There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game

Two ear-splitting explosions erupted in the desert.

Shi's figure flashed by in an instant, and his golden broadsword simultaneously cleaved two massive creatures in half, the force of the blow turning them into debris in the blink of an eye.

After dealing with the monsters he faced, Shi calmly turned to look not far off.

He saw the young man wrapped in a dense mass of dark vines, but soon, the monster's body cracked open, fissures radiating golden light.

With a thunderous boom, the monster exploded.

Particles of black matter fell like snowflakes, the young man stood at the center, seemingly aware he glanced over, his pitch-black pupils meeting Shi's gaze.

The emotional fluctuations of both men seemed subdued.

Shi looked at him intently and said earnestly, "Thank you."

He appeared to enjoy looking into others' eyes when speaking, his gaze so earnest that during such moments, you couldn't help but trust every word he said.

Xu Shuo smiled, "No need for thanks, just remember to give me my reward."

"Don't worry," Shi nodded, then added, "After we leave here, I'll give you your reward, and it won't be short!"

His tone was very certain when he spoke those words.

Xu Shuo waved his hand nonchalantly, checking the time, "I should be going."

It had to be said, even the timing of his departure was perfectly gauged.

After the two of them reached an agreement to leave Giant Fortress, they journeyed in silence across the desert for most of the day. What was more astonishing was that they both enjoyed their own views of the landscape, never feeling awkward or uncomfortable.

Up to now, it wasn't certain whether the two of them had exchanged even ten sentences in total.

The countdown on the system panel hit zero, and Xu Shuo's figure disappeared from the desert as Shi stood and watched where he had been.

Each player's time in this world was different, most arriving during the day, but at this particular moment, players in various locations of this world were departing.

There was no need to wait for the time to run out, for the players who had completed their mission were already leaving en masse.

As for those who had procrastinated until now and hadn't completed their mission, they might as well stay here as fertilizer for the defensive line.

The sunlight from above began to intensify its blaze.

On the ground, the remnants of the monsters also started to dissipate more quickly, turning into strands of white mist.

Shi stood alone in the desert, his dazzling pale golden hair dancing in the wind and no extra expression on his cold, pale face.

After a while, it was as if he came back to his senses, looked up at the brilliant sun about to engulf the world, turned around, and his form dissipated into particles of light.

On the desolate and silent desert, the sand shimmered with a crystal glow as it blew through the air.

...

...

After leaving the world of Giant Fortress, Xu Shuo appeared in Script Space, paused for a moment, then opened his eyes back in reality.

For an instant, he felt dislocated in time.

Although only a short while had passed in reality, he had spent three days in that other world, fighting grotesque monsters.

He now blankly stared for a full two minutes.

After responding to a greeting message from Hong Rao and taking a sip of the coffee that had cooled next to him, Xu Shuo's thoughts fully returned to the present, and he smoothly picked up the documents on his desk to work on them.

Around four-thirty in the afternoon, he left work early.

Pei Sheng, who saw him tidily exit the office, gaped in surprise, wearing an incredulous expression.

Xu Shuo's expression remained unchanged; after all, he was the boss, and what was wrong with leaving work a bit early?

"Where are you going?" Pei Sheng asked curiously.

He hadn't received any notice for a business trip that day, and if it were the store, Li Ziwen had everything under control there, and nothing significant had happened that required Xu Shuo's urgent attention.

Moreover, this guy didn't seem to have any dates either, right? Even if he did, Pei Sheng figured Xu Shuo would insistently have the girl wait until after work!

In any case, leaving work early was odd!

Pei Sheng eyed him with sharp scrutiny.

Xu Shuo said indifferently, "I'm going to Normal University Affiliated High School."

Pei Sheng: "Oh..."

His interest waned immediately.

Five o'clock was the peak of rush hour.

At that time, both the highway and city expressway would be clogged with vehicles, and Xu Shuo had no desire to be stuck for over an hour, so he sacrificed some work time instead.

Xu Shuo used to drive fast, but now he was cautious, worried about suddenly being whisked away to Script Space, so he had become more steady.

By the time he arrived at Normal University Affiliated High School, it was just about five-thirty, the end of the school day.

Waiting a bit at the school gate, a figure quickly approached him along the school path.

Xu Xi, dressed in the red sports uniform of the high school, with low twin ponytails and carrying her study notebooks, clearly had run over as soon as class ended.

"Brother."

After showing his student ID and signing in with the guard, Xu Shuo was allowed to enter.

Xu Xi looked puzzled, "Why are you here?"

He had texted in the afternoon about visiting her at school, and Xu Xi had racked her brain and nearly figured it out—was it to find out her recent monthly exam results?

