As soon as these words fell, the air between the two of them became quiet.
At this moment, the despair and fear brought by the monster still shrouded the glass house for a long time.
Sun Qianqian was so scared that she kept crying, but the little girl cried very quietly.
Sun Fujing comforted his granddaughter and coaxed her to sleep, but he himself was already exhausted and had obviously reached his limit.
Xu Ning curled up on the bed, covering himself with the quilt, and the slightly bulged area was trembling visibly.
Feng Shi and Bian Ya had already returned to the two sides of the bed in silence.
Bian Ya leaned against the head of the bed, looking at the grassland in the distance under the night sky, lost in thought, while Feng Shi occasionally looked towards Song Yang, Xia Jing and the others.
Song Yang and Xia Jing stood opposite each other.
For a moment, Song Yang felt that even though Xia Jing was very close, his expression was blurry and indistinct in the night.
Just like him.
Sometimes it feels very clear, and sometimes it feels very far away and difficult to reach.
And what was the purpose of this guy asking this question?
What kind of answer does he want to hear?
Song Yang actually wanted to say that he would not let himself and the people he cared about fall into a situation where they had to choose between the two.
However, the fact is that as the star level of the copy gradually increases, the copy game will become more and more terrifying.
One day in the future, they might encounter unimaginable danger.
What choice will he make then?
He was silent for a long time.
The young man in front of him tilted his head, as if to say: You see, you can't answer this question, right?
In your heart, your own life is the most important after all. This is not a despicable thing. This is the choice that countless people will make when facing people who are not their closest relatives.
This is also good because it allows you to protect yourself to the greatest extent possible.
You just have to follow your heart and do it.
And I also have what I want.
You don't have to stop me like this all the time.
Song Yang understood Xia Jing's thoughts, and at this moment, he suddenly laughed.
This laugh made Xia Jing pause slightly.
Song Yang took a deep breath and said, "I've been thinking about this for so long, not because I discovered how afraid I am of death. In fact, after I knew that Jia Qing and Feng Shi had entered Smiley Face City, I thought about the question you mentioned."
"I'm always worried about letting them go into the dungeon on their own. But if I go into the dungeon with them, what should I do if it really comes to a situation where it's either them or me who's going to die?"
The man seemed to be able to finally express his thoughts to Xia Jing, and his whole body was even filled with a sense of relaxation and calmness.
"Of course I know rationally that they have parents waiting for them at home, and I also have parents and a sister waiting for me at home. I can't let my own family be sad for their parents."
Song Yang looked at Xia Jing steadily and said, "But reason is reason. If I really encountered such a dangerous situation, I would probably rush forward without thinking."
"I am like this to them, and I am like this to you."
"To me, you are actually more special than Jia Qing and Feng Shi, do you know that?" Song Yang suddenly took a step closer.
Xia Jing's dark eyes quickly glanced at Song Yang's feet, then raised them and looked straight at the man.
"I've been thinking about this question for so long," Song Yang said slowly. "It's quite magical. When we first entered this dungeon, I said we were lovers. I was joking, and you didn't refute me. I don't know what you think, but now I really can't deny that you are different to me."
Xia Jing stared at him for a while, then asked two words: "Where?"
What's the difference?
Song Yang: "For example, if Jia Qing and Feng Shi were rushing to die before it even reached that point, I could beat them up, but I can't do that to you."
Xia Jing: "…"
This was the first time that Xia Jing was forced into a strange silence by Song Yang.
Song Yang's gaze gently swept over Xia Jing's black hair, forehead, eyes, nose bridge, and lips.
"I can't bring myself to curse you, and I can't bring myself to hit you. I'm just so mad at you, and yet I still want to coax you in a nice way. I feel like a complete scapegoat."
Xia Jing raised his eyebrows.
"But I let it go just now," Song Yang smiled, "Do you know why?"
Xia Jing was silent for a second and asked, "Why?"
"Because," Song Yang's dark eyes sparkled in the moonlight, "haven't you noticed that your purpose in rushing to die is different from before?"
