and walked directly to the parrot.

The hint bar in the morning had shown that there were currently three players.

The new addition must be Qin Feng.

But in his current state, it was impossible for Qin Feng to participate properly in the game.

The best plan was to keep him locked in the room, safe until the game ended.

“Squawk!”

The yellow parrot spread its wings at Ji Linmo and called out, looking energetic. But when it glanced at its wings, its expression turned despondent, a flash of despair in its eyes.

“Squawk, I’m a parrot… not a human, I can’t get out…”

“Help me! Squawk—”

Ji Linmo pulled out a chair and sat down across from the parrot.

“Zhang Lanlan, I know you’re upset.”

“Though I can’t think of a way to turn you back, I have come up with a plan for revenge.”

“Zhang Lanlan, Zhu Jun is responsible for your condition. Do you want to join me in getting revenge on him?”

The parrot lifted its head, yellow crest standing upright, its tiny black eyes wide as beans.

“Squawk! I do! I do!”

Ji Linmo nodded and extended his hand for a handshake.

The little parrot stretched out its claw, placing it in Ji Linmo’s palm—a pact sealed.

“I’ll lay out the plan—”

But before he could finish, the parrot suddenly flapped its wings and shouted loudly toward Qin Feng’s direction.

“There’s someone here! Squawk! There’s someone here!”

Ji Linmo raised an eyebrow, rapping his fingers on the table.

“Don’t worry, he’s just something I picked up. Even if he overhears the plan, he won’t repeat a word.”

The parrot looked doubtful but returned to the table, falling silent.

“Zhang Lanlan, Zhu Jun will probably come again tonight.”

“He’s heard noises inside the room, and he likely suspects I have other clues. He may lose patience.”

“So tonight, I’ll let him find you on purpose, then…”

Man and parrot whispered together in conspiracy.

No one noticed that Qin Feng, sipping his porridge, glanced at Ji Linmo’s straight-backed figure, then lowered his head, a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips.

At 10 p.m., the sound of shuffling footsteps came from outside Room 403, where Ji Linmo was staying.

Just as he had expected, Zhu Jun really did sneak out again that night.

Standing before the door, Zhu Jun hesitated.

“There’s less than eighteen hours until the game ends…”

“But to barge in now is too risky, not worth it, even if there really was a noise in the room this morning…”

As Zhu Jun wavered, a faint sound came from inside 403, as if something was scratching at the door.

“Open the door… squawk!”

A sharp voice suddenly rang out, making Zhu Jun jump.

He pressed his ear to the door and listened. The voice came again.

“Open the door… door…”

Zhu Jun realized it wasn’t Ji Linmo’s voice. He thought for a moment, then laid his hand on the doorknob.

Creak—

The rusty iron door groaned at his touch.

It wasn’t locked!

Was this a trap to catch him?

Before Zhu Jun could consider further, a small creature squeaked from the crack at the bottom of the door.

“Squawk! Squawk!”

After peering closely and gently pushing the door open, Zhu Jun saw a plump, golden-feathered parrot fly out from the gap.

This was the parrot belonging to Room 302, “Ghost Teacher – Nie Xiaolan”?

Zhu Jun widened his eyes, holding his breath.

He’d heard from Liu Bi, who had barely escaped alive from Room 302, that there was a talking parrot inside warning him not to drink the poisoned porridge.

Could this be the one?

But why was it in Ji Linmo’s room?

Zhu Jun reached out, and the clever little parrot flew into his hand, preening its feathers.

“Follow me! Squawk! Clue!”

The parrot finished in broken speech, then fluttered down the hall.

Could it be that this parrot was an important clue?

That must be why Ji Linmo brought it from Room 302.

Zhu Jun arrived at this conclusion naturally.

Though he felt it was a bit too convenient, his eagerness to complete the side mission pushed him to chase after the parrot.

He had to find the clue before Ji Linmo.

Every clue he found increased his chances of survival.

But to his surprise, when he hid the parrot inside his coat and took the elevator to the third floor, the little bird led him straight to Room 301.

“This room?”

Zhu Jun took a step back.

He’d never explored Room 301. All he’d ever heard from Granny Gu was that it was best to avoid it—the girl inside was crazier than anyone when she lost her mind.

“Parrot, why did you bring me here?”

Just as Zhu Jun was about to look for the parrot, he realized it had disappeared.

Damn it! Was this a trap?

He hurriedly turned to leave, but the door to Room 301 was already open.

“Standing at my door so late at night… you must really be interested in me, huh?”

Zhu Jun looked up, straight at the girl who had appeared before him in an instant.

She wore her hair in pigtails shooting to the sky and sported bizarre, heavy makeup. Leaning lazily against the doorframe, her face shimmered in the flickering purple glow of the lamp inside, shadows dancing across her features.