Chapter 124 Du Yang, and afterwards, things related to me and Fu Ze's existence...
The welcome party didn't last very long.
After leaving the Rotten Violin Bar, the group tacitly agreed to leave together, leaving Yuan Jianxing and Fu Ze alone.
After confirming that no outsiders were present, Fu Ze immediately said to Yuan Jianxing, "I need to go to L City."
Although he appeared calm on the surface, Yuan Jianxing, who had genuinely shielded Fu Ze from many rounds of drinks, was indeed thinking much slower at this moment.
Unable to immediately grasp Fu Ze's intentions, he asked, "Why so suddenly?"
Fu Ze prompted, "Do you remember the executive officer who disappeared from the furniture store for a while and remained in a coma?"
"Du Yang?" Yuan Jianxing finally realized what was happening. "You think he's a player?"
Nodding, Fu Ze further explained: "According to 'Fu Ze the letter writer's' guess, the virus implanted by the hacker has two main ways to achieve the effect of preventing players from logging out."
"One way is to make players forget that they are players, so that they will not perform the corresponding 'logout' action."
In most cases, it is difficult for a person to do something that is outside their understanding and has no meaning.
“But this method has a drawback.” Fu Ze gestured with his hand across his neck, “That is, players can ‘die’ in this game.”
"According to the program settings, players who 'die' will be automatically logged out of the game."
In other words, if the virus only affects the player's cognition and does not affect the "Center of All Things," then it is unavoidable that some players will die in extreme situations and be logged out of the game.
However, according to "the letter writer Fu Ze", no player had logged out automatically by the time he entered the game, and they were unable to locate the player and force them to exit.
"So the more likely scenario is another one, namely, that players who log out voluntarily or involuntarily for various reasons are stuck in the [Center of All Things], in a state of being 'neither existing in the game nor outside the world'."
At this moment, Du Yang seemed to perfectly corroborate this hypothesis.
Otherwise, there is no way to explain why a person in a prolonged coma can maintain good bodily function without eating or drinking.
“However, given the current situation, these two principles should coexist.” After confirming that Yuan Jianxing had followed his train of thought, Fu Ze continued, “Otherwise, there’s no way to explain why, after the [Key] appeared and caused such a huge commotion, not a single player took the initiative to announce their identity to find other players.”
Yuan Jianxing pondered: "Doesn't Du Yang's existence defy all the rules and completely contradict the hacker's intentions?"
Fu Ze didn't dwell on this: "It's a virus program that was added on the spot, so isn't it normal for bugs to appear?"
"What if it's a trap?" Yuan Jianxing still had some concerns. "Just like when Longji had Rhinoceros Horn parade around with a fake [key], specifically to attract some 'fish that slipped through the net' that hadn't been dealt with."
“Assuming you’re right, this really is a pre-set trap.” Fu Ze, the most cunning “escapee,” worked back the timeline. “He should have set up such a trap after discovering the first batch of GMs entering the game, instead of leaving it as a trap after something unexpected happened.”
After this analysis, Yuan Jianxing reluctantly accepted Fu Ze's judgment.
It's like taking an exam. If you've mastered a particular concept, you won't make a mistake because of carelessness or sloppiness.
There is no such thing as "can, but not enough"; that is, "cannot".
“Besides, Du Yang’s existence also illustrates something else,” Fu Ze further analyzed. “Hackers have far less control over players than expected, and perhaps we can find some new discoveries in Du Yang.”
Yuan Jianxing asked, "Then why don't you try me first?"
Whether it was a misperception or not, Fu Ze could detect a hint of dissatisfaction and resentment in Yuan Jianxing's tone.
However, he couldn't tell Yuan Jianxing the fact that the other party might not be a player, and that he didn't want to verify this situation.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I can’t right now,” Fu Ze immediately reassured him. “First of all, Longji told me that only those who possess the [Special Key] can detect other people’s [Keys].
"Secondly, if the goal is to achieve immersion, how could 'Fu Ze, the letter writer,' who is in charge of the architecture, make such a basic mistake as allowing players holding the [key] to recognize each other?"
