Relying on Beauty to Commit Crimes in the Escape Game

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After dealing with the skeleton, the group successfully reached the fifth floor. The corridor was dimly lit and the windows were tightly boarded up, preventing any light from entering. A chilling breeze added to the eerie atmosphere.

 

Li Xi quickly remembered his character and immediately leaned against Duan Zhen, practically sticking to his arm.

 

Duan Zhen glanced at him, but with his hat blocking his view, he only caught a glimpse of Li Xi’s reddened earlobe.

 

A fleeting sense of peculiarity flashed through his heart, but he couldn’t grasp any more information.

 

“The archives,” Li Xi, unaware of almost exposing himself, whispered softly, still clinging to Duan Zhen’s arm. “There must be clues in the archives.”

 

“Hmm,” Duan Zhen responded calmly, but he still didn’t pull his arm away.

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It was as if he was carrying a little tag-along, using his other hand to push open the door to the archives. A cloud of thick dust scattered into the air, mixed with the musty smell of old paper.

 

Li Xi covered his mouth and coughed a couple of times before regaining his composure and fanning the air with his hand: “It’s too dusty in here.”

 

Duan Zhen seemed to be prepared and wasn’t affected by the dust. He walked forward, leading Li Xi into the room.

 

The archives had no windows, making it pitch black inside. Xia Qirong followed closely behind them, and after feeling along the wall for a moment, they actually found a switch. With a snap, the dim yellow light flickered and illuminated the room sporadically.

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“This feels more and more like a horror game,” Xia Qirong was amazed: “Wow, even the light flickers and creaks. If it were my first time playing, I’d definitely be scared.”

 

Just as he finished speaking, Sun Le elbowed him, reminding him that there was a newcomer in the team who had just violated Duan Zhen’s taboo. Xia Qirong shrugged: “Well, I didn’t say anything wrong.”

 

Duan Zhen paid no attention to what was being said and instead furrowed his brow, examining the files on the shelves.

 

The files were haphazardly placed on both sides of the shelves, covered in a thick layer of dust. As Duan Zhen picked one up, the dust scattered into the air.

 

He instinctively glanced at Li Xi, only to find him holding his breath, not getting choked by the dust. Li Xi even gave him a look that seemed to be seeking praise, his eyes shining brightly.

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Duan Zhen patted his shoulder: “Go over to Xia Qirong’s side and see if there are any other clues here.”

 

“But I can help you with the files,” Li Xi naturally didn’t want to leave and picked up another file, pretending to flip through it, and boasted, “My memory is excellent. I can quickly read through textual information.”

 

With his innate powerful magic and agile mind, Li Xi could read ten lines at a glance and never forget what he saw. This was why he was able to spot Duan Zhen in a crowd of millions.

 

“The lighting here is dim,” Duan Zhen took the file from Li Xi’s hand: “Children should take care of their eyes.”

 

“I’m not a child,” Li Xi widened his eyes and looked up at him, straightening his posture: “I’m an adult!”

 

“Hmm,” Duan Zhen responded lightly, unsure if he believed him or not.

 

Li Xi was pushed on the shoulder, indicating that he shouldn’t delay Duan Zhen’s examination of the files. Reluctantly, he held his breath and walked toward Xia Qirong’s side.

 

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All the clues in the archives were in those files, and since he couldn’t reveal that, he pursed his lips unhappily and casually searched through other objects in the room.

 

“Li Xi, are you really an adult?” Xia Qirong whispered sneakily, leaning over. It was clear that he had overheard their conversation.

 

“I just turned 18,” Li Xi replied.

 

He had followed the advice in the books and chosen an age that allowed for both romance and innocence.

 

“18…” Xia Qirong touched his chin: “Then you should still be studying, have you graduated from high school?”

 

Li Xi paused for two seconds before saying, “I didn’t attend high school.”

 

“…It’s fine if you didn’t attend high school. I didn’t either, and I’m doing well now. If it weren’t for this game pulling me in, I would have achieved success, had a wife, children, and a thriving career.” Xia Qirong thought he had touched a sore spot and quickly tried to rectify the situation. “Nowadays, education isn’t as important as it used to be. With your appearance, you must have a bunch of girls chasing after you.”

 

As he spoke, Xia Qirong lifted Li Xi’s hat, and their eyes locked for a moment.

 

Those black eyes, concealed within the shadows beneath the brim, lacked any trace of light, resembling a bottomless, icy abyss. Staring into them felt like being engulfed by darkness and coldness.

 

Xia Qirong experienced a moment of speechlessness, staring at him in silence. In that moment, it seemed like an indescribable fear had seized his heart, freezing him in place.

 

But that fear only lasted for a second. The next moment, Li Xi lowered his hat, covering half of his face, and only soft, slightly curved red lips could be seen. His voice remained gentle and soothing. “No girl is chasing after me.”

 

He turned his head as if glancing in Duan Zhen’s direction but also seemed to do it out of embarrassment: “I like men.”

 

Although their conversation was low, the archive room wasn’t large, and the only sound was the rustling of pages being turned. So, his words were heard clearly by everyone else.

 

Duan Zhen’s hand flipping through the pages paused for a few seconds.

 

“Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s find the clues quickly,” Li Xi said as if he didn’t want to bring up the topic again. He whispered softly, “It’s better to finish the mission at night… But it doesn’t matter since you’re strong.”

