You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 532 The Other Side of Miss Hualu

Tang Yin's footsteps came to an abrupt halt on the mountain road, and the sight before him made him gasp. The road had collapsed, leaving a shattered cliff face before him. No wonder Xia Hui and Zhou Zhengxiong hadn't left last night. With a landslide of this magnitude, not even a van, let alone an SUV, would have been able to get through.

He stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the scene before him. The mountain breeze ruffled his hair, bringing a hint of coolness. Tang Yin took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of earth and vegetation, but this did nothing to alleviate his inner anxiety.

"Giving up just like that?" Tang Yin muttered to himself. He remembered the setting he hated most in games—the air wall. The feeling of being blocked by something invisible always made him feel extremely frustrated. And the cliff before him was like a real-life air wall, cruelly blocking his path.

Tang Yin's eyes swept around, and he suddenly remembered another game setting that disgusted him—the road suddenly disappeared and turned into a cliff. He smiled bitterly and shook his head. He didn't expect to actually encounter such a situation.

But Tang Yin wasn't one to give up easily. He took a deep breath and decided to continue along the section. The path beneath his feet became even more rugged, covered with leaf mold, ferns, and mosses. The moisture made the ground extremely slippery, requiring every step to be taken with care.

Tang Yin's hands kept breaking off the saplings blocking his path as he struggled forward. His T-shirt was soaked with sweat, sticking to his skin uncomfortably. He looked up and around, a question forming in his mind: "This is clearly a mountain village, so why isn't Baifengzhuang developing its forestry industry?"

As they advanced, the slope grew steeper. Standing at the foot of the mountain, Tang Yin gazed up at the nearly vertical face and couldn't help but gasp. "No matter what, I can't climb up," he muttered, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

But Tang Yin didn't give up. He circled the side of the hill and began to climb cautiously. Every step required careful calculation, fearing a single misstep would send him carelessly tumbling down the mountain. He tried his best to maintain his direction, not wanting to stray too far from his destination.

However, things went against his will. Before he knew it, Tang Yin found himself lost once again. The scenery around him began to look unfamiliar, and he felt lost. But at this moment, he had no choice but to continue climbing.

"Baifeng Manor is near the top of the mountain. As long as we climb up, there should be no problem..." Tang Yin comforted himself and forced himself to move forward.

However, as the altitude increased, a strange fog began to envelop the surroundings. Tang Yin found it difficult to breathe, as if he were in a bowl of thick rice soup or trapped in a large block of milk jelly.

"What's going on?" Tang Yin gasped, feeling as if all his strength had been drained from him. The air grew heavier, even breathing became difficult. His body seemed to be glued by some invisible force, making every movement extremely difficult.

Tang Yin forced himself to stay awake. "This is reality, just a thick fog..." He kept repeating this to himself, trying to dispel the fear in his heart. But as time went on, this self-suggestion seemed to become increasingly powerless.

He clung to the hillside, his fingers digging deep into the dirt as he struggled to climb. Every step felt like a fight against the world, and every breath became an arduous struggle.

"This is reality, just thick fog..." Tang Yin's voice grew weaker and weaker, his consciousness began to blur. His vision began to spin, and the surrounding scene turned into a chaotic gray.

Just as he was about to give up, a thought suddenly flashed through Tang Yin's mind: "Why is there such a strange fog? Is this really just ordinary fog?"

However, he no longer had the energy to think about this problem. As the last bit of consciousness faded, Tang Yu's body slid down the steep hillside powerlessly.

In his final moments before losing consciousness, Tang Yin seemed to hear a faint sound coming from afar. The voice was both strange and familiar, like a call from another world. But he was unable to respond and could only allow himself to sink into the endless darkness.

……

Sanren sighed deeply, frowned, and murmured in a low voice: "It is indeed a bad ending." There was a hint of helplessness and disappointment in his voice, as if he had already anticipated this result.

As if pulled back by an invisible hand, the game screen returned to the previous selection. Several options flashed on the screen, each one seeming to lead to a different fate.

Tang Yin crossed his hands and rested them on his chin, lost in thought.

"What should I do now?" he muttered to himself, his eyes wandering across the screen. After careful consideration, he finally decided not to leave and wait and see what would happen.

