What happens when you get too close?

To be honest, for a moment, Zhao Xun was tempted by Shen Yalong's task.

Unfortunately, the system hadn't offered him that task.

Even if he completed it, he most likely wouldn't receive any reward or benefit.

In that case, he was better off not doing it.

As for the ruby that could grant wishes...

If his deduction was correct, the ruby's wish-granting ability had most likely already been used.

Through physical contact, Zhao Xun had confirmed that Ruby was just an ordinary human. She had no witch blood whatsoever, let alone any knowledge of witchcraft.

The sculpture Lulu had probably gained consciousness and life because Ruby had wiped her down day after day, praying that she would respond, until the ruby had finally granted that wish.

So Ruby had indeed given the sculpture Lulu life and consciousness, but the ruby had played a crucial role in the process.

That was why none of the other sculptures in the Duke's Manor had changed. Only the sculpture Lulu was different.

Since the ruby's wish-granting ability had already been used, Zhao Xun stood to gain nothing, and the task no longer held any appeal for him.

Completing the hidden task was still the more practical choice.

By the time Zhao Xun delivered the woven bamboo suitcase to Ruby, she had already washed his jacket.

However, the sodden jacket was still dripping water and was completely unwearable.

Zhao Xun wrung it out himself, managing to squeeze out some of the water.

Then he asked the sculpture, "Lulu, does your daily half hour of free movement reset after midnight, or do you have to wait until tomorrow afternoon?"

The sculpture didn't know why Zhao Xun was suddenly asking, but she answered honestly, "I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon."

"All right." Zhao Xun had expected as much and said calmly, "I'll stay here with you two."

Then he pulled a brown paper bag from inside his clothes and shared some of the food inside with Ruby.

Before returning here, he had stopped by Xiao Ai's home.

Xiao Ai had probably gone out to look for work and hadn't returned yet. Zhao Xun had left a piece of buttered bread behind, then taken the brown paper bag of food and left.

Unless something unusual happened, he certainly wouldn't return to Xiao Ai's home.

The buttered bread would serve as his rent.

Ruby wolfed down the food, her mouth too full to speak, and gave Zhao Xun a grateful look instead.

"So you came all the way out here," a cheerful female voice suddenly sounded behind him, "to meet a beautiful woman."

Startled, Ruby choked on her food. She hurriedly swallowed hard and pounded her chest, barely managing to avoid choking to death.

The moment Zhao Xun heard the voice, he knew what was happening. He turned around, and sure enough, it was Tiantian.

Tiantian walked over with a smile, looking at Zhao Xun. "I happened to be taking a walk and saw you heading out of town. I got curious, so I followed you to take a look."

Her gaze shifted to Ruby and the sculpture beside him, and a knowing smile appeared on her face. "Are they your task targets?"

She looked back at Zhao Xun. "You must have figured it out, right? If you can't complete your Main Quest, you'll be trapped in the game forever."

"I did figure that out." Zhao Xun watched Tiantian without betraying any emotion. "So?"

Tiantian stared at Zhao Xun for quite a while, her smile growing wider and wider, until she finally burst out laughing.

"I'm just messing with you." She leaned against a nearby tree trunk, completely relaxed and looking utterly languid. "Don't worry. I'm in a great mood right now, and I have no intention of sabotaging your task."

Zhao Xun didn't doubt that statement.

Although this girl liked pretending to be a weakling, ever since he had seen through her act, she had made no effort to hide her true nature from him.

Besides, given their current difference in strength, if Tiantian wanted to do something, she could simply act. There was no need to pretend to be friendly and make him lower his guard first.

"Then what are you doing here?" Zhao Xun asked, signaling for Ruby to hide behind them.

Although he believed Tiantian really had no intention of sabotaging his task at the moment, who knew whether her mood might suddenly sour a few minutes later and make her want to act?

It never hurt to take precautions.

Ruby understood and crept behind the large tree, tucking herself entirely behind the sculpture.

She tried not to make any noise, hoping to avoid drawing attention.

But how could Tiantian possibly miss a full-grown person moving around? She simply didn't care.

"I just came to join the fun," Tiantian said with a smile. "I've already finished my Main Quest, so I'm just wandering around and enjoying myself."

"Since you've finished your Main Quest, why don't you go back to the train?" Zhao Xun asked. "This game doesn't require players to stay for the full three days before leaving."

"You're right. I can go back now, but I think staying with you is more interesting." Tiantian leaned closer to Zhao Xun and lowered her voice. "You know, I rarely meet a player who's so much to my taste. As someone of my own kind, you're far more interesting to me than anyone else."

Zhao Xun raised a hand and pushed Tiantian's face away. "If you insist on staying here, there's nothing I can do about it. But don't get so close."

"What, do you avoid women?" Tiantian didn't move closer again and merely asked the question.

"No." Zhao Xun shrugged and said casually, "I just like keeping a normal social distance from other people, regardless of gender."

"Oh?" Tiantian asked with great interest. "What happens when someone gets too close? Do you lose control of those restless urges inside you?"

Zhao Xun didn't answer.

He changed the subject outright. "Since you're sticking around, there are a few things I'd like to ask you."

"Go ahead." Tiantian didn't dwell on her previous question either. She smiled at Zhao Xun. "Though I might not answer."

"Do veteran players like you also have to participate in at least three Platform Games every month?" Regardless of whether Tiantian would answer, Zhao Xun decided to ask first. "Or rather, are the rules for veteran players participating in Platform Games the same as those for new players?"

"That's a good question." Tiantian tilted her head. "Looks like you've already guessed a few things, so I might as well tell you. The Train Rules that veteran players and new players have to follow aren't entirely the same. The rules for participating in Platform Games are one of those differences."

An expression of confirmation appeared on Zhao Xun's face.

But he didn't go on to ask what the veteran players' Train Rules were.

For one thing, Tiantian most likely wouldn't answer a question about something so fundamental.

For another, he was still a new player. He only needed to follow the new players' Train Rules, so there was no need to make a point of memorizing the veteran players' rules now.

Once he became a veteran player, he would naturally learn what their Train Rules were.

Zhao Xun took out his phone and asked a new question. "Have you seen these two people?"