Just as Fu Ze was speaking, the night wind of V City swirled around the two of them, blowing his silver-white, shoulder-length hair in all directions and obscuring a slightly wandering gaze.
Brushing aside the strands of hair hanging on his eyelashes, Fu Ze said softly, "In short, I want to see if I can make a breakthrough by contacting this player whose identity I can currently confirm and who has run into trouble."
Fu Ze, who had been full of confidence since the start of the conversation, deflated for the first time. "Being led around like this is so frustrating."
That was indeed his reason for taking action, but it wasn't the biggest reason.
Fu Ze always felt that the testing method Longji mentioned might not be the only one.
At least, he wanted to give it a try.
He has to give it a try.
But he didn't want to try it with Hara Mihoshi.
Because he... was afraid.
Just as Fu Ze was about to say goodbye to Yuan Jianxing and set off alone, Yuan Jianxing suddenly said, "Okay, let's go."
He then grabbed Fu Ze's hand and strode towards the vehicle with an unyielding air.
"Us?" Fu Ze was taken aback. "Wait, don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"
In his memory, Yuan Jianxing was an extremely dedicated workaholic, and nothing could stop him from showing up at the office on time.
“I don’t trust someone who claims to know ‘how to behave’ but actually does all sorts of outrageous things all the time to act alone.” Yuan Jianxing said without turning his head. “Besides, since it’s related to the [key], then this can be considered a job.”
Thank you for your concern... but next time I hope you can just say the first four words.
Despite knowing he was somewhat in the wrong, Fu Ze still began to defend himself:
Are you angry because of that record player?
"Oh, don't do that."
"You know, this is the first time you've brought me into your private world and your past, so I have to make sure I behave well."
"otherwise……"
Upon hearing Fu Ze's words, Yuan Jianxing, who was walking in front, suddenly stopped.
Without reacting in time, Fu Ze, who was following behind Yuan Jianxing, bumped straight into the other person's back.
Unfortunately, his delicate nose bumped right into Yuan Jianxing's spine.
The sudden dull pain caused Fu Ze's eyes to uncontrollably well up with tears.
This dampness became a catalyst, causing the emotions he had previously suppressed for various reasons to seep back up.
For the first time, Fu Ze... a little... didn't want to be Fu Ze anymore.
At least he didn't want to be "Fu Ze, the recipient of the letter" anymore.
If he weren't "Fu Ze, the recipient of the letter," he could have treated everything in that letter as an unrealistic fantasy, and then comfortably continued using his current identity, enjoying the best life he could imagine with his "career on the rise and his lover by his side."
if only--
Thinking about this, Fu Ze felt a sharp pain in his nerves again.
If only he could forget—why he was able to have this kind of life.
If it weren't for the "Death and Rebirth" ability that "Letter Writer Fu Ze" had reserved for himself, Fu Ze would probably be no different from the other GMs who were strangled and trapped in the "Center of All Things" with no way to move forward or backward.
In return, Fu Ze, the recipient of the letter, should fulfill the task entrusted by Fu Ze, the writer of the letter—to repair the [Center of All Things] and rescue the players.
This is what we call "fair trade".
Fu Ze didn't mind completing the task; he acknowledged it as a responsibility he had to shoulder.
But the key question is... what happens next?
Although the letter writer Fu Ze did not explicitly state it, the safest course of action, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would be to "reinstall" the game after removing the virus.
"Reinstallation" means that everything in the world at present—people, animals, plants, roads, buildings, mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas—will be reset to zero.
This may include Hara Mihoshi.
Although Yuan Jianxing's identity has not yet been confirmed, Fu Ze couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache whenever he thought about the possibility that the other party was not a player.
Previously, Fu Ze could use excuses such as "the opportunity is not right" and "there is no time" to delay facing the corresponding problems, half-actively and half-passively.
It's as if the problem simply disappears if he pretends to ignore it.
But after his chance encounter with Raven at the Rotten Violin Bar, all of the above excuses became invalid.
