Chapter 59 Part 2

This made Zhong Nian pause. “So you can make jokes too.”

But the Masked Man just looked at him without speaking.

Zhong Nian gradually withdrew his smile, first closing the still-lively livestream, before continuing, “You’re serious? You… you don’t even mind if I’m the Devil, so why worry about me minding your face?”

“Very ugly.” The Masked Man lowered his head, his downcast eyes hiding his emotions. “Burned. It’ll scare you.”

Zhong Nian asked cautiously, “How did it get burned?”

Afraid of touching on the other’s sore spot, he had never dared to ask much.

The Masked Man said, “I don’t remember.”

It was a completely unexpected answer, leaving Zhong Nian stunned for a moment.

“I have no memories from before entering the game.” The man touched the face mask on his face, his voice low and slow. “I only know I have to survive. Somehow, there’s a voice telling me I have something I must complete, but I don’t know what it is.”

Zhong Nian came back to his senses and asked, “Including your name?”

The Masked Man nodded.

“So… you’re not deliberately hiding your identity.” That was why Zhong Nian hadn’t asked proactively, thinking he had other reasons.

It turned out the Masked Guy didn’t know where he came from or who he was either. This air of mystery wasn’t something he sought himself.

“I’m a person with an unclear background. Don’t you mind me?” The Masked Man’s gaze fell to the ground, not daring to look at Zhong Nian’s expression, yet highly attuned to everything about him.

Even a change in the other’s breathing could make his heart race or stop.

“Why are you always worried about being disliked?” Zhong Nian furrowed his brows helplessly and sighed. “I won’t, because I’m a lot like you.”

“Like…?”

The Masked Man showed a puzzled expression.

He couldn’t imagine any similarity between himself and this incomparably radiant young man.

Zhong Nian was an untouchable sun and moon, while he was less than a speck of mud on the ground, only fit to stay in dark corners, humbly looking up.

“Because I don’t remember my past either.” Zhong Nian told someone about this for the first time. “I just remember my name a bit more than you.”

Um, and that I’m a Cat Rabbit.

That part was a bit too shocking, so he didn’t say it.

“…” The Masked Man was very surprised, and mixed in with that surprise was a despicable joy.

They really did have something in common.

“Why don’t you pick a name for yourself? Sometimes I don’t even know what to call you; it’s pretty inconvenient.” Zhong Nian didn’t notice the strange light bursting in the Masked Man’s eyes and suggested sincerely.

The Masked Man said, “Whatever you like.”

Zhong Nian found it amusing. “You should think of your own name. It’ll be more convenient when dealing with others later. How can it be random?”

The Masked Man didn’t see any issue and said matter-of-factly, “No need. I don’t need others. I only plan for you to call me, so what you like matters more.”

“…Alright then.”

Zhong Nian didn’t say more about the Masked Man’s dislike of interacting with people.

Some people were just like that; no need to force them to be outgoing. In Zhong Nian’s view, it wasn’t a flaw—just different personalities.

Since he himself felt comfortable, others had no right to dictate.

“But I still think you should pick it yourself,” Zhong Nian said.

The Masked Man was about to reply when Zhong Nian suddenly cried out in alarm, cutting off the conversation.

—Under the big tree, the Girl Player, who had just covered her lover with the last handful of soil, suddenly toppled straight to the ground and fainted.

–

“Awake?”

In a gentle, soft voice, the Girl Player opened her eyes to see a breathtakingly beautiful face. The eyes beneath those long lashes held a soft, worried light, gazing down at her.

In this warmth, the dazed Girl Player temporarily forgot her pain and just stared blankly at Zhong Nian.

“Have some water first.” Zhong Nian reached out and took the cup that the Masked Man had already handed over, passing it to her.

The water was hot, warming her palms.

The Girl Player didn’t refuse. She sat up and sipped slowly from the cup.

But her expression was dazed, her eyes vacant, as if she had lost her soul, with little reaction.

Zhong Nian and the Masked Man exchanged a glance and quietly left the room.

“Lunch…”

Zhong Nian was still considering how to broach it when the Masked Man seemed to already know what he wanted to say. “Mm, I’ll make an extra portion.”

Zhong Nian met his eyes and smiled faintly.

“Then you’ll have to work hard with me again this afternoon to earn food.”

The Masked Man shook his head. “It’s yours to begin with.”

Without Zhong Nian, no amount of labor would get the Small Town residents to trade with him.

The first floor was empty now; no one knew where the Skinny Man and Jie Jialiang had gone.

Perfect for them to cook. Given the Girl Player’s condition, something hot and sweet would be more suitable.

Zhong Nian leaned next to the Masked Man, who had started preparing ingredients, and said, “I think at least Little Yu isn’t the Devil. Her sadness isn’t fake.”

The man paused his knife. “Who’s Little Yu?”

“It’s that girl’s name.” Zhong Nian felt a bit helpless.

“Mm…” The Masked Man continued slicing the apples for the Sweet Soup. “I think the same as you.”

Zhong Nian lowered his voice. “Actually, I already have a top suspect in mind.”

He poked the man’s arm, making him bend down, then leaned to his ear, sending his voice along with a faint fragrant breath. “Find an opportunity, and we’ll tie him up together, send him straight to the Church Confessional.”

His eyes sparkled lively as he stared unblinking for approval. “What do you think?”

The Masked Man’s throat bobbed slightly, and he nodded. “Mm, whatever you say.”