Days Spent With The Doll

Eileen quickly understood what Yu Sheng meant by "rule system."

"Actually, I'm not entirely sure myself. As I said, many of my memories are blurry, even a lot of my most basic knowledge—this painting's influence on me wasn't just memory loss; it dismantled my mind over a long period," the person in the painting said, pointing to her head, speaking slowly. "Many of the characteristics related to 'Hunger' are just superficial impressions. I've reorganized them based on my own understanding, so you'd best take them as a reference."

"...Regardless, that thing is really difficult to deal with," Yu Sheng mused for a moment, nodding. "It seems we need a backup plan. If we can't handle that monster, we'll find a way to bring Huli out of that valley too—right, getting her out of that Otherworld should also free her from 'Hunger's' influence, shouldn't it?"

"It should be possible. The Otherworld's influence can't spread into reality, but honestly, the difficulty of bringing another person out of an Otherworld under 'Hunger's' blockade is already absurdly high."

Eileen spoke as she thought, then suddenly looked up, staring directly at Yu Sheng. "Hey, wait, are you really planning to deal with that thing yourself... No, never mind how you'll deal with it, how do you know you'll definitely be able to return to that valley?"

"Didn't you say it yourself? Once a person makes contact with an Otherworld, they can never break free from that connection," Yu Sheng said casually. "I understand it like falling into quicksand; you can only sink deeper. Even if you temporarily get out, you're just holding on for a moment while sinking..."

Eileen's eyes widened. "I did say that, but what that means is that after you've dealt with an Otherworld, you establish a connection with the entire domain of 'beyond reason.' You'll have a higher chance of encountering other Otherworlds or supernatural phenomena, not that you'll definitely return to the specific Otherworld you first encountered. This thing is completely random!"

"But I have a feeling I'll see that monster again soon, and that valley too," Yu Sheng met Eileen's gaze very seriously. "I haven't completely 'disconnected' from that place; it... seems to be waiting for me to go back."

A hint of solemnity flashed in Eileen's scarlet eyes. She thought for a moment and spoke uncertainly, "...Spiritual intuition?"

"I don't know if that's what you call spiritual intuition," Yu Sheng spread his hands. "But ever since I dealt with that monster, I've started to 'feel' things. It's very vague, but it seems to be accurate."

"...Even with stimulation, it's difficult for ordinary people to develop spiritual intuition in such a short time, let alone control and utilize it to some extent," Eileen couldn't help but size Yu Sheng up, her expression a little amazed. "You might be a born Investigator's Holy Body..."

Yu Sheng opened his mouth. "Ah, is that a good thing?"

Eileen thought for a moment, her mouth as usual. "The mortality rate for Investigators is quite high."

Yu Sheng: "..."

Before he could say anything, he heard Eileen's mouth add again, "But the mortality rate for ordinary people who've contacted an Otherworld but can't develop spiritual intuition is even higher."

Yu Sheng's mouth twitched. "Well, that's fine then, not a big problem."

Eileen was immediately amazed by Yu Sheng's level of composure. Yu Sheng just shook his head and got up from the dining table.

The voice from the oil painting immediately came, "Hey, where are you going?"

"The kitchen! I've slept all day, and there's no dinner yet!" Yu Sheng turned and glared at Eileen. "Speaking of which, why do you get so nervous whenever I move somewhere, like I'm going to throw you away?"

"Of course! It's a problem for me to even move myself. Do you know how unsettling that is—and you, who can fall into an Otherworld just by going out, how do I know you won't disappear again the next time you get up, and then we'll be separated forever..."

Eileen's mouth was as annoying as ever, but Yu Sheng just frowned, then sensed that she was just trying to show concern.

And... he sensed the powerlessness and anxiety of this doll, trapped in an oil painting, and her desperate need for someone to communicate with after finally finding someone.

He thought for a moment, then got up and picked Eileen up from the dining table.

The latter immediately exclaimed, "Hey, what are you doing? I... I'm still watching TV! I'm warning you, don't hang me back in that room on the second floor! I... at worst, I won't talk anymore, just put me back..."

"It's no fun cooking alone. Since you're idle anyway, come to the kitchen and keep me company."

Eileen froze for a moment, peeking at Yu Sheng's expression from the edge of the frame, seemingly in disbelief, but quickly nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, okay!"

Yu Sheng pouted and carried Eileen into the kitchen, casually placing her on the windowsill, then turned to open the refrigerator to check for dinner ingredients.

Huli's figure, however, floated into his mind—the moment he saw the food, he couldn't help but think of the demon fox girl who was squatting in the ruins of a dilapidated temple, holding a rotten piece of vegetable in her mouth and looking at him from afar.

She was still hungry.

Yu Sheng pursed his lips, suppressing many thoughts, and took out the stewed meat and two steamed buns left from the morning.

He'd heat up leftovers with steamed buns for dinner, and maybe cook some porridge.

Yu Sheng silently busied himself, putting the steamed buns and stewed meat from the refrigerator into the microwave, then washing rice to cook porridge. Half a minute later, he began to regret bringing Eileen into the kitchen—

This chatterbox hadn't stopped since he opened the refrigerator!

