Liu Hong's Diary

Elsewhere, Lin Yi had taken Liu Bo to a quiet home-style restaurant, where the two ate in silence.

After the meal, Liu Bo began crying uncontrollably again.

Lin Yi could only comfort him helplessly.

"Xiao Bo, your father's death was suspicious. When you were at the police station today, did the officers handling the investigation tell you anything?"

Liu Bo wiped away his tears and choked out, "No. They mostly questioned me, asking whether my dad had shown any unusual behavior lately. They also asked if he'd left anything for me. But I've had a lot of exams recently, and he knew I was busy, so he didn't call me very often..."

Liu Bo suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. "Brother Yi, how exactly did my dad die? I watched the surveillance video from that hotpot restaurant too. How could a living person suddenly turn into toxic water? It's too abnormal."

"I feel like those police officers taking statements know something, but no matter how I ask, they won't say anything..."

Lin Yi nodded. After sighing, he asked, "Xiao Bo, what are you planning to do next? If you want to continue studying, don't worry. Your father was practically half a mentor to me. I can support your education from now on. As for your father's investment in the Workshop, you can take it over or cash it out."

"I'm not studying anymore. My dad ended up like this... even if I finish school, what use would it be..."

At the mention of school, Liu Bo suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly stopped crying and said, "Right, Brother Yi. Once, when I came back after evening self-study, my dad seemed to say he wanted to prepare something for me. He also said I didn't need to push myself so hard, that it didn't matter whether my grades were good or not. But I was too tired then, so I didn't ask much."

Lin Yi raised a brow. "Your father really said that?"

It was no wonder Lin Yi found it strange. He knew Liu Hong very well. Liu Hong had worked so hard and struggled to make money all for his son, Liu Bo.

He had also heard that the high school in neighboring Qingshan City was a provincial key school. Liu Hong had paid a considerable price to get Liu Bo enrolled there.

Liu Hong had always placed great importance on Liu Bo's grades.

Once, Liu Bo's exam scores had fallen badly, and Liu Hong had nearly beaten him half to death. Lin Yi had been there at the time.

So words like "it doesn't matter whether your grades are good or not" clearly did not sound like something Liu Hong would say.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yi asked, "Xiao Bo, did you tell the police about this?"

Liu Bo frowned. "No, I forgot. Brother Yi, how about you take me home? I want to look around. Maybe my dad really did leave something for me, and maybe it's related to his cause of death."

"Alright, I'll take you back."

After taking Liu Bo home, Lin Yi did not stay long.

But early the next morning, Lin Yi received a call from Liu Bo.

"Brother Yi, come quickly. I think I found it."

It was early in the morning. Lin Yi had originally planned to go to the Workshop first, then enter Apocalypse World to explore. With his plans disrupted, he could only go check on Liu Bo first.

When he arrived at Liu Bo's home, Lin Yi found it in complete disarray. Much of the furniture and books had been moved, leaving clear signs that the place had been searched.

Liu Bo emerged from a room carrying a black box.

"Brother Yi, I know how my dad died!"

Liu Bo's eyes were red, and he had clearly looked through the items in the box beforehand.

Lin Yi stepped forward. There was not much in the black box—only a white envelope and a brand-new notebook.

The moment he saw the white envelope, Lin Yi's gaze sharpened. It looked exactly like the Activation Code envelope he had obtained yesterday.

The difference was that his had been a Golden Envelope made of special material, while the one before him was made of ordinary white paper and looked completely unremarkable.

"Xiao Bo, what exactly is going on?"

"I'm not sure either, but Brother Yi, you'll understand once you read the diary my dad left behind."

Liu Bo clearly trusted Lin Yi deeply and directly handed him the brand-new notebook.

Lin Yi opened the notebook. Only a few pages contained Liu Hong's handwriting.

"I originally hadn't planned to keep a diary. After all, what respectable person keeps a diary? But ever since I obtained an Activation Code that lets me enter the Apocalypse Game, I realized that I might not even be a respectable person anymore."

