Chapter 356 Back to Reality (7) - Meeting an Old Friend

Ning Shu looked at the map; it was very detailed, but she wasn't familiar with the area.

The old lady was pointing to a place called "Galaxy Aquarium" in a small alleyway behind a large building.

She didn't have a personal terminal and couldn't navigate, so she asked the bodyguard next to her for help.

She asked Si Zhong if she was unworthy of having a communication tool because she didn't have a personal terminal.

Si Zhong laughed after hearing this, and then explained: "You are different from me. You lost the things that prove your identity."

Since you can't remember where you live, it will take the police time to verify your identity.

You won't be able to use your own personal terminal for a while, but Xia is with you, so use hers.

Ning Shu: "Does buying a quantum computer require real-name registration?"

Si Zhong chuckled: "Of course, and you can't just lend your personal computer to others."

Because if what's inside involves a crime, it could be used as evidence against you, the owner.

Ning Shu: "Then wouldn't it be...?"

Si Zhong: "So you have to use it under her supervision, and don't do anything reckless or cause trouble for others."

Ning Shu muttered, "Why is it still like this?"

She was delighted to receive a gentle pat on the head from Si Zhong.

The two bodyguards were cautious after hearing this and whispered, "Miss Ning, it's best not to meddle in other people's business."

Ning Shu thought that she was just giving the old lady directions and it wouldn't cause any trouble: "You guys first check how far the place she wants to go is from here."

The bodyguards had no choice but to examine the map carefully: "It's not far, it's in the vicinity."

Since Ning Shu had nothing better to do anyway, she said, "Let's send her over first."

Ning Shu had a bodyguard who knew the way lead the way, while she, Xia, and the old lady followed behind, with another bodyguard following behind them.

After they entered the alley, several people suddenly jumped out and knocked down the two bodyguards and Xia at the same time.

Ning Shu was frightened. Although she had experienced many trials in the game, she was now just an ordinary person and no longer had the abilities she had gained in the game.

So when faced with the sudden danger, her first instinct was to run, but as she turned around, she heard a familiar voice.

"Ning Shu, it's me."

Huh, that voice... Ning Shu turned around and saw that it was him.

"Ji Shi? What are you doing here?" Ning Shu was overjoyed and extremely excited.

She finally saw someone she knew; it turned out he really had left the game. That was wonderful.

Who can understand the feeling of meeting an old friend in a foreign land!

As Ji Shi spoke, he approached her: "Thanks to you, I was able to successfully leave the game. I really have to thank you for that."

Ning Shu was initially very happy, but after thinking about the current situation, she felt that something was amiss.

She couldn't help but take two steps back, looking at Ji Shi: "Why...why did you take down my bodyguard?"

Ji Shi knew Ning Shu had misunderstood, so he stopped in his tracks: "After I successfully left the game, I met someone, and today, that person wants to see you."

Ning Shu asked curiously, "Why do you want to see me?"

Besides, isn't it easy to see her?

Why did they take down her bodyguard? Was seeing her something shameful?

Ji Shi didn't answer her question, but only said, "When you meet him, you'll know that he will answer all your questions."

How did he know she had doubts? Did he think the same way she did?

Ning Shu felt she should be more cautious, but she and Ji Shi were also "friends" who helped each other during the game.

There was no conflict between the two in the game, and there should be even less conflict of interest after leaving the game, so she decided to meet the person he mentioned.

Ji Shi asked the old lady to leave first, and Ning Shu then realized that the old lady was someone Ji Shi had arranged.

She wondered what a coincidence that she was targeted as soon as she entered the alley, and the person happened to be Ji Shi. It turned out that it was all planned by the other party.

Such preparation suggests an unusual purpose. She was wary and decided to wait and see.

Ji Shi led her into another alleyway, turning left and right, until they finally entered the basement of a building.

This basement was different from where she lived; it was dark and damp, with a musty smell of decay and dampness emanating from it.

Water stains spread across the wall like ink, contrasting with the dim light and making it appear even more eerie.

Ning Shu didn't understand why they were here. She didn't say a word, just followed along, but was prepared to run away at any moment.

Finally, they stopped in front of a dilapidated iron gate, which was covered in rust.

Ji Shi turned to her and said, "This is it."

After he finished speaking, he knocked on the door a few times in a rhythmic manner. Ning Shu thought he was probably exchanging secret signals with the person inside.

"Why is this like something out of an underground party?" Ning Shu wondered, still hesitant about whether to leave now.

With a creak, the iron gate opened from the inside, and Ji Shi said to those inside, "The person has been brought."

Then the door opened, welcoming the two inside.

Since things had come to this, Ning Shu had no choice but to bite the bullet and go in, betting that Ji Shi was a good person.

Once inside, I found the lighting to be dim, but I could still see things clearly.

There were four young people standing inside, both men and women, on either side, with an older man sitting in the middle.

When the man saw her come in, he stood up and took a few steps closer to her.

Ji Shi then introduced the two of them:

"Mr. Li, this is Ning Shu."

Ning Shu, this is Mr. Li Dong, our... the leader of the resistance.

Li Dong extended his right hand: "Miss Ning, is that right? It's a pleasure to meet you."

The leader of the resistance? What is a resistance? That doesn't sound good.

Ning Shu was bewildered by Ji Shi's introduction, but she still extended her right hand to shake hands with Li Dong: "Mr. Li, hello."

She noticed that although the man was only middle-aged, he already had quite a few gray hairs on his head.

"You all go out first, I need to have a few words with Miss Ning," Li Dong said to the people around him.

Those people all left, including Ji Shi.

Ning Shu was a little nervous, unsure of what the other party wanted to do, and waited quietly.

"Miss Ning, please have a seat." After Li Dong and the others left, they asked Ning Shu to sit down first.

After Ning Shu sat down, Li Dong spoke up: "I took Ji Shi in on a special occasion. I learned about Miss Ning from him. It seems that Miss Ning hasn't been away from the game for long, right?"

Ning Shu was surprised that he even knew this. She hadn't told Ji Shi about this before, and he admitted it so directly.

"Miss Ning, don't you feel that the current environment... is somewhat out of place?"

These words made Ning Shu freeze. How did he know?

Her expression was a subtle response to Li Dong, who seemed to have no intention of letting her answer the question and continued talking.

"Miss Ning must find everything here both familiar and strange, right?"

Ning Shu paused for a moment before replying, "Indeed, but... isn't this normal?"

After all, she had spent so long in the game, and now with the economy booming, technology advancing rapidly, and the environment changing accordingly.

Moreover, it's perfectly normal for a place capable of creating such a game to have exceptionally advanced technology.

This reason can explain the change in environment, but it cannot explain the source of her sense of unease.

Li Dong laughed after hearing this: "You want to know the truth? The truth that others have hidden."

the truth?

"...Yes." Ning Shu heard herself answer unconsciously.