GRMFBS CH258

Zhan Yan quickly began scrolling through the gossip strips.

…Sis made a wish for Bro earlier, blessing him so that the things he was currently busy with would go smoothly.

Because of Sis’s blessing, Bro finished everything very smoothly on the Ghost Festival. Then, in a moment of carelessness, he agreed to bring Xingxing out to play. After a series of coincidences—mainly under the influence of the “disaster” brought by his Blessings and Disasters Intertwined—Bro ended up choosing to play the Eighteen Scenes of the Underworld…

But Little Cat Wan Yan just happened to be here too… so Bro’s disaster was running into Little Cat Wan Yan while holding Xingxing? But he and Xiao Gu were also here! Why did Bro’s disaster involve the two of them as well?!

He and Xiao Gu were currently playing as a couple in the game. If Bro ran into them, no matter how oblivious Bro was, there was no way he wouldn’t realize it! This couldn’t be explained away with “we’re classmates.” What kind of good roommates would come out to play a game and choose to draw couple identity cards?!

No, no, no, he had to clear the level as soon as possible. Running into his brother was unavoidable now, but he absolutely, positively could not run into him inside the game!

Let him think, how many levels were left…

After the Mirror Platform was the Three Lives Stone, and after the Three Lives Stone was the final level, the Reincarnation Platform.

The Reincarnation Platform was a settlement level and could be passed relatively quickly. He just needed to clear the Mirror Platform before his brother cleared the Bridge of Helplessness, and then clear the Three Lives Stone before his brother cleared the Mirror Platform. That would ensure they staggered their paths throughout the entire game.

But now he was stuck on the Mirror Platform level. The key props had to be fetched by their teammates, and he sitting here was of absolutely no help…

Well, not exactly. He and Xiao Gu were answering questions below the Mirror Platform. If they answered correctly, it would prove that the two of them truly loved each other, that everything was just “foreplay,” and that it had nothing to do with illegal imprisonment.

For every question they answered correctly, they would receive a bottle of “Sin-Cleansing Sweet Dew.” The sweet dew could be used to exchange for clues for their teammates.

He and Xiao Gu had only gotten one question wrong, so they could get most of the clues.

Zhan Yan looked at the Judge with sparkling eyes and urged, “How is it? How many questions are left?”

The Judge: “One question left.”

Ox-Head asked Zhan Yan, “What does he want to do the most right now?”

Wasn’t this a freebie question? Gu Jiancheng confidently wrote down the answer.

Both sides were synchronized, showing the exact same answer: “Meet the parents.”

Looking at the identical answer, Zhan Yan felt no joy of mutual understanding, but rather a trace of sorrow.

Sigh, Xiao Gu, you’re about to meet Parent No. 2. I still don’t know how to help you grind Bro’s affection points…

Zhan Yan urged the Judge, “The questions are all done, right? Can the clues be sent over to them now?”

The Judge: “They’re gone. The Sin-Cleansing Sweet Dew has already been sent over. Our Underworld operates with high efficiency now. Since you have proven your innocence, the Sin-Cleansing Sweet Dew will naturally descend.”

Understood. The electronic system was running in the background, distributing items in real time.

How are the teammates progressing? Come on, do your best—

Zhan Yan divided his attention to check the teammates’ progress in the melon-eating system.

The teammates were currently shipping him and Xiao Gu.

“Another bottle of Sin-Cleansing Sweet Dew? Which bottle is this?”

“Holy crap, the big bosses are so accurate at answering questions. This synchronization is too much.”

“We need 10 bottles in total to exchange for all the clues, and we’ve already got 9.”

“Out of 10 questions, they only got one wrong. How is this a domineering CEO and a runaway canary? This is true love playing at foreplay!”

Shipping the couple didn’t delay their progress. With the boost from the prop clues, the teammates quickly found the “Merit Pagoda” and were hurrying back with the prop—the game’s background setting was so mean, stating that while they were taking action, the judged sinner was undergoing penal interrogation.

Even though they knew it was just a game and nothing would actually be done to the players, the eerie background music, the gloomy lighting, and the atmospheric environment still involuntarily made people tense up.

Gu Jiancheng: “There are no other questions, so just remove the screen.”

The Judge: …Removed, removed. Letting you two see each other.

After returning with the prop, the other teammates saw that both big bosses were locked up. How did they play from being the victim to being the judged?

Zhan Yan sprang up with a whoosh: “Great! You came to save me! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s head to the next level!”

