Along the straight and dimly lit street, a van drove alone on the right side.

"The world is truly small, so small that you might bump into someone just by turning around; the world is truly vast, so vast that the moment you turn around, you might not know who has vanished into the sea of people. It's currently midnight in Yin City. Thank you for staying tuned to Yin City Variety Radio Station. I am your host for tonight, Brother Hu. Next, I'll bring you the following songs: Jian Yuhuan's 'Are You Afraid to Love Me?', Sun Yanzi's 'Afraid', Xue Zhiqian's 'I'm Afraid', and Pan Weibo's 'I'm Not Afraid'. Hope you all enjoy them."

Li Ang, seated in the driver's seat, steered with one hand while imitating the radio host, passionately singing along.

Miss Chai poked her head out from his chest. Hearing Li Ang still completely engrossed in his singing, she pouted, covered her ears, and silently retreated.

It wasn't that Li Ang was particularly bored. After all, they had been driving for three hours, and nothing unusual had occurred along the way. They didn't even need to turn the steering wheel, simply driving straight ahead as if the street had no end. To keep track of time, stay alert, and prevent himself from succumbing to any illusions, Li Ang took out the recorder from his Ruitu Military knife and proceeded to broadcast while simultaneously recording.

After the four songs concluded, Li Ang paused for a moment, then continued, "Did you, our dear listeners, enjoy those four songs? Next up, I have a few more for you: 'Why Should Women Make Things Difficult for Other Women,' 'Why Should Men Make Things Difficult for Themselves,' 'Women Shouldn't Make Men Too Tired,' 'Women Shouldn't Make Men Cry,' and 'Men Shouldn't Make Women Cry'..."

Finally, Miss Chai couldn't bear it any longer. She popped out, somewhat exasperated, and complained, "AHHH! I can't take it anymore! Isn't your singing usually decent? Why does it sound so awful today?"

Li Ang replied matter-of-factly, "Because this is Yin City Variety Radio Station. This is a Yin City specialty; you simply have to experience it."

Miss Chai looked utterly confused. "HUH?"

"Yin City Variety Radio Station is an institution with a rich history. It's a source of joy for the masses," Li Ang patiently explained. "This station used to host a singing contest, something like a talent show, where ordinary people could sing on the radio. The show had no script; it was absolutely real. However, because the contestants' skill levels varied wildly, some performances were indescribably awful, practically caterwauling. This sometimes even led to on-air arguments with guest judges and various broadcasting mishaps. That's how it earned the reputation: 'Yin City Grand Stage, if you've got issues, come on down!'"

He continued, "Actually, I quite liked this down-to-earth program; I listened to it every day as a kid. If it weren't for the Slaughter Games, I might have majored in broadcasting. I could have become a host on the Grand Stage, or maybe a community mediator on a TV show, specializing in resolving domestic disputes for neighborhood folks. The joy of outwitting others is endless."

"..."

Li Ang's explanation left Miss Chai speechless for a long while. She truly couldn't imagine Li Ang dressed like an elderly man or woman in a uniform, wearing a red armband, strolling through streets and alleys, warmly inquiring about everyone's well-being and resolving neighborhood disputes.

Character collapse.

Just as Miss Chai was silently mulling this over, the street ahead finally showed a change. Under a distant streetlight, a flickering, pale figure materialized. As they drew closer, it became clear: a woman in a tattered white dress, her hair disheveled, head bowed, and shoulders hunched. Barefoot, she stood on the right edge of the road, her back to the direction from which Li Ang was driving. Her exposed arms hung from her short sleeves. The skin on her arms was a morbid pale, with blue veins, as prominent as earthworms, clearly visible.

At last, it's here.

Li Ang took a deep breath and slammed on the brakes.

SCREECH—

The tires skidded against the pavement, and the van jerked to a halt. The van's high beams pierced the darkness, locked in a silent standoff with the distant, pale figure. Li Ang's brow furrowed. He waited quietly for three minutes, but the figure remained in its hunched, back-facing posture, seemingly frozen in place.

"What do we do?" Miss Chai whispered. "The road ahead is blocked."

Li Ang remained silent for a moment, then abruptly shifted the vehicle into reverse. The wheels spun furiously, kicking up dust as the van rapidly moved backward. However, even with the van at full reverse speed, the figure of the woman ahead seemed no farther away, maintaining a distance of roughly a hundred meters. Li Ang reversed for a while, then drove forward again—when the van moved forward, the distance between it and the woman's figure actually decreased.

So, we can only get closer, not farther away...

Li Ang stopped the van again, exhaled slowly, and sat in the driver's seat, contemplating his next move.

"...That thing isn't a demonic spirit," Miss Chai said, poking her head out. She stared at the woman's back, her brow tightly knit, and stated with conviction, "The feeling it gives me... it's like a shadow projected onto a wall. Even a fading lone-souled wild spirit would have a stronger presence than it does."

"Is that so," Li Ang murmured, his fingers gently drumming on the steering wheel. He pondered for a moment, made a decision, and reached out to roll down the window.

Miss Chai was astonished. "What are you going to do?"

"Just testing the waters. That thing hasn't attacked us. Maybe we can get through by communicating peacefully," Li Ang replied casually, then stuck his head out the window and shouted ahead, "Miss! It's so cold, why aren't you wearing gloves? How about I take off my socks and give them to you to wear as gloves?"

???

Miss Chai's eyes widened. She instinctively retorted, "What kind of peaceful communication is that? You're clearly provoking her! Aren't you afraid she'll fly over and beat you up?"

"Eh, isn't this flirting?" Li Ang scratched his head. "In winter, you have to be considerate of a girl's every need. For instance, slipping your icy hands down the back of her down jacket to give her a shoulder massage; or, in public, covering her nostrils with your hand to prevent a runny nose from ruining her image; or, if you're afraid she's cold, treat her to hot pot for a solid week to get her all fired up with 'internal heat,' just so you can warm yourself. Isn't that what a considerate guy is supposed to do?"

What kind of considerate guy from which alternate dimension would do that!

Miss Chai barely suppressed the urge to snap back. Deep down, a flicker of sympathy for Wang Congshan ignited within her.

Li Ang, now a Slaughter Game Player, was already much more restrained than before. What must he have been like before he became a player...

Miss Chai couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Li Ang paid no mind to Chai Cuiqiao's existential confusion. He waited a moment, but seeing no movement from the woman's figure, he couldn't help but remark, "Indeed, an extraordinary woman who doesn't wear socks. She remained unmoved even by my charming advances. It seems I'll have to be more proactive."

With that, Li Ang slipped back into the driver's seat, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sent the vehicle hurtling towards the pale figure.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.