Translator: 549690339
…her consciousness is all jumbled up.
She has a splitting headache, as if someone was hammering at her forehead.
Faintly, she can hear Shen Mo’s voice, deep, even-tempered, each intonation filled with a sandy, magnetic charm, like plucking a string in her ear.
Yes…it’s the most pleasant G-string on the cello.
Bai Youwei’s mind is in disarray.
After feeling dizzy for a while, she finally opens her eyes, the first thing she sees is an old-fashioned ceiling, then a countryside-style wall lamp, a wall adorned with patterned wallpaper… and, an old-fashioned fireplace.
The flames within the fireplace are burning, slightly driving away the chill from her body.
“Awake?” Shen Mo, holding a glass of water, walks over and sits down by her side.
The water in the cup is still hot, so he leaves it on the coffee table to cool.
He helps her sit up a little and places a pillow beneath her to make her more comfortable.
“….Where are we?” Bai Youwei breaks the silence only to find her throat is incredibly hoarse.
Shen Mo looks around, then says, “We’re in a house on the top of a mountain. After encountering Mr. Cheng and Xiaoxin, we found you halfway up the mountain. Tan Xiao is still missing… Yan Qingwen and Lun Ang went out to look for him.”
After a pause, he adds, looking at Bai Youwei, “You have a fever.”
Bai Youwei weakly touches her forehead. She can’t really tell… but she just feels listless, her head spinning.
“She needs a bath and a change of clothes, and her hair needs to be dried up,” Zhu Shu adds from the side, “There’s no medicine here, we need to figure out a way to reduce her temperature as soon as possible.”
Exasperated, Su Man retorts, “For goodness sake, she’s a celebrity, where are we supposed to find bathwater for her?! Moreover, this is the doll’s territory, nobody can guarantee this room is safe!”
Zhu Shu tightens her lips, then says, “There’s a bathroom on the second floor with hot water, and the closet in the bedroom has clean clothes. If you’re worried about potential hazards… I can go check it out first.”
Su Man raises an eyebrow, “Hey, don’t tell me you want to take a shower yourself?”
Zhu Shu looks a bit helpless but doesn’t retaliate, “Being all damp isn’t exactly comfortable.”
“No.” Su Man flatly refuses, her face stern. “I disagree with this. Before Yan left, he asked me to ensure everyone’s safety. Moreover, the clothes in the closet seem bizarre, they look like they’re made for dolls, how could we even wear those?”
Bai Youwei listens to them talk in silence, her eyes flickering briefly over her surroundings.
Where she is laying is a long sofa against the wall in the living room. It’s a deep blue color, adorned with alternating patterns of pink and white roses. There are a few matching pillows on the sofa. In the corners of the living room are a countless number of toy dolls.
Stuffed bears, bunnies, little cats, and dogs…
She closes her eyes, her muddled mind recalling a sentence that Tan Xiao recited before they entered the game — Welcome to the Doll House.
Is this place… the Doll House?
Mr. Cheng brings over the brewed tea, setting one cup after another on the coffee table. “Everyone, have some hot tea to fend off the cold.”
“Achoo!” Pan Xiaoxin suddenly sneezes.
Xiaoxin rubs his nose, looking embarrassed.
Mr. Cheng expresses his worries, “The temperature here is low, I’m not sure if it has anything to do with the downpour outside. It feels like it’s spring or autumn, we’re all drenched and don’t have much to wear, at this rate, it’s easy to catch a cold.”
Perhaps because she’s facing an elder, Su Man’s assertiveness is slightly softened as she hesitates, “Then… how about you guys take the kid upstairs to shower, I’ll stand guard by the door.”
“It’s alright.” Pan Xiaoxin, still rubbing his nose, walks over and sits by the fireplace, murmuring, “I’ll just stay here and dry my clothes…”