His brother had already cleared the Bridge of Helplessness and was heading toward the Mirror Platform. If they delayed any longer, they would bump into each other!

His teammates looked suspiciously at the Judge, Ox-Head, and Horse-Face. What did you do to our big bosses?

The Judge, Ox-Head, and Horse-Face: …Why are you looking at us? All we did was eat dog food!

“Uh… is one Merit Pagoda enough?” a teammate asked. “We don’t need to find another one, do we?”

The Judge: “It’s enough, it’s enough, go, go, go!”

I’ve had enough of this dog food.

“Be a good person in your next life, don’t fall into my hands again!”

Little Cat Wan Yan, on the other hand, was having a great time.

No one managed him in this fake Underworld set up by mortals. He could splash around in the Yellow Springs however he wanted, jump onto the Judge’s desk, and play with his big brush. There was no River Styx to stop him, and no one went to the iron prison to tattle. How fun!

Zhan Yan called out to him to leave. Little Cat Wan Yan jumped directly into the bag Zhan Yan used to hold the ocean balls, poking a little cat head out from the edge, twitching his ears and whiskers.

Continue, continue, I want to see what’s in the next level!

Just as Zhan Yan and Gu Jiancheng arrived at the next level, the Three Lives Stone, with their teammates, Zhan Jinli brought Xingxing and his teammates to the Mirror Platform.

Zhan Yan watched them miss each other by a hair’s breadth on the map and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The entire Eighteen Scenes of the Underworld game hadn’t brought him such a thrilling experience.

The Three Lives Stone was a level cleared separately. According to the identity cards, single identities cleared it alone, and multiplayer identities cleared it together.

Thank goodness, thank goodness. This way, there wouldn’t be a situation like the previous level where he was trapped and had to rely on his teammates to progress.

Zhan Yan carried Little Cat Wan Yan and said to Gu Jiancheng, “Let’s go, let’s charge the level!”

Little Cat Wan Yan’s pupils dilated. He climbed out of the ocean ball bag and excitedly jumped onto Zhan Yan’s shoulder: “Meow-aow!”

Charge the level!

Although he didn’t know why Zhan Yan was suddenly so fired up, Gu Jiancheng followed without hesitation. But could that stupid cat get off Yanyan’s shoulder first! You’re not a real cat!

The single guy, who was assigned to clear the level on the other side, continued to message his buddy: “We’ve already passed the Mirror Platform level.”

“Where are you guys?”

“Two more levels and we clear the game.”

His buddy: “We just arrived at the Mirror Platform.”

“You guys spent quite a long time on this level, hahaha.”

“Just one more level and we’ll catch up to you.”

“Your big bosses aren’t up to par.”

The single guy: “That’s not necessarily true.”

“The Mirror Platform level relies quite a bit on luck.”

His buddy: “I won’t say anymore.”

“We’re about to start.”

His buddy closed the communication, brimming with confidence. What luck or no luck? Just watch the cat-holding big boss carry them through!

The cat-holding big boss drew the lot to be judged.

The big boss sat in the judgment chair without saying a word.

Teammates: …

The Judge, along with Ox-Head and Horse-Face: …

Water ghost NPC: …

Crap, forgot the big boss doesn’t speak.

Zhan Jinli: Why did a level appear where I HAVE to speak, and I’m the only one?!

Zhan Jinli looked down at the cat.

Xingxing looked up at him: “Meow.”

Are you saying I can speak or something?

…

Because the cat-holding big boss was useless, Zhan Yan and Gu Jiancheng successfully reached the final step of the Three Lives Stone level.

As long as they placed their hands together on the Three Lives Stone, they could unlock the final level, the Reincarnation Platform.

Beside the Three Lives Stone, a staff member dressed in red said to them, “Only by gathering the power of fifteen soul-flames can you break through the restraints of the Reincarnation Platform and return to the living world.”

Understood. No wonder it said on the stone in front of the Ghost Gate, “Of those who cross the Ghost Gate, nine out of ten do not return.” With ten people in a group, there were a total of thirty soul-flames. This meant that throughout the game, every person had to lose absolutely zero soul-flames to successfully return two people to the living world. If they played worse, maybe not a single person would be able to return.

Zhan Yan and Gu Jiancheng’s soul-flames were full, but during the game, their teammates had lost a few.

They should now wait for their teammates to clear the level and come over, then discuss how to allocate the remaining soul-flames and choose who gets to return.

Zhan Yan was in a hurry to clear the game: “We won’t return. Let’s leave the soul-flames for them.”