After all, he and Wang Lina were at least friends. If he left without saying goodbye or left her in danger without helping, he would definitely feel guilty. Tang Yin closed his eyes, and Wang Lina's slightly melancholy face appeared in his mind. With such a close friendship, he couldn't just abandon her.

"Let's not think about leaving for now." Tang Yin muttered to himself, then cheered up and decided to clarify some doubts first.

He looked up at Wang Lina and asked softly, "Can I ask you a question? Why can't I eat the food from the Hidden Mist Village? Is this a foreshadowing of something?"

Wang Lina heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she smiled bitterly: "Were you discovered?"

Tang Yin nodded and said half-jokingly, "Well, I hope it's not some weird foreshadowing, because that would be really scary."

After hearing this, Wang Lina suddenly laughed, and that smile made her originally pale face more lively. "Ahaha, I really admire you. It's nothing, just a safety measure, or psychological comfort."

Tang Yin was infected by her smile and smiled as well, but the doubt in his eyes deepened: "Hey? Can you tell me a little more details?"

Wang Lina's expression suddenly grew serious. She lowered her voice and said, "...Well, you know that story, right? He ate at a certain restaurant, and then he turned into a pig and couldn't escape."

Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "Huh? Is this hell?" He suddenly remembered the animated movie DVD he had watched, and couldn't help but look around, thinking that there should be no bathhouse here.

Wang Lina's eyes grew deep, and she whispered, "Who knows? Maybe it really is hell."

Tang Yin slowly accepted the situation, wondering if even he had started to believe in superstition. He tentatively asked, "Does that mean we should continue to do this?"

Wang Lina nodded and comforted him, "There is still a lot of food in reserve, don't worry."

Tang Yin's mind immediately conjured up images of cup noodles. It wasn't that he couldn't accept cup noodles, but he hadn't imagined them becoming a way to deal with superstition. This contrast made him want to laugh.

He and Wang Lina returned to her room. It wasn't large, but it was neatly tidied. A few landscape posters on the wall added a touch of life to the somewhat gloomy space. They made a bowl of instant noodles together for lunch, and the steaming aroma filled the room.

Tang Yin looked at the cup noodles in front of him and suddenly realized that he had missed two meals. However, for him, cutting food expenses was a common occurrence. As he ate the cup noodles, he recalled the days when he was in college and often only ate one meal a day to save money.

The cup noodles didn't taste particularly good, but at the moment, they gave Tang Yin a sense of peace of mind. He needed time to calm down and think, but Wang Lina was clearly concerned about the other villagers. Her eyes kept drifting out the window, as if she was worried about something.

Tang Yin had no choice but to go with Wang Lina. After all, his status didn't allow him to act alone. As an outsider, he knew his every move might arouse the villagers' suspicion.

……

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Tang Yin and Wang Lina arrived at the cafeteria. The room was filled with a light aroma of wood, mixed with a faint hint of tea.

Chen Xiang had her hair tied up in a simple bun and was wearing a plain apron. She had a gentle smile on her face and immediately greeted the two of them warmly when they came in.

"Hey, welcome. Would you like to have lunch?" Chen Xiang's voice was gentle but cheerful.

Wang Lina smiled and shook her head. "No, we've already eaten. Can we sit down?"

"Well, of course. I'll go make tea now." Chen Xiang said as she was about to turn around.

Tang Yin quickly said, "Sorry, can you give me a glass of boiled water?" There was a hint of apology in his tone.

Chen Xiang turned around, a hint of surprise on her face. "Oh, drinking tea is good for your health," she said with a hint of persuasion. Tang Yin scratched his hair and explained awkwardly, "Well, I have a constitution that makes me unable to sleep after drinking tea."

Chen Xiang's expression turned a little regretful, but she nodded, "Oh... there's nothing else to do, let's just drink boiled water."

At this moment, Wang Lina suddenly interrupted, "Don't even drink boiled water." There was a hint of nervousness in her tone.

Tang Yin turned to look at Wang Lina, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, "But the boiling water for instant noodles is also the water here, right?"

Wang Lina was stunned, and an expression of sudden realization appeared on her face, "Ah."

Tang Yin couldn't help but complain, "You just found out!"

Wang Lina explained a little flusteredly, "It should be okay if it's boiled, right?" There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Tang Yin wondered in his heart, "Is the boiling water from Hell really okay?" But he didn't say this out loud.

