Everyone looked at each other.
Zhu Shu tentatively asked, “Could it be related to the clothes upstairs? For example… do all ten of us need to wear designated outfits to start the game?”
“That’s a possibility.” Yan Qingwen nodded slightly. “But those clothes could also be a trap. I don’t recommend anyone change into them until we understand the situation better.”
Zhu Shu nodded in agreement, then looked at the others and hesitantly asked, “Then what should we do now…?”
No one spoke.
The rain outside seemed to be getting heavier, the raindrops hitting the windows with a pitter-patter sound.
The room, however, seemed even quieter.
Shen Mo said, “Since the game hasn’t started yet, I think we should conserve our energy and prepare ourselves. Those who are not feeling well should rest and recover quickly. How much food and water do we have, and how long can it last? Also, is there anything in this house that we haven’t checked yet, like hidden compartments or a basement?”
Teacher Cheng added, “I looked in the kitchen when I was boiling water earlier. There’s no food here, but the electricity and water are working. I have a few packs of instant noodles in my backpack.”
“I have some loquats in my backpack…” Pan Xiaoxin brought his backpack over and opened it, revealing half a backpack full of loquats.
They were golden yellow, and because the backpack had been rained on, many of the loquats were covered with water droplets.
Before entering the game, he and Tan Xiao had been picking loquats from a tree and had picked a lot. Later, after they came out of the Lucky Question game, he brought the backpack in here.
Cheng Weicai went to the kitchen and got a large glass bowl. “Xiaoxin,” he said, “pour the loquats out. They’ll spoil if they’re kept in the wet backpack.”
Yan Qingwen’s group also searched their belongings. However, they had entered even more hurriedly than Shen Mo’s group and hadn’t brought anything, let alone food.
The only thing on Lü Ang that could be considered “food” was probably cigarettes, which he had already thrown into the fireplace.
In other words, all ten of them combined only had two packs of instant noodles and a pile of loquats.
It was truly meager.
Li Li said softly, “Tan Xiao and I were wandering in the woods earlier, and we didn’t find any traces of animals. It might be because of the heavy rain… If there really is nothing here, we…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.
If there was nothing here, and the game didn’t start soon, they would be trapped here… and starve to death.
“We’re all players who have undergone data upgrades. Our physical fitness is stronger than ordinary people. Starving for a few days shouldn’t be a big problem.” Yan Qingwen looked down at his watch. “…We all had breakfast this morning, and then we spent about an hour in the Lucky Question game. It’s eleven o’clock now, not yet time to be hungry. I suggest that everyone eat just one loquat for lunch. Let’s start saving food now.”
Cheng Weicai said, “Let’s search again. This is a big house. Maybe we can find something to eat. When the rain stops, we’ll go look outside…”
“Let’s split up and search,” Shen Mo said indifferently. “While we’re searching, it’s best for everyone to take turns showering. A hot shower can effectively prevent anyone else from catching a cold from the rain and can also help restore physical strength.”
Yan Qingwen nodded, and both groups reached a consensus.
So, for the entire afternoon, they searched the house while taking turns showering and drying their clothes.
Because they were concerned about Bai Youwei’s illness and her need to rest, they left her room to be searched last.
When Shen Mo pushed the door open and went in, he found the towel and quilt had fallen to the floor. Bai Youwei was lying quietly on the bed, wearing a black dress with white trim.
Her long, slightly curly hair spread out like seaweed, almost blending in with the black dress, while her skin was transparently white, like a delicate doll.
…A doll?
Shen Mo’s nerves instinctively tightened. He walked over and softly called her name, “Bai Youwei.”