“Are you sure?”

Zhan Yan held Gu Jiancheng’s hand: “Even if we gather them all, it’s only enough for one person to return. It’s impossible for me to abandon my canary and return alone.”

He turned to look at Gu Jiancheng, deadpan: “Are you still going to run?”

Gu Jiancheng fully cooperated: “Not running.”

After experiencing life and death, the domineering CEO and the canary decided to stay in the Underworld together.

Zhan Yan placed his hand on the Three Lives Stone, and Gu Jiancheng placed his hand on top of his. Seeing this, Little Cat Wan Yan immediately jumped onto the Three Lives Stone and stomped his paws on it too.

Me too, me too!

Gu Jiancheng: …

Who the meow wants to hold hands with you for three lifetimes?!

Little Wan Yan didn’t care. He stepped one front paw on the back of Gu Jiancheng’s hand, full of disgust, shifted his paws, and slipped his toe beans through Gu Jiancheng’s fingers to rest on Zhan Yan’s fingers.

Zhan Yan trembled involuntarily, his eyes going blank for a moment.

The incomplete pattern in his mind seemed to flicker. Those mysterious lines seemed to instantly scatter into a star map. Many scenes flashed through the star map, and some low voices buzzed in his ears.

A dark, oppressive courtroom, a golden scale, quivering shadows, suppressed panting.

“It will pass…”

“It will all pass…”

He seemed to hear Xiao Gu whispering. The voice was low and cold, as if it could extinguish at any moment, yet also as if it could erupt at any moment.

“It won’t win…”

“Yanyan?”

Zhan Yan snapped back to reality and saw Gu Jiancheng’s worried gaze: “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine,” Zhan Yan said, only then realizing his voice was incredibly hoarse. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine, I zoned out.”

“You’re shaking.” Gu Jiancheng put one arm around his shoulder and supported his arm with his other hand.

Little Cat Wan Yan also stopped wagging his tail. He looked up at him, very worried.

Zhan Yan only just realized he was trembling. Washed over by memories and emotions that didn’t belong to him, he shook from the overly intense experience: “I’m fine, I…”

A staff member dug out a piece of candy from a cabinet hidden who-knows-where and rushed over: “Is it low blood sugar? Is it low blood sugar? Here, here, take a bite!”

Gu Jiancheng unwrapped the candy, and before Zhan Yan fully recovered his senses, a piece of candy was stuffed into his mouth.

It was shaped like the Three Lives Stone, and the grape flavor was quite good.

“It’s okay, I probably just suddenly had low blood sugar.” Zhan Yan had stopped trembling. The previous experience receded.

He sucked on the candy and slowly blinked.

Just now… were those Xiao Gu’s memories and emotions? Why did I suddenly experience those? There were also some things I couldn’t see clearly…

But there was no rush to look at that now. Zhan Yan distracted himself by opening the map. Ahhh, Bro had already started moving. The Three Lives Stone, being the final level, was the hardest. During the time they had delayed, his brother’s team had already cleared the Mirror Platform.

No, they had to go quickly!

Gu Jiancheng hit upon his train of thought from a different angle: “Let’s hurry up and clear the game so we can go eat.”

Zhan Yan: “Okay.”

They thanked the staff member.

“Do you sell the candy you just gave me?” Zhan Yan asked.

That candy was shaped like the Three Lives Stone; it was obviously merchandise.

“We sell it, we sell it.” The staff member smiled warmly. “They’re all fruit-flavored.”

Carrying a large bag of fruit candy, Zhan Yan and Gu Jiancheng had just stepped into the Reincarnation Platform when Zhan Jinli and his teammates entered the Three Lives Stone level right behind them.

The two of them were the first in their team to enter the Reincarnation Platform; the others were still in the Three Lives Stone level.

The single guy and his buddy, who had been in two separate teams all along, finally met.

The single guy: “You caught up? But I’ve cleared this level, hehe. Only the last level is left; you guys won’t catch up.”

“Tch, maybe we’ll catch up on the next level.” His buddy secretly pointed at Zhan Jinli. “See him? The cat-holding big boss I told you about. He got stuck on the previous level; that’s why we were delayed for so long. We’ll catch up to you on the next level!”

The single guy: “Wanna bet?”

His buddy: “Loser calls the winner ‘Daddy’!”

Eight minutes later, at the Reincarnation Platform.

The single guy: “Daddy.”

Meow it, how did I forget this was a level cleared separately!

