CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 77: HIDDEN SECRETS, OR IS THE GAME MORE INTERESTING

"What does that mean? Am I really leaving?"

Chu Tian looked at the three secretive women with a face full of disbelief, his mind unable to catch up for a moment.

Everything had been fine yesterday, so why had they become so distant overnight?

It feels as though they’re afraid to get close to me, he thought. What’s wrong with them?

"Go on, go back and get some rest early."

Xu Qingqiu hadn’t realized this yet. Her entire focus was on sending Chu Tian away. More accurately, she didn’t want him to accompany her home.

"Fine then, I’ll go back to sleep. Don’t go back on your word about the paid leave, okay?"

"Yes, paid leave! I’ll give you a bonus later!"

Chu Tian’s face was one of incredulity, but since everything had been said, he could hardly stay any longer. He left the hospital room filled with confusion, frequently looking back at them. He was met with three obviously fake smiles.

Crazy...

Even though he felt somewhat excluded, he didn’t care too much. Do these people have some secret, or are they just crazy?

Suddenly, he remembered the look he had exchanged with Xu Qingqiu yesterday. It felt fake.

How baffling...

After muttering a few words, Chu Tian slowly made his way out of the hospital building. Standing at the entrance, he suddenly realized he didn’t really have anywhere to go.

Ever since he had transmigrated, he had spent his time only between the company and home. He had no friends or hobbies. For a moment, he felt a little dazed.

Meanwhile, in the hospital room upstairs, as soon as Chu Tian had left, Xu Qingqiu could no longer hold back and urged hurriedly, "Hurry, let’s go! Don’t let him find out!"

Yiyi quickly packed up their things, still muttering under her breath, "Sister Qiu, is it really necessary? It’s not like where we live is some kind of dragon’s den. What’s the harm in telling him?"

Xu Qingqiu glanced at her irritably and said sullenly, "What do you know? Don’t I have my pride to consider?"

At this point, she seemed to think of something, her face showing a hint of embarrassment and a trace of guilt.

The three of them quickly gathered their things. Urged on by Xu Qingqiu as if they were fleeing for their lives, they hurried to the parking lot, got in the car, and headed straight for the exit.

Just as they were about to leave, Yiyi exclaimed, "Sister Qiu, quick, look! Chu Tian is still there! What’s he doing? Daydreaming?"

Xu Qingqiu peered through the car window, a flicker of worry in her eyes. She was about to get out and ask, but after hesitating, she hardened her heart and said, "Let’s go home first. We’ll ask him later."

"Oh."

Though Yiyi didn’t understand why, she obediently drove straight home.

Building No. 7 of Taoyuan Community was a resettlement complex built after the demolition of the original Taoyuan Village. The yellow, six-story apartment building already looked a bit run-down.

If Chu Tian had come here and paid a little more attention, he would have noticed that the community next door, separated only by a wall, was where he was currently living.

Arriving at the foot of the building, Yiyi parked the car and started to unload their belongings. Meanwhile, Sister Hua helped Xu Qingqiu out of the car. Xu Qingqiu, hopping on one leg, still tried to help Yiyi carry some things.

"Goodness, just rest!" Sister Hua couldn’t stand it anymore and scolded her without reservation. "What can you possibly do in your condition? It’s already a struggle for you to go upstairs. Let Yiyi handle it."

Xu Qingqiu sheepishly stuck her tongue out at Yiyi, her face turning beet red.

"Then we’ll have to trouble you, Yiyi."

"It’s okay, Sister Qiu, I can manage!"

Like a strongwoman, Yiyi carried down the change of clothes they had brought, the leftover fruit, food containers, and a pair of crutches. The rented wheelchair, however, wasn’t needed for now and remained in the car.

"Here, Sister Qiu, use the crutches first. It’ll be more convenient."

After much effort, the three of them finally managed everything and entered the building entrance.

Navigating the old staircase, the three of them cautiously and slowly made their way to the sixth floor. Once at the doorway, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Oh my goodness, I’m exhausted!" Sister Hua exclaimed.

Since Xu Qingqiu wasn’t very skilled with the crutches, and Sister Hua was genuinely worried she might tumble down the stairs, Sister Hua supported her the entire way. This had thoroughly exhausted Sister Hua.

"Qingqiu, let me tell you, I’m definitely going to get you a few more promotional deals. As soon as the money from the songs comes in next month, we’re moving out of here immediately! I’ve honestly had it with this place; climbing the stairs every day is just too tiring!"

Xu Qingqiu felt a bit embarrassed herself.

The reason she didn’t want Chu Tian to come over was twofold. Firstly, she didn’t want him to discover she lived right next to him, fearing he might think she was secretly monitoring him and react negatively. Secondly, she also felt a bit ashamed.

You see, she used to live in a detached villa with maids and a driver. But since terminating her contract and running out of money, she could only find a cheap place for temporary shelter. As a Queen of Mandopop who had fallen to such a state, she really didn’t want Chu Tian to see her current predicament.

"I’m sorry, Sister Hua, for dragging you into this..."

"What are you talking about? I don’t blame you! Besides, aren’t we about to have money soon? Once the payment for those few songs arrives next month, we should be able to afford a better place to live, right?"

"Of course! Then we’ll switch to a bigger house! I promise to make sure you live comfortably!"

"Hmph, that’s more like it! Let’s hurry inside and stop making a spectacle of ourselves here."

「In the following days.」

Xu Qingqiu stayed at home, while Sister Hua continued to be busy dealing with their previous affairs outside. During this time, she had contacted Chu Tian, but his lukewarm replies caused her some distress.

As for Chu Tian, what was he up to? He was on a killing spree in an internet cafe.

Back in the hospital, he had felt very lonely. Without friends or hobbies, he had been at a loss about where to go. So, he hadn’t bothered taking a cab and instead just wandered aimlessly on the main roads. By chance, he saw an internet cafe, and his interest was immediately piqued.

Games, huh? What young guy isn’t into gaming? He hadn’t indulged in the joy of gaming for a long time and was itching to play. Although he couldn’t find the familiar and well-known games of his previous life, there were similar ones available.

He searched online for a while, found a game he liked, and played it for two days straight. If it weren’t for the self-control that came with his age, which kept him from playing through the night, he probably would have been too lazy to go home and just lived in the internet cafe.

In his past life, he never had such luxury. When he was young and short on cash, he had to save up pocket money just to go to an internet cafe, aside from school. Becoming a trainee in his teens left him with even less time. He only got to game during holidays; other times were like military training, waking up early, sleeping late, and always being watched. After he became famous, forget about it. He had money, but no time! His days were filled with either attending promotional events or following his agent around to network and meet people. Right up until he transmigrated, he could never play for long before his agent would drag him off to work or rush him to bed to prepare for an early flight.

Now that he was finally free, he could play to his heart’s content. Why hold back?

As for text messages? Could they possibly be more fun than games? How could he not know his priorities? Better to set them aside for now.