In Virtual Reality 104 ☆ The Hydrangea Park (28/33)

The sky over Jiang City hung heavy with gloom, as a light drizzle danced upon the windshield, distorting the outside world into a haze.

Cao Wei Min reclined into the worn leather seat, conjuring a cigarette from a hidden crevice. His attempt to ignite it proved futile; the rain extinguished his hopes, much like the soaked cigarette he discarded on the window sill.

Hours had slipped away in that car, stretching from morning into a sunless noon. Wang Jin Long's voice still echoed in his ears, urging him to wait, but there was no sign of the man.

In the backseat, a slumbering girl's breaths painted delicate rhythms. Wheatley, the loyal mutt, contorted himself to fit the cramped space.

Cao Wei Min reclaimed the damp cigarette, his disgust evident as he examined it. The stub resembled his own life—limp and wrinkled, bereft of purpose. He had never been one to smoke or drink, rendering the cigarette as superfluous as his existence.

"Ring-ring-ring."

A jarring ringtone shattered the car's silent cocoon. Cao Wei Min groped for his phone, but it was too late, the call cut short.

Yet, he glimpsed the caller's name.

Zhang Rou Rou stirred from her slumber, her voice heavy with drowsiness. "Are we leaving, Brother Cao?"

"Wang Jin Long just called," Cao Wei Min confessed, his eyes darting to the vacant driver's seat. "But I missed it."

Zhang Rou Rou's eyes darted around, a mix of relief and anxiety etched on her face. "He hasn't returned yet... Maybe he won't."

Cao Wei Min offered no words, only a flick of the wiper blade to cleanse the windshield.

Hours earlier, Cao Wei Min had meticulously inspected the car for any lurking bugs or trackers, reassuring Zhang Rou Rou of their safety. Her guard had lowered, and conversation flowed.

"Brother Cao," she ventured, her hand tenderly patting Wheatley's head, "Why did you quit the police?"

"I didn't quit. I was fired."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "They can fire cops too?!"

A brief, rueful chuckle escaped Cao Wei Min's lips. "Why do you want to know about that?"

The girl bit her lip, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "I joined this team with Wang Jin Long because I thought I could uncover the world's hidden truths here—don't laugh! I'm dead serious!"

"Sure, sure, go on."

Zhang Rou Rou shot him a disdainful glance, her eyes catching his amusement in the rearview mirror. She muttered something under her breath, then resumed, "But you know, after I left that library, it hit me. It's like a novelist penning a story; the truth is always simple, but it remains concealed until the very end. Maybe I've been fixated on discovering the world's truth, and in the end, it'll be easly stumbled upon by this world's protagonist."

A sense of dejection seeped into her words.

"Is that what you believe?" Cao Wei Min glanced at her through the mirror. "If that's the case, why not quit? If you want out, just say the word, and I'll make Wang Jin Long set you free."

"I know," Zhang Rou Rou replied.

"But," she peered at the young man in front of her and whispered, "Officer Cao, you're not planning on leaving, are you? You've always been searching for something alongside Wang Jin Long. It must mean a lot to you. Every time I see you conversing with him, it's as if you're guarding a secret… You even dislike that dimly lit living room; you always flick on the lights when you enter." Zhang Rou Rou smiled, reminiscing about the scene. "Even Wang Jin Long can't argue with you about that."

Cao Wei Min didn't directly address her inquiry. "I'm not a cop anymore, just call me Brother Cao."

"…Alright, Brother Cao," Zhang Rou Rou lowered her gaze, stroking Wheatley Ge's head as it cocked inquisitively. "What are you and Wang Jin Long searching for?"

"For someone very important," Cao Wei Min chuckled softly, then countered, "Why do you need countless reasons? Curiosity alone can suffice."

"Well," Zhang Rou Rou swallowed nervously, then blurted out, "Have you heard the names 'Ye Cheng Jing' and 'Cao Du'?"

In 《The Library of Eternity》, Zhang Rou Rou had come across not only the book about herself but also a slender booklet containing stories about 'Wang Jin Long,' 'Ye Cheng Jing,' and 'Cao Du.'

She had alluded to this with Cao Wei Min previously but had concealed the names of the two individuals, perhaps out of fear that Wang Jin Long might eavesdrop. But now, she couldn't keep it inside any longer.

The young man at the wheel swiveled around abruptly, his eyes registering astonishment. "You—"

"Brother Cao, your real name isn't what it is now, right?" Zhang Rou Rou's gaze remained steadfast.

"..."

They locked eyes for a brief moment, but Zhang Rou Rou didn't waver under his scrutiny. She stood her ground, her fists clenched.

"Ouch, woof!" The dog's whimper shattered the tension, and she quickly apologized to Wheatley.

Cao Wei Min also snapped out of his reverie. Watching her fuss over the dog, he decided to break the silence.

"My real name is Cao Du," he began, his voice quivering with the weight of memories. "This name..." He paused, running his tongue over dry lips, "was given to me by my uncle, Ye Cheng Jing, a long time ago."