The people in their team hadn’t all arrived yet, but his buddy and the cat-holding big boss had already come over.

While those two were calling each other “Daddy,” over there, Zhan Yan had already met Zhan Jinli’s eyes.

Zhan Yan froze on the spot, holding the bag containing the ocean balls in one hand—Wan Yan had become obsessed with the feeling of playing curled up in the bag.

Zhan Yan’s inner self started screaming.

Ahhhhh, he got distracted by accidentally seeing Xiao Gu’s memories and forgot that they didn’t have to clear the previous level together!

The single guy from their group was still pointing over here: “Look, I didn’t lie to you, our team also has a cat-holding big boss.”

Zhan Jinli raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Why is my little brother here?

Oh, right, his little brother came out to play, happened to see the advertisement here, and came over to play. That was normal.

Gu Jiancheng noticed the situation over here. Xingxing was currently lying on Zhan Jinli’s arm.

He quietly asked Zhan Yan: “Your brother?”

Ah, was he finally going to successfully meet another parent? Just thinking about it made him a little excited. This was the first parent he was meeting after dealing with Rong Sui…

The single guy’s buddy was still craning his neck and asking: “I see the person, but where’s the cat?”

Wan Yan slowly poked his head out of the bag.

Zhan Yan was entirely focused on making sure Xiao Gu didn’t blow his cover. He whispered, “Yes, that’s my brother. Don’t say anything yet. He doesn’t like verbally communicating with others…”

No matter how much he lowered his voice, his brother would definitely hear it. This excuse could prevent Xiao Gu’s identity from being exposed.

Gu Jiancheng nodded. It didn’t matter. They could meet the parents by typing too! The brother would definitely be easier to deal with than Rong Sui. Once he handled the brother, the “meet the parents” progress bar would be more than halfway done. Marriage! Honeymoon! Traveling!

Zhan Jinli was just about to walk towards his little brother when he suddenly noticed a cat head popping out of the bag his brother was holding.

He couldn’t help but hold his breath: ! Why is Wan Yan here too?!

Xingxing had already met Wan Yan’s eyes.

Both cats widened their eyes.

Xingxing looked in shock at Wan Yan inside the bag, then looked at Zhan Yan holding the bag.

You go out to play without me, and you bring this bad cat to play!

Wan Yan looked in shock at Xingxing lying in the person’s arms, then looked at Zhan Jinli holding Xingxing.

Didn’t you say you’d rather die than keep a cat? Why are you holding this stupid cat?!

“Mee-yow-woo!”

“Meow-aow-woo-ee!”

Wan Yan jumped out of the bag and lunged straight at Zhan Jinli.

Xingxing jumped off Zhan Jinli’s arm, just about to charge, when halfway through, a reflex-driven Zhan Jinli grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

Zhan Yan also widened his eyes: Oh no, oh no! Xingxing is here too, ahhh!

He instinctively reached out to catch Wan Yan.

He missed. Ghost King Wan Yan’s reaction speed was too fast. With a forceful kick, he tore the bag and pounced out like a streak of white light.

His brother moved as fast as lightning and had already grabbed Wan Yan by the scruff of the neck with his other hand.

The two cats kicked their limbs in mid-air, yowling and cursing at each other.

Zhan Yan shoved the bag into Gu Jiancheng’s hands and rushed over to break up the fight: “Bro! No, Xingxing… ah, kitty… don’t fight, don’t fight…”

Gu Jiancheng caught the bag and couldn’t help but gasp at the situation unfolding before him.

He couldn’t understand cat language, but he knew the little white cat was Ghost King Wan Yan.

Zhan Yan’s brother could grab Ghost King Wan Yan mid-air… Fuck! What is this situation? Is Zhan Yan’s brother also not an ordinary person? Rong Sui never mentioned this! Did she not know, or was it on purpose?

Who exactly is Yanyan’s brother?

Zhan Yan didn’t dare to take Wan Yan; if Wan Yan started acting up, he wouldn’t be able to hold him down. He reached out to take Xingxing.

Xingxing turned his head and started cursing at him, his big eyes glaring aggrievedly: “Meow-aow-woo! Aow-woo! Aow-woo!”

You left me at home for so, so long, and came out to play with another cat! I don’t like you anymore! You fickle, big liar!

Hanging in mid-air, Wan Yan also glared at Zhan Yan in disbelief: “Mee-yow-aow! Mee-aow! Mee-aow!”

