Today, I Have Yet to Become a Doll

Yan Qingwen said, “Our situation isn't suitable for frequent game entries. Doll games are mostly adversarial, and once we enter, it's hard to avoid fighting amongst ourselves. The most urgent task now is to safely escort Li Li and the items he possesses to Shanghai.”

He paused, then added, “I hope nothing has happened in Shanghai.”

Shen Mo asked him, “If you’re in such a hurry to escort him, why did you come to Hangzhou?”

Yan Qingwen was momentarily speechless.

The others around him also remained silent.

Shen Mo picked up a piece of firewood and tossed it into the fireplace.

The flames were momentarily suppressed, then suddenly surged back, burning brightly.

“Before we entered the fog, we didn't know it was a maze,” Yan Qingwen spoke again.

“Later, after we exited the maze, our physical functions were upgraded, and we obtained five puzzle pieces. At the time, we believed the puzzle pieces were the key to research. However, unexpectedly, in a subsequent game, we were forced to use the puzzle pieces' game exemption. Li Li is very worried. He wonders if the research value of the puzzle pieces, now without the exemption, is sufficient for the SCO researchers to decipher the Doll Game.”

“So you went?” Tan Xiao asked incredulously. “Just for research samples? Wow, aren’t you afraid of dying?”

Li Li couldn't help but interject, “We didn't expect the maze to change! We thought that any place with fog would turn into a desert, and as long as we walked out of the desert, we could get puzzle pieces. Who knew the Hangzhou maze would be like that!”

It was human nature to think in patterns.

If you saw a box on the road and opened it to find a pair of shoes, when you saw a second identical box, you would subconsciously assume: There’s a pair of shoes in the box.

“We were also impetuous,” Yan Qingwen explained calmly. “At that time, after our physical functions were upgraded, we all got a little carried away and overlooked the maze serial number mentioned by the system during the game settlement.”

Bai Youwei said, “Those five puzzle pieces are useless to you without the exemption. Why not give them to me?”

Yan Qingwen was slightly taken aback. “…You want to collect the puzzle pieces?”

Li Li was shocked: “We don't even know the total number of puzzle pieces! How can you collect them?!”

“Everyone needs a goal in life,” Bai Youwei smiled.

Tan Xiao added, “Yeah, they’re useless to you anyway, so give them to us~”

Li Li subconsciously clutched his trouser pocket, where the puzzle pieces were kept. The puzzle pieces were hard-earned, and although they were indeed useless to them now… it was really hard to just give them away!

“If we can get out of here, we’ll give them to you,” Yan Qingwen said.

“Brother Yan!” Li Li and Su Man exclaimed almost simultaneously.

Yan Qingwen waved his hand, his eyes fixed on Bai Youwei. “They are indeed useless in our hands. If we’re talking about research samples, the three pieces from the Hangzhou maze are enough. If we can leave this place, giving them to you as a meeting gift is not out of the question.”

Bai Youwei smiled, glancing sideways at Pan Xiaoxin beside her. “Xiaoxin, learn from this. This is what true cunning is. He won’t show his hand until he sees the goods, making a clear transaction while still managing to sell the other party a favor.”

Pan Xiaoxin: “…”

Yan Qingwen smiled faintly. “If you think it’s inappropriate, we can also call off this deal.”

“Do it? Of course, we’ll do it,” Bai Youwei said with a beaming smile. “As long as we get you out, we’ll take the five puzzle pieces and, by the way, reserve the other three in your possession.”

Yan Qingwen: “…”

Li Li couldn't help but say, “You’re too greedy…”

“Li Li,” Yan Qingwen stopped him, a calm smile on his handsome face. “This is a good thing. At least it shows… Miss Bai is confident.”

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