Chen Xiang came over with a pot of steaming water and a few cups. "Enjoy your meal..." She placed the cups on the table and said thoughtfully, "Come to think of it, Tang Yin is really unlucky. His car broke down, and..."

Tang Yin took the cup and shook his head gently, "It's nothing, it's a blessing in disguise..." He paused, then asked nonchalantly, "By the way, does this happen every year?"

He knew that the more important the matter, the more casually he should ask.

Chen Xiang sat down, a nostalgic expression on her face. "No, this is my first time attending a banquet." She paused and continued, "I heard that this kind of thing has happened before, but most people were not in the Hidden Mist Village at that time."

Tang Yin's heart stirred. Was this what happened before the Hidden Mist Village was isolated? But he knew it was not the right time to ask.

He changed his perspective. "So, for most people, this is their first time attending a banquet?"

Chen Xiang nodded, "Well...I guess so."

A hint of doubt flashed in Tang Yin's eyes, "Is that so... so how did the rules of the banquet come down?"

Chen Xiang's expression turned serious. "...This kind of thing is easy, right? In a place like this where there's no entertainment, everyone grows up listening to stories told by their elders."

Her eyes became a little vague, as if she was recalling something, "Ancient legends and ancient folk songs have always been passed down."

"Folk song?" Tang Yin repeated softly, with a hint of doubt in his voice.

At this moment, a clear child's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence in the room.

"ballad……"

Tang Yin turned his head suddenly and saw a little girl who looked about six or seven years old appeared at the door of the cafeteria. It was Xiao Mee.

Xiao Mei walked in with small steps, with an innocent smile on her face, "Folk song, I learned it..."

Chen Xiang's expression softened instantly, and she said gently, "Oh, that's amazing! Can you sing?"

Xiao Mei nodded, and then sang in a childish voice: "The guardian beast of the Thousand Bright Gods, the more miso soup there is, the richer the flavor."

Tang Yin's confusion deepened as he listened to the strange lyrics. The more broth, the stronger the flavor? Isn't that how miso soup is made? Yet, an inexplicable sense of familiarity rose within him; it felt as if he had heard this melody somewhere before.

Wang Lina smiled and clapped her hands, "Ahaha, that folk song is a little difficult." There was a hint of reluctance in her voice, as if she was trying to ease the atmosphere.

Just then, another voice came from the door. "Xiao Mei, so you are here...ah."

A tall, mysterious woman appeared at the door. It was Xiao Mei's guardian, Hua Lu. Her eyes swept across the room, and when she saw Tang Yin, she paused.

Chen Xiang's attitude suddenly became reserved. "Oh... I'm sorry, I'm not well prepared." There was a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Hualu shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm sorry for disturbing you. Did Xiaome cause any trouble to everyone?"

Chen Xiang quickly waved her hands, "No, no, you're welcome. Times like this are the most important time to relax."

Hualu nodded, "Then..."

Just as she was about to say something, an accident happened. Hualu stepped on the guide rail of the sliding door, lost her balance, and fell forward suddenly.

With a "thump", Hualu fell flat on her face.

Wang Lina exclaimed, "Waaaaa!? Are you okay, Hualu?!"

Chen Xiang also hurried forward, "Oh... Are you hurt?"

Hua Lu lay on the ground, covering her nose with both hands, groaning in pain, "... Ouch... It hurts... " Tears seeped out from between her fingers, and her mysterious personality completely collapsed at this moment.

Tang Yin subconsciously stared at Hua Lu. He didn't expect that this mysterious woman would have such rich expressions.

Noticing Tang Yin's gaze, Hua Lu raised her head, her face showing anger and embarrassment, "Um, don't... stare at me."

Tang Yin finally came to his senses and apologized quickly, "Ah, sorry..." He paused, and suddenly thought of something, "By the way, this is the first time we've spoken, right?"

Hualu slowly stood up and straightened her messy clothes. "...I think so. Um... I'm so sorry."

Tang Yin was stunned, "Hey, why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

Hua Lu lowered her head, her voice filled with apology, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Tang Yin recalled what happened before and asked thoughtfully, "So, you told me to leave quickly then?"

Hualu raised her head, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "Because...it was foggy. Fortunately, we got there in time."

(End of this chapter)