Chapter 35: An Old Friend

This familiar face was none other than the middle-aged man who had tried to recruit Xia Wulei into a team at the service center.

Beside him stood a chubby young man. Judging by the way he clung timidly to the older man, it was easy to guess that he was a newcomer who had been brought into this dungeon by him.

Beyond them, there was also a young man with short hair, standing with his arms crossed and an air of bored anticipation.

Xia Wulei’s arrival drew their attention. The middle-aged man clearly recognized her; his expression turned somewhat disdainful, and he turned his head away, clearly not wanting to engage. He carried the air of someone who had climbed to heights where she was no longer worthy of his notice.

The chubby young man, however, stepped forward and greeted her enthusiastically: "Hello! You’re a player too, right? My name is Bako, and this is Uncle Hu. We arrived a little before you."

The short-haired man gave a slight nod and introduced himself briefly: "Yu Guang."

"I'm Xia Wulei," she replied with a smile.

Bako was talkative and quick to get comfortable. Since Uncle Hu and Yu Guang weren't paying him much mind, he was delighted by Xia Wulei’s arrival.

"This is my second dungeon. You have no idea how thrilling my last one was; I was almost hanged by a female ghost! It was lucky my system is a Super Invisibility System, or I never would have escaped." Bako sighed with emotion. "By the way, Wulei, how did you die? Let me tell you, I was so unlucky—I was just taking out the trash when a flowerpot fell from above and smashed me flat. I wonder what kind of state I'll be in if I manage to revive and go back..."

Listening to Bako spill his personal information like beans from a shaken bamboo tube, Xia Wulei understood why he had ended up entering the dungeon with Uncle Hu. With a personality like that, it would be hard for him *not* to be taken advantage of.

Not long after, a teenage girl wearing a high school uniform and glasses walked out, looking completely bewildered.

"Uh, excuse me, do you know where this is? I feel like I just stepped into some strange place and ended up here..."

Ah, a newcomer.

Bako enthusiastically stepped forward to explain the game and its mechanics. It took quite a while, but the girl finally accepted the situation.

"...So, you're saying I'm dead? And I have to accumulate points here to return to the real world?" The girl pushed up her glasses, her tone tinged with regret. "I only remember taking the subway to school and suddenly being pushed by someone; then I lost consciousness. I didn't expect to die so young. It's a bit of a shame..."

Bako comforted her: "Don't worry, as long as you save up enough points, you can revive."

"...It's just a shame because the college entrance exam is coming up. I finished reviewing all my subjects, and I don't know if I'll still remember the material by the time I revive."

The girl sighed, ignored the bewildered look on Bako’s face, and introduced herself: "Oh, right, I’m Cheng Cheng. What about you guys?"

The group reintroduced themselves. Uncle Hu assumed a superior air. "You newcomers haven't experienced many dungeons, so you don't know how dangerous these places full of ghosts can be. I’ve been through five dungeons already, so make sure to stick close to me."

Bako looked at Uncle Hu with great trust and admiration: "Uncle Hu is such a good person. He knew I was a rookie and offered to guide me through the dungeon to help me get into the rhythm."

Xia Wulei remained noncommittal, while Cheng Cheng glanced at Uncle Hu suspiciously. Xia Wulei heard her mutter under her breath: "People who offer favors for no reason are either thieves or up to no good. Dead or alive, I don't believe anyone is that kind."

Xia Wulei felt a smile tug at her lips; this girl had a bright future ahead of her!

There were now five players gathered. Just as everyone was wondering if the group was complete, more voices came from the alleyway.

"Senior Brother, this is my last novice dungeon! I’m so happy I get to enter the game with you!"

A delicate, pretty voice rang out, followed by a low male voice.

"Even if it’s a novice dungeon, you cannot afford to be careless."

"I know, Senior Brother, you’re such an old stick-in-the-mud!"

As the voices grew closer, the speakers appeared before the group. They were a striking pair of good-looking people. Although they wore modern casual clothes, they possessed a free-spirited, elegant air, as if they had walked straight out of a martial arts novel.

"Are you all our teammates for this round? Hello, my name is Li Lianxin, and this is my senior fellow apprentice, Cui Chengzhi."

Li Lianxin greeted the players with poise, and Cui Chengzhi gave a slight nod beside her.

"Y-you are Mr. Cui, ranked fifth on the leaderboard?" Uncle Hu exclaimed, visibly startled. He quickly put on a warm, eager smile and hurried over. "Hello, hello! My surname is Hu, just call me Old Hu!"

Uncle Hu extended a hand to shake Cui Chengzhi’s, but Cui Chengzhi merely gave a faint nod and did not offer his hand in return. Uncle Hu retracted his hand with a hint of awkwardness, though his smile didn't falter as he introduced them to the others: "I hear Mr. Cui has the Celestial Master System—a true weapon for catching ghosts in these haunted dungeons. With him here, we have nothing to worry about this time."

Xia Wulei understood. In a dungeon infested with ghosts, Cui Chengzhi’s system was indeed incredibly useful. Even Yu Guang couldn't help but take a few extra looks at him.

Li Lianxin looked proud, lifting her chin. "You lot are lucky. I had to beg for a long time to get my Senior Brother to accompany me this time."

"Then we are truly blessed thanks to Miss Li," Uncle Hu said, seizing the opportunity to flatter her, which left Li Lianxin beaming.

Cui Chengzhi frowned but said nothing.

Cheng Cheng looked confused, while Bako watched with a mix of awe and fear, not daring to step forward.

Xia Wulei, however, remained silent. When these two appeared, she had suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion: nervousness. She had no connection to these people—why would she feel nervous?

The only explanation was that this emotion wasn't hers.

Xia Wulei diverted her attention and entered her "farming space" to check. Ah Shui was pacing anxiously, water droplets dripping from its body, soaking the soil beneath its feet.

"Ah Shui, what are you afraid of?" Xia Wulei asked, puzzled.

Ah Shui rushed over as if she were a lifeline and spoke rapidly: "I forgot to tell you, but I ran into a man and a woman while out wandering earlier. And just now, I sensed their aura again."

Xia Wulei paused and described the appearances of Li Lianxin and Cui Chengzhi. Ah Shui nodded frantically.

"Yes! That’s them!"

"Then why are you nervous to see them?" Xia Wulei asked, then suddenly thought of something, her expression turning grave. "Could it be... is Cui Chengzhi your old flame? And Li Lianxin your best friend? They’re together now, so you’re having complicated feelings seeing old acquaintances?"

In the span of two minutes, Xia Wulei had conjured up a long, dramatic tale of love and betrayal.

Ah Shui: "...?"