Xia Jing stared at him, seemingly lost in thought, wanting to know what clues Song Yang had discovered.
Soon, Xia Jing got the answer.
His body tensed silently.
Song Yang curled his lips and said, "You rushed to die before because you knew you wouldn't die. As long as you rushed far enough ahead, you could devour the whole monster. For you, only games, monsters, and the truth are the most important, aren't they?"
"But in this dungeon, rushing to die won't get you the truth. The player who survives in a group is the one who has a chance of finding the clues."
"So, according to your personality, shouldn't you trick me into making a sacrifice and go look for clues yourself?"
"Xia Xia, why did you make such a completely different choice this time?"
After this question was asked, the two of them fell into silence again.
But this time, the person who remained silent was Xia Jing.
It's a wonderful feeling.
He stared into Song Yang's eyes, motionless.
In fact, after Xia Jing met Song Yang for the first time and played a whole game with this man for the first time, he knew that this man was different.
Song Yang is a very interesting player, and the two of them might be able to work together.
Cooperation might have the risk of backfiring, but Xia Jing never felt that this man could threaten him, just as there was nothing in the entire Smiley Face City that could make Xia Jing feel threatened.
This is not because he doesn't take Song Yang and Smiley City seriously.
But for him, if his path of exploration ultimately fails, all that awaits him is death, and death is not scary.
The word "threat" does not exist in his dictionary at all.
But at this moment, Xia Jing did feel a hint of threat.
It's very strange, where does this threat come from?
Xia Jing pondered for a moment before realizing that this feeling was not quite right to be called a threat.
This is actually a feeling of having your territory quietly invaded.
This feeling was strange and dangerous, but at the same time, it also attracted him and made him... eager to make a move.
The moment that person stepped into his territory without him realizing it, he just sat there, staring at the other person's figure, silently waiting... for the other person to go deeper.
Dangerous, but exciting to him.
Make him enjoy it.
Makes him happy.
The moment he realized this, Xia Jing's eyes changed and the aura of his whole body suddenly changed.
Song Yang also noticed this instantaneous change.
Song Yang paused, his heart beating faster. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask Xia Jing what he was thinking at that moment.
Suddenly, with a "bang", a hand pressed heavily on the outside of the glass wall next to them, scaring everyone in the surrounding rooms!
Song Yang turned around and was shocked to see Li Shanyin with blood all over his face.
This guy is not dead!
Perhaps the monster was still breathing its last breath when it left, and medical supplies were used in time. Although there was a shocking bloodstain on Li Shanyin's forehead, at least the wound was gone.
He just slapped the glass wall in despair, as if asking how he could get back into the glass house.
Song Yang opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Li Shanyin staggered along the wall, patting the wall all the way, as if trying to find out if there was a hole through which he could get into the house.
And at this moment, Song Yang felt a warm breath approaching him.
He turned around suddenly.
The young man was already close to his ear, and his soft and slow voice sounded in his ear.
"So it seems that we are both essentially creatures that act on instinct, Dr. Song."
When it comes to treating each other, they both choose to follow their hearts without hesitation.
Song Yang's Adam's apple rolled up and down.
"In that case, I won't ask you the same question again."
The young man curled his lips and said, "Let's compete and see who will win in the end, acting according to our instincts."
Song Yang was stunned.
Then he burst out laughing.
This can be translated as: I'm going to throw the can down the drain. From now on I won't be unreasonable with you. I'll follow the plan of whoever is quicker.
Song Yang gritted his teeth and said, "Don't even think about succeeding. I won't let you do anything wrong."
Xia Jing stepped back and narrowed his eyes with a smile.
Song Yang couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his head: "Who's going to win or lose? Who wants to compete with you in this kind of competition?"
Xia Jing turned around and chuckled, "There's still an hour until dawn. Take a rest if you can, Doctor Song."
Song Yang chased after him and said, "Also, you saw that Li Shanyin returned alive. My previous thoughts were wrong. It seems that players chosen by monsters don't necessarily die."