 

“Your spiritual perception seems to be very accurate,” Xia Qirong showed a curious look: “Shan Zuo can only get a general sense… Oh, Shan Zuo is our team’s spiritual perceiver, but he didn’t come with us this time.”

 

“My spiritual level is relatively high,” Li Xi was vague: “I had some opportunities back at the beginning.”

 

As they were conversing, they didn’t notice that Yao Jiu was standing against the wall with his back to them, clenching his teeth with a gloomy expression.

 

Since he almost dragged Li Xi down the stairs, it was as if the team couldn’t see him anymore. Even though they still protected him within the team, no one talked to him. Even when he tried to initiate a conversation, he would be ignored.

 

He had only acted out of fear, and as a newcomer without much ability, it was normal to be scared, wasn’t it? Yet, those people treated him as if he were a burden, just like in school where no one wanted to be his friend, and he wasn’t included in class activities. They even put on a hypocritical face, saying that his body wasn’t suitable.

 

It was just because they thought he couldn’t handle intense physical activity and found him burdensome.

 

Yao Jiu felt frustrated internally, his palm tightly clenched, and a dull pain started in his chest.

 

He took a deep breath but couldn’t calm his emotions.

 

After spending about ten minutes in the archive room, Duan Zhen gathered everyone together, spreading a few files on the table.

 

“I’ve reviewed the archive records of the past ten years. Starting from a certain point ten years ago, strange things began to happen in this school, and it escalated to the point where it couldn’t be contained,” Duan Zhen pointed to the files on the table.

 

Li Xi, who had hurriedly come over and stood by his side, stared at the fingertip pointing at the files, seemingly nodding in agreement, but in reality, he hadn’t listened to anything.

 

“Li Xi.”

 

“Li Xi?”

 

Someone lightly pressed his hat.

 

“Huh?” Li Xi looked bewilderedly at the fingertip being lifted, pressing on his hat. “What’s the matter?”

 

“Which action is more appropriate next?” Duan Zhen lowered his head to look at him. “Were you listening just now?”

 

Li Xi blinked his eyes, lying without a trace of embarrassment: “I was listening. If we want to complete the mission quickly, the best approach is to go outside.”

 

He pointed at the ground with his finger. “Now that we know the cause and effect, directly dealing with the root of the school’s grudges is the fastest way.”

 

“The root of the grudges…” Duan Zhen neither affirmed nor denied it: “Based on the current clues, she was the initial victim.”

 

“She was indeed a victim, but the revenge suffered by this school afterward was too much,” Li Xi speculated, trying to follow how a white lotus character1Those are pure, naive and innocent persons who would never see the bad side of people and believe that there’s goodness in everything, to the point where it can be excessive would usually think. After speaking, he glanced up at Duan Zhen, but the latter’s expression remained neutral, revealing no anger or joy.

 

Could it be that he said something wrong?

 

Li Xi went over the logic again according to that perspective but found no problems.

 

At this moment, Duan Zhen began to direct the others to go downstairs. Seeing Li Xi standing still, he reached out and grabbed his wrist: “We should go.”

 

His hand felt ice-cold, and Li Xi’s frail wrist seemed to be more akin to a block of ice. Duan Zhen furrowed his brow. “Why is it so cold? Are you feeling unwell?”

 

Li Xi opened his mouth, letting out a weak monosyllable.

 

Duan Zhen didn’t catch what he said and took a step closer: “Did you use too much power? If you’re feeling unwell, you don’t have to force yourself.”

 

He reached out to touch Li Xi’s forehead, which was also icy.

 

“It’s fine.” Li Xi shivered and tried to step back but hesitated. He whispered, “I have a weak constitution, so my body temperature drops quickly. It’s nothing. Let’s go quickly and not waste time.”

 

Duan Zhen didn’t speak, but after a few seconds of contemplation, he took off his coat and draped it over Li Xi: “It will get colder later. Put it on. It’s not fun to catch a cold here.”

 

In this world, anything that could cause a decline in status could become the catalyst for death.

 

Li Xi felt his wrist being released, and the warmth receded. He instinctively reached out, but halfway through, he used Duan Zhen’s coat to wrap himself up. Half of his face retreated into the collar, and he quietly sniffed.

 

It had a faint scent of mint and tobacco, a familiar fragrance lingering around him, as if leaning against Duan Zhen’s embrace.

 

He followed beside Duan Zhen, lowered his head, and tried hard to suppress the redness from creeping onto his face.

 

“I still feel that something’s off,” Xia Qirong whispered to Sun Le, leaning in.

 

Sun Le didn’t say anything, but his gaze swept over Li Xi.

 

Despite Xia Qirong’s talkative nature, he had no “real combat2It’s not really combat experience, he’s talking about love” experience. Duan Zhen was the same. He had been in the military for years, exuding a cold and tough aura that few people dared to approach. That’s why they couldn’t see through Li Xi’s intentions.

 

Sun Le was older than them and had experience in relationships. Although he didn’t notice it at first, after Xia Qirong mentioned it repeatedly, he observed carefully and finally realized that someone had dared not only to have designs on Duan Zhen but also put them into action.

 

It’s a pity, but it seemed that the captain had no such intentions at all.

 

 

I wonder how they’re gonna solve this world and if Li Xi’s gonna have anything to do with it ⸜( ´ ꒳ ` )⸝

Also I like how Sun Le’s like the silent elder brother who’s so much wiser in life than his little brothers; even if one of them is actually his captain ヽ(>∀