Whether it was Raven's less-than-"polite" tone and behavior, or the subtle abruptness in his wording, it all reminded Fu Ze of an undeniable fact—
He doesn't belong here.
the same as you.
You are only temporarily staying here for various reasons; you will leave sooner or later.
Once you leave this world, it confirms that everything you experienced, witnessed, loved, and hated was calculated.
It's fake!
Upon realizing this, Fu Ze instinctively retorted, "No!"
Just as he answered the question about the Dragon Spine, even if ten thousand people would call him "Sparrow Feather" because of his appearance, he, who possesses everything that "Fu Ze" has experienced, is Fu Ze.
And Fu Ze's existence cannot be without Yuan Jianxing.
"Not what?"
Upon suddenly hearing Yuan Jianxing's voice, Fu Ze felt as if he had been granted a pardon, freeing him from his previous entanglement.
He raised his hand to rub the bridge of his nose, taking the opportunity to wipe away the tears that were almost overflowing from his eyes, and said in a muffled voice, "Isn't it to leave a deep impression on your friends?"
Before anyone knew it, Yuan Jianxing had turned around and was using his knuckles to lift Fu Ze's chin: "Did you hurt yourself?"
"A little, but it's okay." Fu Ze squinted his eyes. "Don't worry, this is my real nose, it's not that fragile."
Yuan Jianxing gently rubbed Fu Ze's nose twice in a soothing manner, then asked, "Want to know about my past?"
"Of course I want to."
As an executive officer, Yuan Jianxing easily investigated his entire lineage, including his "eighteen generations" of ancestors.
However, my understanding of him was almost entirely based on what he had told me.
That's unfair.
Seemingly sensing something from Fu Ze's answer, Yuan Jianxing asked again, "Want to know more?"
Finally realizing that Yuan Jianxing's behavior seemed somewhat abnormal, Fu Ze's pupils trembled slightly, and his voice became somewhat uneven: "Of course...?"
Having received the answer, Yuan Jianxing nodded emphatically, led Fu Ze to the car, and then opened the driver's side door.
Fu Ze immediately stopped the other person's actions: "Don't drink and drive."
But the situation changed drastically in the next second—Yuan Jianxing shoved him into the driver's seat!
"Aren't you supposed to be a great driver?" Yuan Jianxing looked down at Fu Ze, one hand on the car door and the other on the door frame. "You can even drive so fast that you can break through the officers' encirclement and escape with the criminals being escorted to me for interrogation."
...?
At this point, Fu Ze was 100% certain that Yuan Jianxing had entered a special state under the influence of alcohol.
In this state, Yuan Jianxing, who usually appears profound and reserved, will reveal his true thoughts.
Just like he was back in Shifengtun.
The difference is that Yuan Jianxing was still sober at the time and was able to regain his composure after his emotional outburst.
However, judging from the current situation...
After closing the car door on Fu Ze's side and moving to the other side to sit in the passenger seat, Yuan Jianxing said while fastening his seatbelt, "Because Du Yang's situation is indeed special, he has now been transferred to Maple Leaf Advanced Hospital in L City."
"This hospital was formerly the medical station of the L City Mountain Leopard Commando Team. It is heavily guarded, so your usual method of infiltrating directly won't work."
Seeing that the other person could quickly switch to work mode even in this state, Fu Ze was filled with respect and asked, "Then what should we do?"
Yuan Jianxing succinctly stated: "Take advantage of the shift change, change your identity, blend in, complete the investigation, and then retreat alone."
Although this arrangement was essentially meaningless, it didn't prevent Fu Ze from unconditionally trusting Yuan Jianxing.
He started the car and began setting the target location. "As expected of the former chief, his words are always concise and to the point."
"The shift change is at 3:30 a.m.." Yuan Jianxing forcibly bypassed the system firewall and disabled the vehicle's speed limit. "Time is running out, we need to speed up."
Fu Ze was somewhat confused.
If the shift change is at 3:30, the two people have more than enough time to act, so why speed up?
As if seeing through Fu Ze's thoughts, Yuan Jianxing said, "Because before that, I want to take you to a few places."
"The places that are related to me."
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