The last monthly exam had ended some time ago.

Beyond that, Xu Xi could not think of any reason—be it something between them, a school event, some arrangement or whatever—that would explain his visit..

Xu Shuo didn't speak, but raised his hand to touch her head, then after a moment, his fingers skillfully moved down to pinch her cheek.

Xu Xi showed no expression, clearly accustomed to this by now.

Her face greatly resembled Xu Shuo's, although they weren't twins born in the same year, they were the closest of kin in this world, with the most inseparable blood ties.

Perhaps, that was the reason why Xu Shuo had persisted until now.

Because here was his only remaining relative.

They were both real, with their own thoughts and memories, their own emotions and feelings, not just characters and programs arranged by a script.

Everything they saw and touched was real.

Xu Shuo sighed lightly, reached out to cradle the back of the girl's head, and gently hugged her.

Caught off guard, Xu Xi's forehead pressed against the young man's chest, and she froze for a moment.

Once she regained her composure, she hurriedly passed the notebook to her left hand, freeing her right to tentatively return the hug.

But that only added to the puzzlement in Xu Xi's heart.

Ever since returning home from the last holiday break, she had felt that her brother seemed a bit off, but she couldn't quite pinpoint the feeling, which made her somewhat uneasy.

Something must be troubling him; regardless, she couldn't afford to be a burden to him.
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"What's wrong?"

After a long moment, Xu Xi asked softly.

"Nothing, I just suddenly remembered you had finished your monthly exam and wanted to see how you were doing," Xu Shuo said with a smile as he let go of her, pinching the girl's soft cheek.

"I did very well," said Xu Xi, her eyes earnest.

"Oh? Well enough to be confident of becoming the top scholar in the college entrance exam?" Xu Shuo teased.

At that comment, Xu Xi paused slightly and after hesitating, she asked, "Do you want me to become the top scholar in the college entrance exam?"

Xu Shuo stroked his chin: "Well, just think about it. If you really do become the top scholar, I'd be the brother who raised a top scholar. It would be quite a feather in my cap!"

And when the local stations interview the top scholar, he'd certainly get mentioned a bit, wouldn't he?

Round up, wouldn't that be like advertising for the studio?!

Xu Xi's face was cool and expressionless, but her eyes churned with thoughts, silently taking note of this point.

Then, having said that, Xu Shuo was reminded of the incident last time about "high school students under too much pressure for college exams."

Although the actual situation wasn't like that, at least that's how it was reported on the surface.

He shouldn't be putting so much pressure on Xu Xi.

Thus, he carefully added, "Of course, I'm just speaking casually. You don't need to take it to heart. I'd be very happy as long as you get into college."

Xu Xi nodded, not saying anything.

The two turned and walked toward the school campus. With the cafeteria having just opened at this time, and many high school seniors not having the time to eat because of exams, it wasn't crowded.

After sorting out dinner, Xu Shuo excused himself to see her class teacher for something and left.

Watching the retreating figure of the young man, Xu Xi thought about her recent monthly exam results and felt somewhat reassured.

There were a few of her classmates in the cafeteria, and no sooner had Xu Shuo left than a few girls couldn't help but gather around, including Shao Dandan, who always kept an eye on Xu Xi.

Honestly, after having seen Xu Xi's brother, she felt even more that it couldn't have been Qiuzi!

Although the siblings looked alike, Xu Xi had that cool and elegant tranquility about her, while her brother had a clear and gentle warmth, resembling the boy-next-door type.

In any case, both had the face of someone's first love!

Qiuzi, that guy, should fit the bill of an ex!

Shao Dandan scrutinized the young man's departing figure for a long time, inwardly scoffing. She was still harboring a grudge against that 'green tea bitch' who had almost killed her back then!

As for the other girls, they were in awe, saying, "Xi, is that your brother? You two look so much alike, and he's so handsome!"

Perhaps that last sentence was the main point.

Xu Xi nodded slightly, giving a soft acknowledgment.

"Does your brother have a girlfriend?"

"No," Xu Xi shook her head.

"What kind of girl does he like then?!"

The girls' excitement surged even more.

Upon hearing that, Xu Xi thought carefully and then with a hesitant but firm tone, she said, "Probably a girl with really good grades, he said he likes the top scholar."

The girls: "..."

Ah, isn't that setting the bar too high?

Wait a minute!

They suddenly remembered that ever since enrolling in school, Xu Xi, who had been pursued crazily by boys, had once laid down the condition, "Only if you have better grades than me can we date."

And then—this sister secured the top spot in their grade for three consecutive years!

Sheesh... this brother-sister duo is kind of ruthless!