Xia Jing: "Yes, so since there is no need for sacrifice, it doesn't matter if I take the lead, right?"
Song Yang froze for a moment, then said: "%&*@#%&!!"
I want to curse but can't bring myself to beat him.
He is still him, still the wronged one :)
*
Of course, I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to.
Everyone wanted to know what would happen if Li Shanyin was locked outside at dawn.
Xia Jing originally wanted to take this opportunity to ask Li Shanyin to cooperate and search for some clues outside, but unfortunately, the man ran to the outside of his and Wang Lian's original room and sat down exhaustedly without moving.
He hugged his knees with vigilance and fear, observing his surroundings, and finally fell asleep due to exhaustion.
The moment the morning light came, Li Shanyin suddenly disappeared from the spot.
Ten minutes later, it was bright daylight.
The female NPC appeared outside the glass house, and they also found that the doors between the rooms could be reopened.
The NPC said, "Take your achievements from yesterday and come with me."
After saying this, the NPC glanced at the square tray on Li Shanyin and Wang Lian's bed, frowned, walked over and picked it up, and criticized, "Where did these two go last night? They didn't even come back to sleep all night, and all the work has been neglected! If they don't show up at the kindergarten on time, I'll dock their wages!"
Several people looked at each other, and a question arose in their minds.
Where did Li Shanyin go?
Did it just disappear from the copy?
They followed the NPC back to the tower in silence.
As soon as they arrived at the hall, they saw Li Shanyin sitting on the ground in a daze, as if he had just woken up.
The NPC walked over and handed him the square plate, accusing him, "It's a good thing you're back, otherwise I'd never hire you again! Okay, now go back to the studio you were in yesterday and continue working today."
This NPC never mentioned Wang Lian and Zhang Li who had completely disappeared.
The eight people, each with their own thoughts, walked into the bright yellow studio in silence.
After closing the door, Xu Ning trembled and said, "Brother Li, Wang Lian and Zhang Li..."
"I don't know them! I was unconscious for half a day yesterday, and the grass was so tall over there, I had no idea where they died!" Li Shanyin finally felt like wiping his bloody face clean. He murmured with lingering fear, "I thought I'd die before I could get back to the glass house. Fortunately..."
Sun Qianqian said weakly, "Uncle Li, did you notice any clues during your one night out?"
Li Shanyin: "Clues? What clues are there? I didn't notice any of them. If it were you, after being tormented by a monster like this, would you still be in the mood to look for clues?"
Suddenly, everyone else fell silent.
Feng Shi walked up to Song Yang and whispered, "He's the only one who survived out of the three. Do you think it's because he's lucky, or is there some other reason?"
Song Yang thought for a moment and asked Li Shanyin, "How did you and Wang Lian divide up the cooperation on that mountain yesterday?"
Li Shanyin was still a little stressed and had a bad temper at the moment.
Whenever he thought of the mountain, he became psychologically traumatized.
He shuddered and said with a gloomy face, "What do you mean by division? We did it together!"
Song Yang said calmly, "Please calm down and think carefully. Only if we fully understand the monster's killing mechanism can we have a better chance of keeping everyone alive. You don't think that just because you encountered the secondary monster once yesterday, it won't be your turn tonight, right?"
Hearing this, Li Shanyin's face twisted again.
He glared at Song Yang angrily, and had to use his brain to start recalling with difficulty. He gritted his teeth and said, "Yesterday...yesterday we were the last to build that mountain."
"I brought some plasticine, and together we molded the mountain into shape," Li Shanyin said regretfully. "Why didn't I take the 'water' in those two sentences seriously? There's no water in this room!"
Xu Ning said, "In the classroom upstairs, Jia Jia is drinking water."
Everyone's face became serious.
——That is to say, there are some materials that they may need to go up the tower to obtain.
Sun Qianqian said, "But we have blue plasticine here. If we use blue plasticine as 'water', it should be OK, right?"