For Ye Cheng Jing, it had been just a random choice of moniker, but for Cao Du, it was the sole relic he had of his beloved uncle.

Taking a deep breath, he wrestled with the words that had been locked away for far too long. "I... When Officer Ye took me to the amusement park, I accidentally got separated from him. The horrifying truth came to light only when his fellow officers discovered me. They told me he had enetered into the 'Spirit Shenanigans.'"

After that day, he never saw Ye Cheng Jing again.

"Funny thing is," he said, his smile bitter, "I never aspired to be a cop. But then it occurred to me, if I didn't join the police force, I'd never get close to the 'Spirit Shenanigans,' let alone uncover the fate of Uncle Ye. Now, it seems..." Cao Wei Min paused, his voice steady, "I'm just not cut out for this line of work."

Zhang Rou Rou wanted to console him, but words escaped her.

"You spotted my old name in those library books, didn't you?" Cao Wei Min prodded her gently.

"Um, yes, but..." The hesitation in her voice was palpable as she continued, "It mentioned that Cao Du, like Ye Cheng Jing, also ventured into the 'Mystery.'"

Cao Wei Min's face twisted with confusion. "No, I'm sure I never went in," he insisted, replaying those haunting memories etched into his mind. "I'm certain I stayed out."

The boy who had frantically searched for Ye Cheng Jing recalled how he'd dashed to the broadcast station, pleading with the staff to announce his uncle's name. How could he forget those desperate moments from his fifteenth year?

Something was amiss, and the mystery deepened.

Zhang Rou Rou hadn't anticipated this revelation, and her voice trembled as she stammered, "Maybe I misread it...?"

But her uncertainty lingered.

"Did you come across anything else?" Cao Wei Min inquired, his curiosity undiminished.

Zhang Rou Rou sighed, guilt weighing her down. "Nothing else. The last entry mentioned Wang Jin Long emerging from the 'Mystery'... and nothing more."

"Did it offer any insight into what happened to this Cao Du afterward?"

"No..."

The girl felt responsible. "I should've dug deeper."

Cao Wei Min sought to reassure her. "You did your best." His tone shifted as his phone lit up once more. "Rou Rou, why don't you take Wheatley to that cozy corner milk tea shop and grab a drink? While you're at it, swing by the nearby pet store and pick up some treats for Wheatley."

"Huh? But what about you..." Zhang Rou Rou began to protest.

Cao Wei Min extended his umbrella, offering her a warm smile. "Don't worry, you go ahead. I'll catch up with you. Just make sure you've got enough cash." He paused, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some bills, which he handed to Zhang Rou Rou. "Buy some nice snacks. Off you go."

**

They had previously bypassed the Hydrangea Flower Sea, deterred by the locked iron gate and the menacing thorns that intersected like the foreboding coils of an electric fence they'd encountered earlier.

Xu Jin Yi surveyed her surroundings, seeking an entry point. Armed only with a dagger, she couldn't breach the imposing gate conventionally. But Xu Jin Yi was no ordinary person; she was the legendary Excelsior, known for her knack for finding a way. She flexed her muscles, tightening her grip on the dagger before firmly embedding it into the wall. With the dagger as her stepping stone, she swung herself inside, leaving it securely lodged in the wall behind her.

The mist-shrouded Hydrangea Flower Sea lay eerily silent. Amidst the delicate pink Hydrangea flowers, a curious sight unfolded. Xu Jin Yi cautiously approached a young woman reclining amidst the blooms, her face serenely peaceful, a thick book held within her grasp. From the book's pages sprouted a white Hydrangea flower, its delicate petals resting upon the woman's chest—an image that might have given pause to even a fairy.

The Red Ghost lay motionless amid the floral tapestry, mirroring the garden-attending ghosts Xu Jin Yi had encountered earlier. Though Xu Jin Yi had contributed to the development of this game, her involvement had been limited to conceptualizing the setting. It appeared there was more to this virtual realm than just the online werewolf game.

Yet, contemplation had to wait. Xu Jin Yi drew closer, reaching out to touch the white Hydrangea flower. Suddenly, the woman's eyes snapped open, her gaze piercing Xu Jin Yi with an intense, blood-red stare.

However, The Red Ghost's initial killing intent seemed to wane. She rose, disregarding Xu Jin Yi's cautious retreat, and glided toward the exit. Puzzled, Xu Jin Yi followed in her wake.

After a few strides, The Red Ghost came to a halt and turned to face her. Xu Jin Yi ventured a question, "What do you want?"

A lengthy silence ensued, and then, with deliberate movements, The Red Ghost plucked a few petals from the white Hydrangea flower and extended them to Xu Jin Yi. Speechless, she accepted the offering, pondering whether the Nine Springs Laundry Chain would have any use for them.

Holding the Hydrangea flower, The Red Ghost seemed somewhat more coherent. Xu Jin Yi, too, decided not to insist on claiming the entire flower. After a nod of acknowledgment, she retreated.

Gradually, Xu Jin Yi's form dissolved into the distance, leaving the woman in red to pivot and stride toward the West Gate.

——— Translator's Notes ———

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