"I don't know who will see this diary, but I feel that I should record what I experienced in the Apocalypse Game, leaving something behind to remember."

"It can't really be called a game. It should be called an otherworld filled with the extraordinary..."

"On my first day entering Apocalypse World, I descended into a place called 'Great Yu Village.' The village was not large, with only several thousand residents. The people there were quite welcoming toward Descenders like us..."

"On the very first day of the game, I saw Monsters rush into the village and attack the villagers. It seems this world is not safe..."

"After several days of exploration, I finally learned that if I want to level up, I must kill Monsters. The higher a Monster's level, the more Experience Points it gives. Meanwhile, quests accepted in the village only reward Copper Coins and items..."

"As expected, I was right. The attributes gained from leveling up in Apocalypse World can be brought into reality. Each level grants 5 Free Attribute Points. At Level 2, I can already lift dumbbells I normally couldn't, and my hundred-meter sprint is no worse than a Professional Athlete's..."

"On my fifth day in Apocalypse World, I went through a life-and-death crisis. I was just a little short of dying in that otherworld with no one to collect my body. Fortunately, the Militia arrived in time and saved my life. I have to say, Apocalypse World at night is far too dangerous. I absolutely will not enter Heavenly Revelation at night again. After all, aside from Monsters, there are also Ghost Spirits as terrifying as vicious ghosts."

"A new player arrived. He had a terrible temper and was perhaps some rich second-generation heir in reality. After briefly interacting with him, I stopped paying attention to him. Someone as arrogantly conceited as him won't survive three days in Heavenly Revelation. Seeing him made me think of Xiao Bo. Fortunately, that boy is sensible and doesn't make me worry. Right, I should prepare an Invitation Code for Xiao Bo too. This world may be dangerous, but it is also an unparalleled opportunity..."

"People died. Today, a Level 10 Pig Horn Demon rushed into the village and killed more than a dozen villagers, along with two players. One of them was that rich second-generation newcomer from a few days ago. His name was Zhu Muchen, supposedly the son of Nanhai City's richest man. I wonder how his father will feel when he learns his son is dead."

"On my twelfth day in Apocalypse World, today is worth commemorating. Using Green Material given to me by the Village Chief, I forged a Spiritual Artifact. As far as I know, Spiritual Artifacts are rare weapons in Apocalypse World and are difficult to obtain. After learning that I had forged one and possessed outstanding talent, the Village Chief wanted to take me as his disciple."

"...After becoming the Village Chief's disciple, even the Militia Captain showed me a bit more respect. Sure enough, even in an otherworld, status matters. The Village Chief also told me today that Level 10 is a Bottleneck. Beyond Level 10 is Professional level. Only by reaching Professional level can one leave the village and travel through the dangerous Wilderness."

"I was very curious about Professional level, so I've been asking about it constantly these past few days... So that's how it is. I understand now. The advanced attributes on the character panel correspond to the Four Professions. These Four Professions are the advancement paths in Apocalypse World. My talent is special. At present, all four professions suit me..."

"With the Village Chief's help, I joined the Militia Team. By leeching Experience Points, I quickly reached Level 7. I'm preparing to forge my third Spiritual Artifact, one that I will use myself. But I'm still short several Green Quality materials, and one of them can only be dropped by Bird Snakes outside the village..."

"The Black Card Alliance contacted me again. Those people are like an unshakable rash, using both threats and temptation. I can only make a deal with them and forge Spiritual Artifacts for them. It's my own fault too. I should have hidden my appearance as soon as I entered the game..."

"Today, the Black Card Alliance sent over an Activation Code as payment for the Spiritual Artifact I forged last time. I want to leave this for Xiao Bo, though Xiao Yi is worth considering too. After all, fighting alone in this world won't do. You need companions..."

"On my twentieth day in Apocalypse World, I learned some bad news after logging in today. Last night, Ghost Spirits attacked the village. Several Militia Captains and Village Elders were seriously injured. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave the village to search for Bird Snakes anytime soon..."