After hearing this, everyone's thoughts changed again and they couldn't help but nod.
Yes, there are actually many ways to complete the nursery rhyme, and it mainly depends on how careful they are.
Song Yang thought about what Li Shanyin had just said and said, "Then there are a few things we can be sure of."
"First, the elements of a nursery rhyme paragraph must be complete. I'm sure everyone is clear about how complete they must be."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
"Secondly, please pay close attention to the form of each element. If I'm guessing correctly, matching the material will also be one of the criteria for identifying a monster. In other words, if any of the three elements, appearance, color, and material, are met, perhaps we can escape."
Song Yang said calmly: "Of course, there will be situations where none of the three are so consistent, but not so inconsistent either. It all depends on how the monster measures it at that time."
Everyone swallowed nervously.
"Third, each element's formation involves several individuals. If something goes wrong with that element, the monster will target those individuals. I'm sure everyone understood this last night."
"And once a monster finds you, the chance of survival is likely random."
Everyone was stunned.
Song Yang looked at Li Shanyin and said, "I originally wondered if you survived because you and Wang Lian had different work ratios during the construction of the mountain."
"But you and she molded the mountain together, and you chose the plasticine. To be honest, your participation in this process was even greater than Wang Lian's. But Wang Lian is dead, and you are still alive."
"So I think the chance of survival is random probability, independent of the mechanism."
Xu Ning opened his eyes wide and said, "In other words, if something really goes wrong, whether you can survive depends on luck?"
Song Yang nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, "Or perhaps, in the case of not getting shot in the head, willpower might be more important."
The others' expressions changed slightly.
But willpower is such a hard thing to say.
Sometimes when people are in great pain, they may even want to die, just to die quickly.
Li Shanyin muttered, "If I hadn't rushed upstairs yesterday to look for clues, I wouldn't have rushed to build that mountain. I would have let that woman do it all."
But he soon realized a problem - he was the only one left in their group today, and he couldn't find someone to take the risk for him.
The next nursery rhyme, "Jack and Jill", can only be completed by him alone!
Li Shanyin's face darkened. He turned around, grabbed Xu Ning's shoulder, and said, "Hey, you're quite good at handicrafts, right? Finish my portion first, then go do your own!"
Xu Ning's face changed drastically: "Why should I come? That's your job!"
Li Shanyin: "You have no room for rebuttal here—"
The next second, his arm was pulled apart by Song Yang.
Song Yang said calmly, "Are you too naive? Why do you think the NPCs asked the players to group up?"
Li Shanyin said with a stern face, "How do you know if you don't try? Let me go. You have nothing to do here, right?!"
Song Yang actually let go of his hand and sneered, "It's okay if you want to try. Anyway, we really don't know what the consequences of cross-group cooperation will be. If you are really that brave, just try it for us."
After hearing this, Li Shanyin froze there, not daring to move.
Obviously, he realized that he couldn't afford the consequences.
He gritted his teeth, glared at Song Yang fiercely, snorted coldly, turned and walked towards the pile of materials in the corner of the room.
Behind him, Song Yang said calmly, "I also advise you not to hide all the materials from us. If we really die, do you think you can leave this dungeon alone?"
Li Shanyin staggered suddenly, turned around angrily, and gave Song Yang the middle finger!
…
As everyone went to choose their materials for today's crafting, Xia Jing glanced at the pile and said softly, "The NPCs didn't have any additional materials today."
This also means that they will have less and less material in the future.
The production process will also become increasingly restricted.
They would have to find a way to go up the tower to collect some materials.
Five groups of people, sitting on both sides of the long table, began today's work in silence.
Xu Ning and Li Shanyin fought alone today.
Xu Ning was fine. Although she had been traumatized yesterday, her character was obviously still strong. After adjusting herself, she was still able to concentrate on making the doll in her hand, carefully comparing each element in the nursery rhyme paragraph and checking it repeatedly.
Li Shanyin was much more nervous than yesterday.