"Hey, your refrigerator is quite big! Do you need such a big refrigerator for yourself?

"Is that the meat you stewed this morning... Honestly, that 'local specialty' looks quite normal after processing... By the way, will it really not suddenly come alive in the bowl?

"You're just cooking porridge? Then there's nothing interesting to see. How about you carve a flower out of a radish, or carve a stamp?

"Why aren't you turning on the range hood... Oh, you're not stir-frying.

"Is it getting dark outside? Turn me around, I want to see the street... If not, then not.

"What's your mother's surname?"

Yu Sheng finally couldn't take it anymore, picked up Eileen, and brought her to the sink. "Do you believe I'll soak you in here right now! Do you believe I'll scrub you with dish soap until you fade!"

Eileen instantly shrunk her neck, hugged the plush bear, and sat back down in the chair. "If you don't say it, I won't say it..."

The world finally became quiet.

Eileen returned to the windowsill, hugging the plush bear and sitting in the chair watching Yu Sheng, who was now leaning against the stove, lost in thought. Neither of them spoke.

After an unknown amount of time, Eileen broke the silence first. "I still think it's too dangerous to deal with 'Hunger' alone. Although I can't remember how strong that Entity really is, it's definitely not something an ordinary person can handle. You... will die."

"I'll revive."

"I'm serious with you!"

"I'm serious too."

Eileen glared, looking at Yu Sheng as if she were a little angry.

But she was only angry for a few seconds before sighing.

"Seriously, let's think of another way. Try to get in touch with the people in this city who specialize in fighting Otherworlds. Don't take the risk."

"I don't want to take risks, I just feel like 'risks' will find me," Yu Sheng shook his head. "But I know what you mean, I won't throw my life away carelessly. As for those 'professionals' you mentioned, I'll go find them."

"Oh, that's good then."

Dinner passed peacefully. Eileen watched a shallow urban drama on TV, occasionally commenting on the people and events in the plot. Yu Sheng ate his food diligently, occasionally responding to Eileen's chatter.

Yu Sheng finished his meal cleanly, not even leaving the last bit of meat broth in the bowl, using his steamed bun to wipe the sides clean.

"I'm going out," Yu Sheng said casually to Eileen after tidying up the dining room and kitchen, changing into his going-out clothes.

Eileen, who was watching TV, immediately looked up, her expression showing a hint of panic. "Where are you going?!"

"To the small supermarket at the intersection to buy some food. It's not far," Yu Sheng said, noticing the expression on Eileen's face. He found it a little amusing. "Don't be so nervous. I don't fall into the Otherworld every time I go out… Don't worry, this house is a bit strange, but I'll observe each time before opening the door from now on."

"Uh, okay," Eileen scratched her head, then looked a bit confused. "But I thought there was still plenty of food in the fridge?"

"I'll go buy some more," Yu Sheng replied. "Things that don't need refrigeration and are convenient to eat immediately."

Eileen understood.

"Oh, alright then. Be careful when you go out… and absolutely remember not to go out directly after opening the door again! Take a look outside first!"

Yu Sheng smiled.

It had been a long time since anyone had told him to "be careful when you go out." Although the person saying it this time was a doll who usually spouted nonsense, it felt nice.

He changed his clothes, then thought for a moment, stuffing a few more pieces of bread and biscuits into his pockets before heading to the front door. He placed his hand on the doorknob and took a gentle breath.

Honestly, ever since he'd pushed open this door and fallen directly into the Otherworld last time, he had developed a bit of… a phobia of that door.

But he couldn't stay in this house forever because of it.

Yu Sheng gritted his teeth and slowly pushed the door open.

He first opened it a crack, then a little wider, cautiously observing the situation outside.

After confirming for a long time, he let out a sigh of relief and stepped out of his home.

Fortunately, the door wasn't as sinister as he thought.

It seemed that falling into the Otherworld after leaving this house wasn't a high-probability event. Perhaps specific conditions were needed to trigger some kind of "effect" from the door? Maybe it required opening the door a certain number of times, or at specific times?

Yu Sheng walked down the street, feeling a little more settled, and couldn't help but ponder these thoughts. But no matter what, he was truly relieved.

He walked with light steps down the street, which had very few pedestrians, and soon arrived at the small supermarket at the intersection. He pushed the door open.

The moment he pushed the door, he felt a jolt in his heart, and then—

Hot wind hit him, the scorched earth opposite the door steamed, a crashed aircraft billowed thick smoke on a distant hill, and two fully armed figures, clad in black power armor that looked like alien battle suits, were wrestling. Suddenly, one of them raised his hand, and a plasma light blade ignited with a "hiss" from his wrist, stabbing towards the other.

Then, the two black canned figures, dressed as if they were Star Realm Mercenaries, seemed to simultaneously notice the gaze from the side and abruptly turned their heads to look at Yu Sheng. The dark red surveillance monitors on their faceplates flickered faintly.

Yu Sheng: "……?"

He took a sudden step back and slammed the door shut with a bang.