I ran so far specifically to find you, and as soon as you see this stupid cat, you go hug him! Aren’t we good friends?!

Zhan Yan: …Help!

Zhan Yan: “Um, Xingxing…”

Wan Yan: “Mee-aow!”

Zhan Yan quickly looked back at Wan Yan: “Kitty, I’m not…”

Xingxing: “Aow-woo!”

The single guy: “Holy crap, what’s this situation?”

His buddy: “The Cat Shura Field?”

“Do the big bosses’ cats know each other too?”

Gu Jiancheng instinctively wanted to go up and help, but he stopped. For the first time, the big boss who had fought his way to top 1 in Infinite felt his mind in such chaos.

How should he help Yanyan? Who exactly is Yanyan’s brother?

Ghost King Wan Yan charged as soon as he saw Yanyan’s brother… That momentum, that look of catching a cheating lover… Ghost King Wan Yan’s most famous object of obsession seemed to be only one person…

No way, no way… could Yanyan’s brother be Ghost King Lin Yuan? That’s not right, isn’t Yanyan’s brother a bakery owner? Ghost King Lin Yuan reincarnated and came to the human world to open a bakery? No matter how you look at it, this isn’t right!

Seeing his little brother’s pitiful look, Zhan Jinli stuffed Wan Yan into his own arms and said in a low voice, “Stop making a fuss.”

“You remember everything now, don’t you? Don’t get jealous over a little kitten.” His voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

Wan Yan’s ears twitched, and he turned his head away, refusing to look at him.

Hmph! I don’t care about fish anymore! You’re not my friend anymore!

Gu Jiancheng heard it too.

…Fuck!

It really is Ghost King Lin Yuan!

Ghost King Lin Yuan’s divine power “Blessings and Disasters Intertwined” had a problem; he couldn’t speak casually nor could he listen casually. Yanyan’s brother was super socially anxious; he didn’t like talking to people nor did he like people talking to him.

Twenty-seven years ago, Ghost King Wan Yan started running around everywhere looking for Ghost King Lin Yuan. Yanyan’s brother was twenty-seven years old this year.

Everything matched up!

Gu Jiancheng began to recall his relationship with Ghost King Lin Yuan, his eyes involuntarily going blank.

Zhan Yan was trying hard to comfort Xingxing. This task was extremely arduous because Wan Yan was still listening from the side, and he could understand…

“I didn’t lie to you, and I didn’t purposely leave you at home and not bring you out to play. I only ran into him after I came out.”

The more he comforted him, the more powerless he felt. No matter how he listened to it, he felt like he was reciting quotes from a scumbag.

Xingxing was terribly aggrieved and simultaneously started cursing Zhan Jinli.

It was clearly that weird cat who suddenly rushed up and attacked his lowest-ranking pooper-scooper back then, and he fought to protect his lowest-ranking pooper-scooper!

But now, Zhan Yan was playing with that cat and not him, and the lowest-ranking pooper-scooper was holding that cat as if they had a good relationship.

Bad guys! You’re all bad guys!

Xingxing forcefully pushed Zhan Yan with his paws, claws sheathed, and jumped down from him.

Hmph! It’s not like I can’t find someone else!

Xingxing charged toward Gu Jiancheng and gave a forceful jump.

Gu Jiancheng instinctively caught Xingxing.

Zhan Jinli’s gaze followed.

Gu Jiancheng: …

He subconsciously revealed a pure and innocent smile, a drop of sweat slowly sliding down his face.

Meow it! Please, please don’t let my cover be blown at this time! I rolled Ghost King Lin Yuan way too hard before…

Zhan Yan was also very nervous: “Um, Bro, he’s my classmate.”

Zhan Jinli took a breath and looked down.

Wan Yan bit his wrist again!

Wan Yan was unhappy.

That stupid cat cursed at you and you didn’t even react! You’re treating us differently!

Zhan Jinli started prying the cat off with a wooden face.

Wan Yan: “Meow-woo-aow-woo!”

Who cares about you! See the ocean balls on the ground? They were all bought for me!

Xingxing suddenly turned his head and glared at Zhan Yan in disbelief.

Wan Yan gave him a provocative look.

Xingxing: “Mee-aow-woo-aow!”

I have my little red tag too! Who cares about your ocean balls?!

Wan Yan saw the little red tag. This thing wasn’t very easy to carry; it was tied to Zhan Jinli’s arm.

Both cats began to glare at the humans simultaneously.

“You actually bought him toys/prey!”