Finally, the order was determined, from oldest to youngest: Wen Di → Lu Jieyang, Fu Zhen, Shen Wangqing → Liu Yajun → Yao Nana.
Wen Di could then ask Yao Nana questions.
After everyone briefly introduced themselves, it was time for the somewhat inexplicably solemn and highly anticipated questioning session.
After all, self-introductions were merely superficial; only questioning would peel back the skin to reveal the truly valuable bones beneath.
When it was time for the three to ask questions, they suddenly began deferring to one another.
Lu Jieyang: “You go ahead, let the older brothers ask first.”
This address wasn’t wrong, as he was the youngest among the Players.
Fu Zhen tapped the armrest with his slender fingers: “Age before beauty, Shen Wangqing, you ask first.”
Shen Wangqing narrowed his long, narrow eyes, appearing to smile gently, yet his gaze sent a shiver through the heart: “You all are really troublesome. I won’t add to Boss Wen’s troubles, so I’ll go first.”
“…”
The dim red lighting in the room made everyone look as if they were bathed in fresh blood, appearing eerie and unsettling.
Shen Wangqing sat calmly in his seat, his eyes behind the lenses unfathomable. His thoughtful posture made it seem as though someone was awaiting judgment from him, and the unknown heartbeat grew increasingly intense.
He curled his lips into a smile and looked toward Wen Di, speaking softly: “Since this is a self-introduction, for the first question, I’d like to boldly inquire about Boss Wen’s love history with… Mr. Fei Xuyao.”
Here it comes!
Before this session began, Wen Di had anticipated with 193 in the room what questions the Players might ask—since it was a self-introduction, the questions would be limited to matters related to him, which naturally included clues for solving the Instance, though certain location-specific clues wouldn’t appear too explicitly.
He had guessed earlier that they would definitely ask about his dead husband!
After all, his dead husband was the big BOSS of this Instance!
As soon as Shen Wangqing asked this question, the remaining four pairs of eyes instantly lit up like green lights, fixed intently on Wen Di.
Like hungry wolves preparing to hunt in the night!
Wen Di inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine. Pretending to be at ease, he slowly began to recount: “My husband is two years older than me. We attended the same school and met during an outdoor social practice activity. We got together three months after meeting and married after graduation.”
Wen Di stopped abruptly at this point: “That’s it.”
Liu Yajun immediately expressed dissatisfaction: “That’s way too brief! Can’t you say more?!”
Wen Di retorted: “That’s all there is!”
Liu Yajun: “What’s the difference between saying that and saying nothing at all?”
Shen Wangqing smiled at Wen Di: “Boss Wen, you’re the host. If even you are this perfunctory, how can we expect others to take this session seriously? What’s the point of this session then?”
Wen Di was momentarily stunned by the question, even feeling a sense that he might indeed be in the wrong. His ears grew slightly warm from embarrassment: “But your question was too vague; you can’t blame me for saying so little.”
This clumsy demeanor was reminiscent of a student occasionally caught daydreaming, suddenly called upon by the teacher, and trying to muddle through with vague answers—not at all like the principal who orchestrated the school’s intricate plans with silken precision.
Shen Wangqing smiled. “Indeed, my phrasing was off. In that case, let me give Boss Wen a hint—’romantic history’ naturally includes: How did you meet? Who pursued whom? Why did you fall for him? Why did he fall for you? What was your token of love? Who proposed?”
Wen Di froze for several seconds before abruptly standing up, fuming with anger. “That’s several questions!”
Shen Wangqing immediately rose as well, stepping in front of Wen Di. He towered over him by a full head, looking down with a gaze as tender as if he were gazing at a lover. “Not quite, Boss Wen. These questions are collectively referred to as one—your romantic history with Boss Fei?”
“…”
Wen Di instantly felt he had been played!
When Shen Wangqing posed the question, he hadn’t sensed anything amiss. But now, hearing it put this way, he realized—he had actually, actually—encapsulated all those questions into just one!
All the questions Wen Di had painstakingly pondered alone earlier couldn’t even fill this single question?!
Liu Yajun was also stunned, then burst into laughter, hands on his hips. “Damn! Damn! As expected of a pro! Shen Wangqing, you’re too damn good!”
“…”
Wen Di was unwilling to answer so much. The more details the Players knew, the faster they could crack the Instance.
But he was also bound by the rules. As an NPC, if he didn’t abide by the “rules,” he would be punished—unlike other AI-controlled NPCs who reset their memories and returned to normal, NPCs like him with a system retained their memories indefinitely.
If punished, he would likely suffer nightmares every night afterward. He had heard that some NPCs developed severe mental issues after punishment and ended their own lives.
There was no other way. He could only blame himself for encountering such a formidable Player. Wen Di had no choice but to concede and began recounting slowly, “I met my husband during the second semester of his junior year. At the time, the university’s Life Sciences Department organized an outdoor practical activity—observing wild insects and creating specimens. My husband was majoring in natural sciences and was already a member of the department. I was studying art, just starting my freshman year. My coursework at the time happened to focus on outdoor sketching, so I joined on a whim.”
“The forest floor was covered with uneven rocks. I was wearing white canvas shoes, and the stones hurt the soles of my feet. While climbing a slope, I slipped and nearly fell, but my husband caught me from behind. He was late that day and was the last to catch up with the group, and I happened to be at the very back.”
“I… I fell in love with him at first sight. But… but it was my husband who pursued me.” Wen Di’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, his cheeks flushed with a vivid red from embarrassment. His two delicate, pale hands clenched the green skirt beneath his cloak, and his toes curled tightly.
“My husband is an exceptional person, praised by everyone for both his character and his academic achievements. When he pursued me, he was subtle—no grand gestures, just creating many ‘chance’ encounters until we gradually grew closer.”
“Since he was the one pursuing me, of course he confessed first. I had always liked him, so I happily agreed.”
“After graduation, he proposed to me, and we went abroad to get married.”
After listening, Liu Yajun was utterly astonished. “Holy shit! So you were only 19 when he proposed? I know some people marry early these days, but you were still in school, for fuck’s sake?! He didn’t even wait for you to graduate before asking you to marry him??”
“I—I did it willingly!” Wen Di immediately said.
Lu Jieyang’s expression darkened. His chest felt as if it were burning, choked with a numb ache, and he wished he could spit out ten thousand words: That bastard surnamed Fei is simply scum! Tricking a man into marriage! Guaibao was still in school when he lured her away with marriage?! A chance encounter?! How cunning! That kind of man deserves to burn in hell!
He could hardly hold back from cursing aloud!
But, damn it! If—if he had met Guaibao earlier, wouldn’t she be his now?
And he would definitely outlive that bastard surnamed Fei, never letting Guaibao stand here alone and lonely like this.