Even if there was a way to top up, he didn't have the money. Unless it was with Game Coins, he mused. But Wind Blows Butt Cool wouldn't dare casually send any red envelopes—virtual gifts—to her. What if a gift cheered her up and she wanted to see him immediately? What then?

"Anyway, let's keep our distance from schools for now," Wind Blows Butt Cool analyzed seriously. "My chat contact, Song Meng, is a university student, and yours, Feng Cheng, is a high school student. If we see a school, let's steer clear. Don't go near one. For now, try not to be too aloof or too enthusiastic with them. Let's just see how things play out."

"So, are we still going to look for the other three players in the instance?" Moonfall Crow Cries asked.

Wind Blows Butt Cool shook his head slightly. "That depends on luck. If we're lucky, we'll run into them without searching. If we're unlucky, we won't find them even if we try."

"Alright," Moonfall Crow Cries agreed, though he actually wanted to find the other players. More people mean more ideas; they might figure out a way to survive much faster.

「Meanwhile, Gu Mian and his two companions had arrived at Zhao'an University.」

It was noon, and with no classes in session, many students were heading to the food street outside the school gates for lunch. Gu Mian's group simply blended in with them and entered the campus.

Xia Yutong had said over half an hour ago that she was going to the cafeteria for lunch. The school's cafeteria was quite conspicuous; as soon as Gu Mian and the others entered the main gate, they spotted the three-story building with a "Campus Restaurant" sign. Students bustled back and forth, most carrying takeout meals, likely heading back to their dorms to eat.

"She said she was going to the cafeteria for lunch half an hour ago, so she's probably finished by now," Gu Mian said, gazing at the Campus Restaurant's entrance. "Even if she is at this school, she might not still be in the cafeteria."

But since we're already here, it'd be a waste not to go in and check, he thought.

The cafeteria was bustling. Just inside the entrance was a large Malatang stall, where students were selecting ingredients with small basins. Further in, there were stalls for clay pot milk tea, roast duck, and roast goose, but none of these caught Gu Mian's attention. He quickly scanned the first floor but didn't find the person he was looking for. Then, he rapidly searched the second and third floors, also finding nothing.

"Xia Yutong's character profile said she has good interpersonal relationships. Maybe we can ask these students if any of them know her?" Keke suggested.

She knew it wasn't a great idea. It would be time-consuming and might not yield any results, but it seems we don't have any other options right now, she thought.

Gu Mian patted his guitar case. "I have a way to find her quickly."

"What is it?" Keke asked curiously.

"I'll slash you a few times. You lie in a pool of blood and scream, 'Xia Yutong stabbed me!' Then Xia Yutong will be caught by others and brought here." Gu Mian paused, then, apparently thinking this was too cruel to Keke, added, "Slashing Chu Changge would also work."

As he spoke, he glanced towards Chu Changge. Unexpectedly, Chu Changge seemed to have anticipated his thoughts and had already silently retreated several meters. Keke also backed away quietly.

Just as Gu Mian was about to continue persuading them, a phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

Someone sent a message? Let me see who it is, he wondered.

Gu Mian took out his three phones and checked them one by one. It was a message from his "romantic interest," Zhao Tiankuo.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: I'm back. You must have been anxiously waiting for me, little thing.

Gu Mian was indeed very anxious. Finally, someone's messaging me!

He immediately typed his reply: "What were you doing? You haven't messaged me for so long! Were you chatting with someone else?"

[Zhao Tiankuo]: How could I? You're my only treasure; there's no one else.

"I don't believe you. You need to tell me exactly what you were doing just now and show me proof. Otherwise, I won't believe it," Gu Mian typed, starting to act unreasonably.

He's being this provocative? Keke thought as she read their messages. She remembered that this Zhao Tiankuo was a domestic abuser and worried that Gu Mian, being so unreasonable, would actually provoke him into violence.

But Zhao Tiankuo showed no signs of his violent tendencies just then. He even explained patiently to Gu Mian.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: I went to collect some debts. The boss lent out some money that he couldn't get back, so I had no choice but to go myself.

"I don't believe you. Where's the proof?"

[Zhao Tiankuo]: You're impossible! Luckily, I took a picture. I'll send it to you right now to prove my innocence.

Then, he actually sent a photo. Even the thumbnail looked gruesome.

Gu Mian clicked on the image, and Keke leaned over curiously. The photo appeared to have been taken in an old garage. A person, curled up, took up most of the frame. They were bound with ropes, their entire body covered in bruises, as if beaten with a blunt object. A patch on their forehead was a bloody, mangled mess, with fresh blood still trickling down.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: See? Now do you believe me? I came to collect a debt, and this guy started crying to me about how he had no money. I don't fall for that crap. These people who borrow at high interest are cunning. They hide their money so well even a rat couldn't find it. If you don't beat them half to death, they won't tell the truth.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: Didn't scare you, did I?

Gu Mian typed worriedly: "That photo is terrifying. You're beating someone else today... you wouldn't hit me in the future, would you?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

[Zhao Tiankuo]: Of course not! I don't have a violent bone in my body. I'm only like this for work. I could never bring myself to hit you.

As if I'd believe that, Gu Mian scoffed internally.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: By the way, little thing, I still don't know your name.

That's strange, Gu Mian mused. Chu Changge's chat contact knew his name, but this guy doesn't know mine. The brooch must have blocked my name.

After a moment's thought, Gu Mian typed: "Just call me Mian Mian."

[Zhao Tiankuo]: Your name is lovely. From now on, I'll say it to myself every night before I sleep.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: I still haven't seen what you look like. Send me a photo, let me see.

An idea sparked in Gu Mian's mind. "Why go to all that trouble? Why don't we just meet in person? Tell me where you are, and I'll come find you."

Then I can just grab this ghost, and I won't have to go through all this trouble trying to wheedle information out of him through chat, he schemed.

But Zhao Tiankuo didn't take the bait.

[Zhao Tiankuo]: Heh heh, can't wait to meet me already, huh? Unfortunately, I'm busy right now. Wait a little longer. I'll see if I can make some time to find you in the next day or two.

Gu Mian smiled happily. "I'll hold you to that. Don't you dare go back on your word."