He planned to do only two lines of the nursery rhyme today: "Jack limped home."[Note 1]
But what does it mean to be limping?
He tried to bend one of the legs of the Hulk Jack he made yesterday, but wouldn't it look more like a broken leg than a lame one?
Li Shanyin quickly pinched the leg back to its original shape.
He couldn't help but glance at the expressionless face of the little doll in his hand.
Whenever he thought of what happened last night, his palms began to sweat, his eyes turned bloodshot, and his teeth chattered.
…
Feng Shi and Bian Ya are going to produce two paragraphs with eight sentences each today.
Fortunately, the nursery rhyme "London Bridge" has many repetitive passages, and the key points of these eight sentences are nothing more than "hurry up and build the bridge" and "the bridge is built with cotton rope." [Note 2]
The two tried to look for some fine wool in the pile of materials, and luckily they found it.
…
Sun Qianqian and Sun Fujing are going to produce four sentences today.
"I went to Taffy's house, but no one was there.
It turned out that he went to my house and stole a bone.
I went to Taffy's house, but no one was there.
It turned out that he had come to my house and stolen a silver needle."[Note 3]
After hearing what Song Yang said, Sun Fujing was unwilling to let Sun Qianqian take action again.
But he was old, his eyesight was not good, and he had not done any handicrafts for decades, so he could not finish these four sentences.
Sun Qianqian's eyes were red as she said, "Grandpa, I know you don't want me to take the risk, but I can do it! You insist on rushing to do it, and then you can't do it well. Isn't this just sending yourself to die in vain? Grandpa, please don't do this, okay?"
After a lot of persuasion, she finally persuaded Sun Fujing to give up.
Sun Fujing wiped his moist eyes, still full of worries.
Sun Qianqian asked him to go and help find some more materials instead of just standing there thinking about random things. Sun Fujing had no choice but to leave.
The little girl was finally able to concentrate on her work.
When she read the sentence "It turns out he went to my house and stole a needle", she pursed her lips.
When she was getting the materials just now, she had already seen that there was no gray or white clay left among the remaining clay today.
Of course, there was no metal in this room, and she didn't know if she could find more suitable materials when she went up the tower later.
Sun Qianqian's slender hands trembled slightly.
She turned her head and quickly glanced at Sun Fujing's old, hunched back. Then she took a small piece of pale yellow plasticine, took a deep breath, and tried hard to rub it into a fine consistency...
…
Song Yang and Xia Jing are here.
Today, just like yesterday, they still have to produce two sentences.
"Look at him jumping into the thorn bush,
Alas! Gouged out his eyes. "[Note 4]
After reviewing these two sentences, the two men crossed their arms and glanced at each other.
Song Yang said lazily: "I admit that you are right. We must find a way to find clues outside."
Xia Jing raised his lip and said, "Are you willing to admit it now?"
Song Yang didn't deny it at first, but he just didn't want to make the choice between the two.
But with the example of Li Shanyin, he felt that they could try to be bolder.
Song Yang said, "I think my willpower is pretty good. There's no need to rely on your special physique to help."
Xia Jing said, "I think my willpower is no worse than yours, and my physique is even better than yours. Doctor Song, don't you think your stubbornness is meaningless?"
"Why is it meaningless?" Song Yang glanced at Xia Jing and said softly, "It's okay if we encounter a dungeon mechanism like "Death Ringing", but in this situation, you want me to hide behind you and watch you get hurt. I can't do it."
At this point, Song Yang also laughed: "Well, since neither of us can convince the other, let's do it together. Anyway, it seems that only the 'characters' in the nursery rhyme can attack the players. Our nursery rhyme only has one protagonist. If we really want it to punish two players at the same time, it may not have that much energy."
Two against one, if they work together, they might be able to directly disperse the monster's combat power.
"Then, I'll take care of the thorn bush, and you take care of the eyeball, how about that?"
Xia Jing said calmly: "It's up to you."
They each took the plasticine and began to shape it seriously.